Summary: John Miller filed this claim in 1871 for $590, claiming Union forces under General Sheridan took four horses in 1864. John was a 57 year old minister of the Dunker Church and a farmer. He gave money to help others flee to Union lines and sent his own son to the Union in 1862. The commission allowed $500.
Items Claimed:
| Item Claimed: | Amount Claimed: | Amount Allowed: | Amount Disallowed: |
| Large Iron Grey horse | $150.00 | $130.00 | $20.00 |
| Bay Mare | $140.00 | $120.00 | $20.00 |
| Two Iron Gray Mares | $300.00 | $250.00 | $50.00 |
Claims Summary:
Claimant is a Preacher of the Dunkard Denomination, and lived on his farm in Augusta Co Virginia from which the property for which he claims Compensation was taken.
The loyalty of Claimant is established by his own statement, and the testimony of two or three witnesses. He sent his son North to keep him out of the the Rebel Army and assisted Union men and soldiers to escape to the Union lines.
The horses were taken the 29th day of Sept 1864 by Soldiers of Gen Sheridan's Command, and we allow for them the sum of Five hundred dollars.
AO Aldis, JB HowellCommrs of Claims
Testimony: John Yates and John Wampler
We the undersigned Loyal Citizens of Augusta County Virginia do hereby certify on Oath that we have known the claimant John Miller for many years and know him to have been Loyal to the Government of the United States before and at the time and since the taking of the poperty and supplies in the claimants petition mentioned.
Sworn to & subscribed to before me this 29th of April 1871 H. G. McCausland MP
John Yates, John Wampler Mt Sidney
Testimony: John Miller
United States of America, State of Virginia, S.S.
J. W. G. Riley, a commissioner selected and designated by the Commissioners appointed under the Act of Congress, of March 3d, 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 claim of John Miller Vs. the United States of America, and the witneeses herein named, being first duly sworn answers as follows.
1st Witness Says-I am 57 years old, I reside in Augusta Co.Va. and am a minister and farmer by occupation. I resided in the same County for the 6 months prior to April 1st 1861 and have not changed my residence since 1846.
3d Witness Says-I never passed beyond the military or Naval lines of the United States and entered the rebel lines.
4th Witness Says-I never took any oath of allegiance to the Confederate States. I was asked to do so, but refused.
5th Witness Says-I took an Amnesty oath in 1865, at Staunton, Va. 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 Confederate States.
7th Witness Says-I never held any office or place of trust, honor or profit in the Confederate States Government, or any of its States or territories. I held no clerkship or had any agency or employment of any kind.
9th Witness Says-I never was in any capacity in the Military or Naval service of the Confederate States.
10th Witness Says-I never was in any manner or form in the Army or Navy of the Confederacy. I furnished no substitute. I had nothing to do with any department or bureau of the Confederate Government. Nor had charge of stores, or supplies, wagons, teams, trains vessels or munitions of war, for the Confederate Government Army or Navy.
11th Witness Says-I never was in any way connected with the Army or Navy of the Confederacy. I never furnished any supplies or property of any kind to the Army, Navy, Malitia, Homeguards or any other way. I never give any information.
12th Witness Says-I was no way engaged or employed, in the manufacture of munitions of war for the Confederate Army or Navy.
13th Witness Says I have never been in any way engaged in the Collection of any stores, supplies or any article for the use and benefit of the so-called Confederacy.
14th Witness Says-I never was engaged in blockade running or intercourse between the lines. Nor engaged in the trade or traffick of blockade goods.
15th Witness Say-I did not leave the Confederate States between the 19th April 1861 and the 19th June 1865.
16th Witness Says-I never had any interest in any Boat or vessel used in navigating the Ocean to or from the any port of the Confederacy, or any of its waters.
17th Witness Says-I never was arrested by either the Confederate or United States Government.
18th Witness Says-The Confederate Authorities took one horse from me and Corn on several occasions. I think I received pay in Confederate funds.
19th Witness Says, I was threatened with being driven away, on account of my Union Sentiments. I never was molested otherwise.
21st Witness Says, I never contributed any thing except to furnish money to aid some soldiers and citizens to get into the Union lines. I also sent my son into the Union lines, in 1862, and he remained in the North and West until after the Close of the War.
23d Witness Says, I had no near relatives in either Army.
24th Witness Says, I have never owned any Confederate Bonds. Nor voluntarily done anything to support the Credit of the Confederacy.
25th Witness Says, I give no aid or comfort to the rebellion.
26th Witness Says, I never was engaged in making raids into the United States from Canada, or in the destruction of the Commerce of the United States.
27th Witness Says, I never held in custody any person takeng and held as prisoners of the War, or otherwise.
28th Witness Says, I never was a member of any Society or Association for the purpose of imprisoning or persecution of any person because of their loyalty to the United States.
29th Witness Says, I never was a paroled prisoner of the United States.
30th Witness Says I never held any office in the United States, nor educated at any Military or Naval school.
31st Witness Say, I received no pass, except when at Staunton, Va. I had to get one to reach my home. I took no oath to obtain it.
32d Witness Says, I never was under any disabilities imposed by any article of the Constitution. I have held no Office since the war.
33d Witness Says, My sympathies were all the time with the Union, and not the rebellion. I voted for the Ordinance of Secession, which I have regretted all the time, but was deceived by into it. After the Ordinance was adopted I adhered to the Union and against the State.
34th Witness Says, I do solemnly declare that from the beginning of hostilities against the United States to the end thereof my sympathies were in favor of the Union Cause, and that I never done or sought to do anything to retard its success, and was willing at all times ready and willing to aid and assist said Cause, so far as my mean and power and the circumstances of the case permitted.
Further this deponent saith not. September 11th 1871.
John Miller
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 11th day of Sept. 1871
WG Riley United States Commissioner and Special Comr for State of Va.
Testimony: Peter S. Miller
Peter S. Miller, introduced to prove the taking of property named in the claimants petition and being duly sworn Answers as follows.
1st Witness say, I am 22 years old, I reside in Augusta Co.Va. and by occupation a farmer. I was present and saw all the property named in the petition taken.
4th Witness says, The property was taken on the 29th September 1864, it was taken from the claimants farm, and was taken by Genl. Sheridan's Army. The claimants family were preent at the taking.
6th Witness says, There was Captain present, I did not know his name, he belonged to Genl. Sheridan's command. The Captain ordered it to be taken.
7th Witness Says, Two of the horses were taken out of the stable, and the other two from the lot at the house. One of the Mares was rode away by the Captain, and the others by the soldiers. The horses were taken in the direction of the Camp at Mt. Sidney. They were not followed.
10th Witness says, I do not know the use for which the property was taken. I did not see the property after it was removed from the premises. The Claimant complained to the Officer. The Captain said he could not help it, that he was obliged to take them.
12th Witness Says-There was no receipt given or asked for. The property was taken in the day time, between 11 Oclock A.M. and 3 P.M.
14th Witness Says, The Army was encamped at Mt. Sidney, about One mile away. It only remained a part of a day. I dont think there had been any battle or skirmish near there.
15th Witness Says, The horses were all in good condition and order. The gray horse was 6 years old, he was worth $165. One bay Mare was 5 years old, worth $150.00. The grey Mares were 4 years old, and worth $320-$160 each.
19th Witness Says, I think the property was taken for the use of the Army and not for gratification.
20th Witness Says, I suppose the horses were for the use of the Army.
21st Witness Says-I think there was such a necessity as justified the officer in taking them.
22d Witness Says, I believe there was such a necessity in the Army, that justified the taking and that the Government should pay for them.
23d Witness Says, The Captain said he had orders to take them. Further this deponent saith not. September 11th 1871.
Peter S. Miller
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 11 day of Sept. 1871
WG Riley United States Commissioner and Special Comr for State of Va.
Testimony: Joseph Click
Joseph Click a witness introduced by claimant to prove his loyalty to the United States Government being duly sworn Answers as follows.
1st Witness says-I am 52 years old, I reside in Augusta Co. Va. and am a farmer by occupation. I have known the claimant Rev. Jno. Miller, about 30 years. I live 1/2 mile from him. I saw him very frequently during the War, and talked with him about the war, and believe he was a strictly loyal to the United States, and opposed to Secession, and his neighbors both Union and rebel so regarded him. I know of nothing except to send his son and others through to the Union lines. I never knew him to do anything for the Confederacy or rebellion except what he was compelled to do.
He intended had the Confederate States, gained its independence to remove to the West, and not remain in the Confederacy. He could not have shown any claim of loyalty to the Confederacy.
Further this deponent saith not. September 11th 1871.
Joseph Click
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 11th day Sept. 71.
WG Riley U States Commissioner and Special Comr for State of Va.
Testimony: John Wampler
John Wampler, a witness introduced to prove the loyalty of the claimant being duly sworn Answers as follows.
1st Witness Says, I am 43 years old, I reside in Augusta Co.Va. and a farmer by occupation. I have known the claimant 30 years. I live less than One mile from him. I saw him often during the war, and talked with him about the war. I always heard him speak against the rebellion and in favor of the Union, his neighbors regarded him as a true loyal man. He is a Minister in the Dunkard Church. He never done anything for the United States, that I know of except to send his son into the Union lines. He done nothing for the Rebellion but what he was forced to do. He was too good a Union man to have established any claim of loyalty to the Confederacy had it been successful.
Further this deponent saith not. September 11th 1871.
John Wampler
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 11th day of Sept 1871
W G Riley United States Commissioner and Special Comr for State of Va
Bibliographic Information : Southern Claims Commission: Claim of John Miller, 1871, Claim No. 2544, Source copy consulted: National Archives, College Park, RG 217, claim #2544.
