Civil War Suits in the U.S. Court of Claims

Not long after the eruption of civil war, the United States found itself mired in claims against the government. Loyal citizens living in insurrectionary districts complained about property seizure. Military pay disputes abounded, and some of the army's attempts at procurement were called into question. Charged with resolving these cases was the United States Court of Claims. Originally set up to advise Congress on pension matters, by 1863 the newly expanded court was the chief body dealing with claims resulting from the war. The entries in this book present the particulars of the Civil War cases heard by the United States Court of Claims. Cases include disputed contracts; pay disputes; compensation for use of property or property lost, destroyed or damaged; and quartermaster or paymaster money stolen, captured, or lost. Suits filed by loyal states to recover war expenses are also listed. Appendices include 1860 census data, military regulations regarding pay and expenditures, relevant acts of Congress and other documents, and information about the 1864 Kentucky Draft Case claimants.