Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-10-18

THE Fl1zuuGH CLAM-The following Is
the Washington Republicans account of the
examination of the Fitzhugh claim, notice OF
which appeared in yesterdays Gazette:
The claim OF Mrs Anna NJ. Fiizhugh, widow
of the late VIM Fl. Filzhugh, of Ravcnswood.
near Alexandria, Va, for l25 900 cords Of wood
cut from her estate, and charged at $50 WNI
was heard before the Southern Claims Com
mission yesterday. Mrs Fitzhugh was not
present, but was represented BY her nephew,
Charles G.. Kerr
The first witness sworn was Daniel W. Lewis,
of Danville, Va. aged G5 Had known the
claimant all his life some years before the
war her husband died aud left will emancipat
ing all his slaves, and leaving them money to
go to Liberia !; he knew that Mrs. Fl2hugh
waI loyal, and that after the war she had taken
the oath Of allegiance
Alfred Bayliss testified THAI the amount was
correct, and the charges not exhor5itant.
Thomas Ogden and John Dean testified to
the same.
John +. Wood testified as to the loyalty Of
the claimant during the war
William H. Burke was sworn, and testified
I am fifty seven years of age, and native OF
Fairfax have lived all my life with the family
| am one Of the slaves emancipatcd by Mr.
Fitzhugh. | lived on the property Of Mrs
Fitzhugh 10 Alexandria during the war. |
have often heard Mrs Fitzhugh speak against
pulling down the old flag. She wanted to die
under the flag she had lived under. | was a
family servant, and never heard her utter a
disloyal sentiment in her life. The Sunday be-
fore General Lee rendered his resignation |
heard her say to him, Il hope you are not SO
Ing to leave your position in the army and 81
South" He replied, Il have no idea of such
thing" On the noxt Tuesday, | think it
was, General Lee passed the house. and asked
me if Mrs. Fitshugh was up. | told him DO.
He left word that he was going to Richmond.
She said, after told her what General Lee
said, that she feared that he had rendered his
resignation She told me to get her the Sun.
| did so, and there she saw that be had ten
dered his resignation aud gone South. She
then said, He has ruined himself forever,
| know her general reputation. and she Was
regarded as loyal.
Here the testimony was closed for the day.
The counsel for the claimant stated that he ex,
pected to prove her loyalty by the. additional
testimony of Reverdy johnson and Ferguson
Beach, late United States district attorney for
Virginia He therefore asked tor another day.
The commission decided that they could not
take up the case again until after New Year :,
and there the matter rests for the present.
1t is understood that, waving all question OF
loyalty, the commission hold that the charge
of IS per cord for standing timber is cxorbl:
taut s being the highest price ever allowed
by army quartermasters. Also, that there was
witness in readiness TO rebut the evidence OF
VIM. Burke By showing that there was another
side of the picture, and Confederate generals
enjoyed high hospitality at Mrs. Fizhugh 5
mansion. On account OF i'll health, Mrs. tIZ-
hugh was not present at the examination. II
Is understood that some OF the members OF the
commission will visit her at her residence, in
Alexandria.
CLARKE COUNTY ITEMS The quarterly
term OF the County Court is now in session,
Judge Page presiding.
On Saturday morning of last week there was
very heavy frost, and some ice. The frost
killed the tomato vines.
A great many chestnuts are being brought to
town. It's said that they are very abundant
in the Blue Ridge mountains this fall.
We believe all our farmers have finished
their fall seeding Some Of the wheat is up
and looks very we'll.
SpOrtSmen are having ueiiSnflui TINE IT
baggiug partridges. They are said to be pIcn-
tiful this year.
The ladies of Grace Church, Bcrryvie, will
serve dinner and keep refreshment table dur
ing the sitting Of the October term of the Cir
cult Court, commencing on the 30th lust. the
proceeds arising from the same to be devoted
towards liquidatug the church debt.
The bullion in the Bank of England has de-
creased three hundred and nne-three thousand