NA, SS 3/27/1863

Petersburg Va March 27, 1863

 
   I William Falconer being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, do certify and affirm that on the night of the 26 March 1863 I assisted in taking from a train of cars belonging to the South Side Rail Road Company at the depot of said Company in this city one hundred and seven (107) head of cattle shipped from Lynchburg by Maj Thos C E Coler C. S., that two head wandered when taken from the train and three more were unable to walk and died before morning; and that two others notwithstanding every attention possible was given them died today before 12 o'clock noon. 
   I do further certify that I was present today when ninety six of the cattle in question were weighed to Maj Jonas and they averaged between four hundred and ninety three and four hundred and ninety four pounds gross per head; that I have heard and believe they averaged when weighed early in the present month near Mount Airy in Wythe county Virginia on an average six hundred and eighteen pounds per head and in view of the fact that they were driven to Lynchburg a distance of about 155 miles on the hoof and were then as I have been informed two days and nights on the cars between this place and Lynchburg without food or water, I do not deem the diminution in weight as very great -- especially when it is taken into consideration that the cattle are small and young and were driven through a spell of weather that was exceedingly bad and unfavorable to live stock. I further certify that I have been buying cattle for the Government for the last 18 months and think I know something about stock. I should add that four (4) more of the cattle are in a helpless condition and I do not think they can live; this accounts for only ninety six of these cattle being weighed to Maj Jonas. I further certify that I am now the agent of Maj Robert Yannahill CS at Petersburg and in no will interested in these cattle. Given under my hand this 27th March 1863.
W. Falcomer

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