THE CIVIL WAR TRANSCRIPT OF A UNION PATRIOT IN THE OZARKS We cannot document definitively whether the man who made this claim for damages was JACOB A. MEEKS or JOHN MEEK. The case cover jacket shows his name to have been Jacob Meeks, and the numbers in each upper corner as 2 and 187 respectively. But the oath was signed by JOHN MEEK. Whomever, we do know that he was of the Meeks/Blevins migrating to Texas, and that he returned to the familiar Ozarks when the tension and unrest preceding sucession and war made it dangerous for a “Black Republican” to remain in Texas. His claim is for compensation for the livestock that were “drafted” into Union service on 3 occasions during his war years. And in the telling, he tells of thrice being at the point of losing his life in the hands of Rebels, of feeding every Union sympathizer and soldier who found a way to his door. His son ministered to these soldiers also, and on a fateful day made his way through the Mountains to avoid Rebel detection, along with other Meeks men and a Negro, to the safety of Fayetteville to join the Union Army. His father had oft told him that he’d rather his sons die than become Rebels. And while giving his sons to Union, and losing his fine livestock and his Texas home, after robbings and more, he still ran a sanctuary for Rebel deserters- this Meeks man. Whomever he was, he presented a claim to the US House Of Representatives. His Case Jacket has 2 and 187 in the corners at the top. Excerpts of his chilling adventures during the Civil War are here transcribed: I was arrested near Fort Smith by a party of 200 Rebels. The word had got out that we was going to the Federals with boxes of guns and pistols, and they arrested me and my oldest son and 3 of my brothers and others of our party. They kept us over day and night and tried us on life and death right there. I think the Officer’s name was Scaggs that was in the lead. They could not prove any thing against us and they turned us loose but gave us our orders not to leave the County in 6 months. But finally some of the crowd said we might go on to Newton County if we wanted to. And all of us except one of my Brothers started for that county. But were again arrested at Rossville on the Arkansas River about 30 miles below Fort Smith by one Captain Titsworth ... We were tried before a Committee of which Old Titsworth was president. My opinion is I would have been hung but for the interference of the Provost Marshal at Dardanelle, whose wife was my cousin. He was friendly to me and saved me. I was turned loose again. I was arrested while I lived on Mulberry and stripped and robbed and they abused me and then turned me loose. The first time I was arrested I was called on to take the Oath but I objected and the officers said never mind he would keep me there and watch me to see what I was going to do. The other times I was not asked to take any oath or make any promises. I was never arrested by the Federals. ... I started from Texas with 45 head of horses. I sold my cattle (450 head) before leaving Texas and invested the proceeds in horses. I bought 21 head of one man and paid him $2,100 in gold for them. I had a good many horses before that and I bought several good ones as I was moving on out. And with the exception of what are charged in my claims and two indifferent ones that I had left when the war closed the Rebels got all that lot of horses. They got some other property from me. The last time I was arrested they robbed me of $222.50 in greenbacks and all my clothing my horses, saddle, guns and sixshooter. The Rebels never paid me nary a cent in life. I was repeatedly [threatened] to my face with being killed. I expect I ws called Black republican 50 times to my face and taht meant danger in them times. I would have got killed I recon but I kept hid out a great deal and as quick as the Federals came I went to them. The last time I was arrested and robbed they jabbed their guns in my side and beat me about and I looked to die. I fed hundred of Union men and Union Soldiers and never charged one a cent in life. I loved to find them and loved to have a chance to do for them, and I did do all I could in every way. If I [ie., consorted with any Rebels] I didn’t know it. I had a large connection in Texas and some of them may have been in the Rebel Army, but I never knew. I only had two sons, grown and they both got honorable discharges from the Union Army. And so did my son in law and most all the connections I had was in the Union Army. I was agin [the rebellion] all the time. I never did any good for a Rebel in life. At the beginning of the Rebellion I was for the Union. The first vote I give was for Old Genl Jacksons and I have tried ever since to follow out that line of principal. All I ever knew about politics was to stick to the Old Government, and I expect to do that as long as I live. I just said when the war first came up that I wished I could meet as many Democrats as there was pigeons in the air for they always seemed like Brothers to me and the Rebels always seemed like strangers and enemies. I was always as glad to hear of a Union ___ as I was to win a hoss race. When I used to run horses: and better than that. And I was as glad as I could be to hear that the Federals had tuck Van Buren. I left Texas before the Sucession vote was taken. I was glad to help the Union Boys as I would to pull my child out of the fire if it fell in. One Evening close to night about the 25th of August, 1864, one of my neighbors named Arnold came to me in Van Buren and told me [ that my 2 mules and 1 horse were taken after I went to the Federal Post of Van Buren]. Said he, Uncle John, there is your two mules and your fine stallion. The 9th Kansas Cavalry has got them. The 9th Kansas did not belong at Van Buren. I think they belonged at Clarksville 30 or 40 miles below Van Buren. This ___ had come up for something. I went to where they was camped and there sure enough was my two mules and my horses hitched in cap. I told the soldiers to show me an officer and they pointed out a Lieutenant and told me his name but I forgot it. I said to the Lieutenant, I have found my mules and horse that your men have got and I want to get them. He aaxed me where I lived and I pointed out my house and he said I will be up there in a few minutes and see you about it. I went home and pretty soon the Lieutenant came and brung another lieutenant with him. They axed me if I was a Loyal man and I showed them my papers that I was Loyal. They acted like much of Gentlemen and said in the morning I should have my stock or vouchers. They said they was very much in need of the stock and preferred to have me take vouchers. It was then late at night. The next morning I went to camp and they were gone. A soldier told me that a dispatch came that Marmaduke was about to attackt Clarksville and that the ___ were off in the night on double quick. And I never saw my mules or horse again and never got a voucher or a dime from them. I left the stock on Mulberry in charge of my sister in law and the Lieut. told me that the ___ got them there, but thought they was Rebel ___ when they took them. The mules were both brown. One a mare and the other a horse mule. Both for going on 5 years old. I raised the mare mule and bought the other. Both large likely mules. No 1 from that Country. I guessed and _ they was worth $200 to me (Euel) I would not have taken a dollar less. The horse was a Sorrel Stallion. He was going on 5 years old. I raised him. He was a little on the rise of 15 hands high and as fin a horse as ever I owned in life. He was sound every way and fat. He was worth $200 if any man’s horse ever was. I would not have taken that for him. Not far from the same time I saw the mare horse ...in possession of some of Col(?) Brewers 13th Kansas Infantry in Van Buren. My nephew Moses Meek first told me Brewers’ men had them and I hunded them up and found the soldiers... I axed them to give him up it was a Lieutenant that was on the mare and he told me that sooner than give her up he would shoot her in the street. He said he was too smart a man to give up a nice a nag as that. Some of the ___ advised me not to try to get the stock for they said the Kansans would as soon kill me as not and I did not try any more. In a short time the mare was missing and I - they had run her up to Kansas. I expect the horse was ___ the same way for I missed her the same time. I complained to the Provost Marshal and he told me if I could find the stock and bring them up I should have them but that was about the time they were ran off. And I never could find them and I never got any paper or any pay for them. The mare was a Sorrel, going on 6 years old. Not far from 16 hands high. Sound and Fat. She was a fine race mare. her name is on the Register __ in Texas as a race nag. I was offered $500 in cattle at cash prices for her before I left Texas. She was worth $200, for any __ you might __ her to. The horse was a Sorrel about 6 years old, about 16 hands high (feisty too) sound and in good order, worth $125. Well worth that. Items 5,6,7 &8 were taken towards the last of August 1864 by Captain Be??er of the 13th Kansas Infantry. Who went down to my place in Mulberry with a forage train. I was the ___ when it came in and saw my cattle in the slaughter pen and counted them. And there was just 15 head, there was 3 oxen, and the rest was 3 to 5 year old steers and cows. They were all good beef and likely cattle. I expect they would have weighted from 400 to 600 lbs. neat. I think accrazing the lot they were worth $30 each for the oxen were large and valuable. All I know of the __, corn and oats is what others told me. I was well acquainted with Captain Bealer and he said to me. Uncle John I killed 9 or 10 of your pink hogs and got 60 bushels of your corn and 30 bushels of your oats, but I left you a little to go on. And my wife told me about the same thing when I saw her. I know I had the truck on the place. The hogs were pink __ would weigh from 125 to 175 pounds. Pink was worth from 7 to 8cents per pound in town. Corn was worth $1.00 the ___. I paid $3 per bushel for meal about them times. Oats [were] worth 50 cents per bushel. Captain Beales told me I should been pay but he was gone all the time. ___ and it was a little while until he got killed and I helped to bury him. I tried for pay but some way I never could get at it right and never did get any receipt voucher or any dime. I never got a dime for any thing the Government got from me except one load of corn that Lieutenant took and went right straight to the Cf.M with me, but that wasn’t charged in my claim. Page 14 Somewhere about the 1st of September 1864,my nephew Moses Meek told me that the 6th Kansas Cavalry at Fort Smith had the two horses and mule in their camp. And I went over to see if I could get them. I saw all of them. The soldiers was riding them to water when I saw them. I just told the fellows that I was on them. That them was my nags. They said they guessed >>>. I had personal connections in that regiment and one of them went to a man that they said was a Captain and he said if the Rogues had my horses they should give them up, and for me to find the horses and ___. My ... But I could not find the nags any more. I went there again once and saw Col. Justin and he told me if I could produce the stock offender(?) it I should have them back but I never did get to see them again. That Regiment was .. had a lot of horses captured what that __ but I don’t know whether mine went that way or were run off and had. I know I never could hear of them any more and never got any receipt voucher. Page 15 or pay for any of them One of the horses was a dark bay or brown about 7 years old. I expected to be about 16 hands high. I owned and used in guard order. He was worth really $2000 (error probably $200.) The other was a Sorrel, about 6 years old. Sound and fat. Might pretty horse. he was ready worth $150. The mule was a brown horse mule well build. About 5 years old Sound and in good work order. It was worth $150. I had traded for this stock. I had owned the bay horse a year. the Sorrel horse and mule ... Just before I hear of them being in the 6th Kansas. I had been staying a spell in the edge of Forth Smith and kept this stock on the range when I missed them and had ___ for them when my nephews told me where they were. All the rest of the property was taken from my farm on Mulberry across Van Buren. John X(his mark)_ Meek Sworn Oath May 21, 1873. Page 18 Testimony of Thomas J. Meeks [At age 30, Thomas J. Meeks testified that he resided at Honey Creek in McDonald County Missouri near the NW Corner of Benton County, Arkansas. He was the claimant’s son and had no personal interest in the claim.] I was living with my father at the commencement of the war in Texas. Along in May or June 1861 the Rebels commenced to make threats against my father on account of his Loyalty and he was afraid to try to live there and in company with a number of other families of our relations we picked up and started to move north. At Fort Smith on the Arkansas River, my father was arrested on the charge of being a Black Republican. I was also arrested at the same time. We were arrested by Fitz Williams Company and charged with being Black Republicans trying to run North etc. etc. They abused us right Lieut. and some key man hanging my father, but finally released us all. But would not allow us to leave the Country. We settled 8 miles below Fort Smith in about 2 Weeks Father made an attempt by himself to get away and for North, but was again arrested 25 or 30 miles from and kept day and night and there they released him telling him that if they ever caught him across the county line they would kill him. He returned home and remained home 6 months where he took his family and located on Mulberry 20 to 25 miles __ Van Buren (and 5 miles further from Ft. Smith). I went with him to Mulberry and remained about 2 months where in company with my brother and 3 other Union Men (1 negro) I went through the Mountains to Fayetteville Ark where in April 1863 I enlisted in Co. F, 1st Ark. Cavalry USA in which command I served until the close of the War. Up to the time I left home for the Union Army the War was a subject of conversation between my father and myself every day and every night. He often told me he would rather I would die in the Union Army than to stay at home. He was pubic in his expression of Loyalty at the start and at once brought upon himself the hatred of the Rebels. He was in Exhuberance on the War question and always advised us to keep out of the Rebel Army. He knew of my plan to go to the Federals at the time I went, __ the matter over with him and my purpose met his approval and on the day I started he went a piece on the road with me. My Father at that time was closely watched by the Rebels. He went by the name of Black Republican. And he had to stick very close at home to keep down suspicion. I did not meet my father for 12 months after I went to the Federals. When he came to see me at Fayetteville where my Regiment was stationed (Fayetteville was some 60 miles North of where Father lived) I met him quite often _- after that to the close of the War. I was stationed all the time at Fayetteville and he staid all the time pretty Much with the Federal Soldiers at ___ Brewer, 50 miles South of Fayetteville but I frequently went to Van Buren on ___ duty and occationally he would make me a visit at Fayetteville. In all the war I never heard my Father use any disloyal language or make an expression that would be construed as meaning any thing disloyal, before I left home to go to the Federal Army, my father made a practice of serving provision to the Union men who were hiding out time and time again. I knew of his hiding and feeding deserters from the Rebel Army who were trying to get to the Union lines. He was guiding ___ to the Union Men of our settlement at that time. And __ after the advent of the Union Army he __ made the acquaintance of the Soldiers and Officers and they all knew who and what he was. I was present when a portion of the property charged in my Father’s Claim was taken, but only saw a very small part of it taken as it was all taken after I became a soldier in the Union Army. In August 1864 while I was temporarily at the City of Van Buren (I had put __ down there as mail carrier and to ___ a train) a the 9th Kansas Cavalry ___ into ___ (I understand they had been stationed down on the River ____ Where) and they had in their possession page 20 2 mules and a Sorrel Stallion that belonged to my father. Father was staying at Van Buren at the time and he discovered them first and __ and told me and I went with him to where they were camped. I saw the mules and horse in possession of the soldiers. I talked to the men who had the stock and also to one Lieutenant. The stock and also to our Lieutenant. The Lieut told Father that they needed the stock and could not give them up but that they would issue him vouchers. This was in the evening and that night they were ordered up and I do not think he ever met up with that Regiment again. I know he got no pay or vouchers in that time and I am confident that he never did. At the time I saw the stock, the soldiers had them hitched with other animals in camp. Father owned this stock before I left home and I knew it beyond a doubt. The mules were both brown (one mare and other a horse mule) one 5 and the other 4 years old, over 15 hands high. Large mules. Both sound and in good fix. Such mules now would bring some $125 to $130 each. The horse was a Stallion. 4 years old 16 hands high. Sound as a dollar. This Meeks man was my Gr grandfather John. His mother was Betsy Blevins and his father was Jeremiah Meeks from Newton County Arkansas. Glynda