Dennis Cantrell's Claim

Submitted to Congress 4 Dec 1876

Warrant issued 11 Apr 1877

Remarks: Claimant was a resident of Winston County, Alabama. He was a soldier in the Federal Army. The property was all taken in 1864. There were five acres of corn standing in the field which was first taken; subsequently, three cows and a wagon. No voucher was given or payment made. We recommend the payment of $225. [signed] A.O. Aldis, J.B. Howell, and O. Ferriss, Commissioner of Claims.

To the Honorable Commissioners of Claims, Under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1871,Washington, D.C.: The petition of Dennis C. Cantrell respectfully represents:

That he is a citizen of the United States, and resides at present at or near Houston, Winston County, Alabama and he resided when this claim accrued at nor near 1^st, Mooresville, Limestone County, Alabama; 2^nd near Paint Rock, Jackson County, Alabama.

That he has a claim against the United States for property taken for the use of the army of the United States during the late rebellion in the State of Alabama.

That the said claim, stated by items, and excluding any and all items of damage, destruction, and loss, (and not use), of property; of unauthorized or unnecessary depredations by troops and other persons upon property, or of rent or compensation for the use or occupation of buildings, grounds, or other real estate, is as follows: 100 bushels of corn, the shucks and fodder at $1 per bushel ($100); 3 head beef cattle, averaging 400 pounds each, at 12 ½ cents per pound ($150); 1 wagon worth one hundred dollars ($100).

That the property in question was taken or furnished for the use of a portion of the army of the United States, known as General Granger’s Infantry and Cavalry and commanded by General Granger, and that the persons who took or received the property, or who authorized or directed it to be taken or furnished, were the following: General Granger, Brigadier General, Stationed 1^st at Decatur, 2^nd at Huntsville, Alabama.

That the property was removed to camps near Mooresville and 2^nd to camps near Paint Rock, Jackson County, Alabama and used for or by said officers and soldiers, all this on or about the 1^st, the last of August or first of September and first of December in the year 1864.

That no voucher, receipt, or other writing was given for the property thus taken.

That your petitioner verily believes that the property described was taken under the following circumstances, or one or more of such circumstances, viz:

1. For the actual use of the army, and not for the mere gratification of individual officers or soldiers already provided by the Government with such articles as were necessary or proper for them to have.
2. In consequence of the failure of the troops of the United States to receive from the Government in the customary manner, or to have in their possession at the time, the articles and supplies necessary for them, or which they were entitled to receive and have.
3. In consequence of some necessity for the articles taken, or similar articles; which necessity justified the officers or soldiers taking them.
4. For some purpose so necessary, useful, beneficial or justifiable as to warrant or require the Government to pay for it.
5. Under the order or authority of some officer, or other person connected with the army, whose rank, situation, duties, or other circumstances at the time authorized, empowered, or justified him in taking or receiving it, or ordering it to be taken or received.

That I was loyal, and had been a soldier in the service of the United States at the taking of said property and the original owner of said claim, and that no other person had any interest in or share thereof and am the present owner of the same.

That your petitioner remained loyally adherent to the cause and the Government of the United States during the war, and so loyal before and at the time of the taking of the property for which this claim is made, and he solemnly declares that, from the beginning of hostilities against the United States to the end thereof, his sympathies were constantly with the cause of the United States; that he never, of his own free will and accord, did anything, or offered, or sought, or attempted to do anything, by word or deed to injure said cause or retard its success, and that he were at all times ready and willing, when called upon, or if called upon, to aid and assist the cause of the Union, or its supporters, so far as his means and power, and the circumstances of the case, permitted.

That said claim has not been presented to any branch of the government or department thereof.

That Thomas C. Fullerton, of Washington D.C., is hereby authorized and empowered to act as Attorneys for the prosecution of this claim.

Wherefore your petitioner prays for such action of your Honorable Commission in the premises as may be deemed just and proper. [signed] Dennis C. Cantrell, Witnesses: [signed] William Dodd, Jr. and Carroll Dodd.

State of Alabama, County of Winston: I, Dennis C. Cantrell, being duly sworn, deposes and says that he is the petitioner named in the foregoing petition, and who signed the same; that the matters therein stated are true, of the deponent’s own knowledge except as to those matters which are stated on information and belief, and as to those matters he believes them to be true; and deponent further says that he did not voluntarily serve in the Confederate army or navy, either as an officer, soldier, or sailor, or in any other capacity, at any time during the late rebellion; that he never voluntarily furnished any stores, supplies, or other material aid to said Confederate army or navy, or to the Confederate government, or to any officer, department or adherent of the same in support thereof, and that he never voluntarily accepted or exercised the functions of any office whatsoever under, or yielded voluntary support to, the said Confederate government. [signed] Dennis C. Cantrell, Witnesses: [signed] William Dodd, Jr., and Carroll Dodd.

Sworn to and subscribed in my presence, the 25^th day of November 1872. [signed] A.B. Hays, J.P.

Names and residences of witnesses who will be relied upon to prove loyalty:

Buckner Walker, of Houston, Winston County, Alabama

Captain J.J. Hinds, of Decatur, Morgan County, Alabama

Names and residences of witnesses who will be relied upon to prove the other facts alleged in the foregoing petition:

Tennessee A. Williams, of Houston, Winston County, Alabama

Richard Penn, of Basham’s Gap, Morgan County, Alabama

Mary S. Carter, of Basham’s Gap, Morgan County, Alabama

John D. Cantrell, of Houston, Winston County, Alabama

James Penn, of Houston, Winston County, Alabama

Post office address of claimant: Houston, Winston County, Alabama

Post office address of attorney: Washington, D.C.

Before the Commissioners of Claims, Under Act of Congress of March 3^rd, 1871.

In the matter of the Claim of Dennis C. Cantrell of Houston, in the County of Winston and State of Alabama.

Comes now the Claimant before John C. Moore, Esq., Special Commissioner for the State of Alabama, and represents that he has heretofore filed with the above-named Commissioners a Petition for the allowance of a claim for property taken for the use of the army of the United States, which claim, as stated below, does not exceed the sum of five thousand dollars.

That the said claim, stated by items, and excluding there from all such items as refer to the damage, destruction and loss, and not the use, of property; to unauthorized or unnecessary depredations of troops and other persons upon the property, or to rent or compensation for the occupation or buildings, grounds or other real estate, is as follows:

5 acres of corn in the field, averaging 20 bushels per acre, making 100 bushels at $1.00 per bushel ($100); 1200 of beef cattle at 12 ½ cents per pound ($150); 1 good wagon ($100); total $350.

That, as stated in the Petition referred to, the property in question was taken from or furnished in the State of Alabama, for the use of a portion of the army of the United States.

That the property was removed on or about the 24^th day of September, and first day of December, in the year 1864, as appears by the petition presented to the Commissioners.

That, by the following named persons, the claimant expects to prove that, from the beginning of hostilities against the United States to the end thereof, his sympathies were constantly with the cause of the United States; that he never, of his own free will and accord, did anything, or offered, or sought, or attempted to do anything, by word or deed, to injure said cause or retard its success, and that he was at all times ready and willing, when called upon, or if called upon, to aid and assist the cause of the Union, or its supporters, so far as his means and power and the circumstances of the case permitted.

That, by the following named persons, the Claimant expects to prove the taking or furnishing of the property for the use of the army of the United States:

Tennessee A. Williams, of Winston County, Alabama

John D. Cantrell, of Winston County, Alabama

The claimant now prays that the testimony of the witnesses just designated be taken and recorded, at such place and at such time as the Special Commissioner may designate at the proper cost of the said Claimant; and that due notice of the time and place of the taking thereof be give to the Claimant, through his counsel.

Submitted 1873. [signed] Thomas C. Fullerton, Attorney.

Before the Commissioners of Claims, Washington, D.C.: Claim of Dennis C. Cantrell of the County of Winston and State of Alabama, numbered 18022.

It is hereby certified that on the 5^th and 6^th of April, 1875, at Houston, in the County of Winston and State of Alabama came personally before me, for the purpose of a hearing in the above-entitled cause, the following persons, namely: Dennis C. Cantrell, Claimant.

Tennessee A. Williams, Witness

John D. Cantrell, Witness

Each and every deponent, previous to his or her examination, was properly and duly sworn or affirmed to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth concerning the matters under examination; the claimant’s witnesses were examined separately and apart from each other; the testimony of each deponent was written out by me in the presence of such deponent, who signed the same in my presence after having the deposition read aloud to such deponent, and the signature of such deponent was by me attested at the time it was affixed to the deposition.

Witness my hand and seal this 6^th day of April 1875. [signed] John C. Moore, Special Commissioner

1 – Dennis C. Cantrell, 52 years of age. I reside in the County of Winston and State of Alabama and have so resided most of the time for 16 years. My occupation is that of a farmer.

2 – I am the claimant.

3 – In the State of South Carolina, District of Spartanburg.

4 – I resided in said County of Winston from the year 1859 until March 1864. At this time, I moved through the lines in to Limestone County, Alabama where I made a crop in the year 1864. In the winter of 1864, I moved to Stevenson, Alabama. In the spring of 1865 I moved back to Limestone County, Alabama and there I remained until after the surrender. When I first moved from said County of Winston in the year 1864, I moved because a man of my principles could not live here in safety. I never followed any business during the rebellion except farming excepting the time I was in U.S. service.

5 – They were on the Union side from beginning to the end of the rebellion.

6 – I did not.

7 – I was.

8 – I served as a U.S. soldier for 12 months. I also in the years 1862 and 1863 fed scores of Union men and U.S. solders. I fed Dock Spain and William Looney, who was a U.S. scout and many Union layouts, whose names I can’t now recollect. I also fed W.W. Young who belonged to the 1^st Alabama Cavalry.

9 – I had one brother, John S. Cantrell in the 1^st Alabama Regiment Cavalry. He entered service at Camp Davis, Mississippi in the year 1863 in Company D. He was captured by Stokely Robert’s Rebel forces and turned over to Moreland’s Battalion and was by them murdered. I also had a son, James H. Cantrell, in the 1^st Regiment Alabama Cavalry Volunteers in Company D. My son entered said service the 4^th day of February 1863 at Glendale, State of Mississippi and was honorably discharged 11^th day of February 1864 at Memphis, Tennessee. I carried him with me into service. We both entered service and were both discharged at the same time.

10 – I was in the service as before stated and I will attach to this deposition my discharge paper that you may see and know all about it.

[I examined discharge and it was returned to claimant as requested. It is dated February 10, 1864 and [recites] enlistment 1 Feb 1863—expiration of term of service. It is signed W.F. Fanfold, Maj. 1^st Alabama Cavalry. countersigned by Capt. George A. Williams. Discharged at Memphis—O. Ferriss]

11 – I contributed service as before stated and provisions to the Union men and soldiers as before stated and nothing else.

12 – I advocated the Union cause from beginning to the end of the rebellion. I voted against secession all the time and I voted no ticket but the Republican ticket at present.

13 – I adhered to the Union cause from beginning to the end of the rebellion.

14 – I was sorry and troubled at the Battle of Bull Run and Manassas and much rejoiced at the capture of New Orleans, and the fall of Vicksburg and the final surrender of the Confederate forces.

15 – Colonel George E. Spencer of the 1^st Alabama Cavalry in the year 1864 when everything was scarce in the way of provisions give me a verbal order to forage to get bread for myself and family.

16 – I think I did. I was deputy sheriff of my county since the close of the war, in the year 1867 or 1868. I think I took it, before I entered on my duties as said sheriff.

17 – Riley Cole, John Williams and Sergeant Anderson Looney and John Bird Penn belonging to the 1^st Alabama Regiment Cavalry Volunteers in Company K or I. I don’t recollect which. None of them will be called to prove my loyalty from the fact I send up my discharge, attached, at the close of my deposition, which I suppose will fully establish my loyalty.

18 – I was threatened and hunted after, to be killed night and day by the Rebs in the year 1862 by Captain Lewis and Captain Mayfield that belonged to Rebel General Roddy’s command. They also took my gun and two horses worth at least $400. They were so tight after me on account of my Union principles that myself and son went and joined the U.S. army

19 – An attempt was made to arrest me, as I was on my way to Glendale, State of Mississippi, but I fuddled the Confederate soldier that attempted it and escaped without arrest.

20 – My gun and horses as before stated was taken and two beef cattle by the Rebel cavalry. I never got any pay for them to the Confederate Government or to any officer thereof.

21 – It was not, only as before stated.

22 – I never did.

23 – The Rebs never used any force from the fact they could never get hold of me. I always kept out of their way.

24 – I was not.

25 – I was not.

26 – I did not.

27 – I never did.

28 – I was not.

29 – I was not.

30 – I never did.

31 – I did not.

32 – I never did.

33 – I never was.

34 – I never did.

35 – I never did.

36 – I had two brothers, Middleton T. Cantrell, 22 years of age, and Henry Cantrell, 18 years of age. At the time of entering Confederate Service, they both lived in the State of Georgia in the County of Towns. The youngest was slain in Confederate battle at Missionary Ridge Battle. The oldest is still living in the State of Georgia. I wrote to them and tried to keep them from joining the Confederate army and in no way did I contribute to their outfit and support.

37 – I have not.

38 – I have never done anything for which to be pardoned.

39 – I took the oath of amnesty in Scottsborough, Alabama on the 13^th day of October 1865 before Andrew Poe, Captain and Provost Marshall. I took said oath because I was willing to protect, support and defend the Constitution of the U.S. and the Union of the states there under and support all acts of Congress and proclamation of the President made during the rebellion &c &c.

40 – I was not

41 – I never was.

42 – There never was.

43 – There was not.

44 – I can’t recollect that I ever voted once, but if I did vote more than once I know that I voted against all Secession Candidate for I know that I voted in the Union side, and up to the present I vote square out, with the Republican party.

45 – I did not.

46 – I was not. I escaped by lying out and joining the U.S. army.

47 – I was not.

48 – I did not.

49 – I was not.

50 – I was not.

51 – As before stated, I was in the U.S. service in the 1^st Regiment Alabama Cavalry Volunteers in Company D; Captain Julius Shirtliff, Col. George E. Spencer. I volunteered, mustered into the service 4^th February 1863 at Glendale, Mississippi. (My son, James H. Cantrell, volunteered at the same time, in the same company and regiment). Myself and son was honorably discharged the 11^th day of February 1864 at Memphis, Tennessee. I was a sergeant. My son was a private.

66 – I was. I worked and made the corn and I bought the wagon and cattle. I paid for them with my own means.

67 – The corn was taken from a farm in Limestone County, Alabama belonging to James Wood Rough. I rented 5 acres of land from him in the year 1864 and tended it in corn. The beef cattle was taken on the retreat from Decatur to Stevenson, Alabama in the Winter of 1864. The wagon was taken at the same time.

68 – I never have filed a petition in bankruptcy neither have I ever been declared at bankrupt.

72 – I saw about half of the corn taken; was present and saw the beef cattle taken. The wagon I left with family; they saw it taken.

72 – The property was all taken in the daytime.

74 – I made complaint to the wagon train when they took my corn. They said they were ordered to take corn that was all they said to me. When my cattle was taken, I complained to the Captain in charge of the cattle and told him that I did not want him to take my cattle. He said that they were obliged to have them, that the supplies of the army had been cut off by Rebel General Hood and that the army needed the beef &c. I did not know the Captain’s name. He was in charge of the cattle and wagon train.

75 – No vouches or receipts were asked for and none was given.

76 – There has not. There has not. There has not. It has not.

77 – The corn was taken by troops stationed at Decatur, Alabama. The beef cattle and wagon was taken by troops on the march.

78 – I was present and saw the corn taken (about half of it). I saw the beef cattle taken.

79 – The corn was good corn and on good land. It was on the stalk standing in the field. There was 100 bushels of corn taken by the U.S. troops. I tended 5 acres in corn that year, and there was 20 bushels or more to the acre. The man I rented land from that year sold corn to the government counting 20 bushels to the acre in the same field where my corn was raised and about the same kind of corn and amount to the acre that I raised adjoining in the same field. At the time the corn was taken, it was $1 per bushel in U.S. money. The corn was taken about the first of October 1864 by troops stationed at Decatur, Alabama belonging to General Granger’s command. The troops come with their teams, drove into the field, pulled the corn, put it in their wagons and carried it off to camps at Decatur where they were stationed. There was 3 fine beef cattle that would weigh at least 1200 pounds. They were fine and fat, good beef, had run in the corn field all the year. They were from 5 to 8 years old and were worth at the time taken 12 ½ cents per pound in U.W. money. They were taken in Dec. 1864 on the retreat from Decatur to Stevenson, Alabama. They were taken by the troops belonging to General Granger’s command. Officers were present. I don’t recollect their names. The troops drove my cattle in to the drove of cattle, owned by the army and drove them off on the march. My wagon was taken at the same time by the same troops (as my wife said). It was a good new No. 1 wagon; cost me $100 and at the time taken was worth $100 in U.S. money. The soldiers or officers said they needed the wagon to haul sick and give out soldiers. They took the wagon and carried it on in the march. There were officers present. They said they needed said property for the use of the army. Officers being present and the use of the property was put to led me to think that it was by the order of the army officers it was taken, and for the necessary use of the army of the U.S. Claimant further says that Sergeant Malius McRight who belonged to Company D, 1^st Regiment Alabama Cavalry Volunteers told him that he seen Captain Flowers, U.S. soldier, have his wagon in possession and was using it in the U.S. employ in hauling forage &c. for the army and that the whereabouts of said Captain Flowers presence, he knows not. The wagon as I believe and I am satisfied was taken and used by the troops of the U.S. army and was for the necessary benefit of the same. I further hereto attach my discharge in proof of my loyalty and when through with it, desire that you send the same back to me at Houston, Winston County, Alabama. [signed] Dennis C. Cantrell, Attest: [signed] John O. Moore, Special Commissioner.

1 – Tennessee A. Williams, 26 years of age I reside in the County of Winston, State of Alabama and have so resided about 15 years. My occupation is that of housekeeping.

2 – The claimant is my father.

72 – I was present and saw the wagon and beef cattle taken. I was drawing the wagon when it was taken by the troops.

73 – The beef cattle and wagon was taken in the day time.

74 – The troops told us to leave the wagon that they wanted it. The troops ordered the cattle drove in among the cattle that belonged to the army. The army was then on a retreat from Decatur to Stevenson. The cattle and wagon was turned over or give up to the troops without any complaint being made.

75 – None was asked for, none was given.

76 – There has not. There has not. There has not. He has not. If so, I never heard of it.

77 – The beef cattle and wagon was taken by troops on the retreat from Decatur to Stevenson, Alabama. It was in the winter of the year 1864.

78 – I was present and saw the wagon and cattle taken.

79 – There were 3 large cows in good beef order, fine and fat; had been running in the cornfield for some time. They would have weighed 1200 pounds or more and at the time taken was worth 12 ½ cents per pound in U.S. money. It was taken in the winter of 1864. The wagon was a good wagon and I really can’t say what it was worth; it was mainly through I heard father say that he gave $100 for it. The troops took the wagon and carried it on, on the march. The above property was taken by the troops of General Granger’s command on the retreat from Decatur to Stevenson, Alabama on or about the 1^st two days of December 1864. There was a great many troops and wagons; can’t tell how many. Some was walking and some was riding. They carried the beef cattle and wagon on with the army on the retreat. If officers were present I did not know them as such. We were between the two armies. They were fighting, and I was scared so bad that I can’t recollect a great deal about it. The beef cattle being taken by the troops at the time it was led me to think that it was taken by order of the army officers and was for the necessary use of the army of the U.S. [signed x her mark] Tennessee A. Williams, Attest: [signed] John C. Moore, Special Commissioner

1 – John D. Cantrell. I am 23 years of age. I reside in the County of Winston and State of Alabama and have so resided about 13 years. My occupation is that of a farmer.

2 – The claimant is my father.

72 – I was present and saw the corn taken and I saw the beef cattle taken and I know of my own knowledge that claimant and myself left his wagon and mule and two oxen hitched to it with mother, sister and the children in it on the retreat from Decatur to Stevenson, Alabama in the midst of the Federal troops and I know when we returned back the wagon was missing and mother and sister said the troops had taken it.

73 – The property I saw taken was all taken in the day time. I am satisfied from what I know about the wagon that it was taken in the day time.

74 – No complaint was made. If so, I never heard of it.

75 – None was asked for and none was given.

76 – There has not. There has not. There has not. It has not. If so, I never heard of it.

77 – The corn was taken by the command of General Granger stationed at Decatur, Alabama about the first of October 1864. The beef cattle and wagon was taken in the Winter of 1864, perhaps in the month of December by the troops of General Granger’s command on the retreat from Decatur to Stevenson, Alabama.

78 – I was present and seen the corn taken; was present and seen the beef cattle taken.

79 – The corn was standing in the field, not pulled. It was good corn. We tended that year 5 or 6 acres and it would have averaged 20 bushels to the acre or more. The man we rented land from that year sold his corn in the same field standing long side of claimant’s corn at 20 bushels per acre to the U.S. army. Our corn was as good as his and I am satisfied there was at least 100 bushels taken by the troops at the time it was taken it was worth $1 per bushel in U.S. money. The troops as before stated above the first October 1864 drove their wagons and teams into the field, pulled and loaded their wagons; took all claimant had and hauled it off to Decatur, Alabama where General Granger’s troops were stationed. The wagon and beef cattle was taken by the same command on the retreat from Decatur, Alabama to Stevenson, Alabama in the month of December 1864. The cattle was fine and fat; had been running in the cornfield, was good beef, 3 large cows would have weighed 1200 pounds or more and at the time taken was worth 12 ½ cents per pound in U.S. money. Claimant was driving his cattle along with the army was reffugeeing and was ordered to turn his cattle into the army drove which was done and the cattle was drove off on the march. The wagon was nearly new. I heard my father say it cost him $100 at the time taken it was worth $100 in U.S. money. The wagon as I suppose, and I am satisfied it was carried off on the retreat to Stevenson, Alabama. Officers were present; I knew them by their stripes, but not by name. They said they needed said property for the use of the army on account of their supplies being cut off. Officers being present when the property was taken, caused me to believe that it was taken by order of the officers in the command and was for the necessary use of the army of the U.S. [signed] J.D. Cantrell, Attest: [signed] John C. Moore, Special Commissioner

The United States to Dennis C. Cantrell: For the amount allowed him by Act of Congress, Private No. 70, approved March 3, 1877, entitled "An Act making appropriations for the payment of claims reported allowed by the Commissioners of claims under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1871. The sum of $225 payable to claimant in case of Thomas C. Fullerton, Washington, D.C. Treasury Department, Second Comptroller’s Office, April 3^rd, 1877 [signed] H. Spalding, Clerk. Treasury Department, Third Auditor’s Office, March 31, 1877, [signed] J.W. Clark, Clerk

Note: D.C. Cantrell was buried in the Cantrell Cemetery near Addison; no dates were recorded on his monument. The Winston County Register of Deaths recorded Cody Cantrell died of typhoid fever on 7 Jul 1891 at the age of 69 years, 8 months, and 21 days, or birth date 16 Oct 1821.

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