Summary: Reuben A. Garber filed this claim September 5, 1872, for $300, claiming that Union troops confiscated two horses from his farm southeast of Mount Sidney, Augusta Co., Va., on September 29, 1864. The horses were taken during the Burning of the Valley of Virginia. The claim was disallowed December 9, 1872.
Items Claimed:
| Item Claimed: | Amount Claimed: | Amount Allowed: | Amount Disallowed: |
| 1 Dun Horse 7 1/2 year old (no 1) | $150.00 | 0 | $150.00 |
| 1 Bay mare 3 1/2 - good | $150.00 | 0 | $150.00 |
Claims Summary:
Claimant swears to his loyal sympathies - He don't know whether he voted on the adoption of the Ordinance, but if he did he voted against it. The Record of the Election shows that he did vote and that he voted for the Ordinance of Secession. He was pressed with his team, and worked several days for the Rebel Army and received pay therefor. His father he says employed a substitute for him in the Rebel Service, after he had been drafted.
His as set forth develops something inconsistent with practical adherance to the Cause of the Union and the Government of the United States, We therefore reject the Claim.
Testimony: Reuben A. Garber
In answer to the First General Interrogatory the Deponent says: My name is Reuben A. Garber, my age 36 years, my residence Mt. Sidney Augusta Co., in the State of Virginia, and my occupation a; I am the claimant.
To question 2 He says near Mt. Sidney in Augusta County Virga on my own land. My farm contained 87 acres about 8 or 10 acres of which was woodland. I did not change my business or occupation residence during the war.
To Questions 3 & 4 he says No.
To Question 5 he says, I took an oath to the United States but I don't know whether it was the oath of allegiance or the amnesty oath, I took it because others done so and because I wanted to show that I was a Union man.
To Question 6 to 13 inclusive he says No to each and every question separately put.
To Question 14, he says Yes, but it was done wholly against my will, I did not furnish the substitute myself. My father did it for me to keep me out of the rebel service. I had been drafted, my father paid him, I think about $1200 in Confederate money. I did not intend to go into the army. I was going across the lines, my father done it to keep me home.
To Question 15 he says No.
To Question 16 he says No.
To Question 17 he says I was pressed with my two horse team to haul medical stores from Staunton to Monterey in 1861, by Quartertmaster M.G. Harmon, I think, I was employed about 8 to 10 days, I got paid for it.
To Questions 18 to 28 inclusive he answers No fully to each question separately put.
To Question 29 he says he says I aided the Union refugees to escape from the rebels by furnishing them lodging and provisions.
To Questions 30 to 39 inclusive he says no to each and every quesion separately put.
To Question 40 he says, I sympathized with the Union cause at the time. My feelings were always for the Union and my language too, I exerted my influence and cast my vote in favor of the Union, I don't remember whether I voted at all on the ratification of the ordinance of secession, if I did vote it was against the Ordinance. After the Ordinance was ratified I did not "go with the Vote" but went with the Union.
To Question 41 He says I do make that declaration.
The claimant is here examined by the commissioner as to the property charged.
There was two horses taken from my field near my barn by the Union Army, on the 29 day of Septr 1864 by four men that belonged to Genl Sheridan's Army. I think, I don't know whether one of them was an officer or not, I heard one of the men call another Captain. They were both taken on the same day, I remonstrated with them, and tried to get them to leave me at least our the one which was the favorite with my wife my they told me that they were ordered to take all the horses in the valley that they could find fit for service. One of my horses was a Dun with black main and tail, with a black streak over his back a very heavy large horse about 7 1/2 years old perfectly sound, worth about $150. - The other was a bay mare about 3 1/2 years old, medium size perfectly sound and was worth about $150. - I never saw the horse afterwards. They did not give me any receipt I did not ask for any. I didn't think of it. No army was moving at that time. The one that was called Captain talked with me a little while and he asked me which why I was not in the army. I told him that it was against my religious professions to fight when he being a Dunker. When he left me he shook hands and said he wished all Virginians had been Dunkers.
Further deponent saith not.
Reuben A. Garber
Testimony: John W. Peters
John W. Peters, witness to prove loyalty of claimant, being affirmed and examined by the Commissioner says:
I am 28 years old and reside near Mt. Sidney Augusta County, Virginia. I am a farmer. I am not related to the claimant and have no interest in his claim. I lived about three hundred yards from him during the war and saw him almost every day. I talked with him in regard to the cause and progress of the war. He always expressed himself as a Union man. I was a Union man and the claimant so regarded me. I knew what his reputation was for loyalty. It was that of a loyal man. He was so regarded a loyal man by his loyal neighbors. I never knew him to own Confederate Bonds, or do anything to sustain the financial credit of the Confederacy. I never knew him to be molested or injured on account of his Union sentiments. I never knew him to render any assistance to the Confederate or Union armies. He aided Union refugees to escape. His conversations with me and his general cause during the war would have prevented him from proving his loyalty to the Confederate government if it had succeeded in maintaining a separate existence.
Further deponent saith not.
John W Peters his mark
Testimony: Daniel Miller
Daniel Miller, witness to prove loyalty of claimant being affirmed and examined by the Commissioner, says:
I am 53 years old and reside near Mt. Sidney, Augusta County Va. I am a farmer. I am a brother-in-law to the claimant. I have no interest in his claim. I lived about three fourths of a mile from him during the war, and saw him pretty often. I talked with him often in regard to the cause and progress of the war. He always said if only the Union army could come through and stop the rebellion. He spoke in favor of the Union cause. I do not remember whether I heard him express himself in the presence of others. I was a Union man and the claimant so regarded me. I never knew him to own any Confederate Bonds or do anything to sustain the financial credit of the Confederate Cause. I do not know anything he did in aid of the Confederate army or cause. I never knew him to be injured or molested on account of his Union sentiments. His language used in my presence would have rendered him unable to prove his loyalty to the Confederate government if it had succeeded in maintaining a separate existence.
Further deponent saith not.
Daniel Miller
Testimony: Jacob Garber, Sr.
Jacob Garber Sr. witness to prove property taken being affirmed & examined by the Commissioner, says: I am 71 years old and reside near Mt. Sidney, Augusta Co. Va. I am a farmer. I am the father of the father of the Claimant. I have no interest in this claim. In the month of September 1864 the Union army came past my house, and I saw it have in its possession two horses which I recognized as my son's horses. One was a dun horse, about 7 years old. The other was a young mare about three years old. They were two noble horses. I could not say as to their value I could not say. I knew his horses well, and am sure that I was not mistaken as to their identity. No conversation took place in regard to the horses. The soldiers who had the horses were cavalry soldiers and they were leading the horses. This was at the time of Sheridan's Burning Raid. I do not know whether or not any officer was among the men who had horses. Further deponent saith not.
Jacob Garber
Testimony: Mary Garber
Mary Garber, witness to prove property taken being affirmed and examined by the Commissioner says:
I am 36 years old & reside near Mt. Sidney, Augusta Co.Va. I am the wife of the claimant & have no money interest in his claim. I was present and saw the Union army under Gen. Sheridan take two of my husband's horses in the month of September 1864. The horses were in the field when taken. One was a dun seven years old & one a bay, three years old. They were taken in daylight by the soldiers. One claimed to be a Captain. I begged them to leave the horses. They said they were compelled to have them. They led the horses away. I think the horses were worth $150 each.
Further deponent saith not.
Mary Garber
Testimony: Thomas S. Hargest
The depositions herein set forth were taken and subscribed before me at the time and place stated in the foregoing caption.
Thos. S. Hargest
Testimony: John Yates and Daniel Miller
We the undersigned Loyal Citizens of Augusta County Virginia do certify on oath that we have known Reuben Garber for many years and know him to have been loyal to the United States before, at the time & since the taking of the property in the claimants petition mentioned.
John Yates, Mt. Sidney
Daniel Miller, " "
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 29th Apl. 1871,
HG McCausland, N.P.
Testimony: United States War Department
Archive Office, WAR DEPARTMENT, Sept 31, 1874
Book 3, Letters Sent, page 53
Case of Reuben A. Garber, Augusta Co. Va.
Bill & receipt for 1000 lb Oats Amt. $35.00 Paid Capt. L.L. Frensley Aug 13 1864
Dec 9/72 Reported rejected
Testimony: United States War Department
Archive Office, WAR DEPARTMENT, May 29, 1874
Book 3, Letters Sent, page 19
Case of Reuben A. Garber, Augusta Co. Va.
Petitions the Sec. of War to exempt from the military service of John W. Watson who is a manufacturer of Earthen Ware, the citizens of Augusta & Rockingham Cos. being in great want of the same.
(W.D.L. 1863 W. 37 in file)
Dec 9/72 Reported rejected
Bibliographic Information : Southern Claims Commission: Claim of Reuben A. Garber, September 5, 1872, Claim No. 2505, Source copy consulted: National Archives, Washington, D.C., fiche # 460.
