Does anyone know what Cawood did after the war?

[scldrgnfly]

This is such amazing stuff!! This is such an amazing site!

Thank you, SSlater, and everyone, for sharing all of this "new" information!

I find it so interesting how many families kept family secrets for so long, out of respect for the living and the dead....and in some cases, nearer the actual events, for fear for their lives and those of their families.

Martha

(07-23-2013 10:22 PM)SSlater Wrote:  Who was Norton? In appreciation of Ms. Cawood's posting, I will identify Mr.Norton for her and for everyone else. This information has never been seen by anyone - ever.
Andrew W. Norton was a young Fredericksburg, VA. carpenter, whose father had been arrested by L.C. Baker and held in prison for a short time. Andrew wanted to work for Thomas Nelson Conrad, so Conrad brought Norton to Washington, under the guise of a deserting rebel soldier, and got him placed in the front office of the National Detective Police, right under the nose of Baker. Norton was there when Baker attempted to arrest Conrad, but Norton got to Conrad first and Conrad beat it to King George County, (the closest Rebel territory), and established a Camp on the Boyd's Hole Farm, owned by Mrs Fanny D 22 year old, widow. (The Camp Site is now on the Caledon State Park. Conrad has written that he could see Cawood's Camp from his Camp he called "Eagle's Nest")
Norton was required to ride to King George to deliver any intelligence he had for Conrad to use. Some of that intelligence included forewarning about the Wistar Raid and the Dahlgren Raid - both of which were destroyed by waiting Confederate troops. During his frequent trips, Norton met Fanny Dade and a spark was SPARKED, they married shortly after the war.
Conrad has mentioned Norton several times in his writings, but he couldn't remember his "real name". Sometimes he could remember only "Norton". Baker also took note of Norton, and referred to him "as one of his best detectives." Norton was never caught ('til now). He is buried in the Confederate Cemetery in Fredericksburg.
Norton's service record is a gem of contrived info, contradictions, and downright lies. It says he joined the Army, and in a few days deserted, only to return in a few months -and get paid. One time he was "arrested", "tried", convicted of desertion, and escaped - only to return and get paid.
Incidentally, his orders were signed by Major William Norris. (Chief of the Confederate Secret Service) Amen.