May 18, 1864: Fletcher’s Ferry

HEIRS OF DR. NATHAN FLETCHER.

Manon 29, 1888.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House and ordered to be printed.

Mr. S’ronn, of Kentucky, from the Committee on War Claims, submitted the following

REPORT:

[To accompany bill ll. R. 34.]

The Committee on War Claims, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 34)t‘or the relief of the heirs of Dr. Nathan Fletcher, have had the same under consideration and find that Dr. Fletcher died in 1857. His widow and five children (four girls and one hey), all minors, continued to live on the plantation until several years after the close of the war.

Some time in the month of October, 1864, the U. 8. transport Stone River, under convoy of the gun-boat General Stanley, Capt. William A. Naylor, commanding, landed at Dr. Fletcher’s plantation and took possession of, and carried off, 32 bales of cotton, weighing at the gin, when packed, 18,845 pounds. These 32 bales of cotton were carried on said transport to the town of Decatur, Ala., thence shipped to some point In the North, where the said cotton was sold, and the proceeds covered into the Treasury of the United States. _

The committee find that these 32 bales of cotton have been indubitably traced and followed, until their proceeds were finally lodged in the Treasury of the United States, as is attested by the following letter from the honorable the Secretary of the Treasury, which the committee beg to make part of this report:

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF ‘rnn SECRETARY,
Washington, D. 0., January 8, 1887.

3131 Replying to your three letters under dates of July l6 last, August 4 last, and December 22 ultimo, asking for information respecting the claim of Mrs. Susan R. l’jleteher to the proceeds of certain cotton seized from her plantation during the late clvil war, I have the honor to inform you that it appears from the records of this Be Plrtment that on January 30, 1864, at Fletcher’s Ferry, about 30 miles above Decatur, “M on the South bank of the Tennessee River, 32 holes of cotton, said to be the Pmlm‘y of Mrs. Susan Fletcher, were seized by a detachment from the United States Pmn-‘llmrt Stone Ifirer, which cotton was afterwards sold and the roceeds covered mmihe’l‘reannry. It further appears from a report on file that is. Fletcher was‘1“’192′111 to the Government and in active sympathy with the Confederate cause; that, dun“! the war Federal gunboats were more froquentl fired on by persons harboring on her lace that from any other point on the river. 8 e afterwards made application lotho retary of the Treasury for the restoration to her of the cotton, or its pro

CWIB, but her claim was rejected, on what ground does not appear, though it is presumed from certain notations on the papers that the round of rejection was that it was a military seizure, and consequently not within t e Jurisdlctlon of the Secretary o ‘Press

The Papers and reports in this case await your examination.

Respectfully, yours, D M
. ANNING,

Secretary.

Hon. Josnrn Wnmznnu,
House of Representatives.

The committee also append the following statement of facts and circumstances relating to said claim, verified by the affidavit of A. E. Ashiord, the guardian and agent of claimants:

Dr. Nathan Fletcher died at Fletchcr’s Perry, in Morgan County, Ala., in the year 1857. His widow, Mrs. Susan ‘R. Fletcher, and children, four girls and one boy, continued to live at Fletcher’s Ferry, on Tennessee River, alone, until several years after the war closed. In October, 1864, the trangport boat Stone-River, under convoy of armed boat General Stanly, Capt. William A. aylor commanding, landed at Fletcher’s Ferry, and the boat crew, by order and direction of Captain Naylor, seized and took possession of 32 bales of cotton (gin weights when packed 19,845 pounds) lying at the gin-honsc,close to landing at ferry,and hauled all of said 32 ales of cotton with a wagon and four mules ielonging to said heirs of Nathan Fletc er to the boat landing and put it on the transport boat Stone River, carried it to Decatur, Ala, thence shi ped it to Washington, D. C., and said 32 bales of cotton were sold in Jauuaig, l , and proceeds of such sale \vi-re covered into the Treasury of the United States overnment and are now there, as the records of the Treasury show by oflicial statement by Hon. Daniel Manning.

All of the children of Dr. Nathan Fletcher were minors at the time of seizure of their cotton. Mrs. Susan R. Fletcher, his widow, was exceedingly prudent, cautious, and conservative in conduct toward both armies, which course was necessitated, if for no other reason, by her unprotected and defenceless condition, all of which is abundantly shown by affidavits in evidence. The fact and manner of seizure of thirty-two bales of cotton is shown and proven by the sworn evidence of J ames R. Johnson and Richard Easly, pilots on the boats present, and on which the cotton was taken away; also evidence of negroes present and eyewitnesses. It is also shown in evidence that Mrs. Susan R. Fletcher did take the oath of allegiance to the United States or Federal Government, at Huntsville, in 1864, and that she did get an order from General Stanly, then commanding there, for the recovery and the delivery of said thirty-two bales of cotton to her, showing conclusively that she was loyal, and innocent of any charge of disloyalty or overt act against the United States Government, or of any active aid given the Confederate cause.

Mrs. Susan R. Fletcher, the widow, is dead. Her eldest dau hter, Josephine, and her husband, Oliver P. Saunders, died of yellow fever at Gren a, Miss., in October, 1878, and their five children are yellow-fever orphans, and they, as well as all the heirs of Dr. Nathan Fletcher, need, and respectfully pray your honorable body for relief by an act of justice in awarding compensation to them for their thirty-two bales of cotton so taken and used by the United States Government.

Respectfully submitted.
Per A. E. Asnronn,

Agent by power attorney for heirs Dr. Nathan Fletcher, deceased.

STATE or ALABAMA. Lawrence County .

I certify that the person whose name is signed to this paper personally appeared liclore me, and after being sworn according to law, on oath, says that the statements, allegations, and averments set forth in this paper are true, to the best of his knowledge and belief.

January 26, 1886. J on A. GILcnRisT,

Notary Public.

The committee also append the petition of claimants, verified by afl‘idnvit and certificate of A. E. Ashford.

Said petition sets forth the amount of the claim and circumstances attending the seizure of the cotton.

The petition is in words and figures following:

PETITION.

Your petitioners, Caroline T. Ashford, Clara S. Ashford, and Lena I. Ashford, respectfully represent that they are citizens of the United States, residing in the county

;‘.’.=s:|_’.-.&”Iis-? of Lawrence in the State of Alabama, and Sarah M. Saunders, Mary C. Saunders, Eugene P. and James L. Saunders, residing in the county of in the Slate of Mississippi ; and James I. Fletcher and Martha F. Burt. residing in the county of

in the State of Mississippi, all being citizens of the United States and heirs of Dr. Nathan Fletcher: deceased, and that when this claim accrued they resided at or near Fletcher’s Ferry, in Morgan County, Ala. That they have a claim against the United States for_32 bales (15,0(30 pounds) of lint cotton, taken for the use of the United Slates during the late rebellion. That they did not give aid or comfort to the rebellion during the late war, but were all minors and loyal to the Government of the United States during that war. Your petitioners further state that the value of the property so taken, and for which the Government of the United States is indebted to petitioners, amounted to $23,000, and that said property consiuted of the followingluuned items or articles, being then and at that time of the true value herein stated,

to wit: .
The United States Government, Dr., to heirs of Dr. Nathan Fletcher, deceased.

1864. October 15. To 32 bales of cotton. 18,945 pounds, at $1.25 per pound. .. $23, 156. 25 To 1 black mule, Tibb, at $200 ………………...…. _ . 200. 00 Oct. and Nov. To 600 bushels corn ……………………………… . . 300. 00 Total amount due heirs of’Dr. N. Fletcher…… …-.- -… …. –.. . 23.656.25

Wherefore your petitioners appeal to your honorable body and ask that the bill in

_ lrmluced on December 2i, 1887, in first session of Fiftieth Congress, H. R. 34, entitled

“A bill for the reliefof the heirs of Dr. Nathan Fletcher,” and the papers and evidences relating to said claim, and which were referred to the Committee on War Claims, be called for, and all the evidences attached thereto as part of the report and proof of

said claim. A. E. Asuuoun, Agent, by power of attorney, for Heirs of Dr. Nalhan Fletcher.

STATE or ALABAMA, County of Lawrence: lccrtify that the person whose name is signed to this paper personally appeared before me, and, after being sworn according to law, on oath says ” that the allegations

and avermeuts set forth in this paper are true.”

Janu 26 1888.
w ‘ Jorm A. Grrcnnrs’r,

Notary Public.

The committee also append the aflidavits of Richard Easly, James R. Johnson, Minty De Louch, Louis De Louch, Stephen Graves, Lizzie N. Moore, Robert Wiggins, Dr. James A. Beasley, Dr. Richard M. Fletcher. taEllese af‘fidavits show the circnm stances under which the cotton was

en.

The ailidavits also show that the family of Nathan Fletcher did not do any act of disloyalty during the war; they show they had nothing to do with nor knowledge of any firing on gnu-boats or any other hostile :ct committed by Confederates or any one else in the vicinity of their

cm.

The aflidavits show they did not harbor any persons who committed hostile acts.

The afiidavits also show that the heirs of Nathan Fletcher were his willow and children, consisting of a. boy nine years old and three young gir s.

_ The committee can not presume that a boy nine years old and three little girls were disloyal in a case like this where there is not a particle of evidence to show they were disloyal or ever did a disloyal act.

The aflidavits are in words and figures following:

STATE or ALABAMA, Marshal County .-
Richard Easly, of the to wn of Warrenton, in the county and State aforesaid, being

y sworn, upon oath says: . . l was employed in the Army and in the naval service of the United States Govern

I

ment as pilot, by Capt. William A. Naylor, to pilot boats belonging to and used by . said Government on the Tennessee River during the years 1864 and 1865. In the fall of 1864 I was piloting the transport gun-boat Stone River, commanded b Capt. William A. Naylor. On a trip down the river, about the middle of October, was ordered and did land the boat at Fletchcr’s Ferry, some 14 miles above Decatur. A lot of cotton bales was taken from a gin-house on the bluffs near the river, by order of Captain Naylor, and put on the boat I was piloting and carried to Decatur. We often stopped at Flctchcr’s Ferry, and I knew Mrs. Susan Fletcher and family. ller children were young.

I knew of no charges against her or cause why the cotton was taken.

l mu forty-seven years old and live in Marshal County.

And further says not.

his – Rlcu. >< EAsLY. mark.

Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 28th day of May, 1874.
JNO. D. TAYLOR,
Justice of the Peace.

STATE or ALABAMA, Marshall County .

I, L. D. Lusk, judge of the probate court of said’county, hereby certify that John D. Taylor, whose ollicial signature is signed to the foregoing aflidavit, is now and was at the time of signing the same an acting justice of the peace in and for said county, and that full faith and credit are due all his oliicial acts as such.

In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and afiixed the seal of said court at oflice in the town of Guntorsville, this the 29th day of May, A. D. 1874.

L. D. Loss, Judge of Probate. SrA’ru or ALABAMA, Lawrence County :

I, John A. Gilchrist, notary public for said county, certify that the foregoing is a true, copy of the original papers.

Given under my hand and notarial seal this the 15th day of November, 1887.

JOHN A. Gucumsr,
Notary Public.

STATE or ALABAMA, County of Marshall.

Capt. James R. Johnson, of the town ofGuutcrsville,iu the county and State Moresaid, being duly sworn, on oath says:

I was employed as pilot in the service of the United States by Captain Glassflird, in pilot and conduct boats belongin r to and used by the United States Government on the Tennessee River during the late war with the States then in rebellion, and so acted as pilot durin the years 01‘1864 and 1865.

During the fall 0 1864, on or about the 15th day of October, I was pilot on the armed boat General Thomas, and while on down trip acted as convoy to the transport gunboat Stone River, commanded by Capt. William A. Naylor.

The gnu-boat Stone River stopped and landed at Fletcher’s Ferry and took on a lot of cotton, which was broughtdown from a gin-house on the blufl‘s near the lower landing atsaid ferry. From appearance 1 judge thirty odd bales was taken from the ginhouse.

’l‘ho cotton was taken to Decatur, Ala., some 14 or 15 miles below and unloaded. I saw the cotton lying on the river bank at Decatur. The General Thomaa did not land at Fletcher’s Ferry, but stood out in the river opposite the landing. I do not know what disposition was made of the cotton. I was informed, and it was generally understood, that the cotton bclongcd to the estate of Dr. Nathan Fletcher.

1 know Mrs. Susan R. Fletcher, widow of Dr. Fletcher, and family, and know of no cause why the cotton was or should have been taken.

Mrs. Fletcher’s family consisted of four daughters and one son, then about eight or ten years old.

And further says not.
JAiuss R. JOHNSON.

Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 28th day of May, 1874.
Jossru B. Funcuusos,
Justice of the Peace.

STATE or ALABAMA, Marshall County : –
I, L. I). Lusk, judge of the probate court of said county, hereby certify that Joseph
B. Furgerson, whose ofiieial signature is afiixed to the foregoing afl’i davit, is now, and

was at the time of signing the same, on acting justice of the peace for said county, duly elected and qnaliiie , and that full faith and credit are due all his ofiicial acts as such.

In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and aflixed the seal of said

court at oflice in the town of Guntersville, this the 29th day of May, A. D. 1874. L. D. LusK, Judge of Probate.

Sum: or ALABAMA, Madison County:

Personally appeared before me, D. W. Beadle, a justice of the peace in and for said county and State, Minty Do Louch, of the town of Triana, in the county of Madison and State of Alabama, who, being duly sworn, upon oath says: I formerly belonged to the estate of Dr. Nathan Fletcher, and was the cook. I lived with Mrs. Susan R. Flsioher and family at Fletcher’s Ferry, on Tennessee River, until after the war was over. There were three girls and one boy in the family then. The oldest child, Miss Josephene, was about oi hteen or nineteen years old, and the boy, Jimmie, some nine or ten years old. I was cm and raised in the family, and stayed with the family all the time of the war. Mr. John J. Fletcher was guardian of the children, and Dr. Dick Fletcher the family hysieian. The Fletcher boys sometimes came to see how we were getting on, but Phardl ever saw any other men nor rebel soldiers about our house. I never saw or hean of any rebel soldiers being hid about Miss Susan Fletcher-‘s, and I know that the rebel soldiers never fired at the Union soldiers nor the gun-boats about our house, for I lived in the yard close to the family, and would have seen it and heard it if they had done it.

Col. Joe Patterson fired the cannon once, I know, at the Union soldiers. from the bluils below our house; and General Roddy’s men shot across the river at Union soldiers in the stockade. Captain Naylor told Miss Susan, right before my face, that if any of his men or any of his boats were fired at about there, he would burn her house Rp_; end if she kept rebel soldiers about her he would burn her house and take her Knsoner; so she told the rebels to stay away from her, for the Yankees would burn

or house up. I saw Captain Naylor’s men when they hauled our cotton from the gin-house and put it on their boat. They took our wagon and mules and hauled it, and killed one of the best mules we had. Old Tibb, hauling the cotton, broke a bloodveasel, and she bled at the nose and mouth, and died soon after that. , ‘We lost a. heap of our meat and chickens by them: had to hide everything, for both sides would rob us. The Union soldiers said if they did not take the cotton the robe would, so they took it to keep the rebels from having it. Captain Nsylor and his men often come up to the house and give Miss Susan newspapers to read.

And further says not. h 6!‘

MINTY x Dr: Loucu. mark.

Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 4th day of February, 1887.
D. W. BEADLE,

Justice of the Peace in andfor said city.

Sun: or ALABAMA, Madison County .

Personally appeared before me, Daniel W. Beadle, a justice of the peace in and for said conuty and State, Louis De Loach, of the town of Triana, in the county of Madiwn and the State of Alabama, who, being duly sworn, upon oath says: I lived in Mpl‘gan County, near Fletcher’s Ferry, on Tennessee River, during the war. My “Ire. Mint De Leach, belonged to the estate of Dr. Nathan Fletcher, and she cooked for his wi ow, Mrs. Susan, and family. I lived near and went tosee my wife nearly of“? night. Mrs. Fletcher did not harbor any Confederate soldiers or spies of “1211“, or 1 would have seen them, for my wife lived in the yard. Mrs. Fletcher often told me to tell all the rebel soldiers that they could not stay all night. She was afraid that the Union soldiers would take all she had and burn her house. Colonel PatterBon once fired at some Union forces to keep them back until he could cross the river,

and the gunboats soon after shelled her house, so that all-of her family had to leave ‘

home, and stayed in the woods all da ‘ long. The rebel soldiers did not stop with her 011 that account, but went out to Mr. 1′ ouut Roberta’s woods. 8 mile off, to camp. Mrs. Fletcher often said she would move away from the ferry because it was so public, but had no place to go. She lost some cotton from her gin-house, and a large black mole and about 50 acres of corn on the north side of the river, taken by the Union soldiers. I saw them gathering the corn, and my wife told me they took the cotton.

The soldiers would take her meat, chickens, hogs, and anything they wanted, and

often left her without anything to eat. I never knew Mrs. Fletcher to do anything

to injure or hurt any of the Union men. And further says not.

his
LOUIS x Dr. Loscu.
mark.

Sworn to and subscribed this the 4th day of February, 1887, before me.
‘ DAN’L W. lie/mm,
Juslice of the Peace in and for said County and Stale.

STATE OF ALABAMA, Madison County :

Personally appeared before me, Daniel W. Beadle, a justice of the peace in and for said county and State, Stephen Graves, of the town of Triana, in the county of Madison and State of Alabama, who,’being duly sworn, upon oath, says: I lived with the widow and family of Dr. Nathan Fletcher, deceased, at Fletcher’s Ferry, on the Tennessee River during the years 1862, 1863, 1864, and 1865. My wife Celia belonged to that estate. I was the only man that stayed all the time on the place, and I attended to the stock and took care of everything after the overseer, Mr. .1110. Dunn, left in 1863. The gunboats often stopped at the ferry in passing up and down the river. About in October, the fall be ore the surrender, Captain Naylor landed his boat at the bluffs below the ferry, and one of the oflicers came off the boat and made me hitch four mules to our wagon and his men took the wagon and hauled every bale of cotton we had to the boat, and put it on the boat and carried it away. They took 32 bales, for I was right there and saw them do it.

The Union men said they took it to keep the robe from getting it. I told them that it had been lying there a long time without any one troubling it before. They made seven loads and killed the best mule on the )lace—pulled her so hard that she bursted a blood vessel and the blood run out of her mouth and nose: so she died soon after. She was a big black mare mule, named Tibb, and was worth $200 in gold. The Confederate soldiers did not come about us much, only in crossing the ferry. I never saw any of them hid about Miss Susan’s. She was afraid to let them even stay all night.

There never was any fighting done close to us, except when Colonel Patterson shot his cannon at the Union soldiers when they followed him to the river, when he made the raid on Madison Station; and he done that to keep them off him untzl he could cross the river. We were always glad to be rid of both sides, for they just took anything they could lay their hands on ; both sides robbed us, I tell you. And further says not.

his STnPunN + Gaavss. mhrk

Sworn to and subscribed this the 4th day of February, 1887, before me,
DAN’L W. Bmnur,

Justice of the Peace in andfor said county and State.

Tm: STATE or ALABAMA, Madison County :

I, Thomas J. Taylor, judge of the court of probate, which is made by law a court of record in and for said county and State, hereby certify that D. W. Beadle, whose name and genuine signature appear to the annexed certificates, was, at the time of attesting the same, a justice of t 0 peace in and for said county, duly commissioned and qualified; and that, as such, his acts and doings are entitled to full faith and credit. ‘

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and aflixed the seal of said State, at oi’fice, this 5th day of February, A. D 1887

[sssn] Tnomss J. TAYLOR,

Judge of Probate.

STATE or ALABAMA, Madison County :

Personally appeared before me, C. C. Gvwin, a justice of the peace in and for said county and State, Mrs. Lizzie N. Moore, of the town of Madison, in the county of Madison and State aforesaid, who, being duly sworn says: I knew Mrs. Susan R. Fletcher, widow of Dr. Nathan Fletcher intimately from the time of her marriage with Dr. Nathan Fletcher until the timeo her death, 1886. I was informed by her and my father, J no. I. Fletcher, administrator of Dr. N. Fletcher’s estate, that she took the oath of alle

-I -I_‘.L’

 

giauce in 1864 to the United States Government in Huntsville, Ala., and obtained an orderfrom General Stanley, commanding, for the recovery of thirty-two bales of cotton taken by Federal troops from the estate of Dr. Nathan Fletcher in October, 1864. The family of Dr. Nathan Fletcher consisted of his widow, Susan R. Fletcher, four girls, The eldest child. Josephine, was born in September, 1846; I do not lie

snd one son. lieve she took any port on either side during the war. Her nature and defenseless position would not admit of so doing. And further says not. LlZZllt N. Moons. Sworn to and subscribed this the 24th day of February, 1887, before me. [sun] C. C. Guwm, Justice of the Peace.

STATE or ALABAMA, Madison County:

Robert Wiggins, of the town of Madison, in the county of Madison and State of Alabama, being duly sworn, says that he was a Confederate soldier, and was wounded at the battle of Franklin, Tenn., in November, 1864, and on my return home I stopped at Mrs. Susan R. Fletcher’s house, my home and count (Madison) being Occupied by Federal forces. Mrs. Susan Fletcher, though an old riend, objected to my staymg with her, being afraid of incurring the displeasure of the Federal authorities. I lllll not stop or stay with her, not wishing to subf’ect her to possible injury by the Federals, as she was helpless and unprotected. regarded her over prudent and cautious. Her five children were minors. I was informed, and believe it to be true, that she took the oath of alle iance to the United States Government. I have known Mrs. Fletcher since my child cod. She was timid by nature. I do not believe that she took any active part on either side during the late war.

And further says not.
Ros-r. WIGGINB.
Sworn to this the 3d day of February, 1887, before me.
[SEAL] C. C. GEWIN
Justice of the Peace in and for said County and ig‘tate.

Sun: or ALABAMA, Madison County:

‘Dr. James A. Beasley, of the town of Huntsville, in the county of Madison and btate ofAlahaum, being duly sworn, says: I was personally acquainted with the widow and children of Dr. Nathan Fletcher, deceased. There were four girls and a boy. The eldest, Josephine, was about nineteen years old, and the boy, Jimmie, about nine Years old,ot the close of the war. I was often at Mrs. Fletcher’s house during the “all Iregarded her very prudent and careful of conduct towards both Union and Confederate soldiers. I saw no evidence of an ‘ aid given the Confederates. I was Informed, and believe it to be true, that Mrs. etcher took the oath of allegiance to ‘the United States Government, and she obtained an order from the general command19g. General Stanley, for recove of some cotton taken from the estate of Dr. Nathan

l’lotchcr in October, 1864. by Federal forces. and carried on boats to Decatur. Aid. 1 know of no charge of disloyalty against her, or any cause why the cotton should

have been taken. And further says not. Jsmns A. BEAsLEY.

Sworn to and subscribed this the 17th day of February, 1887, before me, [am] Au-uucn Moons,

Notary Public.

-—

bm’s or ALABAMA, Madison County : ‘Dr. Richard M. Fletcher, of the town of Madison, in the county of Madison and state of Alabama, being duly sworn, says: I was intimately acquainted with Mrs. blown R. Fletcher and family, and often saw them during the war, being their family l‘lli’slcian. The children—four iris and one boy—were all minors during the war; the eldest, Josephine, about nineteen years old; the boy, nine or ten years old, Mrs. S. R. Fletcher was passive and timid by nature, and considered her very pmdent and conservative in conduct toward both Federal and Confederate armies. Hm“Fl‘ellifi defenseless condition—if for no other cause—rendered such a course necesBf“? {111d imperative. I know of no hostile act to the Federal cause, nor of any active “d given the Confederate government. I do not believe, nor ever heard, that she lmrbored or concealed any Confederate soldiers or spies about her; nor were Federal fired upon near her house except by troops in charge of regular Confederate