Daniel Sandlin's Claim


Submitted by Robin Sterling


Southern Claims Commission File

For

Daniel Sandlin (9108) Allowed

Items Claimed

Amount Claimed

Amount Allowed

Amount Disallowed

65 bushels of corn

$97.50

$65

$32.50

12 bushels of meal

$24

$16

$8

400 pounds of flour

$28

$16

$12

125 pounds of bacon

$25

$25

Totals

$174.50

$122

$52

 

Remarks: The claimant was a Union man. He often gave provisions to and protected Union soldiers and refugees who were lying out to avoid arrest and conscription. He lived on the main road through the valley and often fed Union prisoners who were escaping, gave them information and refused information to Rebel cavalry. Vest, a Union soldier and Stewart testify strongly in his favor. We find him loyal. The taking was by a Lieutenant and soldiers of Col. Croxton’s Command in April 1865—taken for army use. Croxton encamped near there two days. Taking proved by claimant, his wife and son. [signed] A.O. Aldis, Commissioner of Claims

To the Honorable Commissioners of Claims, (Under the Act of Congress of March 3rd, 1871, Washington, D.C.)

The Petition of Daniel Sandlin, a citizen of the State of Alabama residing near Garrison’s Point, Alabama, in the County of Walker and State of Alabama, respectfully represents that, at the time the claims herewith presented accrued, he was a citizen of the State of Alabama, residing in Walker county; that he was the original owner of said claim; that no other person or persons have any interest in or right or title to said claim or any part thereof; that he is a citizen of the United States and remained a loyal adherent to the cause and the Government of the United States during the war of the rebellion; that he was so loyal before and at the time of the taking of the property for which this claim is now made; and that said claim has never been presented to any Officer, Agent, or Department of the Government, nor to Congress, or to any committee thereof.

Of his own knowledge your petitioner avers and states the fact to be—

1st. That on or about the 15th day of April 1865 that the Federal soldiers (known as General Wilson’s Command came to his residence and taken of the property of your petitioner and used and carried away the following articles to wit: about sixty-five bushels of good corn worth at least in this settlement one dollar and 50 cents per bushel ($97.50); 12 bushels of corn meal, good @ $2 per bushel ($24); 400 pounds of super fine flour @ 7 cents per pound ($28); 125 pounds of corn fed bacon sides @ 20 cents per pound ($25); total: $174.50. Most of which was used by the soldiers on the premises of your petitioner, the balance of said property was taken away by the Federals.

Upon information and belief your petitioner avers and states the facts to be that it was General Wilson’s Command they said that they were suffering for provisions and your petitioner thinks that the command were needing the property they said that provisions and good horses they must have. The above facts your petitioner believes to be true.

And your petitioner avers that the aforesaid articles were his property. That the same, as he believes, were taken and supplied for the use of the Army of the United States; and that no voucher, receipt, or other writing was given therefor, except as is shown in this petition.

The premises considered, your petitioner therefore prays that he may be allowed the sum of one hundred and seventy-four and 50/100 dollars as compensation for said property so taken as aforesaid for the use and benefit of the United States. [signed] Daniel Sandlin, Petitioner. Lewis & Fullerton, Solicitors.

State of Alabama, County of Walker: Daniel Sandlin, being duly sworn, deposes, and says that he is the petitioner named in the foregoing petition, and who signed the same; that the matters therein stated are true of deponent’s own knowledge, except as to those matters which are stated on information and belief, and, as to those matters, he believes them to be true.

And deponent further says, that he did not voluntarily serve in the Confederate army or navy, either as an officer, soldier, or sailor, or in any other capacity, at any time during the late rebellion; that he never voluntarily furnished any stores, supplies or other material aid to said Confederate army or navy, or to the Confederate Government, or to any officer, department, or adherent of the same, in support thereof, and that he never voluntarily accepted or exercised the functions of any officer whatsoever under, or yielded voluntary support to the said Confederate Government. [signed] Daniel Sandlin, Petitioner. Sworn to and subscribed before me near Garrison’s Point this 7th day of October 1871 [signed] James Graves, Justice of the Peace, W.C.

To prove my loyalty I rely upon—

William A. Vest, residing near Garrison’s Point, Alabama

James L. Boyd, residing near Garrison’s Point, Alabama

Doctor T. Boyd, residing near Garrison’s Point, Alabama

The other matters I rely upon—

Randolph Sandlin, residing near Garrison’s Point, Alabama

Mary Sandlin, residing near Garrison’s Point, Alabama

My Post Office Address is Garrison’s Point, Walker County, Alabama.

My Counsel are Messrs. Lewis & Fullerton, whose post office address is Washington, D.C.

Before the Commissioners of Claims, Under Act of Congress of March 3rd, 1871.

In the matter of the Claim of Daniel Sandlin of Garrison’s Point in the County of Walker and State of Alabama.

Comes now the Claimant before John Brown, Esq., Special Commissioner for the State of Alabama, and represents that he has heretofore filed with the above named Commissioners a Petition for the allowance of a claim for property taken for the use of the army of the United States, which claim, as stated below, does not exceed the sum of three thousand dollars.

That the said claim, stated by items, and excluding therefrom all such items as refer to the damage, destruction and loss, and not the use, of property; to unauthorized or unnecessary depredations of troops and other persons upon the property, or to rent or compensation for the occupation of buildings, grounds or other real estate, is as follows:

65 bushels corn $97.50); 12 bushels meal ($24); 400 pounds flour ($28); 125 pounds of bacon ($25); 1600 pounds of fodder ($16); total $190.50

That, as stated in the Petition referred to, the property in question was taken from Daniel Sandlin of Walker County, in the State of Alabama, for the use of a portion of the army of the United States, known as Wilson’s Cavalry and commanded by Major General J.H. Wilson.

That the property was removed to camps on the march and used for by said cavalry; all this on or about the 15th day of April in the year 1865, as appears by the petition presented to the Commissioners.

That the Claimant is unable to produce the witnesses hereafter to be named before the Commissioners at the city of Washington.

That, by the following named persons, the claimant expects to prove that, from the beginning of hostilities against the United States to the end thereof, his sympathies were constantly with the cause of the United States; that he never, of his own free will and accord, did anything, or offered, or sought, or attempted to do anything, by word or deed, to injure said cause or retard its success, and that he was at all times ready and willing, when called upon, or if called upon, to aid and assist the cause of the Union, or its supporters, so far as his means and power and the circumstances of the case permitted:

William A. Vest, of Garrison’s Point, Walker, County, Alabama

James L. Boyd, of Garrison’s Point, Walker County, Alabama

Doctor T. Boyd, of Garrison’s Point, Walker County, Alabama

That, by the following named persons, the Claimant expects to prove the taking or furnishing of the property for the use of the army of the United States:

Randolph Sandlin, of Garrison’s Point, Walker County, Alabama

Mary Sandlin, of Garrison’s Point, Walker County, Alabama

The Claimant now prays that the testimony of the witnesses just designated be taken and recorded, at such place and at such time as the Special Commissioner may designate at the reasonable cost of the said Claimant; and that due notice of the time and place of the taking thereof be given to the Claimant, or to his counsel. [signed] Daniel Sandlin; Lewis & Fullerton, Attorney. P.O. Address of Attorney: John W. Abbott, Garrison’s Point

Daniel Sandlin, Claimant, vs. United States, Defendant. In pursuance of the Commission issued by the Commissioners of Claims at Washington City, D.C., to the undersigned, on the 23rd day of November, A.D. 1871, I, John Brown, have called and caused to come before me at Jasper, in the County of Walker and State of Alabama, on the 24th day of January, A.D., 1872, Daniel Sandlin, the claimant, William A. Vest, James M. Stewart, Mary Sandlin, and Randolph Sandlin, witnesses in behalf of the claimant in the cause now pending before said Commissioners in the City of Washington, in which Daniel Sandlin, of Walker County, Alabama, is claimant, and the United States is defendant.

The said Daniel Sandlin, being first duly sworn, says, in answer to the Interrogatories propounded to him, that he is fifty-seven years of age, resides about two miles from Garrison’s Point, Walker County, Alabama and by occupation a farmer. Claimant from the beginning of the rebellion to the end thereof, he was a Union man and opposed to secession and rebellion. Never was in the Rebel army, nor connected [with] it in any manner, either directly or indirectly, either the military or civil service of the so-called Confederacy. Never was engaged in the manufacture of munitions of war, clothing, boots, shoes or anything for the benefit of the so-called Confederacy. Did not hold any office of any kind during the war. Voted for S.A. Douglas for President in 1860, cannot remember of voting for delegate to secession convention, but after the State seceded, did not go with the State, but still adhered to the Union cause because he did not think right to tear up or dissolve the United States Government, that he never did anything voluntarily in aid of the Confederate Government but always opposed the Confederate cause, because he was strictly in favor of the Old Union and opposed to establishing the so-called Confederacy.

Claimant says that he has often fed, aided, and gave assistance to union men who were lying out to evade arrest and conscription in the Rebel army, and he also says that he lived on the big road and main thoroughfare of Dosses Creek Valley that soldiers of the Union army and also men who were refugeeing across to the Union army were frequently passing, and claimant would furnish them with rations &c. and gave them directions how to get to said Union army. That he always kept their movements secret from the Rebel cavalry and Rebel authorities that were raiding through the country looking for such men. That he visited families of Union soldiers while they were in the service, and gave them all the relief he could, and knowing at same time that they were in the Union army, and done so because he was a friend to the Union cause and wanted to do all he could in aid of said cause. That on every occasion when he could, where there was Rebel cavalry raiding about, he would give them information in some way or other of such raids and their whereabouts. That said Rebel cavalry would often request of claimant to inform them the whereabouts of men that were lying out to evade being arrested and conscription in the Rebel army and men that were making their way through to the Union lines, but he says that he never did, nor never would inform on them. That said Rebel cavalry often threatened claimant and his property, in consequence of his Union sentiments, and did make raids on him and took rations &c. That he never was arrested, but was informed at different times that they intended to arrest him on account of him advocating the Union cause. Claimant says it was dangerous for a Union man to express his sentiments, so that it would be known to Rebel authorities, that he was compelled to be very careful in what he did or said and claimant gives as a reason, that some Union men of his neighborhood were arrested, imprisoned, and maltreated, and that one was killed and another was severely wounded whom were regarded as Union men and were shot in consequence of their Union sentiments. The one that was killed was named John Thompson. The one that was wounded was named Wiley Boyd. That both of said men were intimate friends of claimant.

That he never owned any Confederate bonds or did anything to sustain the credit of the so-called Confederate States and he solemnly declares that from the beginning of hostilities against the United States to the end thereof, his sympathies were constantly with the cause of the United States, that he never of his own free will or accord did anything, or offered, or sought, or attempted to do anything, by word or deed, to injure said cause of retard its success. That he was at all times ready and willing, when called upon, or if called upon, to aid and assist the cause of the Union so far as his means and power and the circumstances of the case would permit. [signed x his mark] Daniel Sandlin; Witness: [signed] M.J. Hutchison

William A. Vest, witness for claimant in behalf of his loyalty, who being first duly sworn deposes and says that he is forty-six years of age, resides about six miles from Garrison’s Point, Walker County, Alabama and about four miles from claimant and resided that close to claimant during the rebellion except the times he was absent, which will be hereafter mentioned, was intimate with claimant during the war; would see him often while at home, conversed with claimant about the rebellion, its causes and progress. Claimant was thoroughly a Union man and straight out against secession and rebellion, and affiant was so regarded by claimant. Affiant says that he joined Company B, 1st Alabama Cavalry in April 1863 and was here on a furlough, and remained some time that he saw claimant frequently during that time, and claimant was still strongly in favor of the Union cause. Affiant says that claimant was known by several of the members of said regiment and that they all looked upon claimant as a Union man and claimant was so regarded by both his loyal and disloyal neighbors. Affiant says that he, together with a company of Union soldiers and citizens lie in ambush along the road that ran by claimant’s house, near claimant’s house for the purpose of fighting the Rebel cavalry as the passed. Affiant further states that claimant was informed of it, and in favor of it and gives as his reasons for the above statement that affiant together with the other Union soldiers, often went to affiant’s house and got rations and claimant always encouraged them in their acts. Affiant says that claimant did all he dared to in favor of the Union cause and does not think that it was prudent in claimant doing as he did, in openly expressing himself in favor of the Union cause and farther that claimant continued to be a firm Union man all during the rebellion, from first to last. Never knew of claimant owning Confederate bonds or doing anything to sustain the credit of the so-called Confederate States. Claimant was always opposed to said Confederacy. Does not believe that if the Confederacy had been maintained as a separate government that claimant could have proven his loyalty thereto. Does not believe that claimant would have tried to have done so, because it would have been a matter of impossibility as his character was too well known as a Union man, and after the war closed claimant was in favor of the Reconstruction Acts of Congress—“and voted for U.S. Grant in 1868.” [signed] William A. Vest.

James M. Stewart, witness for claimant in behalf of his loyalty, who is substituted instead of Doctor T. Boyd, who was not present, and who being first duly sworn says that he is forty-nine years of age, and is a farmer, resided about one half mile from claimant all during the war; would see him about once a week, talked with claimant about the rebellion. Claimant was against secession and rebellion and in favor of the Union cause and affiant was so regarded by claimant. Never knew of claimant doing anything voluntarily in favor of the rebellion. Claimant never was in the Rebel army nor connected in any manner with either the civil or military service of the so-called Confederacy. Affiant says that if Union men wanted anything and that if claimant had it, they would get it. Affiant says that Union men were well known throughout the country and that claimant was well known as a Union man by everyone.

Never knew of claimant owning any Confederate bonds, or of him doing anything to sustain the credit of the so-called Confederate States but from first to last claimant was opposed to said Confederate Government. Does not believe that if the Confederacy had been maintained as a separate and independent government that claimant could not have proven his loyalty thereto for the reason that he was so opposed to said Confederacy and that all that was acquainted with him regarded him as a Union man. [signed] J.M. Stewart

Testimony of claimant as to taking of property:

1 – Yes, sir.

2 – Yes, sir. Sixty-five bushels corn, twelve bushels corn meal, four hundred pounds flour, one hundred and twenty-five pounds bacon and sixteen hundred pounds fodder.

3 – No, sir.

4 – About 15th April 1865 from claimant’s premises by officers and soldiers of Federal army belonging to Brigadier General Croxton’s command.

5 – Randolph and Mary Sandlin and others.

6 – Yes, a Lieutenant was present and that said Lieutenant remained all night with claimant, he did not tell claimant his name and claimant has forgotten to what regiment he belonged. Said Lieutenant said that they were obliged to have such property for provisions, several other officers were [involved] but did not know their name or rank.

7 – All of said property was consumed on the premises. A portion of the command encamped on his premises at his house. The remained about three days.

8 – Claimant refers to No. 7 and adopts it as his answer.

9 – Claimant says that none of the property was removed off of the premises; that he was an eye witness to the using of it on the premises.

10 – Claimant was present and saw them use such property in feeding their men and stock.

11 – Claimant asked the Lieutenant that was at his house to leave some of the property, but he said that if they were not so much in need of it he would but that they were obliged to have as they were out of provisions and were compelled to forage on the country.

12 – No receipt or voucher asked for nor none given.

13 – All of said property was taken possession of in daytime, and none of it taken secretly.

14 – Part of Croxton’s Command was encamped on the premises for about three days. They were at the river. There had been no battle or skirmish near there before the taking. Did not know any quartermaster of said command; only had one Lieutenant whom claimant kept one night in his house, and cannot tell hs name nor to which regiment he belonged.

15 – Corn was in the crib, part husked and part unhusked, was good and sound and worth one dollar and fifty cents per bushel. Corn meal was just from the mill was fresh and good and worth two dollars per bushel, and also was the flour just from the mill and worth 7 cents per pound. Claimant says that he had to go twenty-nine miles for said meal and flour and that he had just got a fresh supply on hand. Fodder was part under and part in stock, was good and dry and worth one dollar per one hundred pounds. Bacon was well cured and dry and worth 20 cents per pound.

16 – Estimates corn from size of crib and bulk that was taken; meal and flour from measurement and weight; bacon from size and number of pieces taken and fodder from number and size of bundles.

17 & 18 – Passed.

19 – Claimant believes that said property was taken for the actual use of the army as he saw them so use it, and was informed by the officer (Lieutenant) taking the same that they were out of supplies and were compelled to have it.

20 – Yes. Believes it was, as they were on a march and had no supply train with them, and were a long way from their base of supplies, and could not have been supplied by the government in the customary manner.

21 – Believes it was taken in consequence of some necessity for the articles taken, as he was informed by the officer taking the same.

22 – Believes it was taken for some purpose so necessary as to warrant and required the government to pay for it, as he thinks that the government should pay for the subsistence of their army and that it could not have supplied them at there.

23 – Yes. Believes it was. All of said property belonged to and was claimant’s property.

[signed x his mark] Daniel Sandlin; Witness: [signed] M.J. Hutchison

Mary Sandlin, witness for claimant as to taking of the property, who being first duly sworn says that she is fifty-seven years of age, resides with claimant. Affiant says she was present about the 15th day of April 1865 when officers and soldiers belonging to General Croxton’s Command came and encamped and consumed on claimant’s premises, the following property, viz: about sixty-five bushels corn, the quantity of which she judges from the size of pile it was in. Said corn was good and dry and worth about one dollar and fifty cents per bushel; twelve bushels corn meal, the quantity of which she estimates from it having just been brought from the mill and it had been measured, was fresh and good and worth as much as two dollars per bushel. Four hundred pounds of flour, which had been brought from the mill, had never been emptied out of the sacks, was fresh and good and about seven dollars per one hundred pounds. One hundred and twenty-five pounds bacon. The quantity of which she estimates from the number and size of middlings taken. Said bacon was good and well cured and worth at least twenty cents per pound. About sixteen hundred pounds of fodder, the quantity of which she estimates from the amount that was at the stable and that which was in the stack. Said fodder was good and dry and worth at least one dollar per one hundred pounds. That she saw them using said property used in feeding the soldiers and stock of said army and there were officers present at the taking, who informed them that it was taken for the actual use of the army and that she believes that it was taken for some purpose so necessary as to warrant and require the government to pay for it and that all of said property belonged to and was the property of claimant, Daniel Sandlin, of Walker County, Alabama. [signed x her mark] Mary Sandlin; Witness: [signed] M.J. Hutchison

Randolph Sandlin, witness for claimant in behalf of the property taken, who being first duly sworn says that he is twenty-six years of age, resides about two miles from Garrison’s Point, Walker county, Alabama and is a farmer. Affiant says that he was present at claimant’s residence about the 14th of April 1865 when United States officers and soldiers belonging to Brigadier General Croxton’s Raid of Wilson’s Command, came and encamped on and about claimant’s premises and whilst there they consumed property of claimant, Daniel Sandlin; viz: sixty-five bushels corn, the amount of which affiant estimates from the size of bulk taken. Affiant helped gather said corn; it was good and dry and went as much as one dollar and fifty cents per bushel. Twelve bushels meal, the amount of which he estimates from the sacks what it was in. Claimant had just brought it from the mill. It was good and fresh and worth two dollars per bushel. Four Hundred pounds [of flour] the quantity of which he estimates as he does the above mentioned meal, said flour was worth about seven dollars per one hundred pounds. About one hundred and twenty-five pounds bacon, the amount of which he estimates from number and size of pieces taken. It had been dried and was worth at least twenty-five cents per pound. About sixteen hundred pounds fodder, the quantity of which, he judges from number and size of binds. Affiant says he helped put up said fodder and that said troops took at least sixteen hundred pounds. Said fodder was part under shelter and part in stack, was worth at least one dollar per one hundred pounds. Affiant farther states that there was officers present at the taking but that he cannot now remember their rank, nor to what regiment they belonged. That he heard them order the property to be taken, and that he believes their rank and duties authorized, empowered and justified them in the taking. That he said property was used and believe it was taken for the actual use of the army and was taken for some purpose so necessary as to warrant and require the government to pay for it and that claimant has never consulted with him in regard to what he should testify as to the value or quantity of property taken and that all of said property belonged to and was claimant’s property. [signed] Randolph Sandlin

State of Alabama, Walker County: I, John Brown, Commissioner to take testimony in cases pending before “The Commissioners of Claims,” now pending before them against the United States, and as Probate Judge in and for the County of Walker and State of Alabama, do certify, that Daniel Sandlin, of Walker County, Alabama, the claimant in this cause, and as a witness, and William A. Vest, James M. Stewart, Mary Sandlin, and Randolph Sandlin of Walker County, Alabama, as witnesses, and John W. Abbott and F.A. Gamble as counsel, came before me at Jasper, on the 24th day of January, A.D. 1872, the said witnesses to testify in behalf of Daniel Sandlin, the claimant in this cause; that before said witnesses were examined they were each severally sworn by me to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, relative to said claim; that the answers of each of said witnesses were taken down; that after the same were carefully read over to said witnesses, I cause each of them to subscribe their said deposition. And I further certify, that said depositions have not been out of my possession since they were so taken, nor have the same been in any way altered or changed.

Given under my hand and seal, this 24th day of January, A.D. 1872 [signed] John Brown, Special Commissioner

Power of Attorney: Know all Men by these Presents, That I, Daniel Sandlin, of Walker County in the State of Alabama, have made, constituted and appointed, and by these presents do make, constitute and appoint Messrs. Lewis & Fullerton, of Washington, D.C., my true and lawful Attorney for me and in my name, place and stead, hereby annulling and revoking all former Powers of Attorney or authorizations whatever in the premises, to prosecute my case before the Claims Commission, and to, from time to time, furnish any further evidence necessary or that may be demanded, giving and granting to my said Attorney full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and think whatsoever, requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and purposes as I might or could do, if personally present at the doing thereof, with full power of substitution and revocation, and to receipt and sign all vouchers, hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney or his substitute may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

In witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand seal, this 7th day of October, eighteen hundred and seventy-one. [signed] Daniel Sandlin; witnesses: [signed] J.W. Abbott and James T. Boyd

State of Alabama, County of Walker: Be it Known, That on this 7th day of October in the year eighteen hundred and seventy-one, before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and State, personally appeared Daniel Sandlin to me well known to be the identical person who executed the foregoing Letter of Attorney, and the same having been first read over to him and the contents thereof explained, acknowledged the same to be his act and deed, and that I have no interest present or prospected in the claim.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office, the day and year last above written. [signed] James Graves, J.P.W.C.

I, John Brown, Judge of Probate in and for said county and State hereby certify that James Graves before whom the within affidavit was administered is a Justice of the Peace duly commissioned and his acts are entitled to full faith and credit. Given under my hand this 23rd day of October 1871. [signed] John Brown, Judge of Probate.

Note: Daniel Sandlin was born in York District, South Carolina on 4 Apr 1813 and died 18 Jul 1882. He was buried in the Sandlin Family Cemetery near Garrison’s Point in Cullman County, which in 1871 was in Walker County. Randolph Sandlin was born 20 Oct 1845 and died 23 Nov 1914. Mary Sandlin, wife of Daniel, was born 14 Jul 1814 and died 31 May 1895.


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