Summary: Samuel D. Stover filed this claim in 1879 for $158, claiming Union forces under General Hunters Command took one horse and two sheep in 1864. Samuel was a carpenter and farmer during the war. In 1864 he went crossed over into Union territory and stayed until after Lee surrendered in 1865. His two sons also fled to the Union. The commission allowed $116.
Items Claimed:
| Item Claimed: | Amount Claimed: | Amount Allowed: | Amount Disallowed: |
| One Horse | $150.00 | $110.00 | $40.00 |
| 2 Sheep | $8.00 | $6.00 | $2.00 |
Claims Summary:
The clmt. was a carpenter & farmer. He was opposed to secession & in favor of the Old Govt. He was arrested in June 1864 & the Confedtes. tried to put him in the reserves. He got a pass to go home & with it went through the lines to West Va & Ohio & staid North till the close of the war. Two of his neighbors testify to his uniform loyal language & reputation. He had two sons in the Confedte. Army who left & went North before he did. We find him loyal.
The horse & sheep taken by Genl. Hunter's men in June '64. We allow $116.00.
A.O. Aldis, O. Ferrin, JB HowellCommrs of Claims
Testimony: Samuel D. Stover
Ques 1. Witness Says-I lived on my farm in Augusta CoVa. during the war. My farm contained about 100 acres, about 75 acres in cultivation. I left home in August 1864, went Maryland, Ohio, & West Va. Worked at my trade while away. I am a carpenter. I came back home 14 day of May 1865. I was in the Union lines all the time I was out of the State.
3. No in full
4. No in full
5. Witness Says, I took the amnesty oath in 1865, did nothing to be pardoned for
6. No in full
7. No in full
8. No in full
9. No in full
10. No in full
11. No in full
12. No in full
13. No in full
14. No in full
15. No in full
16. No in full
17. No in full
18. No in full
19. No in full
20. No in full
21. No in full
22. Witness Says, I left the Confederate States, as stated above in question 2
[page or two missing from original]
. . . know the names of my nephews. My two Sons are living in Augusta Co. They left & went into the Union lines before I did. My brother is living in Augusta Co. All my nephews who were in the Confederate army are living in Augusta Co. I furnished none of them with any military equipments, money or clothing
31. No in full
32. No in full
33. No in full
34. No in full
35. No in full
36. No in full
37. No in full
38. Witness Says, I got a pass to leave camp & go home, & with that pass I went into the Union lines & did not return. Did not take any oath to get the pass.
39. No in full
40. Witness Says, I sympathized with the cause of the Union all the time. Did not vote at all on the ordinance of secession. After its adoption I adhered to the cause of the Union.
41. Witness Says, I was always desirous to see the Govt. put down the rebellion, & was ready to do all I could for that purpose. I never wanted them to gain their indepedence. And further this deponent saith not.
Samuel D. Stover
Sworn to before me this 5 day of August 1872
WG Riley
Deposition of Saml. D. Stover, recalled to prove taking furnishing and value of property
Ques 1. Witness Says: I saw the property mentioned in my petition taken. I was present, was taken from my farm in Augusta Co.Va. in June 1864 by Soldiers of Genl. Hunters Army. There were two Soldiers who took the property. My son, Saml. D. Stover, my daughter & wife saw the property taken. There was no officer present. The horse was taken from the plough in my field. The sheep were in my field near the house. The horse was led away & the sheep were carried off on horses. The property was taken in the direction of the camp, at Staunton Va. The soldiers said they had orders to take all horses they could find. I tried to get him to leave the horse but it did no good. I made no complaint to any officer. No receipt was given and none asked for. The property was taken in the day time. The army was encamped at Staunton 2 or 3 days. They left the day after they took my property. The property was all in good condition when taken.
Item #1 I saw a horse taken 5 years old, worth $150.
Item #2 I saw 2 grown sheep taken, were fat worth $4 each.
I am the sole owner of this claim. Have never been paid for it, & never presented it to any Departments of the government, & nothing was left in exchange.
And further this deponent saith not.
Samuel D. Stover
Sworn to before me this 5th day of August 1872
WG Riley
Testimony: William S. Swink
Deposition of Wm Swink to prove Loyalty
Ques 1. Witness Says, I am 58 years old. I reside in Augusta Co. I am a farmer. I have known the claimant 12 or 13 years. I lived near him during the war. Saw him frequently, & talked to him about the War. He was always opposed to the war, & said if it ever came his time to go in the army that he should leave the State & go north. I always regarded him as a union man. He was so regarded I think by his neighbors. I don't know that he ever did anything for the Confederate Government. Nor for the U.S.Govt. He left Va. & went north. I think he went to keep out of the Army. Don't know that he was ever threatened because he was a Union man. Don't know that he owned any Confed. bonds, or to support Confederate credit. Don't know how he voted on the ordinance of secession. Don't know that he ever gave any information to Union Officers as to the movement of the Confederate Armies. I think he was in the Union lines when Genl. Lee surrendered. I don't know what he would have done had the South gained its independence. And further this deponent saith not.
William S Swink
Sworn to before me this 5th day of August 1872
WG Riley
Testimony: John Bumgardner
Deposition of Jno Bumgardner to prove Loyalty
Ques 1. Witness Says: I am 62 years old, reside in Augusta Co. I am a farmer. I have known the claimant 15 years, lived near him during the war, saw him often, & talked to him about the war. He always said he was a Union man, & that before he would go in the army he would go North. I heard men say they saw him in the North. Don't remember what year he went North, he came back after the surrender of Genl. Lee. I regarded him as a Union man, & so far as I know he was so regarded by his neighbors. I don't know that he was threatened because he was a Union Man. I don't know how he voted on the ordinance of secession. I don't think he voted at all. Did nothing to support the credit of the Confederate States. Don't know that he gave any information to the Union officers in regard to the movements of Confederate Armies. I, the witness, was a Union man all the War, according to my opinion. I don't think he could have stayed at his home in Va had the South gained its independence. And further deponent saith not.
Witness Sworn, Jno Bumgardner his mark
Sworn to before me this 5th day of August 1872
WG Riley
Testimony: Samuel D. Stover, Jr.
Deposition of Samuel D. Stover Jr. to prove the taking furnishing & value of Property.
Ques 1. Witness Says: I am 22 years old I reside in Augusta Co.Va. I am a farmer. I am the son of the claimant. I was present and saw one horse & two sheep belonging to the claimant taken. I was ploughing the horse on the farm of the claimant. The sheep were in the next field, on the same farm. It was during the War I don't remember the year. They were taken by U.S. Soldiers. Don't know whose command they belonged to. One soldier took the horse & thereafter sheep. My Father, Mother & Sister saw them taken. I don't think any officer was present. The horse was led away, & the sheep were carried on the horses before them. The property was taken in the direction of Staunton, where the Federal army was encamped about 3 1/2 miles distant. No complaint was made, & no receipt was asked for & none given. The horse was in good order. Was 4 or 5 years old, was worth $150. good riding & work horse. The soldier who took him said he must have him, wanted him to ride. I saw the horse taken. Saw two sheep taken, were grown sheep & fat were worth $4.00. My Father is the sole owner of this claim & has never been paid for it. And further this deponent siath not.
Samuel D. Stover Jr.
Sworn to before me this 5 day of Aug 1872
WG Riley
Bibliographic Information : Southern Claims Commission: Claim of Samuel D. Stover, 1879, Claim No. 15,563, Source copy consulted: National Archives, College Park, RG 217, claim #15,563.
