Sunday, May 29, 2011

May 27 - Tennessee in the Civil War Notes

27, Fear of a slave insurrection in Madison County
….Went to town this evening while there a message was sent to Jackson from up about Mr. Pinson that there was an insurrection among the negroes [sic] headed by white men. A company [of soldiers] from Memphis was sent on the cars & [a] good many citizens with double barreled shotguns [also went]. Proved to be a false report, started by some fellow shooting a repeater 4 or 5 times in front of a house where some women were.
Robert H. Cartmell Diary, May 27, 1861

 

 

Tuesday May 27th 1862

A lovely day. Kate, Bettie, Tuppie Anderson & myself went to several stores & at last went to Pa's. Saw Mrs. Wendle also Ellen Spence come in the door, but we did not speak. Tally seems to take a great delight in telling me Bro. Will had gotten home. o­ne side paralyzed. I don't know what I said, I was so angry, though as I didn't attract attention, supposed I must have behaved lady like. Came by & told Mrs. Anderson good bye & o­n my way home met Pa, who confirmed the bad news. I don't know what I should do if deprived of shedding tears, I believe go crazy. Why didn't he die before returning to bring eternal disgrace o­n the family. He has ever been a draw back. I could have stood him dying so much better, but I know Bro. John will not take the oath. I had rather our throats cut, or turned beggars o­n the world than that Bro. John should disgrace himself by taking that dirty oath. How little Brother Will thinks of his family. It will ever be a stain o­n his poor little children. I blame Mr. Butler as much as I do him, for he tried to hide him & then to think sent for Bill Spence, the last man in the world, & o­ne he could not have given more pleasure than to have had to take the oath. Bill Spence said he would have revenge o­n Ma for treating him so, & I think he certainly has had it. I hope he will not be long spared, to [do] much more mischief.

Kate Carney Diary

April 15, 1861-July 31, 1862

 

 

27, Complaints about the cost of living in Nashville
Living appears to be comparatively cheap in Chicago. Chickens sell at two dollars per dozen; potatoes are from fifty to seventy-five cents per bushel, choice butter at twenty-cents per pound, asparagus at a dollar a dozen, while lettuce, turnips, and other vegetables, sell at less than one-third the price demanded here. The truth is, Nashville is one of the dearest markets in the whole country, hardly excepting Richmond. IF w take into consideration the relative value of the currency used in Richmond and Nashville, we are not sure but the former will be found the cheaper market. There is perhaps somewhat of a scarcity in the country adjacent to Nashville, whence we draw our supplies, but if our business men could get shipping facilities, they would bring such articles as there is a demand for in the market from points where there is abundance and to spare. Our businessmen ought to unite in a representation to the Government of the great necessity that exists for extending trading facilities to this city. It was confidently expected a board of trade would have been established here before now through whom these privileges could have been secured. The poorer classes experience great hardships from the scanty supplies of the prime necessities of life which our market affords.
Nashville Dispatch, May 27,1863.

 

 

27, "A Disgraceful Affair."
A soldier, whose name we prefer to withhold, entered a saloon on Jefferson street yesterday morning, and after bargaining for a cigar, presented a mutilated treasury note of a large denomination from which to have the price taken out. The proprietor naturally enough refused to take the bill in its mutilated condition, when the military gentleman became exceeding wrath, [sic] indulged in epithets profane and vulgar, called the gentleman a "secesh" and a d_____d rebel, and to further take revenge went out to scare up a guard who should shut up his (the saloon keeper's) establishment, and put him in the [Irving]"Block." Sure enough, a guard was brought and was, in connection with the bad-bill gentleman, about to take possession of the saloon, when they were prevented by certain officers present, and the would-be swindler reported to Captain Williams. According to Gen. Washburn's recent order, the guilty party will doubtless receive the proper punishment for his most inexcusable offense.
Memphis Bulletin, May 28, 1864.

 

 

27, Tennessee's ex-Confederate Governor Isham G. Harris makes a run for Mexico
HDQRS. U. S. FORCES, DEPARTMENT OF ARKANSAS,
Mouth of White River, Ark., May 27, 1865.
[Col. JOHN LEVERING:]
COL.: I have just received information that ex-Governor I. G. Harris and the rebel Gen. Lyon crossed to the west side of the Mississippi River a few nights since between Napoleon and Gaines' Landing, Ark. This information is from a party at whose house they stopped for a half hour. The party giving the information did not know them at the time, but was afterward informed who they were by a person who knew them. Harris passed himself as Maj. Green. Lyon passed under his own name. Both claimed to be making for Mexico. I think the information is reliable.
Respectfully, &c.,
G. F. McGINNIS, Brig.-Gen., Cmdg.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 48, pt. II, pp. 6331-632.
Note: It was either the noose or Mexico.  Harris ended up in England for a few years before he returned to Tennessee and was elected U. S. Senator.

 

 

 

 



May 28 - Tennessee Civil War Notes

            28, Descent on bagnios in Confederate Memphis

Last night the police made a descent on several bagnios, from which quite a number of persons of both sexes were removed to the calaboose to appear for trial this morning in police court. Many were fined in sums ranging from five to twenty five dollars.

Memphis Argus, May 29, 1862.

 

 

            28, "…if you kiss any you must kiss them all round…." John Fremantle's first impressions of Confederate Tennessee

28th May, Thursday. – I arrived at Chattanooga, Tennessee, at 4.30 A. M., and fell in with Captain Brown again; his negro [sic] recognized me, and immediately rushed up to shake hands.

After breakfasting at [Chattanooga], I started again at 7.30, by train, for Shelbyville, General Bragg's headquarters. This train was crammed to repletion with soldiers rejoining their regiments, so I was constrained to sit in the aisle on the floor of one of the cars. I thought myself lucky even then, for so great was the number of military, that all "citizens" were ordered out to way for the soldiers; but my gray-shooting jacket and youthful appearance saved me from the imputation of being a "citizen." Two hours later the passport officer, seeing who I was, procured me a similar situation in the ladies' car, where I was a little better off. After leaving Chattanooga the railroad winds alongside of the Tennessee river, the banks of which are high, and beautifully covered with trees--the river itself is wide, and very pretty; but from my position in the tobacco juice I was unable to do justice to the scenery. I saw stockades at intervals all along the railroad, which were constructed by the Federals, who occupied all this country last year.

On arriving at Wartrace at 4 P. M., I determined to remain there, and ask for hospitality from General Hardee, as I saw no prospect of reaching Shelbyville in decent time. Leaving my baggage with the Provost Marshal at Wartrace, I walked on to General Hardee's headquarters, which were distant about two miles from the railroad. They were situated in a beautiful country, green, undulating, full of magnificent trees, principally beeches, and the scenery was by far the finest I had seen in America as yet.

When I arrived, I found that General Hardee was in company with General Polk and Bishop Elliott of Georgia, and also with Mr. Vallandigham. The latter (called the Apostle of Liberty) is a good looking man, apparently not much over forty, and had been turned out of the North three days before. Rosecrans had wished to hand him over to Bragg by flag of truce; but as the latter declined to receive him in that manner, he was, as General Hardee expressed it, "dumped down" in the neutral ground between the lines and left there. He then received hospitality from the Confederates in the capacity of a destitute stranger. They do not in any way receive him officially, and it does not suit the policy of either party to be identified with one another. He is now living at a private house in Shelbyville, and had come over for the day with General Polk, on a visit to Hardee. He told the generals, that if Grant was severely beaten in Mississippi by Johnston, he did not think the war could be continued on its present great scale.

When I presented my letters of introduction, General Hardee received me with the unvarying kindness and hospitality which I had experienced from all other Confederate officers. He is a fine, soldierlike man, broad shouldered and tall. He looks rather like a French officer, and is a Georgian by birth. He bears the reputation of being a thoroughly good soldier, and he is the author of the drill book still in use by both armies. Until quite lately, he was commanding officer of the military college at West Point. He distinguished himself at the battles of Corinth and Murfreesboro', and now commands the 2d corps d'armée of Bragg's army. He is a widower, and has the character of being a great admirer of the fair sex. During the Kentucky campaign last year, he was in the habit of availing himself of the privilege of his rank and years, and insisted upon kissing the wives and daughters of all the Kentuckian farmers. And although he is supposed to have converted many of the ladies to the Southern cause, yet in many instances their male relatives remained either neutral or undecided. On one occasion Gen. Hardee had conferred the "accolade" upon a very pretty Kentuckian, to their mutual satisfaction, when to his intense disgust, the proprietor produced two very ugly old females, saying, now then, General, if you kiss any you must kiss them all round," which the discomfited general was forced to do, to the great amusement of his officers, who often allude to this contretemps.

Another rebuff which he received, and about which he is often chafed by General Polk, was when an old lady told him he ought really to "leave off fighting at his age." "Indeed, madam," replied Hardee, "and how old do you take me for?" "Why, about the same age as myself--seventy-five." The chagrin of the stalwart and gallant general, at having twenty years added to his age, may be imagined.

Lieutenant General Leonidas Polk, Bishop of Louisiana, who commands the other corps d'armée, is a good-looking, gentlemanlike man, with all the manners and affability of a "grand seigneur. He is fifty-seven years of age--tall, upright, and looks much more the soldier than the clergyman. He is very rich; and I am told he owns seven hundred negroes [sic]. He is much beloved by the soldiers on account of his great personal courage and agreeable manners. I had already heard no end of anecdotes of him told me by my traveling companions, who always alluded to him with affection and admiration. In his clerical capacity I had always heard him spoken of with the greatest respect. When I was introduced to him he immediately invited me to come and stay at his headquarters at Shelbyville. He told me that he was educated at West Point, and was at that institution with the President, the two Johnstons, Lee, Magruder, &c., and that, after serving a short time in the artillery, he had entered the church.

Bishop Elliott, of Georgia, is a nice old man of venerable appearance and very courteous manners. He is here at the request of General Polk, for the purpose of confirming some officers and soldiers. He speaks English exactly like an English gentleman, and so, in fact, does General Polk, and all the well-bred Southerners, much more so than the ladies, whose American accent can always be detected. General Polk and Mr. Vallandigham returned to Shelbyville in an ambulance at 6.30 P. M.

General Hardee's headquarters were on the estate of Mrs.---, a very hospitable lady. The two daughters of the General were staying with her, and also a Mrs. --, who is a very pretty woman. These ladies are more violent against the Yankees than it is possible for a European to conceive; they beat their male relations hollow in their denunciations and hopes of vengeance. It was quite depressing to hear their innumerable stories of Yankee brutality, and I was much relieved when, at a later period of the evening they subsided into music. After Bishop Elliott had read prayers, I slept in the same room with General Hardee.

Lieut.-Col. Arthur James Lyon Fremantle, Lieut.-Col. Coldstream Guards, Three Months in the Southern States: April, June, 1863, pp. 70-73.[1]

            28, "Watering the Streets"

This should be a general and not an exceptional practice. Several streets are well watered daily; others are not watered at all. This is not right. We do not see the propriety of watering Jefferson street, and neglecting Poplar street. If the property holders are to bear the expense of sprinkling we do not but doubt but those on Poplar street will do it as readily and cheerfully as those on Jefferson. Have those who make it a business to water the streets applied to the residents on Poplar as they have on Jefferson? They have not; but why have they not? The injury done every season to furniture and clothing by the dust, to say nothing of the unpleasantness of it would more than cover the expense of keeping the streets properly watered. Let this subject be thought of and acted upon.

Memphis Bulletin, May 28, 1864.

            28, Federal army cautiously authorized to provide provisions to the destitute to prevent starvation in Chattanooga

NASHVILLE, May 28, 1865.

Brig. Gen. H. M. JUDAH, Chattanooga:

You are authorized to issue sufficient provisions to the destitute people within your command to prevent starvation. Be cautious, however, that the issue does not become unnecessarily large and an extravagant waste of the public stores, as has been the case generally with such issues.

By command of Maj.-Gen. Thomas:

WM. D. WHIPPLE, Brig.-Gen.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 49, pt. II, p. 924.

 



[1] Lieut.-Col. Arthur James Lyon Fremantle, Lieut.-Col. Coldstream Guards, Three Months in the Southern States: April, June, 1863, (Mobile: S. H. Goetzel,1864), pp. 70-73. [Hereinafter cited as: Fremantle, Three Months, etc.]





Wednesday, May 25, 2011

May 24 - Tennessee Civil War Notes

24, "Tennessee's Battle-Song"

By Henry Weber

Awake, take up the arms! prepare for battle!

Our country's honor calls on your her sons!

Arise! arise! ye warriors, from your slumbers!

There is not one of you who fighting shuns,

The Lord of hosts your hearts and arm will strengthen;

The prayers of wives and sisters, filled with woe,

Plead at his throne your cause, the cause of freedom!

Success to you! Confusion to the foe!

 

Form! form! in proud array, ye Tennesseans!

March onward -- charge -- break down the seried line

That now invades the South, hallowed to freedom,

Where happiness -- religion -- culture shine,

Amidst the storm of war and cannon roaring,

Think of your pass-word, "Death or victory?"

Renown and love the conqueror awaiting,

And glory those who in the battle die.

 

Fight manly! Shame on all who will be branded,

When the fight is o'er, with wounds on back or heel,

Where'er may be the "Valley of decision" --

Thus saith the Lord, decide it with the steel,

Let all your priests uphold their arms in prayer,

That God, the God of battle, be your stay;

While his strong aid the en'my is confounding;

Yours is the crown, the vict'ry of the day.

From the Nashville Patriot

Clarksville Chronicle, May 24, 1861.

 

 

1862, Fort Warren, Massachusetts. Confederate Colonel Randal W.

McGavock, a prisoner-of-war, wrote in his journal that: "The notorious

scoundrel and liar, Parson Brownlow of East Tennessee made a visit to

the Fort today....Brownlow sent for Lieutenant Colonel White of

Hamilton County, East Tennessee and offered to parole him....He also

sent for Colonel Lillard and Lieutenant Colonel Odell of East

Tennessee and made the same offer to them. They are not required to

take the oath but to go home and not take up arms again." Lillard and

Odell did not endorse the offer.

 

 

24, 1863"The County Jail."

As we consider ourselves in a manner, at least, so far as our ability

and influence extends -- the guardians of the poor, the imprisoned,

the sick and the distressed generally of our city, we pay occasional

visits to such places of confinement as we can obtain access to, and

when we find anything wrong, expression our mind freely to the persons

in charge, with a view to having everything as nearly right as

possible. When our objections are reasonable, and it is possible to

remove them, we have always found a willingness displayed to

ameliorate the condition of the imprisoned as far as possible, and

when we find such disposition put in practical operation, we

invariably award the praise justly due the parties concerned. In this

spirit we gave, a short time ago, a commendatory notice of the County

Jail, and did then, and do now, consider it well merited by the

Sheriff and the officers in charge.

Yesterday morning we read a grave charge against "the authorities,

both civil and military," about "the wretched condition of the jail,

and the manner in which the prisoners are kept," which caused us

immediately to repairer to the jail, before some of the prisoners were

up, and before any one had attempted even to use a broom n the

premises. Without the slightest hesitation we were permitted to

inspect every nook and corner, inside and out, upstairs and down, and

in the cells, and can say with truth that the jail is in good

condition, and that the prisoners are far better fed than half our

working population. The jail is clean, and not even a musty or

disagreeable smell of any kind assailed our nostrils. The prisoners

are fed upon good beef, pork, rice, beans, potatoes, bread, coffee,

etc., luxuries which few enjoy at present time, and abundant of it. So

much we say for the persons in charge. Now of the real [sic] of the

complaint:

There are too many prisoners for the space at command. On the upper

floor of the building are five cells, each eight feet wide, 22 feet 4

inches long, and 9 feet 2 inches high; and one cell 18 feet by 22

feet. The light and ventilation in these cells are good as may be in

such a place, when security demands massive walls and small windows.

The floors are dry and clean as can be expected -- nay, cleaner than

we expected to find them, as early in the morning. On the lower floor

there are seven cells, much darker than those above, the windows being

more securely barred, the doors double, and the light from the halls

not being so clear as that one the second story. But in the darkest

recess we failed to detect any unpleasant smell, or see anything

opposed to health and cleanliness. When we consider that they are now

in this jail about one hundred and eighty prisoners [sic], averaging

nearly thirteen to each cell (counting the double cell as two), does

it not display a degree of attention and industry on the part of those

in charge, worthy of commendation rather than of censure?

We would before this have suggested to the mililtary authorities the

propriety of separating the civil and military prisoners, and those

guilty of heinous offenses are those of a different character, but we

thought we might considered impertinent and therefore confined our

efforts to endeavoring to see that our civil officer performed their

duty faithfully toward the prisoners committed to their charge. This

we are satisfied they have done, and in their name repeat the

invitation given through our columns some time ago, to the Jail

Commissioners and to proper officers, to visit the jail frequently and

at any time of the day.

Nashville Dispatch, May 24, 1863.

 

 

24,1864  Skirmish in Winchester, guerrillas rob U.S. Army paymaster

[see September 14, 1863, Confederate raiding party robs Winchester

above]

Report of Col. Henry K. McConnell, Seventy-five Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry.

HDQRS. RAILROAD DEFENSES, Tullahoma, Tenn., June 2, 1864.

Maj. B. H. POLK, Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Nashville:

SIR: I send herewith a copy of a report from Col. McConnell. I have

had no opportunity to control this lawlessness for want of sufficient

cavalry force. I shall be ready in a few days. The same men are

concerned in all of the depredations on the railroad. I have learned

the names of some of them and several of the persons who keep up and

harbor the outlaws.

Respectfully submitted.

E. A. PAINE,

Brig.-Gen., Cmdg.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 39, pt. I, p. 18.

 

HDQRS. SEVENTY-THIRD Regt. OHIO VET. VOL. INFTY., Elk River Bridge,

May 30, 1864.

I have the honor to respectfully state that on last Tuesday night [the

24th] the guerrillas robbed Winchester of about $10,000. They knew men

and houses and events only as citizen guerrillas can. No one came to

notify me of the raid. I heard incidentally that the citizens were

industriously circulating the report that our troops had robbed the

town. I sent Capt. McConnell to inquire into the matter. They gave but

partial information. The squad was small; only six or eight. They have

been lurking in the neighborhood ever since. They fired into the train

on Saturday night [28th] between this and Decherd, and yesterday they

stole a horse near Winchester. We are very much embarrassed for want

of a telegraph office here.

Very respectfully,

H. K. McCONNELL,

Col. Seventy-first Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 39, pt. I, pp. 18-19.

 

 

24,1865  Observations made by an ex-Confederate soldier from the Army

of Tennessee while on his way home to his home in Dyersburgh environs

....All were ordered aboard and the Boat [sic] rounded out and left

the wharf about 5 oclk. [sic] escorted by the Gun Boat [No.] 17. we

[sic] got along finely arriving at Smithland [Kentucky] a little after

dark having run 200 miles -- We landed and lay over all night[.]

Arthur Tyler Fielder Diaries.

 


Saturday, May 21, 2011

May 20 - Notes on the Civil War in Tennessee

20, Confederate Navy's interest in the Tennessee Iron Works in Stewart County
CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA, Navy Department, Montgomery, May 20, 1861.
SIR: Upon the receipt of this order you will proceed to ascertain the practicability of obtaining wrought-iron plates of from 2 to 3 inches in thickness.
The Tennessee Iron Works have, I am informed, rolling mills for heavy work. They are on the Cumberland River, in Stewart County, Tenn.
* * * *
You will ascertain as early as possible whether the plates of this thickness can be furnished, and their form, dimension, weight, and price per pound must be stated, together with the best means of forwarding them to New Orleans.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. R. MALLORY, Secretary of the Navy.
Captain DUNCAN N. INGRAHAM, C. S. N.
NOR, Ser. II, Vol. 1, p. 792.

 

20, A West Tennessee woman's concerns about the future

It has rained incessantly since last night. All day rain, rain, it will keep the rivers up to float the Yankee gunboats, and stop our farmers' ploughs and perhaps injure the wheat crops. I feel gloomy and depressed -- nothing is more calculated to cast a cloud over us than a rainy day. But when we feel that a rainy day is bad for our country on the brink of ruin, Oh! How sad our hearts feel, none but who suffer can tell.

We are ever inclined to murmur at God's providence. We must be patient and prayerful, never losing faith in Our Father for He doeth all things well.

The scarcity of provisions in the South makes it a fearful thing to think of our crops of grain failing. Our enemies have ever boasted that they "will starve us out," and if our bread crops fail they will succeed. Salt is not but thirty dollars a sack and scarce at that. Heaven only knows how we will manage to save our meat another Fall [sic], but there is time enough to grieve over that. Let us get our Army through the Summer before we dread the Fall. "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof"

Estes's Diary, May 20, 1862

 

20, The imprisonment of Mollie Hyde for spying for Confederate forces
MILITARY PRISON, Alton, Ill., May 20, 1863.
Col. W. HOFFMAN, Commissary-Gen. of Prisoners, Washington, D. C.
COL.: I have the honor to report that another female prisoner, a Miss Mollie Hyde, of Nashville, Tenn., has been sent to this prison "for spying and other misdeeds," to be confined during the war or until released by competent authority. She was sent here by order of Gen. Rosecrans.
I have the honor to be sir, with much respect, your obedient servant,
T. HENDRICKSON, Maj. Third Infantry, Commandant of Prison.
OR, Ser. II, Vol. 5 pp. 684-685

 

20, Skirmish at Collierville
MAY 20, 1863.--Skirmish at Collierville, Tenn.
REPORTS.
No. 1.--Col. John M. Loomis, Twenty-sixth Illinois infantry, commanding brigade.
No. 2.--Col. R. McCulloch. Second Missouri Cavalry (Confederate).
No. 1.
Report of Col. John M. Loomis, Twenty-sixth Illinois Infantry, commanding Brigade.
COLLIERVILLE, May 21, 1863.
SIR: The attack of yesterday evening was made on picket post Nos. 4 and 5, directly in our front, in three columns, by different roads, and of larger forces than I supposed last night. Cavalry and infantry supports arrived at the line before the enemy were out of sight of the next post, but, as they scattered in the woods, our cavalry did not overtake them. Neither post was surprised. The guard fought well, and held their posts too long to be able to retire, they being surrounded. My force at these two posts was 15 men and 2 non-commissioned officers. My loss was 1 killed and 9 missing. The balance did not come on, but held the vicinity of their post until they were re-enforced. I am not aware of the damage to the enemy, though some is reported. I can attach no blame to the officers or men of the guard. All were at post, and in proper order. They discovered the enemy at once, and made such disposition as the officer in charge thought best. Duration of attack probably not fifteen minutes. The guard fired an average of three rounds.
The lieutenant in charge of the left wing of the picket guard, who spends the whole tour of the guards on its line, was at post No. 3, and saw the affair, and speaks in praise of the conduct of the men, as do the citizens who saw the fight.
JOHN MASON LOOMIS, Col., Commanding Brigade.
No. 2.
Report of Col. R. McCulloch, Second Missouri Cavalry (Confederate).
SENATOBIA, MISS. May 21, 1863.
GEN.: The enemy advanced yesterday from Collierville, 1,000 strong, to Coldwater; returned in the evening. Capts. White and [W. H.] Couzens sent Lieutenant [Z. D.] Jennings with 10 me as far as Collierville; here the lieutenant killed 2 and captured 10 Federal prisoners. Arrived here this evening.
R. MCCULLOCH.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 24, pt. I, p. 425.

 

20, Observations made by an ex-Confederate soldier from the Army of Tennessee while on his way home to his home in Dyersburg
....This morning found us on the train in sweetwater [sic] valley. We arrived at Chattanooga about 12 oclk. [sic] every [sic] important place along the entire route is strongly fortafied [sic] with strong block houses and guarded by U.S. troops White and Coloured [sic] -- on arrival at the the Depot we were ordered off the train and marched up near the center of town and halted where we drew one days [sic] rations of bacon and hard bread and sit [sic] and stood about until 5 oclk. [sic] when we were marched to the Depot and pretty soon got aboard the Cars [sic] which left for Nashville about 8 oclk. [sic] and run out about 9 miles and switched off and halted for the night
Arthur Tyler Fielder Diaries.

 



Friday, May 20, 2011

May 19 - 23 - Tennessee Civil War Notes

 19-23, Expedition down Mississippi River to Fort Pillow

MAY 19-23, 1862.--Expedition down the Mississippi River to Fort Pillow, Tenn.

Report of Brig. Gen. Isaac F. Quinby, U. S. Army, commanding District of the Mississippi.

HDQRS. DISTRICT OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Columbus, Ky., May 24, 1862.

CAPT.: I have the honor to submit for the information of the major-general commanding the following report:

On the 19th instant I proceeded to the flotilla above Fort Pillow with such troops as could safely be withdrawn for a short time from the several posts within this district. I was induced to do this o­n representations made me that there was a very small rebel force in and about Fort Pillow, and that our troops already there, under the command of Col. Fitch, needed to be o­nly slightly re-enforced to enable us to make a demonstration by land, which, in connection with an attack by our gun and mortar boats, would insure a speedy surrender of the rebel works.

The force I took with me consisted of eight companies Forty-seventh Indiana Volunteers, Col. Slack; four companies Thirty-fourth Indiana Volunteers, Lieut.-Col. Cameron; two companies Fifty-fourth Illinois Volunteers; four companies Second Illinois cavalry, Lieut.-Col. Hogg; a section from each of the two companies of the Second Illinois Artillery at this post; three pieces of Capt. De Golyer's Michigan battery, from New Madrid, and o­ne-half of the Missouri company of Volunteer Sappers and Miners stationed at this post.

These, together with the troops under Col. Fitch, made an aggregate of about 2,500 effective men.

On reaching the flotilla, I began to inform myself of the position and character of the enemy's works and of the number and disposition of his troops. A personal reconnaissance satisfied me that his position was very strong, and that a land approach with my small command was impracticable. Spies, deserters, and refugees all concurred in stating that there were in and about the fort three old and well-filled regiment, averaging at least 1,000 effective men; that there was besides near by a battery of six 6-pounder pieces, and o­n the Chickasaw Bluff, about 6 miles from the fort, another battery of four 12-pounders.

During my stay at the flotilla I had frequent and free consultations with Capt. Davis, commanding the fleet, and at all times found him ready and anxious to co-operate with me in any plan that might seem to give reasonable promise of success; but he was unwilling to attempt running by Fort Pillow with part of his gunboats and place them between it and Fort Randolph unless we had shore batteries o­n the Arkansas side of the being river, under which the boats could take refuge in the event of their being crippled either by the guns of the fort or the rebel gunboats. There was no possible means of establishing a battery o­n the side of the river opposite to and below the fort in the present condition of the ground, except by carrying the guns and ammunition along a levee for a distance of 3 miles, the whole of which is completely command by the rebel batteries. This, hazardous as it was, we were about to undertake, and had already repaired the breaks in the levee at those points where the brush and timber concealed the workmen from observation o­n the other side. The success of the undertaking required that the battery should be constructed in a single night, and that all should be in readiness before daylight the following morning.

On Thursday, the 22d, the repairs of the levee were made as far as it could prudently be done, and a strong picket was thrown out to prevent the landing of the enemy and the discovery of our work, and consequently of our intentions. During the night o­ne of the men, who, without the knowledge of the rest went in front of the line, refused o­n his return to answer the challenge, and was shot dead by two of our pickets firing o­n him at the same instant. The noise alarmed the enemy, and a strong detachment was immediately sent over the river, which attacked and drove in our pickets. Our work must have been discovered by them, and it would be charging them with gross stupidity not to suppose our plan betrayed; besides, o­n Friday morning a heavy rain set in, which of itself would have rendered a delay of at least two days necessary in the prosecution of our work. In the mean time rumors were reaching me of the concentration of a strong rebel force in the vicinity of Trenton, for the object, it was reported, of attacking Hickman and Columbus. As these rumors were confirmed by the refugees from the conscription, and as I saw no good that could be accomplished by remaining longer at the flotilla, I started back with my command o­n Friday afternoon, and the troops are now distributed in the district as they were before the expedition sailed.

In conclusion, permit me to express the opinion that with a properly-organized force of 5,000 men I doubt not the easy, and perhaps bloodless, capture of Forts Pillow and Randolph so soon as the roads leading from the river, by which the rear of their works can be gained, become practicable for artillery; but in the present condition of the country about here it would be unwise to withdraw from the different posts within this district troops enough to constitute an expedition sufficient for such an undertaking.

I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

I. F. QUINBY, Brig.-Gen. Volunteers, Cmdg. District.

I.             F. QUINBY, Brig.-Gen.
JUNE 3-5, 1862.--Evacuation of Fort Pillow, Tenn., by the Confederates and its occupation by the Union Forces.

REPORTS, ETC.

No. 1.--Col. Graham N. Fitch, Forty-sixth Indiana Infantry.

No. 2.--Col. Charles Ellet, jr., with congratulatory letter from the Secretary of War.

No. 3.--L. D. McKissick.

No. 4.--Brig. Gen. J. B. Villepigue, C. S. Army, with instructions and congratulatory orders from Gen. Beauregard.

No. 1

Reports of Col. Graham N. Fitch, Forty-sixth Indiana Infantry.

FORT PILLOW TENN., June 5, 1862--4.30 a.m.

Arrangements were completed for a combined assault o­n the fort at 7 a.m. at a weak and accessible point, but the works were last night, and the guns and commissary stores destroyed. We are in possession, but propose proceeding to-day toward Memphis. I report by mail.

G. N. FITCH, Col., Cmdg. Brigade.

FORT PILLOW, TENN., June 5, 1862--4.30 a.m.

On June 1 a laborious reconnaissance was made, which developed the fact that behind Flower Island, parallel with the chute between that island and the main shore, an approach to Fort Pillow could be made by infantry to Cole Creek, within 30 yards of the enemy's outer works and near the junction of the creek and Flower Island chute. At this point nothing but the creek offered any obstacle of moment, the earthworks of the Confederates being o­nly from 2 to 4 feet high, they apparently relying upon the creek and adjacent swamp for protection.

The following morning this reconnaissance was renewed and its results verified, and it was also ascertained that at the point where Cole Creek could be crossed not a gun from the batteries could be brought to bear, while the ridges in the rear of and overlooking the fortifications would enable our infantry to approach and command them.

On the third morning three companies of this command, under Maj. Bringhurst, of the Forty-sixth Regt. Indiana Volunteers, was ordered to open a road parallel with the chute, secreted from observation by the timber o­n Flower Island and the main-land. He was like-wise instructed to make and launch into the chute, 2 or 3 miles from the fort, a rude bridge, in sections, of cypress logs, taken from a cabin convenient. The orders were to complete the work and encamp o­n the ground, with a view of removing the remainder of the command that night toward the fort. Unfortunately, four of Col. Ellet's rams, not knowing this detail had been sent forward, dropped around Craighead's Point, for the purpose of observation, and were fired upon by the enemy, and the shot, overreaching the boats, fell in the vicinity of the working party in the woods, whereupon the major commanding deemed it prudent to retire and abandon the work.

It being too late after this unfortunate movement to do anything more that day, Capt. Schermerhorn, of the Forty-sixth Regt. Indiana Volunteers, was ordered the next morning, with a detail from that regiment and the Forty-third Indiana Volunteers, to finish the contemplated works. This he promptly accomplished undiscovered by the enemy, constructing the bridge and laying out a substantial road to within 200 or 300 yards of the enemy's intrenchments. All the troops were ordered o­n board the transports the same evening, with the intention of surprising and storming the fort, and all arrangements perfected for having a combined attack between the land forces and the gunboats last evening; but appearances, as well as the statement of a deserter last evening, made us apprehend that the enemy was evacuating. Therefore, instead of marching by the contemplated route, I dropped down at 3 a.m. with a small party o­n o­ne of the transports (the Hetty Gilmore), preceded by open row-boats, containing Capt. Sill and Lieut. Troxell, with a few men. We dropped directly but cautiously toward the fort, and found our apprehensions verified. The enemy was gone, having left at about 1 or 2 o'clock this morning. We found they had destroyed or carried away nearly all the property of the fort; the gun-Carriages were burned and burning, and many of the guns that could not be removed were burst. The Hetty Gilmore, in passing the ram fleet and Benton, gave notice what her signal would be if the enemy had left and what if they remained, and was followed very soon by Col. Ellet's rams, and after an interval by the gunboats and the other transports, the signal that there was no enemy in sight having been given.

I am not able to state at this time the amount of property in the fort, but my impression is that it cannot be properly garrisoned without a new armament and a corps of artillerists. For all practical purposes o­ne or two gunboats would be more effective than my command of infantry. I propose, therefore, to proceed directly toward Memphis this p.m., leaving o­ne company here to collect the property. Capt. Davis, commanding flotilla, leaves also o­ne gunboat. I await orders.

Yours, respectfully,

G. N. FITCH, Col., Cmdg. Brigade.

No. 2

Reports of Col. Charles Ellet, jr., commanding Ram Flotilla.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER, ABOVE FORT PILLOW, June 4 (via Cairo, June 5), 1862.

SIR: For the purpose of testing the temper of a doubtful crew and ascertaining the strength of the enemy's position, I determined yesterday to take the Queen of the West and try to reach a rebel steamer lying around Craighead's Point, under the guns of Fort Pillow. The captain, two out of the three pilots, the first made, and all the engineers, and nearly all the crew declined the service and were allowed to go off with their baggage to a barge. Hastily forming a new crew of volunteers, I took command of the boat, and directed Lieut.-Col. Ellet to follow in the Monarch at supporting distance. The captain, David M. Dryden, and all the crew of the Monarch, stood at their post. The rebel steamer slipped lines and escaped before I could reach her. The firing of the fort was at short range and quite brisk, but I think o­nly revealed about seven or eight guns, corresponding with the count previously made in two land reconnaissances by Lieut.-Col. Ellet. My boat was not hit. While the strength of the rebel batteries seems to be greatly overrated, their fleet of rams and gunboats is much larger than min. It consists of eight gunboats, which usually lie just below the fort, and four others at Randolph, a few miles farther down. Commodore Davis will not join me in a movement against them nor contribute a gunboat to my expedition, nor allow any of his men to volunteer, so as to stimulate the pride and emulation of my own. I shall therefore first weed out some had material, and then go without him.

Respectfully,

CHAS. ELLET, Jr., Col., Cmdg.

OPPOSITE RANDOLPH, 12 MILES BELOW FORT PILLOW, June 5 [via Cairo, June 8], 1862.

SIR: To my mortification the enemy evacuated Fort Pillow last night. They carried away or destroyed everything of value. Early this morning Lieut.-Col. Ellet and a few men in a yawl went ashore, followed immediately by Col. Fitch and a part of his command. The gunboats then came down and anchored across the channel. I proceeded with three rams 12 miles below the fort to a point opposite Randolph, and sent Lieut.-Col. Ellet ashore, with a flag of truce, to demand the surrender of the place. Their forces had all left -- two of their gunboats o­nly an hour or two before we approached. The people seemed to respect the flag which Lieut.-Col. Ellet planted. The guns had been dismantled and some piles of cotton were burning. I shall leave Lieut.-Col. Ellet here in the advance, and return immediately to Fort Pillow to bring o­n my entire force. The people attribute the suddenness of the evacuation to the attempt made night before last to sink o­ne of their gunboats at Fort Pillow. Randolph, like Fort Pillow, is weak, and could not have held out long against a vigorous attack. The people express a desire for the restoration of the old order of things, though still professing to be secessionists.

CHAS. ELLET, JR., Col., Cmdg. Ram Flotilla

No. 3

Report of L. D. McKissick.

MEMPHIS, June 3, 1862.

I telegraphed Gen. Villepigue to-day, asking him if he could hold Fort Pillow three days, until we could get telegraph wire and instruments down. Just received following reply:

Will endeavor to do so, but fear disaster; have sent off all my troops. Cavalry from above have not arrived as ordered. A great number of desertions; and the enemy captured 4 men this morning, and of course know everything.

JNO. B. VILLEPIGUE, Brig.-Gen., Cmdg.

No. 4

Report of Brig. Gen. John B. Villepigue, C. S. Army, with instructions and congratulatory orders from Gen. Beauregard.

FORT PILLOW, June 3, 1862.

SIR: Am ordered to Grenada, to take command, organize, fortify, &c. My troops have all left; am remaining behind to cover their retreat.

My cavalry have not yet arrived from above.

Enemy captured 4 men this morning; fear they understand my situation.

JNO. B. VILLEPIGUE, Brig.-Gen., Cmdg.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 10, pt. I, pp. 897-902.

JOHN B. VILLEPIGUE, Brig.-Gen., in command of Confederate defense of Fort Pillow

 

 

 

19-24, "For my part I think I would have killed all, and taken none…." Six day Scout by the 5th Iowa Cavalry
Just got home [Fort Donelson] this noon from a scout of six days. Had very fine weather, lost a horse from Co. A killed by the rebels. Lt. Batey of Co. M had his finger shot and his horse severly wounded. Also two men for Co. M severly wounded. Captured seven prisoners, killed none. For my part I think I would have killed all, and taken none, for I think a man that does not join the army but lies around in the woods watching an opportunity to shoot any man he sees wearing a blue coat is a murderer and ought to be treated as such. I think it will be the case hereafter with whatever gurrillas [sic] we catch hold of.
Was kept in pretty good health and out of all danger on the trip. Lord may I ever be truly grateful to Thee for they [sic] goodness to me.

Alley Diary, entry for May 24, 1863

 

 

19, "Relief for East Tennessee."
This noble work is still progressing. There has been received in this city about 400 tons of supplies, consisting principally of flour, corn, and bacon. Another cargo of 150 tons is expected this week. They are being forwarded at the rate of one car load per day. It is to be regretted that the agencies of the army for the past two months have prevented their more speedy shipment, but even at this rate, all has been forwarded except about 70 tons. Accounts from all parts of East Tennessee represent the people in great destitution, and agents sent from particular localities for provisions bring with them most undoubted evidence that unless relief can be procured within ten days, the people of those localities will be compelled to leave the country to save themselves from starvation. Every effort will be made to supply these districts first.
If supplies can be sent forward at present rates for two months, it will sustain the people until something can be raised from the soil, and thereby save them from the only alternative that would be left to the greater portion [sic], of forsaking their native land and all that is included in the word home, and undergoing a perilous journey to the North, in which many lose their lives. If they can remain at home upon their farms, they will soon be able to support themselves; if they are compelled to leave, they must sacrifice all their property and thro themselves, for a time, entirely upon the charities of the world. In the meantime, they are grappling manfully with the foe. Women and grills are to be seen with their hands to the plow, driving old poor horses, and in some instances poor oxen, the only dependence for teams. The people of the North may rest assured that they will ever receive the due return of gratitude at the hands of such a people, for the magnanimous assistance they are now rendering in the hour of need. We publish these facts for the information of all concerned, by order of the Nashville Refugee Aid Society.
David T. Patterson, Pres.
John M. Gaut, Sec.
Nashville Dispatch, May 19, 1864.

 

19, "Relief for East Tennessee."
This noble work is still progressing. There has been received in this city about 400 tons of supplies, consisting principally of flour, corn, and bacon. Another cargo of 150 tons is expected this week. They are being forwarded at the rate of one car load per day. It is to be regretted that the agencies of the army for the past two months have prevented their more speedy shipment, but even at this rate, all has been forwarded except about 70 tons. Accounts from all parts of East Tennessee represent the people in great destitution, and agents sent from particular localities for provisions bring with them most undoubted evidence that unless relief can be procured within ten days, the people of those localities will be compelled to leave the country to save themselves from starvation. Every effort will be made to supply these districts first.
If supplies can be sent forward at present rates for two months, it will sustain the people until something can be raised from the soil, and thereby save them from the only alternative that would be left to the greater portion [sic], of forsaking their native land and all that is included in the word home, and undergoing a perilous journey to the North, in which many lose their lives. If they can remain at home upon their farms, they will soon be able to support themselves; if they are compelled to leave, they must sacrifice all their property and thro themselves, for a time, entirely upon the charities of the world. In the meantime, they are grappling manfully with the foe. Women and grills are to be seen with their hands to the plow, driving old poor horses, and in some instances poor oxen, the only dependence for teams. The people of the North may rest assured that they will ever receive the due return of gratitude at the hands of such a people, for the magnanimous assistance they are now rendering in the hour of need. We publish these facts for the information of all concerned, by order of the Nashville Refugee Aid Society.
David T. Patterson, Pres.
John M. Gaut, Sec.
Nashville Dispatch, May 19, 1864.

 


Wednesday, May 18, 2011

May 18 - Notes on the Civil War in Tennessee

Sunday May 18th 1862
A lovely day has passed. Cousin Ann, Bettie & Helen went to church
this morning. Mr. Crossman went to Nashville, regretted I didn't know
of his going in time, I would have written a letter to some of the
Wilson family. Ma sent Sister Mary's letter to Mrs. Wilson to read.
Ma, Pa, & Jennie went down to see Uncle William Lytle this evening. Pa
went up to Mr. Dromgoole's. He has been released from prison for a few
days on account of his ill health. Mr. Henderson came up with him, but
will have to return very soon. Maj. Childress is up on a six days
furlough. Heard that Mr. Hoard was in earnest a Union man, & that Mr.
T. O. Butler had signed the paper, for our State to return to her old
allegiance, but I hope I have been misinformed. Two Yanks came here
and asked for some flowers, I told Leathy (the servant) she might get
them some, for I don't speak to them. One of them seem to be very much
pleased with her. She tied them each a bouquet, & they gave her each 5
cents for her trouble. She told them Ma never sold flowers. One of
them asked Helen, was she a "secessesh", & she said yes indeed she
was. Capt. Frost was out here late this evening & staid a little
while.
Kate Carney Diary
April 15, 1861-July 31, 1862

18, Expedition and skirmish on Horn Lake Creek
MAY 18, 1863.--Skirmish on Horn Lake Creek, Tenn.
Report of Capt. Arthur M. Sherman, Second Wisconsin Cavalry.
CAMP SECOND WISCONSIN CAVALRY,
May 18, 1863.
SIR: I have the honor to submit this my report of the result of the
expedition under my command, which left our camp at 1 p.m. To report
to brigade commander, Col. Moore, Twenty-first Missouri Infantry.
I received instructions to proceed upon the Hernando road 10 or 12
miles with 75 men, and dispatch 25 men by the Pigeon Roost road to
intersect the Hernando road and form a junction with me again, and, if
the enemy were discovered in any force, to hold them in check, and
report the fact to brigade headquarters.
After proceeding some 4 miles beyond Nonconnah, the advance discovered
two pickets and gave chase. After running half a mile, one of them
abandoned a United States horse and saddle and fled into the woods,
the horse falling into our hands. We proceeded then near unto Horn
Lake Creek, and discovered a picket of some 8 or 10 men, who seemed
reluctant to abandon their post; whereupon I halted my command,
without showing its strength, and advanced Lieut. Showalter, with 20
men, for the purpose of charging them, after becoming convinced they
had no reserve to support them; but, if such should be the case, to
feint being unsupported, and fall back and draw them out. He advanced
upon them, they retreating beyond Horn Lake Creek. He discovered at
this time a squad on his right and left, which he immediately engaged,
they as soon giving way, and returning into the timber. He immediately
communicated to me the facts of his engagement, whereupon I advanced
with one-half of the 50 men I had left, the 25 sent by the Pigeon
Roost road not yet having overtaken us. About the time or a little
before my arrival to the front, the enemy had all fled and abandoned
their post.
It being now nearly dark, and my men without either food or blankets,
I decided to return to camp.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
A. M. SHERMAN, Capt., Commanding Company L, Second Wisconsin Cavalry.
P. S.--I met one of our spies coming in from Hernando, who reported
Gen. Chalmers' presence there with 400 men, and that Maj. [G. L.]
Blythe is this side with 300 men.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 24, pt. II, pp. 144-145.

18, Skirmish with guerrillas north side of Cumberland River near Rough
and Ready Furnace
HDQRS. U. S. FORCES, Fort Donelson, Tenn., May 19, 1864.
Capt. B. H. POLK, Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Nashville, Tenn.:
I learned yesterday of a party of guerrillas in camp on the north side
of the Cumberland, near Rough and Ready Furnace, commanded by one
Hines. I sent forty men after them, but finding they outnumbered us,
having over 100 men, did not attack them. Killed 1 of their pickets
and returned. I will send out more force to-morrow.
E. C. BROTT, Col. Eighty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Cmdg. Post.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 39, pt. II, p 40.

18, Report on status of mopping up exercises in Purdy environs
EASTPORT, May 18, 1865.
Maj. Gen. GEORGE H. THOMAS, Cmdg. Department of the Cumberland:
Your dispatches of the 18th are received. Moreland's regiment of
cavalry Roddey's brigade, is being paroled at Iuka to-day. The
Nineteenth Tennessee Cavalry is now at Corinth to be paroled. A number
or irregular bands have surrendered at this place. There are, however
a number more gangs that infest Northern Alabama, Mississippi, and
Tennessee, in the vicinity of Purdy. I sent notice too all bands to
surrender, and unless the demand is complied with I shall mount all
the men possible by using train mules and hunt them down as outlaws.
Using mules is the only way I have of keeping up a mounted force by
which to keep the country quiet. I send dispatch this day received
from Mobile. The line is now completed via Decatur.
EDWARD HATCH, Brevet Maj.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 49, pt. II, pp. 830-831.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

May 17 - Tennessee Civil War Notes

17, Franklin post master to Military Governor Andrew Johnson relative to the arrest of a recalcitrant rebel
Franklin Tenn May 17/62
Judge P.G.S. Perkins who was arrested by Col. Campbell [Union commander at Franklin] and forwarded to your city a few days ago deserves strict treatment. He is prety [sic] badly diseased; morally as well as politically. I am informed that he stated in a confectionary [sic] in this place in regard to the oath of allegiance that he expected we would all have to take it but that he would not consider it binding at all[.] [sic] Not withstanding [sic] such remarks have been verry [sic] common in Rebeldom in the last twelve or fifteen months I trust that no man holding a responsible position will be permitted [sic] to pass at par into [sic] the United States who entertains such views[.]Yours Respectfully
A.W. Moss [Post Master]
Papers of Andrew Johnson, Vol. 5, p. 401.

 

17, Confederate A. J. Rice, in Wartrace, to his cousin, Mary L. Paine
Wartrace, Tennessee
May 17, 1863
My Dear Cousin,
I received your very kind letter day before yesterday and as we had to move our encampment I had to postpone writing until today. We have left our Brigade for a while and moved nearer town and our Regiment does all the guarding about town. I have not heard anything from the Yankees for some time except that they have sent all their tents and heavy baggage to the rear and I expect there will be something done down here before long. We are sending all our sick off to Chattanooga. Our men are laying the track from here to Bellbuckle a distance of five miles and I expect we will advance soon. The track has been torn up ever since our retreat from Murfreesboro. There is a Yankee deserter comes [sic] in nearly every day [sic], but we don't get to talk with them unless we are guarding them. Some thinks that we will fight down here soon and some thinks that we won't fight down here for some time to come.
Hab is camped out near Fairfield but I have not seen him since we left Tullahoma. I have not heard from home for nearly a week. I am looking for a letter this evening. Cousin Mollie I wish I was with you all today. We would certainly enjoy ourselves, but I assure you that there is very little enjoyment in camp but I hope that this cruel war will soon end that we may be turned loose and permitted to return tour friends and relatives who are waiting so anxiously for our return. It may be soon or it may be a long time. But I hope that the time will come when we can all meet and spend a happy time together as we have done in days that are past. and gone and I am fearful never to return. I have not been at home since I wrote to you nor do I expect to get home soon. Today is very dull in camp for since we have moved off from our Brigade we have had no preaching in the Regiment. There is a big protracted meeting going on in our Brigade and has been for over two months. There has been a good may conversions. I don't know how long it will go on, but I am in hopes that it will bed a general thing throughout the army, for there is a great deal of wickedness going on in the army. There has been some depredations done down here by our men down here [sic]. Some four Artillery men went to a man's house down here the other day and knocked him down and took all his money and some eggs and butter and milk and they have all been arrested and chained down awaiting their trial. I expect they will go up for ninety days. There is also two or three men in the guard house for murder and I expect that they will be hung is a short time. God speed the time when all such men will be hung as high as the hayman. I am glad to hear that Jo got off as easy as he did. I never want the cut throats to get a hold of me.
I want you to write to me as soon as you may bet this for I am always glad to hear from you.
Give my love to all. I remain
Your True Cousin, Andrew
Write soon and address:
A. J. Rice
Johnson's Brigade
Cleburne's Division
Wartrace, Tennessee
PS Please excuse confed [erate] paper [money] for it is the best that I can do at present.
Write soon,
Andrew
TSL&A Civil War Collection*
* Ed. note - TSL&A, Confederate Collection, mfm 824-3,  Box 11, folder 11.

 

 

Oh! most miserable day - Mrs. Perkins almost made me mad at her deep distress - Poor, poor Nannie, my heart aches for her, would to God I might be the medium through which all could be made happy - Miss Em is so widely different in her political feeling, there will never be any happiness, I fear, with poor Nannie. May God guide the dear child, keep her firm to the cause she has espoused, may she never have her pure, noble Southern feelings polluted with Yankee treachery or tyrany - keep her firm and true to her noble Brother Dashiell and his Country rights - she dreams not, but oh! my heart trembles and bleeds for her in this great trial and affliction. I received a letter from Dr. Moses - Tate did also - Oh! why am I tempted - guide, oh! comfort me, my Savior - poor Father is quite sick - Joanna went to Hernando this morning -
DIARY OF
BELLE EDMONDSON

 

 

17, Observations made by an ex-Confederate soldier from the Army of Tennessee while on his way home to the Dyersburg environs; conditions in Greeneville
....By 6 oclk. [sic] everything was ready to move but no order was given until about 7 oclk. [sic] when everything was put in motion for Greeneville. We soon crossed the Nollychucky [sic] River a tolerable wide shallow stream. The road runs through a pretty hilly country though we passed several fine farms with splendid residences - when within half a mile of town we come [sic] to where the yanky [sic] troops were encamped said to be about 2000 about one half of whom were negroes [sic] sort who were nearly all in line clos [sic] on the side of the road where we passed and some of them cursed us as we passed along though we generally said nothing to them. The white and black Yankees mixed freely and conversed together hail fellows well met [sic]. We passed through Greenville [sic] where white and black of both sexes were mixing freely -- The town ins rather in bottom being surrounded by hills on every side and is a place of some size especially when the sourrounding [sic] Country is taken into consideration here is the home of Andy Johnston [sic] President of the U.S. we [sic] passed through town about one mile and encamped until further orders., Among the yankies [sic] here there are several deserters from the Confederate Army among them I spoke to. -- Evening Clouded [sic] up but awhile after dark Cleared [sic] off - We set up until 10 oclk [sic]. T. W. Jones and myself slept together [sic].
Fielder Diaries.

 

 


May 16 - Tennessee Civil War Notes


May 16, 1861 - Fear and Loathing in Memphis – Report o­n the Committee of Safety in Action.

Affairs in Memphis-The Feeling in Tennessee and Kentucky.
On Saturday we were kindly furnished with the following information by two young gentlemen who had just arrived from Memphis, Tennessee, at which place they had for some time past been in business. During several weeks past the have received continued intimations that their presence was no longer desirable in Memphis, and o­ne of the gentlemen was obliged to live in the night, his ticket having been procured by a friend. The other was waited upon by a Committee of Safety, who, after asking him where he was from, and how long he had resided there, informed them that if he intended to remain he must join a military company, and if he did not he had better leave the following morning. As the member of the committee seemed respectable, he deemed it advisable to leave that afternoon, an employe of the establishment in which he was engaged buying his ticket for him.
As he went to the cars o­n Friday a proclamation was posted up, to the effect that there were but two parties in the city, friends and foes; and all able-bodied men who did not at o­nce join the Secession forces, were enemies. Several Northerners will be compelled to leave, while others who think more of dollars than principles, have expressed an intention to obey the proclamation.
The feeling in that section is decidedly in favor of Secession, the few Union men residing there being compelled to maintain silence.
A large force is engaged near Memphis in making fortifications, and at Fort Randolph, sixty-five miles above the city, every preparation will be made to prevent Northern troops from passing down the river. Sand batteries have been erected, and six thirty-two pounders have been planted. The point is garrisoned by a company of Light Guards of the 154th Regiment, and a company of flying artillery. More troops are to be sent there at an early day.
In the Southern portion of Kentucky the feeling is similar to that in East Tennessee….
On Wednesday last, our informants witnessed the perpetration of a horrible atrocity. As the steamer Glendale was lying at the wharf in Memphis, a young man, a clerk in JOHNSON & JUST'S store, who was about to start o­n a temporary visit to his old home, Fort Wayne, Indiana, for the purpose ob being married, imprudently said that if the Secessionists visited his section of the country, they would be clubbed. The cry of "Abolitionist" was raised, and the poor fellow was knocked down, abused, and subsequently taken to a barber's shop and his head shaved. He was afterwards escorted by a policeman to the residence of o­ne of his employers, and the next morning left for the North.
Two weeks before this, there men who had, it was supposed, returned North, were seen hanging to trees a short distance from Memphis. o­ne was a moulder and the other two were carpenters, hailing from Ohio and Allegheny City in this State.
Our informants passed up the Ohio river, American flags were waving o­n both sides.
Philadelphia Inquirer, May 16, 1861.

Friday May 16th 1862
Today was the Fast day appointed by Jeff Davis, and we kept it until dinner, though we had no service in our churches. It seems hard that we are not permitted to pray to God, when and how we want to. Ma received a letter from Sister Mary today, written about a month ago, by an "underground railroad" as they term it, & we were delighted to learn they were so well. Haven't been very well today, slept a little during the day consequently did not rest well tonight. Mr. Crossman returned from Nashville today, failing to see any of Mrs. Wilson family, I didn't get an answer to my letter. Several Yankees came into Ma's yard & she gave them flowers. Ma & Cousin Ann went up to the hospital to take our prisoners some nice things to eat, & Capt. Round's commanded them to come no more. He is a villain, "clothed with a little brief authority: he flatters his little soul he is somebody, but did he but know we have heard he was only a drummer." Martha Duffer spent the night with Rosa.
Kate Carney Diary
April 15, 1861-July 31, 1862

 

Camp Near Franklin Tenn

May the 16 1863

Dear Brother and Sister

I once more sit down with pen in hand to write a few lines to you to let you know that I am well at this present time. hoping when these few lines reach you they will find you all the same. I received your letter yesterday and was glad to hear from you. Was well you said that Kate had gone home. I haven't had a letter from home for some time. I don't know what is the reason they don't write.It is nice weather down here. Now it is most to nice weather for me for it is to hot.

You said you heard that there was a fight down hear and our men got whiped.* They hasn't been aney fight hear very lately. They was a littel fight down hear a bout a month ago or a littel over a month they wasent but one regiment of infantry engaged in the fight and that was the 40 Ohio and the Cavalry that is hear was in the fight to. they was a good maney of the Rebels but our men whiped them like the Devil. the loss on the Rebels side in all kild wounded and prisners was about three hundred and the loss on our side in all was a bout one hundred but our Cavalry has a skirmish with them a bout every day or so. Our Cavalry went out one night and in the morning they fetched in one hundred and fifteen prisners and they dident have aney fight either. they went in their camp and took them. the Rebels was in bed and night fore last our men fetched in a lot of prisners. you wanted to know if I thought they would be aney fight clost hear.I think they will be a fight hear some time but I dont know how soon but the Rebels cant take this place for we are strong fortified. they are a fort hear and it has got six big guns in it about and they talk of gittin some more. they is one that will shoot six miles.

I havent had a letter from Walter for a long time. I have rote three to him and I havent received aney answer to aney of them. Walter is onley twelve miles from hear. I was on a big hill and I could see within three miles from where he is. I can see nine miles.

We have the best kind of times down hear. Now I cant send you my likeness now but when we are paid again I will send it to you if I am where I can git it taken. I would like to see you firstrate but I expect I wont git a chance to till this war is over. excuse me for this time.

Write as soon as you git this.

So goodbye from Lester Case to Sarah L. Davis.

 

16, Provost Orders, No. 109
Office of the Provost Marshal
Nashville, Tenn., May 16, 1864.
EXTRACT
* * * *
II. The hour at which Saloons in this city are required to be closed is changed from 8 PM to 9 PM.
By command of Brig. Gen. R.R. Granger
Nashville Dispatch, May 17, 1864.

 

16, Counter-insurgency sweep, Tullahoma to south side of Elk River
No circumstantial reports filed.
HDQRS. FIRST SUB-DISTRICT OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE, Tullahoma, May 16, 1865.
Cmdg. OFFICER DETACH. 43d WISCONSIN VOL. INFTY., Mann's Ford:
Upon the receipt of this you will immediately send the detachment of cavalry down, the south side of Elk River to Simons' Mill, at which place they will halt till 12 m. As soon they will halt till 12 m. As soon as the infantry have breakfasted you will proceed along the south bank of Elk River till you reach Doctor McGoughlin's, leaving five men at every quarter of a mile, as near as may be, but at the same time post them at the highest and most eligible points on the river to obtain a view of the country. At precisely 12 m. your whole command, infantry and cavalry, will cross the river, deploy at as great a distance as possible, taking care that the right and left men are in view of each other and in hailing distance. Try at the same time to make connection with the right of Lieut.-Col. Stauber, Forty-second Missouri Volunteer Infantry, who is on the north side of the river and on your left and with Capt. Lewis' left, who is on the north of the river and on your right. Immediately after crossing the river and deploying your men you will move forward northwardly, with lines converging so as to center at Marble Hill, at which place your men will assemble. After reaching there and reporting to Lieut.-Col. Stauber you will return to your camp at Decherd. The object of this expedition is to trap and destroy the guerrilla Rogers and his band, who are supposed to be in the section of the country that will be scoured by this expedition. The majority of the guerrilla band are dressed in Federal uniforms, and Rogers is said to be riding a dun or claybank horse. Instruct each of your men not to allow any man to pass through their line upon any pretense whatever, but to arrest all persons whom they meet have any reason to suspect, and conduct them to Marble Hill, reporting them to Lieut.-Col. Stauber.
By command of Maj.-Gen. Milroy:
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 49, pt. II, p. 807.

TULLAHOMA, May 17, 1865.
Maj. Gen. GEORGE H. THOMAS, U. S. ARMY:
This day a man by the name of A. S. Hendricks, one of the worst guerrillas and murderers who has infested the country, came in and reported to me, having surrendered and been paroled at Chattanooga under your late order relating to armed bands, and has come this far on his way to his home in Franklin. He in company with Rogers, whom you recently ordered me to treat as an outlaw, during the Hood raid shot and mortally wounded William Chasteen, captain of my scouts, while in his house at supper after night, and tried to kill his brother, Elijah Chasteen, who since was captain of scouts, and was killed by Rogers and others on the 6th instant, Hendricks shooting Chasteen through the crack of his door. Shall I permit him to go home, or will you permit me to treat him as an outlaw?
R. H. MILROY, Maj.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 49, pt. II, p. 822.