Central Virginia Battlefield Trust

Back in Business

By Paul T. Scott · Originally published February 2022 · pp. 32–33

Back in Business by Paul T. Scott In the mid-nineteenth century, Fredericksburg, Virginia, was a thriving town with much commerce and industry. My great-great-grandfather, Hugh Stephens Doggett (May 11, 1816–Oct. 14, 1999), was a furniture maker who later became the owner and proprietor of a dry goods and grocery business located at 205 Commerce Street (now William Street). Doggett was an organizer of the Fredericksburg Grays in 1859. At the inception of the Civil War, he was 45 years old but, nevertheless, closed his business and joined the war effort with his unit, which became a company in the 30th Virginia Infantry. Capt. Doggett saw service at Aquia Creek, Manassas, the Seven Days Battles, Harpers Ferry, and was wounded September 17, 1862, during the Battle of Sharpsburg. Thereafter, he was absent on a surgeon’s certificate from March 3, 1863, until he was declared unfit for service for six months on July 30, 1863. Later, he was assigned duty at Camp Lee with prisoners, and in 1864 ordered to command Virginia reserve forces near

Fredericksburg. On September 9, 1864, he was made provost marshal of Fredericksburg and on March 14, 1865, he retired to the Invalid Corps. After the war, he and many other Fredericksburg merchants were practically destitute and found it difficult to pick up the pieces and get back in business. The family often wondered how he was able to reopen his store. Then, my wife, De’Onne, while researching Capt. Doggett, came across an article in the Nov. 27, 1894, The Free-Lance, that told the story. The following is the article: “An Incident in the Life of the Late W. T. Walters of Baltimore – A Kindly Act to a Fredericksburger” “Our worthy townsman, Capt. Hugh S. Doggett, commenced business in this city in 1838. In 1840, he commenced dealing with the late Mr. William T. Walters of Baltimore, and continued to do so until the breakout of the war—a period of 20 years. In 1865, just after the war, Capt. Doggett went to Baltimore for the purpose of buying a stock of goods to begin business again. He had a small amount of money, but not sufficient to pay cash for what he wanted. He stopped at the Maltby House, and soon after his arrival, strolled around to the Exchange Place. In five years there had been many changes, and familiar faces were few and far between. On turning a corner, he observed a gentleman standing near, and as he approached he recognized W.T. Walters. Recognition was instantaneous and mutual. Mr. Walters threw his arms around the Captain and exclaimed: “Let me hug a live rebel. I am glad to meet one.” The two went into Mr. Walters’ office, and a long talk ensued over the past and its events, after which Mr. Walters went to his desk and returning said: “I will go around with you and introduce you to the merchants, but before you do, here is something for you,” and at the same time slipped into the Captain’s pocket a piece of paper. He took it out, and on looking at it found it was a check for $1,000. Said the Captain, “Let me give you my note for this.” “No,” said Mr. Walters; “I do not want it. If you are never able to pay me, and if I die, there will not be found a scratch on the pen against you.” He then took Captain Doggett around and introduced him to the merchants, and in every instance became responsible for the purchases made, if the Captain failed to pay them. Before leaving the city, Mr. Walters handed Captain Doggett an envelope addressed to Mrs. Doggett, in which was found a $100 bill and the few words written, “From a Southern sympathizer to a rebel woman.”

After a short time, the $1,000 was paid back to Mr. Walters and he refused to receive a cent of interest. There were many other instances of kindly acts to Fredericksburg and Virginia people. He was a warm friend of the South.” In 1869, Doggett formed a partnership (Doggett & Scott) with his son-in-law, William Scott, a 6th Va. Cavalry veteran. William Scott is my greatgrandfather. Family lore has it that there were so many saloons on Commerce Street and, since drunks roamed the streets, the good ladies of the town were hesitant to shop there. So they purchased the building at 1002 Main Street (now Caroline Street) which connected with their first building in the rear. After that, the ladies could shop there without concerns about the inebriated citizenry. We now know the rest of the story, that it was through the kindness of a Marylander.

Excerpt from the book, Confederate Military History; a library of Confederate States History, by Clement Anselm Evans.

Captain Hugh S. Doggett, of Fredericksburg, Va., a venerable veteran of the army of Northern Virginia, is the son of Lemuel Doggett, a soldier of the war of 1812. The latter married Sarah Meredith Doggett, and three of their children survive: L. B. Doggett, of Chicago, late a private of the Thirtieth Virginia regiment; James M. Doggett, of Spotsylvania county, and Captain Hugh S. Doggett. The latter was born at Fredericksburg, May, 1816, and was reared there and in that vicinity until he was sixteen years old, when he entered upon an apprenticeship. After learning his trade he was thrown out of employment during the financial crisis of 1837, and failing to find work in Baltimore and other cities, he embarked in the grocery trade, which has been his steady occupation during the past sixty years, except when in the Confederate service. On November 28, 1844, he was married to Sarah A., daughter of William Burress, of Caroline county. From his eighteenth (18th) year Captain Doggett was a member of the volunteer company at Fredericksburg, which became Company B of the Thirtieth (13th) [sic 30th] Regiment, and with it he went into service immediately upon the secession of Virginia, as First Lieutenant. On the day following the one on which the State went out of the Union he was in battle at Aquia Creek with Federal gunboats, and his next battle was at the route [sic] of McDowell’s army at Manassas, July 21, 1861. His regiment was then ordered to Goldsboro, N.C., where he was on duty until the spring of 1862. At the reorganization, in May, he was elected captain of Company B, and he commanded his company throughout the Seven Days’ battles and the previous fighting about Richmond, at Harper’s Ferry, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, and all other battles in which his company participated. At Sharpsburg, he led twenty-five men into the fight and brought back but five, all the others being killed or wounded. He himself received three painful wounds, but, after a furlough of thirty days, resumed command. On the 4th of April, 1864, on account of his advanced age, he was detailed as post-commandant and provost-marshal at Fredericksburg, but still retained his captaincy, First Lieut. James Knox commanding the company during the remainder of its service. Since the war Captain Doggett has been honored by a magistracy and a seat in the city council for many years, and has twice held the office of mayor. His wife died January 13, 1885, and he has but one child living, Mrs. Fannie A. Scott; but through her this worthy Confederate veteran has seven grandchildren and one great-grand-child. – EOScript

Paul Scott is a member of the Board of Directors of Central Virginia Battlefields Trust, Inc. The mission of CVBT is to preserve land associated with the four major campaigns of the Civil War: Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness and Spotsylvania. For information on partnership and donation, please contact CVBT at PO Box 3417, Fredericksburg, VA 22402; 540374-0900 or visit the website at www.cvbt.org or email at [email protected].