Tuesday, August 9, 2011

August 9 - Tennessee Civil War Notes

9, Confederate guerrillas attack Federal outpost at Lynnville
COLUMBIA, August 9, 1862.
Col. J. B. FRY:
Guerrillas numbering about 30 attacked guards at Lynnville, wounding 1 man. They fired into the cars afterward; captured 7 men and 4 wagons near Reynolds. I am waiting anxiously for battalion of Kennett's cavalry to report.
The expedition against Hickman's guerrillas is planned, with every probability of success if not delayed too long. The wealthy secessionists of this neighborhood are undoubtedly aiding and sympathizing with these guerrillas parties. Many of their sons are with them. I have instituted most vigorous and determined measures against them.
JAS. S. NEGLEY, Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol 16, pt. II, p. 300.

 

9, "In a Nice Fix"
In the breaking out of the present difficulties a good many East Tennesseeans with treason in their hearts. left and went over to the bosom of King Abraham, thinking, no doubt, that they would return to their homes in a very short time with a sufficient army to protect them in their treason. Sixteen months have gone by and these poor deluded fools are no nearer the object they set out to accomplish than they were the day they started. They cannot get back to their homes, and never will. If the war was ended, and arrangements made for their return they could not live here. They would be looked upon and treated as tories, loathed and despised - forsaken even by the cowardly wretches who persuaded them to leave their homes and dear ones, for a situation in the Federal army. Those of them that have left property behind have forfeited it to their government, and their families will be bereft of it. Who is responsible for this state of things? Such men as Andy Johnson, Horace Mayfield, Bill Brownlow, and the smaller lights of toryism who are suffered to run over the country and preach treason to the people. In this in this [group are] such pettifoggers as Mitch Edward and Mr. Brownlow were applauded for their [truth?] while men who were older and wiser, were scoffed and hooted at for their loyalty. These vile miscreants are now[receiving?] their just reward at the hands of an often indignant people. There never was a more just retribution visited upon a corrupt set of men. They sowed the storm - let them receive the fury of the whirlwind. They deserve it. They have no have no home and are entitled to none in the Southern Confederacy - They deserted her in infancy when she needed help the cowardly scoundrels shrunk from the task and went over to the enemy-in her manhood [sic] she will never receive to her bosom [these same(?)] traitors. East Tennessee is and will be a part of her dominion, the opinion of the Lincolnites to the contrary notwithstanding.
Cleveland Banner [no date given], as cited in Chattanooga Daily Rebel, August 9, 1862.

 

9, Suicide by morphine overdose
Self Destruction.
Mrs. Graham, who has for some time past resided at Mrs. Stewart's boarding house, on Poplar street, east of Second, was frantic enough to commit the unpardonable sin of self-destruction. Early yesterday morning, about 3 o'clock, we learn, she administered to herself, with her own hands, seventeen grains of morphine, which occasioned her death in a few hours thereafter. What the cause was, that prompted the melancholy deed, we know not -- most probably will never know; yet we are sure that it is no trifling wrong that will cause a woman in the prime of life, to resign all on earth, and even the hope of heaven. Perhaps there is one whose guilty conscience will shake his unmanly frame when he learns of the suicide death of one whom he once promised to cherish and protect, but who, when he should have clung to her closest, basely deserted and left her among comparative strangers, far away from the home of her childhood and friends.
Mrs. Graham was a native of Oswego, New York, when she was married. Deceased was about twenty-three years of age, highly educated, and possessed of more than ordinary beauty. Kind friends gave the poor unfortunate's remains all the attention proper to a decent burial.
Esquire Richardson held an inquest and returned a verdict in accordance with the above fact.
Memphis Union Appeal, August 10, 1862.

 

9, Confederate conscription in West Tennessee, a plea to Military Governor Andrew Johnson for help
Head Quarters, 2 west Ten Cav
Saulsbury Ten Aug the 9th, 1863
Andrew Johnson Military Gov of the state of Ten
sir: I address you a few lines at the request of some of the Union men of Henderson county, for the purpose of obtaining information if it is possible as to the best course to be addopted [sic] under exhisting [sic] circumstances and that you may be able to Judge inteligibly [sic], I think it would be better that you have the facts before you, [sic] After the withdrawal of the Union forces from Jackson the confederates [sic] began to assemble in the western district, Capt Newsom crossed the Ten River with a small force but sufficient to controll an unarmed people; Soon Biffle came with a Reg'[.] Then Col Jesse Forest [sic] with a Reg'[.] Richardson made his appearance in Haywood & Fayett[.] first the arrested and forced into arms all the men they could Get who had been in the confederate Army [sic] and who had taken the oath, Then they commenced conscripting and calling for volunters [sic]. I suppose from the best information, that Richardson raised about five hundred men, Newsom about the same[.] what number has been raised by Forrest and Biffle I am not advised; Numbers of small parties under their leaders are patrolling the country and the Union men are out in the woods or refugees at some Union post, So soon as I reached my reg [sic] I asked to be allowed to take my men to the rescue of our friends, promising to resign if I did not hold the country, but up to this time I have failed to get leave. other [sic] troops have twice since been sent there but still I guard this road. The Loyal men of that section desire to know if there is any way in which they can be organised so that they can defend their own homes and they think quite a force could be raised for that purpose. There are many things that I can not comprehend, and as you would of course be better advised and consequently better enabled to interpret I think much good would result from a visit by you to this section of the state[.] I hope you will reply at the earliest practicable moment[.]
Isaac R. Hawkins, Col 2d West Ten Cav
Papers of Andrew Johnson, Vol. 6, p. 322.

 

9, The Report of the Superintendent Nashville Waterworks, April -- July 1864

"Common Council."

* * * *

Office Sup't. Waterworks

Nashville, Aug. 9, 1864

Gentlemen: Superintendent of the Waterworks begs leave to submit the following report: On taking charge of the Waterworks in April last, I found them in a very bad condition. Many of the stop valves in the streets were so much out of repair that they could not be used. I have had new stems and boxes put in, and they are in good order.

One of the Reservoirs was in such a leaking condition that it could not be used. Thus I have had newly floored with brick, laid in hydraulic cement, and it is now perfectly tight.

The engine and pumps are also in good order, and in my opinion the Waterworks are in abundant supply of water than at any time heretofore since the present engine and pumps have been in use, notwithstanding the great quantity of water used. The running time of the engine is ten and one-half hours, out of twenty-four, with a consumption of nine cords of wood and thirty bushels of coal.

The assessment of the Water Tax, for the present six months is completed, and shows the amount to be $16,452.18, being in excess of $2,425.93 over the first six months of the present year.

Respectfully submitted,

James Wyatt, Supt. Waterworks
* * * *
Nashville Dispatch, August 12, 1864

 

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