Summary: Humbert filed this claim for horses, livestock, household goods, and food taken in September, 1864. In 1872, the Commissioners ruled against him because he voted in favor of the Ordinance of Secession and furnished a substitute to keep his son out of the Confederate Army.
Items Claimed:
| Item Claimed: | Amount Claimed: | Amount Allowed: | Amount Disallowed: |
| 5 Barrels Flour | $30.00 | 0 | $30.00 |
| 500 lbs Bacon | $60.00 | 0 | $60.00 |
| 2 Blankets 1 Coverlet | $15.00 | 0 | $15.00 |
| 5 Milch Cows | $120.00 | 0 | $120.00 |
| One Steer | $40.00 | 0 | $40.00 |
| One Heifer | $25.00 | 0 | $25.00 |
| One Steer | $20.00 | 0 | $20.00 |
| One Sorrel Mare | $140.00 | 0 | $140.00 |
Claims Summary:
Claimant swears to his loyal sympathy. But he also swears that he furnished a substitute for his son in the Rebel Army, and voted for the Ordinance of Secession, as he says under threats that those who voted against it would be taken to Richmond.
These acts of disloyalty, are inconsistent with loyal adherence to the Cause of the Union and the Government of the United States. We therefore reject the Claim.
Testimony: Jacob L. Humbert
In answer to the First General Interrogatory, the Deponent says: My name is Jacob L. Humbert, my age is 48 years, my residence near Staunton, in the State of Virginia, and my occupation a farmer; I am the claimant.
To question No. 2 he answers - I lived near New Hope Va. during the whole war. I was farming my own land. It consisted of 500 acres - about half of which was timber land.
To question Nos. 3 & 4 he answers - no in full to each.
To question No. 5 he answers - I took the amnesty oath at Staunton in the year 1865.
To questions Nos. 6 to 13 inclusive he answers - no in full to each.
To question No. 14 he answers I furnished a substitute for my son in order to prevent him from being conscripted into the rebel army. My son volunteered and joined the rebel army and I hired this substitute to get my son out to send North. I paid $700 in Confederate money. My son's name was Preston S. Humbert.
To questions No. 15 to 25 inclusive he answers no in full to each.
To question no 26 he answers - I was frequently threatened by anonymous communications during the war, with hanging - on account of my Union sentiments.
To question No. 27 he answers - my property was frequently threatened during the war on account of my Union sentiments.
To question No. 28 he answers no.
To question No. 29 he answers no, except to aid Union refugees all I could.
To question No. 30 he answers - my nephew Samuel Wampler was in the rebel army. He now lives in Augusta Co. Va. I never furnished him with any money or military equipment.
To questions Nos. 31 to 39 he answers no in full to each question separately put.
To question No. 40 he answers - at the beginning of the rebellion I sympathized with the Union Cause. I voted the Union ticket. I voted for the Ordinance of Secession. I did so on account of threats made of taking persons to Richmond who did not vote for it. After the Ordinance of Secession was adopted I still adhered to the Union Cause.
To question No. 41 he answers - I do so solemly declare.
The claimant here examined by the Commissioner concerning property taken. I was present and saw everything charged in my account taken except the five barrels of flour, and part of the bacon. The bacon and coverlet were taken by Genl. Hunter's army on the 6th of June at the battle of Piedmont. They were taken on the night of the battle. The soldiers broke into my house and carried the meat, blankets and coverlet away. They I did not say anything to them as I was not near enough. I don't know whether there were any officers present. The blankets and coverlet were taken off the beds. They took all the bacon I had, and I estimated it at five hundred pound. The same soldiers came to my house the next morning to get my flour. An officer was with them and they said that they had taken my bacon the night previous and that they were compelled to do so as they were cut off from their supplies. I did not ask for any receipts and they did not offer me any. Bacon was then worth from 12 to 15 cents in specie. I don't know what was done with the blankets & coverlet. They were worth $15. My five cows, three steer and sorrel mare were taken by Genl. Sheridan's army about the 27th or 28th of September 1864. The cattle were all driven away by the soldiers. I talked to a Colonel - I do not know his name - who was in command. There was no conversation took place between myself and any of them. There were 5 cows, 2 steers and one heifer. The cows were about 7 years old and were in very good order. They were worth $30 each. The beef steer was fat & I had been offered $50 in gold for him. The heifer beef was 2 1/2 years old and was worth about $25. It was in good condition. The steer was two years old - thin - and worth $15 or $16 - The sorrel mare was in the meadow near the house. She was led away by the soldiers. About forty two or three soldiers with an officer took her. I do not recollect the officer's name or his command. No conversation whatever passed. Nothing was said about receipts. The mare was seven years old in right good order and was worth $145. I never saw her afterwards.
Further deponent saith not.
Jacob L. Humbert
Testimony: Savory B. Aldhiser
Savory B. Aldhiser, witness to prove property taken, being affirmed and examined by the Commissioner says:
I am 30 years old and reside in New Hope, Augusta County Va. I am not related to the claimant and have no interest in his claim. I was present at the claimant's house during the war and saw the Union troops take five barrels of flour, eight head of cattle and one horse from him. The flour was taken on the 6th of June at the time of the battle of Piedmont. I do not remember whose army it was. The flour was in the house and was taken away on a cart by the soldiers. There was a man who talked as if he had authority, who came to press the flour. I do not remmeber whether he was an officer. I did not hear anything said at the time. The flour was in barrels. The troops were on their way to Staunton Va. when they stopped and took the flour. I do not know what flour was worth at that time. I saw eight head of cattle and one horse taken by the Union troops at the time of the Burning Raid. I do not know whose army it was - I did know but I have forgotten. It was the army that did the burning. I think there were six milch cows and two other cattle. I do not know what kind they were. I do not know the value of the cattle. They were in good condition. The cattle were all driven away together by the soldiers. There was an officer with the soldiers. I did not hear anything said at the time. The horse was in the field with the cattle and he was led away by the soldiers who took the cattle. It was a sorrel mare - I do not know how old. It was in very good condition - tolerably large - I do not know its age. I do not know the value.
Further deponent saith not.
Sabra B. Aldhiser
Testimony: James H. Humbert
James H. Humbert, witness to prove property taken, being affirmed and examined by the Commissioner, deposes and says:
I am 26 years old and live at Rawley Va. I am a farmer. I am a son of the claimant and have no interest in this claim. I was present and saw a sorrel mare taken from my father by the Union troops under Gen. Sheridan at the time of the Burning Raid. It was in the meadow and was led away by the soldiers. There was an officer with them. I did not hear anything said at the time. It was seven or eight years old - in very good condition and was worth about $140. Further deponent saith not.
Jas. H. Humbert
Testimony: Noah Beard
Noah Beard, witness to prove loyalty of claimant being affirmed and examined by the Commissioner says:
I am 57 years old and reside at New Hope, Augusta County, Virginia. I am a saddler. I am not related to the claimant and have no interest in this claim. I lived about four miles from him during the war, and saw him occasionally. I did not have much personal acquaintance with him, but knew him well by reputation. I did not talk with him about the war while it was going on. I knew him by reputation as a thoroughly loyal man. I knew his general reputation. It was that of a loyal man. He was regarded a loyal man by his loyal neighbors. I never knew him to be molested or injured on account of his Union sentiment. I never knew him to own any Confederate Bonds, or do anything to sustain the financial credit of the Confederate State. I never knew him to render any aid or assistance to either army. From his general reputation he could not possibly have proved his loyalty to the Confederate government if it had succeeded in maintaining a separate existence, although I know of no act done or language used that could have prevented him.
Further deponent saith not.
Noah Beard
Testimony: Noah Beard
New Hope, Va.
Captain Snow
Dear Sir,
I wish to say that I was called on to testify to the loyalty of Samuel Garber, Jacob L. Humbert & Henry K. Eakle & that I was requested to state the truth & the whole truth & nothing but the truth but the questions put prevented me from telling all that I knew in regard to their loyalty & that the last question put to me in Henry K. Eakle testimony to loyalty I was not permitted to answer the question as I had wished to do from the fact that they said it was evading the question. My answer was this, that from his reputation in the community in which he lived as a loyal citizen to the United States & his conversation heretofore & his acts during the war I consider would of prevented him from proving his loyalty to the Confederacy had it maintained itself as a seperate government. This was my answer in all three of my depositions referred to above. yours Most Respectfully
Noah Beard
Sept. 7th 1872
Testimony: Alfred Rupert
Hd. Qrs. 2d Brig. 3rd Div. U. of S. Staunton Va. June 27th, 1865
To all whom it may concern:
Jacob L. Humbert a citizen and resident of Augusta County Va. having applied to me for Protection papers to insure his person family & property against danger - It is hereby directed and commanded that the person, family & property of said Jacob L. Humbert shall not interfered with or violated in any manner.
All Officers & Soldiers of U.S. Army & all Citizens who shall in any manner offend or violate above instructions will be dealt with in the severest manner known to military law.
Given at Hd. Qrs. U.S. Forces at Staunton Va. this 27th day of June 1865
by Order of Col. W.W. Stewart Alfred Rupert Lieut. & A.A.A. Genl.
Testimony: United States War Department
Archive Office, WAR DEPARTMENT, Jan 31, 1878, Book 3 Letters Sent, page 262
Case of John L. Humbert, Augusta Co Va
Bill & receipt for 107 Bushels of Wheat Sold to the C. States, at $4.25 amount $454.75. Paid at Staunton Aug 22nd 1863 by Maj H.M. Bell Q.M.C.S.A.
Testimony: United States War Department
Archive Office, WAR DEPARTMENT, July 1, 1878
Book 3, Letters Sent, page 325
Case of Jacob L. Humbert, Augusta Co. Va.
This claimant sold the Confederate States Commissary agent twenty barrels of flour, for which he was paid twenty five dollars per barrel on the 25th day of May 1863, at Staunton, Va by William J. Nelson, agent of the Com. Dept. of the C.S. Army. See Mr. Humbert's receipts for $500.00, on file in this office.
Testimony: Jacob Crumbaker and Samuel Garber
We the undersigned Loyal Citizens of Augusta County Virginia do certify on oath that we have known Jacob L. Humbert for many years and know him to have been Loyal to the United States Government, before, at the time & since the taking of the property & supplies in the claimants petition mentioned.
Jacob Crumbaker New Hope, Samuel Garber New Hope
Sworn to & subscribed before me on this 1st of May 1871 H.G. McCausland N.P.
Testimony: John Yates, Charles Bates, and Henry K. Eakle
We the under signed citizens of Augusta Co. Va. being acquainted with Jacob L. Humbert know him to have been a Union man during the late Rebellion and believe that the matters certified to in the fore going affidavit are in all respects true and would most earnestly and respectfully recommend its payment.
John Yates Charles Bates Henry K. Eakle
Testimony: TS Tukey
Staunton Va Feb 22nd 1869
I was stationed in Staunton two years immediately after the close of the War as an agent of the Freedmens Bureau and from all the information I have I believe your Petitioner was Loyal to the United States Government during the Whole of the Rebellion.
TS Tukey U.S. Commissioner
Testimony: C. Douglas Gray
I certify that the Petitioner above named was always in my opinion a Loyal Citizen of the United States.
C. Douglas Grey
Register Bankrupt
Bibliographic Information : Southern Claims Commission: Claim of Jacob L. Humbert, July 17, 1871, Claim No. 2524, Source copy consulted: National Archives, Washington, D.C., fiche # 471.
