Monday, March 23, 2015

3.23.2015 Tennessee Civil War Notes

        23, Opinion of one Warren County upper class woman, an excerpt from the War Journal of Lucy Virginia French

* * * *

A good story is told of one Tenn. girl and Gov. Harris. When the Gov. got up his Hegira he had a special train to carry his high mightiness-a young lady the daughter of a clergyman residing some 25 miles from Nashville was going home and came on the Gov's [sic] train not knowing that it was sacred and "special." The gallant Gov. ordered her to be put off instantly. "Sir" said she to the occupant of the special-the illustrious example of telegraphic "gritten" [sic] [?]-"Sir, Six men such as you are could not put me off this train.-I'm going home." and so she did. Oh! Isham-gallant, chivalrous, courageous and swift on the run, Isham-we are "yours in haste." Some of the John Spurlock's [sic] asked last night, "Where is Harris now, anyhow!" Brown said "we hadn't yet been able to get a train swift enough to catch up with him and find out where he was."

War Journal of Lucy Virginia French.

        23, Anecdote on how a Federal military hospital was chosen in Nashville

The Louisville Journal tells the following as having recently occurred in Nashville.

["] A few days ago, as Gen. Buell was riding on horseback through the streets of Nashville, an aristocratic lady, a Mrs. W., living in a fine, large house, stood at an open door or window, waved a rebel flag toward him, and cried, "Hurrah for Jeff. Davis and the Southern Confederacy!"; The general reined in his horse, turned toward the lady, touched his hat with all the courtesy and suavity for which he is remarkable, and surveying the fine house from top to bottom with the eye of a connoisseur, quietly remarked, "An excellent house for a hospital." In less than two hours every room was full of sick soldiers, and Mrs. W., was pointedly requested to take care of them. We heartily congratulate her upon her blessed privilege of ministering to the needs of suffering patriots.["]

Memphis Daily Appeal, March 23, 1862.

        23, Ambush of Federals near Triune

HDQRS. WHARTON'S CAVALRY DIVISION, Unionville, March 24, 1863--2 p. m.

Lieut. Gen. LEONIDAS POLK, Cmdg., &c.:

GEN.: My scouts have all returned. Twelve men, sent between Triune and Murfreesborough, ambuscaded a party of Federals on the dirt road; wounded 2, and put the party to flight. My men returned in safety.

The Eleventh Texas was sent below College Grove, on Harpeth, but could not draw the enemy into battle. They captured 1 cavalryman from Johnson's First Tennessee Cavalry. I will send him to-morrow.

No change in the enemy's position. The Second Georgia, under Maj. [F. M.] Ison, drove them from the forks of the pike yesterday toward Triune. I attack them every day. Steedman is still at Triune. I think he has only two brigades.

Last Wednesday [18th] a very large train of wagons, joined by two brigades of infantry, went from Murfreesborough to Nashville.

I hope in the course of a few days to send you a large Yankee mail. Malone stays away unaccountably, and he has a guide of mine with him who would now be worth [his weight] in gold. If you know his whereabouts, please say to him I desire his return.

I would be much obliged for late papers. I have no news from Van Dorn.

Please let me know the extent of Morgan's disaster [i.e. action at Vaught's Hill.]

Most respectfully, general, your obedient servant,

JNO. A. WHARTON, Brig.-Gen.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 23, pt. II, p. 725.

        23, Skirmish near Thompson's Station

MARCH 23, 1863.-Skirmish near Thompson's Station, Tenn.

Report of Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger, U. S. Army.

FRANKLIN, March 23, 1863.

GEN.: Our cavalry has driven the rebel advance back to Thompson's Station, where their main body is strongly posted, covering the three points. We made an effort to dislodge them, but failed, with a loss of 1 officer and 4 men. I will keep the cavalry feinting them and watching their movements.

This post can take care of itself, although they may fall upon Brentwood and damage our communications. To-morrow, I think, will develop their movements.

G. GRANGER, Maj.-Gen.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 23, pt. I, p. 176.

        23, Constant guerrilla attacks on Cumberland River shipping from Carthage

No circumstantial reports filed.

CARTHAGE, TENN., March 23, 1863.

Brig. Gen. JAMES A. GARFIELD, Chief of Staff, Army of the Cumberland, Murfreesborough, Tenn.:

My boats were attacked as they went down, by guerrillas, and, in fact, they are fired into almost every time they leave here. I send an expedition down to Hartsville and vicinity to-night. I understand there is a force there on the watch for my mail.

* * * *

Respectfully,

GEORGE CROOK, Brig.-Gen.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 23, pt. II, pp. 161-162.

        23, Confederate scout, Lebanon to near Murfreesborough

LEBANON, March 23, 1863.

Gen. WHARTON, Unionville, Tenn.:

GEN.: In obedience to your instructions, we sent a scout night before last in direction of Murfreesborough. They could not proceed farther than Black's Shop, 7 miles from Murfreesborough, where they found a brigade of the enemy encamped. All the crossings of Stone's River were guarded by a chain of pickets, and they could not effect a crossing.

Last week (the latter part) the enemy sent three brigades up the Shelbyville pike.

Lieut. [Charles T.] Burgess, who was sent on the scout, reports that he saw a Mrs. Ware, just from Murfreesborough, who reported to him that she was told by Mr. [William] Spence, a Union merchant of the town, that he intended moving all of his goods north this week; and all the citizens report an unusual number of cars at Murfreesborough, and it is their impression that it is for an advance movement.

Gen. Morgan had a sharp skirmish near Liberty on Friday last; suffered some loss, and had to fall back.

I think we will get the number of artillery horses you wished, although they are scarce. We will start back to-morrow morning.

It was the impression of Lieut. Burgess that the Federals were not falling back.

I have the honor to remain, yours, truly,

M. H. ROYSTON, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 23, pt. II, pp. 723-724.

        23, Amandus Silsby, in Murfreesboro, his letter to his father in Wisconsin

….we have laid for the last two days under orders to be ready to march at a moment's notice, with our knapsacks packed. All that I intend to carry in my Knapsack however is – one shirt, one pr of socks, one oil cloth, my Bible and portfolio, also a shelter tent, and a thin light woolen blanket which I succeeded in obtaining two days ago. (This is the first woolen blanket I have had, since the day I threw my blanket away. That was the third day after we left Louisville.) Since then, all through the winter, snow or no snow, rain or frost, I have simply laid on my rubber clothe with my overcoat spread over me. As a general thing I have slept just as sound as the rest & what discomfort I suffered in the night was make up by the extra company I had during the daytime, on the march from having so much the less weight and toil and sweat under. I have been the healthiest and [sic] most hardy fellow in the Reg[iment]'t however it is not only our boys but those of the other companies that know me acknowledge. The rest of the things in my knapsack besides what I have mentioned, have been picked up in boxes, to be stored in Nashville, viz.,: my overcoat, dress coat, a rubber blanket, pair of woolen mittens, an extra pair of pants, & a pair of knit gloves which I had given to me. When they start on the march, they will carry my knapsack with what things I do not immediately use, (when camping at night,) in it, so that all I have to carry on my back, will be my blanket, packed in my shelter tent. The rebel army have some how [sic] or other made themselves scarce in these parts. Probably to attack Grant, who has been cutting off all their communications and supplies in Mississippi. I heard this morning that Genl Thomas occupied Shelbyville and Gen'l. Rousseau was in Tullahoma. Day before yesterday there was a trial of sharp shooters here. Each company, in each Regt. [sic] In the Brigade, was to send one man, & the regimental detail that made the best shots (i.e. those ten men) each presented with a splendid "Colts Five Shots" revolving rifle. The ten men from the 21[st] Mich [sic] got them. The 24th Wis. [sic] however, for some reason or other never sent any men out, to make the trial. All the other Regts [sic] did. Did I ever tell you that we had another Brigadier General? His name is Lytell. They are still continuing building fortifications here, & every day large siege guns & mortars are arriving to be mounted on the works. Switches are being built on the railroad, to conduct the cars into the earthworks where large store houses and military depot are either erected or being erected for storing provisions. I have seen a few forts that are completed. Even the big guns are so safely hidden that the enemy sharpshooters cannot pick off the men working the guns. Sand bags are placed (two layers thick) on the top of the works with interstices between, for port holes for our rifles, so that if we were fighting in them even our heads would not be exposed above the works. Persons that have seen both say that there are not as many fortifications in Washington [sic], as there are here, when these will have been finished…

Amandus Silsby

Silsby Correspondence, March 23, 1863

        23, Excerpts from George Kryders letter to his wife on skirmishes and volunteering for the army

Camp Standley, Murfreesboro, Tenn.

March 23rd, l863

Dear and beloved Wife,

~~~~

I will now tell you why I did not answer your letter sooner. I got it after we had saddled up for a two day scout and did not get back till Saturday evening and yesterday we went out on inspection, so this is the first opportunity.

~~~~

You told about the folks making sugar. I wish I was there to enjoy some of it with you. When you hear that we have a fight here do not trouble yourself till you hear the particulars. Then there is time enough for there are many little skirmishes that none of our men are hurt.

~~~~

You say that you are sorry that I enlisted. I am not sorry and I will tell you why. If I had not volunteered I would have been drafted and how much worse would I feel to be forced to do a thing than to do it with my own free will. Think of it and I believe you will say "you are right George." You say you are afraid that people will talk about you. Only do not give them any chance and then you need not care how much they talk for I just know just how it is. And I never will put any dependence on such talk unless I think there is some thing of it but that has been the least of my trouble for I have got full confidence in you as ever and hope you have the same in me.

I must come to a close in hopes of hearing from you soon. I remain as ever your true and loving Husband,

George Kryder.

George Kryder Papers

        23, A Grand Review in Murfreesboro and Rosecrans' praise

Monday March 23rd: Weather rainy by spells all day. Came off picket and were ordered to prepare for Grand Review by Gen'l Rosecrans. Our Brigade received especial compliments from the General. He said that our Regt looked comfortable and that were good soldiers and that we now knew how to live and that since our Regt. would soon be filled up we must learn the new ones how to Soldier which means to stand as well as we.

Follett Diary

23-24, Confederate scouts, Unionville to Murfreesborough and Triune [see March 23, 1863, Ambush of Federals near Triune above]

        23, Anti-guerrilla scout Kentucky to south of Cumberland River, Livingston and Sparta

HDQRS. DISTRICT OF SOUTHERN CENTRAL KENTUCKY, Cave City, March 23, 1864.

Capt. A. C. SEMPLE, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.:

I have the honor to report that I have ordered Col. Weatherford, Thirteenth Kentucky Cavalry, to move a sufficient force over the river to scout through all the country south of Cumberland River to Livingston, Sparta, and to clear the country of guerrillas.

The mounted force of Fifty-second at Scottsville and part of Thirty-seventh Kentucky have been ordered to act in concert with Thirteenth Kentucky Cavalry. I have offered the scattered rebels in that country who have belonged to any regiment the privilege of coming in under the amnesty proclamation or being exchanged.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. H. HOBSON, Brig.-Gen.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 32, pt. III, pp. 132-133.

        23, Report of Federal scout regarding Forrest's position in West Tennessee

UNION CITY, March 23, 1864.

Capt. J. H. ODLIN, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.:

For fear my three dispatches of this day to the general have not been received, I repeat to you the material points of them:

First. By the arrival of a private scout I learn that Gen. Forrest, with from 6,000 or 7,000 men, was at Jackson on Monday.

Second. That on yesterday the rebels were guarding the public ferries on the Onion and destroying the private ones.

Third. That a company of 40 were at 9 a. m. at Gardener's Station, 12 miles from this place. I have since learned that Col. Bell's men last evening were 15 miles this side of Trenton, and I have asked that the place be immediately abandoned or large re-enforced.

I. R. HAWKINS, Col., Cmdg. Seventh Tennessee Cavalry.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 32, pt. III, p. 129.

        23, "We came through white Pickets-I think we will not try them again-the Negroes are ten times more lenient." Belle Edmondson's smuggling foray through Federal lines in Memphis environs

March, Wednesday 23, 1864

Tate & I went to Memphis this morning bright and early-stoped [sic] at Mrs. Apperson's first-from there to Cousin Frazor. Tate met me at Mrs. Worsham's room, we then went up street, walked until three o'clock, attended to all affaires entrusted to our care, ready to leave at half past three-all of the Yankee Cavalry moveing [sic], destination not known-could hear no particulars, think they are going after Forrest, who we think is on his way to Kentucky. The Yankees are evidently on a great fright about something. God grant they may be defeated in all their undertakings. We came through white Pickets-I think we will not try them again-the Negroes are ten times more lenient-We came by Wash Taylor's, got two hats for soldiers-came through Yankee Camp, if the Lord forgives me I will never do it again. Yankee Soldier drove our horse in Nonconnah for us-seemed to be a gentleman, for which we were very grateful-found Mr. Harbut awaiting our report. Mr. John & Henry Nelson & Mr. Harbut took Tea with us. Jim & Mr. Pugh completed the list for a nice Rebel meeting-brought a great deal through lines this eve-Yankee Pickets took our papers-

Diary of Belle Edmondson

        23, "We have just had a deep snow fourteen inches deep it came in one day and has gone in the same length of time." Captain Gershom M. Barber's letter home to his wife

Head Quarters O. V. S. S.

Chattanooga Tennessee. March 23 1864

My Dear Wife

….We have just had a deep snow fourteen inches deep it came in one day and has gone in the same length of time. The people here say this never was the likes of it before and that it would not have come now but the yanks have brought it. It almost seems good to see the ground white again and if I could have…I would have had a sleigh ride but I don't think this ever was a vehicle on remiss in Chattanooga. It was very novel. The sun shine brought and the weather warm as an April day and the snow a foot deep…. Oh would I like to be home to occupy that arm chair and sit by the warm fire…. Wouldn't you like to step into my quarters and see how I live. It is a wall tent about 10 by 12 feet square and 12 feet high in the center. Floor of brick is dry and clean brick chimney and fire place by side of the door. On the other side of the door is my saddle and horse accouterments. There my valise and trunk at the end my desk at which I am writing it is made of the boards of cracker boxes and stands on the cross legs a very novel and convenient affair and occupies at 14 inches square of room [sic]. Across it on a bar across the tent pole hangs my sword belt and haversack ready for use. On my right is my cot….When set out of doors I will have a munitions tent. And be perfectly protected from rain. My bed consists of four government blankets and I have a nice feather pillow which I bought at 25 cents….

Barber Correspondence

23, Winchester woman kills Yankee intruder

Shot by a Woman.—A Mrs. Arlege recently killed a Yankee in Winchester, Tennessee. The vandal had come to her house and demanded entrance. Her husband was a refugee in Atlanta, Ga., and in this state of dependence she summoned all her courage and refused the Yankee entrance, telling him if he entered she would kill him. Thinking he would intimidate her, he dared to force the door open, when Mrs. A., true to her threat, shot him with a gun, killing him instantly.

Daily Constitutionalist [AUGUSTA, GA], March 23, 1864.

        23, A Confederate Exile Writes about the Federal Occupation of Knoxville

East Tennessee.

From the Southern Guardian.

Mr. Editor: I am an exile from Knoxville, banished by order of Gen Poster for "persistent disloyalty," and was a witness of what occurred there during the occupation of East Tennessee by the Federals, until the 9th of February, and I ask a small space in your columns for a brief narrative of what I know to be true. I have no expectation, however, of giving an adequate conception of that "reign of Terror-no word painting can do this. Words can communicate facts and incidents, but the what words can represent the general feeling of insecurity, the universal distrust, the dark suspicion, the appalling terror, the dread expectancy, where every family keep nightly vigils, awaiting in helpless impotency the rude intrusion of midnight robbers and assassins into the sacred enclosure. I cannot now, after I have escape from it, represent it to myself; it seems more like a fearful dream than a waking reality.

The first intimation I had of the approach of the enemy was the flight of a young cavalryman of Knoxville, G. Hagen, who was riding at full speed down Gay street, with about thirty Federal cavalry in fierce pursuit.-High nobly did that boy bear himself in the chase, erect and defiant he sat on his charger and urged him to greater speed-the fire flew from every stroke of the hoof on the rocky pavement, and it blazed from thirty guns in his rear. His object was to gain and swim the Tennessee river at the foot of Gay street, but he was "headed off" and captured before he reached the river. He was lodged in jail, and the same night made his escape, and is now in Longstreet's army. This same boy, in company with five others, returned after the battle of Chickamauga, and by themselves captured fifteen wagons and destroyed from ten miles below Knoxville, and remained ten days in the vicinity, a terror to all Yankees. This boy was the son of a most violent Union man. All the young men of East Tennessee, of noble instincts, are like this boy. It is the old precedent in men who look fore and aft, who are wedded to the old, the familiar, the tried, who dread the unknown, the novel, the untitled, in Tennessee, as everywhere else, who cling to the Federal Government. I reserve the young ladies of East Tennessee for a future chapter,[1] and I intend to make it a conspicuous chapter.

The next day, after the occupation of Knoxville, arrests began to be made. In one week all the jails were filled. From every dark place of concealment in the city, where he had been hid, while the Confederates were in the ascendancy, escaped forth the sycophant, the informer. Men who had, under the guise of zeal for the Confederacy, obtained contracts and made fortunes, men threw off the mask and flood forth the shameless accusers of their brethren.  All faith was extinguished, all men were filled with distrust, the bonds of society were broken, no one felt secure from the smothered whisper of the veiled accuser. The private grudges, the old animosities, the secret envy and malignant hate of years are summoned up for a terrible retribution. There are some men whom we can always confide in, they whom danger, calamity, threats of tyrants confounding wrong, only press closer to our side, but alas I knew few. When friendship is to be maintained at the expense of jeopardy to property, to reputation, to life, then we are furnished with the test and measure of its strength. I saw many in Knoxville tried in the furnace and they came out of the fire unscathed, and I thank God, my faith in my kind is established. But the wretched driveling money makers in Knoxville, I found unfaithful to friend, to country, and to God. This is a lesson for those who will learn. I know no one in Knoxville who has made a fortune during this war who has not, to save that fortune, become a Judas. We cannot serve God or country and Mammon.

TENNESSEE MAN.

Memphis Daily Appeal, March 23, 1864[2]

        23, Hostage release conundrum

HDQRS. POST OF MURFREESBOROUGH, Mufreesborough, Tenn., March 23, 1865.

Brig. Gen. W. D. WHIPPLE, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Chief of Staff, Dept. of the Cumberland:

GEN.: The four citizens held by me as hostages for the safe return of two Union citizens (Follen and Smith) carried off by Hood's army have applied for their release, Mr. Follen having made his escape from the rebels and returned home, and Mr. Smith having died. Mr. Follen has reported to me since his return, and the accompanying copy of a letter to Mr. Smith's friends certifies his death. In application of this application for the release of these hostages I mentioned the case to the general commanding when at Nashville two weeks since. He was not disposed to release them, but calculated to hold them for Union citizens still in the hands of the rebels. These facts I mentioned to the friends of the hostages, but at their earnest solicitation forward their verbal application to be set at liberty.[3]

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. P. VAN CLEVE, Brig.-Gen., Cmdg. Post.

OR, Ser. II, Vol. 8, p. 425.

        23, Hostage release conundrum

HDQRS. POST OF MURFREESBOROUGH, Mufreesborough, Tenn., March 23, 1865.

Brig. Gen. W. D. WHIPPLE, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Chief of Staff, Dept. of the Cumberland:

GEN.: The four citizens held by me as hostages for the safe return of two Union citizens (Follen and Smith) carried off by Hood's army have applied for their release, Mr. Follen having made his escape from the rebels and returned home, and Mr. Smith having died. Mr. Follen has reported to me since his return, and the accompanying copy of a letter to Mr. Smith's friends certifies his death. In application of this application for the release of these hostages I mentioned the case to the general commanding when at Nashville two weeks since. He was not disposed to release them, but calculated to hold them for Union citizens still in the hands of the rebels. These facts I mentioned to the friends of the hostages, but at their earnest solicitation forward their verbal application to be set at liberty.[4]

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. P. VAN CLEVE, Brig.-Gen., Cmdg. Post.

OR, Ser. II, Vol. 8, p. 425.

 



[1] Not found.

[2] As cited in PQCW.

[3] The outcome of this matter is not recorded in the OR.

[4] The outcome of this matter is not recorded in the OR.

 

James B. Jones, Jr.

Public Historian

Tennessee Historical Commission

2941 Lebanon Road

Nashville, TN  37214

(615)-770-1090 ext. 115

(615)-532-1549  FAX

 

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