The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-12-21
WAR CLAIMS.
Letter from Quartermaster- General
10 Hon. Wyatt Aiken,

Letter from Quartermaster- General
10 Hon. Wyatt Aiken.
Washington, D. c.,
December Is, 1904.
Wal Department, Office of the Quarter
master General.
Hon. Wyatt Aiken, M. c., (927S9)
U. s. House of Representatives.
Sir
Referring to the letter herewith
from Mr.. E. Fl. Barton. Adjutant,
Camp Jasper Hawthorne, Easily s. G.
dated December IL, 1904, brought by
you personally to this office, l have
the honor to inform you that I know
of only one existing law under which
claims can be paid by the Govern
ment for property by U. s. troops dur.
ing or subsequently to the Civil War,
and this law is the Act of Congress ap-
proved February q, 1902, expiring
April 81, 1s06) which au horizes the
Quartermaster General of the Army to
investigate and pay claims of paroled
eX-Copfederate soldiers for their own
army horses, mules and equipment
taken from them after the surrender
by Federal troops acting or presum-
ably acting under order.
For the investigation and adjust
ment Of these claims, certain regula-
tions were, promulgated by the Quarter
master General and approved by the
Secretary of War. Under these regu-
lations the following is required:
Eooh claimant ,nt1ot ototo hio
own claim under oath. (the Depart
ment furnishes no blank forms for the
purpose), mailing it to the Quartermas
ter General, q. 8. A., Washington,
D. G.
2. In his affidavit he should state
his name, rank, company and the regi
ment in which he "a serving at the
time of the surrender, and by whom
differed.
8. The date and place of surrender,
and to whom surrendered.
4. That he vas paroled at or after
the surrender, naming the paroliDg
officer, time and place. Written pa
roles, If in existence, should be filed
with claims otherwise, the sworn
testimony of two credible persons (pre-
ferably soldiers), knowing the facts,
must he submitted as proof.
5. That he was required to be mount
ed for the performance of his military
duties, and that the property taken
was his own and that it was being used
in the Confederate service at the time
of the surrender and was taken by U.
s. troops acting or presumably acting
under orders, stating how, when and
where land by whom if it is known) 1t
was taken. State value of each horse
or mule, saddle, bride, blanket and
side arms.
8. At least two credible, persons
(soldiers preferred) must corroborate
all the claimants statements in essen
tisl particulars, stating how their
knowledge thereof was obtained.
7. If the soldier be dead, his widow
may make the claim. IF both be dead,
his child, or children jointly ; or if no
children survive the soldier, a parent
may make the claim. Allowance for
only one horse and equipment is made
to 8 private soldier and two herses,
equipment and side arms to q commits
stoned officer.
8. All statements by the claimant
and witnesses must be under oath.
The %credibility of each must be certi.
fed to by the official before whom they
make oath and his official seal must
be affixed to each affidavit.
Respectfully
G. F. Humphrey,
Quartermaster General, U. s. Army,
By Geo. E. Pond,
Assistant Quartermaster General,
u. s. A.