CLAIM OF : JACOB WIDNER TRANSCRIBED BY: Steve Widener
WITNESS : GEORGE WIDNER, DANIEL KELLY and ALFRED HODGE
1. WHAT IS YOUR NAME,YOUR AGE,YOUR RESIDENCE AND HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN SUCH,AND YOUR OCCUPATION?
JACOB : MY NAME IS JACOB WIDNER, SIXTY YEARS OLD, I LIVE IN SEVIER COUNTY TENNESSEE, HAVE IN THIS COUNTY OVER THIRTY FIVE YEARS, MY OCCUPATION IS FARMING.
GEORGE : MY NAME IS GEORGE WIDNER, I AM TWENTY NINE YEARS OLD, I HAVE LIVED IN SEVIER COUNTY ALL MY LIFE, MY OCCUPATION IS FARMING.
DANIEL : MY NAME IS DANIEL KELLY, I AM FIFTY FOUR YEARS OLD, I HAVE LIVED IN SEVIER COUNTY ALL MY LIFE, MY OCCUPATION IS FARMING.
ALFRED : MY NAME IS ALFRED HODGE, I AM THIRTY SIX YEARS OLD, I RESIDE IN SEVIER COUNTY TENNESSEE, HAVE LIVED HERE FIFTEEN YEARS, MY OCCUPATION IS FARMING.
2. IF YOU ARE NOT THE CLAIMANT, IN WHAT MANNER, IF ANY, ARE YOU RELATED TO THE CLAIMANT OR INTERESTED IN THE SUCCESS OF THE CLAIM.
JACOB : I AM THE CLAIMANT.
GEORGE : I AM JACOB WIDNER'S SON, I HAVE NO INTEREST IN THE SUCCESS OF HIS CLAIM.
DANIEL : I MARRIED HIS DAUGHTER, BUT SHE HAS BEEN DEAD ABOUT NINE YEARS, I AM NOT INTERESTED IN THE SUCCESS OF HIS CLAIM.
ALFRED : I AM NO KIN TO JACOB WIDNER THAT I KNOW OF, I AM NOT INTERESTED IN THE SUCCESS OF HIS CLAIM.
3. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? IF NOT BORN IN THE UNITED STATES, WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU NATURALIZED? PRODUCE YOUR NATURALIZATION PAPERS IF YOU CAN.
JACOB : I WAS BORN IN SEVIER COUNTY TENNESSEE.
4. WHERE WERE YOU RESIDING AND WHAT WAS YOUR BUSINESS FOR SIX MONTHS BEFORE THE OUTBREAK OF THE REBELLION, AND WHERE DID YOU RESIDE AND WHAT WAS YOUR BUSINESS FROM THE BEGINING TO THE END OF THE WAR? AND IF YOU CHANGE YOUR RESIDENCE OR BUSINESS, STATE HOW MANY TIMES, AND WHY SUCH CHANGES WERE MADE.
JACOB : I WAS LIVING FOR OVER FIFTEEN YEARS IN THE 9TH DIST. OF THIS COUNTY, AND LIVED AT THE SAME PLACE DURING THE ENTIRE REBELLION, AND FOLLOWED FARMING, I DID NOT CHANGE MY RESIDENCE DURING THE WAR.
5. ON WHICH SIDE WERE YOUR SYMPATHIES DURING THE WAR, AND WERE THEY ON THE SAME SIDE FROM BEGINNING TO END?
JACOB : MY SYMPATHIES WERE ON THE UNION SIDE FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE END OF THE WAR.
6. DID YOU EVER DO ANYTHING OR SAY ANYTHING AGAINST THE UNION CAUSE; AND IF SO, WHAT DID YOU DO OR SAY, AND WHY?
JACOB : NO SIR, I DID NOT.
7. WERE YOU AT ALL TIMES DURING THE WAR WILLING AND READY TO DO WHATEVER YOU COULD IN AID OF THE UNION CAUSE?
JACOB : I WAS AND DID.
8. DID YOU EVER DO ANYTHING FOR THE UNION CAUSE , OR ITS ADVOCATES OF DEFENDERS? IF SO, STATE WHAT YOU DID, GIVING TIMES, PLACES, NAMES OF PERSONS AIDED, AND PARTICULARS. WERE THE PERSONS AIDED YOUR RELATIONS?
JACOB: I FED A GREAT MANY UNION MEN THAT WERE SCOUNTING TO KEEP AWAY FROM THE REBELS, AND WHEN ON THEIR WAY TO KNOXVILLE AFTER THE FEDERAL ARMY CAME TO KNOXVILLE. I FED UNION MEN AND FEDERAL SOLDIERS ALL THROUGH THE WAR, FROM BEGINNING TO THE END, AMONG THOSE I FED WAS, DANIEL KELLY, LOGE HODGE, AL HODGE, AND MANY MORE SOME WERE RELATIONS AND SOME WERE NOT.
9. HAD YOU ANY NEAR RELATIVES IN THE UNION ARMY OR NAVY? IF SO, IN WHAT COMPANY AND REGIMENT, OR ON WHAT VESSEL, WHEN AND WHERE DID EACH ONE ENTER SERVICE, AND WHEN AND HOW DID HE LEAVE SERVICE? IF HE WAS A SON, PRODUCE HIS DISCHARGE PAPER, IN ORDER THAT ITS CONTENTS MAY BE NOTED IN THIS DEPOSITION, OR STATE WHY IT CANNOT BE PRODUCED.
JACOB: I HAD TWO SONS, LEE AND MADISON WIDNER WERE IN THE 3RD TENNESSEE INFANTRY, I THINK IN COMPANY G, I THINK IN FEBRUARY 1862. THEY ENTERED THE SERVICE AT MURFREESBORO , TENN. LEE WIDNER ONE OF MY SONS, DIED THERE ABOUT THREE MONTHS AFTER HE VOLUNTEERED IN THE SERVICE AND MADISON WIDNER MY OTHER SON WAS KILLED IN A BATTLE AT PUMPKIN VINE CREEK, GEORGIA, DURING SHERMAN MARCH OR RAID THROUGH GEORGIA. OF COURSE I HAVE NO DISCHARGE PAPERS.
10. WERE YOU IN THE SERVICE OR EMPLOYMENT OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AT ANY TIME DURING THE WAR? IS SO, IN HWAT SERVICE, WHEN, WHERE, FOR HOW LONG, UNDER WHAT OFFICERS, AND WHEN AND HOW DID YOU LEAVE SUCH SERVICE OR EMPLOYMENT?
JACOB: I WAS NOT IN THE SERVICE, WAS TOO OLD.
11. DID YOU EVER VOLUNTARILY CONTRIBUTE MONEY, PROPERTY, OR SERVICES TO THE UNION CAUSE; AND IF SO, WHEN, WHERE, TO WHOM, AND WHAT DID YOU CONTRIBUTE?
JACOB: NO, ONLY WHAT I GIVE TO FEDERAL SOLDIERS IN THE WAY OF PROVISIONS, I FED MANY OF THEM, DURING THE WAR, IN THIS COUNTY, IN THE 9TH DISTRICT, AMONG THEM THAT I FED WAS COL. DOUGHTY AND OTHERS.
12. WHICH SIDE DID YOU TAKE WHILE THE INSURGENT STATES WERE SECEDING FROM THE UNION IN 1860 AND 1861, AND WHAT DID YOU DO TO SHOW ON WHICH SIDE YOU STOOD?
JACOB: I TOOK THE UNION SIDE ALL THE TIME. I VOTED FOR THE UNION AND AGAINST SECCESSION, I WAS ALWAYS OPPOSED TO SECCESSION AND AM OPOSED TO IT YET.
13. DID YOU ADHERE TO THE UNION CAUSE AFTER THE STATES HAD PASSED INTO REBELLION, OR DID YOU GO WITH YOUR STATE?
JACOB: I DID ADHERE TO THE UNION, AND WOULD AGAIN.
14. WHAT WERE YOUR FEELINGS CONCERNING THE BATTLE OF BULL RUN OR MANASSAS, THE CAPTURE OF NEW ORLEANS, THE FALL OF VICKSBURG, AND THE FINAL SURRENDER OF THE CONFEDERATE FORCES?
JACOB: I WAS ALWAYS GLAD TO HEAR OF A FEDERAL VICTORY AND IT DONE ME GOOD WHEN I HEARD OF THE FALL OF VICKSBURG, NEW ORLEANS, AND THE SURENDER OF LEES ARMY.
15. WHAT FAVORS, PRIVILEGES, OR PROTECTIONS WERE EVER GRANTED YOU IN RECOGNITION OF YOUR LOYALTY DURING THE WAR, AND WHEN AND B WHOM GRANTED?
JACOB: I DONT KNOW THAT THERE WERE EXCEPT I WAS PERMITTED TO GO FREELY AMONG THE SOLDIERS IN THEIR CAMPS. THIS WAS AFTER THE FEDERAL ARMY CAME TO KNOXVILLE.
16. HAVE YOU EVER TAKEN THE SO-CALLED "IRON-CLAD OATH" SINCE THE WAR, AND WHEN AND ON WHAT OCCASIONS?
JACOB: I NEVER TOOK ANY OATH ON EITHER SIDE.
17. WHO WERE THE LEADING AND BEST KNOWN UNIONISTS OF YOUR VICINITY DURING THE WAR? ARE ANY OF THEM CALLED TO TESTIFY TO YOUR LOYALTY; AND IF NOT, WHY NOT?
JACOB: JOE DELOSIER, RUFE CRESWELL, DANIEL KELLY, AND ALFRED HODGES AND OTHERS, ALFRED HODGE AND DANIEL KELLY ARE TO PROVE MY LOYALTY.
18. WERE OU EVER THREATENED WITH DAMAGE OR INJURY TO YOUR PERSON, FAMILY, OR PROPERTY ON ACCOUNT OF YOUR UNION SENTIMENTS, OR WERE YOU ACTUALLY MOLESTED OR INJURED ON ACCOUNT OF YOUR UNION SENTIMENTS? IF SO, WHEN, WHERE, BY WHOM, AND IN WHAT PARTICULAR WAY WERE YOU INJURED OR THREATENED WITH INJURY?
JACOB: YES SIR, THE REBELS THREATENED TO BURN MY HOUSE UP, AND TAKE ME OFF A PRISONER. THAT WAS WHILE LONGSTREETS MEN WERE HERE IT WAS IN THIS COUNTY. I DONT KNOW WHAT THEIR NAMES WERE, THEY BELONGED TO LONGSTREETS COMMAND
19. WERE YOU EVER ARRESTED BY ANY CONFEDERATE OFFICER, SOLDIER, SAILOR, OR OTHER PERSON PROFESSING TO ACT FOR THE CONFEDERATE GOVERNMENT, OR FOR ANY STATE IN REBELLION? IF SO, WHEN, WHERE, BY WHOM, FOR WHAT CAUSE; HOW LONG WERE YOU KEPT UNDER ARREST; HOW DID YOU OBTAIN YOUR RELEASE; DID YOU TAKE ANY OATH OR GIVE ANY BOND TO EFFECT YOUR RELEASE; AND IF SO, WHAT WAS THE NATURE OF THE OATH OR THE BOND?
JACOB: I WAS NOT, FOR I LAY OUT AND KEPT OUT OF THEIR WAY, ALL DANGEROUS TIMES, WHEN REBELS, WERE ABOUT.
20. WAS ANY OF YOUR PROPERTY TAKEN BY CONFEDERATE OFFICERS OR SOLDIERS, OR ANY REBEL AUTHORITY? IF SO, WHAT PROPERTY, WHEN, WHERE, BY WHOM, WERE YOU EVER PAID THEREFOR, AND DID YOU EVER PRESENT AN ACCOUNT THEREFOR TO THE CONFEDERATE GOVERNMENT, OR ANY REBEL OFFICER?
JACOB: THERE WAS A GOOD DEAL TAKEN, TWO GOOD MARES, OVER FIVE HUNDRED BUSHELS OF CORN, AND SIXTEEN HEAD OF HOGS, ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY DOZEN OF OATS. LONGSTREETS MEN TOOK SOME AND WHEELERS MEN TOOK SOME. THAT WAS WHEN THOSE REBEL COMMANDS WERE IN HERE. I NEVER GOT A CENT FOR ALL THAT PROPERTY THAT THEY TOOK FROM ME. I NEVER TRIED TO GET ANY PAY FROM THEM, NEVER MADE OUT OR PRESENTED TO THEM ANY ACCOUNT.
21. WAS ANY OF YOUR PROPERTY EVER CONFISCATED BY REBEL AUTHORITY, ON THE GROUND THAT YOU WERE AN ENEMY TO THE REBEL CAUSE? IF SO, GIVE ALL THE PARTICULARS, AND STATE IF THE PROPERTY WAS SUBSEQUENTLY RELEASED OR COMPENSATION MADE THEREFOR.
JACOB: THEY TOOK FROM ME WHAT I HAVE JUST SAID, I DONT KNOW WHETHER THAT MIGHT BE CALLED CONPENSATION OR NOT. THEY TOOK IT WITHOUT PAYING FOR IT.
22. DID YOU EVER DO ANYTHING FOR THE CONFEDERATE CAUSE, OR RENDER ANY AID OR COMFORT TO THE REBELLION? IF SO, GIVE THE TIMES, PLACES, PERSONS, AND OTHER PARTICULARS CONNECTED WITH EACH TRANSACTION.
JACOB: NO SIR, I DID NOT.
23. WHAT FORCE, COMPULSION, OR INFLUENCE, WAS USED TO MAKE YOU DO ANYTHING AGAINST THE UNION CAUSE? IF SO, GIVE ALL THE PARTICULARS DEMANDED IN THE LAST QUESTION.
JACOB: NOT THAT I MIND OF
24. WERE YOU IN ANY SERVICE, BUSINESS, OR EMPLOYMENT, FOR THE CONFEDERACY, OR FOR ANY REBEL AUTHORITY? IF SO, GIVE THE SAME PARTICULARS AS BEFORE REQUIRED.
JACOB: NO SIR.
25. WERE YOU IN THE CIVIL, MILITARY, OR NAVAL SERVICE OF THE CONFEDERACY, OR ANY REBEL STAATE, IN ANY CAPACITY WHATSOVER? IF SO, STATE FULLY IN RESPECT OT EACH OCCASION AND SERVICE.
JACOB: NO SIR.
26. DID YOU EVER TAKE ANY OATH TO THE SO-CALLED CONFEDERATE STATES WHILE IN ANY REBEL SERVICE OR EMPLOYMENT?
JACOB: NO SIR.
27. DID YOU EVER HAVE CHARGE OF ANY STORES, OR OTHER PROPERTY, FOR THE CONFEDERACY; OR DID YOU EVER SELL OR FURNISH ANY SUPPLIES TO THE SO-CALLED CONFEDERATE STATES, OR ANY STATE IN REBELLION; OR DID YOU HAVE ANY SHARE OR INTEREST IN CONTRACTS OR MANUFACTURES IN AID OF THE REBELLION?
JACOB: NO SIR.
28. WERE YOU ENGAGED IN BLOCKADE RUNNING, OR RUNNING THROUGH THE LINES, OR INTERESTED IN THE RISKS OR PROFITS OF SUCH VENTURES?
JACOB: NO SIR.
29. WERE OU IN ANY WAY INTERESTED IN ANY VESSEL NAVIGATING THE WATERS OF THE CONFEDERACY, OR ENTERING OR LEAVING ANY CONFEDERATE PORT? IF SO, WHAT VESSEL, WHEN AND WHERE EMPLOYED, IN WHAT BUSINESS, AND HAD ANY REBEL AUTHORITY ANY DIRECT OR INDIRECT INTEREST IN VESSEL OR CARGO?
JACOB: NO SIR.
30. DID YOU EVER SUBSCRIBE TO ANY LOAN OF THE SO--CALLED CONFEDERATE STATES, OR OF ANY REBEL STATE; OR OWN CONFEDERATE BONDS OR SECURITIES, OR THE BONDS OR SECURITIES OF ANY REBEL STATE ISSUED BETWEEN 1861 AND 1865? DID YOU SELL, OR AGREE TO SELL, COTTON OR PRODUCE TO THE CONFEDERATE GOVERNMENT, OR TO ANY REBEL STATE, OR TO ANY REBEL OFFICER OR AGENT, AND IF SO, DID YOU RECEIVE OR AGREE TO RECEIVE CONFEDERATE OR STATE BONDS OR SECURITIES IN PAYMENT; AND IF SO, TO WHAT AMOUNT, AND FOR WHAT KIND AND AMOUNT OF PROPERTY?
JACOB: NO SIR, I NEVER HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THEM.
31. DID YOU CONTRIBUTE TO THE RAISING, EQUIPMENT OR SUPPORT OF TROOPS, OR THE BUILDING OF GUNBOATS IN AID OF THE REBELLION; OR TO MILITARY HOSPITALS OR INVALIDS, OR TO RELIEF FUNDS OR SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR THE FAMILIES OF PERSONS SERVING AGAINST THE UNITED STATES?
JACOB: NO SIR.
32. DID YOU EVER GIVE INFORMATION TO ANY PERSON IN AID OF MILITARY OR NAVAL OPERATIONS AGAINST THE UNITED STATES?
JACOB: NO SIR.
33. WERE YOU AT ANY TIME A MEMBER OF ANY SOCIETY OR ORGANIZATION FOR EQUIPPING VOLUNTEERS OR CONSCRIPTS, OR FOR AIDING THE REBELLION IN ANY OTHER MANNER?
JACOB: NO SIR.
34. DID YOU EVER TAKE AN OATH OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE SO-CALLED CONFEDERATE STATES? IF SO, STATE HOW OFTEN, WHEN, WHERE, FOR WHAT PURPOSE, AND THE NATURE OF THE OATH OR AFFIRMATION.
JACOB: NO SIR.
35. DID YOU EVER RECEIVE A PASS FROM REBEL AUTHORITY? IF SO, STATE WHEN, WHERE, FOR WHAT PURPOSE, ON WHAT CONDITIONS, AND HOW THE PASS WAS USED.
JACOB: NO SIR.
36. HAD YOU ANY NEAR RELATIVES IN THE CONFEDERATE ARMY, OR IN ANY MILITARY OR NAVAL SERVICE HOSTILE TO THE UNITED STATES? IF SO, GIVE NAMES, AGES ON ENTERING SERVICE, PRESENT RESIDENCE, IF LIVING, WHAT INFLUENCE YOU EXERTED, IF ANY, AGAINST THNEIR ENTERING THE SERVICE, AND IN WHAT WAY YOU CONTRIBUTED TO THEIR OUTFIT AND SUPPORT.
JACOB: NOT THAT I KNOW OF.
37. HAVE YOU BEEN UNDER THE DISABILITIES IMPOSED BY THE FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION? HAVE YOUR DISABILITIES BEEN REMOVED BY CONGRESS?
JACOB: NO SIR.
38. HAVE YOU BEEN SPECIALLY PARDONED BY THE PRESIDENT FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE REBELLION?
JACOB: NO SIR.
39. DID YOU TAKE ANY AMNESTY OATH DURING THE WAR, OR AFTER ITS CLOSE? IS SO, WHEN, WHERE, AND WHY DID YOU TAKE IT?
JACOB: NO SIR.
40. WERE YOU EVER A PRISONER TO THE UNITED STATES AUTHORITIES, OR ON PAROLE, OR UNDER BONDS TO DO NOTHING AGAINST THE UNION CAUSE? IS SO, STATE ALL THE PARTICULARS.
JACOB: NO SIR.
41. WERE YOU EVER ARRESTED BY THE AUTHORITIES OF THE UNITED STATES DURING THE WAR? IS OS, WHEN , WHERE, BY WHOM, ON WHAT GROUNDS, AND WHEN AND HOW DID YOU OBTAIN YOUR RELEASE?
JACOB: NO SIR.
42. WERE ANY FINES OR ASSESSMENTS LEVIED UPON YOU BY THE AUTHORITIES OF THE UNITES STATES BECAUSE OF YOUR SUPPOSED SYMPATHY FOR THE REBELLION? IS SO, STATE ALL THE FACTS.
JACOB: NO SIR.
43. WAS ANY OF YOUR PROPERTY TAKEN INTO POSSESSION OR SOLD BY THE UNITED STATES UNDER THE LAWS RELATING TO CONFISCATION, OR TO CAPTURED AND ABANDONED PROPERTY?
JACOB: NO SIR.
THE FOLOWING QUESTIONS WILL BE PUT TO ALL MALE CLAIMANTS OR BENEFICIARIES WHO WERE NOT LESS THAN SIXTEEN YEARS OF AGE WHEN THE WAR CLOSED:
44. AFTER THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 1860, IF OF AGE, DID YOU VOTE FOR ANY DANDIDATES, OR ON ANY QUESTIONS, DURING THE WAR, AND HOW DID YOU VOTE? DID YOU VOTE FOR OR AGAINST CANDIDATES FAVORING SECESSION? DID YOU VOTE FOR OR AGAINST THE RATIFICATION OF THE ORDINANCE OF SECESSION, OR FOR OR AGAINST SEPARATION IN YOU STATE?
JACOB: THERE WERE SOME ELECTIONS AND I VOTED AGAINST SEPARATION TWICE, AND ALWAYS VOTED FOR UNION MEN, NEVER VOTED FOR A REBEL AND WOULD NOT AGAIN .
45. DID YOU BELONG TO ANY VIGILANCE COMMITTEE, OR COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, HOMEGUARD, OR ANY OTHER FORM OF ORGANIZATION OR COMBINATION DESIGNED TO SUPPRESS UNION SENTIMENT IN YOUR VICINITY?
JACOB: NO SIR.
46. WERE YOU IN THE CONFEDERATE ARMY, STATE MILITIA, OR ANY MILITARY OR NAVAL ORGANIZATION HOSTILE TO THE UNITED STATES? IF SO, STATE WHEN, WHERE, IN WHAT ORGANIZATIONS, HOW AND WHY YOU ENTERED, HOW LONG YOU REMAINED EACH TIME, AND WHEN AND HOW YOU LEFT. IF YOU CLAIM THAT YOU WERE CONSCRIPTED, WHEN AND WHERE WAS IT, HOW DID YOU RECEIVE NOTICE, AND FROM WHOM, AND WHAT WAS THE PRECISE MANNER IN WHICH THE CONSCRIPTION WAS ENFORCED AGAINST YOU? IF YOU WERE NEVER IN THE REBEL ARMY OR OTHER HOSTILE ORGANIZATION, WXPLAIN HOW YOU ESCAPED SERVICE. IF YOU FURNISHED A SUBSTITUTE, WHEN AND WHY DID YOU FURNISH ONE, AND WHAT IS HIS NAME, AND HIS PRESENT ADDRESS, IF LIVING?
JACOB: NO SIR. I WAS TOO OLD TO BE CONSCRIPTED.
47. WERE YOU IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR EMPLOYED IN THE CONFEDERATE QUARTERMASTER, COMMISSARY, ORDINANCE, ENGINEER, OR MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, OR ANY OTHER DEPARTMENT, OR EMPLOYED ON ANY RAILROAD TRANSPORTING TROOPS OS SUPPLIES FOR THE CONFEDERACY, OR OTHERWISE ENGAGED IN TRANSPORTATION OF MEN AND SUPPLIES FOR THE CONFEDERACY? IF SO, STATE HOW EMPLOYED, WHEN, WHERE, FOR HOW LONG, UNDER WHOSE DIRECTION, AND WHY SUCH EMPLOYMENT WAS NOT GIVING "AID AND COMFORT" TO THE REBELLION.
JACOB: NO SIR.
48. DID YOU AT ANY TIME HAVE CHARGE OF TRAINS, TEAMS WAGONS, VESSELS, BOATS, OR MILITARY SUPPLIES OR PROPERTY OF ANY KIND FOR THE CONFEDERATE GOVERNMENT? IF SO, GIVE ALL THE FACTS AS IN PREVIOUS QUESTIONS.
JACOB: NO SIR. I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THEM.
49. WERE YOU EMPLOYED IN SALTPERE WORKS, IN TANNING OR MILLING FOR THE CONFEDERATE GOVERNMENT, OR MAKING CLOTHING, BOOTS, SHOWES, SADDLES, HARNESS, ARMS, AMMUNITION, ACCOUTREMENTS, OR ANY OTHER KIND OF MUNITIONS OF WAR FOR THE CONFEDERACY? IF SO, GIVE ALL THE PARTICULARS OF TIME, PLACE AND NATURE OF SERVICE OR SUPPLIES.
JACOB: NO SIR.
50. WERE YOU EVER ENGAGED IN HOLDING IN CUSTODY, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, ANY PERSONS TAKEN BY THE REBEL GOVERNMENT AS PRISONERS OF WAR, OR ANY PERSONS IMPRISONED OR CONFINED BY THE CONFEDERATE GOVERNMENT, OR THE AUTHORITIES OF ANY REBEL STATE, FOR POLITICAL CAUSES? IS SO, WHEN, WHERE, UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES, IN WHAT CAPACITY WERE YOU ENGAGED, AND WHAT WAS THE NAME AND RANK OF YOUR PRINCIPAL?
JACOB: NO SIR.
51. WERE YOU EVER IN THE UNION ARMY OR NAVY, OR IN ANY SERVICE CONNECTED THEREWITH? IS OS, WHEN, WHERE, IN WHAT CAPACITY, UNDER WHOSE COMMAND OR AUTHORITY, FOR WHAT PERIOD OF TIME, AND WHEN AND HOW DID YOU LEAVE SERVICE? PRODUCE YOUR DISCHARGE PAPERS, SO THAT THEIR CONTENTS MAY BE NOTED HEREIN.
JACOB: NO SIR.
THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS WILL BE PUT TO EVERY PERSON TESTIFYING TO THE LOYALTY OF CLAIMANTS OR BENEFICIARIES:
52. IN WHOSE FAVOR ARE YOU HERE TO TESTIFY?
DANIEL: I AM HERE TO TESTIFY TO JACOB WIDNERS LOYALTY.
ALFRED: I AM HERE TO TESTIFY TO THE LOYALTY OF JACOB WIDNER.
53. HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOWN THAT PERSON ALTOGETHER, AND WHAT PART OF THAT TIME HAVE YOU INTIMATELY KNOWN HIM?
DANIEL: I HAVE KNOWN HIM INTIMATELY FOR TWNETY FIVE YEARS.
ALFRED: I HAVE KNOWN HIM FOR FIFTEEN YEARS INTIMATELY.
54. DID YOU LIVE NEAR HIM DURING THE WAR, AND HOW FAR AWAY?
DANIEL: I LIVED ABOUT FOUR MILES FROM HIM.
ALFRED: I LIVED ABOUT FOUR MILES FROM HIM.
55. DID YOU MEET HIM OFTEN, AND ABOUT HOW OFTEN, DURING THE WAR?
DANIEL: I MET HIM EVERY TWO WEEKS AT LEAST EXCEPT DURING THE SEIGE AT KNOXVILLE, WHEN I WAS AT KNOXVILLE ABOUT A MONTH.
ALFRED: I SAW HIM EVERY WEEK OR TWO.
56. DID YOU CONVERSE WITH THE CLAIMANT ABOUT THE WAR, ITS CAUSES, ITS PROGRESS, AND ITS RESULTS? IS SO, TRY TO REMEMBER THE MORE IMPORTANT OCCASIONS ON WHICH YOU SO CONVERSED, BEGINNING WITH THE FIRST OCCASION, AND STATE, WITH RESPECT TO EACH, WHEN IT WAS, WHERE IT WAS, WHO WERE PRESENT, WHAT CAUSED THE CONVERSATION, AND WHAT THE CLAIMANT SAID IN SUBSTANCE, IF YOU CANNOT REMEMBER HIS WORDS.
DANIEL: OUR TALK WAS GENERALLY ABOUT THE WAR, AND WHAT WOULD BE THE RESULT, SOMETIMES AT HIS HOUSE, SOMETIMES AT MY HOUSE, AND SOMTIEMS IN THE WOODS. ONE OCCASSION WAS WHEN HE AND JOEL HUDSON AND MYSELF MADE A CANOE FOR OUR OWN USE, SO WE COULD HAVE IT AT AN UNFREQUENTED PLACE TO CROSS FRENCH BROAD RIVER TO EITHER SIDE IN CASE OF DANGER OF REBELS, HE TALKED IN FAVOR OF THE UNION AND ALWAYS REJOICED AT FEDERAL VICTORIES: IT WAS IN THE 8TH DIST. SEVIER COUNTY TENN. I THINK THIS WAS IN THE SPRING OF 1863.
ALFRED: WE HARDLY EVER MET BUT WE TALKED ABOUT THE WAR, THE CAUSE, AND HOW WE THOUGHT THE RESULT WOULD BE, AND HOW WE WANTED IT TO BE. OUT INTIMACY COMMENCED IN 1862 WHEN I MOVED INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF MR. WIDNER. AFTER THEN WE MET OFTEN, I MET HIM AT DAL, KELLYS , HARVE WIDNER, AND SOMETIMES IN THE WOODS. DANIEL KELLY, WILL WIDNER, AND OTHERS WERE PRESENT SOMETIMES WHEN WE WERE TOGETHER. WHEN WE MET, AFTER A UNION VICTORY MR. WIDNER ALWAYS SEEMED REJOICED. HARVE OFTEN HEARD HIM SAY HE HOPED THE FEDERALS WOULD WHIP AND PUT DOWN THE REBELLION.
57. DO YOU KNOW OF ANYTHING DONE BY THE CLAIMANT THAT SHOWED HIM TO BE LOYAL TO THE UNION CAUSE DURING THE WAR? IF YOU DO, STATE WHAT HE DID, WHEN, WHERE, AND WHAT WAS THE PARTICULAR CAUSE OR OCCASION OF HIS DOING IT? GIVE THE SAME INFORMATION ABOUT EACH THING HE DID THAT SHOWED HIM TO BE LOYAL.
DANIEL: HE FED MANY UNION MEN AND WAS ALWAYS READY TO GIVE INFORMATION IN CASE OF DANGER. MY BEST INFORMATION HE ALWAYS VOTED FOR THE UNION AND FOR UNION MEN, AND AGAINST SECESSION OR SEPPARATION. HE FED UNION MEN AND SOLDIERS ALL THORUGH THE WAR.
ALFRED: HE ALWAYS SEEMED WILLING AND ANXIOUS TO AID UNION MEN, FEED THEM AND GIVE THEM ALL THE INFORMATION HE COULD. I CANT GIVE DATES, BUT IT WAS AT DIFFERENT TIMES DURING THE WAR. THIS WAS IN SEVIER COUNTY TENN. LOGAN S. HODGE, DANIEL KELLY AND OTHERS WERE PRESENT SOMETIMES.
58. DO YOU KNOW OF ANYTHING SAID OR DONE BY THE CLAIMANT THAT WAS AGAINST THE UNION CAUSE? IS SO, PLEASE STATE, WITH RESPECT OT EACH THING SAID OR DONE, WHAT IT WAS, WHEN IT WAS, WHERE IT WAS, AND WHAT PARTICULAR COMPULSION OR INFLUENCE CAUSED HIM TO SAY OR DO IT.
DANIEL: I NEVER KNEW NOR HEARD OF HIS SAYING OR DOING ANYTHING AGAINST THE UNION CAUSE.
ALFRED: I KNOW OF NOTHING MR. WIDNER DONE DURING THE WAR THAT SHOWED HIM TO BE DISLOYAL.
59. IF YOU HAVE HEARD OF ANYTHING SAID OR DONE BY THE CLAIMANT, EITHER FOR THE UNION CAUSE OF AGAINST IT, STATE FROM WHOM YOU HEARD IT, WHEN YOU HEARD IT, AND WHAT YOU HEARD.
DANIEL: I HAVE HEARD OF HIM CARRYING PROVISIONS OUT TO UNION MEN THAT WERE HIDING OUT FROM THE REBELS, AND GIVING INFORMATION WHEN THERE WAS DANGER OF REBELS AND CONSCRIPT OFFICERS. THAT WAS THE COMMON REPORT AMONG UNION MEN.
ALFRED: I HEARD ABOUT HIM FEEDING UNION MEN AND SOLDIERS AND AIDING THEM, AND HE FED ME WHEN I WAS ON THE SCOUTS, KEEPING OUT OF THE WAY OF CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS. LOGAN S. HODGES, HARVE WIDNER AND MYSELF STAID AT HIS HOUSE ABOUT A WEEK AT ONE TIME WHEN WE WERE SCOUTING F??? THE REBELS.
60. WHAT WAS THE PUBLIC REPUTATION OF THE CLAIMANT FOR LAYALTY OR DISLOYALTY TO THE UNITED STATES DURING THE WAR: IF YOU PROFESS TO KNOW HIS PUBLIC REPUTATION, EXPLAIN FULLY HOW YOU KNOW IT, WHOM YOU HEARD SPEAK OF IT, AND GIVE THE NAMES OF OTHER PERSONS WHO WERE NEIGHBORS DURING THE WAR THAT COULD TESTIFY TO HIS PUBLIC REPUTATION.
DANIEL: HIS REPUTATION FOR LOYALTY CLEAR THROUGH THE WAR WAS GOOD, I KNOW IT BE FREQUENT CONVERSATIONS WITH HIS UNION NEIGHBORS, I HAVE HEARD JOEL HUDSON, R.M. CRESWELL, ESQR. , ALFRED HODGE AND OTHERS SPEAK OF HIS LOYALTY AND CAPT. H.G. HODGES, MORTON WILLIAMS, WILLIAM THOMAS, S.W. RANDLES ESQR. , COULD TESTIFY TO HIS LOYALTY AND MANY OTHERS OF HIS NEIGHBORS.
ALFRED: HIS REPUTATION FOR LOYALTY TO THE UNITED STATES WAS GOOD, FROM GENERAL REPORT ONCE FROM WHAT I HEARD HIM SAY MYSELF. I NEVER HEARD HIS LOYALTY DOUBTED BY ANYBODY. MARIAN COWAN, S.W. RANDLES, R.M. CRESWELL, MORTON WILLIAMS, CAPT. HENRY G. HODGES COULD TESTIFY TO HIS LOYALTY.
61. WHO WERE THE KNOWN AND PROMINENT UNION PEOPLE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD DURING THE WAR, AND DO YOU KNOW THAT SUCH PERSONS COULD TESTIFY TO THE CLAIMANT'S LOYALTY?
DANIEL: DR. J. C. ELLIS, JAMES ELLIS SEN. CALVIN CHANDLER, LEWIS WAYLAND AND MANY MORE THAT COULD TESTIFY TO MR. JACOB WIDNERS LOYALTY.
ALFRED: RICHARD RANDLES, WILSON HODGES, WILLIAM THOMAS, AND OTHER UNION MEN OF HIS NEIGHBORHOOD COULD TESTIFY TO HIS LOYALTY.
62. WERE YOU, YOURSELF, AND ADHERENT OF THE UNION CAUSE DURING THE WAR: IF SO, DID THE CLAIMANT KNOW YOU TO BE SUCH, AND HOW DID HE KNOW IT?
DANIEL: I WAS, AND MR WIDNER KNEW ME TO BE SUCH, HE KNEW BY OUR TALK AND MY ACTS.
ALFRED: I WAS, AND HE HAD GOOD REASONS TO BELIEVE IT. HE KNEW IT FROM MY TALK, AND IN THIS COUNTY, UNION MEN THAT WERE NEIGHBORS KNEW EACH OTHER AS SUCH.
63. DO YOU KNOW OF ANY THREATS, MOLESTATIONS, OR INJURY INFLICTED UPON THE CLAIMANT, OR HIS FAMILY, OR HIS PROPERTY, ON ACCOUNT OF HIS ADHERENCE TO THE UNION CAUSE? IF SO, GIVE ALL THE PARTICULARS.
DANIEL: REBEL GENERALS WHEELERS MEN, AND LONGSTREETS MEN, TOOK HIS CORN, OATS, HOGS, HORSES, CHICKENS, AND GIERING , DAMAGING HIM VERY MUCH. I NEVER HEARD OF HIS GETTING PAY FOR ANY OF IT.
ALFRED: I NEVER HEARD THE REBELS THREATEN HIM, I WAS NOT WITH THEM MUCH, THEY WERE NOT MY ASSOCIATES. I HEARD OF THE REBELS, WHEELERS AND LONGSTREETS MEN, TAKING A GOOD DEAL OF HIS CORN AND FORAGE AND SOME HORSES AND NEVER HEARD OF HIS GETTING ANYTHING FOR THEM.
64. DO YOU KNOW OF ANY ACT DONE OR LANGUAGE USED BY THE CLAIMANT THAT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED HIM FROM ESTABLISHING HIS LOYALTY TO THE CONFEDERACY? IF SO, WHAT ACT OR WHAT LANGUAGE?
DANIEL: FROM HIS CONVERSTATION AND ACTS HE COULD NOT HAVE PROVED HIS LOYALTY TO THE SOUTHERN CONFEDERACY. HE VOTED AGAINST SECESSION, WAS MY INFORMATION, AND GAVE AID AND COMFORT TO THE UNION CAUSE, AND I NEVER HEARD OF HIS DOING ANYTHING BUT IN OPPOSITION TO THE CONFEDERACY.
. ALFRED: I DONT KNOW HOW HE COULD HAVE PROVED HIS LOYALTY TO THE CONFEDERACY FOR ALL HIS TALK AND ACTIONS WERE AGAINST THEM
65. CAN YOU STATE ANY OTHER FACTS WITHIN YOUR OWN KNOWLEDGE IN PROOF OF THE CLAIMANT'S LOYALTY DURING THE WAR: IF SO, STATE ALL THE FACTS AND GIVE ALL THE PARTICULARS.
DANIEL: I DONT KNOW THAT I CAN GIVE ANY MORE THAN I HAVE GIVEN, FURTHER, THAN I NEVER HEARD HIS LOYALTY TO THE UNION DOUBTED BY ANY ONE. I WAS A CAPTAIN FO A FEDERAL HOMEGUARD COMPANY, WAS STATIONED A PART OF THE TIME AT BOMANS FERRY, ON FRENCH RIVER, ENGAGED IN GETTING SUPPLIES FOR BURNSIDES ARMY WHILE IN KNOXVILLE, AND A PART OF THE TIME, MY COMPANY WAS USED AS A PROVOST GUARD AT SEVIERVILLE. I AM NOW AND HAVE BEEN A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE FOR ABOUT SEVEN YEARS, IN THE 8TH DISTICT, SEVIER COUNTY TENN.
ATTEST DANIEL KELLY
J.M. HAMMER
SPECIAL COMMISSIONER
ALFRED: I DONT KNOW THAT I CAN MORE THAN I HAVE GIVEN, I WAS INTIMATE WITH HIM. FRENCH BROAD RIVER RUN BETWEEN MY HOUSE AND MR. WIDNERS, AND WHEN THE REBELS WERE ON MY SIDE OF THE RIVER, I WOULD GO TO HIS HOUSE, AND WHEN THEY WERE ON HIS SIDE OF THE RIVER, HE WOULD COME TO MY HOUSE, AND WHEN HE HEARD OF HIS REBELS IN THE VICINITY HE WOULD GIVE UNION MEN INFORMATION.
ATTEST ALFRED X HODGE
J.M. HAMMER (HIS MARK)
SPECIAL COMMISSIONER
THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE OWNERSHIP OF PROPERTY CHARGED IN CLAIMS WILL BE PUT TO ALL CLAIMANTS, OR THE REPRESENTATIVES OF DECEASED CLAIMANTS:
66. WHO WAS THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY CHARGED IN THIS CLAIM WHEN IT WAS TAKEN, AND HOW DID SUCH PERSON BECOME OWNER?
JACOB: I WAS, I RAISED MYSELF.
67. IF ANY OF THE PROPERTY WAS TAKEN FROM A FARM OR PLANTATION, WHERE WAS SUCH FARM OR PLANTATION SITUATED, WHAT WAS ITS SIZE, HOW MUCH WAS CULTIVATED, HOW MUCH WAS WOODLAND, AND HOW MUCH WAS WASTE LAND?
JACOB: IN THE 9TH DIST. SEVIER COUNTY TENN. THE FARM CONTAINED SIX HUNDRED ACRES, SOME HUNDRED AND FIFTY ACRES UNDER CULTIVATION, THE REST WOOD LAND AND WASTELAND.
68. HAS THE PERSON WHO OWNED THE PROPERTY WHEN TAKEN SINCE FILED A PETITION IN BANKRUPTCY, OR BEEN DECLARED A BANKRUPT?
JACOB: I HAVE NEVER TAKEN, OR FILED A PETITION TO TAKE THE BANKRUPT LAW.
QUESTIONS 69-71 PERTAINED ONLY TO FEMALE, COLORED, OR COLORED WITNESSES IN BEHALF OF WHITE CLAIMANTS
THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS WILL BE PUT TO CLAIMANTS AND WITNESSES WHO TESTIFY TO THE TAKING OF PROPERTY, OMITTING IN THE CASE OF EACH CLAIMANT OR WITNESS ANY QUESTIONS THAT ARE CLEARLY UNNECESSARY:
72. WERE YOU PRESENT WHEN ANY OF THE PROPERTY CHARGED IN THIS CLAIM WAS TAKEN? DID YOU ACTUALLY SEE ANY TAKEN? IS SO, SPECIFY WHAT YOU SAW TAKEN.
JACOB: I WAS. I SAW ALL OF IT TAKEN. I SAW FEDERAL SOLDIERS TAKE ALL THAT IS SPECIFIED IN THIS CLAIM.
GEORGE: I WAS PRESENT WHEN THE PROPERTY CHARGED IN HIS CLAIM WAS TAKEN, I SAW MOST OF IT TAKEN, I SAW GOVERNMENT WAGONS DRIVEN TO HIS PREMISES, ACCOMPONIED BY SOME FEDEAL SOLDIERS, AND SAW THEM HAVE OFF THE CORN, AND SAW CAVALRY SOLDIERS PACK OFF THE FODDER ON THEIR HORSES; AND SAW SOME FEDERAL SOLDIERS DRIVE OFF A BEEF, I ALSO SAW THE OATS TAKEN BY THE SOLDIERS.
73. WAS ANY OF THE PROPERTY TAKEN IN THE NIGHT TIME, OR WAS ANY TAKEN SECRETLY, SO THAT YOU DID NOT KNOW OF IT AT THE TIME?
JACOB: THEY TOOK IT ALL IN DAY TIME.
GEORGE: IT WAS ALL TAKEN IN DAY TIME.
74. WAS ANY COMPLAINT MADE TO ANY OFFICER OF THE TAKING OF ANY PROPERTY? IF SO, GIVE THE NAME, RANK AND REGIMENT OF THE OFFICER , AND STATE WHO MADE THE COMPLAINT TO HIM, WHAT HE SAID AND DID IN CONSEQUENCE, AND WHAT WAS THE RESULT OF THE COMPLAINT.
JACOB: I WENT TO SEE THE COMMANDER AT SEVEN ISLANDS AS HIS MEN HAD TAKEN SOME OF THE PROPERTY, AND HE TOLD ME TO GO TO GENERAL SMITH’S, TWO AND A HALF MILES FROM MY HOUSE, I WENT TO HIS HEADQUARTERS TO SEE HIM, AND HE WAS ABSENT,THEN I CAME HOME, AND SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE COMMAND LEFT AND I DID NOT KNOW WHERE TO GO TO FIND HIM.
GEORGE: I DON’T REMEMBER OF HEARING ANY COMPLAINT MADE BY ANYONE.
75. WERE ANY VOUCHERS OR RECEIPTS ASKED FOR OR GIVEN? IF GIVEN, WHERE ARE THE VOUCHERS OR RECEIPTS? IF LOST, STATE FULLY HOW LOST. IF ASKED AND NOT GIVEN, BY WHOM WERE THEY ASKED, WHO WAS ASKED, WHO WAS ASKED TO GIVE THEM, AND WHY WERE THEY REFUSED OR NOT GIVEN? STATE VERY FULLY IN REGARD TO THE FAILURE TO ASK OR OBTAIN RECEIPTS.
JACOB: WHEN THE SOLDIERS TOOK THE PROPERTY, THEY TOLD ME TO GO TO GEN. SMITH AND GET A VOUCHER. I DONT KNOW WHETHER SMITH WAS A GENERAL OR QUARTERMASTER. I WENT, BUT FAILED TO SEE HIM. THE OFFICER AT SEVEN ISLANDS THAT I WENT TO SEE TO GET A VOUCHER AND WHO TOLD ME TO GO TO SMITH, WAS AN OFFICER, BUT I DON’T KNOW WHETHER HE WAS A CAPT., OR LIEUT. BUT HE HAD STRIPES ON HIS SHOULDER.
GEORGE: THERE WAS NO VOUCHERS GIVEN OR RECEIPTS NOR I DID NOT HEAR OF ANY BEING ASKED FOR.
76. HAS ANY PAYMENT EVER BEEN MADE FOR ANY PROPERTY CHARGED IN THIS CLAIM? HAS ANY PAYMENT BEEN MADE FOR ANY PROPERTY TAKEN AT THE SAME TIMES AS THE PROPERTY CHARGED IN THIS CLAIM? HAS ANY PAYMENT BEEN MADE FOR ANY PROPERTY TAKEN FROM THE SAME CLAIMANT DURING THE WAR, AND IF SO, WHEN, BY WHOM, FOR WHAT PROPERTY AND TO WHAT AMOUNT? HAS THIS PROPERTY, OR ANY PART OF IT, BEEN INCLUDED IN ANY CLAIM HERETOFORE PRESENTED TO CONGRESS, OR ANY COURT, DEPARTMENT OR OFFICER OF THE UNITED STATES, OR TO ANY BOARD OF SURVEY, MILITARY COMMISSION, STATE COMMISSION OR OFFICER, OR ANY OTHER AUTHORITY? IF SO, WHEN AND TO WHAT TRIBUNAL OR OFFICERS WAS THE CLAIM PRESENTED; WAS IT LARGER OR SMALLER IN AMOUNT THAN THIS CLAIM, AND HOW IS THE DIFFERENCE EXPLAINED, AND WHAT WAS THE DECISION, IF ANY, OF THE TRIBUNAL TO WHICH IT WAS PRESENTED?
JACOB: THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANY PAYMENT MADE FOR ANY OF THE PROPERTY CHARGED IN MY CLAIM.
GEORGE: THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANY PAYMENT MADE FOR ANY OF IT THAT I KNOW, OR EVER HEARD OF NOR FOR ANY OTHER PROPERTY TAKEN AT THAT TIME, I DO NOT KNOW OF ANY PAYMENT BEING MADE TO CLAIMANT FOR ANY OTHER PROPERTY DURING THE WAR; I NEVER KNEW OR HEARD OF HIS PRESENTING THIS CLAIM FOR PAYMENT TO ANY AUTHORITY.
77. WAS THE PROPERTY CHARGED IN THIS CLAIM TAKEN BY TROOPS ENCAMPED IN THE VICINITY, OR WERE THEY ON THE MARCH, OR WERE THEY ON A RAID OR EXPEDITION, OR HAD THERE BEEN ANY RECENT BATTLE OR SKIRMISH?
JACOB: THE PROPERTY WAS TAKEN BY TROOPS CAMPED AT TWO PLACES, SOME AT BRABSON’S MILL ABOUT TWO MILES AND A HALF FROM ME, AND SOME WERE CAMPED AT SEVEN ISLANDS ABOUT THE SAME DISTANCE, ON THE OTHER SIDE, OR BELOW WHERE I LIVED. THE COMMANDS DID NOT REMAIN LONG AFTER THEY GOT THE PROPERTY, BUT WERE ORDERED BACK TO KNOXVILLE.
GEORGE: THE PROPERTY CHARGED IN THIS CLAIM WAS TAKEN BY TROOPS CAMPED AT SEVEN ISLANDS AND BOMANS FERRY. TO THE BEST OF MY RECOLLECTION, IT WAS DURING THE SEIGE OF KNOXVILLE, THAT THE PROPERTY WAS TAKEN.
78. YOU WILL PLEASE LISTEN ATTENTIVELY WHILE THE LIST OF ITEMS, BUT NOT THE QUANTITIES, IS READ TO YOU, AND AS EACH KIND OF PROPERTY IS CALLED OFF, SAY WHETHER YOU SAW ANY SUCH PROPERTY TAKEN.
JACOB: (FIFTY BUSHELS OF CORN) I SAW THAT TAKEN, I SAW THE OATS TAKEN, IS SAW THE FODDER TAKEN, I SAW THE BACON TAKEN, I SAW THE BEEF TAKEN.
GEORGE: I SAW THE CORN TAKEN; I SAW THE OATS TAKEN; I SAW THE FODDER TAKEN; I DID NOT SEE THE BACON TAKEN, BUT HEARD MY MOTHER SAY THEY GOT IT; SHE IS NOT LIVING NOW. I SAW THE BEEF DRIVEN OFF.
79. BEGIN NOW WITH THE FIRST ITEM OF PROPERTY YOU HAVE JUST SAID YOU SAW TAKEN, AND GIVE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION ABOUT IT. 1ST. DESCRIBE ITS EXACT CONDITION, AS, FOR INSTANCE, IF CORN, WHETER GREEN OR RIPE, STANDING OR HARVESTED, IN SHUCK, OR HUSKED, OR SHELLED; IF LUMBER, WHETHER NEW OR OLD, IN BULDINGS OR PILED; IF GRAIN, WHETHER GROWING OR CUT. &C.. &C.. 2ND. STATE WHERE IT WAS. 3RD. WHAT WAS THE QUANTITY; EXPLAIN FULLY HOW YOU KNOW THE QUANTITY, AND IF ESTIMATED, DESCRIBE YOUR MEHTOD OF MAKING THE ESTIMATE. 4TH. DESCRIBE THE QUALITY OF YOUR BEST JUDGMENT. 5TH. STATE AS NEARLY AS YOU CAN THE MARKET VALUE OF SUCH PROPERTY AT THE TIME IN THE UNITED STATES MONEY. 6TH. SAY WHEN THE PROPERTY WAS TAKEN. 7TH. GIVE THE NAME OF THE DETACHMENT, REGIMENT, BRIGADE, DIVISION, CORPS, OR ARMY, TAKING THE PROPERTY, AND THE NAMES OF ANY OFFICERS BELONGING TO THE COMMAND. 8TH. DESCRIBE THE PECISE MANNER IN WHICH THE PROPERTY WAS TAKEN INTO POSSESSION BY THE TROOPS, AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT WAS REMOVED. 9TH. STATE AS CLOSELY AS YOU CAN HOW MANY MEN, ANIMALS, WAGONS. OR OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORT, WERE ENGAGED IN THE REMOVAL, HOW LONG THEY OCCUPIED, AND TO WHAT PLACE THEY REMOVED THE PROPERTY. 10TH. STATE IF ANY OFFICERS WERE PRESENT; HOW YOU KNEW THEM TO BE OFFICERS; WHAT THEY SAID OR DID IN RELATION TO THE PROPERTY, AND GIVE THE NANES OF ANY, IF YOU CAN. 11TH. GIVE ANDY REASONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE FOR BELIEVING THAT THE TAKING OF THE PROPERTY WAS AUTHORIZED BY THE PROPER OFFICERS OR THAT IT WAS FOR THE NECESSARY USE OF THE ARMY.
JACOB: THE CORN WAS DRY AND RIPE, IT WAS IN THE CRIB, BUT NOT HUSKED. THERE WAS FIFTY BUSHELS OF THE CORN, IT WAS NOT MEASURED, BUT I ESTIMATE BY THE WAGONS, THERE WERE TWO WAGON LOADS HAULED OFF AT ONE TIME, AND ONE WAGON LOAD AT ANOTHER TIME, AND I FEEL VERY SURE FROM THE LOADS, THERE WERE AT LEAST FIFTY BUSHELS, IT WAS HAULED IN GOVERNMENT WAGONS. IT WAS GOOD SOUND DRY CORN, HAD BEEN GATHERED A GOOD BIT. CORN WAS WORTH THEN ONE DOLLAR A BUSHEL. IT WAS TAKEN, I THINK IN DECEMBER 1863. IT WAS TAKEN BY COL. DOUGHTYS COMMAND. THERE WERE SOLDIERS CAME WITH GOVERNMENT WAGONS AND LOADED UP THE CORN, AND HAULED IT OFF IN THE DIRECTION OF THE CAMPS. THERE WERE TWO WAGONS AT ONE TIME AND ONE AT ANOTHER TIME/ THERE WERE TWO SOLDIERS WITH EACH WAGON, TO THE BEST OF MY RECOLLECTION, AND FOUR MULES HITCHED TO EACH WAGON, THREE WAGONS IN ALL. THEY WERE ABOUT ONE HOUR AND A HALF LOADING THE CORN. THE TWO WAGONS, NOT QUITE SO LONG LOADING THE ONE WAGON. THEY WENT TOWARDS THE CAMPS. I DONT KNOW THAT THERE WERE ANY OFFICERS PRESENT, BUT SOLDIERS OR FORRAGE MASTERS. THEY SAID IT WAS FOR THE USE OF THE ARMY, AND THEY CAME WITH GOVERMENT WAGONS AND TEAMS, AND I KNEW THERE WERE TROOPS CAMPED IN THE VICINITY, HAVE BEEN IN THEIR CAMPS, AND I KNEW THE ARMY HAD TO FORRAGE ON THE COUNTY, AS IT WAS THE TIME OF THE SEIGE AT KNOXVILLE. ITEM 2 OATS 10 BUSHEL 2. THE OATS WAS IN THE BARN, AND WAS THRESHED. THERE WAS TEN BUSHELS. I ESTIMATED BY THE SACKS, I THINK THERE WERE FIVE SACKFULLS CARRIED OFF; THE OATS WAS GOOD SOUND OATS; OATS WAS THEN WORTH ONE DOLLAR A BUSHEL. THE OATS WAS TAKEN THE TIME OF THE SEIGE OF KNOXVILLE, DECEMBER 1863. THE OATS WAS TAKEN BY THE SOLDIERS THAT WERE CAMPED AT SEVEN ISLANDS, BUT I DO NOT REMEMBER THE NAME OF THE COMMANDER OF THE CAMP, BUT THEY WERE BURNSIDES MEN. THE OATS WAS CARRIED OFF IN SACKS ON HORSES. I DONT THINK ANY OFFICER WAS PRESENT. MY REASON FOR BELIEVING IT WAS FOR THE USE OF THE ARMY, ARE THE SAME AS FOR THE CORN. ITEM 3 FODDER 2 WAGON LOADS 3. THE FODDER WAS IN THE BARN; THERE WERE FIFTEEN HUNDRED POUNDS; FROM THE BULK THERE WAS IN THE BARN, I ESTIMATE THERE WAS ABOUT TWO WAGON LOADS; IT WAS GOOD DRY, SOUND FODDER; FODDER WAS THEN WORTH ONE DOLLAR A HUNDRED IT WAS TAKEN THE TIME OF THE SEIGE OF KNOXVILLE. THE FODDER WAS TAKEN BY THE SAME COMMAND THAT TOOK THE OTHER PROPERTY; CAVALRY SOLIERS CARRIED IT OFF ON THEIR HORSES. THEY WERE SEVERAL DAYS CARRYING IT OFF, AS I SUPPOSE THEY TOOK IT AS THEY FED IT. MY REASONS FOR BELIEVING THEY NEEDED THE FODDER ARE THE SAME AS FOR THE CORN AND OATS. ITEM 4 BACON 20 LBS. 4. THE SOLDIERS GOT TWENTY POUNDS OF GOOD SOUND BACON, SIDE MEAT; IT WAS WORTH TWENTY CENTS A POUND, THIS WAS THE TIME OF THE KNOXVILLE SEIGE, THEY CARRIED IT OFF IN A SACK. ITEM 5 BEEF 250 LBS. NET 5. THE SOLDIERS CAME AND DROVE OFF A BEEF THAT I OWNED, THAT I ESTIMATED TO WEIGH AT LEAST TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY POUNDS NET, OR FIVE HUNDRED GROSS; I THINK THERE WAS AN OFFICER ALONG WHEN THEY TOOK THE BEEF, AND THEY SAID THEY WERE OBLIGED TO HAVE IT. THEY DROVE HIM OFF IN THE DIRECTIONS OF THE CAMPS. BEEF WAS WORTH TEN CENTS NET, OR FIVE CENTS GROSS. THERE WAS A PRETTY SMART COMPANY OF SOLDIERS ALONG. DURING THE TIME MY PROPERTY WAS TAKEN, THE REBELS UNDER LONGSTREET, HELD THE COUNTY NORTH OF FRENCH BROAD AND HOLSTON RIVERS, AND THE FEDERALS HELD THE COUNTY SOUTH OF THOSE RIVERS, AND I LIVED INSIDE OF THE FEDERAL LINES, SOUTH OF THOSE RIVERS, IN THE TERRITORY THAT BURNSIDE HAD TO SUPPORT HIS ARMY FROM.
HIS
ATTEST JACOB X WIDNER
J.M. HAMMER MARK
SPECIAL COMMISSIONER
GEORGE: THE CORN WAS IN THE CRIB. IT WAS GOOD DRY CORN; IT WAS IN THE SHUCK. I THINK THERE WERE BETWEEN FIFTY AND SIXTY BUSHELS; I MAKE THE ESTIMATE BY THE SIZE OF THE WAGONS AND NUMBER OF LOADS; THERE WERE TWO LOADS HAULED OFF ONE DAY, AND ANOTHER LOAD, ANOTHER DAY. IT WAS GOOD DRY COR, CORN WAS THEN WORTH ONE DOLLAR A BUSHEL. IT WAS TAKEN DURING THE SEIGE OF KNOXVILLE, I THINK IN DECEMBER 1863. IT WAS THE SOLDIERS OF COL. DOUGHTYS COMMAND THAT TOOK IT . THERE CAME TWO WAGONS ONE DAY, ACCOMPANIED WITH SOME SOLDIERS, AND HAULED OFF THE CORN IN THE DIRECTION OF THE FEDERAL CAMPS, AND THERE CAME ONE WAGON ANOTHER DAY, WITH SOLDIERS AND HAULED OFF ANOTHER LOAD. THEY WERE NOT LONG LOADING IT, I DON’T KNOW JUST HOW LONG. I DON’T KNOW WHETHER THERE WERE ANY OFFICERS PRESENT, OR JUST FORRAGING SOLDIERS. MY REASONS ARE FOUNDED UPON THE FACT THAT AT THAT TIME, BURNSIDES ARMY GET MOST OF THEIR SUPPLIES FROM THIS SECTION, AND THERE WERE GOVERNMENT WAGONS, AND FEDERAL SOLDIERS THAT HAULED OFF.
OATS : THE OATS WAS THRESHED, IN GOOD CONDITION IN THE BARN, AND THE FEDERAL SOLDIERS CARRIED ABOUT FIVE SACKS OF OATS OFF ON THEIR HORSES, OATS WAS WORTH ONE DOLLAR A BUSHEL. MY REASONS THAT IT WAS FOR THE USE OF THE UNION ARMY, ARE THE SAME AS FOR THE CORN.
FODDER: THE FODDER WAS GOOD DRY FODDER, IN THE BARN OR STABLE, AND WAS CARRIED OFF ON HORSES BY FEDERAL SOLDIERS: THERE WERE ABOUT BETWEEN EIGHT
HUNDRED AND A THOUSAND BUNDLES, BUT I DON’T KNOW JUST THE AMOUNT, WORTH AT LEAST A DOLLAR AND A HALF A HUNDRED BUNDLES. I CAN’T TELL HOW MANY SOLDIERS WERE ENGAGED IN CARRYING OF THE FODDER, FOR THEY WERE SEVERAL DAYS CARRING IT OFF, AS THEY WERE CAMPED CLOSE BY, SOME TWO OR THREE MILES. I SAW THE SOLDIERS DRIVE OFF THE BEEF TOWARS THEIR CAMPS; IT WOULD HAVE WEIGHED ABOUT FIVE HUNDRED POUNDS GROSS, AS IT WAS ABOUT THREE YEARS OLD, I DON’T KNOW WHAT BEEF WAS SELLING FOR THEN. THE TIME OF THE SEIGE OF KNOXVILLE, SOLDIERS WERE FORRAGING ALL THROUGH THIS PART OF THE COUNTY.
I HAVE NOT BEEN LIVING WITH MY FATHER FOR SOMETIME NOW, BUT AM MARRIED AND LIVING TO MYSELF AND HAVE BEEN FOR ABOUT SEVEN YEARS.
ATTEST GEORGE WIDNER
J. M. HAMMER
SPECIAL COMMISSIONER