File 13898 US Southern Claims Commission

The Claim of George Surface of Montgomery Co in the State of Virginia

April 10 '65
1 1 horse 125.00
2 1 horse 100.00
3 1 mare 85.00
4 1 horse 95.00
_______
$405.00

Claim rejected

Mr. Surface does not remember how he voted on the Ordinance of Secession. "Son says he voted for secession." The poll list shows he voted for secession. He had two sons in the rebel Army. Had $300.00 in confederate bonds. Loyalty is not proved
Commissioner of Claims

5 I took the Amnesty oath after the war. I had nothing to be pardoned for.
18 I had a horse taken by the rebels and received no pay for it.
20 I had a horse taken by the rebels, sixteen Rebel soldiers came to my house and threatened to arrest me on account of my Union sentiments.
21 I fed rebel deserters and harbored them.
22 I had two sons in the rebel Army. I gave them no Army or Military equipment. They were both married men, they did not
23 I had 300 dollars in Confederate Bonds. I did nothing else to support
33 I was a Union man all the time. I don't know how I voted upon the ordinance of Secession. There was athreat made that if we did not vote for it, we would have to leave the State in 30 days. My son told me I voted for it. After it passed I still adhered to the Union.
34 From the beginning to the end of the war I desired the success of the Union in putting down the rebellion. I was willing to do all I could to accomplish that end
And further the deponent sayeth not

George Surface

Sworn and subscribed this 29th day of April 1873

 

Deposition of George Surface to prove the taking and furnishing of property

I was present and saw all the property taken mentioned in my petition. It was taken in April 1865 by the US Soldiers of Gen Stoneman's Command ----------. Members of my family were present. I think there was an Officer present. He said he wanted the horses to stop the war. The horses were taken for the use of the Army. The two horses were taken from the wagon on my farm and two from the stables. They were removed by the Soldiers, they led them and rode them off. The Army was on the March. They went in the direction of the Army. There was no complaint made. There was no receipt given or asked for. The Officer said if we were the right sort of people we should be paid for the horses. They were taken in the day time & openly. They were in good farming --------.

Item 1 One large horse taken, he was 4 years old & a good work horse, worth 125 dollars
Item 2 One horse taken, he was 10 or 12 yrs old and worth 100 dollars. He was a good saddle horse
Item 3 One mare taken, she was six yrs old, a good saddle & work horse & worth 85 dollars
Item 4 One horse taken, he was 3 yrs old & worth 85 dollars, a good saddle horse. The property was taken by a US Officer for the use of the Government I was the owner of the three horses. The large horse mentioned in my petition belonged to my Son in Law, who was in the rebel Army. I cant tell whether he was conscripted or Volunteered. He left & went into the Union lines about eleven months before the surrender. His home was in my charge. I have never been paid for these horses. There was two Broken down horses left, one died in three months and the other I kept 12 months & traded him off for a colt and gave 11 dollars to boot. The Colt was worth 30 dollars. I think the property 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

George Surface

Sworn and subscribed 27th day of April 1872

 

Deposition of Jos Sarles to prove the taking and furnishing of property

I am 56 years of age, a resident of Montgomery Co., VA, by occupation a farmer. I was present and saw the horses taken mentioned in the Claimants Petition. They were taken about the 5th of April 1865 by the US Soldiers of Gen Stoneman's Command. The Claimant & his family were present.. I think there was an Officer present. Two of the horses were taken from the wagon on the Claimant's farm. The others were taken from his yard. I saw them in possession of the horses. There was no complaint made that I know of. They were taken in the day and openly. There was no receipt given or asked for. I don't know how they were removed. The Army was encamped at Christiansburg The horses were in (common marching order?)

Item 1 I saw one large horse taken. He belonged to the Claimants Son in Law who was in the Rebel Army & who volunteered, his name was Floyd Dobbins. I don't know the age of the horse, he was worth 125 dollars.

Item 2 I saw one horse taken, I don't know his age nor value
Item 3 I saw one mare taken, I don't know her age or value

Item 4 I saw one horse taken, I don't know her age or value

One of these horses belonged to Floyd Dobbins who was a volunteer in the rebel Army. The other three belonged to the Claimant. They have never been paid for. I believe ther were two broken down horses left, don't know their value.
And further the deponent sayeth not

Joseph Sarles

Sworn and Subscribed this 29th day of April 1872

 

Deposition of Stephen Childress to prove the taking and furnishing of property

I am 50 years of age, a resident of Montgomery Co., VA, by occupation a farmer. I did not see the horses taken mentioned in the Claimants Petition, but the Officer who took them said he had taken a few horses from the Claimant. It wqs about the 6th or 7th of April 1865. It was an Officer under Gen Stoneman. One of the horses belonged to Floyd Dobbin, who was a volunteer in the Confed Service. He deserted and went into the Union lines. The other three horses belonged to the Claimant. The Officer said they were compelled to take all horses to break up the rebellion.

And further the deponent sayeth not

Stephen Childress

Sworn and Subscribed this 29th day of April 1872

Deposition of Stephen Childress to prove the Loyalty of the Claimant

I have known the Claimant years. I lived near him during the war and often saw him and at various times had conversations with him about the war. He always expressed himself in favor of the US Govt and I regarded him as a Union man and he was so regarded by his neighbors. I heard rebel deserters say that the Claimant had fed the. I directed ----deserters to his house. He did nothing for the rebel Govt that I know of. I don't know how he voted upon the ordinance of Secession. I don't know of his having been threatened or molested on account of his Union Sentiments. I don't think he could have remained here if the South had gained her independence. The Claimant is a man of character and would bring no claim against the Govt that was not just.

And further the deponent sayeth not

Stephen Childress
Sworn and Subscribed this 29th day of April 1872
Deposition of Jos. Roop to prove the Loyalty of the Claimant

I am 69 years of age, resident of Montgomery Co., VA, by occupation a farmer. I have known the Claimant 40 years. I lived near him and saw him often during the war and often saw him and had conversations with him about the war. I regarded him as a Union man and he was so regarded by his neighbors. He fed rebel deserters so I ------. I never heard of his doing anything for the rebel Cause. I don't know how he voted upon the ordinance of Secession. If the South had gained her independence I don't think he could have stayed here. He is a man of character and would not make an unjust claim against the Government.

And further the deponent sayeth not

Joseph Roop, his mark
Sworn and Subscribed this 29th day of April 1872

Deposition of James M. Hawley to prove the Loyalty of the Claimant

I am 46 years of age, resident of Montgomery Co., VA, by occupation a farmer. I have
known the Claimant 15 years. I lived near him and saw him often during the war and had
no conversations with him about the war. I was hid in the woods to keep out of the rebel
army and he gave some information to me so that I could keep clear of the rebel guard. His neighbors regarded him as a Union man. He did nothing for the rebel Govt that I know of. I don't know how he voted upon the ordinance of Secession. The rebels threatened to ---- because ------Union man. If the South had gained her independence I don't think he could have stayed here. He is a man of character and would not make an unjust claim against the Government.

And further the deponent sayeth not

James M. Hawley
Sworn and Subscribed this 29th day of April 1872

 

April 30, 1875
Book 3 Letters Sent, page 107
Case of: George Surface of Montgomery Co., VA
Bill & receipt for ten bushels of potatoes at ten dols per bush.$80.00 June 8, 1864 by
Lt C.S. Dwight : Engin Corps

July 31, 1877
Book 3 Letters Sent, page 232
Case of: George Surface of Montgomery Co., VA
Bill & voucher for one horse sold to the CS value of $130. Paid Christiansburg Aug 28 1861 by Wm BB Cross Capt & A.S.M CS Army