HORSE CLAIM
Transcription of the claim for
John G. Middleton, older brother of great-great-great-grandfather
James S. H. Middleton also of Monroe Co., Ala.
-- Transcribed by Deborah Bass-Frazier
John G. Middleton’s claim
1 Bay horse Valued $150.00 { To the commissioner of
1 Light Bay horse Valued $150.00 { claims Under Act of Congress
{ of March 3, 1870
United States.
The petitioner in the above cause, by his consent, A. McGunner
would show that the amt involved in the above claim is too small,
and that he it too poor to incurred the expenses, in procuring
the personal allowances of ? , before the Board of Commissioners
of Claims off at Washington, would therefore present the
following statement of facts, of his own knowledge, and also
those to which his witness will testify, that is to say that, he
the petitioner, resides in Beat No. 11 in Monroe County, Ala. and
has lived in the same for about fifty-five years and was also a
resident of the Same at the time the above claim accrued and that
he is the original and only owner of Said Claim which accrued in
the following Manner and at the time and the place herein stated
(Viz). On 18th day April 1865. Soldiers and officers came to his
residence, and told Mrs. Middleton, that they were compelled to
have good horses, that they were on provost duty and would take
those in the Col. but would return them the next day, and they
went and took the horses, and went off with the. Petitioner was
in his field at work and arrived at the house just in time to See
the Solders leaving. Can only say report Says that Genl. Smith
camped within two miles and a half of his residence but
petitioner did not go to the camp himself, but every circumstance
connected with the facts requires him to believe it, as much so
that as there is a God and that the Soldiers belongs to Sd.
command, that carried his horses to the United States army Under
command of Genl. Smith, although he did not see them only as they
were leaving his house - a believes would further aver that he
was a loyal adherent to the cause and government of the United
States at the time at the time the above claim accrued, and was
so loyal before, during and since the rebellion, and would
further aver that he never [never was twice underlined] furnished
any Slaves, Supplies or other Material aid to the Said
Confederate army or navy, or to the Confederate government, or to
any officer, solder, department, or adherent of the same in
support thereof, and that he never accepted or exercised the
function of any office whatsoever under or yielded when ? any
support to the Said Confederate government. Sworn to and
subscribed before me, on 26 May 1871.
Joel Hardee, J.P. (signed) John G. Middleton
Personally appeared before me an acting justice of the place in
and for Monroe County Ala. is the J. Simpkins and J. E. Feagin
and being duly sworn testifies that the above statement of John
J. Middleton is ???? , that they knew he had the horses above
stated, and they live about one mile from said petitioner, and
knew that they were taken from him at the time the place where
stated and from every circumstance ??? ted, to the best of their
information and beliefs, and willing to testify that they were
taken by Soldiers under command of Genl. Smith.
Sworn to and subscribed before me on 26 May 1871. John J.
Simpkins J. E. Feagin Joel Hardee, J.P.
State of Alabama } I, M. W. Simmons (?) Notary Monroe County }
public in & for Monroe County and State of Alabama do hereby
certify that Joel Hardee, whose name is signed to the forgoing
instruments is an acting Justice of the peace in and for Monroe
County Alabama and his acts are entitled to full faith and
Credit. This 6th day of June 1871.
M. W. Simmons
N. P.
REMARKS
One of this claimants witnesses says "I was off in the army
three years one month & 19 days." + + "I went into
the army the 2nd day of April the second year of the war."
It appears from this that he served until the 21st day of May
1865. He also says "I was a Union man at the commencement of
the war and all of the time." He entered the army before the
first conscript law was passed so must have volunteered. It will
be perceived that the opinion of such a witness entertaining such
a notion of constitutes a Union man is utterly worthless &
when he says of the claimant "I know the he was a strong
Union man" the statement is entitled to no weight whatever.
It is very evident that this claimant was just exactly such a
Union man as this witness for he was also in the Confederate army
from the fall of 186__ until the 2nd day of May 1865. He also
took the oath to support the Confederacy. Mr. Middleton may have
been a Union man according to the standard of Monroe Co., Ala.
but he served too long as a solder in the Confederate army for a
‘loyal adherent to the cause & the government of the
United States."
The claim is disallowed.
A. O. Aldes }
Commrs Orange Ferrim (?) } of
J. B. Howell } Claims