William Y. Norris' Claim

The petition of William Y. Norris respectfully represents:

That he is a citizen of the United States and resides at present in Winston County, Alabama.

That he has a claim against the United States for property and provisions taken on or about march 26^th 1865 in Walker County, Alabama by order of General Wilson as follows: 1 sorrel horse, first class, 16 hands high, 6 years old ($300); 250 pounds bacon ($62.50); 25 bushels corn ($50); for feeding Federal soldiers and doctor services ($100); total: $512.

That all the items in the above schedule were of the full value therein set forth and were taken from your petitioner for the use of and were used by the United States army that is the provisions [that] was taken on or about the 26^th day of march 1865 by General Wilson’s command and were used by said command on their march south and said horse was taken and used by said federal soldiers.

That no voucher, receipt or other writing was given therefore y the persons taking the same as aforesaid or received at any time by your petitioner.

That your petitioner resided at the time his said claim accrued in Winston County, Alabama.

That William Y. Norris was the original owner of said claim, and that he has not transferred the same or any part thereof and is the present owner of the same.

That your petitioner remained loyal adherent to the cause and the Government of the United States during the war, and was so loyal before and at the time of the taking of the property for which this claim is made.

That said claim has not before been presented to the Commissioners of Claims or any part of the Government for adjustment or to Congress.

That Stilson, Bundy & Webster, of Washington, D.C. are hereby authorized and empowered to act as his 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 x his mark] William Y. Norris

Witnesses: [signed] James A. Barton and Jonathan Barton

State of Alabama, County of Winston: I, William Y. Norris, 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 x his mark] William Y. Norris. Witnesses: [signed] James A. Barton and Jonathan Barton.

Sworn and subscribed in my presence, the 13^th day of May 1871 [signed] William H. Wilbanks, Justice of the Peace.

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

Jonathan Barton, Larissa, Winston County, Alabama

Gilford M. Barton, Larissa, Winston County, Alabama

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

Milas Eanos, Hanley P.O., Fayette County, Alabama

William Roden, Kansas P.O., Walker County, Alabama

Post office address of claimant, Larissa, Winston County, Alabama

I hereby certify that W.H. Wilbanks is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County and State and is duly commissioned and qualified as such in and for said County this May the 27^th 1871. [signed] R.W. Swinney, Clerk of County Court, Winston County, Alabama.

Before the Commissioners of Claims, Washington, D.C. Additional testimony in claim of William Y. Norris of he County of Walker and State of Alabama, numbered 2232.

It is hereby certified that on the 24^th day of June 1876 at the residence of William M. Jackson 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 John N. Baughn and Reuben Norris, Witnesses.

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 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 24^th day of June, 1876. [signed] John C. Moore, Special Commissioner.

Additional testimony in case No. 2232 of William Y. Norris of Walker County, Alabama.

1 – John N. Baughn, 37 years of age. I reside in the County of Winston, State of Alabama and have so resided about 22 years. My occupation is that of a farmer.

2 – I am not the claimant, and not of kin to him, and not interested in the success of his claim.

52 – In the favor of the claimant.

53 – I only knew William Y. Norris, the claimant, from character 15 or 20 years. I became personally and intimately acquainted with him, in the fall of 1863 and from then to the present time I have been very intimately acquainted with him.

54 – I lived in about 15 miles of him before the war.

55 – In the year 1863, the claimant was the pilot for myself and about one hundred and thirty Union men that went into the Union lines at Glendale, Mississippi of which number about 85 or 90 persons enlisted in the U.S. service in the 1^st Regiment Alabama Cavalry Volunteers. The claimant was then (said to be) a recruiting officer for said Regiment having before that served out his 12 months in the army, was then acting as a recruiting officer. I was with said claimant frequently from then to the surrender.

56 – He was from the fall of 1863 up to the surrender, a scouting and recruiting officer for the U.S. army from that time on to the surrender, I frequently passed back and forwards with him, through the line on his scouting and recruiting expeditions. He was one of the best and useful men in the U.S. service. He, I have no doubt, assisted and carried through into the U.S. lines, 250 persons.

57 – Nothing more than above stated.

58 – I do not.

59 – I never heard of claimant saying or doing anything against the Union cause. He always cursed the Confederate cause. The last time I saw him he was cursing the Confederate cause.

60 – It was loyalty to the U.S. Government. I knew it from the facts before stated the people of the country in which he lived, all spoke of him as such. He was well and widely known as a Union man and his reputation can be testified to by James M. Barton, Calloway Harris and a host of others.

61 – I can’t tell much about his neighbors during the war, but most anybody that knew him could testify to his loyalty. Jerry Files, Clem Hamner and Moses Johns on his neighbors can testify to his loyalty.

62 – I was. He did. He knew that I enlisted in Company L, 1^st Alabama Regiment Cavalry Volunteers in September 1863 and remained in service until in June 1865.

63 – I can’t say that I do of my own knowledge but I heard claimant say that the Confeds hunted after him regular. "They wanted him," and I have no doubt, if they could have caught him, that they would have hanged him. He was known as "one of them bad Union men."

64 – Nothing more than before stated.

65 – I could tell things and acts of his loyalty from now until night but think I have certainly stated enough.

[signed x his mark] John N. Baughn; Attest: [signed] John C. Moore, Special Commissioner

1 – Reuben Norris, 41 years of age. I reside in the County of Walker and State of Alabama and have so resided most all my life. My occupation is that of a farmer.

2 – I am not the claimant and not of kin to him and I am not interested in the success of his claim.

52 – I am here to testify for William Y. Norris, the claimant.

53 – I have known him all my life. We were boys raised together, near each other.

54 – I lived in 10 miles of him at the coming up of the war, notwithstanding the distance we lived apart we were intimately acquainted and in this section of country people living that near each other are frequently called neighbors and know a great deal about each others opinions &c, &c.

55 – I did. I was with him in U.S. service for 12 months and then he was a recruiting and scouting officer for the U.S. army until the surrender. I was with him and lay out with him time and again from 1863 to the surrender.

56 – I talked many times with him and heard him talk often. He was a square out Union man, showed it by his service for the U.S. Government. He enlisted in the U.S. service in Company K or I (I don’t recollect which) in the 1^st Alabama Regiment Cavalry Volunteers about the year 1862.

57 – Nothing more than before stated and such like things.

58 – I do not.

59 – I never heard of the claimant saying or doing anything for the Rebel cause and all I ever heard of him saying or doing was for the Union cause.

60 – His reputation was that of loyalty to the U.S. Government. I knew his reputation by being with him in service and many other ways. He was generally known as a scouting and recruiting officer for the U.S. army. Every one of his acquaintances knows him to be loyal. Jerre Files, Clem Hamner, Moses Johns or Isham Filpanan? And many others, his neighbors during the war, can and will as I think testify to his public reputation.

61 – The before mentioned persons, Monl? Tiry? John Files, Jesse Files and many others. They all will (as I believe) testify to claimant’s loyalty.

62 – I as. He did. He knew it by being in U.S. service with me from the year 1863 until the final surrender of the Confederate forces.

63 – I can’t say that I do, except the Rebs was tight after him. They wanted him because he was a recruiting and scouting officer. I was said that if they could catch him, that they intended to swing him.

64 – Nothing more than he belonged to and was a scouting and recruiting officer for the U.S. army.

65 – I could state many other acts of claimant that showed him to be loyal during the rebellion but think that I have stated a plenty to satisfy any tribunal that claimant was truly, a loyal man.

[signed x his mark] Reuben Norris; Attest: [signed] John C. Moore, Special Commissioner

Before the Commissioners of Claims, Washington, D.C. Additional testimony in claim of William Y. Norris of he County of Walker and State of Alabama, numbered 2232.

It is hereby certified that on the 30^th day of August 1875 at the residence of Jonathan Barton 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 Jesse V. Norris and John O. Norris, Witnesses.

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 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 30^th day of August 1875. [signed] John C. Moore, Special Commissioner.

Additional testimony in support of Claim No. 2232, Jesse V. Norris who being duly sworn says as follows: That he resides in the County of Fayette, State of Alabama; that he has so resided one year and more; that he is 24 years of age; that the claimant is his father; that he is not interested in the success of said claim; that he resided in the County of Walker, State aforesaid, at the time said property was taken; that he is a farmer by occupation; that he was present at the house of Mrs. Willis’ in said County of Walker (then his home) when Wilson’s Raid came through the country which was on or about the 26^th day of March 1865. That said troops come to the house, went to the corn crib and taken the corn. They went to the smoke house and taken the bacon. There was 25 or more bushels or corn. I had help make it myself and had help haul it, and put it in the crib. It was measured by the wagon full. There [were] two loads. The wagon held 15 bushels, and there was, I am certain, more than 25 bushels. The troops took the corn and fed it to their horses at their stopping, or camping ground nearby. There was 250 pounds bacon or more, we killed four good hogs that season. They averaged 160 pounds each. When the troops come, we had eat but few of the shoulders, if any, and had eat none of the hams, or sides. They taken all of the meat and used it up, before they left on the march. There was a great many troops, can’t tell how many. They were stopping and passing for 24 hours, or more. They were scattered all over the country. I saw no wagons and teams. All the troops I seen was mounted. Said troops taken all our lard and many other things, and mentioned, or claimed in said application. Our corn was in the shuck. It was good sound corn, and our meat was good and well dried and at the time taken was worth 2 cents per pound in U.S. money. At the time taken the corn was worth $2 per bushel in U.S. money. After the troops passed on through the country, corn was, as a general thing $2 per bushel and bacon 25 cents per pound. Both corn and bacon was scarce and hard to get. After the troops passed through the country (was very high and scarce). Witness further says that claimant was recruiting officer for the army of the U.S. as he said (and that he has no doubt of this being the truth) from the time he went into U.S. service in March 1863, until the surrender, and that he brother and mother had time and again packed out into the woods rations for the recruits and recruiting officers of the U.S. and that it was very common for the claimant to bring to his house 15 or 20 recruits and stay there and furnish them rations for 8 or 10 days until they could get ready to go to the U.S. Army. Such favors and benefits and services was performed, rendered and furnished, from the time claimant entered service (March 1863) until the final surrender.

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 30^th day of August 1875 [signed] J.V. Norris. Attest: [signed] John C. Moore, Special Commissioner.

Additional testimony in support of claim No. 2232 in testimony of John O. Norris who being duly sworn says as follows: That he resides in the County of Fayette, State of Alabama and has so resided about 12 months. That during the rebellion he lived in the County of Walker, State aforesaid; that he is 22 years of age, a farmer by occupation; that the claimant is his father, and that he is not interested in the success of said claim. That he was residing at the house of Mrs. Willis in the County of Walker, State aforesaid which was his home when Wilson’s Raid came through the country; that he was present when said troops took the corn and bacon of claimant, named in said application, seen them take it. The troops went to the crib, got the corn, packed it off to camps near, and all around there, and fed it to their horses. It was good sound corn. There was 25 bushels of it, or more; that he help to make it, gather it, and haul it, it was measured by the wagon. There was 2 loads of it, and the wagon held 15 bushels at the time taken it was worth $2 per bushel in U.S. money. That was the common price of corn that year, until new corn was made. The troops went into the smoke house, cut down the bacon, packed it off to camps nearby and all round about there and used it up &c. It was good dried bacon at the time taken was worth 25 cents per pound in U.S. money. There was 250 pounds of it or more. We had killed four hogs that year. They averaged 160 pounds each when the raid come we had eat none of the shoulders (if any but few) hams nor sides. They taken all the meat we had. Officers were present. I knew them by their stripes not by name. There were a good many troops, can’t tell how many. They were mounted troops. They were camping and passing by about 24 hours. (There was no one present when this corn and bacon was taken other than myself and brother except the troops, and Mrs. Willis, who is quite an old lady). I am satisfied that said corn and bacon was taken by order of the army officers and was for the necessary use of the army of the U.S. It was used up by them before they left their camps near by us.

Witness further says: That claimant was as he said, U.S. recruiting officer from the time he went into the army which was in March 1863 until the surrender and that he, brother and mother, has time and again packed rations into the woods to the recruits and recruiting officers, from the year 1863 to the surrender, and that it was very common during the rebellion when his father was at home, for him to have 15 or 20 recruits nearby, that he furnished with rations, until at such time, as they could get off, to the army, such was done by claimant often times, for the Union men and Union soldiers and recruits from the year 1863 until the surrender of the Rebels.

Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 30^th day of August A.D., 1875 [signed] J.O. Norris; Attest: [signed] John C. Moore, Special Commissioner

State of Alabama, Winston County: Before me, James A. Blackstock an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County and State, William Y. Norris, who being duly sworn by me says on oath that he was present at his own residence and saw Major General Wilson’s Cavalry on their march take from him four hundred pounds of bacon and thirty bushels of corn. Said supplies taken near Holly Grove, Walker County, Alabama and used by said cavalry on their march. [signed] W.Y. Norris

Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 14^th day of November, A.D., 1873 [signed] James A. Blackstock, Justice of the Peace.

State of Alabama, Winston County: Personally appeared before me James A. Blackstock an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County and State, Jesse V. Norris being duly sworn by me says on oath that he was present at his father’s residence and saw Major General Wilson’s cavalry on their march take four hundred pounds of bacon and 30 bushels of corn from his said father William Y. Norris take and use on said march in Walker County near Holly Grove P.O., Alabama. [signed] Jesse V. Norris. Sworn to as correct and subscribed before me [signed] James A. Blackstock, Justice of the Peace, Winston County.

Remarks: This claim was rejected once for lack of evidence, but at the request of attorney that report was cancelled and time given to take additional evidence. The testimony has been taken and the claim again submitted. But with every opportunity there has been a failure to take claimant’s own testimony, which is essential in every case under the practice of the Commission except for good cause shown. There would seem to be something wrong or claimant would have testified in his own case. As it stands the proof by his own sons, little boys at the time extends only to a few bushels of corn and a few pounds of bacon in value not a total of account charged.

We are not satisfied with the justice of the claim and claimant’s right to recourse. We see the evidence before us and therefore reject the claim. [signed] A.O. Aldis, J.B. Howell, O. Ferriss, Commissioners of Claims

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

The petition of William Y. Norris, of Manasco, Walker County, Alabama, respectfully shows:

That said William Y. Norris had a claim filed against the United States, for property taken by the United States forces, for the use of the Army, during the late war at the rebellion, claim No. 2232 amounting to five hundred and twelve dollars ($512), which claim has been disallowed the Commissioners of the Southern Claims:

That he was a loyal citizen of the Government of the United States, throughout said war, and in no way aided or abetted the rebellion:

That he served as a Private in Company E of the 1^st Regiment, Alabama Cavalry Volunteers, from the 1^st day of March 1863 until the 1^st day of March 1864, when he was honorably discharged from said service, receiving serious and permanent injuries while in said service. That he served from the date of his discharge as aforesaid until the surrender as scout and recruiting officer:

He now respectfully asks, that the said claim be re-opened and referred to the Court of Claims for adjudication, and as in honor bound he will ever pray, etc.

William Y. Norris, by J.C. DePutron, his attorney.

Power of Attorney. Know all men by these presents, that I, William Y. Norris, late private of Company E, 1^st Alabama Cavalry Volunteers and a resident of Manasco in the County of Walker 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 Committee of Congress of the United States until final completion, for me, my Claim for property taken by the United States forces, during the late war of the rebellion, Claim No. 2232 amounting to five hundred and twelve dollars ($512) 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 lawful do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

My Post Office address is Manasco, Walker County, Alabama.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this June eighteen hundred and ninety-one. [signed x his mark] William Y. Norris

Witnesses: [signed] R.G. Harris and S.H. Cunningham

State of Alabama, County of Walker: Be it known, that on this 16^th day of June in the year eighteen hundred and ninety-one before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the said County and State, personally appeared William Y. Norris to me well known to be the identical person who executed the foregoing Letter of Attorney, and the same having been first fully read over to him and the contents thereof duly explained, acknowledged the same to be his act and deed, and that I have no interest, present or prospective, in the claim.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office, the day and year last above written. Signed] Jere F. Files, Justice of the Peace.

In the United States Court of Claims. William Y. Norris vs. The United States, No. 8892, 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 William Y. Norris late of Walker 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 $512.

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

Committee on War Claims, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C., March 29^th, 1892. Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith the claim of W.Y. Norris 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, [signed] E.M. Biddle, Jr., Clerk to the Committee. Hon. William A. Richardson, Chief Justice United States of Claims.

Treasury Department, Office of the Third Auditor, Washington D.C., June 6^th, 1892. Sir: In answer to your endorsement of April 8^th, 1892, on request from Court of Claims, herewith returned, in case of William Y. Norris, No. 8892, Cong., I have to inform you that this office has no record of any claim filed in behalf of said Norris, for stores or supplies furnished by, or taken from him, for the use of U.S. troops during the late war of the rebellion.

No examination is practicable as to the fact of such purchase or taking in this case, the papers, herewith returned, furnishing no information as to the kind or value of property for which claim is made, or when, or by what troops of officers it was taken or purchased.

Respectfully, W.H. Hart, Auditor. To the Hon. Secretary of the Treasury.

Notes: William Y. Norris married Gold Jailey Baker on 22 Jun 1865 in Walker County (Ancestry).

The 1870 Walker County Federal Census for Jasper (Township 14) recorded William Norris was born in Alabama about 1825; Julia was born in Alabama about 1845.

The 1880 Lawrence County Federal Census recorded William Y. Norris was born in Alabama about 1827; Julie was born in Alabama about 1845.

Ancestry reported William Y. Norris died in Walker County on 7 Apr 1894.

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