Summary: Philip D. Swisher filed this claim in 1875 for $177, claiming Union forces under General Sheridan took one horse and one bridle in 1864. Philip was a 33 year old farmer. Witnesses say he was politically and religiously opposed to the war. The commission allowed $154.
Items Claimed:
| Item Claimed: | Amount Claimed: | Amount Allowed: | Amount Disallowed: |
| One young bay mare | $175.00 | $150.00 | $25.00 |
| One bridle | $2.00 | $2.00 | $0.00 |
Claims Summary:
The claimant is a farmer, has resided in Augusta Co. all his life. Was within the conscript age but how he kept out of army does not appear. He did nothing in aid of the Confederacy swears that he at all times sympathized with the Union Cause-witnesses testify to his loyalty. As the case when submitted by the claimants atty. was devoid of such facts as would clearly indicate the loyalty or disloyalty of the claimant it was entrusted to an Agent for investigation. His report & the testimony accompanying it satisfies us that he was loyal & dhered to the Union Cause.
The claimants horse & bridle were taken for the use of the army by soldiers of Gen. Sheridans command about the 1st Oct. 1864. No voucher was given or payment made.
We recommend the payment of $154.00
AO Aldis, Orange Ferris, JB HowellCommr of Claims
Testimony: Philip D. Swisher
I am 33 years old. I reside in Augusta Co.Va. I am a farmer. Have lived in Augusta Co. all my life.
Ques 3. Witness Says: Never passed the military or Naval lines of the U.S. & entered the rebel lines
4. Witness Say, I never took an oath of allegiance to the Confed States
5. Witness Says, I took the amnesty oath in 1865 at Staunton Va. have not been pardoned.
6. Witness Says, I never was in any manner connected with the civil service of the Confed States.
7. Witness Says, I never held any place or office of honor profit or trust, nor any clerkship agency or employment of any kind for the Confed. Govt.
9. Witness Says, I never was in any capacity in the military or Naval service of the Confed States
10. Witness Says, I never was an officer soldier sailor or marine in the army or navy of the Confed. States. Did not furnish a substitute for either. Never had any connection with any Dept. of the Confed.Govt. had charge of no supplies, or trains. Never furnished any stores or supplies & never gave information to any one in the Confederate service
14. Witness Says, I never engaged in blockade running or illicit traffic between the lines
15. Witness says, Did not leave the Confed States during the War
17. Witness say, Was never arrested either by the U.S. or Confed.Govts.
18. Witness says, None of my property was ever taken by the Confed.Govt.
20. Witness says, I was never threatened or molested or injured on account of my union sentiments.
22. Witness say, Did nothing for the USGovt during the War.
23. Witness say, Had no near relatives in either the U.S. or Confed Armies
24. Witness Says, Never owned any Confed bonds, never did any thing to support Confed. credit
32. Witness Say, I am not never have been under any disabilities imposed by the 14th amendment of the Constitution, have not held any office since the war
33. Witness says, At the beginning of the war I sympathized with the Union cause. Did not vote either for or against the ordinance of secession. After its adoption I adhered to the cause of the union, & did not go with my State.
34. Witness says, I constantly sympathized with the cause of the Union. I never did anything, sought nor attempted to do anything to retard or injure its cause, & was ready & willing at all times to assist it to the extent of my means & ability, & further this deponent sayeth not. Oct. 28th 1871
Philip D. Swisher
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 28th day of Oct. 1871
WG Riley United States Commissioner and Special Comr for State of Va
Testimony: Samuel H. Swisher
Deposition of Saml H. Swisher to prove loyalty
Ques 1. Witness Says, I am 36 years old. I reside in Augusta Co. Va. I am a farmer. Saw all the property mentioned in the claimants petition taken. Saw one horse taken, one bridle taken.
4. Witness Says, The property was taken in 1864, from the farm of the claimant, by Officers & soldiers of the U.S. under Genl Sheridan.
6. Witness Says, Don't think there were any officers present just when the property was taken
7. Witness Say The property was taken by Soldiers of the U.S. army, & led off by a soldier of the U.S. army.
10. Witness Says I think the property was taken for the use of the Govt.
11. Witness Say, I asked the soldier to to leave him, he said he would take him for the U.S. Army or the Confed. would get him
12. Witness Say, No voucer was asked for & none given
taken in the daytime it was not taken secretly
15. Witness Says, The horse was in good condition. Item #1. One bay mare, 4 years, worth $175.00 Saw taken Item #2. Saw the bridle taken, was worth $2.00. Saw all this property taken.
19. Witness Says, The property was taken for the use of the U.S. Army not for private use.
22. Witness Says, I think the horse was taken for the necessary use of the Govt. & the Govt. should pay for it.
23. Witness say, I think those who took the property were ordered to take, & further this deponent sayeth not. Oct. 28th 1871
Samuel H. Swisher
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 28th day of Oct 1871
WG Riley United States Commissioner and Special Comr for State of Va.
Testimony: John M. Rimel
Deposition of Jno. M. Rimel to prove loyalty.
Ques 1. Witness Says, I am 37 years old. I live in Augusta Co.Va. I am a farmer. Have known the claimant 30 years. Lived near him. Saw him often & talked with him about the war. I regarded him as loyal to the U.S.Govt. & he was so regarded by his neighbors. I suppose he aided his brother in trying to escape into the Federal lines, to avoid Confederate service, he never did any thing for the Confed. Govt. Never Knew him threatened molested or injured on account of his union sentiments. He thought, from a conversation I had with him, that he would not be allowed to stay in the South, if the Confederates succeeded, on account of his loyalty to the U.S. I talked with him frequently on that subject & further this deponent sayeth not.
Oct 28th 1871
John M Rimel
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 28th day of Oct 1871
WG Riley United States Commissioner and Special Comr for State of Va.
Testimony: Adam Lambert
Deposition of Adam Lambert to prove loyalty.
Ques 1. Witness says, I am 46 years old. I reside in Augusta Co.Va. I am a blacksmith. Have known the claimant 20 years. Lived near him. Saw him often & talked with him about the war. I regarded him as a loyal man to the U.S.Govt. & he was so regarded by his neighbors. Never knew him to do anything for the U.S.Govt. Never knew him to do any thing for the Confed.Govt. Never knew him threatened on account of his union sentiments he was confined to his home during the war by sickness & did not go about much. I think he was too loyal to the U.S.Govt. to have made a loyal citizen to the Confed.Govt. had they succeeded. I know he was politically & religiously opposed to the war, & from what I saw of him & heard of him I am satisfied he was a good loyal man, & further this deponent sayeth not.
Oct. 28th 1871
Adam Lambert
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 28th day of Oct. 1871
WG Riley United States Commissioner and Special Comr for State of Va.
Bibliographic Information : Southern Claims Commission: Claim of Philip D. Swisher, 1875, Claim No. 9001, Source copy consulted: National Archives, College Park, RG 217, claim #9001.
