Summary: Samuel H. Swisher filed this claim in 1875 for $165, claiming Union forces under General Sheridan took one horse, one Spanish saddle, and two bridles in 1864. Samuel was a 36 year old farmer who was granted exemption from Confederate service and tried to help his brother escape to the Union to avoid service. The commission allowed $165.
Items Claimed:
| Item Claimed: | Amount Claimed: | Amount Allowed: | Amount Disallowed: |
| One horse | $150.00 | $150.00 | $0.00 |
| One Spanish saddle | $12.00 | $12.00 | $0.00 |
| One bridle | $2.00 | $2.00 | $0.00 |
| One bridle | $1.00 | $1.00 | $0.00 |
Claims Summary:
The claimant was a resident of Augusta Co.Va. At the Commencement of the war he was drafted & sworn into the militia, but was exempted from service on a medical examination. Says he took the oath fearing if he did not he would be sent to jail. He gave no aid to the Confederacy & swears that he was from the beginning to the end of the war in sympathy with the Union Cause. He unquestionably bore the reputation of a Union man. When the case was first submitted no such facts were shown as would settle the question of loyalty & we caused an investigation to be made by an agent, whose report with the accompanying testimony is decidedly in favor of claimants loyalty.
The property was taken by Sheridans troops about the 1st of Oct. 1864 & for army use. No voucher was given or payment made
We recommend the payment of $165.
AO Aldis, Orange Ferris, JB HowellCommrs of Claims
Testimony: Samuel H. Swisher
I am 36 years old. I reside in Augusta Co.Va. I am a farmer. Lived where I now do for 25 years.
Ques 3. Witness Says, I never passed the military or Naval lines of the U.S. & entered the rebel lines.
4. Witness Says, I was drafted in the militia, & had to take the oath of allegiance to the Confed. States I thought if I did not take it I would have to go to prison. I was exempted, & did not serve in the militia.
5. Witness Says, I took the amnesty oath in 1865 at Staunton Va
6. Witness Says, I never was directly nor indirectly connected with the civil service of the Confed. States.
7. Witness Says, I never held any clerkship agency or employment of any kind, never held any officer of honor profit or trust, nor was in any service 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, Never was an officer soldier sailor or marine in the Army or Navy. Never furnished a substitute. Nor had any connection with any Dept. of the ConfedGovt. Never furnished any stores or supplies. Nor had charge of any trains teams or wagons. Nor gave any information to any officer or any one in the late employment of the ConfedGovt.
13. Witness Says, Never was engaged in the collection or impressment of supplies of any kind for the ConfedGovt.
14. Witness Says, Never engaged in blockade running, or illicit traffic between the lines. Nor was the owner nor part owner of any vessel engaged in navigating to or from any port of the Confed States
15. Witness say, I did not leave the Confed States at any time during the war.
17. Witness says, Was never arrested by either the U.S. or Confed.Govts.
18. Witness Says, I had some wheat taken by the Confed.Govt.recd. pay for it.
19. Witness says, Don't know that I ever was threatened on account of my union sentiments
22. Witness says, I did nothing for the U.S.Govt. had no chance.
23. Witness says, I had a brother no near relatives in the Confed. Army, nor U.S. army.
24. Witness says, I never owned any Confed. bonds, never did anything to support the credit of the Confed. States
25. Witness says, I never gave aid nor comfort to the rebellion
26. Witness says, I never engaged in raiding into the U.S. nor in destroying its commerce.
29. Witness Says, I never was a paroled prisoner of the U.S.
30. Witness Says, I never held any office in the Army or Navy of the U.S. was not educated at West Point or the Naval Academy.
31. Witness Says, I never recd. any pass from any officer of the ConfedGovt.
32. Witness says, 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. Did not vote either for or against the ordinance of secession. After its adoption I adhered to the Union & did not go with my State
34. Witness says, My sympathies were constantly with the cause of the union. I never did anything against its cause, & was ready & willing to aid it to the extent of my means & ability & further this deponent sayeth not. Oct. 28th 1871
Samuel H Swisher
Sworn to & sworn before me this 28th day of Oct. 1871
WG Riley United States Commissioner and Special Comr for State of Va
Testimony: Philip D. Swisher
Deposition of Phillip D. Swisher to prove property.
Ques 1. Witness says, I am 32 years old. I live in Augusta Co.Va. I am a farmer. I was present & saw the property mentioned in the claimants petition taken. I saw one horse one saddle, one riding bridle & one blind bridle taken.
4. Witness Says, The property was taken in 1864 from the farm of the claimant, by Soldiers of the U.S. army under Genl. Sheridan
6. Witness Says, There were no officers present when the property was taken, so far as I know. Know neither the name rank or comd. of any of them, but Genl. Talbot was in comd.
10. Witness says, The property was taken for the use of the U.S.Govt.
11. Witness Says, No complaint was made on account of the taking.
12. Witness says, There was no receipt asked for & none given
13. Witness Says, The property was taken in the day time it was not taken secretly
14. Witness Says, When the property was taken the army was on the march.
15. Witness Says, Item #1. Saw one fine horse taken, he was 10 years old, was worth $150.00. Item #2. Saw one Spanish riding saddle taken, was worth $15.00 Item #3. Saw one riding bridle taken worth $2.00 Item #4. Saw one blind bridle taken, was worth $1.00. Saw all the above property taken for the benefit of the army.
19. Witness says, I think the property was taken for the use of the U.S. army & not for private use, the horse was put into immediate service.
22. Witness say, I think the property was taken for the necessary use of the army, & the Govt. should pay for it.
23. Witness says, I suppose those who took the property had authority to take it & 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: 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 25 years. Part of the war I lived near him. Saw him often & talked with him about the war. I regard him as a loyal man to the U.S.Govt. & he was so regarded by his neighbors, he was called abolishionist by the rebels. He did nothing for the U.S.Govt so far as I know, don't know that he assisted any one to go with the Union lines. I know he spoke favorably of it. Never knew him to do anything for the rebel Govt. Did not know him threatened or injured on account of his Union sentiments. I do not think he could have lived here contented, had the South succeeded, he was too loyal to the U.S. I think he would have left the State of Va & 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
Testimony: John M. Rimel
Deposition of Jno. M. Rimel to prove loyalty.
Ques 1. Witness says, I am 37 years old. I reside in Augusta Co.Va. I am a farmer. Have known the claimant all my life. Live near him. Saw him often & talked with him about the war. He was so loyal, he thought the Union army would not take his property. I regard him as loyal to the U.S.Govt. he was so regarded by his neighbors, & some were very much against him on account of it. He tried to get his brother through the lines to go North, he would have gone himself if he had not been exempted. Never knew him to do anything for the Confed.Govt. Never knew him threatened on account of his Union sentiments. He said he did not expect to be allowed to stay in the South if the Confederates succeeded, because he was a loyal man to the U.S. I have heard him speak often, favorably to the U.S. & 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
Bibliographic Information : Southern Claims Commission: Claim of Samuel H. Swisher, 1875, Claim No. 9002, Source copy consulted: National Archives, College Park, RG 217, claim #9002.
