One mule @ (6 years old) $200

Claimant swears to loyal sentiments and principles. He voted for Douglas and for Union candidates for convention. He was arrested twice on charge of rendering aid and comfort to Union families. His property was taken without compensation. His loyal neighbors testify to his loyal conversation and reputation. He was not complicated with the rebellion in any manner. We find him loyal. His mule was taken by Union soldiers in April 1865. We allow $150. [signed] A.L. Aldis, Orange Ferris, G.B. Howell, Commissioners of Claims.

The petition of Thomas G. Sawyer, a citizen of the State of Alabama, residing at Blountsville in the County of Blount and State of Alabama respectfully represents that, at the time the claim herewith presented accrued, he was a citizen of the State of Alabama, residing at Blountsville, that he was the original owner of said claim; that no other person or persons have any interest in or right or title to said claim or any part thereof; that he is a citizen of the United States and remained a loyal adherent to the cause and the Government of the United States during the war of the rebellion; that he was so loyal before and at the time of the taking of the property for which this claims is now made; and that the claim has never been presented to any officer, agent, or department of the government, nor to Congress or to any committee thereof, and that the property for which this claim is made was the property of your petitioner and taken as he was informed and believes for the use of the army of the United States. Of his own knowledge your petitioner avers and states the fact to the that on or about the 30th day of March 1865 at your petitioners residence in said county and state officers and soldiers of the army of the United States under the command of Gen. Croxton then on a raiding expedition in the State of Alabama took from your petitioner one black mare valued at two hundred dollars for which no voucher, receipt, or other writing was given by an officer or authority of said army taking said mare as aforesaid. Your petitioner was informed and believes and so states the fact to be that said Gen. Croxton was on a raid in the enemies country, that said mare was removed to the camps of his army but for the use of which particular regiment your petitioner is unable to state and that said Gen. Croxton was in command of the force of said army in the district in which said property was taken as aforesaid. Your petitioner further states of his own knowledge that said mare was in good serviceable condition. Your petitioner further avers that he believes the prices charged for the property taken to be reasonable and just, and of his own knowledge do not exceed the market prices for such property at the times and places stated. The promises considered, your petitioner therefore prays that he may be allowed the sum of two hundred dollars as compensation for said property taken as aforesaid for the use and benefit of the United States. [signed] Thomas G. Sawyer, petitioner. . . . Sworn to and subscribed before me at Blountsville, this 20 day of May 1871, [signed] J.W. Moore, Judge, Probate Court.

To prove my loyalty, I rely upon:
Daniel McPherson residing at Blountsville, Alabama
William McHan residing at Blountsville, Alabama
John Lovelace residing at Blountsville, Alabama

The other matters I rely upon
Samuel Jones residing at Blountsville, Alabama
Josiah McCullom residing at Blountsville, Alabama
John Sawyer, residing at Blountsville, Alabama

It is hereby certified, that on the 19th day of December 1873, at Blount Springs, in the county of Blount and State of Alabama, personally came before me the following persons, viz: Thomas G. Sawyer, Claimant, and Jesse G. Jones and John Elliott on loyalty; Henry Sawyer and Jones Sawyer on facts, Claimant's Witnesses, for the purpose of a hearing in the above entitled cause. Each and ever deponent, previous to his or her examination, was property and duly sworn or affirmed by me to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, concerning the matters under examination; and the testimony of each deponent was written out by me, or in my presence, and as given before me, and subsequently read over to said deponent by whom it was also subscribed in my presence. Witness my hand and seal this 19 day of December 1873, [signed] Sam Thompson, Special Commissioner of the Commissioners of Claims.

Deposition of Thomas G. Sawyer, in answer to the First General Interrogatory, the Deponent says: My name is Thomas G. Sawyer, my age 56 years, my residence Blount County, in the State of Alabama, and my occupation a farmer. I am the claimant, and have beneficial interest in the claim.

(2) Where did you reside from the 1st of April, 1861, to the 1st of June, 1865? If on your own land, what is the size of your farm? How much of your farm was cultivated, and how much was woodland? Where is it situated? What was your occupation during that time? Did you change your residence or business during that time? if so, where was your new residence, and what [was] your new business?
I resided at my residence in Blount County, Ala. near the Winston County line. I lived on my own land. I owned 520 acres of land. I had cleared and in cultivation about 70 acres of land and the balance was woodland. My land is situated in Section 32 Township 11, Range 3 West. [Near Dodge City in present day Cullman County] I was engaged in running a mill and farming all the time that the war was going on . I did not change my residence or business during the war.

(3) Did you ever pass beyond the military or naval lines of the United States and enter the rebel lines? If so, how often, when, where, and for what purpose, and how long did you stay within the Confederate lines on each occasion?
I did not, I was at home all the time in Blount County, Alabama.

(4) Did you ever take any oath or affirmation to bear allegiance to the so-called Confederate States, or to aid or support them in any way, or to "bear true faith," or "yield obedience" to them? If so, when and where? State fully in regard to the same.
No sir. I never took any oath of any kind to the Confederacy.

(5) Have you ever taken any amnesty oath? If so, when, where, and under what condition? Have you been pardoned by the President? If so, when and where, and upon what conditions?
I have. I took it before Harvey Hannah, a Justice of the Peace. I took it freely and voluntarily without any ___ reservation. I took it in September or October 1865.

(6) Were you ever directly or indirectly, or in any manner, connected with the civil service of the so-called Confederate States? If so, how, when, and where, in what capacity, and for what periods? Was any oath required of you for such service; and if so, what?
No sir. I never was in any manner.

(7) Did you ever hold any office or place of trust, honor, or profit under the Confederate Government, or under any of the States or Territories subordinate thereto? If so, state the nature and character of the office, the place at which, and the period for which you held it?
No sir. I never did.

(8) Did you hold any clerkship or have any agency or employment of any kind, for,or under, or for the benefit of the so-called Confederate States? If so, state fully in regard to the same.
No sir. I did not.

(9) Were you ever, in any capacity, in the military or naval service of the so-called Confederate States, or of any State or Territory subordinate thereto?
No sir. I never was.

(10) Were you ever an officer or soldier in the Confederate army? If yea, when, where, how long, and when did you leave such service?
No sir. I never was.

(11) Were you ever in the State militia of any State while subordinate to the Confederacy? If yea, state when, where, how long, and when you left the service?
No sir. I never was.

(12) Were you ever in the home guard, or upon any vigilance committee, or committee of safety, which subject to the Confederacy? If yea, state when, where, and how long?
No sir. I never was.

(13) If you claim that you were conscripted into the rebel service, state fully all the circumstances.
I was not conscripted. I was exempted on account of being a crippled man, and not able to do service.

(14) Did you ever furnish a substitute for the rebel army? If yea, state fully all the circumstances.
No sir. I never did.

(15) Were you directly or indirectly, or in any way, connected with or employed in the quartermaster’s department of the Confederate service or the commissary’s department, or the medical department, the engineers’ department, the ordnance department, the impressment service, the provost-marshal’s department, or any other branch of the Confederate service?
No sir. I was not and I had nothing to do with any of the departments of the Confederacy.

(16) Were you employed on any railroad in the service of the Confederate government? Did you aid in the transportation of soldiers, munitions of war, or supplies for the Confederate government? If yea, state fully all the circumstances. If you claim that what you did was not "giving aid or comfort" to the rebel cause, state fully all the facts and reasons for such your claim.
No sir. I was not and I had nothing to do with anything contained in this question.

(17) Did you at any time have charge of any stores or supplies for the use of the Confederate army, navy, or government, or the charge or care of trains, team or teams, wagon or wagons, vessels, boats, or other craft, or munitions of war, for the use of the Confederate army or navy? If so, state fully in regard to the same.
No sir. I did not and I never had anything to do with anything contained in this question.

(18) Were you ever in any service, employment, or business of any kind whatsoever for the Confederate government, or its army or navy? Did you ever furnish any aid, or any supplies or stores, or property of any kind, to or for the so-called Confederate States, or any State in rebellion, or to the army, navy, militia, home guards, armed forces, or military organizations thereof, or for any officer, soldier, or sailor thereof? If so, state fully in regard to the same. Did you ever give any information to any officer, soldier, or sailor of the Confederate army or navy, or to any person employed by or for the so-called Confederate States, or acting on their behalf, or for their benefit, which might aid in any way any military or naval operations carried on against the United States? State fully in regard to the same.
No sir. I never was and I did not have anything to do with anything contained in this question.

(19) Were you in any manner employed in the manufacture of munitions of war, of clothing, of boots, shoes, saddles, harness, or leather; of equipment for soldiers, or of any stores or supplies for the use of the Confederate army or navy; or were you in any way employed by, or did you aid or assist, others engaged in such manufacture? If so, state when and where, and by or for whom you were so employed, and for what period of time?
No sir. I was not and I was not employed by others and I did not aid and assist others employed in such manufacture.

(20) Were you ever, directly or indirectly, employed in the collection, impressment, or purchase, or the sale of stores, supplies or any property for the use or benefit of the Confederate government, or any State in rebellion, or the army, navy, or other forces thereof? Did you have any interest or share in contracts with, or purchases for, the Confederate government, or its army or navy, or any State in rebellion, or its forces? If so, state fully all particulars.
No sir. I never was and I never had anything to do with anything contained in this question.

(21) Were you ever engaged in blockade running, or illicit traffic or intercourse between the lines, or were you ever in any way interested therein? Did you ever have any interest or share in any goods, wares, merchandise, stores, or supplies brought into or exported from the so-called Confederate States during the war? If so, state fully all particulars.
No sir. I never was and I never hand any interest or share in any goods, wares, or merchandise brought into or exported from the Confederate States during the war.

(22) Did you leave the so-called Confederate States between the 19th of April, 1861, and 19th of April, 1865? If so, when and how did you leave; where did you go; for what purpose; how long were you absent; in what business were you engaged while absent, and when and to what place did you return in the so-called Confederate States?
No sir. I did not. I remained at home all the time during the war.

(23) Were you the owner, or part owner, or in any way interested in any vessel used in navigating the ocean to or from any port in the Confederacy, or upon any waters in the Confederacy? If so, what vessels, when and where employed, and in what business?
No sir. I was not.

(24) Were you ever arrested by the Confederate government, or by any officer, soldier, or other person professing to act therefor, or for any State in rebellion? If so, when, where, by whom, and how long were you kept under arrest? How did you get released? Did you, for the sake of being released, or upon release, take any oath of any kind to the Confederate government? If so, what?
I was arrested twice by the rebels and carried to Blountsville, Alabama under guard and tried because I was feeding the wives and children of men who was in the Union army. I was kept under arrest about two days each time. I was released without having to take any oath. I promised to quit feeding the wives and children of the men that was in the Union army but I did not do it. I fed them all the time as I had done before. I was never arrested by the United States government.

(25) Was any of your property ever taken by the Confederate authorities, or by any officer, soldier, or other person acting or assuming to act on their behalf, or in behalf of any State in rebellion? If so, what property, when and for what use, and have you received pay therefor?
I had hogs, cattle, corn, fodder, and bacon taken by the rebels. It was taken at different times in 1863, 1864, and 1865. It was taken by Captain Truss' Company and others. I do not know the names of the others that took my property. I did not receive any pay for any of the property that they took from me.

(26) Were you ever threatened with damage or injury to your person, family, or property on account of your Union sentiments? If so, state when, by whom, and what the threats were?
I was. I was threatened by Captain Truss' Company and Captain Graves' Company and Musgroves Company. They said that they intended to hang me and take all that I had and leave me and my family to starve or get out of the country. They did not hang me but they took every [thing] that they could get hold of from me, and I had to buy and beg for bread for my family.

(27) Were you ever molested or in any way injured on account of your Union sentiments? If so, state fully all the particulars.
I was. I was molested when they arrested me and I was injured when they took my property and did not pay me for and when I was left without anything to eat or feed my family. I was still injured.

(28) Did you ever contribute anything—any money or property—in aid of the United States Government, or in aid of the Union army or cause? If so, state fully as to the same.
No sir. I did not. I had no chance to do anything for the government but I had no chance to do anything for the government but I fed the wives and children of Union soldiers as long as I had anything left to feed them with.

(29) Did you ever do anything for the United States Government or its army, or for the Union cause, during the war? If so, state fully what you did.
I did not; only what I have already stated.

(30) Had you any near relatives—any husband, son, brother, or nephew—in the Confederate army? If yea, state his name, whether he is now living, and where he resides. Did you furnish him with any military equipments, any clothing, or any money? Did you contribute in any way to aid or support him while in the rebel service?
I had one son Abner Sawyer in the rebel army. He is now living and resides in this county. He was conscripted and forced into the Army. I done all that I could do to keep him from going into the rebel army. He was married and was living to himself. I advised him never to go into the rebel army, and he did not go till he was forced to go and he only stayed there 3 months and run away and come home and lay out in the woods till the war closed. I did not furnish him with anything while he was in the rebel army and I did not contributed in any way to support him while he was in the rebel service. I harbored and fed him after he deserted the rebel army and came home and was in the woods.

(31) Have you owned any Confederate bonds or any interest or share therein; or had any share or interest in any loans to the Confederate government; or did you in any way contribute to support the credit of the so-called Confederate States during the late rebellion?
I never owned any Confederate bonds or any interest in them and I never had any interest or share in any loans to the Confederate government and I did not contribute in any way to support the credit of the Confederate States during the rebellion.

(32) Have you ever given aid and comfort to the rebellion? If so, state fully all the circumstances.
No sir. I never did in any way.

(33) Were you ever engaged in making raids into the United States from Canada, or engaged in destroying the commerce of the United States in the lakes and rivers adjoining Canada?
No sir. I never was. I was at home all the time.

(34) Were you ever engaged in holding in custody, directly or indirectly, any persons taken by the rebel government as prisoners of war, or any persons imprisoned or confined by the Confederate government, or the authorities of any State in rebellion, for political causes? If so, when, where, and under what circumstances? In what capacity were you engaged, and what was the name, rank, and command of your principal?
No sir. I never was and I never had anything to do with anything contained in this question.

(35) Were you ever a member of any society or association for the imprisonment, expulsion, execution, or other persecution of any persons on account of their loyalty to the United States, or did you ever assist in such acts?
No sir. I never was and I did not assist in such acts.

(36) Were you ever a paroled prisoner of the United States? Is so, when and where, and by whom paroled?
No sir. I never was.

(37) Have you ever held any office in the Army or Navy of the United States? Were you educated by the United States at the Military Academy at West Point, or at the United States Naval Academy?
No sir. I never have. I was not educated by the United States at the Military Academy at West Point nor at the United States Naval Academy.

(38) Did you ever receive any pass from any officer of the Confederate government, or from any person having or assuming to have authority to issue the same? If so, who gave you the pass; for what purpose; for what period of time; did you sign or swear to any promise or obligation in order to get it; or swear or promise to bear "bear true faith and yield obedience to the Confederate States;" did you use the pass, and for what purpose?
No sir. I never did. I was at home all the time and I never took any oath to the Confederacy of any kind.

(39) Are you or were you under the disabilities imposed by the Fourteenth Article of the Amendments to the Constitution of the United States? Have you held any office under the United States Government since the war? If so, what office; and did you take the (so-called) "iron-clad" oath?
I am not and I was not. I have not held any office under the United States government since the

(40) At the beginning of the rebellion did you sympathize with the Union cause, or with the rebellion? What were your feelings and what your language on the subject? On which side did you exert your influence and cast your vote? What did you do, and how did you vote? How did you vote on ratifying the ordinance of secession? After the ordinance of secession was adopted in your State did you adhere to the Union cause, or did you "go with the State?"
I was a Union man all the time and my sympathies was with the Union cause all the time. My feelings and language was for the Union cause all the time and I done all that I could for the Union cause. I voted for Stephen A. Douglas for President in 1860 and I voted for Col. Edwards and Mr. Brasher the Union candidates for the convention in 1860. the ordinance of secession was not submitted to the people in [the] state. If it had [been] I would have voted against it. After the ordinance of secession was adopted in this state, I still adhered to the Union cause. I did not go with any state into the rebellion.

(41) In conclusion, do you solemnly declare that, from the beginning of hostilities against the United States to the end thereof, your sympathies were constantly with the cause of the United States; that you never, of your 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 you 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 you means and power and the circumstances of the case permitted?
In conclusion, I do solemnly declare that from the beginning of hostilities against the United States to the end thereof, my sympathies was constantly with the cause of the United States that I never of my own free will and accord done anything or offered or sought or attempted to do anything by word or deed to injure said cause or retard its success and that I was all the times ready and willing when called upon or if called upon to aid and assist the cause of the Union and its supporters so far as my means and power and the circumstances of the case permitted. I am a native of the United States and a citizen thereof. I have never gone into or passed through bankruptcy. [Signed x his mark] Thomas G. Sawyer, [attest] Sam Thompson.

The said Jesse G. Jones, a witness in behalf of he claimant in this case being first duly sworn deposes and says my age is 68 years. I reside in Blount County, Alabama and I am a farmer by occupation. I have known the claimant in this case 16 years. I was very intimate with him all the time that the war was going on. I lived 4 miles from him all the time during the war. I saw him often some times. I would see him two or three times a week and they I would not see him for a week or two. I think that I saw him on an average of once a week. I talked to him often about the war, its causes and progress. I was a strong Union man myself and the claimant well knew that I was an he regarded me as a Union man and he was free at all times to talk to me about the war and to express his true sentiments. He said that the war was unjust upon the part of the South, that he was a Union man and in favor of the United States government, that he did not want to live under any other government. I am satisfied that his sympathies was all the time with the Union cause. I conversed with him alone and in the presence of others about the war and the language was the same at all times and I am sure that he was a true Union man. The public reputation of the claimant was that of a Union man and he was so regarded by his loyal neighbors and by all others who knew him. If he ever give anything of any kind to aid the Union cause or the Union army I did not know it and if he ever give any information to officers or soldiers of he Union army in aid of their movements and cause I did not know it and it would not have been safe for him to have done anything for the Union cause. I do not know whether or not he was ever threatened by the rebels, but I know that he was arrested by them twice. I saw him while he was under arrest both times. They said it was done because he was a Union man and a Tory. If he ever contributed or give anything in any way to aid the Confederate government, its officers or soldiers, I did not know it and I have every reason to believe that he did not. If he ever owned any Confederate bonds or interest in them, I did not know it, but I feel confident that he did not and if he ever done anything in any way to sustain the credit of the Confederate States, I did not know it. I feel sure that if the rebellion had been successful and the Confederacy had been established as a separate government that the claimant could not have established and maintained his loyalty to such government. I have my doubts whether or not he would have been allowed to have lived in this county. The rebels said that if they succeeded that all Union men and Tories would be forced to leave here. I have no interest in this claim. I am not related to the claimant. [Signed] Jesse G. Jones, [attest] Sam Thompson.

The said John Elliott, a witness in behalf of this claimant in this case on loyalty begin first duly sworn deposes and says my age is 50 years. I reside in Winston County, Alabama and I am a farmer by occupation. I have been acquainted with the claimant in this case over 15 years. I was very intimate with him all the time during the war. I lived about one mile from him all the time during the war. I saw him often. I think I saw him on an average of once a week during the time that the war was going on. I talked to the claimant often about the war its causes and progress. I was a strong Union man myself and the claimant well knew that I was a Union man and he regarded me as such. I lay out in the woods myself from the rebels and the claimant knew that I was laying out and I saw him often during the time and talked to him. I was not afraid to see him and talk to him at any time. I had no fears that he would betray me. He said all the time that he was a Union man and in favor of the United States government. I am sure that he was a true Union man all the time and that his sympathies was with the Union cause all the time. I talked to him often alone about the war but I do not recollect of ever talking to him in the presence of others about the war. Union men had to be very particular who they talked before. The public reputation of the claimant was that of a Union man and he was so regarded by his loyal neighbors. If he ever contributed anything in any way to aid the Union cause or the Union army, I did not know it and if he ever give any information to officers or soldiers of the Union army in aid of their movement and cause I did not know it. If he was ever threatened by the rebels on account of his Union sentiments, I did not know. I know that he was arrested for feeding the wives and children of Union men that was in the war and of Union men that was laying out in the woods from the rebels. He let the wives and children of Union soldiers have bread all through the war and that was what the rebels said that they arrested him for. If the claimant was contributed anything to aid the Confederate government its officers or soldiers. I did not know it. I am confident that he never did own any such bonds, and if he ever done anything in any way to sustain the credit of the Confederate States, I did not know it and I feel sure that he did not, I am sure from what I know of the claimant that if the rebellion had succeeded and the Confederacy had been established as a separate government that the claimant could not have maintained his loyalty to such a government, and I think that he would not have been allowed to have lived in this country. The rebels said that if they got their independence that all Union men and Tories should not live here. [Signed x his mark] John Elliott, [attest] Sam Thompson.

Testimony on Facts: The said Thomas G. Sawyer, the claimant in this case being first duly sworn deposes and says my age is 56 years. I reside in Blount County, Alabama and I am a farmer by occupation. I was present at the time and saw my mule taken that is specified in my petition. I saw one mare mule taken. All that was said that I recollect was that they had orders to take all such property for the use of the army. My mule was taken from me at my house where I now live. My mule was taken about the 15th day of April 1865. My mule was taken by United States soldiers. I saw more than one soldier engaged in taking my mule. I saw about two soldiers taking the mule. There was about 12 soldiers present at the time they were engaged but a few minutes in taking my mule but they stayed at my house two or three hours. There was present besides soldiers my wife [Mackey?] Sawyer, my two sons Abner Sawyer and James Sawyer and Marvin Clayton. There was no United States officer of any kind present at the time. I did not know the names of any of the soldiers that took my mule. I did not know the regiments or brigade to which they belonged but they said that they belonged to General Croxton's command. They said that they had orders to take my mule for the use of the army. The soldiers came to my house just as my sons was coming from the field where they had been plowing the mule to their dinner and they took the mule from one of my boys and led him off. I do not know to what place the soldiers carried my mule. I did not follow them to see. I saw a soldier put his saddle on my mule and ride it after they had left my house. I went with them to pilot them to their camps. I went about 10 miles with them. I did not make any complaint to the soldiers about the taking of my mule. I did not ask them for any voucher or receipt and they did not offer or give me any receipt. My mule was taken about 12 o'clock in the day time just as the boys had come to dinner. She was taken publicly so that we could all see and know when she was taken. At the time that my mule was taken the army was not camped. They were on the march. They camped that night at Brakes Ferry on the little Warrior River, about 18 miles from my house. I did not know the company, regiment, or brigade that camped there but the soldiers told me that if was General Croxton's command. They stayed there about one day and night. I think they left the Warrior River about the last of the day after they took my mule. There had been no battle fought or any skirmish near them just before my mule was taken. I did not know the quartermasters or any of them or any of the other officers of the command for which my mule was taken. My mule was fat at the time she was taken. She was 6 years old, was larger size, was 15 1/2 or 16 hands high. She was black in color. She was well broke and worked well to the wagon and plow and was a good buggy mule and was a splendid saddle mule. She was worth fully two hundred dollars ($200.00) in gold. I would not have sold her for that amount, I know the mule from actual count. I have not received any pay for the mule and I did not receive pay for anything else that they took from me. At the same time they took the mule and they did not say anything about paying me for any of my property that they took. [Signed x his mark] Thomas G. Sawyer, [attest] Sam Thompson.

The said Abner Sawyer, a witness in behalf of the claimant in this case on facts being first duly sworn deposes and says my age is 28 years. I reside in Blount County, Alabama and I am a farmer by occupation and I am the son of the claimant in this case. I was present at the time and saw the mule taken that is specified in my father's petition. My brother and myself had been in the field at work and when we went to the house for dinner. We found a squad of soldiers there and my brother was riding the mule and some two or three soldiers came to where we were near the house and they took the mule from my brother and they stayed there about one hour after they took the mule and when they left the soldiers that took her start off leading her and she did not lead very well and he got off of the horse that he was riding and took his saddle off of the horse and put it on the mule and rode the mule off and led his horse. This mule was taken about the middle of April 1865. She was taken by United states soldiers. There was present about 12 soldiers when the mule was taken. I think there was two engaged in the taking of the mule. They were engaged but a few minutes in the taking of the mule but they stayed at my father's about one hour after they took the mule from my brother. There was present besides soldiers my father, the claimant, my mother, the claimant's wife, my brother James Sawyer and Marvin Clayton. If there was any United States officers present at the time, I did not know it. I did not know the names, rank, or regiments to which the soldiers belonged but they said that they belonged to General Croxton's command. I did not hear any of the soldiers order the mule it be taken. All that I heard them say was that they had orders to take the mule for the use of the army. The soldiers took the mule from my brother near the house and carried to the house where the other soldiers was and kept her there till they left and carried her off with them. When they left the soldiers started to lead her off but did not get but a short distance from the house till he got down off of the horse that he was riding and took off his saddle and put it on the mule and got upon her and rode her off leading the horse that he had been riding. I do not know to what place the mule was carried. I did not follow to see. I suppose they took the mule for the use of the army. They said that was what they wanted with her and I saw a soldier ride her off. I did not hear my father make any complaint about them taking his mule. He went off with them soldiers. I did not hear my father ask the soldiers for any voucher or receipt and I did not see them giver him any receipt. This mule was taken in the day time about the middle of the day or at dinner time. she was taken publicly so that we could all see and know when she was taken. At the time this mule was taken the army was on the march. They camped that night at the Warrior River or near the River near Brakes Ferry about 18 miles from my father's house. I did not know the company, regiment, or brigade that camped there but the soldiers said that it was General Croxton's command. I do not know how long they stayed there nor when they left. There had been no battle or skirmish near there just before this mule was taken. I did not know the quartermasters or any of them or any of the other officer of the command for whose use this mule was taken. The mule was fat. She was 6 years old, was a large size mule, was black in color. She was well broke and worked well to the plow and wagon and was a good buggy mule and rode well under the saddle. She was worth at that time fully two hundred dollars ($200.00). I have never talked to my father the claimant about the value of this mule. I know the mule from actual count. I am sure that the soldiers never paid my father for this mule nor for any other property that they took at the same time hat they took this mule. I have no interest in this claim. I am related to the claimant he is my father. [Signed] Abner Sawyer, [attest] Sam Thompson.

The said James Sawyer, a witness in behalf of the claimant in this case on facts being first duly sworn deposes and says my age is 23 years. I reside in Blount County, Alabama and I am a farmer by occupation and I am the son of the claimant in this case. I was present at the time and saw the mule taken that is specified in my father's petition. I saw one mule taken. All that I heard the soldiers say was that they had orders to take the mule for the use of the army. The mule was taken from me near my father's dwelling house. I had been plowing the mules all the morning and my brother and myself had left the field and gone to our dinner about 12 o'clock and when we got home we found a squad of soldiers at the house and two or three of them came out to where my brother and myself was with the mule and they took the mule from me and led her to the house and kept her there till they left and when they left they carried the mule off with them. This mule was taken about the middle of April 1865. She was taken by United States soldiers. I saw two or three soldiers engaged in taking the mule as well as I now recollect. There was about 12 soldiers at my father's at the time this mule was taken. They were not engaged more that five minutes in taking the mule and carrying her to the house and hitching her, but they stayed at my father's about one hour or perhaps one hour and a half and when they left they carried the mule with them. My father went with them to pilot them to the River where they said the army would camp that night. There was present at the time besides soldiers my father, the claimant, and my mother, [Meeky?], my brother Abner Sawyer and Marvin Clayton. If there was any United States officer present at the time, I did not know them as officers. I did not know the name, rank, or regiment to which the soldiers belonged but they said that they belonged to General Croxton's command of General Wilson's army. I did not hear any of the soldiers order the mule to be taken, but they said that they had orders to take her for the use of the army. The soldiers came out to where me and my brother was and took the mule from me and carried it to the house where the other soldiers was and and hitched her to the yard fence and when they left a soldier start to lead her and she did not lead well and he got down off of the horse that he was riding and took off his saddle and put it on the mule and got upon her and rode her off and led his hors. I do not know to what place the mule was carried. I did not follow to see. All that I know about the use for which the mule was taken is that the soldiers said that they wanted her for the use of the army and I saw a soldier ride her off. If my father made any complaint about the taking of his mule, I did not hear it and if he asked them for any voucher or receipt, I did not hear it and I did not see them offer or give him any receipt or voucher and I heard nothing said about a receipt or voucher. This mule was taken in the day time about 12 o'clock in the day. She was taken publicly so that we could all see and know where she was taken. At the time this mule was taken, the army was on the march but they camped that might near Brakes Ferry on the Warrior River. I do not know how long they stayed there nor when they left. I was not there, it was about 18 or 20 miles from my father to where they camped. There had been no battle or skirmish near there just before this mule was taken. I did not know the quartermaster or any of them or any of the other officers of the command for whose use this mule was taken. This mule was fat, she was 6 year old, was a large size mule, was black in color. She was well broke and worked well to the plow and wagon and was a good buggy and saddle mule. She was worth fully two hundred dollars ($200.00) in gold. I have never talked to my father, the claimant about the value of this mule. I have no interest in this claim. I am related to the claimant in this case, he is my father. If any part of this claim has ___ I do not know it, and if the soldier's paid my father for any other property that they took at the same time they took this mule, I do not know it. I did not see them pay him for anything that they took from him. [Signed x his mark] James Sawyer, [attest] Sam Thompson.

The foregoing pages contains all of the testimony that has been taken by me in this case. Daniel McPherson, William McHan and James Lovelace, witnesses on loyalty was not examined as their attendance could not be procured. Two of them having left the state and the other one moved to an adjacent county. Jesse G. Jones and John Elliot was substituted in their stead on loyalty. Samuel Jones and Jeremiah McCullin was not examined on facts as nothing could be proved by them and Abner Sawyer was substituted in their stead. Each witness was first duly sworn and was examined by me separate and apart from each other and they answered all the questions purported to them without any hesitation or evasion. The claimant and witnesses not be known to me, I made inquiry of good and reliable citizens of the neighborhood in which they reside and was informed that the claimant and his witnesses are all good and reliable citizens and they they are esteemed as such in their neighborhood.