Knoxville, Tennessee
Dec. 10, 1861
Dear Elizabeth Haun, children, Mother, Brothers and Sisters: Neighbors, and Friends:
I have had my trial but have not heard my sentence. I fear it will be bad - they may take my life and they may not. I cannot tell yet. When I hear my sentence I will write again. If I should not reach home soon I want you all to do the very best you can. Betsy, take care of your corn for bread, there is going to be hard times about bread and have that ware finished off and get shoes and clothing and something to go on as you think best.
I may be sent to Nashville -- if I am, when my time is out I may come home if it is the Lords [sic] will that I should live that long -- the Lord only knows what is my doom. Be that as it may I feel that my soul is with God.
Children, be good to your Mother and to one another and serve god -- He is ;your Father. Really my prayer is that you all will live for God so that of may meet me in peace forever where trouble and sorrow are unknown. If tears could do you any good you would be blessed.
I hear that my friends are in great distress -- there is great distress too. I want you to have them [sic] writings registered and recorded -- don't dare to sell it but rent it. I mean the writing between me and Nathan Haun about that copper mine. Take and rent it to some one who will carry it on right for you and have them pay your the rent as ;you need it and pay my debts out of it as fast as you can spare it., When Jacob becomes old enough let him manage it. If I should not return do this as time will admit of it -- get Charlie Dickerson and V. H. Bolling to go and prove it. I will write more about matters and things if I have the chance. Get someone to write to me for I merely want to hear whether you are well or not. I do not want to hear of other men's troubles up there -- give me your troubles -- it is enough.
This the 10th day of December 1861. [sic] To Elizabeth Haun and children Mother and Friends. I want you to sing this song ballad [sic] I send to you -- I would like Clark to sing it one time -- Direct your letters to Robert Fox[,] the jailor at Knoxville, Tenn. and do it soon.
C. A. Haun
SONG BALLAD
Dear Betsy, for I call you so
Farewell for a little season.
Dear Jacob, for I call you so
Farewell for a little season.
Dear Becky Jane, for I call you so
Farewell for a little season.
Dear Sarah, my daughter, for I call you so
Farewell for a little season.
Dear Martha, my daughter, for I call you so
Farewell for a little season.
Knoxville Jail, Dec. 10, 1861.
Dear Elizabeth:
I want you to stay away from your mother and sister for they are not your friends or mine. I want you to move where we used to live on Arthur's place -- where he can sorter [sic] see to you and the children and work for him in place of to and fro among strangers.
Make the children read the Testament every Sabbath that they are not at preaching -- and every opportunity they have talk to them as you have heard me do and keep them away from all bad company. Do not suffer them to use bad words -- nor quarrel with one another an learn them manners. It will be for their benefit. If anyone comes to your hungry turn them not away empty if you have it for them and the Lord will bless you more abundant. You had better keep your horse and let Jacob make you a crop of corn and still sow wheat and oats. Do about this as you and Arthur think best. If Arthur thins it best to sell to him and for Jacob to work for him, do so. Let Arthur or someone relate your situation to Government Authorities and the Government will surely do liberally for you and the children in the way of support and education. I want you to get Arthur or some of my friends to have those writing s between me and Nathan Haun registered and recorded and get them to carry on for you or rent it out for as much as you can get a year for it until Jacob can carry it on for you and the children. There was a person here since I have been there that told me he bossed at Ducktown some and he describes the ore exactly -- according to his tale the ores are exactly alike. Don't neglect this - have it done without fail and when your wheat is ready to cut take care of it for your bread and seed for another year. In sowing your grain have it put in right and in time it will yield well.
Have Bohannan Hinshaw of Low to finish off that ware and do the best you can with it for your support. Pay Mr. Bohannon and let him see what I have written and I want all of my debts paid off if it can be done. When you get to sending off ore maybe ;you can pay them. I am sorry to leave one dollar unpaid -- if you can sell my land for more than five hundred do so, all you can get over the remainder is yours. I also have three shares in the railroad and it is in Joseph Etter's hands -- make him pay you and get you the certificate from the company for three shares. Lewis Bowen owes me ten dollars -- make him pay that -- all the balance will pay I think without making them pay. You can sell my shop-tools, lead, oven, glazing mill, clay mill and lathe and so on which will be some help to you and the children. James Bolling is to have one fourth of my part of the wheat. He is to help take care of it and you find a hand in my place and that will be all right. Do the best you can, this is a hard task, directing you with my death so near but I want to give the best advice I can while on earth and just think how a man feels in this situation knowing I must die in a few hours time.
Dear wife, here is the hard part, closing the last letter to you and my children forever on this earth.
Dear friend and all farewell.
C. A. Haun
Dear Elizabeth --
I have the promise that my body will be sent home to you.
O live for heaven
Oh my bosom friend and children
Live for heaven, I pray.
My time is almost out, dear friends, farewell to this world -- farewell to earth and earthly troubles.
C. A. Haun
Colonel Baxter, I have to die today at 12 o'clock. I beg of you have my; body; sent to Midway Post Office directed to Elizabeth Haun. This much I beg of you -- this is the 11th day of December 1861.
C .A. Haun
According to my calculations I am this day 40 years old 3 months and 3 days.
WPA Civil War Records, Vol. I, pp. 38-42. .
HDQRS. RIFLE BRIGADE, Knoxville, December 11, 1861.
Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War, Richmond, Va.:
SIR: In pursuance of your instructions by telegraph of yesterday, the sentence of death pronounced by court-martial upon A. C. Haun, the bridge burner, was executed by hanging at 12 o'clock to-day. The court-martial is still in session, engaged in the trial of a number of others charged with complicity in the same crime. I am not advised of the nature or extent of the proof that can be brought against them, but should it be sufficient and the court find them guilty, the sentence, whatever it may be, will be promptly executed, unless otherwise directed by you. In addition to those suspected of burning the bridges I have now in confinement about 150 more prisoners, charged with taking up arms, giving aid and assistance to the enemy, inciting rebellion, &c. Those among them who have been proven guilty of the offenses alleged against them I shall send to Tuscaloosa, in accordance with your instructions by letter of November 23. I have already sent there 48, to be held as prisoners of war.
I have been greatly annoyed by the interference of the civil authorities with what I conceive the proper and faithful discharge of the duties incumbent upon me in my capacity of military commander of this portion of East Tennessee. Several attempts have been made to take offenders out of my hands by judicial process to be tried by the civil tribunals, which trials I am satisfied would in many instances have resulted in the release of those who are guilty and should be punished. In order to avoid these embarrassments, I felt myself justified in placing the city under martial law until such time as all the prisoners charged with military offenses now in my custody can be tried by a military tribunal. If after this is done any should remain whose offenses come legitimately under the jurisdiction of the civil courts, I will turn them over to the proper officers to be disposed of in that way. I have only been prompted to venture upon this stringent course by strong conviction that the public good imperatively demanded it.
The traitorous conspiracy recently so extensive and formidable in East Tennessee is, I think, well nigh broken up, as there is at present but little or no indication of another outbreak. I have small detachments of my force out in every direction, suppressing any rebellious spirit that may be manifested and arresting those who are known to have been in arms against the Government. I am daily receiving the most encouraging evidences that the people are beginning to return to a sense of duty and patriotism, as many of those who were heretofore unfriendly towards us are coming forward and giving every assurance of future fealty.
For a detailed account of the operations of my command since taking the field I respectfully invite your attention to my official report, this day forwarded to the Adjutant and Inspector Gen.
I have the honor to be, yours, respectfully,
WM. H. CARROLL, Brig.-Gen.
[Inclosure.]
PROCLAMATION.
HDQRS. RIFLE BRIGADE, Knoxville, Tenn., December 11, 1861.
The exigencies of the time requiring, as is believed, the adoption of the sternest measures of military policy, the commanding general feels called upon to suspend for a time the functions of the civil tribunals:
Now, therefore, be it known that I, William H. Carroll, brigadier-general in the Confederate Army, and commander of the post at Knoxville, do hereby proclaim martial law to exist in the city of Knoxville and the surrounding country to the distance of 1 mile from the corporate limits of said city.
By order of Brig. Gen. William H. Carroll:
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 7, pp. 759-760.
KNOXVILLE, December 10, 1861.
Hon. SECRETARY OF WAR:
The court-martial has sentenced A. C. Haun, bridge-burner, to be hung.
Sentence approved. Ordered to be executed at 12 o'clock to-morrow.
Requires the approval of the President. Please telegraph.
WM. H. CARROLL, Brig.-Gen., Cmdg.
RICHMOND, December 10, 1861.
Gen. W. H. CARROLL, Knoxville:
Execute the sentence of your court-martial on the bridge burners. The law does not require any approval by the President, but he entirely approves my order to hang every bridge-burner you can catch and convict.
J. P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War.
HDQRS. RIFLE BRIGADE, Knoxville, December 11, 1861.
Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War, Richmond, Va.
SIR: In pursuance of your instructions by telegraph of yesterday the sentence of death pronounced by court-martial upon A. C. Haun, the bridge-burner, was executed by hanging at 12 o'clock to-day. The court-martial is still in session engaged in the trail of a number of others charged with complicity in the same crime. I am not advised of the nature or extent of the proof that can be brought against them but should it be sufficient and the court find them guilty the sentence whatever it may be will be promptly executed unless otherwise directed by you. In addition to those suspected of burning the bridges I have now in confinement about 150 more prisoners charged with taking up arms, giving aid and assistance to the enemy, inciting rebellion, &c. Those among them who have been proven guilty of the offenses alleged against them I shall send to Tuscaloosa in accordance with your instructions by letter of November 25. I have already sent there forty-eight to be held as prisoners of war.
I have been greatly annoyed by the interference of the civil authorities with what I conceive the proper and faithful discharge of the duties incumbent upon me in my capacity of military commander of this portion of East Tennessee. Several attempts have been made to take offenders out of my hands by judicial process to be tried by the civil tribunals, which trials I am satisfied would in many instances have resulted in the release of those who are guilty and should be punished. In order to avoid these embarrassments I felt myself justified in placing the city under martial law until such time as all the prisoners charged with military offenses now in my custody can be tried by a military tribunal. If after this is done any should remain whose offenses come legitimately under the jurisdiction of the civil courts I will turn them over to the proper officers to be disposed of in that way. I have only been prompted to venture upon this stringent course by strong conviction that the public good imperatively demanded it.
The traitorous conspiracy recently so extensive and formidable in East Tennessee is I think well nigh broken up as there is at present butt little or no indication of another outbreak. I have small detachments of my force out in every direction suppressing any rebellious spirit that may be manifested and arresting those who are known to have been in arms against the Government. I am daily receiving the most encouraging evidences that the people are beginning to return to a sense of duty and patriotism as many of those who were heretofore unfriendly toward us are coming forward and giving every assurance of future fealty.
For a detailed account of the operations of my command since taking the field I respectfully invite your attention to my official report* this day forwarded to the Adjutant and Inspector Gen.
I have the honor to be, yours, respectfully,
WM. H. CARROLL, Brig.-Gen.
[Inclosure.]
PROCLAMATION.
HDQRS. RIFLE BRIGADE, Knoxville, Tenn., December 11, 1861.
The exigencies of the time requiring as is believed the adoption of the sternest measures of military policy the commanding general feels called upon to suspend for a time the functions of the civil tribunals.
Now therefore be it known that I, William H. Carroll, brigadier-general in the Confederate Army and commander of the post at Knoxville, do hereby proclaim martial law to exist in the city of Knoxville and the surrounding country to the distance of one mile from the corporate limits of said city.
By order of Brig. Gen. William H. Carroll:
H. C. YOUNG, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
OR, Ser. II, Vol. 1, pp. 853-855.
December 10, 14, 1863 - William Follet's letters to his friends in Illinois relating experiences in Knoxville during November 1863; "We have skirmished with the enemy every day."
Beans Station Dec 10th 1863
Dear Friends at home
This is the first opportunity that I have had for a long time to write to you & consequently I eagerly embrace it. The last letter that I rec' [sic] from home was written Just after Father had started for Murfreesboro Since which time I have heard nothing from any of you or Mell either. I hope that He got through Safe and Succeeded in finding Mell and getting him home. We have had and are Still having pretty hard times as the Rebs have been moving around here very briskly Ever Since the Sixteenth of last month So that our provisions trains had to Stop running over the mountains. The infernal fools were impudent enough to besiege the City of Knoxville where we fell back to according to orders from Grant as he intended to Send a force in their rear & trap them. but the reinforcements were slow in getting here We could have whipped the Rebs easy enough In fact did do it two or three times but we had to keep Still unless we were attacked. They kept us for twenty days in Knoxville When the force under Sherman arrived & the Rebs raised the siege & decamped without further ceremony Since which time we have been chasing the buggers Picked(?) up straglers (sic) any amount of them. We just slaughtered them in two of their attempts to take K- and thank God Most of our men came out Safe and sound. Lho'(?) Nowers(?) (cousin of Lou's) was shot dead on the field Henry Morris had his arm shot off. He used to live where Cavel(?) did. I think the girls may possibly know him. Our capt got a wound on one side of his head that Sent him to the hospital for several days. Today we are laying Still for Some reason which I do not know. The General officers seem to be rejoicing over Some Piece of important news and have Sent for the 112th Ill Silver Cornet Band to play for them. I Shall probably learn its import in due Season & will if Possible forward to you. Our Reg is considered as good as any other Illinois regiment which is saying enough. We have been complimented three of four times for our bravery by Gen Burnside. I understand that the 42nd is with Shermans force but have not Seen any of that force as they are on the other side of the Holston river nine or ten miles from us trying to cut off the rebs while we follow in their rear We have travelled for the last three days in a valley laying between two ranges of mountains not more than a mile from us on either side I have not heard from Soph for some time but I Suppose that I (sic) Shall get here when I get yours in a few days. There comes an order to get ready for inspection & I Shall have to close for this time Tell me about John and Mell every time you write. I Remain as ever your Son & Bro
Monday 14th 1863
We have skirmished with the enemy every day Since I can remember. Since the 15th of last month. Yesterday the rebs drove a Scouting Party in almost to camp when we made a charge on the & drove them back four miles from where they came to. This morning there were 100 men Picked from our Reg to go down to the Rebel lines to see what they were doing I was one of that 100 We started at three, in the heaviest kind of a rain and got back at day light….
good to get a letter once more. You want to know what brigade Div & C that I belong to. I hardly know my Self We have been changed around So often We used to belong to the 23rd Army Corps But now I think tis 2nd Brigade 1st Division Cavalry Corps. Department of the Ohio. Gen Sturgiss commands the corps. Wofford the Division & either Col L I Henderson the Brigade most fo the time Col Byrd did command our Brigade but he was good for nothing Henderson is first rate He is our old Col. Our Lieut Col Bond has had command of the Brigade for Some time as Col H has been home on furlough & been Sick Since. Bond is a damned coward As ever lived & if he ever gets out alive will be pounded(?) by some of the boys who All hate him very much…
William Follet
The Follet Collection:ehistory.com/uscw/library/letters/follett/WF631210.cfm
10, "Darkness."
The gas-works, having exhausted the supply of coal in the city, Nashville last night was without a solitary gas jet. The gas-works have suspended operations and our city will be in a state of darkness until a supply of coal reaches us. In the meantime our denizens will have to go back to first principles and use candles and lamp-oil.
Nashville Daily Press, December 10, 1863.
10, Predicament of black and white refugees in the Murfreesboro environs, excerpt from a letter by Major-General R. H. Milroy to his wife in Rensselaer, Indiana
January 1, 1865
My Dear Mary,
* * * *
....There were thousands of poor negroes and their families who had been living and working on the R.R. cutting wood -- taking care of horses -- cattle etc and there were about 2000 refugees -- mostly white men who had run away from the Reb conscription in the surrounding counties. All these were deprived of the means of substance. Several hundred of these refugees had come in on good horses for which they would obtain no feed. I got Rousseau to issue an order authorizing my Qr Master to purchase all these horses for Cavalry and artillary horses that were fit, which helped them along very much. But the poor darkies [sic] suffered very much for both fire wood and food. The Rebs were so near our own pickets that it was unsafe to go out for wood and all the stumps, logs, fences, and shade trees inside the pickets were mostly used up -- and everything in the way of provisions became very scarce and could hardly be had for any price. I frequently seen the poor darkies [sic] greedily grabbing the entrails of hogs and beef cattle that our butchers had killed for food -- There is a find steam mill in the town that kept us from starving. We sent out our forage trains to the country for corn. All our cavalry with a brigade of Inf. and a section of Artillery accompanied each train and though they had skirmishing with the Reb Cav they always succeeded in bringing in a train loaded with corn. Part of this corn was taken to the Mill, shelled and ground, and the meal issued to all of us for bread, which was all the kind we had for ten days....
Papers of General Milroy, p. 478.
10, The Plight of Refugees in Nashville
There are large numbers of indigent refugees remaining in our city, and many destitute citizens, who have before them the gloomy prospect of intense suffering, if they remain here this winter. The prices of clothing, provisions, fuel, and everything else necessary for the support of human life, have attained an altitude which renders it impossible for those, in what might have heretofore been esteemed easy circumstances, to maintain their families, without the most pinching economy. With every disposition to extend the hand of assistance to the needy, they find themselves unable to render material aid. It is upon this great middle class that the expense of all our public and private charities have principally fallen heretofore. The wealthy, wrapped up in their conceit and self importance, and regarding the poor as not fit to breathe the air they do, have never done much, and never will, unless from the vainglorious motive of having their alms published to the world. During the present winter, therefore, it will be as much as the really benevolent can do to take care of themselves. It would, then be better for all those who have not the means of subsistence to avail themselves of the notification of the Mayor of Nashville, published this morning, and go north where there is peace and plenty. Our city is too full; and we fear if the number of non-producers is not greatly lessened, they will pay dearly before the blossoms of another Spring gladden our vision.
Nashville Daily Union, December 10, 1864.[1]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1] As cited in: http://www.uttyl.edu/vbetts/nashville_daily_union.htm.
10-29, Expedition from East Tennessee to Southwest Virginia
Report of Brig. Gen. Alvan C. Gillem, U. S. Army to Brig. Gen. ANDREW JOHNSON, Military Governor of Tennessee, relative to the Expedition into Southwestern Virginia and East Tennessee, December 10-29, 1864.
HDQRS. BRIGADE GOVERNOR'S GUARDS, Camp near Knoxville, Tenn., December 30, 1864.
GEN.: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of this command the 10th to the 19th instant:
In accordance with an agreement between Maj.-Gen. Stoneman and myself that the forces under my command should co-operate in a movement against the rebel forces in East Tennessee and Southwestern Virginia, I marched from this place on the 10th instant with 1,500 picked men and horses, unencumbered with transportation, except a limited number of ambulances (seven), and encamped that night eight miles beyond Blain's Cross-Roads on the main road leading to Kingsport. The 11th instant we marched twenty-five miles, and that night drew seven days' rations from the depot at Bean's Station. Left camp at daylight on the 12th, and when ten miles this side of Rogersville came upon the enemy's pickets, which were driven back until we reached Big Creek, four miles east of Rogersville, where we came upon the enemy (which afterward proved to be Duke's brigade), occupying a strong position which commanded the brigade over the creek. Seeing that it would be impossible to attack this position in front without considerable loss of life, I ordered Maj. Wagner, with one battalion of the Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry, to proceed down the creek and turn the enemy' left flank by a ford, whilst the Eighth Tennessee Cavalry made a demonstration of crossing above the bridge. These movements had the desisted effect, and the enemy abandoned their position. So soon as I perceived them falling back the remaining two battalions of the Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry were ordered to charge them in front, major Wagner's battalion having crossed the creek in time to join in the charge. The enemy were driven in confusion in the direction of Kingsport. They were pursued until 8 p. m., when my command was halted ten miles east of Rogersville to rest and feed. At 12 p. m., after four hours' rest, I resumed the pursuit, and at daylight reached the bank of the North Fork, opposite Kingsport, having marched forty-four miles in the previous twenty-four hours. The enemy were found strongly posted in a cedar thicket on a bluff commanding the ford, and also in the village of Kingsport. After consultation with Maj.-Gen. Stoneman, the Eleventh Tennessee Cavalry was ordered to proceed up the river and cross at Kyle's Ford, two miles and a half above, and turn the enemy's right flank, whilst I, with two battalions of the Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry, under Lieut.-Col. Stacy, and the Ninth Tennessee Cavalry, under Maj. Hornsby, should cross the river and attack them in front. To cover our crossing Maj. Wagner, with the Third Battalion of the Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry, was ordered to take a position in the shrubbery and behind the fences near the river on the west bank. At my request Maj.-Gen. Burbridge ordered a regiment to support Maj. Wagner, and also one to cross the river at the same ford by which the Eighth Tennessee passed, but this regiment did not reach Kingsport in time to participate in the engagement. So soon as the Eight Tennessee Cavalry its appearance on the enemy's right flank, the Thirteenth and Ninth Regt.'s, with the exception of Wagner's battalion, charged across the river and attacked them in front. This movement completely surprised them, and after a feeble resistance, considering the advantage of their position, they fled in confusion, and were pursued for seven miles. The pursuit only ended when the enemy, loosing all semblance of organization, scattered through the woods for safety. The enemy's loss in this charge was 18 killed, 84 prisoners, including Col. R. C. Morgan, commanding brigade. Their subsistence and ammunition train of 14 wagons and 4 ambulances fell into our hands. That night we encamped three miles east of Kingsport. At 4 o'clock in the morning of the 14th I marched for Bristol, via Blountsville, arriving at the former place...at 1 p. m.....
* * * *
Since the occupation of East Tennessee by the Federal forces, upper East Tennessee has been constantly harassed by raids from Southwestern Virginia. It was my aim to prevent a repetition of these raids, and so thorough were my orders executed that I am convinced that any force invading East Tennessee from that direction before the ripening of the crops of the ensuing year will be compelled to bring its supplies of forage and subsistence from beyond Wytheville. I regretted the necessity of giving orders that may cause suffering from beyond Wytheville. I regretted the necessity of giving orders that may cause suffering to non-combatants, but regard this as the most effectual means of protection the people of East Tennessee, whose welfare had been entrusted to me, and who had already suffered, as the penalty of their loyalty, the loss of everything but life, and I unhesitatingly gave the order to desolate the route of the invader. During the expedition many of our horses gave out and were abandoned, with the exception of about forty; these were replaced by others taken from the country, and which were branded "U. S." on my return to this place. All the horses are much reduced and require rest.
* * * *
I must beg leave to call your especial attention to the dashing gallantry of Lieut.-Col. Stacy and Capt. Dyer, of the Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry, Lieut.'s Northern, Sam. Bell, and Layman (who lost an arm), Ninth Tennessee Cavalry, and Sergt. John H. Brown, Eight Tennessee Cavalry, who bore his regimental colors far in advance of his command and planted them on a piece of the enemy's artillery in the action of the 16th.
* * * *
I am, Governor, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. C. GILLEM, Brig. Gen., U. S. Vols., Cmdg. Brigade Governor's
Guards.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, pp. 819-824.
No comments:
Post a Comment