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Mobile Alabama
June 1st 1866
Major Genl. CR Woods U.S.A
Commanding
Dep.t Alabama—
General,
After your promise yesterday to immediately have my unfortunate case investigate, I have the honor to state that my Husband was Capt. Francis Lyons, late a commissioned officer in the U.S. service. His first commission was in the 86th Regt. USC Infy, in which he served from 18th. Augt. 1863 until Decr. 7th. 1863. He was then detached by order of General Asboth at Banancas, Fla, to recruit and raise the 1st. Regt. Florida Cavalry, and received his commission in the same May 2nd 1864: He served until he resigned in August (16th.) 1865. His resignation was accepted and he then returned home on the 11th March 1866. We went to live about 11 (eleven) miles above William's Station near Claiborne. Seven (7) men, 5 (five) in the uniform of Union Soldiers and 2, (two) [strikethrough] in [strikethrough] citizen's [strikethrough] dress [strikethrough], one of whom seemed to be the Commanding Officer & had been a Confederate Captain, and was still wearing the gray uniform, rode up to my house, and told my Husband they were ordered to arrest him, and bring him to Claiborne: He told them he was willing to go,
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but would like to see the order for his arrest, or know for what he was arrested? This they refused to tell him, but said they had not the order with them. They remained at the house all night, and the following morning told my husband to go to Claiborne on the following Thursday. He said "he would," if convenient!
He left home on the 17th. March 1866. to proceed to Montgomery, in company with one of his late company, whose name was Michael Moniac, and a Mr. Avery: they were absent about two weeks, when Mr. Avery returned, and told me, "that 15 men, calling themselves unsubdued Rebs, rode up to them, ordered them to halt and took them Prisoners. They were going to hang them to the first Tree, but on reflection decided to take them to Mariana and confine them in jail. This occurred at a place called Camilton. They said they were going to take them to Mariana jail or to Claiborne. Since that time I have heard the same party of men shot and murdered them at, or near Bladen Springs, and left them lying dead on the road side for others to bury. The names of some of the men belonging to the party who stopped them and who called themselves, "unsubdued Rebs" were told me by Mr. Avery, and are. "Judge Eckles" - "George Eckles," (his son) "John Daniels," — "Carter," — "Hinston Turn'r," "Benjamin Parker," and "——— Lott."
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M. Avery made his escape whilst they were disputing about hanging them, &c. I have heard nothing of or from my husband since, and I shall feel an everlasting gratitude, if you, General, will take measures to discover his whereabout or his fate. I am now perfectly destitute with four children.
(My husband had several months pay due to him.)
I am, General
Very respectfully
your obedient servant.
Mrs. Sarah Lyons
Mobile Alabama
June 1st 1866
Major Genl. CR Woods U.S.A
Commanding
Dep.t Alabama—
General,
After your promise yesterday to immediately have my unfortunate case investigate, I have the honor to state that my Husband was Capt. Francis Lyons, late a commissioned officer in the U.S. service. His first commission was in the 86th Regt. USC Infy, in which he served from 18th. Augt. 1863 until Decr. 7th. 1863. He was then detached by order of General Asboth at Banancas, Fla, to recruit and raise the 1st. Regt. Florida Cavalry, and received his commission in the same May 2nd 1864: He served until he resigned in August (16th.) 1865. His resignation was accepted and he then returned home on the 11th March 1866. We went to live about 11 (eleven) miles above William's Station near Claiborne. Seven (7) men, 5 (five) in the uniform of Union Soldiers and 2, (two) [strikethrough] in [strikethrough] citizen's [strikethrough] dress [strikethrough], one of whom seemed to be the Commanding Officer & had been a Confederate Captain, and was still wearing the gray uniform, rode up to my house, and told my Husband they were ordered to arrest him, and bring him to Claiborne: He told them he was willing to go,
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but would like to see the order for his arrest, or know for what he was arrested? This they refused to tell him, but said they had not the order with them. They remained at the house all night, and the following morning told my husband to go to Claiborne on the following Thursday. He said "he would," if convenient!
He left home on the 17th. March 1866. to proceed to Montgomery, in company with one of his late company, whose name was Michael Moniac, and a Mr. Avery: they were absent about two weeks, when Mr. Avery returned, and told me, "that 15 men, calling themselves unsubdued Rebs, rode up to them, ordered them to halt and took them Prisoners. They were going to hang them to the first Tree, but on reflection decided to take them to Mariana and confine them in jail. This occurred at a place called Camilton. They said they were going to take them to Mariana jail or to Claiborne. Since that time I have heard the same party of men shot and murdered them at, or near Bladen Springs, and left them lying dead on the road side for others to bury. The names of some of the men belonging to the party who stopped them and who called themselves, "unsubdued Rebs" were told me by Mr. Avery, and are. "Judge Eckles" - "George Eckles," (his son) "John Daniels," — "Carter," — "Hinston Turn'r," "Benjamin Parker," and "——— Lott."
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M. Avery made his escape whilst they were disputing about hanging them, &c. I have heard nothing of or from my husband since, and I shall feel an everlasting gratitude, if you, General, will take measures to discover his whereabout or his fate. I am now perfectly destitute with four children.
(My husband had several months pay due to him.)
I am, General
Very respectfully
your obedient servant.
Mrs. Sarah Lyons