~ Southern Claims Commission Records ~
Background
In the years immediately following the
Civil War, the U.S. Government was besieged with claims from citizens
of southern states, many of whom had been unquestionably loyal to the
Union cause during the conflict.
An act of Congress, dated 3 Mar 1871, authorized a special board of three commissioners to be appointed by the President. These Commissioners of Claims — known as the Southern Claims Commission — were to "receive, examine, and consider the claims of those citizens who remained loyal adherents to the cause and the government of the United States during the war, for stores or supplies taken or furnished during the rebellion."
The commissioners were to satisfy themselves about the loyalty of each claimant; certify the amount, nature and value of the property taken or furnished; and report their judgment on each claim to the U.S. House of Representatives. That body, in turn, would approve or disallow the claim and appropriate money for payment.
The deadline for filing claims was set at 3 Mar 1873 and all evidence must have been submitted prior to March 1879. In an article written for "The CLF Newsletter" in 1976, Elizabeth Nitschke Hicks suggested that some of these claimants may have misrepresented their true loyalties: "[Y]ou should consider that people did what they had to to receive compensation for losses suffered during the war. Many southerners did not consider it 'lying' to 'lie' to a Yankee (especially a bureaucrat)." This appears to have been the case considering that of the 22,298 claims filed, only 7,092 satisfied the rigid tests of sworn statements and cross examination required to prove both the sustained "Unionism" of the claimant throughout the war and the validity of the claim.
A typical case file may contain any or all of the following types of documents: summary reports; petitions; inventories for supplies and property for which compensation was desired; applications to have testimony taken by a special commissioner; testimony of the claimant and others, both favorable and adverse, relating to the claim; vouchers; powers of attorney; correspondence; a copy of the final report; and the certificate of settlement issued by the U.S. Treasury.
Only 17 claims from Fayette Co., AL, were approved. Just a few notes, taken from sometimes lengthy case files, are included here. Please refer to the actual records for additional information. Images of these records also can be found online at Footnote.com (subscription fee required).
Source: Southern Claims Commission, Approved Claims, 1871–1880: Alabama. National Archives Microfilm M-2062, Rolls 9 & 10.
Find geographical lists of all Southern Claims Commission claimants here (PDF format only)
NOTE: Several of the incidents described below occurred during Wilson's Raid, "a cavalry operation through Alabama and Georgia in March-April 1865, late in the American Civil War. Brigadier General James H. WILSON led his Union Army Cavalry Corps to destroy Southern manufacturing facilities and was opposed unsuccessfully by the smaller force under Confederate Lieutenant General Nathan Bedford FORREST."
An act of Congress, dated 3 Mar 1871, authorized a special board of three commissioners to be appointed by the President. These Commissioners of Claims — known as the Southern Claims Commission — were to "receive, examine, and consider the claims of those citizens who remained loyal adherents to the cause and the government of the United States during the war, for stores or supplies taken or furnished during the rebellion."
The commissioners were to satisfy themselves about the loyalty of each claimant; certify the amount, nature and value of the property taken or furnished; and report their judgment on each claim to the U.S. House of Representatives. That body, in turn, would approve or disallow the claim and appropriate money for payment.
The deadline for filing claims was set at 3 Mar 1873 and all evidence must have been submitted prior to March 1879. In an article written for "The CLF Newsletter" in 1976, Elizabeth Nitschke Hicks suggested that some of these claimants may have misrepresented their true loyalties: "[Y]ou should consider that people did what they had to to receive compensation for losses suffered during the war. Many southerners did not consider it 'lying' to 'lie' to a Yankee (especially a bureaucrat)." This appears to have been the case considering that of the 22,298 claims filed, only 7,092 satisfied the rigid tests of sworn statements and cross examination required to prove both the sustained "Unionism" of the claimant throughout the war and the validity of the claim.
A typical case file may contain any or all of the following types of documents: summary reports; petitions; inventories for supplies and property for which compensation was desired; applications to have testimony taken by a special commissioner; testimony of the claimant and others, both favorable and adverse, relating to the claim; vouchers; powers of attorney; correspondence; a copy of the final report; and the certificate of settlement issued by the U.S. Treasury.
Only 17 claims from Fayette Co., AL, were approved. Just a few notes, taken from sometimes lengthy case files, are included here. Please refer to the actual records for additional information. Images of these records also can be found online at Footnote.com (subscription fee required).
Source: Southern Claims Commission, Approved Claims, 1871–1880: Alabama. National Archives Microfilm M-2062, Rolls 9 & 10.
Find geographical lists of all Southern Claims Commission claimants here (PDF format only)
NOTE: Several of the incidents described below occurred during Wilson's Raid, "a cavalry operation through Alabama and Georgia in March-April 1865, late in the American Civil War. Brigadier General James H. WILSON led his Union Army Cavalry Corps to destroy Southern manufacturing facilities and was opposed unsuccessfully by the smaller force under Confederate Lieutenant General Nathan Bedford FORREST."
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Claim No: 5802
Date of Hearing: 25 Aug 1874
Place of Residence: Near Fayette Court House
Length of Residence in Fayette County: "5 years nearly"
Age: 63 years
Place of Birth: Lincoln Co., NC
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: About five miles from Resaca, Gordon Co., GA
Remarks: "I opened my house to the Federals and my cribbs and told them to help themselves as long as I had a pound of meat and an ear of corn. I fed and took care of many soldiers during the year 1864 and from that time on until the surrender."
Brief Description of Incident/s: On or about 15 May 1864, while claimant was confined in prison by the Confederate authority on account of his Union sentiments, officers and soldiers belonging to the Army of the United States confiscated livestock, feed, foodstuffs and supplies valued at about $700. In September 1864, they took 125 bushels of corn worth about $125. In April 1865, they took $20 worth of fodder.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• James D. ABERNATHY, son, age 23; witnessed incident at farm
• Mary J. ABERNATHY, daughter, age 24; witnessed incident at farm
• Catherine EZELL, daughter, age "30 years nearly," resided at or near Allens Factory, Marion Co., AL, in August 1871
• Samuel H. EZELL, son-in-law, age 24, acquainted with claimant "all my life nearly"; lived no farther than four miles and at times no more than 400 yards from him during war
• Mary Ann NORRIS, resident of Thorn Hill, Marion Co., AL; listed as testifier for claim (1871)
• Elizabeth STANSELL, daughter, age 27, resided at or near Allens Factory, AL, in August 1871
• William J. STANSELL, son-in-law, age "29 years and upwards," acquainted with claimant for 15 years
• Solomon HOYLE, William JONES, D.F. LUTES & David LUTES (prominent Unionists in Resaca area)
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Claim No: 7531
Date of Hearing: 16 Mar 1872
Place of Residence: Fayette County, York P.O. (Walker Co., AL)
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: Same
Remarks: "For aiding Union men who were trying to evade the conscript law, he was threatened many times by the rebel cavalry – was arrested and imprisoned and basely treated on account of his Union sentiment. He had three sons forced into the rebel army – they came home and he secreted them from the rebels – they were never again in the army. He had one son-in-law and three nephews in the Union Army and they remained there until the close of the war."
Brief Description of Incident/s: In April 1865, two fine mares valued at $300 were taken from claimant's residence by officers and soldiers of the Union army.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• H.G. AMERSON, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for claim (1871)
• Abraham KILGORE (KILGO), age 32, resident of Fayette County; acquainted with claimant for 20 years; lived five miles from him during war
• Zachariah MOORE, age 27, resident of Fayette County; acquainted with claimant for 10 years; lived ½ mile from him during war; served in 12th Tennessee Cavalry
• Catherine ROGERS, daughter, age 25, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident at farm
• Samuel WHITSON, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for loyalty (1871)
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Claim No: 21671
Date of Hearing: 28 May 1877
Place of Residence: Walker Co., AL (lived near Dublin, Fayette County, when petition filed in 1873)
Length of Residence in Fayette County: Since at least "six months prior to the rebellion and during the whole of the late war" (moved to Walker County about 1875)
Age: 69 years
Place of Birth: Georgia
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: At or near Dublin, AL
Remarks: He was known, recognized and treated as a friend to the Union by both Confederates and Unionists. He was threatened with death by the rebels and hid in the woods for 6 months to avoid them. He eventually was arrested and put in jail for his loyalty and was released by a Union scout named John STOUT (General DODGE's "favorite spy"). He persuaded his son to join the Union army and also had a brother who served.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On or about 25 Mar 1865, Col. TOMPKINS of General WILSON's army took from claimant's residence livestock, feed and foodstuffs valued at about $700.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• Francis M. BLACK, age 73; resident of Fayette County for about 30 years; witnessed incident at claimant's farm
• Charles COOK, brother, enlisted 1863 in 1st Alabama Cavalry, Co. L, at Glendale, MS; captured by the rebels 26 Oct 1863 near Vincent's Cross Roads, MS, "and was brutally murdered by them at Andersonville Prison in the state of Georgia"
• James COOK, son, enlisted 1864 in 1st Alabama Cavalry, Co. D, at Decatur, AL; living in Mississippi in 1877
• Mary A. COOK, daughter, age 34; resident of Walker Co., AL, for two years; witnessed incident at farm
• James C. COONER, age 41, lifelong resident of Walker Co., AL; acquainted with claimant for 17 years; lived 2½ miles from him during war; served in Union army
• Elijah A. JEFFREYS, age 43, resident of Fayette County for 30 years; acquainted with claimant for 20 years; lived three miles from him during war; conscripted by the rebels, escaped and hid out with claimant's assistance
• Capt. Stoke ROBERTS, CSA; arrested claimant in Marion Co., AL, in 1864
• James F. STOVALL, age 46, resident of Fayette County and acquainted with claimant for 20 years; lived two miles from him during war; Union soldier
• Capt. D.H. WHATLEY, CSA; threatened to hang claimant
• Joseph ADKINS, Isham COCK, A.J. FILES, G.W. JEFFREYS, Richard PANTER, Jacob PHELPMAN (FELTMAN), John A.W. SHAW, David STUDDARD & Samuel STUDDARD (prominent Unionists in Dublin area)
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Claim No: 11631
Date of Hearing: 30 Jan 1873
Place of Residence: Fayette County, Kansas P.O. (Walker Co., AL)
Age: 37 years
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: "My farm" on Wolf Creek in Fayette County
Remarks: He was threatened by the rebels with damage to his person and property – they threatened to hang him, shoot him and burn him. They took his property and even drove his wife and children away from home after taking all they had to subsist on. He enlisted 1863 in the 1st Alabama Cavalry at Glendale, MS; served part-time as 2nd Lt. and part-time as recruiter for the regiment. He influenced about 500 men to join Union army, including two brothers, two nephews, two brothers-in-law and a number of cousins.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On or about 1 Oct 1863 at Glendale, MS, claimant furnished 1st Lt. [William P.] GRAY – quartermaster of the 1st Alabama Cavalry – two horses and one saddle worth $285.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• B.F. FELPMAN (FELTMAN), age 28, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident at Glendale, MS
• J.J. KINET?, resident of Decatur, Morgan Co., AL; listed as testifier for loyalty (1872)
• Richard PANTER, age 33, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident at Glendale, MS
• Col. George E. SPENCER, resident of Washington, D.C. (1872); acquainted with claimant since 1862, when he came into Union lines "as a refugee from rebel lines"
• J.V. TIARA, witnessed claimant's petition (1872)
• Jeremiah B. TIARA, witnessed claimant's petition (1872)
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Claim No: 10017
Date of Hearing: 4 Feb 1873
Place of Residence: Fayette County, at or near Handy
Occupation: Blacksmith
Length of Residence in Fayette County: "Always resided in Fayette County before and after war."
Age: 55 years
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: Same
Remarks: He was postmaster at Handy P.O. when the war broke out. After refusing to take the Confederate Oath, he was arrested by Col. JENKINS and kept in a rebel prison for several days; the P.O. equipment was moved to Mr. GARRISON's house. He was arrested twice more during the war and held for six weeks one time and for 13 days another time. He aided Union men to escape the rebels and rebel conscription officers. Two of his nephews served in the 1st Alabama Cavalry.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On 15 Apr 1865, a mare valued at $200 was seized by order of Col. CROXTON during General WILSON's raid. The horse was bridled and saddled and tied to a gate at the residence of Lewis IDSON in Fayette County when taken.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• H.L. BOLTON, age 37, resident of Fayette County; acquainted with claimant for 17 years; lived 1½ miles from him during war; served in Union army and was assisted by claimant while on a "recruiting expedition" in spring of 1864
• William HISAW, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for claim (1871)
• Mary IDSON, age 54, wife of Lewis IDSON; witnessed "yankees" taking claimant's horse
• R.G. JOHNSON, age 46, resident of Fayette County; acquainted with claimant for 20 years; lived three miles from him during war; served in Union army
• William LAWRENCE, witnessed claimant's petition (1871)
• Nathaniel NELLUMS (NELMS), age 64, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident at IDSON farm
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Claim No: 11634
Date of Hearing: 8 Feb 1873
Place of Residence: Fayette County, Kansas P.O. (Walker Co., AL)
Age: 42 years
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: 100-acre farm in Fayette County
Remarks: He was arrested by the rebel cavalry in October 1862, put in prison at Columbus, MS, and kept for five months. He escaped by cutting a hole through his cell floor. He hid in the woods to avoid capture; was eventually piloted to Mississippi by J.F. FILES. In September 1863, he joined the 1st Alabama Cavalry and remained in the Union army until honorably discharged. The rebels took nearly all of his property. He did not return to Fayette County until the spring of 1867.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On 30 Mar 1865, Col. TOMPKINS and "several hundred Union soldiers" of General WILSON's army took claimant's mule worth about $160. Incident occurred at residence of Ambrose M. HARDEN in Jefferson Co., AL, where the mule had been taken for safekeeping during the war.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• David FIELDS, witnessed incident at HARDEN farm
• Ambrose HARDEN Jr., age 26, resident of Fayette County; shoemaker by trade; witnessed incident at HARDEN farm
• Rance HARDEN, age 33, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident at HARDEN farm
• Green P. STOVALL, witnessed claimant's petition (1872)
• James M. STUDDARD, witnessed claimant's petition (1872)
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Claim No: 6505
Date of Hearing: 17 Feb 1873
Place of Residence: Fayette County, York P.O. (Walker Co., AL)
Age: 61 years
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: 140-acre farm on Wolf Creek in Fayette County
Remarks: He was arrested by Capt. POE, handcuffed for five days and imprisoned for five weeks. "I was then stripped of all my clothing but my drawers and shirt and turned loose in that condition and let go home." He later was arrested by rebel Capt. WHATLEY and William RUTLEDGE and put in jail again because he would not tell where Union men were hiding. He influenced his two sons to join the Union army and did all he could to help Union men avoid the rebel army.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On 15 Apr 1865, 1,000 Union soldiers under the command of Col. CROXTON confiscated a large quantity of corn and bacon worth about $235. The incident lasted nearly two hours.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• Thomas CHRISTIAN, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for loyalty (1871)
• Burrell EARNEST, age 54, resident of Fayette County; acquainted with claimant for 30 years; lived one mile from him during war; also imprisoned on account of Union sentiment
• Edward FROST, age 69, resident of Walker Co., AL; acquainted with claimant for 40 years; also imprisoned on account of Union sentiment
• Abraham KILGORE, age 28, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident at claimant's farm
• John KILGORE, age 33, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident at claimant's farm
• Thomas J. WHITSON, witnessed claimant's petition (1871)
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Claim No: 17146
Date of Petition: 23 May 1872
Place of Residence: Fayette County, at or near Dublin
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: 40-acre farm in Fayette County
Remarks: He was a poor man who was arrested and forced into the Confederate army. After three or four months (as soon as he could), he deserted. He joined the Union army 4 Jan 1864 and served until close of the war.
Brief Description of Incident/s: Claimant's horse valued at $125 was taken by Union forces 15 Apr 1864 at Choctaw Co., MS.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• Sarah BROWN, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for claim
• James HAGAN, witnessed claimant's petition
• Mary LEMONS, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for claim
• A.J. TIDWELL, witnessed claimant's petition
NOTE: This file appears at the end of microfilm roll #9 and is incomplete. Mr. LEMONS also filed a claim in Walker Co., AL, so additional information may be found there.
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Claim No: 10348
Date of Hearing: 1 Feb 1873
Place of Residence: Fayette County, at or near New River
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: Same
Remarks: Capt. D.H. WHATLEY threatened to hang claimant for refusing to join the rebel army. He entered the army of the United States as a volunteer in December 1862 and remained until honorably discharged 26 Jul 1865. Other than a few cousins who served in Union commands, he had no known relatives in either army.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On 7 Dec 1862 at Cherokee, Colbert Co., AL, Capt. SWEENEY of General DODGE's Union army corps took claimant's horse and saddle worth about $220. This happened shortly after a battle at Tuscumbia, AL. The horse and saddle were taken to Corinth, MS.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• William B. McDONALD, age 34, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident at Cherokee, AL
• Johnathan TAYLOR, age 38, resident of Marion Co., AL; witnessed incident at Cherokee, AL
• A.J. TIDWELL, witnessed claimant's petition (1871)
• P.S. TIDWELL, resident of Dublin, Fayette County; listed as testifier for claim (1871)
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Claim No: 10347
Date of Hearing: 5 Mar 1872
Place of Residence: Fayette County, at or near New River
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: Same
Remarks: He was visited at his farm in July 1863 by a Mr. BEARD (probably a Confederate conscription officer) and 14 other men. When he refused to tell where his sons were, he was hanged with a rope three different times until he was nearly dead. He was then "bucked and gagged" for four hours and severely beaten over the head. He was taken five miles from his home on foot and released. Three of his sons enlisted in the Union army, and he frequently advised other young men to do the same. He declared that he would suffer death rather than forsake the Union. "Since the war, he has been threatened by and been in constant fear of the Ku Klux."
Brief Description of Incident/s: In December 1862, a horse, saddle and bridle valued at $200 were taken from claimant's son, Miles H. McDONALD, at Cherokee, Colbert Co., AL. Miles had just entered the Union army of General DODGE when incident occurred.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• Andrew McCALEB, age 56, resident of Fayette County; acquainted with claimant for 40 years; lived one mile from him during war
• John T. McCALEB, age 32, witnessed incident at Cherokee, AL
• William B. McDONALD, age 34, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident at Cherokee, AL
• A.J. TIDWELL, age 53, resident of Dublin, Fayette County; acquainted with claimant for 40 years; lived some four miles from him during war
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Claim No: 17152
Date of Hearing: 2-4 Sep 1875
Place of Residence: Marion Co., AL, Palo P.O. (now in Fayette County)
Length of Residence in Fayette County: Since "30 or 40 years before the war" (moved to Palo about 1868)
Age: 69 years
Place of Birth: Greenville District, SC
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: 440-acre farm at or near Dublin in Fayette County
Remarks: Most Union men who remained in the county were threatened to be hanged and, in fact, some were. Claimant's nearest neighbor was hanged, and claimant believed his time was close at hand. "I didn't know at what hour or minute it would be done." He sent three sons into Union army, furnishing them with money, clothes, arms and ammunition. They each enlisted in the 1st Alabama Cavalry about June 1862 at Decatur, AL, and all died while in the service.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On 25 Mar 1865, some 20 or 30 Union troops under James H. WILSON's command took an iron-gray horse worth about $140. They went into claimant's stable, caught the horse, haltered it and led it off on march.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• John D. CROW, age 52, resident of Fayette County for 38 years; acquainted with claimant for 30 years; lived ½ mile from him during war; conscripted by "rebel & dog cavalry" in November 1862 – deserted in May 1863; later joined Union army
• Joseph McCOLLUM, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for loyalty & claim (1872)
• George W. McDONALD, resident of Fayette County for about 22 years; did not witness incident but later saw claimant's horse with troops of General WILSON's army
• Henry H. SMITH, son, age 23 upon entering service
• John M. SMITH, son, age 19 upon entering service
• Matthew J. SMITH, son, age 21 upon entering service
• Andrew J. TIDWELL, resident of Dublin, Fayette County; listed as testifier for loyalty (1872)
• James TIDWELL, witnessed claimant's petition (1872)
• Thomas F. (Frank) TUCKER, age 47, resident of Fayette County for 9 years; witnessed incident at claimant's house from a distance of about 100 yards
• Drew C. WHITEHEAD, age 45, resident of Fayette County for about 9 years ("lived in county of Marion most of my life"); acquainted with claimant for 30 years; lived two miles from him during war; served with claimant's son Henry in 1st Alabama Cavalry, Co. D; honorably discharged at Memphis, TN, in January or February 1864
• W.P. ANTHONY, James BRANNON, Andrew McCALEB, Bird McDANIEL (McDONALD), Alexander McDONALD, Dr. J.F. MORTON, L.P. MORTON & Joseph P. WHITEHEAD (prominent Unionists in claimant's neighborhood)
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Claim No: 11640
Date of Hearing: 9 Feb 1872
Place of Residence: Fayette County, Kansas P.O. (Walker Co., AL)
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: Same
Remarks: He refused to enlist in Confederate army. In October 1863, he was arrested at his house in Fayette County by rebel Col. HARRIS and jailed for seven days at Fayetteville. He was asked and again refused to join the army. He spent the next several months imprisoned at various locations from Meridian, MS, to Richmond, VA. He eventually made his escape, returned to Fayette County and remained in the woods near his home until close of the war. One brother and four nephews served in the 1st Alabama Cavalry under George SPENCER.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On 26 Mar 1865, Col. TOMPKINS of General WILSON's army took from claimant's residence one horse, feed and foodstuffs valued at $214.50. The supplies were needed by the army "in order to put down the rebellion."
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• Newton ALVIS, age 27, resident of Walker Co., AL; acquainted with claimant for 20 years; lived "near" him during war; served in 1st Alabama Cavalry, Co. L
• Alford (Alph) RUTLEDGE, age 31, resident of Walker Co., AL; witnessed incident at claimant's farm
• George STOVALL, age 23, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident at claimant's farm
• James STUDDARD, age 52, resident of Fayette County; acquainted with claimant for 25 years; lived ½ mile from him during war; also imprisoned for refusing to serve in rebel army
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Claim No: 18765
Date of Hearing: 16 Aug 1876
Place of Residence: Fayette County
Length of Residence in Fayette County: "About 7 years"
Age: 69 years
Place of Birth: Jackson Co., GA
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: Near Oregonia, Tuscaloosa Co., AL
Remarks: He resided in Tuscaloosa County for at least six months before the war and during time of the rebellion. He fed and gave comfort to men trying to escape rebel conscription, including his son Lloyd Jr., Jackson BOULTON, John CHRISTIAN, Thomas CLEMENTS, Samuel DAVIS & John HAMNER (HAMMER).
Brief Description of Incident/s: On 9 Apr 1865, Union forces took from claimant's residence livestock, supplies, feed and corn worth about $580.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• Nancy J. CHRISTIAN, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for claim (1873)
• J.J. CLEMENTS, age 30, resident of Tuscaloosa Co., AL; acquainted with claimant for 20 years; lived three miles from him during war
• Thomas CLEMENTS, resident of Tuscaloosa Co., AL; listed as testifier for loyalty (1873)
• John HAMNER, resident of Tuscaloosa Co., AL; listed as testifier for loyalty (1873)
• Samuel T. PINION, age 42, resident of Fayette County for 4 years; acquainted with claimant for 21 years; lived two miles from him during war
• Lloyd STRICKLAND Jr., resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for claim (1873)
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Claim No: 9461
Date of Hearing: 10 Feb 1872
Place of Residence: Fayette County, Kansas P.O. (Walker Co., AL)
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: Same
Remarks: He opposed secession and fully sympathized with the Union cause. In September 1863, he fed and took care of a Capt. William D. SHEARMAN and seven or eight other Union soldiers who had escaped from prison at Tuscaloosa, AL. He then guided them safely through the rebel lines. He also assisted Union scouts whenever able. Capt. D.H. WHATLEY of the rebel army threatened to hang him and burn his property. He was arrested on four different occasions for disobeying conscript laws and held for weeks at a time at various locations. He made his final escape from Blue Mountain, (Calhoun Co.) AL, returned home and retreated to the woods until close of the war. He never fired a gun nor did any other duty to aid the rebellion.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On 15 Apr 1865, a portion of General WILSON's forces took claimant's horse valued at $300. "The horse was a stallion and a fine animal – worth to the owner much more than we can allow, which must be his value for army use."
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• John M. ENIS, age 49, resident of Fayette County; acquainted with claimant for 25 years; lived ½ mile from him during war; member of and "regular scouter" for 1st Alabama Cavalry, Co. L
• J.F. FILES, age 36, resident of Fayette County; acquainted with claimant for 27 years; lived three miles from him during war; member of and recruiter for Union army
• William HISAW, resident of Walker Co., AL; listed as testifier for claim (1871)
• M.L. JOHNSON, resident of Fayette County; witnessed claimant's petition and listed as testifier for loyalty (1871)
• Thomas R. KILGORE, brother-in-law, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry, Co. A
• Green P. STOVALL, witnessed claimant's petition (1871)
• Andrew STUDDARD, brother, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry, Co. A
• George STUDDARD, age 21, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident at claimant's farm
• James M. STUDDARD, age 22, resident and merchant of Fayette County; witnessed incident at claimant's farm
• Mary STUDDARD, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for claim (1871)
• Nathaniel STUDDARD, brother, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry, Co. A
• J.V. TIARA, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for loyalty (1871)
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Claim No: 6514
Date of Hearing: 23 Feb 1872
Place of Residence: Fayette County, Kansas P.O. (Walker Co., AL)
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: Same
Remarks: He was a soldier of the War of 1812 and "a very old man." In fact, had it not been for his extreme age, the rebels probably would have murdered him – he would not give an inch to them and argued his points most strenuously. He often risked his life to provide information to Union soldiers when they were endangered by rebels. He also advised young men to take death in preference to going into the rebel army. He had two sons and one son-in-law in the Union army but "would have furnished ten thousand in aid of the glorious cause" if he could have done so.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On or about 26 March 1865 at claimant's residence, a party of United States soldiers took a mare, bridle and saddle worth about $200.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• Manerva EDMONDS, age 27, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident at claimant's farm
• J.F. FILES, age 36, resident of Fayette County; acquainted with claimant for 27 years; lived three miles from him during war; said claimant was a bold and outspoken Union man
• Thomas R. KILGORE (KILGO), son-in-law, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry, Co. A
• Richard PANTER, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for loyalty (1871)
• Adam STUDDARD, age 20, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident at claimant's farm
• Andrew STUDDARD, son, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry, Co. A
• Nathaniel STUDDARD, son, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry, Co. A
• J.V. TIARA, age 50, resident of Fayette County; acquainted with claimant for 27 years; said claimant took care of his family while he (TIARA) was confined by rebels on account of Union sympathies ~ his signature on affidavit reads J.V. TIREY
• A.J. TIDWELL, resident of Fayette County; listed as testifier for loyalty (1871)
• John S. WEST, witnessed claimant's petition (1871)
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Claim No: 7552
Date of Hearing: 10 Dec 1871
Place of Residence: Farm on Wolf Creek in Fayette County, Kansas P.O. (Walker Co., AL)
Age: 51 years
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: Same
Remarks: He was arrested by rebel cavalry, taken to an infantry camp and told to report to headquarters at Jasper, AL, within four days. Failure to do so would result in his being shot or hanged. He arrived in camp on fourth day and was promptly arrested again. This time, he was told to join HORTON's company, a home guard unit that was to remain in Fayette County. To his surprise, he was put under guard the next morning and started for Atlanta, GA. Along the way, orders were received to take him to the iron works at Blue Mountain (Calhoun Co., AL). He served five months before deserting and making his way home. He then took his family to Marion Co., AL, where a large Federal force commanded by Capt. STOUT protected "Union men." The rebels burned his house and outbuildings, as well as all of his cotton, oats and fodder, one good wagon and a set of blacksmith tools. They also cut off the ears of two of his horses.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On 26 Mar 1865, soldiers belonging to General WILSON's Union cavalry took from claimant's farm one dark bay horse and a large quantity of foodstuffs and sundries valued at about $700.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• A.J. FILES, resident of Walker Co., AL; listed as testifier for loyalty (1871)
• J.F. FILES, brother-in-law, age 36, resident of Fayette County; acquainted with claimant for 30 years; lived 1½ miles from him during war; served as lieutenant in 1st Alabama Cavalry
• Jesse FILES, brother-in-law, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry
• Jesse L. FILES, nephew, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry
• John W. FILES, nephew, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry
• Thomas B. FILES, brother-in-law, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry
• R. HOCUTT, resident of Walker Co., AL; listed as testifier for loyalty (1871)
• Thomas R. KILGORE, nephew, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry
• William Y. NORRIS, brother-in-law, served in 1st Alabama Cavalry
• Jesse V. TIARA Jr., age 22, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident at claimant's farm ~ this affidavit was signed by J.B. (Jerry) TIRIA [sic]
• Riley TIARA, age 63, resident of Fayette County and a former slave of claimant's father; acquainted with claimant all of his life; said "claimant was before the war what the people here called an abolitionist and often said to me that I would live to see the day when I would be free and slavery done away with in this country"
• John S. WEST, witnessed claimant's petition (1871)
• Newton WILLIS, age 24, resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident at claimant's farm
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Claim No: 17153
Date of Hearing: 19-20 May 1875
Place of Residence: Fayette County
Length of Residence in Fayette County: Most if not all of his life
Age: 31 years
Place of Birth: Fayette or Marion County; "near the line of both counties"
Place of Residence at Time of Incident/s: At or near Dublin, Fayette County
Remarks: He strongly supported the Union cause. In 1862 or 1863, he was threatened to be hanged or shot by Harrison EASON of the rebel army. His property was taken and he was molested so much that he had to go into Union lines for protection. He enlisted 11 Mar 1863 in the 1st Alabama Regiment of Volunteer Cavalry, Co. B, and remained in the service until honorably discharged 22 Jan 1864.
Brief Description of Incident/s: On or about 10 Aug 1865, claimant furnished a mule worth $125 to J.O.H. SPINNEY, a captain in the 9th Illinois Cavalry, USA, who was stationed at Fayette Court House.
Witnesses, Testifiers and Others:
• Joseph McCOLLUM, witnessed claimant's petition (1872)
• Andrew J. TIDWELL, father, age 55, resident of Fayette County for 30 years; witnessed incident at Fayette Court House
• James C. TIDWELL, brother, age 25, lifelong resident of Fayette County; witnessed incident at Fayette Court House
• John CROW, Andrew McCALEB & George WHITEHEAD (prominent Unionists in claimant's neighborhood)
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This page last updated 05 Apr
2007.