Summary: William L. Masincup filed this claim in 1879 for $448, claiming the Union army under General Hunter's command took three horses, two cattle and corn in 1864. William was a 46 year old farmer who resided near Staunton. He voted for the Ordinance of Secession and at the outbreak of war served in a cavalry unit for two months. The claim was disallowed.
Items Claimed:
| Item Claimed: | Amount Claimed: | Amount Allowed: | Amount Disallowed: |
| 1 Bay Stallion (4 years old) | $200.00 | $0.00 | $200.00 |
| 1 Bay Mare (6 years old) | $100.00 | $0.00 | $100.00 |
| 1 Grey Mare (14 years old) | $65.00 | $0.00 | $65.00 |
| 1 Fat heifer (3 years old) | $30.00 | $0.00 | $30.00 |
| 1 Fat Calf (6 weeks old) | $08.00 | $0.00 | $08.00 |
| 45 bushels Corn & Rye (mixed) | $45.00 | $0.00 | $45.00 |
Claims Summary:
Mr. Masincup is a farmer and a resident of Augusta Co.Va. He voted to ratify the ordinance of secession which was submitted to the people of Va. after hostilities commenced. It was a voluntary act and it is difficult to imagine any act more intensely disloyal than aiding to take a State out of the Union. He was not only an original secessionist, but after the State seceded he went out with the militia as a soldier and fought for 2 months against the Union.
The claim is disallowed.
A O Aldis, O. Ferris
Commissioners of Claims
Testimony: William L. Masincup
My name is Wm. L. Masincup, my age 46 years, my residence near Staunton, Augusta Co, in the State of Virginia, and my occupation a farmer; I am related to the claimant, and have beneficial interest in the claim.
Ques. 2. Ans. In 1861 I lived at Long Glade from there I removed to near Arbor Hill, all the time in Augusta County. I was a renter.
Ques. 3. Ans. I did not pass the lines.
Ques. 4. Ans. I took no oath of any kind.
Ques. 5. Ans. I took an amnesty oath at Staunton in 1865. I asked for no pardon.
Ques. 6. Ans. I never held any position at all in the civil service of the so called Confederacy.
Ques. 7. Ans. I never held any office or place of trust or honor.
Ques. 8. Ans. I never was a clerk, or agent, or employed for or under the Confederate States.
Ques. 9. Ans. I never was in the Military or Naval service of the Confederate States, or any State or Territory.
Ques. 10. Ans. I was a soldier for two months in 1861.
Ques. 11. Ans. I did not serve in the State Militia.
Ques. 12. Ans. I never served in any home guard and beloned to no committee of any kind.
Ques. 13. Ans. I belonged to a Cavalry company, organized some three years before the commencement of hostilities against the United States and was compelled to go with the Company in 1861, and only was from home two months. I was never conscripted but would have been, had I not secluded myself.
Ques. 14. Ans. I furnished no substitute.
Ques. 15. Ans. I had no connection or employment in any branch or department of the Confederate Service.
Ques. 16. Ans. I was not in the employment of any railroad nor engaged in transporting soldiers or anything else.
Ques. 17. Ans. I never had charge of supplies, stores, teams, trains or anything.
Ques. 18. Ans. I was not in the service of the Confederate Government its army or navy. I never furnished any aid or supplies to or for the Government, Army, Navy, or for State Militia, home guard or soldier and never gave any information.
Ques. 19. Ans. I was no employed or assisted others in the manufacture of anything whatso ever for the use & benefit of the rebllion.
Ques. 20. Ans. I never was employed in the collection, sale, or purchase of any article for the benefit of the Confederate Government or any State. Nor had no interest in contracts.
Ques. 21. Ans. I never ran the blockade and had no interest in goods of any kind brought into or sent from the Confederate lines.
Ques. 22. Ans. I never left the lines.
Ques. 23. Ans. I never owned a vessel of any kind or for any purpose.
Ques. 24. Ans. I never was arrested but was sought to be arrested, but always kept secluded and hid. I was never arrested by the United States.
Ques. 25. Ans. I never had any property taken except Hay. I never received any pay.
Ques. 26. Ans. My family was threatened by an officer named Randolph.
Ques. 27. Ans. I was fired on by the Confederates, when I was trying to get to the Union lines.
Ques. 28. Ans. I never contributed anything in money or property.
Ques. 29. Ans. I furnished the soldiers stationed at Staunton after the surrender, some provisions.
Ques. 30. Ans. I had two brothers, John J. Masincup, and Henry G. Masincup. John J. is living and resides near Churchville, Va. I never furnished them with anything.
Ques. 31. Ans. I never owned or had interest in any bonds or loans. I never did anything to support the credit of the Confederate States, during the rebellion.
Ques. 32. Ans. I never gave aid or comfort to the rebellion.
Ques. 33. Ans. I never engaged in making raids from any place.
Ques. 34. Ans. I never held in custody persons for any cause or purpose.
Ques. 35. Ans. I was not a member of any society or association for any purpose at all.
Ques. 36. Ans. I was never a paroled prisoner.
Ques. 37. Ans. I never held any office nor was associated at any military school.
Ques. 38. Ans. I never had a pass.
Ques. 39. Ans. I was under no disabilities.
Ques. 40. Ans. At the beginning my sympathies were with the Union. I voted for the Union candidates to the State Convention. I voted for the ordinance of secession through persuation, that it would be a peace measure, and that there would be no war.
Ques. 41. Ans. I do solemnly declare that from the beginning of hostilities against the United States to the end thereof, my sympathies were constantly with the United States and that I never of my own free will and accord, did anything or offered or sought or attempted to do anything by word or deed to injure said cause or retard its success and that I was at all times ready and willing if called upon to aid and assist the cause of the Union or its supporters so far as my means and power and the circumstances would permit.
Ques. 1. Taking of the property by same witness.
Ques. 1. Ans. I was present and saw the property charged taken.
Ques. 3. Ans. The Bay Stallion was in the Stable and the Mares were in a fied adjoining the Stable. The Heifer and Calf were in the same field, and the Corn was in and old Chopping Mill, near my house, just across the road.
Ques. 4. Ans. The property was taken in June 1864 by soldiers belonging to Genls Hunter's command. I suppose there were probably 200 present. They were only a few minutes in taking the property.
Ques. 5. Ans. Lewis Hill was present.
Ques. 6. Ans. There were officers present. I think one Major, and several Captains. I did not hear any names. I heard nothing said by the Officers.
Ques. 7. Ans. The Stallion was taken out of the Stable and the two Mares, Heifer and Calf out of the field and the Corn out of an old Chopping Mill.
Ques. 8. Ans. The Stallion was rode by a soldier who led his own horse, and the two Mares were led by soldiers and the Heifer and Calf drove. The Corn & Rye was taken in bags by the soldiers they were all mounted.
Ques. 9. Ans. I suppose the property was taken to Staunton. I did not follow.
Ques. 10. Ans. I never saw the property after it was taken, and do not know how it was used.
Ques. 11. Ans. I asked the soldiers not to take the Stallion, but they persisted in doing so. I made no other complaint.
Ques. 12. Ans. I asked for no receipt.
Ques. 13. Ans. The property was taken about 12 o'clock in day time.
Ques. 14. Ans. Genl Hunter was encamped at Staunton distant 5 miles. The Army had been encamped there 3 or 4 days I think. They left the day following the taking of my property. There had been a battle at Piedmont, in Augusta Co. on Sunday previous. I knew no names of any officer.
Ques. 15. Ans. The Stallion was 4 years old, of good size, in fine order. He rode finely and worked well. I think he was worth $200. The soldier that rode him said was worth it. The bay Mare was 6 years old, in fine order and of medium size, well broken and worth $100. The Grey Mare was 14 years old she was in good condition, had a Colt at her side which I kept and raised. She was well broken and worth $65. The Heifer was 3 years old, very fat. The Calf was 6 weeks old, a very large and fine Calf. They were worth what is charged. I had measured the Corn & Rye (mixed) when I put it in the garner, and there had none been taken out. It was well worth $1 per bushel. I recieved no pay at all.
Wm. L. Masincup
Testimony: Lewis Hill
Deposition of Lewis Hill
Answer to first question. My name is Lewis Hill, my age is 38 years. I resided near Staunton Va. and am a laborer. I am a colered man and belonged to Samuel H. Bell, Swopes Depot, Augusta Co. I was present and saw the property was taken by Union soldiers.
Ques. 3. Ans. The Stallion was in the Stable, and the bay & grey Mares were in the field, the Corn & Rye was in the Mill.
Ques. 4. Ans. It was in June and I think 1864. I know Genl. Hunter was then camped at Staunton. There was a large Cavalry company present all round the Stable at the time.
Ques. 5. Ans. The Claimant and family were present.
Ques. 6. Ans. There were officers present. I did not hear names or rank. I did not hear any orders given.
Ques. 7. Ans. The property was taken as I have described.
Ques. 8. Ans. The Stallion was rode and the Mares were led, and the Heifer and Calf were drove off. The Corn & Rye was carried in sacks.
Ques. 9. Ans. I suppose the property was taken to the camp. I did not follow to the camp.
Ques. 10. Ans. I do not know what use they made of the property.
Ques. 11. Ans. The claimant asked them not to take his property but the soldiers said that they always took such good stock when they found it.
Ques. 12. Ans. I saw no writing given.
Ques. 13. Ans. The property was taken in day time, about 10 olock I think.
Ques. 14. Ans. The Army was encamped at Staunton, about 6 miles away. Genl. Hunter was commander. They were in camp 3 or 4 days. There had been a battle at Piedmont on Sunday before a few miles below Staunton.
Ques. 15. Ans. The Stallion was young, fat, & fine I think he was worth $200 or more. The bay Mare was worth $75 and the grey about $60. I did not know the ages. The Heifer was very fat and I suppose I would have weighed 350 lbs. The Calf was large. I guess there was 45 bushl. Corn & Rye. I did not see it measured.
Lewis Hill his mark
Testimony: John W. Gladwell
Deposition of John W. Gladwell
Answer to first general question.
My name is John W. Gladwell, my age is 45 years. I reside near Staunton. My occupation a Shoemaker. I am not related to the claimant and have no interest in the claim. I have known the claimant 15 years. I resided about two miles from him. I saw him frequently nearly once a week. We conversed about the War. I was opposed to the rebellion and the claimant knew my position. I have often heard him denounce secession and say that he hoped or wished the Union might prevail. I have heard him converse in the presence of other Union men and he was at all times the same firm Union man. I think he had the confidence of his Union neighbors. I never heard his loyalty doubted. I never knew him to do anything to aid the rebellion. I know that he give all the aid he could to Union men to keep the rebellion. I do not think if the South had gained an independence the claimant could have proven any loyalty to the Confederate Government. I have often heard him say that if the war should so terminate he would have to leave, and I do not think he could have remained in the South.
John W. Gladwell
Testimony: Joseph H. Bailey
Deposition of Joseph H. Bailey
Answer to first question.
My name is Joseph H. Bailey, my age is 31 years. My occupation a farmer. I reside near Staunton, Va. I am not related to the claimant nor have no interest in the claim. I have known the claimant about 15 or 16 years. I lived about 3/4 mile from him during the war. I was very intimate with him, and saw nearly every day. I was a Union man myself nad known such by the claimant. I talked with him often about the war and he was always opposed to it. He said that he would never be forced to fight against the United States. As far as I know his reputation among Union man was that of a true loyal Union man. I never knew him to do anything in aid of the rebellion. He was private to all the plans of Union men, who were escaping the Confederate service. I never doubted his fidelity to the Union. I believe he was as good a Union man as was in the country. I heard of threats being made to his wife by rebel soldiers who were in pursuit of him. From my knowledge of the claimant he could not have proven any loyalty to the Confederate States, if they had succeeded. I do not think he ever did anything to favor the rebellion by his own free will and accord.
J. H. Bailey
Testimony: Harvey Gladwell
Deposition of Harvey Gladwell
Answer to 1st general question.
My name is Harvey Gladwell, my residence near Arbor Hill, Augusta County. My age is 26 years by occupation a shoemaker. I am not related to the claimant and have no interest in the claim. I had a slight acquaintance with the claimant about the commencement of the war. I lived about one mile from him a part of the war. The war had progressed for some time. I do not recollect of having any convesation with the claimant about the war until in the fall of 1864. I then heard him say that he did not intend to fight in the war and he made the impression on my mind that he was a Union man. I could as a loyal man myself confide in him and he never deceived me. I never heard his Union sympathies doubted by the Union men of the neighborhood though there were but very few of that class in the neighborhood. I do not know that he ever did anything for either the Union or rebel cause. From the fact of his escape and concealing himself from the rebel authority I do not think he could have proven loyalty to the South, if it had succeedd its gaining independence.
Harvey Gladwell
Bibliographic Information : Southern Claims Commission: Claim of William L. Masincup, 1879, Claim No. 20989, Source copy consulted: National Archives, Washington D.C., RG 123, Congressional Jurisdiction #8613.
