Henry McNutt's Claim


Submitted by Robin Sterling


Southern Claims Commission File

for

Henry McNutt (18698) Allowed

Items Claimed

Amount Claimed

Amount Allowed

Amount Disallowed

22 bushels of corn

$44

$22

$22

75 pounds of bacon

$18.75

$15

$3.75

10 gallons of molasses

$10

$5

$5

7 sheep

$14

$14

 

Totals

$86.75

$56

$30.75

 

Remarks: The claimant is about 77 years of age. Resided in Winston County, Alabama. Was a Union man—opposed secession and maintained his integrity to the Union cause throughout the war. His sons had been conscripted into the Confederate army and he persuaded them to desert—was threatened for his Unionism—abused and once arrested. The first three items of property charged were taken by General Wilson’s troops when on a raid in March 1865—no receipt or voucher was given. The sheep were taken by Col. Spencer’s men in Nov 1863 and a voucher was given. The voucher was destroyed by the Confederates. We recommend the payment of $56. [signed] A.O. Aldis, J.B. Howell, O. Ferriss, Commissioners of Claims

To the Honorable Commissioner of Claims, Under the Act of Congress of March 3rd, 1871, Washington, D.C.: The petition of Henry McNutt respectfully represents:

That he is citizen of the United States, and resides at present at or near Littlesville, Winston County, Alabama and that he resided when this claim accrued at or near Littlesville, Winston County, Alabama.

That he has a claim against the United States for property taken for the use of the army of the United States during the late rebellion at (or near) Littlesville P.O., in the County of Winston, and State of Alabama.

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

22 bushels of corn ($44); 25 pounds bacon ($18.75); 10 gallons molasses ($10); 7 head of sheep ($14); total: $86.75

That the property in question was taken or furnished for the use of a portion of the army of the United States, known as Wilson’s Cavalry and commanded by Major General James H. Wilson, and that the persons who took or received the property, or who authorized or directed it to be taken or furnished, were the following: Major General James H. Wilson.

That the property was removed to the camps of said cavalry and used for or by them on their raid south; all this on or about the 25th day of March in the year 1865.

That no voucher, receipt, or other writing were given for the property thus taken.

That your petitioner verily believes that the property described was taken under the following circumstances, or one or more of such circumstances, viz:

1. For the actual use of the army, and not for the mere gratification of individual officers or soldiers already provided by the Government with such articles as were necessary or proper for them to have.

2. In consequence of the failure of the troops of the United States to receive from the Government in the customary manner, or to have in their possession at the time, the articles and supplies necessary for them, or which they were entitled to receive and have.

3. In consequence of some necessity for the articles taken, or similar articles; which necessity justified the officers or soldiers taking them.

4. For some purpose so necessary, useful, beneficial or justifiable as to warrant or require the Government to pay for it.

5. Under the order or authority of some officer, or other person connected with the army, whose rank, situation, duties, or other circumstances at the time authorized, empowered, or justified him in taking or receiving it, or ordering it to be taken or received.

That he was loyal at the time of the taking of said property and the original owner of said claim, and that no other persons have any interest in a share of said property, the present owner of the same.

That your petitioner remained loyally adherent to the cause and the Government of the United States during the war, and was so loyal before and at the time of the taking of the property for which this claim is made, 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 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 were 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.

That said claim has not before been presented to any branch of the government or department thereof.

That Thomas C. Fullerton, of Washington, D.C., are hereby authorized and empowered to act as Attorneys for the prosecution of this claim.

Wherefore your petitioner prays for such action of your Honorable Commission in the premises as may be deemed just and proper. [signed x his mark] Henry McNutt, Witnesses: [signed] William Dodd, Jr. and James C. Hackett

State of Alabama, County of Winston: Henry McNutt, 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 the 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 office whatsoever under, or yielded voluntary support to, the said Confederate government. [signed x his mark] Henry McNutt, Witnesses: [signed] William Dodd, Jr. and James C. Hackett

Sworn and subscribed in my presence, the 2nd day of January 1873 [signed] A.B. Hays, J.P.

Names and residences of witnesses who will be relied upon to prove loyalty:

William Dodd, Jr., of Houston, Winston County, Alabama

James C. Hackett, of Littlesville, Winston County, Alabama

A.H. Lovett, of Houston, Winston County, Alabama

Names and residences of witnesses who will be relied upon to prove the other facts alleged in the foregoing petition:

James C. Hackett, of Littlesville, Winston County, Alabama

James H. McNutt, of Littlesville, Winston County, Alabama

Post office address of claimant: Littlesville, Winston County, Alabama

Post office address of attorney: Washington, D.C.

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

In the matter of the Claim of Henry McNutt of Littlesville, in the County of Winston and State of Alabama.

Comes now the Claimant before John C. Moore, 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 five 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:

22 bushels of corn ($44.); 25 pounds bacon ($18.75); 10 gallons molasses ($10); 7 head of sheep ($14); total: $86.75

That, as stated in the Petition referred to, the property in question was taken from or furnished by Henry McNutt, of Littlesville, Winston County, in the State of Alabama, for the use of a portion of the army of the United States, known Wilson’s Raid, commanded by Major General James H. Wilson and Spencer’s Raid, commanded by Col. Spencer of the 1st Alabama Regiment Cavalry Volunteers, and that the person who took or received the property, or who authorized or directed it to be taken or furnished, were the following: Major General James H. Wilson and Col. George E. Spencer of the 1st Alabama Regiment Cavalry Volunteers

That the property was removed to camps on the march and used for or by the troops of said corps and regiment; all this on or about the 1st day of November 1863 and 25th day of March in the year 1865, as appears by the petitioner presented to the Commissioners.

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. Rush, of Winston County, Alabama

James A. Henson, of Winston 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:

James H. McNamee, of Winston County, Alabama

Delpha L. McNutt, of Winston County, Alabama

The Claimant now prays that the testimony of the witnesses just designated be taken and recorded, at such place an 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.

Submitted on this 7th day of July 1874 [signed] Henry McNutt, Claimant; [signed] Thomas C. Fullerton, Attorney.

Before the Commissioners of Claims, Washington, D.C.: Claim of Henry McNutt of the County of Winston and State of Alabama, numbered 18698.

It is hereby certified that on the 20th and 21st days of January 1875, at the residence of claimant in the County of Winston and State of Alabama came personally before me, for the purpose of a hearing in the above-entitled cause, the following persons, namely:

Henry McNutt, Claimant

William A. Rush, Witness

A. Henson, Witness

John H. McNamee, Witness

Delpha L. McNutt, Witness

Each and every deponent, previous to his or her examination, was properly and duly sworn or affirmed to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth concerning the matters under examination; the claimant’s witnesses were examined separately and apart from each other; the testimony of each deponent was written out by me in presence of such deponent, who signed the same in my presence after having the deposition read aloud to such deponent, and the signature of such deponent was by attested at the time it was affixed to the deposition.

Witness my hand and seal this 21st day of January 1875 [signed] John C. Moore, Special Commissioner.

1 – Henry McNutt. 76 years of age. I reside in the County of Winston, State of Alabama and have so resided since the year 1822. My occupation is that of a tanner of hides.

2 – I am the claimant.

3 – I was borned in the County of Knox, State of Tennessee.

4 – I resided in said County of Winston for six months before the rebellion and until the year 1863. My business was that of peeping public entertainment and that of farming. I changed my then residence to this present place, where I now reside, because I was treated so bad by the Rebels that I couldn’t live there.

5 – My sympathies was on the Union side from the beginning to the end of the rebellion.

6 – I did not.

7 – I was.

8 – I fed my sons that was lying out to keep out of Rebel service. I fed Henry Weaver and Ashley Lovett, Union men lying out. I fed the Union boys generally that was lying out. Said Lovett served 12 months in the U.S. Army 1st Alabama Cavalry Regiment Volunteers. I done many such favors above named for Union men, and in fact, I done all I could for the Union cause. I was doing such favors as these for the Union men that was lying out and passing through the country from the years 1862 up to the final surrender.

9 – I had none that I know of.

10 – I was not.

11 – I did not.

12 – I took the Union side, voted against secession, and done all I could against secession. (There was only 20 secesh votes out of 700 given in this county at the time secession carried). I voted every chance I had during the war against men favoring secession.

13 – I adhered to the Union cause from beginning to the end of the rebellion.

14 – I was sorry when I heard of the defeat of the Union side at the Battle of Manassas or Bull Run, but was very glad and much revived at the capture of New Orleans, the fall of Vicksburg and the final surrender of the Confederate forces.

15 – I don’t know that any was granted me.

16 – I have not.

17 – Simeon Tucker, Green Tucker, et al. Some of them will be called upon to testify to my loyalty.

18 – In the year of 1864 Confederate Captain Thomas White threatened to have me shot, because I advised my boys and others to leave the Rebel service or Rebel army. My property was all taken that could be found by the Rebel soldiers and officers. I was abused generally, and constantly cursed and called a damned old Tory and Lincolnite &c &c.

19 – I was. In the year of 1864 Rebel Captain Hulsey arrested me. He took one of my horses. I followed him and the mare to Jasper, Walker County, Alabama. But before this, after he stole my mare, he put me under arrest, kept me one night and part of a day then turned me loose. Then I followed him to Jasper and he threatened to shoot me. He said he arrested me because I had been reported to him as a Union man and that he had authority to arrest such men and take all their property. At the same time, he stole or took my mare I took no oath or give any bond for my release. He robbed my tanyard.

20 – I was foraged on from beginning to the end of the rebellion by the Rebel cavalry. They took and kept a find bay horse. I never was paid for anything they took from me or eat up and I never presented any account for the same (except one time and that I never received pay for) to the Confederate government or any Rebel officer.

21 – Nothing more than before stated of which I have gave particulars.

22 – I did not, only as they forced me to do it.

23 – They as before stated, would come and take my property and forage on me and I couldn’t help myself.

24 – I was not.

25 – I was not.

26 – I never did.

27 – I did not.

28 – I was not.

29 – I was not.

30 – I did not.

31 – I did not.

32 – I did not.

33 – I was not.

34 – I did not.

35 – I did not.

36 – I had 3 sons, Jesse, William and Peter McNutt. Jesse was about 41 or 42 years of age and Peter was 18 years of age when entering Confederate service. Jesse and Peter is living here now near to me. William was put out on picket in a day or two after he entered service, was shot while on picket, lived a few days and died. I used all the influence I could by any lawful means to keep them out. The Conscript officers, come and arrested them and took them off and put them into service in Rebel General Roddy’s command under Captain Thomas White, Pickett’s Regiment. When this was done by the conscript officers and I saw they were compelled to go, I let my son Peter have one of my horses to ride. This was all I done towards their outfit and support. I then went to the command and privately advised my own boys and others to leave the army, come home, and layout, and I would support them. My boys and others come home and lay out until the surrender and was fed and supported by me.

37 – I have not.

38 – I never done anything for which I needed to be pardoned.

39 – I took the amnesty oath just after the close of the war, in this county. I took it because I was willing to submit to all laws and proclamations of the President of the U.S.

40 – I never was.

41 – I never was.

42 – There was not.

43 – There was not.

44 – I voted against all candidates favoring secession—always have done so and expect to do so, as long as I live.

45 – I did not.

46 – I was not and I never furnished any substitute. I was kept out because I was over age (I was a volunteer in the 1818 under General Jackson and was at the taking of St. Mark’s) in the State of Florida.

47 – I was not.

48 – I did not.

49 – I did not.

50 – I as not.

51 – I was not, except I was in the Union army under General Jackson in the year 1818.

66 – I was.

67 – The property named in said claim was taken from my residence on my farm in Winston County, Alabama. My farm consisted of 60 acres, 6 acres is cultivated, no wasteland, on the tract.

68 – I never filed a petition for bankruptcy, neither have I ever been declared a bankrupt.

72 – I was present and saw all the property taken named in my claim.

73 – It was all taken in the daytime.

74 – I complained to Col. Spencer of the First Alabama Cavalry Volunteers of the taking of the sheep. He ordered his quartermaster or commissary to give me a receipt which he done, and when the Tories robbed my house they took my receipt and burned it up. I begged the troops not to take the other items of property named in said application, but they paid no attention to me, took the property and carried it off with them on the march, that they didn’t feed to their horses, while at my house.

75 – None was asked for, or given, except as before stated.

76 – There was not. None has ever been asked for from any source whatever, until the present application was filed.

77 – It was taken by troops on a raid or march.

78 – I was present and saw the corn, bacon, molasses, and sheep all taken.

79 – Most of the corn was shelled and in boxes. Some was in the crib and in the ear and was shucked. Corn was good, sound dry corn. There was 22 bushels of corn and more I have no doubt. I knew the number of bushels I had shelled and put in boxes to keep the Rebels from finding it and the amount they took out of my crib I could safely say they took 30 bushels but I rather be under than over. I know they took that much (22 bushels). The corn was worth at the time taken $2 per bushel in U.S. money. I had to pay that amount per bushel for all the corn I used that year after the raid passed on through the country. They took the corn our of the crib and out of my boxes and what their stock didn’t eat and waste while they were stopped at my house they packed off in sacks with them on the march. The bacon was good and well dried bacon. There was 75 pounds of it. I knew there was that much by the number of pieces they taken. They took 5 hams and 2 sides. The hogs I killed that year would have averaged 150 pounds each. The meat was in the smoke house. They took the meat and packed it off on the march. At the time taken the bacon was worth 21 cents per pound in U.S. money. I had to pay for all the bacon I lived on that year after the raid passed on, 25 cents per pound. There were 10 gallons of molasses. It was in a stand that held 14 gallons. It was nearly full. They took all my molasses. The stand that the molasses was in, was in the smoke house. They filled up their canteens with molasses and carried it off on the march. At the time taken, it was worth $1 per gallon in U.S. money. That was the price of good molasses in this section of country at that time. There were good molasses. All this property was taken on the 25th of March 1865 by Wilson’s Raid or Wilson’s Corps, commanded by Major General James H. Wilson. There were officers present. I don’t know how many troops there was, said to be 40,000 all mounted men. I seen no wagons. The sheep was taken by the troops of the 1st Alabama Regiment Cavalry Volunteers about the 1st days of November 1863 commanded by Col. George E. Spencer on a raid through this country from Glendale, State of Mississippi. There was 7 sheep in number. They were near my place when killed. They killed them and packed them by my house on their horses and wagons. I examined the sheep and knew they were mine I had raised. They took them on with them on the raid. At the time taken they were worth $14 in U.S. money. I talked with Col. Spencer and he said I would get pay for my sheep and I told William Gray, his quartermaster, to give me a voucher for them, which he did, and the Tories burned it up. There was said to be 900 troops in said raid, all mounted. Some few wagons, not many. The officers being present when all the property was taken caused me to think it was done by order of the army officers and was for the necessary use of the army of the U.S. [signed x his mark] Henry McNutt; Attest: [signed] John C. Moore, Special Commissioner

1 – William A. Rush, 54 years of age. I reside in Winston County, State of Alabama and have so resided most of my life. I am a farmer by occupation.

2 – I am no kin to the claimant and I am not interested in the success of his claim.

52 – I am here to testify in favor of the claimant.

53 – I have known him all my life nearly, intimately.

54 – I lived in 4 or 5 miles of him during the war until I went into the Union lines and U.S. army.

55 – I can’t tell how often, but frequently.

56 – I heard him talk about the war time and again. He always opposed secession in toto. He said that Lincoln was the President and advised the boys to vote the Union vote and to never vote a vote and raise a gun to take down a government that he had fought to maintain and establish. (He had been in the war in 1818 under General Jackson).

57 – I do. I know that he fed his boys that was lying out to keep out of the Rebel army. He also fed me when I was scouting about through this country. After I returned from the Union lines as a scout he advised me and assisted me to get my wife through the Federal lines, all he could. When I got ready to start with my family through into the Union lines he and his wife come to see us before we started and advised us to the cautious or we would be caught up &c &c. This was in the fall of 1864. After I started my wife through the lines and tried to get through myself and couldn’t do it, I came back to my home and the old man come and seen me and talked with me and advised me to be cautious. Said if the secesh got me that they would treat me roughly. That they were watching for me and many such things as this he done for me and the Union men.

58 – I do not.

59 – I never heard of him saying or doing anything for the Secession cause and all I ever known of his doing or saying was in favor of the Union cause. He was always reported to me as a good Union man. I heard A.J. Ingle and Jonathan Barton speak of him as such.

60 – It was loyalty to the U.S. I know it by such actions and deed as above stated and I knew it by his voting for the Union cause and doing and saying all he could against Secession whenever he dare do it and informing and giving the Union men and layouts all items of news concerning the Rebels that he could. I heard said A.J. Ingle and said Barton speak of him as such and I heard William and James Hackett, his neighbors, speak of him as such.

61 – The above named persons John R. Phillips and William Dodd, such persons would no doubt testify to claimant’s loyalty.

63 – He was foraged on by the Rebels until he had to move off of the public road. I heard one time that he and some of the Rebels had some sharp talk and the secessionists drew their sabers and cut one of his cow’s tail off.

64 – I do. Such acts as before stated and the feeding of me and his boys when we were lying out together &c &c. He fed me when I came back through the Union lines into this country as a Union scout.

65 – I can’t say that I know any thing else that would benefit the claimant, more than I have said. [signed x his mark] William A. Rush; Attest: [signed] John C. Moore, Special Commissioner

1 – James A. Henson, 31 years of age nearly. I reside in the County of Winston, State of Alabama and have so resided for about 20 years. My occupation is that of a farmer.

2 – I am no kin to the claimant and I am not interested in the success of his claim.

52 – In the favor of claimant.

53 – I have known the claimant intimately about 12 years.

54 – I lived in about 6 miles of him and I live in 3 miles of him at this time.

55 – I met him frequently during the war.

56 – I heard him speak of the war often. He always spoke against the war and said he was opposed to it. I heard people say that he voted against secession and was a square out Union man. I heard this talk from him, and heard people speak of him as a Union man, from the beginning of the rebellion until about the 1st of January 1864. Times go so hot that I left and went and joined the 1st Alabama Regiment Cavalry Volunteers in Company D, the regiment commanded by Col. George E. Spencer. I was discharged and I returned home and I still found the claimant to be what he was when I left him, a good Union man as I thought.

58 – I do not.

57 – His son and me were together when his son was lying out. Parties come to us and we ran off together. I heard a good Union man say, William Riddle, that he and the claimant’s son lay out together to keep out of Rebel service and that claimant fed them, and furnished bed clothes for them to lie on. I saw him after I returned from the Union army frequently and he treated me just as he did before I left and I was not afraid to meet him at any time and anywhere.

59 – I never heard of him saying or doing anything for the Rebel cause. I heard it said of claimant that he went to the Rebel army in the year of 1864 (or thereabouts) and persuaded his boys then in Rebel service to desert and come home. They done so, lay out and he fed and supported them until the surrender.

60 – His public reputation was that he was loyal to the U.S. government and was a Union man from beginning to the end of the Rebellion. I heard William Riddle and James Hackett, his neighbors, speak of him as a good Union man and [Samuel] McCager Hall and Frank Tidwell, his neighbors and Federal soldiers, could testify to claimant’s loyalty and public reputation.

61 – The above named William Henson and Loyd Carter, et al. They could and would no doubt, all that are living, testify to claimant’s loyalty.

62 – I was. He did. He knew it by my talk, actions, and deeds and he knew it from the fact that I went through into the Union lines and joined the U.S. army.

63 – I never of my own knowledge knew of him being mistreated but I have heard it said that the Rebs took a good horse from him and foraged on him a great deal, so much so he had to move off the public road.

64 – I do. The feeding of his son’s and others while lying out to keep out of Rebel service and persuading them to desert from Rebel service and such similar acts &c &c.

65 – None that I recollect of at present.

[signed] James A. Henson; Attest: [signed] John C. Moore, Special Commissioner

1 – John H. McNamee, 43 years of age nearly. I reside in Winston County, State of Alabama and have so resided 10 years and upwards.

2 – The claimant is my uncle. I am not interested in the success of his claim.

52 – In favor of the claimant.

53 – I have known the claimant 20 years intimately.

54 – I lived with him from the year 1864 until the surrender.

72 – I was present and saw them taken the corn and molasses. I don’t recollect that I saw the bacon taken. I know it was in the smoke house before the raid come and I know it was gone when they left.

73 – The corn, bacon and molasses was taken in daytime. I was not here when the sheep was taken.

74 – I any complaint of the taking of the property was made by claimant, I never heard it.

75 – If any was asked for or given, I never heard it or seen it.

76 – If any payment for any of the property in this application has ever been made from any source whatever, I have never heard of it. And if any of the property in this claim has ever before been presented for payment to any department or person whatever, I never heard of it.

77 – It was taken by troops on the march.

78 – I saw the corn and molasses taken. I seen them in the smoke house but don’t recollect of noticing them carrying off any bacon.

79 – The most of the corn was shelled and in boxes. They took some out of the crib that was shucked corn. It was all good sound, dry corn and I think there was 30 bushels. There was 20 bushels in the boxes. I help shell it and put it there and I am satisfied they packed off in their sacks 10 bushels that they got out of the crib. They packed off with them on the march all they didn’t feed and waste, while at claimant’s house. The corn when taken was worth$2 per bushel in U.S. money. That is that claimant paid for corn to live after the raid passed through this section. The molasses was in a stand that held ten gallons or upwards. It was full. They taken all the molasses. They went into the smoke house, filled their canteens and packed them off on the march. They were good molasses and was worth at the time taken $1 per gallon in U.S. money. That is what molasses were selling at in this section of country at that time. I did not as before stated see the troops take the bacon, but I know the bacon was in the smoke house when the troops come there, and I know it was gone when they left, and I know further that the claimant give 25 cents per pound and upwards for all the bacon he lived on that year after the U.S. army passed on through the country. The before named property was taken on the 25th March 1865 by the troops belonging to Wilson’s Corps commanded by Major General James H. Wilson. I don’t know how many troops but I suppose there was 10 or 12,000 all mounted. I seen no wagons. There were officers present. I knew them by their stripes, not by name. They being present when said property was taken caused me to think it was by the order of the army officers. That the property was taken and for the necessary use of the army of the U.S. [signed] John H. McNamee; Attest: [signed] John C. Moore, Special Commissioner

1 – Delpha L. McNutt, 35 years of age. I reside in the County of Winston, State of Alabama, with my father, and have so resided all my life. My occupation is that of housekeeping.

2 – The claimant is my father. I am not interested in the success of his said claim.

72 – I was present at claimant’s house and saw the corn, meat, molasses and sheep all taken.

73 – I was taken in the day time.

74 – Claimant talked to Col. George E. Spencer, when his troops took the 7 head of sheep and the Col. ordered his quartermaster to give him a voucher for the sheep which he done and when the Tories robbed his house they got hold of the receipt or voucher and burned it up. This was the troops of the 1st Alabama Regiment Cavalry Volunteers on a raid from Glendale, Mississippi down through this country. He also talked to the officers in Wilson’s Raid but they paid but little attention to him.

75 – None was asked for, and none was given, except as before stated.

76 – None, and no payment has ever been made to claimant for any property taken from him during the rebellion. None of the property in this claim has never before been presented for pay to any department or any person acting for the government in any way whatever.

77 – It was taken by troops on the march.

78 – I was at my father’s house living with him, and saw the corn, the bacon, the molasses and the 7 head of sheep taken.

79 – It was dry, shelled corn, most of it. Some was in the ear and shucked and in the crib. The shelled corn was in boxes and barrels had been put there to keep the Rebels from finding it. I know there was 20 bushels of corn in the boxes and barrels. It was put there for that much. They spoke of it being 20 bushels when put there and I know or am satisfied that they packed off in their sacks 10 bushels or more of corn, from what was missing and the number of sacks full the troops took out of the crib. The corn at the time taken was worth $2 per bushel in U.S. money. That was the price that father paid for corn that year after the raid passed on through the country. They put the corn in their sacks and what they didn’t feed away to their horses while at our house they packed off with them on the march. There was 75 pounds bacon. I know it by the number of pieces they took. The hogs we killed that year averaged about 150 pounds each. They took 5 hams and 2 sides. It was good and well dried bacon worth at the time taken 25 cents per pound in U.S. money. They went to the smoke house, took the meat and packed it off with them on the march. There was 10 gallons or more of good molasses taken. They were in a stand that held 14 gallons. It was nearly full; besides we had some in a jar. They took all the molasses nearly. They put them in their canteens and packed them off on the march. This property was taken by Wilson’s Raid or Wilson’s Corps and commanded by Major General James H. Wilson on the 25th day of March 1865. There was I suppose 10 or 12,000 troops perhaps more or less. They were all mounted troops. I seen no wagons. The seven sheep was taken by Col. Spencer of the 1st Alabama Regiment Cavalry Volunteers on a raid from Glendale, State of Mississippi down through this country. The troops found the sheep on or near our place and killed them, packed them off on their horses and on their wagons on the march. Father talked with Col. Spencer and he caused his quartermaster to give him a voucher for said sheep and when the Tories robbed our house, they got it and burnt it up. The sheep was good, large sheep in good order and worth $2 per head in U.S. money. This was on or about the 1st day of November 1863, that the sheep was taken. The officers in both raids being present caused me to think that it was by and in obedience to their orders. That said property was taken and for the necessary use of the army of the U.S. [signed x her mark] Delpha L. McNutt; Attest: [signed] John C. Moore, Special Commissioner

The United States to Henry McNutt of Winston County, Alabama. For the amount allowed him by Act of Congress, Private No. 124 approved August 14, 1876, entitled “An Act making appropriations for the payment of claims reported allowed by the Commissioner of Claims under the Act of Congress of March 3rd, 1871:” The sum of fifty-six dollars. Payable in care of T.C. Fullerton, Attorney, Washington, D.C. Treasury Department, Second Comptroller’s Office, October 13, 1876, [signed] T. Mitchell, Clerk. Treasure Department, Third Auditor’s Office, October 9, 1876. [signed] Coleman, Clerk

Note: Henry McNutt was born 4 Oct 1798; no death date was inscribed on his monument in the Boar Tush Church Cemetery. He was living as late of 1880 when he was recorded on the 1880 Winston County Federal Census.


Home