Summary: David Myers filed this claim in 1874 for $929, claiming Union forces under General Hunters Army took five horses, corn, grain, flour, and sorgham molasses in 1864. David was a 53 year old farmer in New Hope who helped neighbors escape to the Union lines. He hired a substitute for his son and then sent his son to the Union to avoid Confederate service. David served as a Justice of the Peace after the war was over. Included is testimony of John A. Stover of Augusta who joined the 6th Ohio Regiment. The commission allowed $615.
Items Claimed:
| Item Claimed: | Amount Claimed: | Amount Allowed: | Amount Disallowed: |
| 1 Bay horse 6 years old | $175.00 | $125.00 | $50.00 |
| One Brown Mare | $125.00 | $110.00 | $15.00 |
| One Cob Ham Mare 3 yrs old | $125.00 | $110.00 | $15.0 |
| One Bay Mare | $100.00 | $100.00 | $0.00 |
| One Sorrel Mare | $50.00 | $50.00 | $0.00 |
| 25 Bushels of Corn | $25.00 | $20.00 | $5.00 |
| 21 acres grain in head - 15 bus per acre | $315.00 | $100.00 | $215.00 |
| One Barrel Flour | $8.00 | $0.00 | $8.00 |
| One Bbll Sorgham Molasses | $6.00 | $0.00 | $6.00 |
Claims Summary:
The claimant is about 55 years of age and a farmer. He resided in Augusta Co.Va. during the war. When this case was first submitted the testimony was so badly taken that we required an investigation and further testimony. The testimony has been furnished. Mr. Myers was opposed to secession, and when the ordinance of secession was submitted to the people he did not vote on the question. His son was conscripted and being sick he purchased a substitute for him and sent him north into the federal lines to escape conscription. He rejoiced at Union victories and is regarded by all his Union neighbors as having been a constant and consistent Unoin man. The rebels took his property but paid him nothing.
The battle of Piedmont occured June 5, 1864 about one mile from claimants premises. The next day June 6 the claimants property was taken. The horses and the corn clearly for army use. The quantity of corn is not certain. The field of grain was wheat which was just heading out and the cavalry horses were turned into the field and trampled it down. For the pasturing we can make a small allowance. The flour and molasses must be charged to depredation. No vouchers or receipts were given.
We recommend the payment of $615
Testimony: David Myers
United States of America
State of Va. S. S.
J.W.G. Riley a commissioner selected and designated by the Commrs. of Claims, 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 David Myers vs. the United States of America and the witness herein named being material and necessary, being first duly sworn deposeth as follows.
Question. Where do you reside. What is your age, and what is your occupation,
Ans. I reside at New Hope, in Augusta Co.Va. My age is 53 years and my occupation a farmer.
Ques. 1st Witness says. Same place, New Hope Augusta Co.Va. and was there during the war.
Ques. 3. Witness says. He did not pass beyond the military or Naval lines of the U.S. and enter the rebel lines.
Ques. 4th. Witness says. He never did take an oath of affirmation to bear allegiance to the so called Confederate States or to aid or support them in any way.
Ques. 5th. Witness says, Have you ever taken I have taken the amnesty oath. I have not been pardoned by the President I have done nothing to be pardoned for.
Ques. 6th. Witness says. That he was never directly or indirectly connected with the civil service of the so called Confederate States.
Ques. 7th. Witness says. That he never held any office or place of trust under the Confederate Government or under any of the States or territories subordinate thereto.
Ques. 8th. Witness says. He held no agency or employment of any kind for or under or for the benefit of the so called Confederate States.
Ques. 9th. Witness says. He never was in the Military or Naval service of the so called Confederate States or of any of State or territory subordinate thereto.
Ques. 10. Witness says. I never was in the Confederate Army or Navy myself, but I did furnish a substitute for my son. My son was sick, and being about to force him into the service, I hired a substitute for him he being under age at the time, and as soon thereafter as he was well, I sent him into the Federal lines, where he remained until after the close of the war. I was never directly or indirectly connected with employed for either the Commissary department, Quarter Master department, Medical department, Engineers department, the Ordinance department impressment service, the Provost Marshal department, or any other Bureau, or branch or department of the Confederate service. Nor did I at any time have charge of any stores, or supplies for the use of the Confederate Army, Navy or Government, or the charge of trains, teams or teams Wagon or Wagons, Vessels, Boats, or other crafts, or munitions of War for the use of the Confederate Army or Navy.
Ques. 11. Witness says. He was never in any service of any kind for the Confederate service of any kind for the Confederate Governmnet, Army or Navy. I never furnished any supplies, stores or property of any kind volunatrily to the Confederate States or any State in rebellion, or to the Army, Navy militia, home guards, armed forces, or military organizations thereof, or for any officer, soldier or sailor thereof, that he never give any information to any officer, soldier, or sailor of the Confederate Army or Navy, or to any person employed by of for the so called Confederate States, or acting on their behalf, or for their benefit which might aid in any way any military or naval apperations carried on against the United States.
Ques. 12th. Witness says. I was never employed in the manufacture of the munitions of war, of clothing, Boots, Shoes, Saddles Harness or leather, for soldiers of the Confederate Army or Navy, or aid or assist others, engaged in such manufacture.
Ques. 13th. Witness says. That he never was directly or indirectly employed in the collection, impressment, or purchase or the sale of Stores, supplies, or any property for the use or benefit of the Confederate Government or any state in rebellion or the Army Navy, or other forces thereof. And that he never had any interest or share in contracts with, or purchases for, the Confederate Government or its Army or Navy, or any state in rebellion or its forces.
Ques. 14th. Witness says. That he never was engaged in blockade running or illicit traffic or intercourse between the lines nor never was in any way interested therein. Nor did he have any interest or share in any goods, wares, merchandise, stores or supplies brought into or exported from the so called Confederate States during the war.
Ques. 15th. Witness says. That he did not leave the so called Confederate States between the 19th April 1861 and the 19th April 1865.
Ques. 16th. Witness says. That he was not the owner or any way interested in any vessel used in navigating the ocean, to or from any port in the Confederacy or upon any waters in the Confederacy.
Ques. 17th. Witness says. I never was arrested by the Confederate Government or any one having authority or professing to have authority therefor. Nor was I ever arrested by the United States Government.
Ques. 18th. Witness says. He had grain taken by the Confederate authorites, but received no compensation for the same.
Ques. 19th. Witness says. I was never threatened with damage to person, family, or property on account of my Union sentiments, to my own knowledge.
Ques. 20th. Witness says. I believe it was on account of my Union sentiments that they took my grain.
Ques. 21st. Witness says. I contributed nothing in aid of the U.S. Government, or in aid of the Union Army or cause.
Ques. 22nd. Witness says. That the soldiers of the Union Army after the battle of Piedmont came to my house and got provisions of various kinds, same being commanded by Genl. Hunter.
Ques. 23d. Witness says. He had no near relatives in the Confederate or Union Armies. I did have nephews in the Confederate Government and a brother in law in the Union Army. I did not supply them with any military equipment or with money.
Ques. 24. Witness says. I never owned any Confederate bonds, nor any share or interest therein, or did in any way contribute to support the credit of the so called Confederate States, during the rebellion.
Ques. 25th. Witness says. He never give any aid and comfort to the rebellion.
Ques. 26th. Witness says. I never was engaged in making raids into the United States from Canada, nor engaged in the destruction of Commerce of the U. States in the rivers adjoining Canada.
Ques. 27th. Witness says. I was never engaged in holding in custody directly or indirectly any persons taken by the rebel Government as prisoners of War.
Ques. 28th. Witness says. I never was a member of any society for the imprisonment, expulsion or execution of any persons, on account of their loyalty to the United States, or did ever assist in such acts.
Ques. 29th. Witness says. That he was never a paroled prisoner of the United States.
Ques. 30th. Witness says. I have never held any office in the Army or Navy of the United States. I was never educated in the Military Academy at West Point or at the U.S. Naval Academy.
Ques. 32d. Witness says. That he was not under any disabilities imposed by the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the U. States. That he held the office of Registrar by Military appointment and took the so called "Iron Clad" oath.
Ques. 33d. Witness says. that at the beginning of the rebellion he did sympathise with the Union cause, and did not vote for or against the ordinance of secession and that he adhered to the Union cause during the war.
Ques. 34th. Witness says. That I did from the beginning of hostilities against the United States to the end thereof sympathise with the cause of the same and never of my own free will injured the said cause, and were at all times willing when called upon to aid the cause of the Union or its supporters so far as my means and power and the circumstances of the case permitted.
Further this witness sayeth not, August 7th, 1871
David Myers
Testimony: Samuel P. Garber
Samuel P. Garber, a witness introduced by David Myers, being first duly sworn answereth as follows.
Question. How old are you. Where do you reside and what is your occupation?
Ans. I am twenty four years old, I reside near New Hope, Augusta Co. Va. my occupation is a farmer.
Ques. 1st. Witness says. I was present when the horses were taken belonging to the claimant. I saw them taken. I saw nothing else taken.
Ques. 4th. Witness says. They were taken by Genl. Hunter's Army, on the 6th day of June 1864, on the farm of Elizabeth Garber, about 1/4 mile from claimant
Ques. 5th. Witness says. that my mother, Elizabeth Garber, was present.
Ques. 6th. Witness says. that they were taken by soldiers under Genl. Hunter's command. I did not know the rank or regiment.
Ques. 8th. Witness says that some were rode and some led off.
Ques. 9th. Witness says That they were removed to Staunton, I did not follow it.
Ques. 10th. Witness says I do not know, for what use they were taken.
Ques. 11th. Witness says there was no complaint made at the time of taking
Ques. 12th. Witness says there was no receipt taken for the property
Ques. 13th. Witness says. They were taken the day time on the 6th June 1864.
Ques. 14th. Witness says. They were coming to Staunton, Va., where they remained not more than week, there was a battle fought at Piedmont on the 5th of June 1864.
Ques 15th. Witness says that the horses were in pretty good condition and I think the charges made by the claimant are reasonable and fair. They were all young horses.
Ques. 19th. Witness says that they were taken for the Army, that they the soldiers said they wanted them for the Artillery service.
Ques. 20th. Witness says they were taken for the use of the Army and not for the soldiers private use.
Ques. 21st. Witness says. I suppose they were ordered to take them.
Ques 22nd. Witness says. I do think the Government ought to pay for them.
Ques 23rd. Witness says. I suppose they had authority to take them.
Questions asked by the Commissioner
Question 1st. How long have you known the claimant?
Ans. Ever since my infancy and I have known him to be a loyal man. I saw him often during the war, and lived near him and know that his sympathys were with the Union all the time. He fed the Union soldiers during the time they were about his house, I never knew him to aid the Confederate Government, I never knew him threatened on account of his Union sentiments. He never owned any Confederate bonds. He was regarded a Union man by his neighbors.
Ques. 2d. Do you know any act done, or language used by the claimant, which would have prevented him from establishing his loyalty to the Confederacy if it had been maintained as a seperate Government. If so, state the same particularly.
Ans. He was such a good Union man that he could not have maintained his loyalty to the Confederacy.
Further this deponent saith not
August 7th 1871
Saml. P. Garber
Testimony: Sallie J. Kerr
Sallie J. Kerr, a witness is introduced by David Myers, being duly sworn answereth as follows
Questions by the Commissioner
Ques. 1st. Do you know the condition and value of the horses, of the claimant when taken by the United States Army?
Ans. The horses were in good condition and I think worth all charged for them. I know that the army took corn. I suppose about the quantity specified, but I do not know what Corn was worth by the bushel, they pastured their horses on the wheat and carried Corn from the barn and fed it in the wheat field--but I do not know how much. I think they took a barrel of flour from the barn.
Ques. 2nd. How long have you known the claimant?
Ans. I have known him all my life and think if there was a loyal man in the Confederacy he was to the United States Government and was so regarded by all his neighbors.
Ques. 3. How old are you? Where do you reside and what is your occupation?
Ans. I am 28 years old, I reside near New Hope, Augusta Co. Va. by occupation a housekeeper.
Further this witness saith not,
August 7th 1871
Sallie J. Kerr
Testimony: William H. Myers
William H. Myers, a witness introduced by David Myers, being duly sworn answereth as follows.
Questions by the Commr.
Ques. 1st. How long have you known the claimant, and do you know him to have been loyal to the United States during the War?
Ans. I have known the claimant all my life, he was loyal during the war to the U. S. Government and so regarded by his neighbors. I have heard him to a certain extent defend the Union cause
Ques. 2d. Do you know of any act done, or language used by the claimant, which would have prevented him from establishing his loyalty to the Confederacy if it had maintained as a seperate Government? If so, state the same particularly. How old are you?
Ans. I think he was too good a Union man to have established his loyalty to the Confederacy had it succeeded. I am 26 years, I reside in New Hope, Augusta Co.
Further this witness saith not.
August 7th 1871
Wm. H. Myers
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 7th day of August 1871
W G Riley
United States Commissioner and Special Com. for State of Va.
Testimony: David Myers
My name is David Myers, my age 54 years, my residence Augusta County, in the State of Virginia, and my occupation a Farmer; I am related to the claimant, and have beneficial interest in the claim.
I did not see any of the horses charged taken. I did see the Corn grain, Flour, and sorgham molasses taken. These items were all taken on the 6th day of June 1864 from my farm near this place. The Corn was taken out of my granary, by a portion of Genl. Hunter's Army. They were going towards Staunton. They said I was at the house an officer came and toldasked me that if I had Corn. I told him I had a little; he said they were obliged to have grain for their horses, and they turned their horses into my wheatfield and came to the barn and carried the corn out. They fed it right there, I saw then they had been feeding it. They left no receipt for it. They got 25 bus. I knew I had put 25 bus into the granary and I had used none of it and they took it all, the last grain. I was there and insisted on their leaving us some, but they didn't do it. They carried the corn away in my sacks. They took 12 or 15 sacks to carry it away. They did not return the sacks. The sacks were cotton and were not worth more than 25 cts a piece. Corn was worth at that time $1.- per bus in specie.
The grain charged was growing wheat, just out of bloom. they turned the cavalry horses in on it and pastured it there some 21 acres in the field and it was pretty full of them. It looked to me like it was full. They were in the field about 2 hours, I don't know the number of horses. There must have been a regiment at least. The wheat was good. It was a good season. It would have made at least 15 bus, to the acre. Wheat standing in the condition mine was at that time was worth $1 per bushel. I cut the corner a small portion of one of the fields about an acre. The horses were hungry and eat rapidly. they destroyed by tramping about one third of as much as they eat.
The flour charged was taken out of a barrel in my corn cub. They carried the flour away in their Horses sacks. It was a full barrel. They knocked the head of the barrel in an took it all. They stopped then but for a short time. They carried the flour away with them. I don't know where they took it. The flour where was then worth $8 per barrel. They said they were hungry and were obliged to have the flour to eat.
The sorgham they took at the same time. I think they filled their Canteens with it. They took some of the molasses. They said they were obliged to have something to eat. The molasses was in a finkin in my spring house. There was 12 Galls in the Finkin and they took it all. I was worth $(50 cts) fifty cents per gallon. The battle was of Piedmont was fought the day before about a mile from my house. I got no receipts for any of the property charged. I never thought about a receipt. Officers said the saw the soldiers taking the property. I don't think they tried to prevent them from taking it. No one is interest in this claim from but me. Further saith not.
David Myers
Testimony: Samuel P. Garber
Samuel P. Garber a witness for claimant being duly affirmed and examined by Commissioner deposes and says
I am 25 years old a resident of Augusta County a farmer by occupation, I am not related to the claimant and have no interest in his claim. I was before examined by Judge W. G. Riley at Staunton in this case. I was present and saw 5 horses taken from the clt, one was good size Bay horse 6 years old and was worth $200--two hundred dollars. One was a brown mare 9 years old worth about $130. One Cobham mare worth $150. One Bay mare worth $130. One sorrel mare worth $75 she was about 12 yrs old. They they were all round--in good condition, large, they had no brands on them. I don't think any officers were present when the horses were taken, the horses were taken from my mother's Barn yard, I heard the soldiers tell my mother that they were good horses and that they wanted them for the artillery and that the owner would get paid for them. They took the horses toward Staunton, they said their horses had broken down, It was the day after the battle of the 5th of June 1864 at Piedmont, I never saw them afterward.
Further saith not
Saml. P. Garber
Testimony: William H. Myers
William H. Meyers, a witness whose testimony was taken and certified by Judge Wm. G. Riley at Staunton on the 9th day of August 1871 in the claim of Daniel Meyers No. 12113 being recalled at the request of claimant makes the following additional statements and correction of the testimony heretofore taken.
I do know of acts and language both done and used by the Claimant that might have prevented him from proving his loyalty to the Confederacy if it had been maintained as a seperateGovt. I know that he assisted me and others to go throught lines north, to keep the rebels from getting us into their Army, He assisted me with money and sent me in a buggy to about 5 miles to the left of Harrisonburg in Rockingham County, a distance of about 27 miles from my home, I know that in his conversations concerning the war he always upheld the north--the Union cause, and to me he denounced the rebellion, I don't remember whether he ever expressed an intention to change his residence in case the confederacy was successful. Further deponent saith not.
Wm. H. Myers
Testimony: John D. Garber
John D. Garber, witness to prove property being affirmed and examined by the Commissioner, deposes and says: I am 22 years old and reside near New Hope, Va. I am a farmer. I am not related to the claimant and have no interest in this claim. I saw five horses belonging to the claimant taken by General Hunter's army in the month of June 1864. The horses were in the barnyard of the stable where they were taken. There were several soldiers present--but I don't know whether there was an officer with them. I heard them say they wanted the horses for the artillery service. One horse was a bay about six years old and worth $200. One was a black mare. I don't know how old, worth about $130. One was a bay mare about three years old, worth about $130. One was a brown mare. I don't recollect how old worth about $120. The claimant was not present when the horses were taken. The soldiers said they had a fight the day before and their horses were broken down and that they needed these horses to supply their place. I knew the horses well and worked them and knew their condition and am thus able to state their value. The fifth horse was a sorrel mare, about I do not recollect how old, and was worth $130. Further deponent saith not
J. D. Garber
Testimony: Samuel P. Garber
At the request of the claimant, The commr. recalls Saml. P. Garber and examines him concerning the pasturage of the wheat charged in the 7th item.
I did not see the cavalry horses of the Army turned into the field of the Clt. I did not see them while they were in there, I saw the day after that the field had been pastured off, I know the field well, I know the number of acres, There were two fields. They contained 21 acres. The wheat was growing in the head and didn't lack much of being ripe. It was a good crop, I think it would have made 20 bushels to the acre. I saw it the day after the day after the Ar the Genl. Hunter's army moved by, It was trampled down and eat off. I suppose about the half of it was eat and nearly all the balance was destroyed. The claimant cut a little of it about an acre or two, which they didn't get over so much--it was pretty tolerable good. The wheat was worth, I think, in that condition a $1 per bushel. And further saith not
Saml. P. Garber
Testimony: Isaac Coffman
Depositions of Isaac Coffman, and John A. Stover taken on behalf of David Myers, claimant in the city of Staunton, Va. said witnesses being duly sworn by me H. Risk, Special Commissioner.
Deposition of Isaac Coffman
Answereth
My name is Isaac Coffman, my age is 46 years, residence near New Hope, Augusta County, Va., occupation a farmer. I am related to the claimant by marriage on his wife's side but have no beneficial interest in the cliam. I lived about one mile from the claimant during the war and saw him frequently and talked with him about the war and I always regarded him as a true Union man doubted or questioned by any of his neighbors. I do not recollect any language used by claimant, but have no hesitation in saying that he was a strict union man. I never knew him to do anything to aid the Confederacy except he was compelled to do. The rebels had no confidence in him. I was a Union man myself and the claimant knew it. I am satisfied that had the rebels succeeded in gaining an independent government, the claimant never could have proven any loyalty to that government.
Isaac Coffman
Testimony: John A. Stover
Deposition of John A. Stover
Answereth--
My name is John A. Stover, my age is 31 years, my residence near New Hope Augusta County. occupation a farmer. I am not related to the claimant. I resided about ten miles from the claimant during the war. I saw him frequently, but cannot say how often during the time. I heard him talk frequently and always in favor of the Union and its cause. I remember when I was about starting through the lines, that he advised and encouraged me to go, and concealed me at his house until everything could be fixed for my departure. I left in 1864. had never been in the rebel service. I joined the 6th Ohio Regiment, Co. M, under command of General Sheridan. To the time I left I never had heard of the claimants unionism doubted. I believe he was strictly and truly a Union man and he was so regarded by his neighbors. I know that he has acted with the Union party since the surrender and acted as a Justice of the Peace under military rule in this county.
I have heard him express himself since, and know that he has worked and voted for the Republican party.
John A. Stover
The foregoing depositions were taken by me at the time and place named in the caption.
H. Risk
Spe. Commr.
Testimony: Henry K. Eakle
Deposition of Henry K. Eakle, taken in Staunton, Va. November 5th, 1874, in behalf of David Myers of Augusta County Virginia who being duly sworn answers as follows. My name is Henry K. Eakle, my age is 55 years, my residence near New Hope in Augusta county, and occupation a farmer. I have known the claimant, David Myers, all my life. I lived one mile from him during the war and saw him very frequently during the war, and talked frequently about the war with him, and am satisfied that his sympathies were always with the Union. He appeared to be pleased when news would reach us of the probability of the Union Army coming to our section, and when General Hunter's did come, he seemed delighted and was releaved and pleased with the result of the battle at Piedmont. I never heard his loyalty doubted by the Union men of the neighborhood, and was regarded as a Union man my the rebels of the neighborhood. The prominent Union men of that neighborhood, were Charles Batis, Martin and Saml. Garber, Isaac Coffman and myself, with others. I never knew the claimant to do anything for the Confederacy, except what he might have been compelled. I have no hesitation in saying that I believe he was strictly loyal during the war, and that since he has sustained the Government by his votes and influence. He served as a Justice of the Peace, under the military rule, which none but union men could do. My own record as a Union man was and is well known in my section of the county.
Henry K. Eakle
I certify that the foregoing deposition of Henry K. Eakle was taken by me at the place and on the day named in the caption. And I further certify that the witness is a gentleman of undoubted veracity and loyalty to the Union.
H. Risk
Special Commr.
Testimony: H. Risk
Staunton, Va., Nov 13th 1874.
Hon. Commr. I am satisfied that Mr. David Myers is and was a true Union man, and believe from all I have heard of him that his claim should be allowed.
Respectfully, H. Risk
Bibliographic Information : Southern Claims Commission: Claim of David Myers, 1874, Claim No. 12,113, Source copy consulted: National Archives, College Park, RG 217, claim #12,113.
