Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-03-30
GEN. LEES PRISONER IN 1868.

DOSlOu ClODo SlyS. MOScS OWOCtoCi, q
We lknown business man, who was
captured by Gen. Fitzhugh Lee in Vir-
ginia in 1868, observed his seventy filth
birthd Y T Iur. day. He enjoys excel
lent health and is as straight as an ar
row. In form and feature he greatly
resembles the late James G. Blaine,
and was an intimate friend of the Maine
statesman.
During the civil war Mr.. Sweetser
was a trader or union purveyor at Fair.
tax Court House. After the civil war
he settled in Parkersburg, W. Va,
where he resided up to a recent period.
He now lives portion of the time in
New York and Elizabeth City, N. j.,
but says his home is as much in Salem
rs anywhere else.
Owing to chivalrous deed he was
shown special kindness when captured
by Gen. Fitzhugh Lee. The facts in
the case are replete with interest.
During the civil war there lived at
Fairfax Court House, Va, refined and
educated young woman, Miss, Autonia
J Ford. She was intensely devoted to
he cause of the Confederacy, and it is
aid that just previous to the first bat
tie of Bull Run she was employed by
Gen. ]. E B Stuart to secure iuforme-
ton rs to the position and movements
OF several union brigades.
Ii March, 1868. she was arrested
With her father and others by Union
troops on suspicion of having given the
Information which led to Mosby's sue
cessful attack on Fairfax. At the time
Of her arrest the weather was very
inclement and the roads deep with
mud. Provost Marshal Conner, how
ever, decided that the prisoners should
walk to the old Capitol prison in Wash
ipgton, distance of Is miles.
Mr.. Sweetser then was a trader at
Fairfax Court House and had a wagon
aud several horses. He suggested that
the prisoners should ride in the wagon.
This proposition was rejected by the
provost marshal, who declared in Wig
orous language that the prisoners
should walk.
Mr.. Sweetser replied that the prison
ers, of whom some were sick, could
not walk that distance in the mud;
that it would be inhuman for them to
do so. He further said that as the
provost marshal's Jurisdiction extend
ed OF ly one mile, that they could walk
that distance, and as there was no civil
or military law to compel them to walk
any farther he would take the respon
sibiity and carry them to Washington
Misc Ford was released after several
~ IN
Richmond.
Soon after the events above narrated
an advance of the Confederate forces
caused the Union forces to fall back
toward Washington, and Fairfax
Court House was evacuated by them.
THIS l,ft the unionists who were
there unprotected, and all except
Mr.. Sweetser hastily departed one
morning. He chose to be somewhat
deliberate in his movements, and he let
the afternoon come before be left.
Then he loaded up his goods, took
his wife and son and started down the
turnpike toward Alexandria. They
stopped that night at Annandale with
large number of traders and squad
Of Union soldiers.
The following morning Geu. Fiiz-
hugd Lee entered the town with 1,5O0
men and captured the entire party.
The prisoners were ordered in line to
march to Richmond. Mr.. Sweetser
was very lame, and his wife waited
upon General Lee and asked him to al
low her husband to ride. The request
was granted.
The procession had not gone far
when General Lse came up and bade
MIR. Sweetser alight and 60 about bis
business.
MIR. Sweetser, turning to General
Lee, said: ''Please, General, give me
pass through your lines."
General Lee took out his pocketbook, tore
out lesf and wrote pass on it adding !:
Cause, his defense of helpless woman"
During the time Miss Ford was in prison
she made the acquaintance and won the love
of Major Charles Willsrd, of the Union army,
aud proprietor of Willard's Hotel in Washing
ton. After the war she was welded to him.
Both are now dead.
When Mr.. swett,er WAS captured members
OF ee's brigade took FROM him handsome
| gold watch This watch WAS returned to Mr
Sweetser by order of General Lee, and was
carried By Mr.. eweetser for many years
1