Francis C. Harris' Claim

Note: Harris’ original claim was paid in 1873. However, he was not satisfied with the payment and made an appeal to the Committee of War Claims in the House of Representatives beginning about 1892. No indication was found showing where Harris ever received any additional amount. The contents of this file was found in the National Archives apart from the usual files of the Southern Claims Commission. His original petition, plus all the usual testimony on loyalty and property was not found.

Congressional Case, No. 8835, Cong. U.S. Court of Claims, Francis C. Harris vs. The United States. Motion. For call on the House of Representatives. J.C. DePutron, Attorney, 472 Louisiana Avenue, Washington, D.C. Filed, 22 April 1892, Court of Claims.

This Court cannot issue a peremptory call, but the Clerk may transmit a copy of this motion to the Clerk of the House of Representatives, and if he will furnish the papers the Clerk of this Court will receive and receipt for them, and file them with the papers in the case.

Clerk Office, House of Representatives, respectfully returned with the information that the papers in this case may be found in the office of the Third Auditor of the Treasury. James Kerr, Clerk, House of Representatives. April 21^st, 1892.

In the United States Court of Claims, Francis C. Harris vs. The United States, No. 8835, Cong. Motion. For a call on the Hon. Secretary of War. And, now, comes the claimant, by J.C. DePutron, his Attorney, who moves this Honorable Court for a Call on the Hon. Secretary of War for any information from the Confederate archives touching the loyalty or disloyalty of Francis C. Harris late of Winston County, Alabama who claims, (or whose heirs, or representatives, claim) compensation for supplies taken from him (in that county) during the late War of the Rebellion by the Army of the United States amounting to the sum of $631.

If signature of claimant does not appear so state and the reason why. [signed] J.C. DePutron, Attorney for the Claimant.

In the United States Court of Claims. 1892-3 Term. Francis C. Harris of Winston County, Alabama vs. The United States, No. 8835, Cong. Motion. For a call on the House of Representatives: And, now, comes the claimant, by J.C. DePutron, his attorney, and moves this Honorable Court for a Call on the House of Representatives for the following Original papers, or duly certified copies thereof, necessary in this cause.

The original claim filed in the office of the Commissioners of Southern Claims, and numbered 2228 and all papers and proofs related to the said claim reported to Congress. Client’s address: Lynn Station, Winston County, Alabama. J.C. DePutron, Attorney for the Claimant.

Loyalty of Claimants. Treasury Department, Office of the Secretary. Washington, D.C., October 8, 1892. The Chief Justice and Judges of the Court of Claims: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your request for duly authenticated copies of papers in the Miscellaneous Division of this Office touching the question of the loyalty of Francis C. Harris and for information as to property taken, payment for supplies furnished, etc., for the use in the case of said Harris against the United States, No. 8835, Congressional.

In answer, you are informed that it does not appear that any papers are on file in the Miscellaneous Division touching the question of the loyalty of the said Harris.

A letter from the Third Auditor, to whom the request for information as to property taken, payment for supplies furnished, etc., was referred, is herewith enclosed. Respectfully yours, [illegible] Acting Secretary.

Power of Attorney. Know all men by these presents, that I, Francis C. Harris of Lynn in the County of Winston and State of Alabama have made, constituted, and appointed, and by these presents do make, constitute, and appoint J.C. DePutron of Washington, D.C. my true and lawful attorney, for me and in my name, place and stead, hereby annulling and revoking all former Powers of Attorney whatever in the premises, to prosecute before any Department, or the Courts, or Committees of Congress of the United States until final completion, for me, my Claim for property taken by the United States forces under General Wilson during the late war of the rebellion. Claim No. 2228, amounting to six hundred and thirty one dollars, more or less, and to, from time to time, furnish any further evidence necessary or that may be demanded, giving and granting to my said attorney full power and authority to receive any draft or warrant that may be issued in settlement of said claim and to do and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as I might or could do if personally present at the doing thereof, with full power of substitution and revocation, hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said attorney or his substitute, may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

My Post Office address is Lynn Station, Winston County, Alabama.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 25^th day of August, eighteen hundred and ninety. [signed] F.C. Harris

Witnesses: [signed] Isham P. Gibson and G.W. Shipman

To the Honorable, the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled:

The petition of F.C. Harris of Lynn Station, Winston County, Alabama, respectfully shows:

That the said F.C. Harris, was a soldier in the armed forces of the United States, serving in Company L of the 1^st Regiment of Alabama Cavalry Volunteers at the time the property was taken by the United States forces:

That he has formerly filed a claim for said property taken, which claim has been disallowed by the Commissioners of Southern Claims:

He respectfully asks, that said claim No. 2228 be now re-opened by the Committee on war claims and referred to the Court of Claims, for adjudication, and as in honor bound he will ever pray, etc.

F.C. Harris, by J.C. DePutron, his Attorney

Committee on War Claims, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C., March 25^th, 1892. Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith the claim of F.C. Harris which I am directed by the Committee on War Claims to transmit to the Court of Claims for an investigation and determination of facts under the provisions of an Act entitled "An Act to afford assistance and relief to Congress and the Executive Departments in the investigation of claims and demands against the Government," approved March 3^rd, 1883.

I am, sir, very respectfully, E.M. Biddle, Jr., Clerk to the Committee. Hon. William A. Richardson, Chief Justice United States Court of Claims.

May 28^th, 1892. Sir: In answer to your endorsement of April 9^th, 1892, on request of Court of Claims in case of Francis C. Harris, No. 8835, Cong., you are informed that an examination of the Records of this office shows the following claim No. 34,794 in favor of Francis C. Harris, of Winston County, Alabama, filed July 6^th, 1874, for:

One horse ($150); 75 bushels corn at $2 per bushel ($150); 600 pounds bacon at 25 cents per pound ($150); 500 pounds pork at 10 cents per pound ($50); 100 pounds lard at 25 cents per pound ($25); 1 barrel syrup ($40); 1 barrel meal ($6); 1 barrel flour ($10); 186 soldiers fed, on detached service ($50); total amount claimed ($631).

On which commission allowed as follows: for 75 bushels of corn $75, for 600 pounds bacon $20, for 500 pounds pork $50, total allowed $145, paid per settlement No. 896 of 1874.

No other payments to Francis C. Harris, or claims in his favor appear on the Records. As claimant gives no information as to kind or quantity of stores, date or place of purchase or taking, or name of officer or command, it is impracticable to make any satisfactory examination of the accounts of purchasing or disbursing officers who may have paid for stores if purchased or taken. Respectfully, W.H. Hart, Auditor. To Hon. Secretary of the Treasury.

Notes: The 1860 Winston County Federal Census for Eldridge (Township 12, Range 10 West) recorded Francis C. Harris was born about 1828 in South Carolina; Delila was born in Georgia about 1835.

Francis C. Harris enlisted in the 1^st Alabama Cavalry, U.S.A. in Fayette County on 25 Sep 1863; promoted to Sergeant; mustered out at Rome, Georgia on 28 Sep 1864.

The 1867 Winston County Voter Registration List recorded Francis Gerry Harris was born 21 Feb 1826 in Abbeville District, South Carolina.

The 1870 Winston County Federal Census for Houston (Township 11, Range 9 West) recorded F.C. Harris was born in Georgia about 1826; Delila was born in Georgia about 1832.

The 1880 Winston County Federal Census (Township 11, Range 10 West) recorded Frank C. Smith was born in South Carolina about 1826; Delilah M. was born in Georgia about 1832.

His monument in the Sardis Baptist Church #1 Cemetery recorded F.C. Harris was born 21 Feb 1826 and died 1 Mar 1897. L.M. Harris was born 8 Jan 1833 and died 2 Mar 1897.

Home