Tuesday, October 15, 2013

10/15/2013 Tennessee Civil War Notes

15, 1861 - Judge Selby's son, Harmon, murders Hettie Rogers, a prostitute

Murder of a Woman. - A thrill of horror ran through the community yesterday by the rumor that a woman had been shot dead as she was lying in bed, by the son of a well-known and respected citizen. On making inquiries at the place where the horrid deed was perpetrated, a house of ill-fame on Washington street, between Main and Second streets, we ascertained that in the afternoon Hettie Rogers, who was twenty-two years old, and come to this city eleven months ago from Cleveland, Ohio, was lying sick in bed, being under medical attendance, and beside was the woman who kept the house. Between three and four o'clock the woman was roused from sleep by hearing somebody ask Hettie why she wrote that letter about him to Dr. Dickinson? The speaker was Harmon Selby, son of Judge Selby, who was last year one of the city Aldermen. To the question he immediately added a threat to shoot her. In great alarm the girl shrieked "I did not do it." And sprung up in bed to make her escape, immediately a pistol was fire by Selby, the ball entered Hettie's back below the right shoulder blade passed through the entire chest, probably penetrating the heart, and them came out below the left breast, striking but not injuring the woman of the house near the hip. The girl fell dead. Selby hastened out of the house, ran northwards up the alley and escaped. The deceased was a very pretty girl, and was remarkable for the beauty of her curling hair. Selby is a mere boy of nineteen; his beard is not yet grown. His vicious courses have long been a source of grief this gray-headed father. It is rumored that he has shown symptoms of wildness and flightiness in his manner and conversation lately, and that a few nights ago he took poison from the effect of which he was saved by vomiting. It is also asserted that he was infatuated with the deceased and bitterly jealous on account of her. We cannot say how true the rumors may be. Selby was a lieutenant in the company of Barb one [?] Guards, Col Knox Walker's regiment.

Memphis Daily Appeal, October 15, 1861.

 

 

 

15, 1862 - Gone at 3:00 a.m., back by dark; foraging in northeast Davidson County

Wednesday 15th at 2 o'clock we were waked [sic] up and had orders to be ready at 3.00 to start out with a foraging train we got up: it did not take us long to get brackfast [sic] as we had nothing to cook only the peace [sic] of sheap [sic] we drawed [sic] the night before and it was so thin that it nearly all stuck to the pan in trying to fry it we started on our way at 3.00 and crossed over the rail road bridge to the other side of town whare [sic] we found a very large wagen [sic] train wating [sic] for us there was about 300 wagins [sic] and 4 regts to guard them there was from 6 to 8 men to a wagen [sic] we passed through [the] eadge [sic] [of] town ½ mile from the river we then took the Nash ville [sic] or Gallatin pike and went north 7 miles then turned east about 1½ miles we came to a plentyfull [sic] country whare [sic] corn oats hay [sic] and such like ware [sic] plenty we drove into the corn fields and shucked out corn to fill the wagens [sic] we striped [sic] out 2 large fields took all the hay and oats on the place we got back to camp a little before dark the north side of the town and cross[ed] the cumberland [sic] river has a welthy [sic] appearance the houses are large and plenty and has the appairance [sic] of privet [sic] Gentelmans [sic] rezidance [sic]

John Hill Fergusson Diary.

 

 

15, 1863 - East Tennessee Unionists express support for Union forces

KNOXVILLE, TENN., October 15, 1863.

(Received 10 p. m., 16th.) The PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:

In the name of Christianity and humanity! in the name of God and liberty! for the sake of their wives and children and everything they hold sacred and dear on earth! the loyal people of Tennessee appeal to you and implore you not to abandon them again to the merciless dominion of the rebels by a withdraw of the U. S. forces from upper East Tennessee.

J. L. WILLIAMS,

N. T. TAYLOR, Ex. M. C.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 30, pt. IV, p. 401.

 

 

15, 1864 - Civilian inspection of fortifications in Cleveland

....Sister, Cousin M. Jarnagin, Mrs. Rumple, Lizzie Rhoda, Jimmie & I went up to view the fortifications & deserted Yankee encampment this morn. I have the headache this eve & laid down to take a nap. I will be so disappointed if the Rebels do not come. I still look for them a little.

Diary of Myra Adelaide Inman, p. 272


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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