Monday, December 9, 2013

12/10/2013 Tennessee Civil War Notes

10, "The New Pork Factory"

Yesterday we had the pleasure of visiting and examining the mammoth building now in [the] course of erection by Messrs. Cumming, Doyle & Co., Confederate Army Contractors, and designed by them as a pork and beef packing establishment. The building is so near completion that slaughtering can be commenced with the next coming of cool weather; the machinery, the hands and stock being there ready to commence operations. This is the largest and most complete packing establishments in the Southern Confederacy, and reflects much credit upon the liberality and enterprise of the proprietors. All the work is to be done upon the wholesale plan, and judging from the machinery to be employed in the hands of practical men and the other conveniences about the establishment, we...conclude...it will be neatly and properly done. The factory is situated on the bank of the Cumberland, a short distance from the city[1] and will be an object of considerable interest....

Nashville Daily Gazette, December 10, 1861.

 

 

10, C. S. A. versus Estate of Andrew Johnson

[Knoxville], December 10, 1862

Confederate States of America

Vs

The Estate of Andrew Johnson

Alien Enemy

Petition 1st. Receiver District.

In this case appeared M.T. Haynes Receiver for the 1st District of East Tennessee, and moved that the said Andrew Johnson be declared an alien Enemy to the Confederate States of America, and the Court directed that the matter be submitted to a Jury—thereupon came the traverse jury, who had been summoned by the Marshal, and duly elected, empanelled and sworn to try all causes and matters civil and criminal in the Eastern District of Tennessee to be submitted to them during the present term of the Court to wit: Robert Cravens, James Montgomery, John Bise, Joel Bowling, John G. King, Carrick W. Crozier, Samuel P. Ivins, William S. Kennedy, William B. Smith, William Ray, E. W. Marsh and J. S. Blackwell, and the said jury having heard the testimony and the charge of the Court, upon their oaths do say, that the said Andrew Johnson is an alien Enemy to said Confederate States of America. It is therefore decreed by the Court that said Johnson is an alien enemy and all the property, rights and credits belonging to him either at law or in equity, are sequestrated under the acts of Congress, and the Receiver for said District is directed to proceed to dispose of the same as provided by law.

Court adjourned until tomorrow—morning at 10 o'clock.

W. J. Humphrey J.

Papers of Andrew Johnson, Vol. 6, pp. 95-96.

 

 

10, "Darkness."

The gas-works, having exhausted the supply of coal in the city, Nashville last night was without a solitary gas jet. The gas-works have suspended operations and our city will be in a state of darkness until a supply of coal reaches us. In the meantime our denizens will have to go back to first principles and use candles and lamp-oil.

Nashville Daily Press, December 10, 1863.

 

 

10, Predicament of black and white refugees in the Murfreesboro environs, excerpt from a letter by Major-General R. H. Milroy to his wife in Rensselaer, Indiana

January 1, 1865

My Dear Mary,

* * * *

It rained snowed sleeted [sic] till on the 10th when the whole country was a glare of ice....There were thousands of poor negroes [sic] and their families who had been living and working on the R.R. cutting wood-taking care of horses-cattle etc [sic] and there were about 2000 refugees-mostly white men who had run away from the Reb [sic] conscription in the surrounding counties. All these were deprived of the means of substance [sic]. Several hundred of these refugees had come in on good horses for which they would obtain no feed. I got Rousseau to issue an order authorizing my Qr Master to purchase all these horses for Cavalry and artillary [sic] horses that were fit, which helped them along very much. But the poor darkies [sic] suffered very much for both fire wood and food. The Rebs [sic] were so near our own pickets that it was unsafe to go out for wood and all the stumps, logs, fences, and shade trees inside the pickets were mostly used up-and everything in the way of provisions became very scarce and could hardly be had for any price. I frequently seen [sic] the poor darkies greedily grabbing the entrails of hogs and beef cattle that our butchers had killed for food-There is a fine steam mill in the town that kept us from starving. We sent out our forage trains to the country for corn. All our cavalry with a brigade of Inf. and a section of Artillery accompanied each train and though they had skirmishing with the Reb [sic] Cav [sic] they always succeeded in bringing in a train loaded with corn. Part of this corn was taken to the Mill, shelled and ground, and the meal issued to all of us for bread, which was all the kind we had for ten days....

Papers of General Milroy, pp. 477-478.

 

 

10, The Plight of Refugees in Nashville

There are large numbers of indigent refugees remaining in our city, and many destitute citizens, who have before them the gloomy prospect of intense suffering, if they remain here this winter. The prices of clothing, provisions, fuel, and everything else necessary for the support of human life, have attained an altitude which renders it impossible for those, in what might have heretofore been esteemed easy circumstances, to maintain their families, without the most pinching economy. With every disposition to extend the hand of assistance to the needy, they find themselves unable to render material aid. It is upon this great middle class that the expense of all our public and private charities have principally fallen heretofore. The wealthy, wrapped up in their conceit and self importance, and regarding the poor as not fit to breathe the air they do, have never done much, and never will, unless from the vainglorious motive of having their alms published to the world. During the present winter, therefore, it will be as much as the really benevolent can do to take care of themselves. It would, then be better for all those who have not the means of subsistence to avail themselves of the notification of the Mayor of Nashville, published this morning, and go north where there is peace and plenty. Our city is too full; and we fear if the number of non-producers is not greatly lessened, they will pay dearly before the blossoms of another Spring gladden our vision.

Nashville Daily Union, December 10, 1864.[2]



[1] It isn't known if it was up or down stream from the city, or on what bank.

[2] As cited in: http://www.uttyl.edu/vbetts.


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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