Claim # 1441
Samuel Gilmore, Montgomery Co., VA

Petition of Claimant
5. Witness says: I took no Amnesty oath. I had nothing to be pardoned for

20. Witness says: They threatened to send me into the Union lines because I was a Union man.

22. Witness says: I fed the Union soldiers and rebel deserters and kept them hid and aided them to get into the Union lines.

23. Witness says: I had one son in the Union Army. 4 other sons in the rebel Army. They were conscripted. They were captured by the Union troops. I did nothing to supply them with military equipment.

33. Witness says: I was a Union man and voted for the Union all the time.

34. Witness says: from the beginning to the end of the war, my sympathies were always for the Union and I desired the success of the Govt in putting down the domestic rebellion and was willing to do all I could to accomplish that end.

35. And further the deponent sayeth not

Sworn and Subscribed to April 26, 1872
Samuel Gilmore

 

 

Deposition of Samuel Gilmore to prove the taking and furnishing of property

Witness says: I was present and saw all the horses taken mentioned in my petition. They were taken in 1865 by the US Troops Comm'd by General Stoneman. My family was present. There was a Lieutenant present who said he would not take them as I was a Union, but if he did not, the rebels would. They were taken for the use of the US Army. The Army was encamped close by. There had been no battle near there. My wife complained to General Stoneman the next day. He told her to find the horses & she could have them back. That night the Army left. I would have gone myself but I was sick. There was no receipt given or asked for, they were taken in the daytime & not secretly. One was taken from the plough and the other two from the field. Them off. I gave them lines to lead . The horses were taken to Camp .

Item 1 One bay horse taken. He was three years old & a good saddle horse and worth 150 dollars. He was taken from the plough

Item 2 One bay horse taken. He was four years old & a good work horse and worth 150 dollars. He was taken from the field, on my farm.

Item 3 One sorrel horse taken. She was five years old & a good saddle horse and worth 150 dollars. She was taken from the field, on my farm.
My property was taken for the use of the Govt. I have never been paid for it & nothing was left in exchange. I am the sole owner of the claim. I think it was taken for some purpose so useful to the Govt that the Govt ought to pay me for them.

And further the deponent sayeth not.

Samuel Gilmore

 

Deposition of Crocket Hawley to prove the Loyalty of the Claimant

Witness says: I have known the Claimant 35 years. I live near him and saw him often during the war and had conversations with him about the war and he always expressed Union Sentiments, and I regarded him as a truly loyal man to the US Govt and he was so regarded by his neighbors. I heard that he had a grandson in the Union Army. I think he would have done all he could for the Union Army if he had an opportunity. He did nothing for the rebel Govt that I know of. I don't know how he voted upon the ordinance of secession, but I know he was opposed to the war. I believe he is an Irishman by birth & a naturalized citizen of the U. States. I don't know what he would have done if the South had gained her independence. He is a truthful man & would bring no claim against the Govt that was not just.
And further the deponent sayeth not.

Crocket Hawly
Sworn & Subscribed 26th day of April 1872

Deposition of Crocket Hawley to prove the taking and furnishing of property

Witness says: I am 49 years of age, a resident of Montgomery Co., VA by occupation a farmer. I did not see the horses taken mentioned in the Claimant's petition, but I know that he had the horses and he told me they were taken by the US soldiers of Gen. Stoneman's command and that was the general report in the neighborhood and I have no doubt but what they were taken. It was in April 1865 & I think they were taken for the use of the Army. The horses were good and in fine condition. The Claimant was the sole owner of the horses. He has never been paid for them and there was nothing left in exchange that I know of.
And further the deponent sayeth not.

Crocket Hawley
Sworn and Subscribed the 26th day of April 1872

 

The reason the wife of the Claimant is not introduced is that she is old & infirm and unable to travel to the Commissioner.

 

Deposition of Gordon T. Linkous to prove the loyalty of the Claimant

Witness says I am 44 years of age, a resident of Montgomery Co, VA, by occupation a farmer. I have known the Claimant 30 years. I live near him and saw him frequently during the war and had some conversations with him about the war and he always expressed strong Union sentiments, and I regarded him as a loyal man to the US Govt and he was so regarded by his neighbors. He fed and kept concealed rebel deserters to keep them from the rebel army. He was a perfect friend to the rebel deserters, he did nothing for the rebel Govt that I know of. I don't know that eh voted at all upon the ordinance of Secession. If the South had gained its independence he would not have been allowed to stay here. He is a man of truth and character and would (never) bring a claim against the Govt that was not true. And further this deponent sayeth not.

Gordon T. Linkous
Sworn and subscribed to April 26, 1872

 

Deposition of Hiram Hornbarger to prove the taking and furnishing of property

Witness says: I am 28 years of age, a resident of Montgomery Co., VA, occupation a a farmer. I did not see the horses taken, but I know that the Claimant had those horses taken. They were there when the Army came and when they left the horses were gone and there was no one else to take them but the US soldiers. They were taken in 1865, about the time of the Surrender by Gen. Stoneman. I have no doubt but that the horses were taken by Gen. Stoneman. I know that the Claimant was the owner of these horses mentioned in the petition. I think they were taken for the use of the Army. The Claimant is the sole owner of the property. He has never been paid for it & nothing left in exchange.
And further this deponent sayeth not

Sworn & Subscribed to April 26, 1872

Remarks by hearing officer
The claim is for three horses $450.00
This man says he "was a Union man & voted for the Union all the time" - the record or poll lists of Montgomery Co., VA have been preserved - They show that Sam'l Gilmore voted for the ratification of the ordinance of secession - Instead of giving an excuse for this possibly disloyal act the Claimant denies it under oath - If in other respects the proofs show a clear case of loyalty, which they do not, the claim should be rejected - It is rejected