Testimony of William Henry Stokes, CSA, Winston, AL

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October 1999


Testimony of William Henry Stokes, CSA - Winston Co., AL

This is the testimony of William Henry Stokes (1813-1884) on the losses he 
sustained during the civil war.

It starts below:
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From the ANNALS OF NORTHWEST ALABAMA, VOLUME IV compiled by Carl Elliott.  
Winston: An Antebellum and Civil War History of a Hill County of North 
Alabama by Donald B. Dodd & Wynell S. Dodd.

William Stokes, Larissa, Winston County, Alabama, Claim No. 36,981

    This claim. Totaling $1,569, is for one first class sorrel mare S175; 350 
bushels of corn $700; 3,000 pounds of fodder $37; 2,000 pounds of bacon $500; 
700 pounds of lard $25; 750  pounds of pork $75; one barrel of syrup $30; one 
barrel flour $7; ten bushels sweet potatoes $10: one bridle and saddle $10; 
which was taken from the residence of the claimant for the use of the United 
States Army near the claimant's residence by soldiers under command of 
General James H. Wilson on his raid on March 25, 1865.[49]
    William Stokes testified that at the time of the raid he was on his 
plantation attending to his farming, where he had resided for the last 
twenty-three or four years, that members of General Wilson's staff went into 
camp about one and a half miles from his place and then came to his 
plantation with wagons and horses and took the sorrel mare from the stable 
and the corn from the crib and house and the fodder from the stable loft and 
stacks in the field.  Two thousand pounds of bacon was taken from the smoke 
house.  "...I butchered in the fall and winter twelve large hogs which would 
average two hundred and fifty pounds each." The lard was taken from the smoke 
house where it had been poured in a four bushel stand.  "... Five hogs were 
shot down at my gate.  One barrel of syrup was taken from the smoke house and 
one barrel of flour from the dwelling house.  Ten bushels of potatoes were 
taken from the potato bed.  One bridle and saddle was taken from the entry in 
the dwelling; all of which was packed on horses and loaded in wagons when it 
was removed to their camps.  There was officers present with the enlisted men 
when the property was taken.  I sat in the passage way and talked with the 
officers, begged them not to take everything I had, as I should starve to 
death.  The soldiers said that they were obliged to take it ... I was never 
paid in part or in full ...nor did I go to their camps to obtain a voucher. I 
just felt broken down and low-spirited, as want and starvation stared me and 
my family in the face, and I could not rally sufficient to look after 
anything, but felt more like giving up to the situation and abiding the fate 
of the future. ..."
    The claimant testified that during the war he was taken by an officer of 
the Federal forces to pilot them to the Black Swamp, after which he returned 
home; that during the war General Roddy's command took five head of horses 
and provisions at various times for which he received no pay; and that he was 
threatened to be killed by them on different occasions and threatened with 
having his property burned.  He further stated that he fed Federal soldiers 
during the war and "boys who were lying out to evade the conscript agents and 
Confederate scouts as a voluntary act on my part and used my influence in 
getting them into the Federal lines. ... I toted meat for nine miles to the 
Union prisoners who made their escape from the Rebel prison at Tuscaloosa.  
In the election to the State Convention, in 1861, I voted for the Union 
Candidate as Representative.  C. C. Sheats and have since voted the Union 
ticket on all occasion when opportunity offered. ..."
    John Dodd of Winston County, age 27 years, testified that he was 
acquainted with the claimant from his earliest recollection, residing about 
seven miles distant, talked often with the claimant during the war "...  
especially after I commenced laying out - when he would bring me, and others 
who were lying out provisions, and he continued to feed us for three days, 
after which we changed our place, at too great a distance for claimant to get 
to us." He verified that claimant was a union man, "... In 1863,I enlisted in 
the First Alabama Cavalry (Union) for one year. I was discharged prior to 
expiration of term of service, on account of sickness, when I came home, and 
after getting well I returned and reenlisted in the same Regiment, which was 
in 1864. ... Was informed that he was always true to the Stars and Stripes.. 
He sent his two boys into the Federal lines. ..." [50]
    Robert L. Guthrie, resident of Winston County, stated that he was well 
acquainted with the claimant since 1860 and resided about six miles distant 
from him, conversed often with him during the war  "... until I enlisted in 
Company B, First Alabama (Union) Cavalry in 1863, until my discharge in 1864. 
... He opposed the Rebel party all the while, as bad as any man I ever saw 
... I have been fed frequently by him when I was laying out in order to get 
an opportunity to join the Union Army, in company with others. ... He had one 
son, John Stokes, enlisted in the First Alabama (Union) Cavalry, and assigned 
to Company A, and also one son-in-law, Valentine Collins, in same Regiment 
...;  He had one son-in-law, David Burlison, in the Rebel Army. ... In all 
our interviews I never saw him 'flickering' any the same from first to last. 
..."[51]
    Eliza E. Taylor testified that in March 1865 General Wilson's, command 
camped within one half mile of claimant's place and remained one night and 
confirmed taking of the property as described:  "Corn was taken from the crib 
and out of the house loft and out of a garner behind the house ... quite a 
large quantity ... fodder also taken.... He had a stable loft full and a 
large stack in the field and all of it was taken ... bacon taken out of the 
smoke house  ... a right smart lot. ... I was visiting claimant's wife at the 
time, she was my niece, and I saw the above property taken which was removed 
in wagons and packed on horses and taken in the direction of their camps. 
...I talked with several of the parties and begged of them to go off and not 
taken everything they had, and they said if they went off and left anything 
the Rebels would come along and take it, and they did not propose that they 
should have anything. ..." [52]
    John Taylor, resident of Winston County, age 64 years, stated that he was 
on a visit to the place of the claimant when the command of General James 
Wilson on their raid made their appearance and camped near the property of 
the claimant, and while there took the property described.  "I begged of the 
officers to not take all the man had, but they replied that they were obliged 
to forage the country as they were living off of the country as they passed 
through, and all the property they did take was by order from the commanding 
officer. ... They further asked me of the condition of the country they had 
to pass through in reference to forage and provisions."[53]
    The Commissioner stated in reference to this claim- "Mr. Stokes is a 
farmer, 62 years of age. ...The rebels threatened to kill him and to burn his 
property.  He fed soldiers and men who were lying out in the woods to evade 
the conscription laws and aided them to get into the federal lines.  He 
'toted' meat nine miles to the Union prisoners who had escaped from the rebel 
prison at Tuscaloosa.  His loyalty was positive and unquestionable. His 
property was taken by Union forces commanded by General Wilson ... it was 
mostly packed on horses or loaded in wagons and removed to the camp.  The 
quantity taken is estimated in many of the items and the prices overstated.  
We have allowed the full amount as feel warranted in allowing upon the proof 
and recommend the payment of $832.00." [54]

[49]  Testimony of William Stokes, March 18, 1872
{50]  Testimony of John Dodd, May 13, 1871
[51]  Testimony of Robert L. Guthrie, March 18, 1872
[52]  Testimony of Eliza E. Taylor, March 18, 1872
[53]  Testimony of John 'Taylor, March 18, 1872
[54]  Statement of Enos Richmond, Special Agent, Houston, Alabama, May 21, 
1874