Morris Sanchez

The “noted rebel” was probably Morris Sanchez, age 52, a butcher with real property valued at $3500 and personal property valued at $5200. His unidentified neighbor was probably Antonio Baza. See the U.S. Census of 1860 for Putnam County, Florida. For Baza, the following letter is of interest.

THOS. T. RUSSELL. To Brigadier General JOSEPH FINEGAN;
RESIDENCE, EAST BANK SAINT JOHN'S [RIVER],
Near Palatka, Fla., April 2, 1863.

Brigadier  General  JOSEPH FINEGAN:

“SIR: On Monday, the 23 ultimo, a large side-wheel steamer came up the river as far as Palatka and fired four shells over the town. She then returned to Orange Mill, and lay off that place until 2 o'clock Tuesday evening, and went down the river. While at the mill the Yankees butchered a beef, killed several sheep, and took on board a Negro man named John, belonging to Mr. Frank Hernandez. On Thursday morning a large propeller came up the river and lay off the mill until evening, when she came up opposite Palatka, abreast of the residence of Mr. Antonio Baza. A large force of Negroes was landed from the propeller at the residence of Mr. C. Dupont, and also at Orange Mill, which said force marched by land to Mr. Baza's and Mr. Sanchez's place, opposite Palatka, where they joined the force on board the propeller. This force by land visited the plantation of Colonel Dancy and caught two of his Negroes, one of which afterward escaped. They cooked and ate at this place and carried off all the poultry. The colonel's place on the river was also ransacked by the Negroes. They also visited the plantation of Major Balling, destroying all they could, but did not succeed in getting any Negroes, as, fortunately, they had been removed a few days previous. This land force, on arriving at the residences of Messrs. Sanchez and Baza, surrounded the places, and took 3 Negroes from Mr. Morris Sanchez and other things of value from the yard. They did not succeed in catching Mr. Baza's Negroes, but took from him three horses and one cart, all of his poultry, hogs, pots, salt, and everything else they could lay their hands upon. They also butchered two beeves in the yard. The Negroes kept the houses surrounded, and abused and insulted the women just as they pleased. They encamped that night on the banks of the river in Mr. Baza's field. On Friday morning the propeller started and proceeded slowly over to Palatka and went up to the wharf, landed a number of men on the wharf, and was in the act of landing some artillery, when Captain  J. J. Dickison and his company, who had been patiently waiting, fired into them. The propeller then, as fast as steam could carry her, backed out from the wharf, firing shell, grape, canister, and small-arms. After they fired for a while she proceeded over the river to Mr. Baza's point, and communicated with a company of Negroes that had been left over there. The company of Negroes then proceeded back by land to Orange Mill, and the propeller went back down the river and took them on board. Every vestige of furniture was taken by the Negroes from the residences of Dr. R. G. Mays, Major  E. C. Simkins [quartermaster], and Major  A. H. Cole [quartermaster]. Mr. Antonio Baza was taken prisoner by the Negroes, but succeeded in making his escape. The Yankees on the way down the river again stopped at the residence of Mr. C. Dupont and Demanded the Negroes who were hid, stating if the Negroes were not immediately delivered they would burn the houses. Mrs. Dupont, who was much alarmed, accordingly delivered up the negroes, against the wishes and urgent appeals.

“In a conversation with Colonel Montgomery, of the Negro regiment (I having been surrounded and taken prisoner, but afterward released), he informed me that he had come up for the purpose of permanently occupying Palatka, and that they intended restoring Florida to the Union at all hazards; that he would have a force of some 5,000 men at Palatka in a few days; that they had been acting in a mild way all along, but that they intended now to let us feel what war actually was; that the United States marshal for Florida was along and pointed him out to me; that all the Negroes were declared free and he intended to take all he could find.

“Thus you will perceive, general, what we are to expect, and had it not been for the brave and gallant conduct of Captain Dickison, his officers and men, Palatka would this day have been in possession of the Negro enemy. Captain Dickison has been one of the most untiring and energetic officers I have ever met with. He is always on the alert, and had he sufficient force would never let the enemy land on either side of the river up here. I visited Palatka since the propeller left, and from the great quantity of blood about on the wharf and pieces of bones picked up many of the enemy evidently were killed. Every bullet fired by Captain Dickinson's men must have took effect. This company deserves the thanks of the people of Florida and the Government, for I think they have
well merited the same.

“Allow me, general, to suggest to you the propriety of taking some action in regard to the vast quantity of cattle on the east side of the Saint John's, as the enemy are continually butchering for the use of their troops, and as the citizens are entirely helpless to defend themselves.

All of which is respectfully submitted by your obedient servant,”

THOS. T. RUSSELL. (Official Records of the Civil War)

-From Federal Point Florida Families http://federalpoint.tripod.com/id54.html