21, The character of war in East Tennessee and resistance to the Confederate draft in Nashville
From Tennessee.
Intestine [sic] war, with savage ferocity on the part of the rebels, now rages in Tennessee. The statements are confused and doubtless exaggerated, but too much is true.
The city of Nashville was in high state of excitement on the 6th, and on the following day an attempt was made to draft the citizens into the army. The indignation of the people was intense. A riot broke out in the Fourth ward. Four policemen were shot dead. The mob rushed to the Capitol to attack Governor Harris, who fled to Memphis. On the same day, 2,500 men from Louisiana passed the city for Kentucky, carrying a black flags embellished with a skull and cross bones. They were mostly armed with shot guns. [emphasis added]
On the 1st of this month a band of Union men from Williamsburg, Kentucky marched.
Atlanta Democrat, December 21, 1861.
21, Confederate States Commissioner's Court in Knoxville
At the session of the Confederate States commissioners court at Knoxville on Tuesday last, several gentlemen voluntarily came forward and took the oath of allegiance to the Confederate government. Among them, we learn,, were Alfred Cross, formerly clerk of the court of Anderson county, and Col. Whitson, late postmaster at Clinton, in the same county,. The Register says that many of the Union men have declared that when it came to be a war between the North and the South, for the fanatical purposes on the part of the northern government of carrying out the abolition doctrines of Hale, Sumner, Horace Greeley, and old John Brown, they would be found among the foremost in the ranks to defend the South.
Memphis Daily Appeal, December 31, 1861. [1]
21, Union Guerrilla Activity in the Loudon Environs
From Loudon.- Dr. Abernathy, surgeon of the Post at Loudon, arrived in town last night [24th], and reports that a party of three of Byrd's men had been seen near that place, and that on Saturday night [21st] a party of citizens attempted to capture them, but did not succeed.; they succeeded, however, in getting their guns, bayonets, etc., which they threw away after firing on the attacking party, to facilitate their flight. The citizens returned the fired but "nobody was hurt on either side." The Lincolnites told a supposed friend that they were off on detailed duty, to be ready to burn bridges, etc., as soon as the grand Union army makes is appearance in East Tennessee, which they say Col. Byrd assured them it would surely do, fifty thousand strong, in two weeks at farthest; and he bade them tell the Unionists here "to be of good cheer, and take the oath as often as required of them." They also state that their party consists of one hundred men. Our military authorities would do well to look to the matter.-Knoxville Register, Dec. 25.
Memphis Daily Appeal, December 28, 1861. [2]
21, 28, 30, Nashville Bank Conflict: the Confederate Sequestration Act, Confederate Courts and the Union and Planters' Banks
IMPORTANT CORRESPONDENCE.
We find the following correspondence between the receiver under the Confederate sequestration act, and the officers of the Planters' and Union banks, at Nashville. The correspondence will explain itself:
LETTER FROM THE RECEIVER
RECEIVER'S OFFICE, Nashville, Tenn.,
December 21, 1861.
To the Presidents and Directors of the Union And Planters' Banks of Tennessee:
GENTLEMEN: As the receiver for the Confederate States of America, in Middle Tennessee, I herewith inclose you're a copy of the decree of the Confederate court, with the modification made upon your motion to appeal, with a list of stockholders in said banks who have been proven to be residents in the states with which we are at war, and who are therefore legal alien enemies.
The proof shows that they own in the Union bank one thousand three hundred and-----shares, and the shares to be on hundred dollars each, which, if at par, amount to one million the hundred and-----thousand dollars. In the Planters bank, eight hundred and fifty shares. By virtue of the directions of the act of Congress for the sequestration of the effects and property of "alien enemies," these shares of stock in the Union and Planters' banks have been sequestrated; and as the proper office to take chare of all such property, I present this decrees of sequestration as evidence of a right in the Confederate States to take charge of and control the same, according to the provisions of the act of Congress.
The charter of your banks makes the stock assignable and transferable only on the books of the company.
The decrees of the court is presented at the title to the stock and you are hereby requested to furnish me, as receiver, evidence that the stock set forth in this decree, as the property of "alien enemies," has been transferred to the Confederate States pursuant to the provisions of your charter.
It is not intended to interfere with the stock of any citizens of the Confederacy, nor with that of any person of any country, in friendship with it, provided they are not in hostility.
By the third section of the act, you are fully acquitted of all responsibility for property thus transferred.
Our only protection against the wrongs of our enemies, in confiscating and destroying our property, is found in this measure of retaliation.
To make the remedy effective, prompt action is required. It is intended to weaken the enemy and raise a fund to indemnify our own citizens for losses.
The true policy is, therefore, for the Confederate States to take and hold every species of property and every dollar of it, which belonged to "alien enemies," and that as speedily as practicable. Litigation and delay may be construed by our enemies into sympathy and friendship for them.
Hoping that you will find no difficulty in complying with the decree of the court.
I remain, very truly yours,
S. R. Cockrill, Receiver for C. S. A.
REPLY OF THE PLANTERS' BANK.
Planters' Bank of Tennessee,
Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Dec. 28, 1861.
The board of directors met this morning at 9 o'clock. Present: O. Ewing, president, P. B. Fogg, James A. McAlister, A. S. Duncan, W. Berry, Thos. W. Evans, E. E. Hillman and Alex. Fall, Directors.
When, after attending to the ordinary discounts, a written communication signed by the counsel of the Union and Planters' bank of Tennessee, was presented and read to the board in the words and figures following, to-wit: "A decree having been rendered in the Confederate Court at Nashville, sequestrating the stock held in the bank by a large number of stockholders who are decreed by the court to be alien enemies; and the receiver, S. R. Cockrill, having applied to the board for transfer of the stock of those individuals to the Confederate States, and the bank having not yet been made a party to the proceeding in the Confederate court, and no decree yet entered against the bank requiring to make these transfers, therefore,
Resolved, That the board respectfully decline making the transfer of stock as required until the bank is made a party t the proceedings in the Confederate court, and a decree entered requiring the board to make transfer of stock, and then they will feel bound to comply with the order of the court.
The undersigned, counsel of the Union and Planters' banks, advise the directors of these institutions to adopt the above preamble and resolution.
F B. Fogg,
Andrew Ewing,
Thos. Washington,
Jno. Marshall
Whereupon the resolution in said communication was unanimously adopted by the board, and a copy of these proceedings ordered to forthwith furnished to the receiver, and the board then adjourned.
A true copy from the minutes. Attest.
D. Weaver, Cashier
REPLY OF THE UNION BANK.
Union Bank of Tennessee
Nashville, December 28, 1861
At a meeting of the board of directors of the Union Bank of Tennessee this day, the following preamble and resolution were unanimously adopted, viz:
A decree having been rendered in the Confederate court at Nashville, sequestering the stock held in this bank by a large number of stockholders who are deemed alien enemies by the court, and the receiver, S. R. Cockrill, having applied to the board for transfers of stock of those individuals in the Confederate States, and the bank having not yet been made a party to the proceedings in the Confederate court, and no decree as yet entered against the bank, requiring it to make these transfers, therefore
Resolved, That the bank respectfully decline making the transfer of stock as required, until the bank is made a party to the proceedings in the Confederate court, and a decree entered requiring the board to make transfer of said stock, and then they will feel constrained to comply with the order of the court.
Extract from the minutes of the board.
J. Correy, Cashier
RESPONSE OF THE RECEIVER.
Nashville, December 30, 1861.
To the Presidents and Directors of the Union and Planters' Banks:
GENTLEMEN: In reply to my communication asking a transfer, to the Confederate States, of the stock of alien enemies, sequestrated by decrees of the Confederate court, I have received a copy of the preamble and resolution adopted you, upon the advice of your counsel.
Your board respectfully decline to make the transfer, because the bank is not made a party, and a decree ordering it done.
If this condition be the result of prudence and caution merely, I see no objection to adopting the suggestion of your counsel. If, however, it be designed as a basis for litigation and delay, I do not feel myself called upon to file a petition and ask the court to make a decretal order which does not seem to be required by law.
The charter under which you act, makes the stocks of these banks assignable. The assignee becomes the owner, without the consent of the bank. A has a perfect right, to sell and assign his stock to B; the bank cannot claim to be a party in this transaction. The transfer and certificate are but evidence of title. This evidence the charter requires you to furnish without suit. This negotiability of stock constitutes an essential part of its value; but if it were necessary to file a bill against the bank to obtain the evidence of title, its value would be much impaired.
In this case the act of Congress, and the degree of sequestration, assign the stock to the Confederate States. The proper holder thereof, the receiver, presents the title and asks the transfer which the charter requires of you; you decline to do so, because you have not been sued, and a decree rendered requiring it. I protest against the position assumed, that the proceedings are erroneous because the bank is not a party.
If the bank have a defense, it has a right to make itself a party; if it have no defense, the suit would soon be for the purpose of having the decrees as a moral shield hereafter, or possibly for delay. Except for the latter object, I am disposed to adopt the advice of you eminent counsel, for whom I have the highest respect.
Very respectfully,
S. R. Cockrill, Receiver C. S. A, Receiver
Memphis Commercial Appeal, January 2, 1862.[3]
21, Affair at Rutherford's Station [see December 13, 1862-January 3, 1863, Forrest's expedition-West Tennessee above]
21, Capture of Union City
Report of Capt. Samuel B. Logan, Fifty-fourth Illinois Infantry, of capture of Union City.
COLUMBUS, KY., December 27, 1862.
In obedience to the orders of General Davies I left this place by rail the 23d instant [?] for Union City, Tenn., and arrived at that place about 3 o'clock that evening. Before the cars were unloaded I proceeded to detail 6 men to canvass (two going together) the country in the near vicinity of the town, with the view of examining all the approaches. Pickets were posted at the usual stands. My men were preparing dinner, having had no regular meal the day before.
While this was being done I sent men to press horses, that I might send horsemen on the Troy road and Wallace Mill Bridge road to act as scouts and advance pickets. At about 4 o'clock p. m. a flag of truce came to the picket stationed on the Hickman road, borne by Lieutenant-Colonel Collins of the Confederate Army, protecting Federal prisoners from Trenton and below to within our lines.
While I was trying to telegraph you the above facts, and before the horses had been procured for the advance pickets-twenty minutes having not yet elapsed since the reception of the flag of truce covering the prisoners-the Confederate Army, under General Forrest, I judge to the number of 1,500, surrounded my command in every direction but one, to within easy musket range. Their cannon were shotted and sighted upon us, three of which were in full view. From the time their forces first appeared in view three minutes did not transpire before we were thus surrounded.
General Forrest sent a flag of truce forward. My men needing my attention for a moment I sent Sutler R.W. Jones to meet the flag. A demand was made for an unconditional surrender of the post and forces. When I arrived at the flag of truce of General Forrest, Jones was stoutly claiming to the bearer of the flag that it was utterly contrary to honorable warfare to demand that I should surrender my forces under the surroundings. The flag of truce which protected the Federal prisoners, then in full view, was pointed to and a definite explanation was given of how and when it made my lines, by whom borne, and now flying within my quarters.
While this colloquy was being held General Forrest rode up, and Lieutenant Hanford, of the Fourth Illinois Cavalry, a prisoner from Trenton, demurred to the general that he should demand the surrender of the post under the then circumstances, fully explaining them as before. The general again demanded an immediate and unconditional surrender. Deeming it to be extreme folly to fight so unequal a force I surrendered my command of 94 men to the above terms.
I would also state that a few moments only before Forrest's force made their appearance Lieut. A.B. Balch and Orderly B.C. Percell accompanied Lieutenant-Colonel Collins from my headquarters to the prisoners, who yet waited at the picket station, for the purpose of bringing them in, and while directly with that flag of truce were both forced to surrender.
Five citizens who accompanied me were compelled to give parole not to return within Confederate lines during the war. I would do Lieutenant-Colonel Collins and General Forrest whatever justice there may be in their most emphatic denial of collusion in the two flags of truce.
Respectfully submitted,
S.B. LOGAN, Captain, Commanding Post, Union City.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 17, pt. I, pp. 567-568.
21, Skirmish on Wilson Creek Pike
DECEMBER 21, 1862.-Skirmish on the Wilson Creek Pike, Tenn.
Report of Capt. Frank W. Mix, Fourth Michigan Cavalry.
HDQRS. FOURTH MICHIGAN CAVALRY, Camp Rosecrans, December 21, 1862.
COL.: In obedience to orders I received last evening, I left camp this morning at 6 o'clock with 24 men of Company B and 25 of Company A, under command of Lieut. Anderson, to report to Gen. Negley, on the Franklin pike, as an escort for a forage train. I arrived at Gen. Negley's headquarters a 7.30 o'clock, was informed that I was to take my command out to the fork of the Franklin and Wilson Creek pike for picket duty. I informed the general I did not come prepared as my men had no rations with them. He then ordered me to go out on the road, until I found the forage train, and to scout the country on both sides of the Wilson Creek pike, and gather what information I could. I found nothing worthy of mentioning until I came up with his train, about 4 miles out on the Wilson pike. There I found two regiments of infantry, on section of artillery, and 30 of the Fifth Kentucky Cavalry, under the command of Col. Stanley. I reported to him; he informed me that the Kentucky cavalry were skirmishing with some of the enemy's cavalry off at the left of the pike, and wished me to go there with my command, and also take command of the Fifth Kentucky company, and to use my own judgment what course to pursue. I went down there, and found our men in an open piece of timber, firing away, and the enemy in a narrow, behind a stone wall. I at first dismounted my men (being armed with Colt's rifles, I could not use them on the horses), and went at them dismounted, but I soon found out that I would have to resort to some other way to get them away from the wall. I accordingly ordered my men to mount, and I started for the road, or lane, which they were in, with Company B in advance, and Third Kentucky in the rear. I started off at a brisk gallop, and as I came up on a line of the wall, I received a volley from them, wounding Sergeant McIntire, of Company B, who was in advance with me. They fired another volley at us, when they broke and ran; some going off to the left of the road, while the main body went down the road, with our boys close to their heels, firing at them at every chance. We soon passed those on the left of us, and I had made up my mind to cut them off at my leisure, and should have done so if it had not been for a lieutenant, who is, I believe, an aide-de-camp for Col. Stanley, who, seeing those fellows come up, told some of Company B to go in there after them. I did not know anything of it until I had got up to within about four rods of the enemy; had fired every round from my pistol, and was fast gaining on them. I looked back to see if my men were all ready for them, and not a man was with me except Sergeant McIntire, who, although wounded in the leg, kept close to my side. I soon made up my mind I had gone far enough. I went back and found most of the men in the lot, with this lieutenant picking them up there. It was now too late to think of overtaking them, but, thinking some of them might be in the woods, I dismounted Companies A and B, and skirmished through the woods and got 1 prisoner by the operation; in all we got 6 prisoners; killed 2, wounded 1, and came out ourselves with only 1 wounded. The men all behaved nobly, and although the bullets fell thick and fast, not one faltered, but did his best keep up. I cannot speak too highly of Sergeant McIntire, who, although wounded, showed coolness and courage not often exhibited by older and more experienced soldiers. Had it not been for the interference of the lieutenant, I am confident that we might have captured a fine lot of them. We went back and reported to Col. Stanley, who took the prisoners in charge, when we started for camp, arriving here at 5 p. m.
I am your most obedient servant,
F. W. MIX, Capt. Fourth Michigan Cavalry.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 20, pt. I, pp. 135-136.
21, Capture of Federal sick at Kenton
[see December 15, 1862-January 3, 1863, Forrest's expedition-West Tennessee above]
No circumstantial reports filed.
21, Excerpt from a letter by W. S. McDill to his father Robert McDill in Portersville (Porterville), relative to Jefferson Davis' visit at Murfreesboro, December 13, 1862
Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Dec. 21, 1862
Dear Father:
....Our army at this place was reviewed on Saturday 13th by Jeff. Davis himself. He was dressed in citizen's clothes and is a plain looking man....
W. P. A. Civil War Records, Vol. 4, p. 125.
21, Confederate conscript sweep duty in East Tennessee
We are in camps at Hayse's Camp-ground about three miles east of Cleveland. We are gathering up a few of the conscripts and sending them to Knoxville, but they are hard to catch. We do all our [conscript] scouting at night in order to find them at home.
Diary of William E. Sloan, December 21, 1862.
21, The 5th Iowa in Benton County
Today we marched all day long [on] a high dry ridge with no water – passed a grocery store at a crossroads. Close by was a stand – and rows of logs rolled together for seats. We judged the stand was used to spout treason from, the logs were used for seats for the aristocratic part of the auditory while the poor white trash stood around and the grocery was the place that supplied the requisite amount of extra "spirits" that enabled the speakers and hearers to see the Ghosts of the many, many coming evils which drove them into insurrection. The whole thing was in harmony if this was the true state of the case and I think it was.
Alley Diary
21, Federal pickets to search all women passing through the lines
To the Ladies.—We are informed that the Military Police of this city have adopted a rule to examine all females passing through the lines, who may be suspected of carrying contraband goods, letters, &c. The practice has become so common, that they have deemed it absolutely necessary to adopt this course. We understand some cases of the above character transpired yesterday, and we would warn all females to avoid anything of the kind in the future, if they would escape exposure. We understand they have employed ladies for the purpose of examining any who may be suspected.
Nashville Daily Union, December 21, 1862.
21, Report of attempted smuggling by a pro-Confederate woman
Breach of Faith.—We were yesterday officially informed of a violation of her word on the part of a lady who recently applied to the military authorities for a pass to go beyond the Federal lines. The lady represented herself as the wife of a Confederate officer who was stationed at Murfreesboro', and said she desired a pass with the view only of seeing her husband, as it might be a long time before she would again have an opportunity. The authorities at first declined to give the necessary permit, but the lady pleaded, and pledged her honor not to take with her anything but her own necessary clothing, and give no information. On these conditions the pass was given, and the lady accompanied beyond the lines, when suspicion was aroused that all was not right, and a lady and gentleman were sent after her; the party entered a dwelling-house on the roadside, where the lady's baggage was searched, and was found to consist of numerous pairs of boots and shoes, blankets, seven dress patterns, and other contraband articles. The lady was then accompanied to a private room by the lady official, and her person searched, when a large number of letters were found concealed in her under clothes around her waist. After taking from her the letters and contraband clothing, she was permitted to depart. We regret much that any lady should be even suspected of such conduct; it is calculated to do much harm, and cannot be productive of any good. A word of honor should be kept inviolate.
Nashville Dispatch, December 21, 1862.
21, One Yankee's opinion of East Tennessee
A Yankee Opinion of Their Friends in East Tennessee--Among the letters captured by our forces around Knoxville was one from D. G. Griffin to his father in New York. The opinion expressed must be very flattering to the Unionists of East Tennessee:
Our Union friends have fanaticism and enthusiasm enough, but they are so ignorant and ill bred as to disgust any gentleman. The women know how to make "corn dodgers" and dirty little Federal flags, "ginger cakes and the like," and to curse and point out their superiors--rebel ladies and rebel gentlemen--and that is about all.
The rebel ladies are intelligent, well bred, and good looking--dignified and bold in their demeanor. But they won't talk to us--consider themselves our superiors, simply from the fact that we are fighting for their inferiors, the Union ladies. They are not to blame. I often blush when I think of the common herd that I am perilling [sic] my life for. God save me from such ignorant trash.
You have often heard of majorities for the Union in East Tennessee; but I must confess, taking into consideration, if the rebels are entitled to any country, it is this. Their friends are many, strong in their fidelity, and seem to have some plausible reasons for their rights, &c.
The name of tory seems to suit them very well. I don't wonder at the promotion of Gov. Johnson, Horace Maynard and others. Such a people can be easily demagogued. All they know is to be "Union folks."
I can't think that we shall remain here very long, even the rebels permitting. The rebel Gen. Vaughn and others are continually annoying us, so much so that we cannot see any peace for them. We didn't expect to fight the rebels when we came here, but find that our personal safety will force us to fight them hard and often.
Charleston Mercury, December 21, 1863.[4]
21, Skirmishing near Carter's Depot
No circumstantial reports filed.
Excerpt from the February 6, Report of Major-General Samuel Jones (CS) relative to the skirmish near Carter's Depot on December 21, 1863.
* * * *
In the meantime, Gen. Burnside had been moving forward by the railroad, and there was some skirmishing at Carter's Depot on the 21st. Williams and his men were hurried back to that place, and on the 22d Gen. Burnside felt at Carter's Depot a part of the troops that confronted him at Zollicoffer on the 20th.
* * * *
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 30, pt. II, p. 605.
21, Skirmish at Clinch River
No circumstantial reports filed.
21, Skirmish near McMinnville
No circumstantial reports filed.
21, Federal scout from Corinth to Purdy-skirmish with Federal gate crashers[5]
Corinth, Miss, Monday, Dec. 21, 1863-At daylight four companies of our regiment...moved out as advance guard for Gen. Mower's Infantry which marched out of Corinth on the Purdy road....at 3.00 P. M. we came up with them camped three miles south of Purdy. Col. Mizner moved on into town, and then sent our regiment east on the Salem road...When we arrived here Col. Herrick heard that there was to be a rebel dance at Mr. Pierson's two miles further on. He sent Capt Thornton with a detachment of 25 men to participate. On their approach the rebels rushed out and saluted them with a volley of musketry, but were soon put to flight. Two of them were killed and 21 of their horses were captured....
Pomeroy Diaries, December 21, 1863.
21, 22, Advance and Retreat: Federal Foreces at Rutledge; Blain's Cross Roads, Tenn. "I never felt such cold water…but after I got used to it I got through first-rate. "
Mon. Dec. 21st 1863
…I will try to give you some idea of what we have been doing since the rebels left us at Knoxville. We left that place on the 7th of this month. The 9th Corps taking the Rogerville Road & our Corps the road to Strawberry Plains. We left Knoxville about noon, the weather was very pleasant for marching, the road was frozen & we made pretty good time till we came to the Holston River about the middle of the afternoon. There was a good ford & there was no choice to cross but to wade. This wasn't a very delightful jobyou may know, with the thermometer near 0 and nearly ¼ of a mile to wade with the water nearly to our belts in some place. There was no help for it however & the boys stripped & plunged in. I never felt such cold water…but after I got used to it I got through first-rate. The current was very swift but the crossing was made without any accident I believe & when we reached the opposite bank we started again without drying our clothes but we soon got warmed up and by night we were all right again….Next morning we resumed our march & reached the Plains about noon. The rebels had burned the railroad bridge, so that the cars could not cross in single file. It looked a little risky & some of the boys would not undertake it at all, but preferred walking 3 miles down the river to a ford. We were 2 or 3 hours crossing but all got safely over & marched about 3 miles where we caught up with our advance & went into camp…Next morning we started again & marched pretty hard till the middle of the afternoon. We came up to the 9th Corps & went into camp 2 miles from Rutledge, where we laid for several days…marching orders came one night 11 o'ck…The mud was deep & it was so dark that we couldn't see to pick our way at all. As soon as we halted, we unstrung our knapsacks and went to work carrying rails and building a barricade across the valley. We finished it by daylight and after breakfast we were ordered out to the front. Our Brigade-the 44th & 104th Regiment, 14th Battery were stationed on the right of our line in a large cornfield. We built another line of railworks by piling rails on the fence with one end on the ground. We were drawn up in line of battle behind this & had hardly fixed ourselves when our advance line of battle on the left held their ground in spite of all the efforts of the Johnny's to drive them. They were drawn up across a level field in fair view from where we were and you can't imagine how anxiously we watched them as the rebs charged on them-time and again without breaking their line. They were armed with 5 shooters & kept up a continual volley, which forced the rebels to retreat without accomplishing their object. I forget what regiment it was, but I think it was an Indiana Regiment. They were brave fellows at any rate. After this, they fell back, though they kept up a lively firing all day. We laid quiet till evening. The rebels got a battery in position on a hill to the right of us & commenced shelling us. They were in good range & made us dodge for a while but we soon got pretty well used to it and didn't mind them at all. We were rather too low for them to do us much damage or else they didn't want to drive us out till morning, which is most probable I think, for none of the shells bursted. I suppose they were only trying the range & expected to give us fits next morning but our old Gen. was too sharp for them. After dusk we were ordered to build good fires as though we were going to stay all night & we slipped off quietly & marched back to Rutledge. We reached there about midnight and laid down in the mud & tried to sleep but it was so cold that most of the boys preferred staying up by the fires. Next morning we started again & reached this place about noon. We got dinner and a little mail, the first we had seen since the siege commenced…
Bentley Letters.
21, Fund Raising for East Tennesseans in Brooklyn, New York
BROOKLYN
Meeting at the Academy of Music.
Sympathy for East Tennessee.
Speeches by Col. N. G. Taylor, A. A. Low, Esq., and Others.
A meeting was held last evening at the Academy of Music in aid of the "East Tennessee Fund." In consequence of the extremely disagreeable weather, the attendance was not as large as could be wished for, yet the hall was comfortably filled, and among the audience were many ladies.
Mr. A. Low, of the New York Chamber of Commerce, was elected President. The Secretaries were next elected, after which Mr. Low introduced to the audience
COL. N. G. TAYLOR
Who said that in answer to the call which he had received, he appeared, not for the purpose of delivering a partisan political speech, because the political questions had passed away; he came not even for the purpose of speaking of the breach between citizens of this once united country. He himself was a Southern man by sympathy and interest, and although severed yet he thanked God that he had a heart fully alive between the sinner and the sin. He came to talk of facts, albeit they may seem stranger than the wildest fiction; to talk about that little Switzerland that occupies the highest point, as well as the central position east of the Mississippi-the land of his birth-East Tennessee. After describing accurately the geographical and topographical formation of East Tennessee, in its relation to the rest of the Union. He said he would not try to ascertain the reason of the fact that the mountaineers of East Tennessee has been always sound, while surrounded by corruption and treason. It is true that there has been no radical reason why East Tennessee is not found battering against the Union, and that is that they love their country, and their whole country. The Southerners said, at first, that we were untrue to the safety of the South. But this was false, for East Tennessee had said that the true interest of the South was in the Union and under the flag of the Union. And, even now, the entire force of the Southerners execrates the name of "East Tennessee," because she would not be false to the Union. The inhabitants of that region have ever been faithful to the American freedom, in the war of the revolution, at Kings' [sic] Mountain, in the war of 1812, in many a well-fought field. And when in the nullification times of 1832-3 [sic], the glorious hero of Tennessee lifted up his hand, and swore that "The Union must and shall be preserved." In 1860, the present great struggle opened in East Tennessee. Mr. Lincoln was not known there, but the principles which he represented were well known. The speaker had supported Bell, and had tried to save the Union through cooperation with other factions, but without success. But those inclined in secession insisted on a convention of the people, which was opposed by the Unionists. In the meantime, the election was held to decide whether there should be a convention or not. On two separate occasions East Tennessee was overwhelmingly in favor of the Union. But her slavery was then decreed, and threats against her were made. With their press muzzled and when no man dared to open his lip in favor of his country, when called upon to vote for State officers, they elected Union men on every hand. Thus East Tennessee vindicated her truth at the ballot-box as she had always done in the field; and then the pent up wrath of the slave-holding rebels began to be poured upon the heads of East Tennesseeans [sic]. They seized all the guns in the region by force of arms. Thus they seized all the arms lead and powder in the country, and then the confederate States passed a conscript law, and the men, young and old, of East Tennessee, who had sworn loyalty to the Union of their fathers were not permitted to leave the State, according to the Confederate law, but were either compelled to seed the wild gorges of the mountains, or be torn from their homes by the ruthless rebels to fight against the flag they adored. The Confederates used Cherokee warriors and bloodhounds to ferret out their victims, who, at last, learned to trust the two former as less cruel than the last. And the old men and women were not more exempt from these outrages than the young. The speaker mentioned several very aggravated cases of cases of rebel barbarity, in the instance of Thornberg, Samuel, Pickens, [sic] and others, where insults had been heaped upon the parties in question, because they had sons or other relatives at the North, or for no other reason than because they love their country. Col. Taylor [sic] continued by reviewing at length the history of the past few terrible years in East Tennessee, with a glowing tribute to the American flag, which, as predicted, should [e]ver triumph! and concluded by asking whether this glorious remnant of a glorious race should go out of the world in beggary and trampled rights. He was not before the audience as a beggar, or as a representative of beggars, but to demand [sic] charity for this people as a right -- as an act of justice. The Northern people have the steadfast sympathy of these wretched, suffering, broken-hearted people of East Tennessee, so long as their object is the utter, absolute overthrow of this rebellion, and on no other terms. The mention of Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, Farragut [sic] (the son of Tennessee) and other Union heroes, as our true peacemakers, was received with enthusiastic applause.
Rev. Dr. Vinton then read five resolutions, thanking Col. Taylor [sic] expressing sympathy with the East Tennesseans, and appointing a committee of prominent citizens to carry out the objects of the meeting. These resolutions were unanimously adopted, and while Col. Taylor [sic] was giving some of his personal experiences among the rebels, a collection was taken up from among the audience
Mr. Low then stated his regret that Admiral Farragut had been unable to be present, as had been expected; after which the meeting adjourned.
New York Times, December 22, 1864.
21-January 5, 1865, Expedition from Memphis to destroy M&O Railroad[6]
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 844.
21, "A Night Ride Under Difficulties"
Lieutenant Wilkinson and Deputy Marshal Ingalls went in a hack, on Wednesday night [21st], to hunt up Mat Williams, who was accused of stealing goods from the store of Piser & Co. The team [of horses] was not of the best, and becoming tired, they determined to take a rest. The driver whipped and coaxed and cursed, but there was no go in them. At length Wilkinson mounted one horse, the driver the other, and Ingalls became the John [sic] and the trio exercised their power of eloquence upon the jaded nags until they reached Williamson's residence. As soon as they entered a search was commenced. Ingalls standing guard, while Wilkinson crawled under the bed to haul out a trunk. Billy pulled and tugged, and at length his body emerged from under the bedstead, when a heavy and hard substance came in contact with his cranium, and a volley of abuse from the tongue of Mrs. Williams reached his ears. Billy had been listening to the abuse heaped on the head of Ingalls but paid little attention to it until his ears were opened by the blow on his head, when he begged madame to consider the fact that the duty of searching was quite as disagreeable to him as it was to her. Their labors, having been concluded after much tribulation, they returned to town. Wilkinson having a bump upon his head, and Ingalls a volume of abuse on the brain, and the hack bearing a load stolen property.
Nashville Dispatch, December 23, 1864.
[1] As cited in PQCW.
[2] As cited in PQCW.
[3] As cited in PQCW. The ultimate outcome of this fiduciary conflict is not known, although it demonstrates that when confronted with a governmental decree calling for the relinquishment of funds, rich men who run the banks are, to say the least, reserved in their patriotism. That is, it's all about the money.Patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels.
[4] As cited in: http://www.uttyl.edu/vbetts.
[5] This event is listed neither in the OR nor Dyer's Battle Index for Tennessee.
[6] While all the action occurred in Mississippi, the expedition originated from Memphis. Not referenced in Dyer's Battle Index for Tennessee.
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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