Summary: David Buchanan filed this claim in 1872 for $350, claiming General Hunter's Union troops took two horses in 1864. David was a 68 year old farmer, residing near Walker's Creek, who had two sons in the Union Army and one son in the Confederate Army who deserted. The claim was disallowed.
Items Claimed:
| Item Claimed: | Amount Claimed: | Amount Allowed: | Amount Disallowed: |
| 1 Bay Mare | $200.00 | $0.00 | $200.00 |
| 1 Sorrel Mare | $150.00 | $0.00 | $150.00 |
Claims Summary:
Mr. Buchanan resided in Augusta County. He says he did not vote on the question of secession, but we find his name on the poll list as having voted for ratifying the ordinance fo secession
Mr. Buchanan had two sons in the Union Army, and one in the Confederate who staid only a short time & deserted. Several circumstances stated in the testimony present Mr. Buchanan's conduct in a loyal & favorable light: but his vote for secession is a disloyal act & forbids the allowance of his claim.
Claim rejected.
A.O. Aldis.Commrs. of Claims.
Testimony: David Buchanan
Before the Commissioners of Claims Under Act of Congress March 3d 1871
David Buchanan vs. The United States. No.
On this 14th day of September 1871 at Staunton, Augusta County and State of Virginia, personally came David Buchanan, the claimant, and John Price and John Troxall his witnesses, in a cause now pending before the Commissioners of Claims, in the name of David Buchanan vs. The United States, before me a U.S. Commissioner, and also a special appointed by the Comm'rs. of Claims.
Present David Buchanan, claimant.
The said claimant, and each of said witnesses, were first, before any questions were put to them, properly and duly sworn to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, relative to the matters in which they were to testify; and the testimony of the claimant and said witnesses were taken down by me, or in my presence; and I read over to said claimant and to each of said witnesses their respective depositions; and the said depositions, were duly signed in my presence.
WG Riley US Commissioner and Special Commissioner
Deposition of David Buchanan
Ques. 1st. Answer. Witness says. I am 68 years old, I reside in Augusta Co.Va. I am a farmer by occupation, I resided at the same place prior to the war or April 1st. 1861 and at the same place from April 1st 1861 to June 1st 1865 never changed my residence or occupation.
3d. Witness says. I never passed beyond the Military or Naval lines of the United States and entered the rebel lines.
4. Witness says. I never took any oath to the Confederate States.
5. Witness says. I never took any Amnesty Oath. I never asked for a pardon from the President.
6th. Witness says. I never was in any way connected with the civil service of the so called Confederacy.
7. Witness says. I never held any office or place of trust, honor, or profit under the Confederate Government.
8. Witness says. I never held a clerkship or agency or employment of any kind for the benefit of the Confederate States. Nor was I, in any capacity in the Military or Naval service of the so called Confederate States.
10. Witness says. I never was an Officer, Soldier, Sailor, or Marine in the Confederate Army or Navy, nor in any way employed in any department or bureau of the Confed. Government Army or Navy. I never had charge of any thing whatsoever for the use of benefit of the Confederacy.
11. Witness says. I never was in the service or employment of the Confederacy whatsoever, I never furnished any supplies or property of any kind for the use and aid of the rebellion. I never gave any information.
12. Witness says. I never was employed in any way in the manufacture of any articles of good whatever for the use or benefit of the States.
13. Witness says. I never was in any way employed in the Collection, empressment or purchase of stores, supplies or any thing for the Confederate States.
14. Witness says. I never was engaged in blockade running or illicit traffic or intercourse between the lines nor had any interest in any goods brought into or exported from the Confederate States.
15. Witness says. I did not leave the Confederate States between the 19th April 1861 & April 19th 1865.
16. Witness says. I never was interested in the navigation of any vessel in any waters of the Confederacy.
17. Witness says. I never was arrested by the Confederate Government. Nor by the United States Government.
18. Witness says. I had five head of Cattle taken by the Confederates in 1863 for the use of the Confederate Government I have never received any pay for it.
19th. Witness says. I have been threatened on account of my Union sentiments. I never otherwise molested.
21. Witness says. I never contributed anything in aid of the United States to Army or Navy during the War.
23. Witness says. I had two (2) sons in the Union Army and One (1) a short time in the Confederate Army but he left and went into the Union lines. I did nothing to supply them with equipments or money.
24. Witness says. I never owned any Confederate Bonds nor done anything to support the credit of the Confederate States.
25. Witness says. I never gave aid and comfort to the rebellion.
26. Witness says. I never was engaged in making raids into the United States from Canada, or in the destruction of its commerce.
27. Witness says. I never was engaged in holding in custody any persons taken as prisoners of war by the rebels.
28. Witness says. I never was a member of any society for the persecution or expulsion of persons on account of their loyalty to the United States.
29. Witness says. I never was a paroled prisoner of the United States.
30. Witness says. I never held any Office in the United States, nor educated at any of its Military or Naval Schools.
31. Witness says. I never received any pass from the Confederate Government.
32. Witness says. I never held any office and was under no disabilities.
33. Witness says. At the beginning I was a Union man and continued so. I did not vote at all on the Ordinance of Secession. After its adoption I adhered to the Union.
34. Witness says. I declare that from the beginning of the hostilities against the United States to the end thereof, my sympathies were constantly with the Union, and that I did not seek or attempt to do any thing injure said Cause or retard its success, and that I was at all times ready and willing if called upon to assist the Union, so as my means, power, and circumstances permitted.
General Interrogatory.
Ques. Do you know of other matter of relative to said claim? If you do, state it fully.
Answer. I know of nothing else.
Further this deponent saith not.
David Buchanan his mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 14th day of September 1871
WG Riley
US Commissioner
And Special Comm. for the State of Va.
Testimony: John Troxall
Deposition of John Troxall introduced the furnishing and taking of property mentioned in the petition.
Ques. 1. Witness says. I am 27 years old, I reside in Augusta Co. Va. and a farmer by occupation. I was present and saw the property taken, or at least one horse, but did not see the other taken, but know the same troops took it.
4. Witness says. The property was taken in June 1864 from the Claimants of field, by soldiers belonging to Genl. Hunter's Command. There were no Officers present.
8. Witness says. The property was rode off by the soldiers.
9th. Witness says. They said they were on their route to Lynchburg. I did not see it after removed.
10. Witness says. It was taken for the Government use, and the soldiers said they were taking all the horses they could get.
11. Witness says. The claimants son complained to an Officer, and he told him if he could find the horses to take them, but he did not get them.
12. Witness says. There was no receipt asked for or given that I know of.
13. Witness says. The property was taken at about 12 Oclock in the day time, it was taken publicly.
14. Witness says. There was no encampment. They were on the March. There had been no battle or skirmish. I knew no Quarter master.
15. Witness says. The bay Mare was in good condition and a fine animal. She was 7 or 8 years old and worth I suppose $200. The Sorrel Mare was a good animal. She was I suppose about 10 years old, and worth $200.
19. Witness says. I believe it was taken for the benefit of the U.S. Government. The soldiers said they needed them and were taking all they could get.
20. Witness says. I believe it was taken for the use of the Government.
22. Witness says. I think it was taken for the use of the Government and therefore it should be paid for.
23. Witness says. The soldiers I think were ordered. They said they were ordered to take all they could get.
Further deponent saith not.
John Troxall
Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 13th day of September 1871.
WG Riley
US Commissioner And Special Comm. for the State of Va.
Testimony: John Price
Deposition of John Price introduced to prove the loyalty of claimant.
Ques. 1. Answer. Witness says I am 47 years old. I reside in Augusta Co.Va. and a Wagon Maker by trade. I have known the claimant for 30 years. I live very near him. We were a great deal together during the War, and talked about it and from all his words and acts, I never doubted his loyalty to the Union, and his neighbors generally so believed him. I never knew him to do anything of his own with for the rebellion. I know he had two sons in the North.
I do not think he could have established any claim of loyalty to the Confederacy had it succeeded.
General Interrogatory
Do you know of other matter relative to said claim? If so state it fully.
I know of nothing except that the rebels threatened him and took his property and annoyed his family.
Further this deponent saith not.
John Price
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 13th September 1871.
WG Riley
US Commissioner And Special Comm. for the State of Va.
I hereby certify that the foregoing Eleven (11) pages of depositions (including this certificate) of the claimant and his witnesses were taken by me the time and in the manner before named.
WG Riley
Special Commr.
Testimony: John R. Buchanan
Petition
To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled:
Your petitioner represents that he John R. Buchanan, son of David Buchanan, deceased, of Craigsville, Virginia a citizen of the United States, has a claim against the United States for property taken and used by the U.S. army during the late rebellion; that said claim was presented to the Commissioners of Claims, who disallowed it on or about the day of 1872 and reported it to Congress where the claim now is, being on file in the office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives much of the testimony was expartie, wrong conclusions were reached; if the case was referred to the Court of Claims I could fully prove his loyalty and his rights to recover.
Wherefore, having no other remedy, your petitioner asks that said claim may be referred to the Court of Claims, pursuant to the Act of Congress of March 3, 1883 (22 Stat. 485-6). And your petitioner ever prays, &c.
John R. Buchanan
Testimony: United States Treasury Department
Treasury Department Office of the Secretary Washington, D.C. July 23, 1892.
The Honorable The Attorney General.
Sir: In answer to your request of the 9th ultimo, in the case of the son of David Buchanan against the United States, No. 6818 Congressional, wherein the loyalty of the said David Buchanan is in question, I have the honor to state that his name appears in a copy of a list of those who voted for the ordinance of secession in Augusta County, Virginia, the original of which is presumed to be in the custody of the clerk of the court of said county.
Respectfully yours, Charles Forten Secretary.
Bibliographic Information : Southern Claims Commission: Claim of David Buchanan, 1872, Claim No. 6892, Source copy consulted: National Archives, Washington, D.C., RG 123, Congressional Jurisdiction #6818.
