Report of the A Conf Pam #553 REPORT OF THE AUDITOR OF SOUTH CAROLINA, o\ CLAIMS AGAINST THE STATE FOR. SLAVES LOST IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE. COLUMBIA, S. C. €HAKLES P. PELHAM, STATE PRINTER. 1864. REPORT. Office of State Auditor South Carolina, Columbia, December 3, 1864. The Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives : The General Assembly, by joint resolutions passed in January, 18G3, directed that all claims for slaves lost in the public service, or '• whose death or loss has been occasioned by reason of said service," should be presented to and audited in this office. And the Auditor was authorized to call for any additional proof that he might deem necessary to establish the said claims, and instructed " to report to the next session of the Leg- islature each claim allowed, with the evidence on which his judgment is based." I have the honor to submit, in connection with this report, an Abstract of all the claims of this character which have been presented to this of- fice, under the resolutions above referred to, since the last regular session of the Legislature. The whole number of claims so presented is 261, showing a loss of 267 slaves, valued at 3570,250. Of these claims I have allowed 218, amounting to §452,150 ; and suspended for defects in proof 44, amounting to §118,100. A separate report upon each of the claims allowed, together "with the evidence on which my judgment has been based," is also herewith presented. The suspended claims, with my rea- sons endorsed thereon for requiring ndditional proof, are also submitted. In all cases I have required, as the condition of a final audit, -that the facts of ownership ; impressment by authority of the State ; the death or loss of the blave while in the public service, or by reason of the said ser- vice; and the value of the slave at the time of impressment, should be clearly established by proof upon oath. In fixing the amount of compen- sation to be allowed, I have been exclusively controlled by the appraise- ments made under the 9th section of the Act of December, 1862, " to organize and supply negro labor for coast defence," in all cases in which the said appraisenlents have been before mc. In cases where no cvidcuce has been furnished by the State Agent, or by others, of such appraise- ments having been made, I have adopted the valuation of sworn di.sintor- ested appraisers, appointed under the regulations of tliis office, which I had the hoaor to submit, in connection with this subject, in my first annual re- port. *By reference to the Abstract, it will be seen that the valuations assessed by the sworn appraisers are much higher, in a large majority of cases, than that fixed by the appraisers under the Act. This difference arises mainly from the fact that the latter assessments are made in Charleston, while the former are made in the respective neighborhoods of the owners. At the last session of the Legislature, I had the honor of calling attention to the great inequality which resulted from the adoption of the appraise- ments under the Act, in all cases, where they had been made. I um still impressed with the view, that appraisements conducted under circum-. stances which practically deny to owaers the privilege of appointing one cf the appraisers, or of being present at the valuation of their slaves, are not in accordance with the spirit of the Act, and is clearly a departure from the establibhed rule for the valuation of private property taken for the public use. The Act, however, only provides that the appraisements shall be made "before the slaves shall be employed in lab.or by the Con- federate authorities," and declares that such appraisement " shall be con- clusive of the value of the slaves" so appraised. The valuations in Charleston arc a literal compliance with the requirement- that they be made " before the slaves shall be tmploijed in lalior^^ and I have therefoi'e not felt authorized to exercise any discretion in cases where such valua- tions were before me. In my general report^ transmitted through the Governor to the Legisla- ture at the present session, some facts are stated in respect to the impress- ment of slaves by the military authorities of the Confederate States which I consider worthy of grave consideration. These impressments are clearly in violation not only of the law of this State but of the Confederate States, aud are continually made when no justification of military necessity can be pleaded in their defence. The law of the State amply provides for any amount of labor being furnished under any emergency that may arise. Nearly all the inequality and embarrassment which have attended the ad- justment of claims in this office for compensation for slaves lost while em- ployed on the military fortifications in the State, have grown out of these irregular impressments. The State properly recognizes its obligations to make such compensation when the loss has resulted irom her act. But when the authority of the State has not been exercised in procuring the labor required, the ob'igation upon her to make compensation in case of. loss does not ex- ist. If the present system is continued, I respectfully recommend that the law be so amended as to declare that no impvcssmeuts, of slave labor for military purpo:5es shall be mide ia South Oaroliaa, except as provided for under the law of the Sfate, or as the same may be sauetioued by the Gov- ernor, and declared valid by his proclamation. And that in all such eases the impressments shall be made in accordance with the laws of the State, and by her own officers. In August, 1863, a public call was made upoa the citizens of the State by the Courcderate General commanding this Departnieijt, for voluntary slave labor to meet the emergency which then threareocd the safety of Charleston. This call was sanctioned by the proclamation of the Governor, dated the 27th of that month, which is- herewith submitted. The call was generally responded to, but no appraise- ment was made of the slaves sent down, ;is required by the Act of De- cember, 1862. In all cases where claims have been presented for ihe loss of slaves thus furnished, I have considered the act of the GuvcrnuB as binding upon the State, and in the absence of a i^egular appraisement un- der the Act, have adopted that made by sworn appraisers appointed by the owners from their respective neighborhood.^^. Two cbutns h'ave been presented for compensation for injuries to slaves who were wounded while employed on the military works, but where death has not rosulred. Under the resoluftons referring to this pflice all claims for slaves "who have die4 from* di.seases contracted in said service, and whose death or loss has been occasioned by rea.son of said service," I have not felt authorised to consider these claims, and they are submitted, with the evidence adduced in their support, without any judgment on my part. Thoy are designated by the numbers 249 and 365. Several of the claims "suspended" are defective in the proof as to the death of the slaves. This proof owners find much difficulty in obtaining. To relieve as far as possible this difficulty, an arrangement was made by which it was hoped that all deaths would be reported monthly to this office by the Confederate Surgeons having charge of negro hospitals and camps on the coast. Bat there is no authority ia this office to enforce this reg- ulation, and the returns are very partial, and defective. If the present system i: continued, I recommend that it be ma.de the duty of the Stttte Agent of slave labor to apply for certiiicates of the death of slaves to the said hospital and camp Surgeons, and to transmit them, when obtained, to this office, for the use of owners in establishing their claims. In the event of the claims now reported as allowed, or any of them, being passed for payment. by the Legislature, it is respectfully suggested that the papers a*ppertaioing thereto be returned to this office for record, in anticipation of the rctcniioa of the originals by the Confederate Gov- 6 eminent, upon their presentation to and allowance by the said Government. And that all payments advanced by the State upon the said claims be made, as heretofore, on the warrant of the Auditor drawn upon the Treasury, so' as to insure duplicate vouchers of such payments, severally, being filed in this office, for the same purpose. Respectfully submitted, JAMES TUPPER, Auditor of South Carolina. TABULAR ABSTRACT. ABSTRACT of Claims for Slaves lost in the Puhlic Service, consid- of the Legislature, in JJectmhcr, 1863, and now rejported as '^allowed" 5 a l^&me of Owner. District. Name of Slave. Date of Im- o • pressment. ] ISOj^shlev, Wm Barnwell I suae 16 Nov 1863 2 157iAdams, Thos Chester Lee 21 Sept " 3 158iAtwood. R F Newberry Truvig 14 " 4 159! Aiken, Tim Chesterfield Pino 10 Oct " » lOOi " " Vyilliam 16 •' '« C, 101 1 " " Simon 16 ♦« " 7 162 Ads^er, Eobert Anderson Douglas HSopt " 8 16>'.lAsbill, T B Eiigeiield . Philip- 16 Nov, " [)\ 1 04 1 Ash ley, Wm 13arnwlll Alick 16 " " 30 1651 Butler, D;ivid Edgefield Henry 11 166 Brown, D W Lancaster Adam 21 Sept " 1] 166 " Ned 21 " " V2 167JBuchanan, Eobt P Abbeville Ephraim 14 " " 18 168jBouknight Rev S Edgefield Allea 16 Dec 1862 14 169| Brooks, S B Abbeville Charles 16 Sept 1863 15 176i Burton, Henry Newberry Johnson 16 Sept 1862 16 171 Burch, James C Chesterfield Ellis 16 Oct 1853 17 172Beckb!im, j^rs XH Chester Adam 22 Sept " 18 173 Bush, GW. ,. • - Barnwell Henry • 16 Nov " 19 174 Cromor, Mrs D A Abbeville Jack 14 Sept " m 175 Caldwell, Wm Chester John 21 Sept " 21 176[Cohen, Marx E Charleston Marcus 22 177 Oalrnes, J McM ■ 'Newberry Alick 16 Sept 1862 23 178 Carlisle, T A Union Price 14 Sept 1863 .24 179 Chaney, Simeon Abbeville William 16 Sept " 25 180 ( 'alhoun, J A " Gustavus 16 Sept " 2G 181 Doui^las, Robert Chester Wesley 21 Sept " 27 182 Doiigla-, Alex. Darlington John 16 Oct " ' 28 183 Davis, Wiley J Fairfield Anthony 16 Nov " 29 184 Epps, J M Newberry Nathan 14 Sept " 30 185 Foov^he, J W Abbeville . Willis Sept " jn 1*86 Fripp, John A Charleston Smart 25 Jan 1864 • 32 187 Floyd, James B Newberry Ephraim 16 Sept 1862 33 188 Fraser, Wm H Darlington Mack 16 Oct 1868 34 189 Geiger, E W Ijexington Sam 14 Aug 1863 35 190 Groggans, Daniel . Newberry Ralph 14 Sept 1863 S6 191 Gunter, Richard Lexington Charles 17 Nov 1863 . 37 192 Glenn, H^'nry Anderson Tt eorge 14 Sept 1803 38 193 Huger, Alfred Charleston Jesse June or July 38 193 Huger, Alfred C( Peter 11 IL 39 194 Hill, George W . Union John 10 Sept 30 195 Hendrix, Mrs R , Newberry Peter 14 Sept 31 196 fiauna, Samuel M York Isaac 22 Sepj; '42 197 Jones, Bekky J Union Reuben 25 April 1804 48 •198 Johnson, Jesso Orangelsurg Nelson 16 Nov 1863 44 199Jones, li Y Abbeville White 16 Sept 1863 45 200 Kirksey, Robert Pickens Andy 16 Sept 1863 46 201 Kelly, James Darlington Stephen 16 Oct 1863 47 202, Lawton, W H Abbovilte Lem 16 Sept 1863 48 203 Leapheart, Michael Lexington William 26 M'ch 1864 ere^ hy the Auditor of South Carolina since the last regular Session or '■^suspended" hy the said Officer. 1>< fl-g ' Date of death •Ic^ • ■ o3 C 03 3 t- CO 5 <^ 'DECISION OF AUDITOR. * > 3 l^jDec 18ti3 2,00(1 Allowed $2,000 15 Dec * 1.900 do 1,900 3 Nov 1.400 do 1,400 10 Dec 1.800 do 1,800 lljan 1862 1.700 do 1,700 1800 do 1,800 \ 26 Dec 18^,3 3,000 1,500 do 1,500 31 Jai) 1864 5,000 2,200 do 2,200 • 19 Jan 1864 5.000 2.000 do 2,000 27 Feb 1863 2.200 Suspended for proof of State impressment. 22 '■'ct 1863 Oct 1863 3.500 4.000 I Allowed $7,500 12 Oct 1863 3.000 ]Su?pended for appraisement under Act. 14 Feb 1863 2,000 Allowed $2,000 10 Oct 1868 4.500 1,000 do 1,000 19 Oct 1862 1,400 do 1,400 9 Jan 1864 1,200 do 1,200 10 Dec 1863 3.500 • 1,800 do 1,800 15 Dpc 1863 5.000 2,000 do 2,000 4 Nov 1863 2.500 1.700 do 1,700 28Novl8t;3 1,800 do 1,800 26 Jan 18fi4 6,000 Suspended for proof of State impres.«ment. Oct 1862 1,500 Allowed $1,500 26 Dec 1863 3.000 KOfi do 800 17 Jan 1864 3,500 1.700 do 1,700 1 Jan 1864 3,500 . 1,900 do 1,900 25 Dec 1863 1 800 do 1,800 21 Nov 1863 2.000 2,000 do '2,000 5 Dec 1863 4,000 2,000 do 2,000 , 13 Nov 1863 2 000 1.900 do 1,900 26 Oct 18f,3 3,000 1,700 do 1,700 29 Feb 1864 '{■9 2,200 do 2,200 11 Oct 1862 1550 do 1,400 • 17 Dec 1863 2,000 do 2.0(.10 13 Sept 1863 1.600 do 1,600 11 Nov 1863 3,000 1,400 do 1,400 24 Jan 1864 4,000 1,800 do 1,800 13 Nov 1863 3.000 1,800 do 1,800 3,000 3,000 1 Suspended for proof of impressment by State. 22 Oct 1863 1,900 Allowed $1,900 4 Nov 18(33 1.800 do 1,800 24 Nov 1863 1,700| do 1.700 211 June 1864 2,000 do 2,000 f7 Jan 1864 3,500 2,000 do 2,000 6 :Nov 1863 3,000 1,800 Suspended for claimant's statement on oath. 1.800tAllowed Si. 800 l,900j do 1,900 7 Oct 1863 • 4,000 1,700 do 1,700 10 Juno 1864 1,200 do 1,200 10 Abstract of claims for Slaves Tost 84 85 86 87 90 91 91 93 94 95 96 X 56 Name of Owner. )istrict. 22<:t 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 204Lipscoiijb, Tnomas C 205lL>Tia;i-hore A J 206iMGKeiler, Feter 207iMont£^omery, Jno D 2081 Morgan, A 209|McLeod, Wm W 210!M[Hvbin, Estate Benj 21 1! Miles, Edward H 212|Moo*, Tho-'as B 21 3| Melton, Benjamin 21 4i Mcintosh, Estate J H 215lMuldrow, E •216M.Clure, Mary 217 Mobl.vy, B 218 Nelson, S Warren 219Nowel), John L Palmer, Ur Plowden, E Kuthven Perry, N J F Perrin, Samuel Perrin, ThomHS C Pcrrett, EUendor Parler, Jas A, Ex'or Pitts, Thomas Quattlebaum, J, Adra'x, Estate B Mc Bride 229 Robertson, A H 230 Rosborough, R R 231 Richaadson, Jas M 232 Remb<-rt, Dr E T 233 Read, B H •234 Kawlinson, J W 235 Rainsford, James 236 Ravenel, Dr Edmund 237 Ravenel, Dr Edmund 238 Rht'tt, Benjamin S. 239Srtlo, Johnson 240 Seay, Janifls H 241 Savage, William 242 Stoney, Dr James 243 Sterling, John 2 14 Smith, William 245 Smith, Thomas 246 Tadin, Count O 247 Tennent, Dr "William 248Tygart, Silas 249 Wha'oy, William 250 Westfield, D G 251 West, Capt William 252 Ward, Joshua 253 White, Hugli Abbeville Npwberry Abbeville Spartanburg Hon y Charleston Newberry Richland Anders'm Edgefield Darlington Chester Clarendon Charleston Clarendon Pickens Abbeville Pickens Orangeburg Edgttfleld Barnwell Fairfielil Abbeville Sumter Charleston York Edgefield Charleston Abbeville Richland Union York Newberry Darlington Colleton Abbeville Union Charleston Greenville Union Georgetown Chester Name of Slaves. Watt Charles Aba Peter Henry Limus David Dave Julius Edmund George Peter William Sol'=>mon Dick James Joe Thomas Tom Robert Aaaos Berry Newport Elisha Dan Dave Tom Henry Frederick Charles ewis Bob Jonas Solomon Thomas John Bill Stark Peter Martin Carey Boston Bony Robin Bill Tom Aaron Lewis Mickel Dave Date of Ira- pressraent. 16 Sept 1863 16 Sppt " 16 Sept << 14 Sept (i 9 Sept " 1862 26 Jan 1864 14 Sept 1863 16 Nov '< 16 Sept i( 16 Nov <( 15 July i( 16 Oct (( 21 Sept (( 22 Sept (( 14 Jan t( July (< Sept <( 16 S^pt << 16 Sept (< 16 Sept i< 16 Sept i( May 1862 16 Nov 1863 28 Dee (( 17 Oct (< 16 Nov (( 16 Sept (< 17 July (< 23 Sept {( 28 Dec (( 1 Aug <( 16 Sept (( 4 April (< 16 Sept (< . 22 Sept (( 14 Sept <( 14 Sept << 13 July (( 15 July (( 16 Sgpt <( 14 Sept (( 14 Oct (( 23 Jan <( 21 Sept " 11. in tbe Public Seryice. — (Continued.) Date of death 'S DECISION OF AUDITOR. 15 Nov 18ti8 27 Oct •' 8 Oct " 5 Deo " 21 Feb 1864 11 Oct 18Gi 24 Nov " 15 Not " 26 Deo " 18 Aug " 29 Nov " 20 Nov " 9 Nov '• 1 Feb 1864 12 Aug 1863 18 t'^'pt " 16 Oct " •14 Nov. " June 1862 12 Jan 1864 17 Feb " 12 Nov 1868 18 Dec " 17 Oct " 28 Sept " 24 Oct " 22 Jan 1864 9 Oct 18G3 17 Feb 1864 13 Aug 1863 17 Oct " 14 May 1864 14 Nov 1863 9 Nov " 8 Jan '« 5 Dec «' 6 Sent " 25 Sept " 30 Dec '^ 15 Oct " 16 July 1864 24 Nov 1863 3 Apr «' 27 Mar " 23 Oct " 19 Feb " 5,000 5,000 2.200 3,500 3,500 3,000 5,000 6,000 6,000 None 1,700 i,or,o 4,000 4,000 3,000 5,000 4,000 4,000 None 6,500 None 2,000 2,500 3,000 2,600 3,500 4,000 1,800 2,500 3,500 None 3,250 1,500 2,000 1,800 2.200 1.700 #f900 2.000 2.000 1,700 1,900 3.000 1,900 800 1,000 1,700 Su.-:pende do 2,400 30 Jaa " 1.900- do 1,900 2.1001 do 2,100 14 May " 5,000 6 Aug " 2.500 2,500 do 2,.600 1 Sept " 2,500 do 2,500 10 Oct " 6,000 3,000 do 3,000 28 Aug /' 3,500 2,500 do 2.eoo 15 Sept " 2,200 do 2,200 28 May " 4,000 do 4.0(X> 19 Oct 1863 2,000 do 2,000 11 Oct 1864 8,00(> do 8,000 80 Oct '« 8,000 do 8,000 25 Dec 1863 1.800 do 1,800 4 Apr 1864 1,900 do 1,900 20 Dpc 1863 l.SW do 1,800 22 S'opt 1864 2,000i do 2,000 17 May " 2,200 do 2,200 16 May " 2,200 do 2,200 ' 6 June " None Suspended for appraisement under Act. Dec 1862 1,800 Allowed $1,800 6 Sept 1864 2,500 do^ 2,600 '1,000 Suspended for further proof of death. 16 June '' 2,200 Allowed $2,200 3,000 1 900 ( Suspended for further proof of death. Aug " IJOO Allowed $1,700 do 1,900 26 Oct 1862 750 do 750 20 Nov 1863 2,000 do 2,000 14 Sept 1864 3.200 do 3,200 23 Oct 1863 1,900 do 1,900 20 Jan 1864 4,000 do 4,000 11 Dec 1863 5,000 1.600 do 1,600 6,000 1,^00 do 1,800 • 6,000 3,000 do 3,000 20 Oct 1863 4,500 700 do 700 30 Mar 1864 2,000 do 2,000 5 Oct " 8,000 do 8,000 14 May " 4 500 2,000 do 2,000 18 May " 5,000 2,300 1 do 2,300 1(5 Abstract of claims for Slaves lost B 3 S 3 . a Nafbe of owner. District Name oi Slave Date of Im- • pressment. i. b S b Ph3 OnS 199 355 Mobley, Sfunuel F Fairfield Spencer 1 April 1864 200 356 Boykin, Mrs ME Kershaw Glasgow 22 Feb 1864 201 357 Mti^sey, S B Lancaster May , 12 Sept 1?ev, S B Samson 12 Sept 1863 202 358 Milling, D C Darlington Mark 16 Oct 1863 203 359 "rawford, M N, admr Lancaster James 15 Sept 1863 204 360 Scarborough, J Z Dai'lington Jim 22 Feb 1864 205 361 Kountiun, W J Darlington Sam 16 Oct 1863 206 362 Brunson, W C Darlington Thomas 22 Feb 1864 207 363 Oreswell, James Abbeville Green . 16 Sept 1863 208 36-1 tlumphreys, David Anderson Dan 14 Sept 1863 209 365 Adger, Rev Jnhn B Anderson Ben Sept 1863 210 366 Kilpatrick, Est F W Piokens George 14 Sept 1863 211 367 Smith, Elizabeth M Pickens Sidney 14 Sept 1863 212 368 Ad