Robert D. Wilson's Claim


Submitted by Robin Sterling


Southern Claims Commission File

for

Robert D. Wilson (21140) Disallowed

Items Claimed

Amount Claimed

Amount Allowed

Amount Disallowed

1 bay mare mule

$200

   

2 beef cattle

$30

   

25 bushels corn

$31.25

   

500 pounds of meat

$50

   

1 black horse

$150

   

Totals

$461.25

   

 

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

The petition of Robert D. Wilson respectfully represents:

That he is a citizen of the United States, and resides at present at or near Houston, Winston County, Alabama and that he resided when this claim accrued at or near Houston, 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) Houston, 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 of compensation for the use or occupation of building grounds, or other real estate, is as follows:

1 bay mare ($200); 2 beef cattle ($30); 25 bushels corn ($31.25); 500 pounds of meat ($50); 1 black horse ($150); total: $461.25

That the property in question was taken or furnished for the use of a portion of the army of the United States, known as Colonel Streight’s Raid first and the next U.S. Cavalry scouts, then finally Wilson’s Raid, commanded by Colonel Streight, W.B. Looney and Major General J.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:

Colonel Streight, Colonel, 1st Regiment Alabama Cavalry Volunteers

W.B. Looney, Scout, 1st Regiment Alabama Cavalry Volunteers

J.H. Wilson, Major General, Commanding a division of the Army of the Cumberland.

That the property was removed to the camps on the march and used for or by said cavalry, all this on or about the 8th, 22nd, 1st, day of May, October, March, and April, I the year 1864, 1862 and 1865 and 1865.

That no voucher, receipt, or other writing was 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 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., is hereby authorized and empowered to act as Attorney 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] Robert D. Wilson; Witnesses: Perry D. Hyde and Oak? B. Hyde

State of Alabama, County of Winston: Robert D. Wilson, 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] Robert D. Wilson, Witnesses: [signed] Perry D. Hyde and Oak? B. Hyde

Sworn and subscribed in my presence, the 25th day of February 1873 [signed] A.B. Hays, J.P.

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

Buckner Walker, Houston, Winston County, Alabama

Memory Walker, Houston, Winston County, Alabama

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

B.L. England, Houston, Winston County, Alabama

Thomas Boline, Houston, Winston County, Alabama

Joseph Stiles, Houston, Winston County, Alabama

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

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

 

Archive Office, War Department: May 31st, 1876

Case of Robert D. Wilson, Winston County, Alabama

January 15th, 1869. A man of the above name was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Madison while acting in that capacity he took the deposition of James Hickman regarding the seizure of the Southern Hotel in the city of Huntsville, Alabama

 

Note: No other documentation was found in the file.


Home