David C. Manasco Southern Claims Commission File


Transcribed By: Peter J. Gossett



Claim #20283

Submitted to Congress December 1874

Nature of Claim

Amount Claimed

Amount Allowed

Amount Disallowed

100 Bushels of Corn

$200

$100

$100

1000 Pounds of Hay

$20

$10

$10

500 Pounds of Bacon

$100

$100

$0

One Hog

$8

$8

$0

Total

$328

$218

$110

The claimant is a farmer 72 years of age. During the war, he resided in Winston County, Alabama. The proof that he remained loyal to the Union Cause is unusually full and satisfactory. In August 1862 he went to Decatur, then in Federal possession and applied to join the Union Army but was rejected on account of his age. He was in the federal camps 7 weeks when he obtained a pass from Gen. Buell and returned to his home. In May 1864 he was arrested by the Confederates charged with being a member of the Union league and kept under arrest 41 days. His property was taken by the Confederates in 1862, 1863, 1864, and 1865 and no payment made. From the beginning to the close of the war he was repeatedly threatened. Confederate officers threatened to take his life and to burn and destroy all his property. He aided Union men into the federal lines, forty one at one time. He had two sons a step-son and other kindred in the Confederate Army, yet there is no doubt but his sympathies were constantly with the Federal cause.

The property was taken March 26, 1865 by soldiers of Gen. Wilson’s Cavalry. Receipts were given for all the property charged. The first two items in one receipt which is produced the other receipt has been lost. Values were not stated in receipts. In March 1865 all kinds of supplies bore a very high price. We recommend payment of $218.

[All people answered claim questions; that’s what is follows, but this claim does not follow in any specific order the claim’s questions. Therefore, no questions appear with the answers here.]

Testimony of David C. Manasco

  1. My name is David C. Manasco, my age 71 years, my residence Winston Co in the State of Alabama, and my occupation a farmer.
  2. From the 1st day of April 1861 to the spring of 1865, I resided in Winston Co. Ala. From the spring of 1865 up to the first of June 1865, I resided in Walker Co. Ala. after which time I removed back to Winston Co. Ala. at which place I now reside during of which periods I was engaged in farming.
  3. In the month of August 1862, I crossed the military lines of the United States at Decatur Ala. and made an application to join the Union Army and was rejected on account of my age. I then got a pass from Gen. Buell and returned to my home in Winston Co. Ala. which was inside of the rebel lines.
  4. I never did.
  5. I have never taken no amnesty oath as I now remember and I never did any thing to be pardoned for by the President.
  6. I never was.
  7. I never held no office.
  8. I never did.
  9. I never was.
  10. I never was.
  11. I never was.
  12. I never did.
  13. I never was.
  14. I never did.
  15. I never was.
  16. I never was.
  17. I never did.
  18. I never did.
  19. I never was.
  20. I never was.
  21. I never was.
  22. I did. In the month of July 1862 the times got so hot. I got on my horse and rode through the United States lines to Decatur Ala. for the purpose of joining the Union Army and was rejected on account of my age. I was in the camps with the United States Soldiers seven weeks. I had no other business than to join the Union Army. I then got a pass from Gen. Buell and returned to my home in Winston Co. Ala.
  23. I was not.
  24. I was. At my residence in Winston Co. Ala. on the 4th day of May 1864 by Col. McCaskill and was kept under arrest 41 days. I was released by Maj. Walthell? in conscript camps at Talledega Ala. upon the grounds that the Confederate authorities failed to prove the charges for which I was arrested and the charges were that I belonged to the Union league a secret organization which was gotten up for the purpose of suppressing the Confederate Army or at least that was my understanding. I did not take no oath or pledge of any kind to get released. I never was arrested by the United States authorities.
  25. In the years 1862, 1863, 1864, and 1865, my horses corn and meat was taken by the Confederate authorities for which I never received no pay.
  26. I was from the beginning of hostilities to the end thereof by Col. McCaskill Capt. Freeman Johnson and Lt. James E. Cox and Capt. Jones. The threats were to take my life and to burn and destroy everything I had for my Union sentiments.
  27. Nothing more than I have already stated.
  28. I have fed Union men of my own country who were passing by my residence in to the United States lines and I taken forty one (41) men across the United States lines myself at one time.
  29. Nothing more than what I have stated in question no. 28.
  30. I had two sons in the Confederate army, Archabal & George W. Manasco, one step son Isiah Hopson, two nephews Jeremiah & J.K.P. Manasco all of whom are now living except Jeremiah Manasco, all now living in Walker and Winston Counties Ala. except J.K.P. Manasco who is now living at Memphis Ten. and Geo. W. Manasco who is now living in the State of Arkansas. I did not do any thing for them in any shape manner or form while they were engaged in the rebel service. I do not now recollect that I had any relatives in the United States army.
  31. I never did.
  32. I never did. I would rather have sunk it than to have aided it.
  33. I never was.
  34. I never was.
  35. I never was.
  36. I never was.
  37. No sir I never did nor was not educated at either of the academys.
  38. I received a pass from Maj. W.A. Hewlett for to return from Jasper Walker Co. Ala. to my house in Winston Co. Ala. I did not take any oath obligation or make any promises of any kind or in any shape to obtain the pass. I used the pass to get through Maj. W.A. Hewlett’s lines and as soon as I passed through the lines I thought so little of the pass I tore it up.
  39. I never was laboring under the disabilities imposed by the 14th Article of the Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. I have held no office since the war. I never taken the Iron Clad oath but could do it with a clear conscience.
  40. At the beginning of the rebellion I sympathized with the Union and did so untill the end and I yet sympathized with the Union and rejoiced that I am allowed that priviledge. My feelings and language were to suppress the Confederacy and I exerted my influence and cast my vote in that direction. In the year 1861 I voted for the Union candidate as a delegate to the secession convention and in the year 1860 I voted for Stephen A. Douglas for president and in the years 1868 & 1872 I voted for U.S. Grant. The ordinance of secession was not refered to the people of Ala. and if it had been I should have voted against it and after the ordinance of secession was adopted I did not go with the State, but adhered to the Union cause.
  41. I can cheerfully say from the bottom of my heart I endorse every sentiment contained with it as far as my means and power and the circumstances of the case permitted.

Testimony of John Lowrimore on loyalty of Claimant

Being first duly sworn deposes and says my age is 42 years, my residence Winston Co. Ala. and my occupation a farmer. I acquiaintance began about 23 years and was verry intimate with him during the war. I lived about one mile from the Claimant and saw him on an average from once to twice a week and conversed with him on the war its causes and progress. I was a Union man myself and Claimant regarded me as such. Claimants argument was all the time in favor of the Union and its supporters and argued that secession was treason against the Government committed by its perpetrators and as to his part he had no sympathies for the seceeding party but should stand firm for the Union the cause of our forefathers and for the support of the Union. I have conversed with the Claimant booth alone and in the presence of others and his reputation was that of a Union man by his Union neighbors and by the rebel or secession party he was called a tory or a Lyncolnite. I can not say that the claimant ever contributed any money or property to aid the Union cause, but he fed and protected Union men who were on their way to the Union Army and am satisfied Claimant carried or went with a company of men across the Union lines to join the Federal Army. From good authority Claimant gave information to Col. Strait who came out from Decatur to the foot of the mountain on a recruit and by the assistance of Claimant and some others he succeeded in getting about two companies. From the best information I can get Claimant was threatened with damage to himself his family and property, but I did not hear the threats made, but have conversed with other men who did. Claimant never contributed any thing to aid or comfort the rebellion as I have any knowledge Claimant never owned any Confederate bonds nor gave any aid or comfort to the Confederacy but he done all he could against it. The witness further states that he was a private in Company K, First Alabama Cav. U.S. Volunteers. Affiant says he knows nothing further.

John Lowrimore

Testimony of William W. Willson on loyalty of Claimant In aid of Francis Bell he being a relative of Claimant

Being first duly sworn deposes and says my age is 48 years, my residence Walker Co. Ala., and am a farmer by occupation. I have been acquainted with Claimant in this case about 15 years. I saw Claimant frequently during the war but cant say how often. From 20th Dec. 1863 where witness enlisted in Comp M First Ala. Cav. U. States Volunteers. Previous to my enlistment in the Army, I conversed with the Claimant frequently and heard him converse with others, and knew him to be as thorough a Union man and as loyal to the U.S. Government as I was myself. Claimant informed witness that at any time he (witness) was secreting himself to evade rebel cavalry, that the Claimant would feed him. I cannot speak of my own personal knowledge, but I was informed at the time by good credible witnesses and which I believe and so state it as a fact that Claimant passed through the rebel lines in the year 1862 and made an effort to join the Union Army, but was rejected on account of his age. Witness states that he did not see Claimant after he enlisted until the close of the war, but was informed by good credible witnesses that some of whome were Union soldiers, that he remained true and firm to the U.S. Government and he still remains so to the present. I have also been informed by good witnesses which I believe and so state as a fact that he was arrested by rebel cavalry in the year 1864 and imprisoned for his Union principle. Witness knows nothing farther than what he has already stated.

W.W. Wilson

Testimony of Claimant on Facts

Being first duly sworn deposed and says I was present when the property specified in my petition were taken. I also saw corn, hay, bacon, and pork hog taken. The first conversation I had was with a man I supposed from his aplets or strip that he was a Lieut. who asked me if I had any meat in that smoke house. I told him I ought to have. He then stated to me I had better go to toating it off if I wanted any, and from that they went from the smoke house to the crib untill they taken all I had. The bacon was taken from the smoke house. The corn was taken from the crib and the hay from the crib loft. The property was taken on the 26th day of March 1865 by a part of United States soldiers under command of Gen. McCook of Gen. Willson’s Cav. There were present or at least Gen. McCook said there were that many on the premises and they appeared to all be engaged in the takeup, they were engaged some two or three hours. There are other than soldiers present at the time, Miss Jane Prince who married a man by the name of Smith. A.J. Manasco and A.J. Lauderdale. There were commissioned officers present but can not prove their name nor such. I did not hear the officers give orders to take the property as they were takeing it before I was aware of it. About all that was said was that they said they were bound to eat and feed there horses if the citizens starved. The corn was taken in sacks on horses. The bacon and hay was tied up and serving to their horses and was removed to their camp on the Dikeville Road about one and half miles off. I do not know to what use the property was taken but they said they were takeing it for the use of the army as I was there in camp that night and saw them in the use of such property as mine but cant say that it was mine. I made no complaint at this time. I told the officers and soldiers that it went as free as the water that runs for I wanted them to have it if they needed it. I had Gen. McCook’s receipt for 100 bus. Corn and 1000 pounds hay, also 500 pounds bacon and one pork hog. The receipt for the bacon and hog is lost. The receipt for the corn and hay accompanies my petition. The property was all taken in the daytime in the P.M. none done in secret.

Gen. McCook’s Brigade was encamped in about 1 1/2 miles from my residence and remained in camp but over night. There had been no battle or skirmish near at this time the property was taken. The corn was good dry corn in the husk and in the crib. The hay was in the crib loft. The bacon was well cured and in the smoke house and the pork hog was taken from the lot. My means for knowing the quantity taken is this. I had measured the corn some 3 or 4 days before hand. The hay was estimated by the bundle 2 lb. to the bind and 500 binds. The bacon was weighed. The hog would have weighed about 150 lbs. and was worth $8.00. No part of the above claim has at any time been paid.

David C. Manasco

Testimony of Andrew J. Manasco on Facts

Being first duly sworn deposed and says my age is 25 years, my residence Walker Co. Ala. and am by occupation a farmer. I was present and saw all the articles named in Claimants petition taken. I saw bacon corn hay and one pork hog taken. I heard one man I taken to be a Lieut. from the dress he wore and he asked the Claimant if he had bacon in that house on being answered in the affirmative by the Claimant, he (the officers) told Claimant he had better go to packing it off if he wanted to save any, but Claimant said as the whole place was covered with soldiers there was no use to try to hide or save any. After which the bacon, corn, hay, and hog was taken the bacon was taken from the smoke house the corn from the crib the hay from the crib loft and the pork hog was taken from the lot. The property was taken to camp about one and a half miles from the residence of the Claimant. The property was taken by federal soldiers from I think they said the state of Michigan. There were about 300 hundred soldiers present at the takeing and think they were nearly or quite all engaged in the takeing. They were engaged some 2 or 3 hours in the takeing. The property was all taken on or about the 26th day of March 1865. There were present other than soldiers at the time Claimant Miss Jane Prince And Mr. A.J. Laduerdill. There was a Lt. Present and perhaps some other officers but I did not learn their names, but they said they were Michigan Volunteers. I did not hear any officer order the takeing, but the General ___ was the were forced to have it. The corn was taken in sacks on the horses, the bacon hay and pork was packed off on horses. The property was taken in the direction of their camp about 1 1/2 miles from Claimant’s. I did not follow it, but went to the camps next morning before the soldiers left and saw where the soldiers had been cooking and feeding their stock. I know nothing farther of the use of the property than the soldiers theirselves said it was further use. Claimant made us complaint, but said if they needed it to taken it. I know nothing of any voucher or receipt but Claimant said Gen. McCook gave him two receipts. The property was all taken in the daytime none at night or in secret. At the time the property was taken the army was encamped about 1 1/2 miles from Claimants. The corn was dry and in good condition, the bacon was in the smokehouse and was well cured. The hay was in the bind and in the crib loft, the pork hog was in the lot fat and supposed to weight about 150 lbs. The corn was measured 100 bus. The bacon was weighed 500 and 3 or 4 lbs. The hay was estimated at two lbs. per bind and their was 500 binds, and was all taken in my presence. I do not know that any part thereof has ever been paid. I am the son of Claimant,

Andrew J. Manasco

The witness Jane Smith deceased prior to takeing the testimony. Therefore you will perceive that the Claimant in this case has but one witness in regard to facts. John Brown, Special Commissioner.

Remarks by the Special Commissioner

State of Alabama, Walker County. I, John Brown, Commissioner to take testimony in cases pending before "the Commissioners of Claims," now pending before them against the United States, and as Probate Judge in and for the County of Walker and State of Alabama do certify that David C. Manasco of Winston County Alabama the claimant in this cause, and as a witness and John Louramore William W. Willson and Andrew J. Manasco of Walker and Winston Counties as witnesses came before me at Jasper Walker Co. Ala. on the 15th day of October 1873. The said witnesses to testify in behalf of David C. Manasco 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 answer of each of said witnesses were taken down that after the same men carefully read over to said witnesses I caused each of them their depositions. And I further certify that said deposition have not been out of my possession since they were taken nor have the same been in any way altered or changed. Given under my hand and seal this 15 day of October 1873. John Brown.


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