21, "DEATH TO DOGS!"
Weary citizens, overcome with heat, hard work, the last official war report, the weak tea drunk just before going to bed, find their hopes of sleep are vain. Open windows give entrance to the cooling night breeze; closed lace curtain keep from intrusion the musical mosquito bent on wounds and blood-but what shutters, bolts, locks, or designs of ingenious man can shout out the ceaseless bow-wow-wow, the howls the yells, the sleep destroying cries of countless dogs? "Soon as the evening shades prevail" the din begins. Barks no druggist's skill can resolve into healing tinctures or sublimate to strong but silent emences [?]-yells in every key, your shrieking contralto to the growling bars making it hideous." Crying babies sometimes sleep, and scolding wives in the course of passing hours cease their curtain themes, but the dogs, the baying yelping babel-bawling dogs, never give up. While stars look out and night's dark curtain veils the scene, with voice vociferous and unwearying lungs the canine quadruped's curse drives from the couch life's gentle solace-sleep. In vain are pistols fired, and missiles thrown with curses deep and dire! The skulking herd, with drooping tail and cunning crawl, are off-off where no pebble, stick, or shot can reach, but not off to silence-still the bow-wow-wow goes on unending When comes the calm, no more is heard the angry dash the roaring of unchained winds, not deafening crash of fear-inspiring thunder-the echoing peal of the fading avalanche hurdling down the mountain side-the bellowing fury of the volcanoes' wrath have limit and an end; but the row, the racket, the fierce, sleep-destroying howl and yell and bark of Memphian dogs, for nights unending, unmarked by stoppage or interval, banish balmy sleep. Not more constant was sweet Philomel, "who all night long her amorous descant sung" than is the canine curse. A flaming sword that every way showed its glittering edge, kept man from paradise, so noisy, deafening dogs keep Memphis citizens from the heaven of speed. Death to the dogs-that is the slogan of the coming war upon the nightly enemy. By shot or poisoning arsenic, quick death must be the fate of our relentless foes. Death to the dogs, death to the brute destroyers of our nightly rest. Death! death! no less will satiate our...revenge or curse the canine crowd we're cursed with.
Memphis Bulletin, August 21, 1862.
21, A PRAYER FOR THE CONFEDERACY [Chattanooga]
Reflections on reading the proclamation of President Davis, for August 21, 1863, relative to setting that day apart for fasting, humiliation and prayer.
Ora et labora! The Lord commanded "that all men, everywhere should pray lifting up holy hands."
Let us Pray
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be they name,
Grant all our sins may be forgiven,
While we thy love proclaim,
Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done,
In heaven, earth and air
While all they people, everyone,
Bow down in humble prayer.
Here Lord, we fast, and pray to thee
Obedient to they will:-
Fall prostrate on the bended knee,
and plead for mercy still;
We all acknowledge, we have stayed,
And wandered far from God;
That Thou hast on this nation laid,
They mighty chast'ning rod.
Great God on high; to Thee we call,
Thou giver of all good;
Lord pardon and forgive us all,
And stop the flow of blood,
That's flowing from the nations [sic] heart,
Through every bleeding pore;
And drenching earth in every part,
On mountain, sea, and shore.
Have mercy Lord, and heal the wounds,
Or soon we'll faint and fall;
Deprived of strength with fetters bound,
All driven to the wall;
No more to rise the light to see,
Of freedom's better days;
When all our fathers once were free
And sung thy glorious praise.
Destructive war is all the theme,
Of those that pant for fame
Napoleon like [sic] they never dreamed
That Thou art God, the same
That ruled the nations of the world,
In ages past as now;
Dethroning tyrants-downward hurled,
That ne'er to Thee would bow.
Remember Lord the Orphan's cry,
And hear the widow's prayer;
Have pity on the sick that lie,
Left wounded everywhere.
Lord Thou knowest what they need.
Have mercy on them all;
And answer prayers, while millions plead,
And save us great and small.
Lord God with humble hearts we bow,
To pray and plead with thee;
O! Lord have mercy on us now,
And set the nation free,
And give us peace with all mankind,
And cause the world to know
That thou art God, with mercy kind,
That governs all below
Demoiselle[1]
W. P. A. Civil War Records, Vol. 2, pp. 70-71.
21, Artillery bombardment of Chattanooga
HDQRS. FIRST BRIGADE, FOURTH DIVISION, Opposite Chattanooga, August 22, 1863.
(Via Tracy City, 3 a. m., 23d.)
Gen. GARFIELD:
* * * *
We shelled Chattanooga, at intervals, from 10 to 5 p. m. yesterday, silencing every battery that opened on us. But few of their guns could reach us, being mostly 12-pounder howitzers and 6-pounders rifled. They opened on us with nineteen different guns. One 32-pounder rifled gun covers all on this side. Lilly made most excellent shots, dismounting guns at 2,000 yards. He threw shells directly in their embrasures. Their parapets are very broad; appear to be at least 15 feet or more, certainly not less. Their water batteries are sunk in pits level with the ground and with the banks built up for protection, with embrasures through the banks.
* * * *
J. T. W. HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., FOURTH DIV., 14TH ARMY CORPS, Foot of Mountain, Anderson Road, August 22, 1863.
Maj.-Gen. PALMER, Gen. HAZEN, or Col. FUNKHOUSER, Ninety-eighth Illinois:
I am directed by Col. Wilder to say to you that we opened fire on Chattanooga at 10.30 a. m. yesterday, and shelled the enemy's works at intervals until 5 p. m., they replying with nineteen guns, all small, except one 32-pounder rifled. They did not use them all at any one time, however. The place is well fortified; not many troops to be seen in the town or vicinity; best information puts them below here. Prisoners say it is well understood that this is only a feint, and that the real point of attack is down the river. An intelligent contraband who lives at the foot of Lookout Mountain, on this side of the river, reports troops passing all night; thinks they were cavalry. No force this side the river, except a few bushwhackers in the mountains. We are scouting the country and watching the river to-day. All quiet in town this morning.
* * * *
ALEX. A. RICE, Capt. and Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 30, pt. III, pp. 122-124.[2]
21, 1863 - One Army of Tennessee soldier's reaction to Federal bombardment of Chattanooga
The morning Cool and foggy health good This day is set apart by President Davis as a day of fasting humiliation [sic] and prayer to be observed throughout the Confederate States[.] May it be observed in such a manner as to glorify God and be of benifit [sic] to the people of the Confederate States-at about 6 oclk [sic] we received orders to cook three days rations and be ready to move at a moments [sic] warning. I feel positively solemen [sic] and took a walk to the woods where I offered up devotions to him that holds our destanies [sic] in his hand about [sic] 9 oclk [sic] our ears were saluted with the sound of the enemies [sic] artilary [sic] shelling Chattanooga a for 2 [sic] hill on the opposite side of the River which they kept up for several hours[.] our [sic] Guns [sic] were soon in position and replied with spirit until the enemy ceased firing[.] The enemy shot into two of the Churches [sic] in town and during their shelling they Killed [sic] and wounded several women &children[.] I heard of but one soldier being Killed [sic] on our side[.] the [sic] damage to the enemy is unknown to me[.] they [sic] were on the other side of the River[.] our [sic] Brigade [sic] was Called [sic] over at 4 oclk [sic] P.M. and immediately marched off to the suburbs of town[,] halted and formed [in] line of battle stacked arms and were ordered to rest in place[.] about [sic] dark the 13[th] and 156[th] [Regiments] were sent forward and deployed upon the bank of the River[,] the remainder of the brigade remained during the night.
The Civil War Diaries of Captain Alfred Tyler Fielder[3]
21, "POLICE REFORM"
It should gratify all good citizens to know that well directed, earnest efforts are being made to reform our police department, and that these reforms are made to begin just in the right way, by the requirement of moral, honorable, honest, gentlemanly conduct from those who are the paid guardians of the lives and property of our citizens. Only by such conduct can the members our police force win and retain the confidence and respect of the public, and no police force can be of much service unless its members are respected. It is neither necessary nor politic to set a thief to catch a thief. There is no reason why every policeman may not be a gentleman and man of honor.
Memphis Bulletin, August 21, 1864.
21. Defense of the Chattanooga Soldiers' Home
We cheerfully give place to the following:
Office Ass't Provost Marshal, Post, Chattanooga, Tenn., Aug. 20. 1864
Editor Chattanooga Gazette:
Sir: I have read an article in your paper of the 20th inst. Relating to the vary hard condition of the Soldier's [sic] Home at this Post. As Assistant Provost Marshal, and in charge of the cleanliness, &c., of this Post, I visited the Soldier's Home on the 19th inst., and on inspection I found the floors, bunks of the lower and upper rooms of the building thoroughly clean, and the most strict Military Inspector would be pleased. There is no filth or other offensive matter in or around the building. The drains are in good condition, and th kitchen is kept very clean and orderly. Captain Huss, A. C. S. and Superintendent of the Soldier's Home, deserves much credit for the cleanliness, order and discipline of the same. I write as an act of justice to a meritorious and deserving officer.
The Chattanooga Daily Gazette, August 21, 1864.
[1] The identity of the poet is unknown.
[2] See also: Map, Ser. I, Vol. 30, pt. III, p. 120a.
[3] Ann York Franklin, comp., The Civil War Diaries of Captain Alfred Tyler Fielder, 12th Tennessee Regiment Infantry, Company B, 1861-1865, TSL&A
James B. Jones, Jr.
Public Historian
Tennessee Historical Commission
2941 Lebanon Road
Nashville, TN 37214
(615)-532-1550 x115
(615)-532-1549 FAX
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