William Dodd, Jr.'s Claim

Claimant swears to his loyal sympathies and that he voted for Col Sheets Union candidate for the convention. That he furnished provisions for recruits and recruiting officers of U.S. Army in the hills of Winston; that he was arrested and imprisoned and finally taken to Rome Georgia by the Rebels, whence he made his escape. He had two brothers in the Union Army, no relatives in the Rebel Army and was in no way complicated with the Rebellion. Since the war has served as Assessor of Internal Revenue and taken the Iron Clad Oath. Claimants testimony is confirmed by two witnesses, and we find him loyal. The supplies were taken by Gen Wilson’s Command in March 1865, and we allow the sum of one hundred and thirty five dollars.

It is hereby certified, that on the 7th day of January 1873, at Jasper, in the county of Walker and State of Alabama, personally appeared before me the following persons, viz: William Dodd, Jr., Claimant, [of Houston] for the purpose of a hearing. John Brown, Special Commissioner of the Commissioners of Claims.

1. In answer to the First General Interrogatory, the Deponent says: My name is William Dodd, Jr., my age 39 years, my residence Winston County, in the State of Alabama, and my occupation a farmer.
2. I resided where I now reside and own real estate and owned eighty acres of land. About thirty acres of which was in cultivation and about fifty acres was woodland, and situated in Winston County, Alabama, and I was at the time a farmer. I did not change my residence nor business during that.
3. I never did.
4. I never did.
5. I have in the year 1865 in Winston County Ala. under Andy Johnson’s Proclamation. I have never been pardoned by the President.
6. No sir.
7. I did not.
8. I did not.
9. I was not.
10. I was not.
11. I was not.
12. I never was a minute in my life.
13. I was never conscripted nor was never in the Confederate service in any other way.
14. I did not.
15. I was not.
16. I did not and was not.
17. I did not.
18. I never was and did not.
19. I did not.
20. I was not.
21. I was not and did not.
22. I did not.
23. I was not.
24. I was arrested by the so called Confederate officer Col. McCaskill on the 17th day of April, 1864 and was put in the jail in the town of Jasper, Walker County, Alabama, and was kept there seven or eight days; from thence I was carried to Rome, Ga, where I made my escape and returned to my home in Winston County, Ala. I never was arrested by the United States authorities.
25. My corn and meal were taken regularly when they were about me for which I never received any pay. My house was robbed by one Capt. Becknell of the Confederate Army.
26. I was threatened by my wife’s brother, Moses Holcombe, he drew a gun on me for my union principals, cocked it and threatened to shoot and was prevented [by M.M. Cox; see Don Umphrey's Southerner's in Blue].
27. Nothing that I recollect particularly, only as above stated.
28. Nothing more, only I carried provisions to recruiting officers of the United States’ Army, Capt. J.J. Hinds, John N. Bond, Capt. Sanford Trammel, who were in the hills of Winston County, Ala., who dare to show themselves publicly.
29. Nothing more only all the information I recieved from the rebels I carried and gave it to United States soldiers who were encamped near my residence, such as newspapers and other information.
30. I had no relatives in the Confederate Army. I had two brothers in the United States’ Army, Franklin and John Dodd, who belonged to Company L, First Alabama Cavalry, commanded by Col. George E. Spencer.
31. I never owned any Confederate Bonds nor did I ever do anything to support the credit of the Confederacy.
32. I never did.
33. I never was.
34. I was not.
35. I did not.
36. I was not.
37. I never held any office in the United States Army neither was I educated at either one of the Academy’s.
38. I never recieved no pay from the Confederate Government.
39. I was not and am not. I have. Assessor of Internal Revenue in the 3d Revenue District of Alabama. I took an oath of office which was called the Iron Clad Oath.
40. At the beginning of the Rebellion I sympathised with the Union Cause. I felt just like our country was ruined, and I also said that our government would be ruined to be divided. I exerted my influence in behalf of the Union Cause. In 1860, I voted for Col. C.C. Sheets, the Union candidate of Winston County, to the Secession Convention of Alabama. The Ordinance of Secession was not referred to the people of Alabama, and if it had been, I should have voted against it. And after the Ordinance of Secession was adopted, I still adhered to the Union Cause and did not go with the State.
41. In conclusion, I do solemly declare that from the beginning of hostilities against the United States to the end thereof, my sympathies were constantly enlisted for the cause of the United States. That affiant further says that he endorses every question contained in the Interrogatorys.

First being duly sworn deposes and says my name is John N. Baughn, age 34 years, residence Winston County, occupation a farmer. My acquaintance was intimate with Claimant during the war. I lived about two and a half or three miles from Claimant. I saw him often, once or twice a week and probably oftener with the exception of the time from Sept. 1863 to June 27th or 28th 1865. I was in the United States Service. During the period of time above mentioned I was at home in Winston Co. and saw Claimant frequently. I came home as Recruiting Officer for the U.S. Army. In fact I saw him after, except from about the 1st of Sept. 1863 to Mch 1st 1864, at which latter period I was detailed as recruiting officer. About six months of the time I was in service I never saw Claimant but I never heard anything that would have prejudiced his union sentiments during the period of six months. During the period that I was intimate with Claimant, he and I had several conversations about the war and its causes and progress. Claimant alway[s] advocated the cause of the Union in my presence. He said after that he hoped the United States’ Army would supress the Rebellion. I was a Union man and was so regarded by Claimant. I was in the United States Army Company L, 1st Alabama Cavalry. Claimant at one time I remember carried provisions to a crowed of United States soldiers, who were lying in the woods of whom I was one. While myself and others were scouting and recruiting, Claimant would (would) inform us where the Confederate Cavalry was. Claimant expressed himself publicly and aloud as being opposed to the Rebellion. Claimant was publicly known to be a union man from the beginning of the hostilities to the end thereof, as far as I know, and was so regarded by his neighbors and the United States Soldiers and that the United States Soldiers were not afraid to see Claimant during the whole war so far as carrying news to the Rebels. Claimant never contributed any money or property to aid the Union Cause, or its Army, or gave information to its Officers and Soldiers no further than what I have already stated so far as I know. I do not know whether Claimant was ever molested or threatened on account of his union sentiments, except what I have heard. I was informed during the Rebellion that Claimant was arrested by Confederate soldiers and put in Jail in Jasper, Walker County, Alabama which information was reliable. I do not know whether Claimant ever contributed any thing to aid the Confederate cause, its Officers or soldiers, but I am satisfied that he did not. I do not know whether Claimant ever owned any Confederate Bonds, or did any thing to sustain the credit of the Confederate States, but I am satisfied that he did not. Claimant could not have proved his loyalty to the Confederacy if it had been established as a Government from the fact that he said he was oposed to the Confederacy and in favor of the United States’ Army whipping the Rebels, and that he also fed United States’ soldiers during the Rebellion, and that since the war he has been a United States Internal Revenue Officer. Affiant says he is not related to Claimant.

Who first being duly sworn deposes and says: My name is M.M. Cox, age 35 years old, residence Marion County, Alabama, occupation a farmer, and brother-in-law of Claimant. My acquaintance began with Claimant about sixteen years ago. I was intimately acquainted with him during the war. In the year 1863, I lived within one mile of Claimant and the balance of the time during the war, my residence was about ten miles from Claimants. During the period I lived within one mile of Claimant which was in Winston County, Ala. I saw Claimant often, about once every two or three days and sometimes oftener, during of which time I conversed with him often about the war, its cause and progress. And during the time I lived ten miles from Claimant, my residence was in Marion County, Ala. and did not see Claimant very often, from the fact that in December, 1863, the latter part of the year, which I lived within one mile of Claimant, I enlisted in the United States army. I was sent back to Winston County as a recruiting Officer, and my residence during of that time, was in the woods. The claimant very often gave me news of the whereabouts of the Rebels, and also gave me provisions to eat which took place in the year 1864 and 1865. I conversed often with the Claimant during the time I lived within one mile of him and also when I was Recruiting Officer. Affiant says that he was an adherent to the Union Cause and was so regarded by the Claimant. Claimant often told me that he was oposed to the Confederacy and the cause in which it was engaged, and that he was in hopes that the United States Authorities would suppress the Rebellion. Affiant says that he only knew Claimants sympathies from his expressions and his acts in feeding me while I belonged to the United States’ Army, and I conversed with Claimant alone and publicly on the subject of the war. Claimant s public reputation was known to be that of a Union man and was so regarded by his loyal neighbors. Claimant never contributed any thing to aid the Union Cause or Army, its Officers or Soldiers, or gave any information to their movement no further than I have stated, that I know of. I do not know within my own knowledge, that Claimant was ever molested or threatened on account of his union sentiments, but affiant says that he has been creditably informed that Claimant was arrested by Confederate soldiers and put in jail at Jasper Ala. on account of his union sentiments. Claimant never contributed any aid to the Confederacy, its Officers or soldiers, or ever owned any Confederate Bonds, or did any thing to sustain its credit, as he knows of, but is satisfied in his own mind that he never did. Affiant further states that he was in the United States’ Army Company A commanded by Capt. J.J. Hinds, 1st Alabama Cavalry, Col. George E. Spencer’s regiment, and that he was fed by Claimant while he was engaged in such service and his saying to me that he was in favor of the United States’ Government whipping of the Confederacy back into the Union that Claimant could not have proven his loyalty to the Confederacy, if it had been established.

Who being duly sworn deposes and says:

1. I was present and saw all the articles named in my petition taken.
2. One sorrell mare, and one man’s saddle and fifteen bushels of corn.
3. One sorrell mare, six years old, one man’s saddle and fifteen bushels of corn.
4. They were taken from my premises in Winston County, Ala. on the 26th day of March, 1865, by Wilson’s Cavalry, or at least the men who took the property, said they belonged to Wilson’s Cavalry. About four or five men or soldiers were engaged in the taking. I do not know how many soldiers were present, but I suppose there were about six hundred. It only took them a few minutes to take the property. All the men or soldiers that were on my premises at the time of the taking were dressed in blue.
5. There was no others present and saw the property taken, except myself and two women whose names are Sarah and Martha Herndon, who now live in Texas County, Missouri.
6. There was one soldier who rode up in a few minutes after the taking and said that he was a Lieutenant and belonged to Geo. Wilson’s Cavalry whose name I did not learn. He did not order the property taken from the fact he was not at the taking, but he said I should be paid for the property.
7. The mare was taken out of the stable. The saddle was taken from the dwelling house and the corn from the crib. Affiant says that this is all he knows.
8. My bridle was put on the mare and the saddle and was rode away in the ranks of the soldiers. The corn was put into sacks and carried away on horses.
9. I suppose it was removed to their camps, which were about a half mile from my premises, though I did not follow them. I saw their lights in their encampment from my premises.
10. The soldiers told me that they took the property for the use of the Army. I did not see them use the property, only to ride the mare away.
11. There was no complaint to any officer on account of the taking.
12. There was no voucher or receipt asked for, nor none given. The reason that I did not ask for any receipt or voucher from an officer, was on account of my wife’s confinement.
13. The property was all taken publicly in the day time at about 9 o’clock A.M.
14. The Army was camped or that portion that took the property about one half mile from my premises, and left next morning. I do not know what regiment it was. They said it was Gen. Wilson Cavalry. There had been no battle or skirmish near there before the taking. I did not know the quarter master’s name or any of the other officers.
15. My mare was six years old, about 15 1/2 hands high, a fine work animal to the plow, never had been abused or strained in any way, and sound in fine order, gates that of a walk and fox trot, active as a cat, and if I had her to day I would not take less than one hundred and fifty dollars for her. My saddle was an old citizen saddle for which I had given $17.00 about a year before it was taken and it was as good as new. It was plain hog skin seated saddle, lounge skirts and full stock and iron stirrups. My corn was dry, harvested, in the crib and shucked. I had never measured my corn, but I am satisfied from the pile in my crib, that there was twenty bushels. I am satisfied there was more than any good wagon load in a bed which would hold twenty bushels. I judge the quantity of corn by my experiance of measuring up piles of corn in cribs and measuring of wagon beds. (Ans to Int 16 embraced in Int 15).

Who first being duly sworn deposes and says, my name is Elijah Dodd, age 19 years, residence Winston County, Ala., and a brother of Claimant. I was not present and did not see the property mentioned in Claimant’s petition taken, or any part thereof. Affiant says that he was at Claimant’s house in the day before the taking and was at Claimant’s house on the same day that the property was taken and the property named in Claimant’s petition was gone from Claimant’s premises. Affiant says that he saw United States’ Soldiers about a quarter of a mile from Claimant’s premises, or at least they said they were United States’ soldiers, and were dressed in blue. They said that there were about fifteen thousand. All this was on or about the 26th day of March, 1865. On the day the property was taken after I arrived at Claimant’s residence, there was considerable sign of soldiers having been on his premises, such as horse tracks, fencing being down &c. Claimant had such property as is named in his petition the day before said soldiers passed his premises and immediately after they passed it was gone. Affiant knows nothing further.

Being first duly sworn deposes says, that my age 35 years, residence Larrisa Winston County ala, within half mile of Claimant. I was not present when any property specified in claimant’s petion was taken, but I was there the night before the property was taken in the day and Claimant had such property that night as is named in his petition, but I was at his residence in a day or two after the property was said to have been taken and about that long after Gen. Wilson’s Command passed through the neighborhood, and the mare and saddle and some corn was gone; and Claimant told me the property was taken by said Command. I never saw said property in possession of U.S. soldiers. My brother, Claimant, had not owned the mare very long, but from the best of my recollection she was a common sized, well shapen mare, in good work condition and about from five to seven years old, and worth from one hundred and twenty five to one hundred and fifty dollars. The saddle was a citizen saddle, some two or three years worn, worth some $14 or $15. The first cost of such a saddle would be about twenty dollars. I do not know how much corn was taken, but I am satisfied there was corn taken. I never saw any of the property used after it was taken because the Army was in a moving condition.

The State of Alabama, Walker County. I, John Brown commissioner to take in causes pending before the Commissioners of Claims, now pending before these against the United States, and a Probate Judge in and for the County of Walker and State of Alabama, do certify that William Dodd Jr., of Winston County in said State, the Claimant in this cause, and as a witness and John N. Baughn of Winston and M.M. Cox of Marion County Ala. on Loyalty and Elijah Dodd and Carroll Dodd of Winston County, Ala. on facts as witnesses and counsel, came before me at Jasper, Walker County and State of Alabama, on the 7th day of January A.D. 1873, the said witnesses to testify in behalf William Dodd, Jr. the Claimant in this cause; that before said witnesses were examined they were each severally sworn by me to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, relative to said claim, that the answers of each of said witnesses were taken down; that after the same were carefully read over to said witnesses, I caused of them to subscribe his saide deposition. And I further certify, that said depositions have not been out of my possession since they were so taken nor have the same been in any way altered or changed. Given under my hand and seal this 7th day of January A.D. 1873.

John Brown
Special Commissioner