The Tuskaloosa Independent Monitor

Gotta Dothan connection to Civil War St. Andrews Bay.

J.P. Folkes was the original owner of all the property in downtown Dothan. James Purdue Folkes (1837-1921) - Find a Grave Memorial

Before he came to the Dothan area, I believe Folkes worked making salt on St. Andrews Bay during the Civil War.

His sister married the brother of Charles Parker who is mentioned in the following report. Nancy Amanda Folkes Parker (1851-1916) - Find a Grave Memorial

Charles Parker Charles T Parker (1845-1904) - Find a Grave Memorial

Both of the brothers were sons of Peter Parker who founded the town of Parker. Peter Ferdinand Parker I (1817-1892) - Find a Grave Memorial

Their mother was the "Mrs. Parker" mentioned in the report and Peter Parker divorced her at the end of the Civil War. Ann B Loftin (1813-1901) - Find a Grave Memorial

W. R. BROWNE. Report of Acting Master Browne, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. bark Restless, requesting instructions regarding the case of two deserters.

U. S. BARK RESTLESS, St. Andrew's Bay, Florida, March 2, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith a letter written by Charles Parker and Augustus Stevens, two deserters from the rebel Army, who deserted from one of the rebel companies stationed at St. Andrew's last year and came off to the Roebuck and enlisted in that vessel and deserted from her and were conscripted into the rebel service again shortly after they left the Roebuck, and were serving in Robinson's company when I arrived here. I am well satisfied that they have long ago repented of having left our service, and have done all they could to induce Robinson's company to desert and come to us. The mothers of each are good Union women and solely dependent upon them for support. I have learned from refugees and deserters who have since come off that this was their motive and object in leaving. Mrs. Parker is one of the strongest Union women in Florida, and from time to time has given us valuable information. The other, Stevens's mother, is too old and feeble to take care of herself, but a good and true Union woman. Parker and Stevens are now secreted in the woods and have been there three weeks with 42 other deserters from Robinson's company, and immediately sent their muskets and cartridge boxes to me, afraid to come themselves, fearful they would have been treated as deserters, which would most assuredly have been the case, and they would have been sent to Key West for your disposal. At present it is next to an impossibility to capture them, as their place of concealment affords a surveillance of the ships and plenty of time to secrete themselves in some of the impenetrable swamps or morasses on the approach of our boats. Mrs. Parker handed me the enclosed letter, through Acting Ensign Henry Eason, who saw her on East Bay the 27th instant. I therefore transmit Parker's and Stevens's muskets and await your answer as to what steps I shall take in the matter. Very respectfully, W. R. BROWNE, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding. Acting Rear-Admiral T. BAILEY.