December 14^th, 1861

      Extract from the report of the board of officers convened to investigate and examine the amount of damages alleged to have been committed on the property of citizens by a train of teams under Captain Thornton Smith, Brigade Quartermaster.

     “The committee next examined the witnesses of the property taken from Benj. Ogle Taylor’s farm, and after reviewing the testimony find that Captain Smith took the following quantities of forage and cattle.

 

19 Head of Cattle – (7 oxen – 3 Heifers.)

120 Bushels Oats.

 4 Wagon loads old corn – 114 bushels

The committee would beg leave to state that they have been unable to get the weight (?) of the cattle taken from Mr. Taylor’s farm owing to the loose manner in which business is conducted at the Brigade Commissary Department.  John Dredge acting commissary, and Captain Smith Brigade Quartermaster have been subpoenaed and appeared before the Board, but neither of them were able to give any idea of the weight of the cattle.”

                                                                              A true copy

                                                                              W. H. Lawrringer

                                                                                       Aide-de-Camp

Benjamin Ogle Taylor, Nanjemoy Plantation,

Letter to Michigan Headquarters

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Head Quarters Hookers Division

Camp Baker, Lower Potomac, Mich.

December 21^st 1861

Brigadier General S. Williams

                   Adjutant General

                                     Army of the Potomac

                                                     General,
 

                                                                                                                       I have to acknowledge by the mail of today, from the Head Quarters of the Army of the Potomac, dated December 12^th the complaint of Benjamin Ogle Taylor of irregularities committed on his Nanjemoy Plantation, by some part of my command.  I am instructed to give it such action, as justice requires.

                On the 3^rd instant. A Board of intelligent officers was ordered to investigate the complaint of John H. Phillips, the overseer of Mr. Taylor, and the result of the labors I herewith enclose:

                 It will be observed that no mention is made in their report of the scow, for the reason that it was not included in the list of loses the Board was ordered to examine and report upon:  In other respects the complaint of Mr. Phillips differs from that of Mr. Taylor.  I learn that no remuneration has been made Mr. Taylor for the property taken as reported by the Board.

                I request that he may be informed that on the return of Capt. Smith, Brigade Quartermaster, from Washington, under whose direction this indebtedness was secured, I shall feel authorized to have him furnished with the usual vouchers for payment for so much of his property as the Board reports him to have lost: As we appear to have no means of arriving at the exact weight of Beef taken.  I know of no way to adjust it, except by compromise believe the parties concerned.

                I may add that all the scows and boats in the river were taken by my direction to prevent their improper use, and Mr. Taylor’s may be among them.  If so, he can have it when I am through with it:

     I return his letter,

                                                             Very Respectfully

                                                                               Your obedient Servant

                                                                                         Joseph Hoollens (Sp? -)

                                                                                            Brigadier General

                                                                                                     Commanding Division