Maria C. Buie's Southern Claims Case

Southern Claims of Maria Catherine McLean Buie
Union Church, Jefferson County, Mississippi
by Linda Durr Rudd

Invading armies required food and supplies to keep the men in good fighting condition. As the armies moved, they took what they needed from the local people. The usual items taken were weapons, horses, pigs, cows, mules, wagons, and crops. The losing side was never compensated for its losses. The United States Congress created the Southern Claims Commission on March 03, 1871, so, Southerns who had remained loyal to the Union and had lost property to invading Union armies could request compensation.

In order to receive compensation, claimants had to satisfy four general requirements.

  • Claimant hold United States citizenship
  • Claimant resided in a state that had seceded.
  • Claimant could prove his or her loyalty to the United States throughout the Civil War.
  • United States troops had taken the claimant's goods for offical army purposes.

    • From The Valley of the Shadow: Southern Claims Commission Papers

    MARIA CATHERINE MCLEAN BUIE was the daughter of CHARLES F. MCLEAN and MARIA WATSON. Maria was born about 1836 in Mississippi. She married ROBERT M. BUIE November 02, 1854 in Jefferson County, MS. Robert was the son of Gilbert M. Buie and Lovedy Caroline Brown.
    Genealogy information from Buie Homepage.

    Maria Buie had three younger brothers; John, Calvin and Allen. By 1870, Maria was the sole survior of her family of origin. Maria's father Charles McLean died in 1859, two brothers died during the Civil War, her mother Maria died in 1870 and the last brother died shortly after their mother's death. Grierson's Cavalry raided the McLean Farm April 28, 1863. Maria Buie filed the Southern Claims on the behalf of her mother Maria Watson McLean's estate beginning in 1873.

    Like many southern families, Maria Buie had difficulty proving her family's loyalty to the Union. Maria's husband Robert Buie enlisted May 04, 1862 with Company K, 1st Regiment, Mississippi Light Artillery. Robert hired a subsititute, Theodore Smith, Decemebr 12, 1862. Robert did not return to the war. Maria's three brothers served with the Confederate army. Allen enlisted with Company H, 12th Mississippi Infantry March 11, 1861 at Union Church, Jefferson County, Mississippi. He was discharged for disability September 30, 1861. Brothers Calvin Alexander McLean and John Watson McLean served with Company A, 1st Mississippi Light Artillery. They enlisted March 31, 1862 at Jackson, Hinds County, Mississippi. Calvin was killed in action during the Vicksburg Campaign near Bakers Creek on May 16, 1863. John was captured at Vicksburg July 4, 1863. After he was pardoned, John was transferred to Company F, Bradford's Battery.
    Compiled Service Records of 1st Mississippi Light Artillery
    Microfilm Numbers: 1461 and 4520
    Compiled Service Records of 12th Mississippi Infantry
    Microfilm Number: 2922
    Microfilms found at Mississippi Department of Archives and History

    Listed below are the items taken from the McLean Farm during Grierson's Raid.

    1863 Property Taken by the United States ArmyValue
    April 28thOne Large Sorrel Mule 16 Hands High
    Six Years Old    		$225
    April 28thOne Iron Gray Mule 16 Hands High
    Nine Years Old    		$225
    April 28thOne Pair Bay Match Mule 15 1/2 Hands High
    Six Years Old    		$400
    April 28thOne Sorrel Horse 16 1/2 Hands High
    Five Years Old    		$200
    April 28thOne Sorrel Mare 16 Hands High
    Seven Years Old    		$350
    April 28th100 Bushels of Corn
    at $1.25 per Bushel    		$125
    April 28th500 lbs Bacon
    at .20 per lb    		$100
    April 28thOne Saddle and Bridle$25
    Total$1650

    DEPOSITIONS OF THOSE WHO TESTIFIED IN MARIA BUIE'S CASE
    John D. Blue (Neighbor) ~ John B. Bowen (Neighbor)
    Maria C. McLean Buie (Claimant) ~ Robert M. Buie (Claimant's Husband)
    Flora E. Cameron (Neighbor) ~ John H. Clark (Neighbor)
    Felix Mason (Former Hired Slave of McLean Family) ~ John J. Mclean (Cousin of Claimant)
    Milly McLean (Former McLean Family Slave) ~ William A. McLean (Cousin of Claimant)

    SUMMARIES OF CASE
    United States' Brief of Loyalty
    Maria Buie's Reply to United States' Brief of Loyalty

    Sources

    NARA - Record Group 123 - United States Court of Claims - Congressional Jurisdiction - Southern Claim File of Maria C. Buie - Case # 2723

    1860 Jefferson County Slave Schedule

    Remembering Their Names