Thursday, November 13, 2014

11.13.14 Tennessee Civil War Notes

13, Confederate reaction to bridge buxrning in East Tennessee

BRISTOL, TENN., November 13, 1861.

Gen. A. S. JOHNSTON, C. S. Army, Bowling Green, Ky.:

SIR: Agreeable to instructions from the Adjutant-Gen.'s Office, I have the honor to report that I have been assigned by the War Department (Special Orders, No. 216) to the command of troops to be stationed for the protection of the railroad from this point to Chattanooga, rebuilding bridges, and keeping open the communication. Stovall's battalion Georgia Volunteers is hourly expected from Richmond, and a regiment from Gen. Bragg's command is ordered to report at Chattanooga as the force for this service. The country traversed by the road is represented as being in a very disturbed condition. Two bridges have been burned between this and Knoxville, one thence that Andrew Chattanooga. The telegraph wire is down. It is currently reported that Andrew Johnson was expected at Greeneville, his place of residence, on Sunday, the 10th, and that his country friends assembled to greet him. They were disappointed. A force of Unionists, some 1,000 strong, is known to be assembled at Elizabethton, on the Watauga, about twenty-five miles from this place, and I propose to move against them at the earliest possible moment. Another force is known to be encamped at Strawberry Plains, well on toward Knoxville. Passengers continue to traverse the road, the only difficulty being detention from the destruction of bridges at the points named.

Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,

D. LEADBETTER, Col., Provisional Army C. S.

 

RICHMOND, November 14, 1861.

Gen. L. P. WALKER, Huntsville, Ala.:

I have sent to Gen. A. S. Johnston 4,500 rifles, being half of all that we have received.

J. P. BENJAMIN, Acting Secretary of War.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 52, pt. II, pp. 207-208.

        13, Jewish support for the Confederacy in Memphis

Meeting of the Israelites—Subscription for the Wounded.

Since the breaking out of the war there is no class of our citizens who have been more liberal in their contributions. When arms, equipments or other things have been wanted, they have readily given their assistance. The Hebrew Ladies' Society have made liberal gifts of socks, blankets, and other warm woolen articles for the soldiers in the field. The occurrence of the late battle raided all the sympathies of our patriotic and benevolent Hebrew citizens, as the following will testify:

At a meeting of Israelites, held at their Synagogue, on Sunday morning at 10 0'clock, to devise ways and means for the relief of the wounded at the late battle of Columbus, Mr. A. Halle was called to the chair and A. E. Frankland appointed secretary.

On motion the following resolutions were unanimously carried:

Whereas, in the recent battle opposite Columbus, wherein our brave volunteers fought hand to hand and breast to breast, against fearful odds of the invading hordes of vandals, in defense of "our rights, our liberties and our firesides!" which we are now enjoying, in the blissful retirement of home. And notwithstanding our victory (which the Great God of Battles has once more perched on our standard) many of our brave boys have fallen! and many, many more are sick, wounded and dying, and need our care, attention and assistance; therefore,

Resolved, That a subscription list be at once opened for their relief.

Resolved, That a committee of three, consisting of Messrs. J. H. Schman, T. Falts and B. Walker, be appointed to receive and collect all subscriptions made, and also from others not present.

Resolved, That the fund shall be immediately completed and handed over forthwith to the proper authorities, appointed to receive the same.

Thereupon the meeting adjourned.

A. Halle, Chairman.

B. A. E. Frankland, Secretary.

C. [List of names with amounts]

Memphis Daily Appeal, November 14, 1861.

        13, Skirmish at Nashville

No circumstantial reports filed.

HDQRS., November 13, 1862.

Maj.-Gen. BRECKINRIDGE:

GEN.: The force at Silver Springs is increasing. The enemy crossed another small division at Park House Ferry on a pontoon bridge this morning. They also have a cavalry force of about 800 at Hartsville. I will therefore fall back in the morning to Stone's River. I sent five companies last night under Lieut.-Col. Hutcheson to the pike below Silver Springs for the purpose of catching their foraging wagons. He returned this afternoon with a lieutenant and nineteen men belonging to the Fourth Michigan Cavalry. Col. Duke also went in pursuit of a body of cavalry that were approaching Lebanon and succeeded in chasing them back to within two miles of Silver Springs. I paroled this afternoon 162 prisoners, including those which were sent to Murfreesborough and returned. I sent Maj. Breckinridge this afternoon to attack a force of about 300 who were approaching from the direction of Hartsville, but have received no information from him. My headquarters will be at Stone's River, but one regiment will remain at Lebanon until the last possible moment.

Very respectfully,

JNO. H. MORGAN, Col., Cmdg. Brigade.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 52, pt. II, pp. 388-389.

        13, Complaints about Nashville's constabulary

The Police.—We respectfully ask the attention of the Committee on Police to the frequent and daring burglaries taking place in our midst, and beg that they will endeavor to put a stop to them. We have sixteen night policemen, and we are informed that each one patrols his beat alone. In times like the present this should not be allowed; their lives are in constant danger, and they stand no more chance of arresting a burglar than if they were quietly slumbering in their beds all night. What do two desperate men care for one policeman? They should patrol in pairs, and be permitted to call for military assistance when required. As General Rosecrans seems determined to put a stop to pillaging, we think that the Mayor and the Police Committee could make some arrangement by which the lives and property of our citizens could be protected. Within a month, two of our citizens have been murdered, and the perpetrators of the foul deeds are at large—one of them known to the police and military authorities, and almost daily, as we are informed, committing depredations of some kind. We are also informed that there are in town several notorious thieves who are provided with Federal uniform, which they put on for the express purpose of pressing horses and searching and robbing houses. Cannot such things be stopped? We think such men can and ought to be brought to justice.

Nashville Dispatch, November 13, 1862.

        13, Of pumpkins, hard tack and oxen steaks

Igo [sic] Ferry November Friday 13th

Last night and today [illegible] rain N. Fancher Brother James and McDaniel went out to hunt something to eat this morning as we have been rather suffering for something to eat. We have been living on about 3d rations since we have been here and begins to feel as if we can stand it no longer they went up to a little island north of Sody [sic] creek about 2½ miles north of camp where they found large stalk fields the corn was all gon [sic] but quite a number of pumkins [sic] lay all over the fields cattle as the fences were thrown down and destroyed as is customary through a country where Soldiers go these pumpkins they filled their sacks and brought them into camp [sic]

As our Cook was washing today it fell on me to get dinners and I stayed [sic] in camp on account of having no shirt to change while the other was in the wash as a good cook would do. [sic] I had dinner ready for the boys when they returned about 2 o'clock P. M. I then put on a kettle with some watter [sic] peeled and sliced about half a bushel of pumkins [sic] and boyled [sic] for some time and seasoned with salt while this cooking operation was going on James was out and luckily for the times [illegible] part of a box of crackars [sic] which Co. B had thrown away for bad one out of which we gathered over a pack of good pieces which was still more welcome then the pumkins [sic] supper being ready at the usual [sic] time concisting [sic] of stewed pumkins [sic] and beef stake [sic] sliced of[f] the sholders of an ox and a little coffee. Such a feed we have not had for a month it is sertinly [sic] worth noteing [sic] down to be remembered our apitites [sic] being keen and sharp forced us to eat until we were scarcly [sic] to role [sic] over and still we have a supply [sic] on hand for tomorrow who would not rejoyce [sic] in our circumstances.

Our Waggons that left yesterday morning for Anderson cross roads has returned this evening without rations why they were turned and sent back I have not a learned I can also understand that gen Morgan commanding our brigade has left the cross roads if that is so we will move soon.

Whit I am writing Corp Fancher rises up gos [sic] to the pot, takes another spoonful and says he begins to feel room for a little more Brother James thinks we can afford a second supper before going to bed

John Hill Fergusson Diary, Book 3.

13, Federal Trade Regulations in Post-Confederate Knoxville

MATTERS IN KNOXVILLE-TRADE REGULATED.

In the Knoxville Daily Bulletin we find, under the glaring caption, "United States Trade Regulations," an exposition of the proposed plans of the "Board of Trade for the Department of East Tennessee."

By section first, a "Local Agent" is appointed, whose headquarters are at the "Custom House,' on Gay street. Knoxville is declared to be the only "port" to be furnished with goods, wares and merchandize in the Department of East Tennessee.

Samuel L. Rogers is made the Local Agent, who will grant all permits for bringing in goods. All goods brought in without his sanction are forfeited.

By the next section of fee of three dollars is exacted for each permit to import, and the tradesman must take the following oath:

"You do solemnly swear that your are in all respects loyal and true to the government of the United States; that you will faithfully conform to the Percolations and orders of the President of the United States, and by the ;military Governors and Generals exercising authority under him, and to Department Regulations authorized by law; and that you willow at all times, by your conduct and conversation, and by every other means you can properly use, aid in suppressing the rebellion and restoring  obedience to the Constitution and the laws of the United States; so help you God."

This is a jolly oath, At Greenville this oath is amended to the effect that, such tradesmen shall not sell to secessionists, not associate with them. Yankees should overrun the whole South, the people will have been so thoroughly sworn and to so many purposes, that we fear the obligations of an oath willow lose their binding force. The above is not more absurd in its terms than that administered at Athens, Tenn., which imposed the obligation to obey the United States in preference to any State, county or other corporation.

At Knoxville, merchants can only engaged in the retail business. The wholesale trade is Brownlow's and his appointees. Brownlow must approve the sale of every bill of goods exceeding $5 in value and for each approval he receives 20cents. Cotton shippers must play 4 cents per pound export duty and $2 pre hogshead on tobacco, "before either can escape the vigilance of the Treasury officers." Manufactured tobacco pays 5 per cent. Export duty. Disloyal persons cannot trade, "nor Union men who do not approve Lincoln's war policy."

Charleston Mercury, November 13, 1863.

13, General Orders, No. 3, designating names for defensive earthworks around Pulaski

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 3. HDQRS. U. S. FORCES, Pulaski, Tenn., November 13, 1864.

The following are announced as the names of the works composing the defenses in and around Pulaski:

1. The battery at the most southern end of town to be called Battery Lane.

2. The work at the female seminary to be called Lunette Opdycke.

3. The work at McCullain's house to be called Lunette Evans.

4. The redoubt on the point of the ridge by the Cornersville road to be called Redoubt Suman.

5. The work at the northern point of the same ridge, where the old Columbia road crosses it, to be called Redoubt Waters.

6. The works on the cluster of hills, spurs, and ridges, fortified by Gen. Bradley's brigade, to be called Bradley's Intrenchments.

7. The line of works constructed by Col. Martin's brigade to be called Martin's Lines.

8. The works constructed by Col. Knefler, on the most westerly hill, to be called Redoubt Knefler.

9. The work constructed by Col. Post's brigade to be called Demilune Post.

10. The work on the central conical peak (where the flag-staff is) to be called For Pulaski.

11. The works between Lunette Evans and Redoubt Suman to be called Grose's Lines.

By command of Maj.-Gen. Stanely:

W. H. SINCLAIR, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 52, pt. I, p. 658.

 


James B. Jones, Jr.

Public Historian

Tennessee Historical Commission

2941 Lebanon Road

Nashville, TN  37214

(615)-770-1090 ext. 123456

(615)-532-1549  FAX

 

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