Thursday, January 24, 2013

January 24 - Tennessee Civil War Notes

24, "Letter from Dover. The Flag Presentation."

Mr. Chronicle: -- 

Thinking that probably your readers have never heard the particulars of the entertainment at Fort Donelson, on the 8th inst., I have taken upon myself the liberty of picking up the "scraps" and telling them.

At about 11 o'clock A.M., your homely servant reached the camp, where a neat little platform had been constructed by the "gallants" of the 30th, which was covered, and surmounted by "fair women and brave men."

Yours tremendously [sic] secured a position to see and hear, but what was most attractive to sight, Ws the noble, commanding form of Col. Head, who, I will venture, is as brave an officer as ever bore a commission. The members of the 30th were drawn up in the form of a square around the platform, and presented quite a fine appearance. When the banner which was to be presented to them was unfurled to the breeze the soldiers fixed their eyes upon it, and prepared to look inspiring -- the ladies do , bewitching; and all was beginning to go "merry as a marriage bell," when -- alas! for moral grandeur -- the 
"sweet baptismal fount from Heaven," which had commenced "sprinkling" the BRIGHT BANNER, became rather ungentle, in fact boisterous; a general engagement ensued, in which our forces were used rather roughly. Col. Head endeavored to rally his troops, but was compelled to "sound a retreat," which was excused in as "masterly" a manner as the "Grand Army" from Manassas. We took up the "line of march" for Gen Anderson's "headquarters."

In plain words, Col. Head informed us that, owing to the inclemency of the weather, the presentation would take place on the steamer Gen. Anderson; whither we all repaired, with all possible expedition.

We were then entertained by an eloquent, graceful, and truthful address by Miss Winchester, who presented the beautiful colors, which were received by Lieut. Nichols with suitable remarks. We were afterwards addressed by Messrs. Winchester, Bidwell, Lockhart, Turner, and "last, but not least," Maj. Chenoweth, a Kentuckian, whose remarks touched a chord in every heart, which vibrated in unison with his own. I sympathize with you noble soldier, in your exile; for I, too am a Kentuckian, and an exile from my home. How long will my exile last? Oh! how long? With such strong arms and brave hearts as yours, Maj. Chenoweth, to defend our homes, I feel that it will not be long -- And although the best blood of that heart be drained, yet the memory of such an one can never die. Even the heart of the stranger (in name -- not in sympathy) will the name ever remain bright.

One of our "dandies in militaire" [sic] being called upon to speak, in his eagerness to escape, precipitated himself into an open state-room. He was surveying his surroundings with evident complacency, when he discovered to his discomfiture, that he had intruded upon a lady, reclining upon her couch in undress. [sic

I have intruded too long, but may I come again? I will be more merciful next time.
Au revoir,

Ella

Clarksville Chronicle, January 24, 1862


January 24, 1863, "Our informant states that they 'stuck them as if they had been hogs.'"

Barbarity.

It is reported that the negroes employed as cooks, etc., o­n the steamboats recently captured near the shoals by the guerrillas, were butchered in the most brutal manner by their captors, who dragged them aside and cut their throats. Our informant states that they "stuck them as if they had been hogs." And yet these rebels talk of the horrors of negro insurrections, while they perpetrate atrocities which wild Congoes or Fejee cannibals never exceeded. Why if anything could inflame the slaves to insurrection, it would be the cowardly and barbarous murder of these fellows o­n the Murfreesboro road, and at Harpeth Shoals.
 
Nashville Daily Union, January 24, 1863.


24, U. S. Army fights small-pox

General Orders, No. 4

Headquarters U. S. Forces

Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 24, 1864

I. *** All cases of small-pox, citizens or soldiers, will be promptly reported to Acting Assistant Surgeon A. D. White, at his office, in the Bostick house, a large brick building on the Charlotte Pike, by whom they will be conveyed to the small-pox camps and treated.

The unchecked spread of this disease necessitates this regulation, which will be strictly enforced.

Commanding Officers and Surgeons of Regiments will be held responsible for its execution in their regiments.

By command of Brig. Gen. R. S. Granger

Nashville Dispatch, January 29, 1864.



No comments: