5/14/13 TCWN

14, "That is their post, one of inferiority, not of citizen soldiers." Anxieties about free Negroes in Memphis

Our Free Colored Men—What Shall Be Done With Them?—Editors Appeal: The proposition of the committee of safety, to enlist companies of our free colored men, is not relished by our citizens generally; and the question comes up, "what must be done with them?" Let me suggest to that committee that they confer with major-General Pillow as to the policy of placing four or five of our free negroes in each company from Memphis, for cooking, washing, etc. That is their post, one of inferiority, not of citizen soldiers. They understand that sort of work better than any boys who are called to do battle. Let them be made useful in that way.

Common Sense.

Memphis Daily Appeal, May 14, 1861.

 

 

 

14, Confederate escort for the exile of Mrs. Robert K. Byrd, East Tennessee loyalist

HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF EAST TENNESSEE, OFFICE PROVOST-MARSHAL, May 14, 1862.

Mrs. ROBERT K. BYRD.

MADAM: Will it suit your convenience to visit Kentucky next week as formerly proposed by private conveyance to Cumberland Gap with proper escort? It is important to you as well as others. The colonel has been quite sick, but I learn has recovered and joined his regiment now at Cumberland Ford.

Very respectfully,

[W. M. CHURCHWELL,] Col. and Provost-Marshal.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 1, p. 888.

 

 

 

14, "SMART BOY."

The Patrols, yesterday, captured inside the city, and took to Col. Martin, quite an interesting young gentleman, aged about twelve, named Martin H. Fogarty. He appeared to be so smart, and withal, so inscrutable, that Col. Martin sent him to Col. Trueusdail [sic], who returned him to the Provost Marshal, with an order to send him to the Penitentiary, adding, "we have been hunting him for the last three days." It seems that young Fogarty, who is a native of Kentucky, joined our army last fall, while it was after Bragg, and subsequently fell into the hands of Jno. Morgan. Gen. Morgan discovered, notwithstanding his youth, that he was smart and wily, and immediately set him to work. His last trick, it seems, was to bear dispatches to Jno. Morgan's sister-in-law at Murfreesboro'. While entering our lines, however, he was ordered to be searched. But what was the astonishment of the vedettes to see young Fogarty pull out of his pockets papers and letters, which he destroyed by burning. Immediately he started to run, but was fired upon by the pickets, but with no effect. The same night he made his way into Murfreesboro', and the next day started to Nashville, and arrived safely, riding all the way under the [railroad] car. He has been placed in confinement. He has the appearance of being very intelligent, and has no doubt been serviceable to Morgan, having generally evaded suspicion, probably on account of his youth.

Nashville Daily Press, May 14, 1863.

James B. Jones, Jr.

Public Historian

Tennessee Historical Commission

2941 Lebanon Road

Nashville, TN  37214

(615)-532-1550  x115

(615)-532-1549  FAX