Thursday, April 10, 2014

4.10.2014 Tennessee Civil War Notes

        10, A Connecticut-Tennessean offers support to the Confederacy

NEW HAVEN, CONN., April 10, 1861.

Hon. JEFFERSON DAVIS:

MY DEAR SIR: I am a native of Tennessee, the stepson of the Hon. John Bell, of that State; the brother-in-law of Capt. John Pope, of the topographical engineers, the relative of Mrs. Mary McRee, in whose husband's company you served as lieutenant. I enter into this personal detail that I may, in some degree, prove to you that my connections are respectable, and that my statements and propositions may be received with some confidence. From present indications war seems to be resolved upon. If this dead contingency should arise, I can, without the slightest difficulty, raise and equip from this city two companies of 100 men each to serve under your command, every man a Democrat, upon whom you can rely. I have an independent fortune, and do not ask pecuniary assistance from any quarter. I only ask from you that you will receive these companies and grant for the war commissions to such officers as they may elect. I am a lawyer by profession, a graduate of Yale College, served in the Mexican war, was present at the siege of Vera Cruz and the battle of Cerro Gordo, and on account of my health have resided in this city for the past six years. Mr. Toombs is acquainted with my family, and will, I doubt not, assure you of its respectability; but I believe you know my mother, Mrs. John Bell, whom you have met in Washington.

With my most ardent wishes for your personal welfare, and for your successful administration amid the difficulties and embarrassments which encompass you,

I remain, with great personal esteem, most respectfully, your friend,

THOMAS YEATMAN.

OR, Ser. IV, Vol. 1, p. 216.

 

 

        10, Confederate physician's bravery and workers' donation for wounded soldiers

Bravery of a Surgeon-We are informed by soldiers who participated in the battle of Shiloh, that Dr. W.C, Cavanaugh, Surgeon to the second Tennessee (Colonel Walker's) regiment, displayed much bravery upon the battlefield. He extracted balls on the field and made those who tried to "play of wounded" go back to their posts.  [emphasis added – ed.] All who saw Dr. Cavanaugh speak in the highest praise of him.

The employees of...Winn & Co., (saddle & harness factory) handed Mr. Lofland, treasurer, six hundred and seventy dollars yesterday for the benefit of the wounded soldiers [of Shiloh].

Memphis Argus, April 10, 1862.

 

 

        10, Confederate report on five day scout, Hickman to Union City to Dresden, relative to strong Union sentiment in West Tennessee and difficulties with independent companies

HDQRS. CAVALRY, Trenton, Tenn., April 10, 1862.

Maj. GEORGE WILLIAMSON, Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Corinth, Miss.:

MAJ.: I have just returned from a five days' scout in the direction of Hickman; remained one night at Union City, and thence toward Dresden. The enemy's cavalry did not make their appearance. I found everything quiet on my line. The Union feeling throughout the upper country is very strong, and the management of these men is one of the most delicate and perplexing of all to me. Our Southern friends beseech me not to interfere with the Union men, since they will be certain to report them, and thereby bring down a retaliation on the part of the Federal troops much more harsh and severe than any that we could have the heart to show our enemies. I have therefore determined not to arrest any Union sympathizers unless known to be aiding and abetting the enemy.

I have made a reconnaissance of the country above this, and am of the opinion that there is no line nearer to the enemy than the one from Dresden through this place across to Dyersburg to be convenient to a telegraph office. There seems to be but little disposition displayed by the citizens of Weakley and Obion Counties to sell provisions and forage to the Confederate Government, since they invariably refuse to take Confederate notes in payment.

The Obion bottoms are at present almost impassable, which will prevent my forming a new line above this point. I can guard the line, however, by sending out from time to time strong scouting parties to operate in the country about Union City and Dresden.

The independent companies attached to my command are an expense to the Confederacy and do very little service, since they are not acquainted with the country. I would respectfully recommend the merging of all these companies (with the exception of Dillard's) into one, and have the election of company officers, then muster them into one, and have the election of company officers, then muster them into service for the war, and if they do not wish to do this, discharge them. They are now a heavy expense for the service rendered. Capt. D. G. Reid, with a squad of 15 men, is operating on my line under the authority of Gen. Beauregard, and I would state for the information of the general commanding that he is doing great damage to our cause. He is reported to me by good citizens to be engaged in taking horses from Union men on the line and near Dresden, thereby causing the Union men to retaliate upon our friends; in fact, I consider the party a nuisance, and have the honor to request his removal from my line.

I was sufficiently near Island 10 on last Sunday and Monday to hear the firing, which was very heavy. I presume you have heard the result; it is reported by parties from there that one gunboat ran by the island on Friday night and two more on Sunday night; our batteries were abandoned and spiked Monday and the infantry force surrendered on Tuesday morning; a good many poor made their escape and are coming in here daily.

Capt. Neely's company arrived here to-day; Haywood's company not yet arrived. I would respectfully request that Capt. Robertson's company be ordered here at once, as I need them very much. I have lost the copies of my order and my report of the Union City affair, and would like to have copies of both sent me. For the present my headquarters will be at this place.

I am, major, with high respect, your obedient servant,

W. H. JACKSON, Col., Cavalry.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 10, pt. II, pp. 407-408.

 

 

        10, Knoxville Public notice identifying runaway slaves and calling for their return to masters

NOTICE.

Headquarters Camp of Instruction

Near Knoxville, April 10th, 1863

In compliance with General Order No. 25, A. & I. G. O., Richmond, Va., the following named slaves are held subject to the order of, and will be delivered to, their owners when satisfactory proof of ownership shall have been made:

HARRISON-belonging to Mrs. Betsy Allen, Henry county, Tenn., 20 years of age, black complexion, 5 feet 6 inches high, captured between Murfreesboro' and Nashville, Tenn., by Gen. Wheeler, in December last.

JACK-belonging to W. Foster, Nashville aged 18, copper complexion, 5 feet 7 inches high, taken on the 1st of March, 1863, by the Provost guard at Chattanooga, says he was with Maj. Mason, Quartermaster on General Polk's staff.

GEORGE-belonging to Henry Brown, Bedford county, Tenn. 30 years of age, copper complexion 5 feet 8 inches high, captured by cavalry at his home about the 1st of February, and taken to Shelbyville, Tenn.

TOM-belonging to Col. Johnson, 10th Georgia regiment, Nashville, Tenn., 20 years of age, copper complexion, 5 feet 6 inches high captured by the bridge guard below Bridgeport on his way to Tullahoma, about five months ago.

SMITH-belonging to Wm. Jarnagin, Robinson county, Tenn., 29 years of age, 6 feet high, captured by the Federals last fall and recaptured by Gen. Wheeler's command on the Cumberland river on January last.

BOB-belonging to Mrs. R. Bell, Davidson county, Tenn., 20 years of age, 5 feet 6 inches, high copper complexion, was impressed by Major Hatlock, 1st Kentucky regiment, as cook and was captured by our forces at Murfreesboro, Dec. 31st, 1862.

JOSEPH-belonging to Alfred Miller, Rutherford county, Tenn., years of age, complexion black, 5 feet 8 inches high, captured by Gen Wheeler's cavalry near home about two months ago.

ED-belonging to John B. Cunningham, 51st Alabama regiment, 16 or 17 years of age, copper complexion, was lost from his master and was brought to this place by Jarnagin, conductor on the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad, Nov. 30, 1862.

JOHN EDMONS-free, Marion county, Indiana, 55 years of age, 5 feet 8 inches high, black complexion, cook in 33d Indiana regiment, left sick in hospital in Kentucky and was captured by Col. Palmer's command about the 1st of April, 1863.

RUSSELL-Rutherford county, Tenn., 59 years of age, 5 feet 7 inches high, captured by Gen Wheeler's cavalry at home about one month ago-claims to be free.

WARRREN-Belonging to Jack White, a private in Capt. Hart's Company, 43d regiment Ala. Volunteers, 35 years of age, 5 feet 8 inches high, black complexion, captured by the Federals near Williamsburg, Ky., in August last, and recaptured at the same place by Col. McKenzie's Cavalry, about the 1st inst.

By order of

L. PECK, Major P. A. C. S,

Knoxville Daily Register, April 19, 1863.

 

 

        10, Forrest announces plans to move on Fort Pillow

HDQRS. FORREST'S CAVALRY, Jackson, Tenn., April 10, 1864.

Maj.-Gen. LEE, Cmdg. Cavalry:

GEN.:....I move to-morrow on Fort Pillow with two brigades, the force at that point being 300 whites and 600 negroes [sic]. Grierson is reported moving being 300 whites and 600 negroes [sic]. Grierson is reported moving up the State line road from Memphis, and I would suggest that you look well to that quarter. Col. Neely, commanding Richardson's brigade, is near Raleigh and east of Wolf River. I will return to this point by the 15th.

I am, general, with respect, your obedient servant,

N. B. FORREST, Maj.-Gen., Cmdg.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 32, pt. III, p. 770.

 

 

10, Thirty-six gun salutes ordered in Knoxville to observe Lee's surrender to U.S. Grant

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 22. HDQRS. DISTRICT OF EAST TENNESSEE, Knoxville, Tenn., April 10, 1865.

Semi-official information having been received at these headquarters of the surrender of Lee and his army to Lieut.-Gen. Grant, it is hereby ordered that a salute of thirty-six guns be fired from each fort and battery in this district.

By command of Maj.-Gen. Stoneman:

H. G. GIBSON, Col. Second Ohio Heavy Artillery and Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 49, pt. II, p. 368.

 


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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