Monday, October 7, 2013

10/7/2013 Tennessee Civil War Notes

7, A newspaper report on Confederate activities in Knoxville and environs

From Knoxville. "J. T. G."

Knoxville, Oct. 7, 1862

Editor Enquirer: For some time past the tories of Sevier county have been organizing themselves into an armed band for the purpose of resisting the authorities of this department. Last week they had succeeded in gathering about 400 together, and took up a strong position in the mountains of Sevier. Gen Jones, commanding this department, ordered a North Carolina regiment under Colonel Allen to proceed thither and dislodge them. The Colonel retuned yesterday evening with about 50 prisoners, some 80 horses, and a like number of fine beef cattle, and crowned his scout by capturing two Federal officers. The capture of these two officers with this gang inclines me to the opinion that these men were recruits for Lincoln's service, and not organized for the purpose of resisting the legally constituted authorities, as many here supposed. The presence of these officers right here in our midst, recruiting and organizing companies for service in the enemy's ranks, developed a startling fact that may well claim the serious consideration of the General commanding.

Gen Breckinridge is here, stopping at the Lamar House. He is in fine health and spirits. His splendid command is in camps not from town, recruiting their energies preparatory to the long and tedious march they will soon have to make. The "bloody 19th Tennessee" is in this command. In the battle of Shiloh its ranks were mowed down by the enemy's fire like grass before the blade, and at Baton Rouge the sustained their reputation for bravery, but at the sacrifice of many lives. What is left of the gallant regiment was furloughed a few days ago by Gen. Breckinridge to recruit their health, and at the same time their ranks.

A few days ago a large train of wagons loaded with small arms and ordnance stored was on the eve of starting through to Kentucky. An order has been issued countermanding the shipment through by wagons. I have been informed by an officer who knows, that the arms will take a more circuitous route, but a more expeditious one.

Bushwhacking has been resumed beyond little Big Creek Gap, at about Pine Mountain. A report reached town this evening that a small detachment of cavalry was captured by the enemy while going through to join their regiments in Kentucky. A detachment of cavalry was sent from these camps on Friday last [3rd] 7 of whom belonged to Captain Nelson's Rangers….It may turn out to be some other detachment that was captured, however. Henry Dawson and Watt Banks, would have been along but for indisposition, they will report for duty in a few days. You can say to Dawson's friends that he is the most philosophical soldier in the service, and can smoke a corncob pipe with as much ease and elegance as Sir Walter could in his palmist days.

Hillar's Legion, which has been occupying the Cumberland Gap since the Yankees evacuated it, left a few days ago and are now on the march for Lexington, Kentucky.

A report is current in town this evening that Humphrey Marshall fell in with a portion of the Yankee Gen. Morgan's command on their retreat to the Ohio, and captured all of his artillery and horses, and several hundred prisoners. The reports needs confirmation.

I predicted in one of my letters that Gen. Stevenson would never overtake Morgan. He is too slow in his movements, when he is the assaulting party….[remainder illegible]

Daily Columbus Enquirer, October 11, 1862.

 

 

 

7, "GEN. GRANT'S COTTON ORDER-AN OFFICIAL COPY."

We subjoin below an official copy of Gen Grant's Cotton order, which posses special interest to a large number of our readers:

Headquarters, 16th Army Corps

Memphis, Tenn, 7th Oct. 1863

General Orders, No. 141. [sic]

I. The following Order from Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant, is in force within this command

* * * *

All actual residents within this Department, well disposed to the Government of the United States, will hereafter be permitted to bring into any military post or station on the Mississippi river, cotton, or other Southern products of which they are the bona fide owners, and on the permits of the Military Commander of such posts or stations, or the local Provost Marshals thereof, ship the same to Memphis, Tenn, or New Orleans, La., for sale on their own account.

All cotton belonging to the States in rebellion, to the Confederate States or to persons in arms against the United States, will be seized for the benefit of Government and disposed of under existing orders.

No person or persons speculating in cotton will be permitted to remain in this Department south of Helena, Ark., and so engaged, either directly or indirectly, will be regarded as unauthorized persons and sent beyond the limits of the Department.

By order of Major-General U. S. Grant.

Memphis Bulletin, October 9, 1863.


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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