Summary: John Ruebush filed this claim in 1875 for $187.50, claiming the Union army under General Sheridan's command took six head of cattle in 1864 during the "burning raid." Ruebush was a farmer near Mt. Sidney who purportedly urged neighbors to "try Mr. Lincoln." As the property was taken during the Burning Raid, and not specifically for military use, the claim was disallowed.
Items Claimed:
| Item Claimed: | Amount Claimed: | Amount Allowed: | Amount Disallowed: |
| 6 head of Cattle 625 lbs each equal to 3750 lb gross 5cts | $187.50 | $0.00 | $187.50 |
Claims Summary:
This claimant John Ruebush voted in Augusta Co.Va. as the record shows to ratify the ordinance of Secession - And the cattle for which the claim is made were taken in Sheridan's "burning raid" prob. for army use, but driven out of the state, sold & the proceeds paid into the treasury
The claim is disallowed.
A.O. Aldis
Orange
Ferriss
J.B. Howell
Commrs of Claims
Testimony: John Ruebush
In answer to the First General Interrogatory, the Deponent says: My name is John Ruebush, my age 75 years, my residence Augusta County, in the State of Virginia, and my occupation a Farmer; I am the claimant, and have beneficial interest in the claim.
Interrogatory 2. I lived on my own farm near Mt. Sidney in Augusta County Va. during the whole period of the war.
3-4 No sir
5 It seems that I did take some oath after the war. I don't remember distinctly.
6 to 17 inclusive no sir.
18 I never furnished the Confederacy with anything I was not compelled to. All farmers were obliged to give a tenth since they took a tenth part of my crops.
19 to 24 inclusive no sir
25 yes they took 1/10 of my crops as before stated. They did not pay me for it. They wanted my horses several times but I managed to save them.
26 to 29 inclusive no sir
30 none nearer than nephews. One in the county and two in Rockbridge. They were drafted in the militia. I did not aid nor encourage them in any way nor furnish them with anything. They are all now living near their old homes.
31 to 39 inclusive no sir.
40 I sympathized with the Union cause. I told more that 50 people it was better for us to stay in the Union, and to try Mr Lincoln first before making a fuss and I always believed it would have been best to have staid in the Union and I never could [several lines of text are illegible]
41 I was for the Union all the time and am still. I didnt have any sympathy at all with the rebellion.
44. I am a native born citizen of the United States and have not passed through Bankruptcy.
In answer to interrogatories as to the taking of the property deponent says.
Property I was in the cornfield cutting up corn when my cattle were taken and saw my cattle driven away by some troops of Gen Sheridan's army in the fall of 1864. While the burning was going on. They were a small squad of cavalry who were taking cattle from all around the neighborhood they drove away 7 cows from me, and I followed them on toward Harrisonburg a day or two after and got some of them back. The six which were taken were worth on average $30 a piece if not more.
And further deponent saith not.
John Ruebush
Testimony: David H. Ruebush
David H. Ruebeush being duly sworn says
I am 22 years old. I am a son of the claimant and live with him. I was present when the property was taken and saw it taken.
They were taken by a squad of union cavalry belonging to the army of Gen. Sheridan at the time of the burning in the fall of the year 1864 Were driven off with other cattle they were collecting. They drove away 7 but we got one of them back. The 6 head taken were 3 milch cows and 3 young cattle; one was 2 and 2 of them were 3 years old.
The cattle were driven off towards Harrisonburg where my father found and brought home one of the cows.
And further deponent saith not.
D.H. Ruebush
Testimony: Mary J. Ruebush
I am 19 years old. I live with the claimant he is my father. I was present at the time our cattle were taken and saw them taken. They were off by a party of cavalry at the time of the burning in the fall of 1864. They 4 were cows and three were young cattle. My father went to them and brought one of the cows back in days. And further the deponent saith not
Mary J. Ruebush
Testimony: Matthias McKersh
Deposition of Matthias McKersh as to the loyalty of John Ruebush
I am 68 years old, a farmer, live near Mt. Meridian in Augusta County.
I have known the claimant since my youth. I am not related to him and have no interest in his claim.
I don't remember any particular conversation with him on the subject of Secession. I heard him say that the Union government was good enough for him and that he would have nothing to do with the war. I had frequent conversations with him during the war, and he always spoke in favor of the old government. He never said much about the battles - it was not prudent for one to say much about such things on the Union side. I don't know of his having anything to do about helping refugees through the lines. I only know he used to speak when talking with me in favor of the old government as it was before the war. So far as I could understand him he sympathized with the Union Cause.
And further deponent saith not.
Matt. McKersh
Testimony: John W. Landes
Deposition of John W. Landes as to the loyalty of John Ruebush.
I am 41 years old, a farmer, live 2 miles from Mt. Sidney and 1 1/2 miles from Mr. Ruebush.
I am not related to the claimant and have no interest in his claim.
I have known the claimant about 35 years. I often heard him speak on the subject of Secession, rebellion and such matters. He was opposed to Secession - and told people that had better wait and try Mr. Lincoln before rushing into a war. Said he believed he would make a good President and that they ought not to break up the union. I was a union man myself, and he knew it, and talked freely with me, but it was dangerous to speak much openly in favor of the union. He was generally known however by union people as loyal to the United States. I have heard him spoken of as a union man. And I regarded him as a loyal man during the war.
And further deponent saith not.
John W. Landes
Testimony: Isaac P. Baldwin Special Commissioner
REMARKS BY THE SPECIAL COMMISSIONER
I am of the opinion that this old claimant was a Union man at heart, and had no sympathy with the rebellion.
Isaac P. Baldwin
Testimony: United States War Department
ARCHIVE OFFICE, WAR DEPARTMENT, January 31, 1878
Book 3, Letters Sent, page 262
Case of John Ruebush of Augusta Co. Virginia
The name and signature of John G. Ruebush appears on the muster roll of Capt John Avis's Co, of "Provost Guards" raised at Staunton Augusta Co. Virginia
Dec 20/75 Rejected
See Muster Roll in Virginia Reserves
Testimony: United States War Department
ARCHIVE OFFICE, WAR DEPARTMENT, April 29, 1876
Book 3, Letters Sent, page 171
Case of John Ruebush of Augusta Co. Virginia
Bill & vouchers for 1000 lbs of Hay amounting to $30.00 Sold to the C.S.A.
Paid Feb 12th 1864 by Capt. I. Lightfoot
Disallowed 1875
Testimony: United States War Department
ARCHIVE OFFICE, WAR DEPARTMENT, April 15, 1874
Book 3, Letters Sent, page 21
17934
Case of John Ruebush of Augusta Co. Va.
Name appears on petition of citizens of that Co. asking discharge of Wm W. Knibble a disabled man.
"In view of his total disability to perform military duty we feel free to offer this petition and urge our claim."
See K149.WD18621
(left in files)
Bibliographic Information : Southern Claims Commission: Claim of John Ruebush, 1875, Claim No. 17934, Source copy consulted: National Archives, Washington, D.C., fiche #1828.
