Hi James, good to hear from you ! Anxious for spring ! It's hard for the "politically correct" to argue with actual documented history, doesn't keep them from trying though. This was his last effort to obtain a pension for his "service" to the Union.

2d Session. J \ No 672.

NEWTON KNIGHT AND OTHERS.

LETTER FROM THE ASSISTANT CLERK OF THE COURT OF CLAIMS TRANSMITTING A COPY OF THE FINDING FILED BY THE COURT IN THE CASE OF NEWTON KNIGHT AND OTHERS AGAINST THE UNITED STATES.

February 4, 1907.—Referred to the Committee on War Claims and ordered to be

printed.

Court Of Claims, Clerk's Office,

Washington, February 2, 1907. Sir: Pursuant to the order of the court I transmit herewith a certified copy of the finding of fact filed by the court in the aforesaid cause, which case was referred to this court by the Committee on War Claims, House of Representatives, under the act of March 3, 1883, known as the Bowman Act.

I am, very respectfully yours,

John Randolph, Assistant Clerk Court of Claims.

Hon. Joseph G. Cannon,

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

[Court of Claims. Congressional, No. 8013 and 8404. Newton Knight et al. v. The United States.] • STATEMENT OF CASE.

The claim in the above-entitled case, for supplies or stores alleged to have been taken by or furnished to the military forces of the United States for their use during the late war for the suppression of the rebellion, was transmitted to the court by the Committee on War Claims, House of Representatives, on the 7th day of August, 1890.

The case was brought to a hearing on its merits on the 27th day of February, 1900.

Gilbert Moyers, esq., appeared for claimant, and the Attorney-General, by Franklin W. Collins, esq., his assistant, and under his direction, appeared for the defense and protection of the interests of the United States.

The claimants in their petition make the following allegations:

Your petitioners, Newton Knight et al., respectfully represent that they are citizens of the United States, residing in the State of Mississippi, where they resided during the late war of the rebellion; that before and at the commencement of the late war of the rebellion they were residing in the county of Jones and adjoining counties of Mississippi. That said county of Jones was composed of a large majority of Unionuts, and that when the governor of the State of Mississippi, being a secessionist, made a call for troops to defend the cause of secession the said county of Jones sent but few men in answer to said call; that subsequently coercive measures to obtain the service of those who were subject to military duty were resorted to, and when the general conscription laws were passed by the Confederate congress their pro visions were » sweeping the only alternative given a Union man was to become a Confederate soldier H D—59-2—Vol 53 26

(if able to bear arms) or leave the country. The result was that many crossed the lines and joined the United States forces, while many who could not get away were hunted with dogs and run down like wild beasts and either hung like felons or forced into conscript camps and compelled to perform the most menial services.

That on the 13th day of October, 1863, the Union men of Jones County, Miss., held a mass meeting for the purpose of devising some plan of defense against the daily incursions and outrageous brutalities of the Confederate conscript officers and their men. At said meeting it was unanimously resolved that a company for the defense of the Union and the Union men and their families be formed and enter at once into the service. That your petitioners at that time organized a company for military service on behalf of the United States called the Jones County Scouts. That they elected Newton Knight as their captain, and they then and there took a solemn oath to defend and protect the cause of the United States, before an officer authorized to administer oaths, and remain in said service until the war should end.

Your petitioners further state that they continued in said service from October 13, 1863, to September 10, 1865, when they were disbanded and returned to their homes. That during said service many of their comrades were killed and others badly wounded. That the said company participated in different engagements with Confederate forces in the counties of Jones, Smith, Covington, and Jasper. Miss. That they made an effort to be mustered into the United States service and that efforts were made to muster them, but failed.

Your petitioners further state that this claim has not been assigned or transferred, and they and their associates are the only parties interested. That they never gave any voluntary aid or comfort to the rebellion, but were in sentiment and feeling throughout that war loyal to the Government of the United States.

Wherefore your petitioners pray that when the facts shall have been ascertained as to their services as a company organized in defense of the Union, the length of time they so served, and all the facts incident to said service, their efforts to be mustered, etc., the same may be reported to the House of Representatives of the United States or to the Committee on War Claims, said committee having transmitted said claim to this court on August 14, 1890, as provided in said act of March 3, 1883.

The court, upon the evidence and after considering the briefs and arguments of counsel on both sides make the following

FINDING OF FACT.

The evidence fails to support the allegation of the petition that the Jones County Scouts were organized for military service in behalf of United States or that they were in sentiment and feeling throughout the war loyal to the Government of the United States.

By The Court.

Filed, April 16, 1900.

A true copy.

Test this 2nd day of February, 1907. [seal.]