Summary: Alexander Anderson filed this claim in 1874 for $712.50, claiming the Union army took three horses, corn, bacon, oats, and a rifle in 1864. Alexander was a 66 year old farmer. After the war and taking the Ironclad Oath he served as a Magistrate in Augusta. Included is testimony by the Mayor of Staunton to prove Alexander's loyalty. The commission allowed $175.
Items Claimed:
| Item Claimed: | Amount Claimed: | Amount Allowed: | Amount Disallowed: |
| Ten bus corn @ 1.00 per bus | $10.00 | $0.00 | $10.00 |
| One black horse 5 yrs old | $250.00 | $125.00 | $125.00 |
| 390 lbs bacon @ .25 per lb | $97.00 | $0.00 | $97.00 |
| 75 bus oats @.60 per bus | $45.00 | $0.00 | $45.00 |
| 25 bags .60 each | $15.00 | $0.00 | $15.00 |
| 1 rifle gun | $30.00 | $0.00 | $30.00 |
| 60 bus Corn @ 1.00 | $60.00 | $50.00 | $10.00 |
| 50 bus Corn in Ear | $25.00 | $0.00 | $25.00 |
| 1 Black horse | $50.00 | $0.00 | $50.00 |
| 1 Three year old Colt | $130.00 | $0.00 | $130.00 |
Claims Summary:
Mr. Anderson resided on his farm near Staunton Va. during the war. He had two sons in the Confederate service but he swears he did his best to get them to leave the Confederacy. He swears strongly to his own loyalty-& is sustained by the testimony of Mr. N.K. Trout the Mayor of Staunton & by one Daniel O'Rourke. -At the close of the War he was appointed by Genl. Canby Pres. of the Commrs of Election and Justice of the Peace for Augusta.
On the whole we incline to hold him loyal; tho' not without hesitatation.
The evidence to show taking is the Claiment claimant's & his daughter Mary. Mary seems like a fair & honest witness, but her testimony gives no amounts of articles taken. She testifies only to Corn "taken in wagons," "bacon," "oats" The phrase "some Corn" is too indefinite to found any allowance upon. The party must prove his case-all indefinite testimony is to be taken agt. him. It is fair to presume he would prove a better & more definite claim if he could.
The black horse, Item 2, seems to be proved. As corn was taken in wagons, we may allow for two wagon loads-though it is very slender proof; but a voucher for Corn in the Ear sustains it. "Bacon," "Oats" too indefinite for any allowance. Rifle gun-probably stolen-no authority. Item 5. bags not proven. Items 9 & 10-The horse seems to have been an old one & not fit for Cavalry service. Colt 3 yrs old & not fit for Cavalry use. We can not think such animals taken by Authority for the use of the Army.
A.O. AldisCommrs of Claims
Testimony: Alexander Anderson
United States of America, State of Virginia, SS
J.M.G. Riley a Commissioner selected and designated by the Commissioners of Claims appointed under the Act of Congress of March 3rd 1871 to take and record testimony do hereby certify that the reason for taking the following depositions is and the fact is the matter of the Claim of Alexander Anderson vs. the United States of America and the witness herein named being first duly sworn answereth as follows witness says I am 66 years old, I reside in Augusta Co.Va. I am a farmer by occupation. I resided at the same place for 6 months previous to April 1st 1861, and at the same from April 1st 1861 to June 1st 1865, occupation farming.
3d Witness says I never passed beyond the military lines of the U.S. and enter the rebel lines.
4th Witness says I never took any oath to bear allegiance to the Confederacy. I took an Amnesty oath, after the close of the War in 1865, at Staunton, Va. I never pardoned by the President, never asked for one.
6th Witness says-I never connected in any way with the civil service of the so called Confederate States.
7th Witness says-I never held any office or place of trust or honor or profit under the Confederate States. I never held a clerkship, or agency or employment of any kind whatsoever.
9th Witness says I never was in in any capacity in the military or naval service of the Confederacy.
10th Witness says I never held any office nor in, as sailor, soldier or Marine in the Confederacy. I never furnished a substitute. I was not connected with any department of the Confederate Government Army or Navy. I never had charge of stores, supplies teams, Wagons, vessels, or done any thing for the Confederacy.
11th Witness says I never was in the employment of the Confederate States I never give any information to the officers or soldiers of the Confederacy.
12th Witness says I never manufactured any thing for the Confederate Government.
13th Witness says I never was directly or indirectly engaged in collectiong or impressing any stores or supplies for the use of the Confederate Government.
14th Witness says I never was engaged in blockade running or any interst in any goods or merchandise brought into or exported from any port of the Confederacy.
15th Witness says I did not leave the Confederate states during the war.
16th Witness says I had no interest in any Vessel used in navigation to or from any port of the Confederacy.
17th Witness says-I never was arrested by the Confederate Government, nor by the U.S. Government.
18th Witness says he took Cattle, and Wheat, for the use of Confederate Army. I was paid for the Wheat. It was taken in 1863.
19th Witness says-I never was threatened directly, with damage, on account of my Union sentiments.
20th Witness says I never was molested except in the property taken from me.
21st Witness says I never done anything for the United States Government.
23d Witness says I had two sons in the Confederate Army. I had no relations in the Union Army. I did nothing to aid them. I tried my best to get my sons to leave the Confederacy.
24th Witness says He never owned a Confederate Bond or done anything to support the Credit of the Confederacy.
25th Witness says He never give aid comfort to the rebellion.
26th Witness says He never was engaged in making raids into the United States from Canada, nor in the destruction of the commerce of the U.S.
27th Witness says-I never was engaged in holding any prisoners of War.
28th Witness says I never belonged to any society for the purpose of the prosecution or persecution of any one.
29th Witness says I never was a paroled prisoner of the U.S.
30th Witness says I never held any office, nor educated at any Military or Naval school of the U.S.
31st Witness says I never received a pass.
32 Witness says I never was under disabilities imposed by the 14thAmt. of the Constitution. I was a Magistrate in Augusta by Military appointment since the war. I took the "Ironclad" Oath. I was also president of the Commissioners of election by appointment by Genl. Canby.
33d Witness says my sympathies were entirely with the United States. I did not vote at all on the secession. After the ordinance of secession was adopted I adhered to my Government the United States.
34th Witness says I do declare that from the beginning of the hostilities to the end thereof my sympathies were constantly with the Union cause, and was alwaysalready and willing to aid and assist the U.S. Government.
Further this deponent saith not. Sept. 4th 1871.
Alexander Anderson
Sworn to & subscribed before me the day of Sept. 1871
United States Commissioner and Special Comr for State of Va.
Testimony: Mary E. Huppman
Mary E. Huppman, a witness introduced to prove the taking of the property, charged in Claimants petition and being duly sworn answers as follows.
1st Witness says I am 24 years old, I reside in Augusta Co.Va. Housekeeper by occupation.
I was present when the articles named in the petition.
2d Witness says I saw the property taken. Some Corn, One black horse, Bacon, Oats, One Rifle gun. I don't remember the Bags. I saw Corn taken in the ear, & one Colt.
4th Witness says the property was taken by United States soldiers, in the command of Genl. Hunter, in 1864 from my father's (the claimant) farm.
5th Witness says My mother and brother were present when the property was taken.
6th Witness says Officers and soldiers both present at the taking.
7th Witness says the Colt was taken out of the stable, and one horse from the field and one out of the road. The soldiers wanted to take all the horses on the farm but the Officers would not let them.
8th Witness says the Corn was carried in Wagons, and the soldiers led the Horses.
9th Witness says the property was taken to Staunton, Va.
10th Witness says I suppose the property was taken for the use of the Army.
11th Witness says My father and mother complained about the taking. I do not remember the name of the officer present.
12th Witness says there was no receipt asked or given that I recollect.
13th Witness says the property was taken publicly in the day time. The horses in the fore, and the other property in the afternoon.
14th Witness says When the property was taken the Army was encamped at Staunton, Va.Genl. Hunter was the Commandant. The Army encamped at Staunton, on the 6th of June '65, and left the 10th. There had been a battle at Piedmont a few days previous.
15th Witness says the Corn was all good, The horse (black) was in good condition, so were the other horses. The Bacon was good, as was all the property. I think Corn, was worth a dollar a bushel, being a lady I do not know the prices of such property, but I would think that the charges named in the petition were fair and reasonable.
19th Witness says I think the property named in the claimants petition was taken for the use of the Army and not for soldiers or officers gratification.
20th Witness says I suppose the property was needed by the Army, but do not know.
21st Witness says the officers forbid the soldiers from taking all the horses.
22d Witness says I think the Government ought to pay for the property.
23d Witness says I think they had authority to take the property and acted under orders.
Further this deponent saith not. September 1st 1871.
Mary E. Hupman
Sworn to & Subscribed before me the day of September 1871.
United States Commissioner and Special Comr for State of Va.
Testimony: Samuel Jackson
Samuel Jackson, a witness introduced by claimant to prove the taking and the value of the property named in the petition, being duly sworn answers as follows.
1st Witness says-I am 40 years old, I reside in Augusta Co.Va. I am a Cooper by Trade. I was not present when the property was taken. There was a black horse about 5 years old, worth $250.00. I know nothing about the Bacon, nor Oats, nor Rifle Gun, nor Bags, nor Corn, the black horse old, but worth $150.00. The Filley 3 years old was worth about $200.
4th Witness says the property was taken from the Claimants farm, in 1864, by soldiers and officers of the U.S. Army under the command of Genl. Hunter, the horses were all in good condition, and low at the prices charged by the claimant.
Further this deponent saith not. September 4th 1871.
Samuel Jackson his mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me this day of September 1871.
United States Commissioner and Special Comr for State of Va.
Testimony: Daniel O'Rourke
Daniel ORorke a witness introduced by claimant to his loyalty to the United States being duly sworn answers as follows.
1st Witness says- I am about 45 years old, I reside in Augusta Co.Va. I am a farmer by occupation. I have known the claimant 10 years or more, I saw him frequently during the war, and talked with him about the war, and I had no doubt of his loyalty to the U.S. Government and so far as I know his neighbors so regarded him. I regarded him as truly loyal to the United States Government.
Further this deponent saith not. Sept. 4th 1871.
Danl O Rourke
Sworn to & subscribed before me this day of September 1871.
United States Commissioner and Special Comr for State of Virginia
Testimony: Nicholas K. Trout
Nicholas K. Trout (Mayor of Staunton City) a witness introduced by the claimant to prove his loyalty to the U.S. Government being duly sworn answers as follows.
1st Witness says I am 52 years old. I reside in Staunton, Va. By profession a lawyer and Mayor of the City. I have known the claimant 30 years, I talked with him often during the war, and he was an avowed Union man, never concealing his sentiments to any one. And was so regarded by all who knew him opinions in that he was so bold in expressing his sentiments that he could not have established any claim of loyalty to the Confederacy, had it succeeded. Further this deponent saith not.
Sept. 4th 1871.
N.K. Trout
Sworn to and subscribed before me this day of September 1871.
United States Commissioner and Special Comr for State of Virginia
Bibliographic Information : Southern Claims Commission: Claim of Alexander Anderson, 1874, Claim No. 19562, Source copy consulted: National Archives, College Park, RG 217, claim #19562.
