Tuesday, July 10, 2012

July 10 - Tennessee Civil War Notes

10, "Secesh Shylock or 'the Silent Partner'" - Anti-Semitism in Federally occupied Memphis
In 1860, when the flag of our country floated in majesty over the city of Memphis, before a traitor band had marred the immortal name of Jackson upon the monument which patriot band had reared to his memory in Court Square, the aforesaid formed a partnership to do business in this city. One was a silent partner. He is a man more than half a century old; his locks are glistening for eternity. Why was his name withheld from the world in his lawful business? Proof shows that the old man had been doing business further south, where secession was of earlier growth and patriotism withered sooner than ere. Suspected of that crime of loving his country, his good were taken from him and he driven from the sacred soil. He came to Memphis; went into business with the aforesaid. His time, his toil, his money and the credit of a son in the East were his stock in trade. Their business thrived. His name was withheld, lest those who stole his property and banished him from his home would find him here, and take from him "the little" he had saved from the former wreck. It was not so much for himself that the was a "silent partner." He labored to establish a business for his son in the East, who purchased goods and shipped them to this city for the firm. Thus matters stood until the slimy dragon [of] secession had crawled into Tennessee.
The old man had been agent making purchases for the partnership. He saw in the future his retirement from business and his son standing in his place. How little he knew what awaited him. The moment the train stopped he was seized and dragged to the calaboose like a felon. In vain did he ask "what have I done?" In vain did he plead that he had done on [sic] criminal act. His grey hairs could not shield him, he was charged with being a Union man. Hurried into a cell for loving his country. Through the grated hole in the wall he is informed that his property has been seized by the "Confederate authorities, and he, the old man, granted the merciful privilege of leaving the State in thirty minutes. Guarded by a cordon of traitor bayonets, he packs up a few clothes in his carpet sack, and is hurried beyond the lines. He was guilty of loving his country. Where was Shylock, he who had enjoyed the confidence of the exile, he whom the old man had labored to mutually profit? Where was he? Why was he not present to assure the gray haired partner that his rights in the firm would be respected? Ah! he was one of the accusers!
Scarcely had the old man started upon his exile ere Shylock formed a new partnership - a partnership permitted to flourish because its members were traitors to their country - ignores the rights of the silent and banished partner, and repudiates the debts contracted in the East. A few days since the silent partner returned protected by the Stars and Stripes. Shylock scarcely knew him - had no regard for him. Shylock had invested the profits of their partnership in cotton. Armed by the authorities of the law, the silent partner seized it, and now that justice has returned her seat, it will be adjudged to the old man, who asks if the debts of the old partnership may be paid. What will be the verdict in the Court where there is no shuffling, where we are all compelled to give in evidence against ourselves, over to the truth and forbear all our faults.
Memphis Union Appeal, July 10, 1862.

 

 

10, "Common Council;" the fate of the bill preventing lewd women from riding in hacks in Nashville
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The bill from the Board of Aldermen to prevent lewd women from riding in hacks, and to regulate the hack fare, was read, and passed on its first reading. The rules being suspended, it passed its second reading, when a motion was made to insert in the first section the word "knowingly." Amendment adopted, when M. M. Brien's opinion was asked as to the merits of the bill. The Judge thought those now having licenses would not be bound by the law, and stated that he had voted against the bill in the Board of Aldermen. A motion was then made to lay the bill upon the table, which was adopted, and the bill lies on the table.
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Nashville Dispatch, July 10, 1863.

 

 


10, Capture of Federal outpost at Union City*
REPORTS.
No. 1.--Brig. Gen. Alexander Asboth, U. S. Army, commanding District of Columbus, Ky.
No. 2.--Col. John Scott, Thirty-second Iowa Infantry.
No. 3.--Maj. Edward Langen, Fourth Missouri Cavalry.
No. 1.
Reports of Brig. Gen. Alexander Asboth, U. S. Army, commanding District of Columbus, Ky.
HDQRS. DIST. OF COLUMBUS, 6TH DIV., 16TH A. C.
COL.: I beg have to report that, on the 10th instant, about 7 a. m., the advanced cavalry post of Union City was surprised by a rebel force 600 cavalry, under Col. [J. B.] Biffle. Our loss is from 90 to 100 men killed, wounded, and prisoners.
I immediately ordered Col. Scott, Thirty-second Iowa Infantry, with six companies of his regiment, by railroad, to Union City, but the rebels had left the place an hour before his arrival. Inclosed please find Col. Scott's report, showing that the disaster was caused by the total neglect of the officers to follow even the ordinary military precautions, not to speak of my peremptory and repeated orders distracting the utmost vigilance.
As the rebel force is rapidly increasing in the District of Jackson, by recruit and conscripting, I requested Maj.-Gen. Schofield to reinforce me, and last night 600 men arrived from New Madrid as a temporary loan.
Feeling the great importance of holding our communications and river navigation open and uninterrupted, I again respectfully request that some additional cavalry and a battery of light artillery may be sent me, and now that Vicksburg has fallen, and troops can be spared from there, I ask that, If possible, Montgomery's brigade, comprising four of my old infantry regiments, may be ordered back to this district.
Should the general commanding direct Gen. Dodge to move force to Jackson and above, I would request to be informed in time, so as to be enable to co-operate as far as my limited force will admit.
Respectfully, colonel, your obedient servant,
ASBOTH, Brig.-Gen.
No. 2.
Report of Col. John Scott, Thirty-second Iowa Infantry.
HDQRS. THIRTY-SECOND IOWA INFANTRY, Camp near Columbus, Ky., July 11, 1863.
CAPT.: In obedience to the verbal orders of the general commanding, I have the honor to report that, on the 10th instant, with he effective men of my command (164 enlisted men, 9 line officers and 5 officers of the field and staff), I proceeded by rail to Union City, Tenn.
I found on my arrival at that point, at about 3 p. m., that the place and Federal forces had been captured by rebel forces, said to be under Col. Biffle, of Forests' command, at about 7 a. m. It was a complete surprise, and no organized resistance was made. From information received, I may state the loss at 2 killed, 8 wounded, about 90 prisoners, 116 horses, and transportation and camp equipage at the post destroyed.
I estimate the rebel forces at about 650. They retired in the direction of Troy. At about 2 p. m. I found the citizens in burying our dead and caring for the wounded. The latter, except one man, not able to be moved, I brought to post hospital at this place. The former I left to be decently buried by the citizens.
The names of the killed are Henry Rosengoetter, private Company C, Fourth Missouri Cavalry and Henry Stribbers (or Strubberg ), private Company E, Fourth Missouri Cavalry.
The only mention that both officers and men of my command behaved well, and confidently advanced upon the town, believing it to be them occupied by a superior force.
You most obedient servant,
JOHN SCOTT, Col. Thirty-second Iowa Infantry.
No. 3.
Report of Maj. Edward Langen, Fourth Missouri Cavalry.
COLUMBUS, KY., August 8, 1863.
CAPT.: In obedience to orders from headquarters District of Columbus, Ky., Maj. G. Heinrichs, commanding post Clinton, Ky., ordered, on the 26th day of June, 1863, Company C, Capt. C. Rosa, and Company I, of the Fourth Regt. Missouri Volunteers Cavalry, both companies under command of Capt. C. Rosa, to Union City, Tenn., as advanced post, and continued there until the 10th day of July 1863, where we were in the morning between 9 and 10 o'clock surprised by a rebel force superior in numbers.
The rebels surrounded the place, and, after a short fight, in which 2 were killed and 8 men wounded, the whole command was captured, except 2 men, who escaped to Clinton, Ky.
All the camp and garrison equipage, books, and papers belonging to said companies were also taken and partly by the enemy, who, left the place two hours after their first appearance, taking along with them all the officers and men as prisoners except dead and wounded, the former unburied, the place. Brig.-Gen. Asboth sent, as soon as he heard of the disaster, re-enforcements by railroad, which found the place evacuated by the enemy, buried the dead, and brought the wounded to Columbus, Ky., in hospital of killed, wounded, and prisoners of both companies. [list not found]
Your most obedient servant,
EDWARD LANGEN, Maj. Cmdg. Detachment Fourth Missouri Volunteers Cavalry.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 23, pt. I, pp. 822-824. 
*
Ed. note - Dyer's Battle Index for Tennessee refers to this event as a "skirmish."

 

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