HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!
17, 1861 - Memphis alderman investigated on moral's charge
Alderman O'Mahoney.—Council met on Friday night to investigate charges of immorality preferred against Alderman O'Mahoney, of the first ward. The nature of the charges have been stated in our report of the recorder's court, as consisting of improper intimacy with a negro woman. Alderman O'Mahoney appeared in military uniform and pronounced the charges false. The Board appointed aldermen Fraser, Kirby and Crews a committee to examine witnesses, aided by the city attorney, and to report to the Board as early as possible.
Memphis Daily Appeal, March 17, 1861
17, Plunder of public property by Federal soldiers at Fort Donelson
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Saint Louis, March 17, 1862.
Maj. Gen. U. S. GRANT, Fort Henry:
I inclose you a letter and a slip from a newspaper as a sample of what I am almost daily receiving in relation to the general plunder of public property which it is alleged took place at Fort Donelson. Representations of these robberies by our soldiers and the general neglect of the officers were made to Washington, and I have been called on time and again to have the officer and men arrested and punished. Of course I would act only through you, and as you had full power to order courts, I deemed it your duty to bring these plunderers to justice. Officers of companies, regiments, brigades, and divisions should be held strictly accountable for the conduct of their men, and where they fail to prevent such misconduct they should be arrested and tried for neglect of duty.
In justice to myself as well as to you I inclose herewith copies of a letter received from the Adjutant-Gen. in relation to the matter and of my answer.
I have been directed hereafter, when any plunder of this kind occurs, to arrest every officer in command of the troops engaged in it.
H. W. HALLECK, Maj.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 10, p. 42.
17, Skirmishing at and surrender of Columbia to Federal forces
The pickets of the enemy and our own pickets shot at each other across Duck River at Columbia for about two hours some 100 shots the bridges being burned down and the river verry [sic] high they could not get near enough to do much harm to each other. All our cavalry left this morning for Decatur. Col. Biffle & Col. Scott's cavalry, Scott is from Louisiana.
The Mair [sic] & Aldermen sent a flag of truce to the enemy…acknowledging the surrender of the town to the enemy[.] [I]t was all the citizens could do to keep the yankeys [sic] from shelling the town in consequence of shooting at them.
Diary of Nimrod Porter, March 17, 1862.
17, General Orders, Nos. 6 and 9 condemning acts of pillage, plunder and destruction by the Army of Tennessee
GEN. ORDERS, No. 6. HDQRS. ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Jackson, Tenn., March 17, 1862.
The following general orders from the headquarters of Maj.-Gen. Bragg are approved by the general commanding this army, who profoundly regrets their necessity. They are adopted for this entire command, and will be enforced in all respects for the credit and honor of our several States and our cause:
GEN. ORDERS, No. 9. HDQRS. SECOND GRAND DIV., ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Bethel, Tenn., March 16, 1862.
With a degree of mortification and humiliation he has never before felt, the major-general commanding has to denounce acts of pillage, plunder, and destruction of the private property of our own citizens by a portion of the troops of this command, which bring disgrace upon our arms, and, if not checked, will assuredly entail disaster upon our cause. Men capable of such acts may swell our numbers, but will never add strength to our armies. They would do less harm by serving in the ranks of the enemy; and, if not prepared to abandon the vicious habits they have unfortunately contracted, had better lay down their arms and retire. Gallant men, not thus demoralized, stand ready to use them, and will do so with that firm reliance on an overruling Providence which a consciousness of right can alone give. The first step toward achieving success is to deserve it. Commanders of all grades will be held responsible for the suppression of this great crime.
Full compensation will in all instances be made from the pay of the offenders, and where this fails in its object, summary punishment will be inflicted. The general will not hesitate to order the death penalty where it may be necessary, and will approve its execution by subordinates where milder measures fail.
By command of Maj.-Gen. Bragg:
* * * *
By command of Gen. Beauregard:
* * * *
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 10, pt. II, p. 338.
17, Parson Brownlow addresses Unionist throng in Nashville
PARSON BROWNLOW IN NASHVILLE
Speech of Parson Brownlow, delivered in front of the St. Cloud Hotel, Nashville, on the evening of the 17th:-
GENTLEMEN:-I am in a sad plight to say much of interest-too thoroughly incapacitated to do justice to you or myself. My throat has been discarded for the past three years, and I have been compelled to almost abandon public speaking. Last December I was thrust into an uncomfortable and disagreeable jail-for what? Treason!
Treason to the bogus confederacy; and the proofs of that treason ware articles which appeared in the Knoxville Whig in May last, when the State of Tennessee was a member of the imperishable Union. At the expiration of four weeks I became a victim of the typhoid fever, and was removed to a room in decent dwelling and a guard of seven men kept me company. I subsequently became so weak that I could not turn over in my bed, and the guard was increased to twelve men, for fear I should suddenly cover and run away to Kentucky. Becoming convalescent, in a measure, I was removed to my former place of confinement. One day I was visited by some Confederate officers, who remarked, "Brownlow, you should not be here. Take the oath of allegiance to the Confederate Government, which will not only entitle you to a speedy release, but insure your protection." Sir," said I, "before I would take the oath to support such a hell-forsaken institution, I would suffer myself to rot or die with old age."
Why, my friends, these demagogues actually boast that the Lord is upon their side, and declare that God Almighty is assisting them in the furtherance of their nefarious project. In Knoxville and surrounding localities, a short time since, daily prayer meeting were held, wherein the Almighty was beseeched to raise Lincoln's blockade, and to hurl destruction against the Burnside Expedition. Their prayers were partly answered-the blockade at Roanoke Island was most effectually raised; a reciprocal of their sacrilege divinely tendered.
Gentlemen, I am no Abolitionist-I applauded no sectional doctrines-I am a Southern man, and all my relatives and interests are thoroughly identified with the South and Southern institutions. I was born in the Old Dominion, my parents were born in Virginia, and they and their antecedents were all slaveholders. Let me assure you that the South has suffered no infringement upon her institutions; the slavery question was actually no pretext for this unholy, unrighteous conflict. Twelve Senators from the Cotton States, who had sworn to preserve inviolate the Constitution framed by our forefathers, plotted treason at night-a fit time for such a crime-and telegraphed to their States, who had sworn to preserve inviolate the Constitution framed by our forefathers, plotted treason at night-a fit time for such a crime-and telegraphed to their States dispatches advising them to pass Ordinance of Seccession. Yes, gentlemen, twelve Senators swore allegiance in the daytime, and unswore it at night. A short time since I was called upon by a little Jew, who I believe, is the Secretary of War of the bogus Confederacy. He threatened to hang me, and I expected no more mercy from him than was shown by his illustrious predecessors towards Jesus Christ.
I entered into a long correspondence with this specimen of expiring humanity, but from mercy or forgetfulness, on their part, I was permitted to depart with all my documents in my little valise, which I hope to publish at no distant day. Gentlemen, when I started on my perilous journey I was sore-distressed in mind, and exceedingly so in body. But the moment my eyes encountered the pickets of the Federal army my depression decreased, and returning health seemed suddenly to invigorate my physical constitution.
Gentlemen, Secession is played out-the dog (remainder of article not extant)…..
Atlanta Democrat, March 29, 1862.
17, A visit by a military poet
...in the afternoon I was a good deal bored by a long visit from a "Morgan man" who pretended to be "literarious," [sic] and repeated to me stanza after stanza of his "pieces." His name was Daniel. I heard the children come home from school and felt so worried that I was obliged to remain in the parlor and could not go out and meet them. When at last the man took his leave, I came out and found Mollie and the children at dinner--.
War Journal of Lucy Virginia French, entry for March 17, 1863.
17, Federal foraging east of the Harpeth River [see March 17, 1863, Confederate scout in Murfreesborough and Versailles environs below]
17, Confederate scout in Murfreesborough and Versailles environs
CHAPEL HILL, March 18, 1863--5 p. m.
Gen. POLK, Shelbyville, Tenn.:
GEN.: So far have heard nothing from the party who left last night. Their instructions were to procure guides whenever they could, and to ascertain the whereabouts and movements of the enemy about Murfreesborough; to report everything deemed important as soon as ascertained.
I learn to-day that some Federals are on this side of Harpeth River, about 3 miles below College Grove, foraging, but have not learned their strength or position. Citizens say they were foraging for camps at Triune. Will endeavor to learn more about them.
Very respectfully,
P. D. RODDEY, Col.
CHAPEL HILL, March 18, 1863--11.30 p. m.
Gen. POLK, Shelbyville, Tenn.:
GEN.: No news from my scouts toward Versailles and Murfreesborough. Col. [J.] Patterson, with four companies from his regiment, and Maj. Johnson, with five companies from mine, have [sic] gone to College Grove to-night to support a party sent out by Gen. Wharton. Will send another courier if any news from the front comes in.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. D. RODDEY, Colonel.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 23, pt. II, pp. 707-708.
17, Confederate scout from Unionville to College Grove
No circumstantial reports filed.
17, Running skirmish between Nashville and Carthage along Cumberland River between U. S. N. convoy and guerrillas
NASHVILLE, March 23, 1863.
Gen. JAMES A. GARFIELD, Chief of Staff:
Tuesday, 17th, gunboat Orient left Nashville for Carthage. She went as convoy to the steamers Commerce, Lizzie Martin, and Cottage. The steamers took 320 tons or 250,000 rations for the command at Carthage. They skirmished with guerrillas for 20 miles, but sustained no damage. All the boats have returned to Nashville this morning.
J. D. STUBBS, Capt. and Quartermaster.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 23, pt. II, p. 162.
17, Army orders improvements to public sanitation in Nashville
The approach of warm weather makes it imperatively [sic] necessary that a strict attention should be paid to the cleansing of streets, lanes and alleys in this city as the city authorities have not force enough to have this cleaning thoroughly done, it is hereby ordered:
That all owners and occupants of buildings, all owners and agents for owners of empty lots, and all officers or employees of the United States, occupying buildings as offices, store-houses, hospitals, barracks...have the streets, lanes, and alleys and backyards fronting or adjoining their respective houses or lots, thoroughly cleansed within three days....
Persons who are not able themselves or by hire to furnish wagons as to have rubbish or dirt...removed will be furnished on application with transportation by the Quartermaster's Department.
Any owner or agent for owners of any house or lot failing to comply...will be severely punished.
Nashville Daily Union, March 18, 1863.
17, Conditions in Middle Tennessee, excerpts from a letter to Mrs. U. G. Owen
Shelbyville Tenn March 17th 1863 [sic]
Mrs. Dr. U. G. Owen
* * * *
I am going to send a furlough today to Gen'l Bragg to get him to approve it for me to leave for thirty days until I recruit my health. And if he does not grant it I will be sent to the Officers Hospital [sic] at Rome Goergia [sic] ... I hope Gen'l Bragg will give me a furlough then I can go where I please if I could get away from camp where I could get something to eat I would get hearty soon, but I will die unless [there is] some change for the next few months.
* * * *
Your Pa brought Silvy [a horse] with him & sold her to a man living [in] East Tenn for $1600....Tobe Sledge deserted & saw men hunting him coming in both ends of a lane & no chance to run drew his knife & cut his throat but failed to kill & is now lying at home & will probably get over it. Yankees took all my medicine took Father's clothes Mother's clothes Negroes clothes took Sam Gus & Charles. Jack & Abe are at Fagans [sic] trying to make a little something to eat.[1] Your Uncle Baker hasn't a horse on his place. Y[ankee]s took everything Aunt Matilda Owen had corn, meal, flour, pots, ovens, Skillets, Sifter, & broke her up entirely & took her son John off to prison. After taking Mother's corn [they] cut the cribs down. They break open all the locks search drawers, closets, bureaus, wardrobes. Chesley William's wife tried to keep them out of her smoke house, [but] they knocked her down choked her & nearly put her hip joint out of place. She is confined sick now from the effects. Old Andy Ralston's wife knocked sick two of them down with a cedar poll [sic]. Sister Martha has another baby three weeks old & is very low now. Bob says that Mother thinks she will die. Capt. Bill Rucker was killd [sic] dead at the Skirmish below Nashville not long since his body was brought home....
Y[ankee's] ransacked Bil [sic] Demumber's house & took Sam off. Your Pa is going to take Frank, Lewis, Mike, John, Seal[2] to East Tenn & hire them out. he [sic] an [sic] Bill & arch will make a little corn, potatoes & your Ma & Mary will cook & wash & make a regular poor man's life of it how would you like to be there. The whole family are awfully troubled, they expect the house will be burned....Yankees burned down Chesly Williams & Floyd storehouse last Saturday. Some other houses caught from them & burned down also.
I haven't had any more cases of Small-pox [sic]. I had one case only & that about three weeks ago. It is not spreading at all here. All the mills in the country are burned. Mother has an awful time & half the time has nothing at all to eat. Your Uncle Baker has come to Duck River to get a little meal & not a horse. Your Pa has our young mare at his house. I told you that the Y[ankee]s took her off.
I will get an answer from my furlough [request] in 10 or 12 days....I intend going to the Hospital if I don't [get] the furlough & probably I can get it from the Hospital....You will think this is a long letter for a sick man to write, but I have had to stop & lydown [sic] several times since I commenced it. What must I do if I get my furlough approved [?]....
* * * *
If I don't get my furlough I will go to the Hospital and if I get permission from the Surgeon to go to some house in the country I will write for you to come to me. And even if I get my furlough I expect to go to you and both of us take a trip to Georgia, Ala, or where you want to go....
Dr. .U. G. Owen
Dr. U. G. Owen to Laura, March 17, 1863.
17, Continued difficulties procuring meat and arms for the Army of Tennessee
CHATTANOOGA, March 17, 1863.
Gen. S. COOPER:
The following dispatch has just been received from Gen. Bragg:
We require 400,000 rations of meat to subsist this army up to the 31st of March, besides the 190,000 pounds already sent by Maj. Cumming. He declines sending any more, unless the Secretary of War, gives the order. The meat must be sent, or we cannot subsist this army. Gen. Johnston ordered Maj. Cumming up here. He has not come up, nor has he furnished us any supplies since he took charge of subsisting this army.
BRAXTON BRAGG.
I hope that orders may be given in the case. Maj. Cumming did not obey the commanding general's order to collect supplies in Tennessee for Gen. Bragg, but sent a substitute.
J. E. JOHNSTON.
CHATTANOOGA, March 17, 1863.
Col. J. GORGAS, Chief of Ordnance, Richmond:
The 5,000 arms which you informed me you had ordered to Gen. Bragg have not been received. The ordnance officer here reports the receipt of only 1,450. I am informed that the State of Virginia has 10,000 muskets at Lynchburg. Can you not borrow them? Send 1,600 to Gen. [James] Cantey, at Pollard, Ala., and supply Gen. Bragg's army from the rest.
J. E. JOHNSTON, Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 23, pt. II, p. 702.
17, Confederate scouts in Middle Tennessee
HDQRS. WHARTON'S BRIGADE,[3] Dr. Frazier's, March 17, 1863--12 m.
Maj. THOMAS M. JACK, Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Shelbyville:
MAJ.: The enemy have retired since yesterday morning from the Salem pike, so that there is no force on that road 2 miles south of Murfreesborough. My scouts report large bodies of the enemy (no definite number), supposed to be 10,000, gone in the direction of Triune. Union citizens are leaving the country above Middleton and Versailles, going to Nashville. I have scouts near Murfreesborough, from whom I will get reports before night, I hope. A wagon train from near Salem went on last evening toward Nashville, by dirt road.
The above information is from Col. [J. S.] Prather's command.
Very respectfully,
WILL. T. MARTIN, Brig.-Gen.
CHAPEL HILL, March 17, 1863--9 p. m.
Lieut. Gen. LEONIDAS POLK, Shelbyville, Tenn.:
GEN.: Yours, directing great vigilance and activity, is at hand this moment. A messenger from my scouts near Versailles says the pickets on the Triune and Eagleville pike fell back from the position they held yesterday. My scouts are bold, energetic men, and have been scouting with me for sixteen months, and I know them to be reliable in everything. They come in thoroughly disgusted with the guides furnished them. They represent that they are led by backways and by-roads, such as are never traveled by the enemy, and they think the guides seek only for safe places, &c. You will at once perceive the difficulty under which we labor. I have represented all this to Gen.'s Van Dorn, Wheeler, and Hagan; still, no efficient guides come. I shall use every means in my power, with the greatest industry, to keep you posted in regard to the movements of the enemy.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. D. RODDEY, Col.
HDQRS. WHARTON'S CAVALRY, Unionville, March 17, 1863--9 a. m.
Lieut. Gen. LEONIDAS POLK, Cmdg., &c.:
GEN.: I am just in receipt of the accompanying dispatch from Col. Prather. I will be able to ascertain the truth of the report to-day. All quiet. No enemy at Eagleville.
Respectfully, general, your obedient servant,
JNO. A. WHARTON, Brig.-Gen.
[Inclosure.]
MIDDLETON, TENN., March 16, 1863.
Gen. WHARTON, Cmdg. at Unionville:
GEN.: My scout has just returned, and reports that the enemy have evacuated Salem. The citizens also report that the enemy are leaving Murfreesborough. The enemy's wagon train took the Nashville road from Salem, and the infantry took the pike from Murfreesborough. I have another scout out, with instructions to follow up the enemy and get all possible information in regard to their movements. I will communicate with you as soon as I can hear from my scout.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN S. PRATHER, Lieut.-Col., Cmdg. Post.
HDQRS. POLK'S CORPS, ARMY OF TENNESSEE, Shelbyville, Tenn., March 17, 1863.
Brig.-Gen. WHARTON:
GEN.: Information has reached the lieutenant-general commanding indicating a movement of the enemy from Murfreesborough, on the Nashville pike. He desires to ascertain the truth of the matter, and instructs me to request you to send out strong scouting parties in that direction, charged with the duty of watching this movement and reporting the facts.
I am, general, respectfully, your obedient servant,
THOMAS M. JACK, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
HDQRS. WHARTON'S CAVALRY, March 17, 1863.
Maj. THOMAS M. JACK, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.:
MAJ.: Your dispatch received. I had previously sent out a scouting party to ascertain the truth of the reported movement of the enemy. Shall continue to send out scouts until the truth is ascertained, and will report promptly any information received.
Most respectfully, major, your obedient servant,
JNO. A. WHARTON, Brig.-Gen. of Cavalry.
UNIONVILLE, March 17, 1863--8 p. m.
Lieut. Gen. LEONIDAS POLK, Cmdg. at Shelbyville:
GEN.: A scout has just returned from College Grove. They report the bridge over Harpeth, near that place, as almost completed; that the enemy have desisted from work on it, saying that it will be finished when they desire to use it. They are yet camped at the junction of this and the College Grove pike.
I am as yet unable to give you certain intelligence as to whether the enemy are retiring from Murfreesborough. Exertions are being made to ascertain this to a certainty, and during the morrow you will be advised. I send you a late paper with a speech in it from Brady, of New York, a quondam friend of ours. I believe we will have to win our independence by our own valor and patient endurance, without aid from foreign powers or domestic broils among our enemies. Any late papers will be most acceptable.
Most respectfully, general, your obedient servant,
JNO. A. WHARTON, Brig.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 23, pt. II, pp. 703-705.
17, Confederate guerrillas capture the Grampus No. 2 at mouth of Wolf River, at Island Little Chicken
Newspaper clippings enclosed in statement of J. E. Cheek, of Mound City, dated Memphis, March 19, 1863.
The Grampus No. 2 arrived here a day or two ago with 3,500 bushels of coal in tow. She lay a little above the mouth of Wolf River at the Island Little Chicken, within 50 yards of the Tennessee shore. At about 12 o'clock last night, all hands being in bed but the watch, some men suddenly sprang on board from the bank. The watch was seized and a pistol put to his head, and one by one the various parties on deck were made to leave their berths; a guard with a revolver in hand was set over each one of them, and any shouting or signaling to boats that lay not very far off was prevented.
The engineers were compelled to get up steam and the pilot to take the boat with 3,500 bushels of coal, but leaving the barges behind, to the regular ferry landing at Mound City, 5 miles above our landing. Here the commander of the boat, Captain Thomas Chester, was robbed of nearly a thousand dollars, greenbacks, which he had upon his person, and a very valuable gold watch. They stripped the boat of its furniture, bedding, lanterns, crockery ware, and dishes, and all the things lying about that they wanted. These were hauled away by the aid of a wagon and six horses to where the men said they had a camp some distance back. When the work of plunder was completed the Grampus was set on fire and cut loose. She floated to the foot of the island that is opposite Mound City, where she and her coal are burning at the moment we are writing.
The party making the capture consisted of 13 men; they said they had 15 or 20 more within a short distance. They said they were the people who took the Musselman and burned her on Friday last, and that they should have more yet; and they told the Grampus people to tell General Hurlbut when they got back to have his bed big enough, for he would find one of them sleeping with him some night.
He also stated that they had four rams coming, and when they arrived they should have possession of the river at that point.
They stated that some of them had been all over Memphis during the day, and they had been near the Grampus and found out how she lay.
The following names were among those heard or known by parties taken from the Grampus: Colonel Williamson, Jim McGehee, Lieutenant Barton, M. R. Cheek, jr., and ---- Green. Some of these names will be remembered as having been written on passes given to persons on the Musselman when she was taken.
The persons taken from the Grampus were not unkindly used. They were told that if they chose they might go into an empty house above the landing, build a fire there, and remain until morning. This was no doubt the house Captain Cheek, of the ferryboat, used to keep as a tavern. The Grampus people were paroled; they walked down the shore and were brought across to this side, where they are detained on one of the gunboats for examination. Among the spoils taken from the Grampus the captors seemed to be more pleased to receive her bell, which was a valuable one. It was understood that all the captors were residents of the neighboring portion of Arkansas. Colonel Williamson and Captain McGehee had a sort of uniform on.
This bold act of making off with a boat just above the city landing, within sight of the city and within gunshot of the gunboats, is one that will awaken at least surprise, and, we presume, can not pass without chastisement.
Navy OR, Ser. I, Vol. 24, pp. 136-137.
17, John Hunt Morgan entertains Lucy Virginia French with war stories
On the evening of Tuesday 17th March when we had the "Morgan supper" – I had Gen. M. account to me some of his achievements. I like the Gen. very much – his eyes are small but full of expression and his smile is very genial and winning. It comes over his face like the laugh over a child's countenance. Having in it an innocence of humor which is very beautiful to me. Standing across the room the Gen. looks much younger than when you come close up to him in conversation – then you note the short deep lines about his eyes and mouth. He is tall – and his figure full – broad-chested, dark hair, rather short, wavy and rather thin – dark beard and mustache [sic] both worn short- full, broad, high forehead – nose small and not remarkable – mouth very good I though some of his teeth artificial. Hands small while – for a man, and soldier. I do not remember much of his account of the Hartsville fight, owing to my knowing so little of the locality – I could not get a clear idea of how he managed his men. He said, however, that he was misinformed at the outset having learned there were 900 Federals at Hartsville he determined to take them. "The whole of the affair" said he "was a series of fortunate accidents….I was informed they were 2500,-I assure you [that I thought] them 5000 – they looked immense to me. Bud I did not dare fail then – in a few days I was to be married you know – and besides I had to take them or they take us. I was obliged to fight and to do it quickly too for a large Federal force were within a few miles of Hartsville. I attacked them – we fought desperately for (I think 4 hours)-when up went the white flags of the enemy! I hurried the prisoners together so as to make good our retreat across the river where the re-inforcements should come up – we had no time to care for our killed and wounded – but the ladies came flying out of Hartsville wanting to know of me where our wounded were-I pointed them out to them recommending them to their care, and then I could rest easy concerning them – I knew that they would be well cared for. I had just got me men, prisoners, and the beautiful Parrott guns we had taken over the river and was sitting there on my horse with my staff around me – when a shell cut the limb of a tree just above me. The enemy were on our track and we had just escaped him. – As soon as the battle was decided I threw my leg over the saddle and tearing a leaf from a tote-book wrote a note to Mattie[4]-sending it off in haste by a courier. The next Sunday evening we were married. At one time during the fight there was a great explosion quite near me as I stood by my little mountain howitzer batter – I saw a friend fall dead by one of the guns. It was the explosion of one of the caissons – from the enemy's shell.["] The Gen. when he becomes excited in a narration – talks fast and as if was brim-ful [sic] of the subject – catching his breath a little at intervals. He seemed very modest withal – claiming only credit for his men. He seems frank too – at one time mentioning that his mother had gone to Louisville one to receive his body – "she had heard I was killed" said he "was the time I was whipped down here at Lebanon."[5] – At Gallatin he said Col. Boone told him afterwards that they were just dressing and remarked to his wife that "this was about the hour Morgan usually made his appearance," in a few moments there was the reply. I told him I understood that Mrs. Boone exclaimed on hearing that-"I surrender and so does the Col!" at which he laughed heartily saying he did not heard that. "does it not seem strange Mrs. French" he went on, "when I tell you that on the next morning at Hartsville I felt that I must go to Gallatin? I knew nothing of what was going on there – but I had a strange and strong presentiment that I ought too. I had no known business there – but gathering a portion of my men I mounted my horse and set forward. It was [a] grey morning when we reached the place – Instantly we were surrounded by the whole lady population – crying, sobbing, entreating us to have their friends – beautiful girls with disheveled hair – in their night-robes, with bare feet upon the damp streets – just as they rushed from their homes – wives, weeping, mothers beseeching us to save their boys – ho! Madame it was heart-breading. I do not believe there was a dry eye in my whole-command [sic]. It seems that after we left Gallatin a party of Federals came up from Nashville and took every male in the place – intending to march them to Nashville to prison. They treated the citizens shamefully – carrying off everything they could, tearing the earrings from the ladies, the rings from their hands – the breast pins from their bosoms. The men old and young were marched off down the R.R., at the entrance of a bridge two of my young men had been murdered – I called my men up to me – pointed them to the blood and told them whose it was. 'We take no prisoners today' was their reply, and we dashed forward. The first Yankees I came up to had an old man nearly exhausted – driving him forward at the point of a the bayonet – he was perhaps 80 years of age – I think that was the only time in my life that I felt all humanity leave my heart –"He here described how the Yankee ran down an embankment, and he forced his horse his horse as it were, and shot him though he begged for life.)![sic] Then he described their following on – relieving men and killing Yankees as they went until they came up with the last – 300-near Nashville – and these they took prisoners. There were so many of them said he that when they threw down their arms we couldn't shoot them all. Then he described their evening entrance into Gallatin – such a contrast as it was with the morning – ladies coming up with bouquets and refreshments – ladies in carriages come after their friends the prisoners – it was a perfect oration, joyful – overwhelming. Certainly this was a stirring day for John Morgan and his men! He got into Gallatin and perfectly exhausted threw himself down somewhere to sleep. Scarce an hour passed as he thought when he heard a dash of cavalry and started up – he knew something was wrong. The news came – Johnson was upon him – (Johnson went from here to Gallatin.) They had a skirmish with the vanguard – Morgan drove them back – as he thought to the main body. He was then about retiring himself, "when said he (to show you Mrs. French what little things change the fate of a battle) – I saw at some distance in the road before me the form of a female. Immediately I said – if the enemy were advancing upon us that lady would not be there in the road, I will ride forward and see what it means. Leaving command with two men to follow me at a given signal I rode to the lady. It proved to be an acquaintance – Miss Allen, she was attentively regarding the body of a Federal officer who laid by the road side, Lt. Col. Wynkoop. She stated that the Federals were in full retreat and we put on after them. Coming in sight they sent in a flag of truce to bury their dead and recover their wounded. I sent them word that our engagement was not yet terminated – that they had to fight for the privilege. And we did fight for some hours,-the result you know." (I remembered how badly whipped Johnson acknowledge himself to be in his official report last summer. How he laid the blame on his men, asserting that they "behaved shamefully, " etc. He begged Col. Duke not to carry him through Hartsville a prisoner – and Duke magnanimously granted his request. I wouldn't have done it – after all the indignities he (Johnson) had heaped upon the citizens of that place. Magenis told out here one day a good story of Gen. Morgan's presence of mine. Down somewhere between Murfreesboro and Nashville somewhere (I think it was,) he got beyond the enemy's pickets – they were between him and his own camp and saw him ere he was aware. There was a little house near- he rode up and asked for a drink of water. Morgan had on a Federal uniform – the man of the house brought him a drink, The Gen. remarked that it was very bad water – and looking the man in the eye [said] sternly [:]"Tell me instantly the name of one of those men yonder in picket." The man said one's name was Burns[.] "Well,' said Morgan, "they are not doing their duty there" and dashing forward he called out "Burns you scoundrel what do you jean by doing duty in this way?" (Burns started up on the instant.) "Where is the commanding officer of this guard" cried Morgan, the officer appearing he continued, "You are under arrest sir – stack the arms!" Arms being stacked he formed the men in line of march, then said "Hand me those guns" taking them before him on his horse – he then marched them to his camp! On version I heard of the story says that the men thinking of course he was a federal officer informed him he was marching them in wrong direction to find their camp to which he replied that he was John Morgan and knew very well where he ought to carry them!....
War Journal of Lucy Virginia French, entry for March 22, 1863.
17, Nashville newsboys become nuisances
Recorder's Court.
…Four newsboys were brought up for fighting. One of them was fined $5 and costs, another $1 and costs, and the other two discharged. These newsboys are acquiring some very bad habits, of which they must be broken, or the city will be flooded with a growing generation of candidates for the Penitentiary. Many of the smallest of them use language perfectly shocking to persons not by any means sensitive on the subject, and one-half of the fights among them originate in the calling of each other improper names. You must correct your manners and habits, boys, or the police will be compelled to call you to account.
Nashville Dispatch, March 17, 1863.
17, Smugglers, harboring guerrillas and female soldiers in Nashville
Army Police Proceedings.
Before the Chief of Army Police, Nashville, March 16, 1863. James Whiteman and Cook Cantrell were arrested under a charge of smuggling and harboring guerrillas. A large quantity of goods were seized upon the premises of Whiteman, some eight miles from the city, near the White's Creek road. The goods consist of about five thousand yards of calicoes and other "domestics," and eight boxes of "cotton cards," and are of about three thousand dollars in value. They were found in the "loft" of a negro's house about a mile from "Whiteman's Mills." It does not fully appear whether the goods were owned by said James Whiteman or by one of his brothers now in the rebel service, but it is clearly evident that it was intended to take them South. Whiteman admitted that he had the goods placed in the "loft" in the night. He was committed to jail until the case can be fully investigated. The charges against Cook Cantrell were not sustained and he was discharged upon taking the oath of allegiance….
Lizzie Bishop and Sallie Mosely, being dressed in soldiers' clothes, were arrested on the train at Lavergne on Saturday and sent back to this city. They stated that they were induced to dress as soldiers and go aboard the train by John Kittle and Alex. ________, of company I of the 60th regiment of Illinois volunteers. Sent them to their homes.
Another female, dressed as a soldier, was arrested on the train from Murfreesboro'. She was required to go North.
Nashville Dispatch, March 17, 1863.
17, Private Fergusson floats petition to remove company B's lieutenant
Tusday [sic] 17th
Still warm and pleasant the imployment of the morning was to get up a petition of demonsterance [sic] to over throw our first Lieutenant from the puseation [sic] he now holds for getting drunk & disgracing himself and the company in presence of the hole [sic] regt while on dress puraid [sic] the petition was signed by nearly all of the company and by every squad connected with our company at 3 oc P.M. it was handed in to the coonel. At 3 oc P.M. we had commissioned drill then Battalion & dress puraid in the evening at ½ past 4.
John Hill Fergusson Diary, Book 3.
17, Report on the 20th Tennessee's wedding dress flag
A Flag for a Tennessee Regiment.
From the Jackson (Miss.) Crisis.
The Chattanooga Rebel mentions the fact that the wife of General John C. Breckinridge has had prepared a magnificent stand of colors, constructed from the silk of the wedding dress worn by herself upon the day of her marriage, to be presented, through her husband, to the most gallant and brave regiment in his division. The Rebel understands that this appropriate and valued present had been bestowed upon the 20th Tennessee regiment, commanded by Colonel Tom. Smith, and well known as the famous "Battle's regiment," that did such gallant service in the disastrous battle of Fishing Creek.
Nashville Dispatch, March 17, 1863.
17, Report on the lynching of Methodist parson Cavendar in Van Buren county by Confederate soldiers ca. May 17, 1861
A Tennessee Hero.
There are many names in Tennessee, and particularly in the eastern portion of that State, which the loyal people will not willingly let die. They will be read and thought of in the far future as the present generation look back at the demi-gods of the Revolution. A letter from Cincinnati, of recent date, gives some account of one of those noble-hearted Tennesseans, and, as the story came from the lips of a dying man, it is probably truthful. The writer states that among the Rebel prisoners at Camp Dennison, Ohio, was one named Neil, who, when asked how he came to be a Rebel, stated that the Secessionists scared him into it.
He had been a postmaster in Van Buren county, Tennessee, and a Union man. The Rebels held three elections in that county, but got hardly a solitary vote in Neil's precinct. Enraged at this, they imported a force of soldiers and began to lynch unarmed Unionists. This style of procedure made some converts, but it was withstood. Among the victims Neil spoke of-and, as he knew that he was dying, he reminded his hearers of his obligation to speak the simple duty-was the martyr patriot whose history he thus recited:
"There was in Van Buren county an old Methodist preacher of a great deal of ability, named Cavender. He was from the first a most determined Union man, and his influence in the county was great, they determined to make an example of him and get him out of the way. So they took him out of his house, put a rope around his neck, and, setting him upon a horse, led him into a forest. They then told him that unless he would publicly renounce his Unionism they would hang him. Cavendar replied:-'God gave my breath to bear witness to His truth, and when I must turn it to the work of lies and crime, it is well enough to yield it up to Him who gave it.'
They than asked him if he had any parting request. He said 'he had no hope that they would attend to anything he might ask.' They said they would. He then requested that they would take h is body to his daughter with the request that she would lay it beside the remains of his wife. They then said, 'It's time to go to your prayers.' He replied, 'I'm not one of the sort who has to wait until a rope is round his neck to pray.' Then they said, 'Come, old man, no nonsense; if you don't swear to stand by the Confederacy, you will have to hang,' at the same time tying the rope to a branch.
The old man said, 'Hang away.' One then gave a blow with a will to the horse upon which Cavender sat; the horse sprang forward, and the faithful servant of God and his country passed into eternity. Well, they tore the flesh off his bones and threw it to the hogs; his heart was cut out and lay in a public place till it rotted. Can it be wondered if few are strong enough to resist their only legitimate arguments for Rebellion."
Philadelphia Inquirer, March 17, 1863.
17, Newspaper report on the Sanitary Commission in Jackson and Bolivar, checking Van Dorn, Sullivan's expedition, destruction of flat boats at Savannah
THE WAR IN TENNESSEE.
Report of Major Robb on the Affairs of the Illinois Sanitary Commission-Abandonment of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad from Columbus, to Jackson, Tenn.-Reasons-Van Dorn-Destruction of Boats at Savannah by a Small Force of Union Troops-Hospitals at the Point [Jackson] to be abandoned.
Special Correspondence of the Inquirer.
Jackson, (Tenn.), March 9, 1863.
The energies and kind acts of the various sanitary commissions, National and State, are convincing of the humanity and progress of the age. Kind families at home, sacrificing in many instances their comfort and their time, for the sake of the brave men who have left their firesides to vindicate the honor of their country and their flag, shows that the spirit of patriotism exists everywhere, in a manner suitable to conditions and opportunities. Those in the field, by an abnegation of home pleasures, to endure the hardships and exposures of a soldier's career. Those at home, by acceptable offerings of food, raiment, in fact every imaginable thing of usefulness, or even of luxury, in some cases, to modify the virulence of disease or the pains of wounds from a paper of pins to a complete suit of apparel. From a hard cracker to the most luxurious of fruits, is forwarded to those various Commissions, for distribution among the sick or injured.
The good offices of Maj. T. P. Robb, the Illinois State agent, first brought the benevolent designs of these societies to my attention, and therefore it is of him and his works I will now more particularly speak. Las summer Governor Yates, ever thoughtful of the soldier's welfare, commissioned Major Robb to visit the Illinois troops, with a view of examining into their wants, requiring a report to be made to him, upon which he proposed to base a system whereby to ameliorate the conditions of the troops.
Some months were consumed in this tour of inspection, at the end of which Major Robb reported as advised. He thought something might be done by which the sick and wounded, particularly, would be bettered. Accordingly, he suggested the institution of a sanitary commission in this department, independent of the United States Commission. The Governor considered the matter and on the 8th of August, 1862, the present commission, head-quarters were established at this point [Jackson], with Major Robb at the head. Later another was established at Bolivar, thirty miles below here. Through the kindness of Major Robb I send you a copy of his report up to January 1st of this year. As it has not been given to the public, I embody it in my letter. It is addressed to the Illinois Commissary-General.
Jackson, Tenn., Feb 13, 1862- Colonel John Williams, Commissary General, Springfield, Ill.; Sir: Annexed you will find a report of the disbursement at my sanitary quarters in Jackson, from the date of my establishing the same, August 8th, 1862, to January 1st, 1863. Also a report of disbursements by my agent at Bolivar, Tenn. I have devoted all the time I coukld spare from my quarters and other duties to the roms at Bolivar, and have the satisfaction of knowing that the troops stations at that post all along the railroad to Grand Junction have all their wants supplies as is possible from a sanitary room. The disbursements from my quarters you will observe have been at this post, the different stations en route to Corinth; at Corinth, the different stations en route to Columbus, and to the different stations en route to Bolivar. While our army was advancing I sent several carloads of vegetables and other stores to Grand Junction, La Grange, Holly Springs and to regimens in the extreme advance.
It would be idle for me to speak here of the numerous letters of thanks from officers, surgeons and soldiers I have on file, expressing their thanks to me, he kind-hearted donors at home, and our noble Governor, for the numerous evidences that he has given the sick and wounded soldiers that he is their friend, first and last. When they get home they will prove themselves his friend. In fact, they have lately done so at Corinth, at Bolivar to-day, and will here in a few days. I hope and pray, Colonel, that our friends at home will not relax their efforts in behalf of our hospitals. I know that we draw heavily upon them and that very many are constantly giving. Let me assure all such that their gifts are totally appreciated, and finally, let me tell them that their "burdens are light" in comparison to those borne by the brave boys they have sent to fight our battles.
These Southern pitiless storms have no mercy on the soldier as he stand watch, nor his military law and discipline, but such is a soldier's life in camp. Our friends at home, seated around their fires, have little idea of the exposure their brave boys are subjected to. I only wonder that our sick list is not larger. Notwithstanding all their hardships, their spirits are good. All they ask is that they may be kindly remembered at home, and upheld and supported by their State. But enough.
On account of the "Forrest raid" in December and January, I was unable to forward you a full report in season for your annual report to the Governor, consequently, I only sent you, at this late day, a report of my disbursement and these brief particulars.
Respectfully,
T. P. Robb, State Agent,
That part of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad connecting this point with Columbus, Ky., is to be abandoned to-day. During the raid of Forrest into this strict he made this road the object of his most indignant malignity, insomuch that he destroyed several miles of trestle-work. High water, and a host of other equally as potent reason, prevented the reconstruction of the road. This has at last, however, been done, and immense trains or empty cars are now continually passing here on their way to Memphis. The object in repairing the road was merely to transport the rolling stock accumulated at Columbus, before the raid, to some point where it would be useful. The road has always been held at a great expense of troops to guard to. Of late the opening of the Memphis and Charleston road has made Memphis the base of supplies, throwing this road out of use. It has wisely been determined to abandon it.
The troops on guard duty along the road are commencing to arrive here. What disposition will be made of them is, of course, no known to me, but I feel confident that force at this point will be greatly strengthened. The country north of this is well cleared of guerrillas, and can be watched as well by scouting parties as an immense scattered force, the detachment, is no instance, being without immediate operating proximity when attacked in detail upon the centre. The same force, concentrated here, will be of much greater service in checking raids upon this country.
For some time Van Dorn has been circulating in significant proximity to the Tennessee river. Several days since it was presumed that he really designed a movement this side [sic]. He was closely watched by General Sullivan's cavalry, which, perhaps was the reason for his not carrying out what his actions indicated. For the present no fears are entertained, in consequence of the rapid rise of all the streams in this part of the State. For some days we have had incessant rains, which have entirely submerged the country, particularly in this vicinity, the lowland standing as much a five feet under water.
An expedition started from Bethel about twenty-five miles southeast of this, returned day before yesterday eminently successful. General Sullivan having learned that a number of boats were being accumulated at Savannah, a Tennessee river town, ordered them destroyed and detailed a number of picked men for that purpose. They set out quietly, and with adventure reached the river, which they crossed, they found matters as reported. Without disturbance, at an early hour, the party set to and destroyed every barge, flatboat and skiff to be found, and then recrossed and returned. The enterprise was attended with no loss to us. Our men were away before their presence was known to the enemy. No pursuit was made, when the boats were discovered missing. The party arrived at Bethel highly delighted with their expedition.[6]
This place, until within the last few weeks, has been the seat of the general hospitals of the army. Many sick were accumulated here. A recent order caused the removal of the sick to Memphis or the North as rapidly as their condition will admit. Several of the hospitals have been entirely abolished, and all the patients removed. The worst cases will remain here for the present. I cannot ascertain any reason for this action, but several significant changes suggest something important before long.
Philadelphia Inquirer, March 17, 1863.
17, Wedding party at the home of Mr. Reynolds on Walden Ridge
I do not suppose that the history of the world contains such a rare case of universal concord being the result of such universal discord. [sic]. The [wedding] party was composed of 1st, Rebel and Union citizens; 2d, Rebel and Union soldiers; 3rd, Rebel and Union deserters; 4th, Rebel and Union spies; 5th Rebel and Union bushwhackers.
Scarcely a harsh word was uttered during the whole night; all danced together as if nothing was wrong, and parted mutually the next morning, each party marching off separately.
Considering the great hatred existing between the different parties it is marvelous that bloodshed was not the immediate result.
Chattanooga Gazette, March 17, 1864
17, Skirmish at Manchester
No circumstantial reports filed.
17, Skirmish at Winchester
No circumstantial reports filed.
17, Special Orders No. 62, relative to Tipton County issued
SPECIAL ORDERS, No. 62. HDQRS. SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Memphis, Tenn., March 17, 1864.
* * * *
IX. The citizens of the county of Tipton, Tenn., having by a large majority enrolled themselves to preserve life and property and to keep the peace within said country, and pledged themselves in writing so to do against all persons except organized forces of the United States or of the Confederate States, it is ordered that no troops of this command shall enter said country, except under written orders from the commanding officer at Memphis, and that no property of kind shall be taken by military seizures within said country. This privilege will continue so long as the said citizens shall in good faith perform the said agreement, and the same privilege will be extended to other counties which shall in good faith adopt and carry out this course.
* * * *
By ordered of Maj. Gen. S. A. Hurlbut:
T. H. HARRIS, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 32, pt. III, p. 87.
17, An end to military control over circulation of the press in Chattanooga
SPECIAL ORDERS.
Headquarters Depart't of the Cumberland.
Office of Provost Marshal General
Chattanooga, Feb. 17, 1864
All orders heretofore issued in this Department proscribing or restricting the circulation of Newspapers, are hereby revoked.
by command of Maj. Gen. Geo. H. Thomas
J. G. Parkhurst,Col. and Pro. Marshal.
Nashville Dispatch, March 16, 1864.
17, Death of a Nashvillian in a guerrilla attack near Memphis
"Death of Lieut. Samuel M. Allen."
A telegraphic dispatch from Cairo, to the Louisville papers of the 17th inst., giving an account of a guerrilla fight in Shelby county [sic], Tennessee, says:
One was named Contrigal, a daring robber, who had a repeater which he fired. Forrest ordered his men to fire and Contrigal and his companion, Samuel Allen, formerly of Nashville, fell dead.
The Samuel Allen spoken of is Lieut. Samuel M. Allen, son of Mrs. Joseph Allen, of this city. Instead of being concerned with robbers, as the foregoing paragraph intimated, he was the victim of robbers, having been killed and robbed them, as we learn from a private letter from Memphis received in this city, and written by Wm. Farrington, Esq., of that place. The murder and robbery took place near the residence of Mr. Jamison, about twenty-five miles from Memphis.
Lt. Allen was captured at Vicksburg and paroled. He was subsequently taken sick at the camp for paroled soldiers, near Marietta, Ga.; and was permitted to leave there on furlough. He went to the residence of Mr. Geo. L. Holmes, formerly a member of the Tennessee Legislature, who lives some fourteen miles from Memphis, and sought of the commander of the Post at that city, permission to visit his family in Nashville, furnishing him with a frank and candid account of his position and the circumstances attending his presence in Tennessee. The permission asked having been denied, he remaind [sic] with Mr. Holmes, observing his parole honorably; and was with the consent of Gen. R. S. Granger, commander of this post, furnished with means by his friend here. He was enjoying the hospitality of Mr. Holmes up to the day of this death. Lt. Allen was an honorable high-minded and chivalrous young man, greatly beloved by a large circle of friends in Nashville.
Nashville Dispatch, March 19, 1864.
17, New construction in Nashville
Military Improvements. – In various parts of the city, but especially around the outskirts, the different military departments are making many improvements, and erecting extensive buildings, for depots, workshops, feed shed, etc. Among others we notice an enormous warehouse and commissary building on the line of the Franklin Railroad, near the Holy Trinity Church, South Nashville. Its dimensions are 120 by 1000 feet, and one story high. It is calculated to hold almost any quantity of government stores that may be needed.
Nashville Dispatch, March 17, 1864
17, Thanks from a Yale law student
Law Department Yale College
New Haven Ct March 17, 1864
His Excellency Andrew Johnson
Governor of the State of Tennessee Nashville
Sir –
It is gratifying to my pride to be able to inform you that nearly a year ago I was permitted to take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States, renewing in good faith all my obligations to the benificent [sic] Government under which I was born.
Ever since that period I have been here at the Law School of Yale College endeavoring to qualify myself for a profession by which I hope to get a living in my native Nashville.[7]
Every day's experience – as I become a man – convinces me the more the utter wickedness of this most unprovoked rebellion into which as a boy I so unfortunately stumbled – and I can say with truth that I most ardently desire its overthrow.
Your policy for reconstruction in Tennessee, if I understand it, is the only true policy.
I seize this opportunity to thank you for your good counsel and advice when I was a rebel prisoner at Nashville, and only regret that I did not profit from it an earlier day. I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully Your ob't serv't
Jos. E. Harris
Papers of Andrew Johnson, Vol. 6, p. 647.
17, A Reporter's Article Concerning East Tennessee Life
Life in Eastern Tennessee.
Description of the Country-Incidents-Political Sentiments of the People, etc.
[Correspondence of the St. Louis Democrat.]
Eastern Tennessee, March 17, 1864
The Chattanooga Valley-Reminiscences of the Battle of Chickamauga.
While the cars were rolling down the beautiful Chattanooga valley, after passing the far-famed Lookout Mountain, I was looking out of one of the windows to see if the old hut and quarters which I occupied during the siege of Chattanooga were still standing, to afford me a resting place till I could make hasty arrangements to join the command with which I am traveling. They were there. What a perfect farce the siege of Chattanooga was! It is estimated by our best engineers that during the siege, lasting from the 25th of September to the 25th of November, the rebels threw into our lines 200 tons of shell. They only killed two niggers and one mule, besides wounding one soldier, who, I am sorry to say, afterward died. Now let somebody figure up what it cost them to kill one Yankee. The soldiers became so accustomed to the boom of big guns on Lookout and the bursting of shell, that they would not miss the count of their crackers when receiving the rations if the whole battery fired at once. Now my object is to tell you I got to my command, and what I saw by the way.
Our haversacks were supplied with three days cooked rations, besides tea, coffee and sugar, coffee-pot, etc. Our gum and army blankets were packed upon our horses, and at sunrise on the 16th instant myself, with a companion, started. We were prepared to camp in the woods if necessary, or stop at houses if it suited or convenience. Our road went directly over Mission Ridge. We started in a brisk trot for a few miles in order to pass as quickly as possible the dead horses and mules that literally cover the ground for miles and miles around Chattanooga. It is not extravagant to say that in a circle of three miles in diameter around Chattanooga, there are no less than 20,000 dead horses and mules-some of them partially buried, burned, the greater part in all stages of decomposition. They are also scattered all the way back to the Chickamauga battle-field, and on the river road toward Bridgeport they are so thick that if they were strung out in one line I have no doubt they would reach the whole distance, touching each other all the way. We live through it, and struck the valley at the place Gen. Sherman's corps made such a vigorous assault on the 25th of November. Three times they were repulsed with heavy loss, but as often returned to the charge, which was not easy in the face of all the batteries, and up a hill an angle of at least 35 degrees, amidst a perfect storm of balls. But they succeeded at last. The undergrowth looks as though a man had been through it with a brush scythe, and the larger trees are cut in every direction.
We took the main road towards Knoxville and found that we had come to the Chickamauga river, too near its mouth, and either to cross over through the wood to dry ford where there is a bridge of swim our horses. We chose the former; and here we were sorry that neither of us had any kind of an army about us. The whole wasted country, just without the lines from Chattanooga is infested with bushwhackers, and at Turner's Station, only six miles from Chattanooga, the next day after we passed, a sentinel was shot dead at his post. But trusting in Providence, we made our way safely to the bridge, and on the first station. On this line of railroad and the common road running nearly parallel with it, there is a courier line the whole distance to Charleston. Troops are stationed all along the line form Chattanooga to Knoxville, taken from the Fourth Army Corps. The road is little traveled at present, and we hardly met a traveler the whole distance of 90 miles. The courier posts are from three to five miles apart, and nearly the whole from three to five miles apart, and nearly the whole travel on this thoroughfare is done by them. The citizens living on the road tell me that before the war you were never out of sight of wagons going and coming. The passage of large armies up and down this beautiful valley has made sad havoc with the farms. More than half of the fields are turned into common, the fencing being burned. Soldiers, on both sides, much prefer burning rails to chopping wood. All the horses and mules have been taken, and what few teams are left are made up of scalawag horses and mules-with crooked legs and sore backs-left behind as the debris of the army.
Loyal and Disloyal Inhabitants.
The people are loyal or rebel by neighborhoods. You come into a fine valley and ask the first man you see; are the people here secesh or Union? If he is a Union man (he sees at once what you are) his face will brighten up ;and he will reveal himself in full three minutes, and recount his suffering in glowing language, and in one case, in answer to the question, he said (after taking a survey of us a moment,) "Well, we are Union, that's what's the matter: and besides that we intend to stick to the old flag just as long as we live. Just ride here to any house and I'll show you the old flag-but we had [it] buried for two years, but, thank God, Gen. Burnside resurrected that before the trumpet sounded, and we don't intend to bury it again soon."
Meet one of doubtful loyalty, and ask the usual question, and he will begin his speech something in this way: "Well, now, it's a little mixed in this neighborhood; there are some on both sides and we hardly know what we are. We believe in the Union, however,-that is, if-and-and but." Well that is enough' we make a chalk mark on [the] note-book that that man, and all that talk in a similar manner, un unmitigated rebels yet, and have not seen enough of war to scorch the brand of traitor from their countenances. It is as plain to be read in their faces as the brand of Cain, which Parson Brownlow says, was a black skin. On the road between Chattanooga and Knoxville two thirds of the residents are unconditional rebels yet, and are only kept at bay by the presence of the Union army. Many of them are undergoing a kind of forced conversion to Unionism, but the old adage will probably hold good in most cases:
Convince a rebel against his will,
And he remains a rebel still.
Petticoat Secesh.
We fell in company with two she rebels between Loudon and Lenoir, and having asked the older one a few questions soon discovered there were no if and buts with her. Shielding herself under the garb of sex, she launched forth with all the bitter invective that her language could command, reiterating all the lies against the Yankees ever invented by Jeff. Davis & Co., and insisted they were true, notwithstanding my denial. She said her husband was a prisoner at Johnson's Island; that he was nearly starved to death; that the prisoners there could not take the least exercise in the large pen (she called it) in which they were confined, without being shot down by our sentinels; that we had murdered hundreds of their men in that way. She finally wound up with the (to her) consoling remark that the poor white people at the North were starving to death by thousands to pay for making war upon the South. Their own horses at the very time were perfectly loaded down with commissary stores they had obtained from Loudon and were carrying home. Now it may be the best policy to feed such rebels, But most of us think the best way would be to send them over the lines and let the rebels deal out the stores to them which they have stolen from this valley, and which are now stored up to feed their soldiers with. They have tried in some instances, but the rebels won't let them cross the line at all unless they are abundantly able to support themselves.
Story of a Farmer's Trouble.
About noon we rode up to a very good farm house and in a[n] old outhouse near by was a man about 60 years of age, trying to fix up a thing called a plow. In front of the hose was a beautiful field of perhaps 200 acres, and not a rail in sight, or a fence of any kind except a board fence just around the house. We accosted him and he invited us to dismount and go into the house. About the premises were several old negroes and some small children and quite a number of female darkies. He invited us to dinner, and, of course, we did not object, and it was a good substantial dinner-corn, beans and ham, boiled milk and wheat coffee. After dinner we had an hour's chat, and his story will cover the cases of hundreds more in this valley.
To the question, Are you a Union man? his answer was: "No; I am a rebel-or rather, I was one. I, of course, being a Southern man, thought I must do as the others did, fight for my rights, and as you can see how the thing has turned out as well as I can. Just look at my farm of 820 acres of as good land as ever lay out of doors. There are not 1,000 rails left on the place. My niggers are gone that are worth anything. The gals and children and old men are left on my hands to support. All my horses and mules are gone, and the best wagon. We thought there would be no war. The leading men told us so. Only put on a bold face and secede, and we can have everything our own way down here just for the asking. Yes, we did have it our own way over the left [sic]. First comes the rebel army. They would not steal a thing-not they. So I went into a big speculation and sold them everything I could spare and took their money for pay. Thousands of dollars they paid me-but they might as well have stolen it-for only yesterday I sold $2,000 of their money for $200, and took a man's note for that-that is rather doubtful. Besides, the rebels steal just as much from me as the Union men did, with the exception of Gen. Sherman's corps. They beat any thieves I ever saw, rebel or Union. The found things I had buried and had forgotten myself where I hid them. They seemed to be natural thieves-wo [sic] be to those poor Alabamians down at Selma if Sherman is really there. A few such corps as they are would carry the whole Confederacy off on their back in just two months' time, and he would never find it out until it was too late."
We laughed, and he went on with his story: "I have just found out within a few months, that we have made a great mistake down here in the South on this nigger question, and I might have found it out years ago, if I had only thought a little. I came into this beautiful valley some 20 years since with only a few hundred dollars, and went to work with my own hands, and prospered beyond my expectations-paid for all my land here, built this house and out buildings, put several thousand dollars ahead and thought I must buy some niggers, and I tell you the honest truth when I say that since that time I have never made one cent. The niggers wasted and eat up all my profits. When the Federals began to come down in this region many of my neighbors run their nigger away South, and urged me to do the same, but I refused, and told them that if the niggers want to go South or North, they might go, or if they wanted to stay with me I would to the best I could do for them. This nigger question is played out, and we have got to try another kind of civilization down here. We have been cheating ourselves long enough. I have taken the amnesty oath and I intend to stick to it now. Although I am rather old I think we can fence up a small farm on the old one (that is, if Sherman don't come this away again,) and make a living anyhow, and leave my children a free inheritance if they ever get out of the rebel army alive."
We cheered him up in his laudable undertaking, but could give no encouragement that Gen. Sherman's Corps would never pass up this valley again. As he had taken the oath he appeared to be exceedingly anxious to know whether the Federals would hold on to this line of railroad or not. I told him he might rest easy on that subject, that we intended not only to hold this valley, but all the other valleys and railroads between Chattanooga and the Gulf of Mexico.
Bushwhackers.
We rode on, and about sundown concluded to camp by the side of the road in some tall grass. My companion had gone back for some fire to the nearest house, (for we had after all, forgetting that most necessary article for travelers in this country-matches,) while I prepared our tent made of gum blankets We had nearly completed our arrangements for the night, when a courier came galloping along and saw us. He rode down to us, and says, "What are you going to do here?"
We told him to camp for the night.
"Well," says he, "you had better gather up your traps and ride on to the post only one mile. The bushwhackers will gobble you up before morning, if you stay here. Only last night they shot three fingers off one of our boys just below here, and tried to kill him, but he managed to make his escape."
We didn't camp there, not that we were afraid, on no, but we did not care about having our fingers shot off. We found the courier's post, where we had a very pleasant night with a company of the 39th Indiana mounted infantry, who are performing the dangerous duty of couriers on this part of the line. They tell me that the attacks of these robbers are seldom made in the day time, but they watch for night travelers, occasionally tearing up the railroad track.
The Splendid Scenery-The Soil.
On the second day we passed Cleveland, a very fine village, and in its days of peace ad prosperity must have been a pleasant place for a residence. To-day we rode in silence and gazed at the splendid scenery of this great valley-the real Switzerland of America. The valley is not a dead level like Illinois, but interspersed with small hills and valleys, abounding in fine springs and bubbling brooks that came tumbling down from the mountains with clear and sparkling water, and I fancied if we only had a hook and fly we could haul out the speckled trout the same as in New England. Away on our left runs a ridge on the Cumberland mountains, and on the right at some 15 or 18 miles distance the Chilhowie mountains, and away beyond that towering high in the air, the blue ridge of the Smoky mountains. Between these mountains runs the Tennessee river, commencing really [?] at Lenoirs [sic] station, where the Holston and Little Tennessee start. And then below at Clarkson, the beautiful Hiawassee comes in, and at Kingston, the Clinch, and at Sweet Water, the river bearing the same name.
To one accustomed to a prairie country like Illinois or Missouri, where the soil is black and deep, the land appears at the first sight to be of little value, being of a lightest color on the surface, and when the soil is worn off or removed, of a dark brick red. But I am told it is exceedingly fertile. In fact, you only have to examine the size of the corn stalks still standing in the fields, to come to the same conclusion. The farmhouses and dwellings of all kinds, are generally constructed in the same Southern style. Porches in front and rear, and sometimes on the end, with the everlasting chimney out of doors stuck up against the house. Even the brick houses are marred and disfigured in the same way.
Suffering of the Union Men.
We called just at dark at a comfortable looking farm-house three miles south of Athens, and asked permission to tarry for the night. It was so readily granted, and in a way that told me at once "you are at the home of a friend." On stepping into the room, it was very evident, without asking a single question, for there on the table lay Parson Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. A rebel sympathizer would as soon have the small-pox in his house as the rebel ventilator. We felt a little doubtful about the propriety of leaving our horses in the open stable by the side of the main road, when our landlord had his two scalliwag [sic] mules safely housed within the narrow limits of his smoke house. But the dark and rainy night gave promise of safety. Here we were entertained the whole evening in listening to the sufferings of the men in that neighborhood.
"In this valley, called Dry Valley, lived the Methodist preacher named Dugan, (of Brownlow's notoriety,) weighing some 250 pounds that those devils incarnate arrested for his loyalty to the Government, making him walk some 10 miles through the hot sun and riding in his buggy themselves.[8] The poor old man fainted time and gain on the journey, but there was no relenting with them. They told him they would sweat the Lincoln fever out of him. They robbed him of all he had, and imprisoned him, but he managed in some way to escape, and is now preaching again at his old stand. What rendered the crime more heinous was the fact that his enemies (some of them) were those with him he had taken sweet counsel in the House of God, and with whom he had knelt at the altar of prayer. What can be more appropriate to this persecuted class of men than those lines of Capt. Grisham of the 10th East Tennessee cavalry:
They struggled, fell, their life-blood stained,
The cruel, murderer's hand'
They clasped their country's flag and cried
God and our native land.
Let angels spread their wings above,
Let flowers forever bloom;
Let bays, green bays, spring forth to mark
The martyr's tomb.
The Landscape-Loyalists and Seceshers!
At early dawn we left our kind friend and his family, and rode on toward Athens. The inhabitants of this town are loyal almost to a man, and when we passed through the town the Stars and Stripes were floating from the roof of their neat and commodious court-house, and not a soldier in sight. We were disappointed in this. We expected to find several regiments encamped here to preserve the peace of the neighborhood. On inquiry, we found that in the town of Athens they had a home guard, and felt able to defend themselves from the hands of thieves and robbers that infest this valley. Merchants, mechanics and farmers were busy at their several occupations, and it looked more like an Illinois town than any place I have seen in East Tennessee. Here the traveled road diverges from the railroad, and we struck off through the timber, and over the hills six miles, to come upon the railroad again at Mouse creek valley.
It was a lonesome ride, resembling very much some of the bluff roads on the Illinois river. We passed only one house the whole distance, and that was a miserable log house situated in a clump of pines. As we rode pas the house, we were astonished at the number of towheaded children at the woodpile-the tallest of whom was not over three feet in height. We commenced counting, two, four, six, and to the question asked: Are you all here? :Oh no," says he, "the two little ones are in the house." They hurrahed for old Abe and we rode on. We traveled this lonesome road a few miles further and came at last to the crest of the hill some 500 feet directly overlooking the valley. There it lay at our feet, extending north as far as the eye could reach and at least three miles in width-dotted with neat farm houses, and just below us Mouse Creek station, with its dozen or more near white cottages and one large brick mansion. A couplet in that beautiful hymn by Here, as I surveyed this beautiful valley ran through my head continually:
Where every prospect pleases,
And only man is vile.
We passed on through this valley, and, night overtaking us nine miles south of Loudon, we called at the farm-house and requested permission to tarry which was readily granted. To the question "Are Union or rebel?" the answer was, "Both."
"Well," says I, "that is a new state of things which I do not understand."
This was the house of a widow lady, and her story was a simple statement of facts, which we listened to very attentively. When she had finished her story she drew one long, deep sigh and retired. I pitied the poor woman, from the bottom of my heart. She said she had two sons in the rebel army and one in the Union. Her son now at home had fled to the mountains to avoid conscription. Her two daughters now at home, young ladies, 18 and 20 were divided, one Union and one rebel. For herself, she had nothing to say-the divisions in her family had made her prematurely gray, (holding up a lock of hair,) and the only wish she had was, that the war might speedily end in some way; and when I asked the usual question, the Union girl stepped into the other room and returned with a beautiful silk Union flag. Such is life in Eastern Tennessee.
Daily Evening Bulletin, (San Francisco, CA), May 18, 1864. [9]
17, U. S. N. patrol on Cumberland to Big South Fork from Nashville ends
U. S. STEAMER REINDEER, Off Nashville, Tenn., March 17, 1865.
Maj. Gen. GEORGE H. THOMAS, U. S. ARMY, Cmdg. Department of the Cumberland, Nashville, Tenn.:
GEN.: I have the honor to inform you that in compliance with your wishes and in obedience to the orders of Lieut.-Commander Le Roy Fitch, commanding Tenth District Mississippi Squadron, I have been up the Cumberland River with this vessel and U. S. steamer Victory as far as Wolf Creek Shoals, a point about forty miles below Camp Burnside (Big South Fork). On these shoals I found five feet scant water and thought it imprudent to go farther on a rapidly falling river. I made landings at all important points and at many farm-horses and impressed the people with your desires and intentions in regard to themselves as forcibly as possible. I incline to the opinion that the information will be rapidly carried into the interior and ultimately yield good results. I saw no guerrillas, and consequently had no trouble. I was told, however, and I think truthfully, that on Sunday last, 12th instant, a force of about 100 rebels had crossed the Cumberland from Celina the mouth of Obey's River, with what intentions and under whose command I could not ascertain. This intelligence I communicated to commanding officer at Carthage and to the camp of wood choppers at Dixon's Springs, about thirty miles lower on the river. A good deal of apprehension exists on the north side of the Cumberland, caused by the movement of bodies of guerrillas and their rumored purpose of concentrating to attack the camp above alluded to. The force which crossed at Celina may have been en route for the rendezvous.
I have the honor to be, general, your obedient servant,
H. A. GLASSFORD, Acting Volunteer Lieut., Cmdg.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 49, pt. II, p. 10.
17, News from Tazewell and Chattanooga
* * * *
Clarence J. Prentice, son of the editor of the Louisville Journal, and especially virulent rebel, recently [March 5] undertook to capture Tazewell, Tennessee.[10] He had 150 men; this place was held by 50 men under Lieut. Jennings. Prentice demanded surrender; Jennings declined; a fight ensued, and Prentice was whipped most decidedly. Instead of taking the place, the rebel leader was compelled to send a flag of truce for permission to bury his dead.
The Chattanooga Gazette of the 10th says a force of rebels said to number about one hundred were reported in the vicinity of Cleveland on the 9th. Eight or ten of their party were captured during the day by some of our forces. Another large party crossed the line of the Chattanooga and Knoxville railroad, between Cleveland and McDonald's Station, the same day about daylight
* * * *
New York Times, March 17, 1865.
17, 1865 - U. S. S. Peosta conducts anti-guerrilla operation
"...after midnight the Peosta landed at Crump's landing and sent out scouts. They returned with six prisoners at 5:30 am who were found to be within the Peostas [sic] lines. That afternoon a detachment of the crew exchanged small arms fire with rebels across the river from Savannah. Such patrols and exchanges between the crew of the Peosta and area guerrillas were repeated during the next few days.
U. S. S. Peosta Daily Deck Log.
[1] Sam, Gus, Charles, Jack, and Abe were slaves belonging to the Owen family.
[2] Frank, Lewis, Mike, John, and Seal were slaves.
[3] Formerly Wheeler's cavalry brigade.
[4] Morgan's fiancé.
[5] May 5, 1862. Morgan was chased out of Lebanon by forces under Union General E. DuMont.
[6] The nature of this report seems to place the event at Savannah on March 7, although that date is by no means certain. Moreover, both Sullivan's expedition from Bethel and its associated daring exploit at Savannah seems to have gone unheralded by the editors of the Official Records.
[7] Harris' aspirations for a career as an attorney in Nashville were cut short when he died in London in 1865. As cited in Papers of Andrew Johnson, Vol. 6, p. 647, n. 3.
[8] This incident is best revealed in the following:
MEMPHIS, October 26, 1861.
ROBERT JOSSELYN, Esq.
DEAR SIR: On my return from Nashville last night I received your letter of 11th instant. The prisoners alluded to were [H. C.] Jarvis, [John W.] Thornburgh and others who were arrested for treason and imprisoned in Nashville. They were turned out by Judge [West H.] Humphreys whilst I was in Nashville.
More than 100 persons have been arrested in East Tennessee with-out warrants in some cases, marched great distances and carried into court on no other charge than that they were Union men. In one case an old man named DuGALEGROUP - TSLA 19TH CN an, a Methodist preacher, was arrested, carried fifty miles on foot (he a large, fleshy men), refused the privilege of riding his own horse, and all they had against him was that in February last he prayed for the Union. If that is a good charge about two-thirds of the people of the State are liable in the same way as at that time they voted 62,000 majority for the Union.
I have spent much time this summer and fall in trying to conciliate the people of East Tennessee. I thought I had succeeded. Just as the people were quieting down, getting reconciled, raising volunteers, &c., they commenced these arrests which have gone far to poison the minds of the people against the Government, and if tolerated and persisted in the people of that end of the State at a critical moment will rise up enemies instead of friends.
You ask me who makes these arrests. As far as I can learn they are instigated by a few malicious, troublesome men in and about Knoxville. I always hear the names of W. G. Swan, William M. Churchwell, John H. Crozier, [John] Crozier Ramsey and the postmaster at Knoxville mixed up with these matters. It is these men have private griefs and malice to gratify and they aim to bring down the avenging arm of the Government to satiate their passions. Crozier Ramsey is the attorney-general. It is said he in most cases causes the arrests and makes the affidavit. Just think of this--an attorney degrading himself by turning an affidavit man.
You may inquire what is the remedy? I answer turn out Ramsey; put some man in Middle or West Tennessee in his place who has dignity and character; turn out the postmaster at Knoxville. If the President will then make it known to all officials that he discountenances all frivolous arrests things will quit down. If, however, he refuses to do this, retains Ramsey, then we may look for great trouble in that end of the State. If the President will write Landon C. Haynes, Senator-elect, and any other respectable man in East Tennessee he will be at no loss what course to pursue.
I address this to you to be certain the President will get it and receive attention.
Very respectfully,
ROBERTSON TOPP.
[Indorsement.]
Referred to the Secretary of War, that such inquiry may be made and action taken as will prevent as far as we may such proceedings as are herein described.
J. D[AVIS.]
OR, Ser. II, Vol. 1, p. 834.
[9] As cited in PQCW.
[10] See March 3-5, 1865, Reconnaissance from Cumberland Gap, Tennessee, to Jonesville, VA above
HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!
17, 1861 - Memphis alderman investigated on moral's charge
Alderman O'Mahoney.—Council met on Friday night to investigate charges of immorality preferred against Alderman O'Mahoney, of the first ward. The nature of the charges have been stated in our report of the recorder's court, as consisting of improper intimacy with a negro woman. Alderman O'Mahoney appeared in military uniform and pronounced the charges false. The Board appointed aldermen Fraser, Kirby and Crews a committee to examine witnesses, aided by the city attorney, and to report to the Board as early as possible.
Memphis Daily Appeal, March 17, 1861
17, Plunder of public property by Federal soldiers at Fort Donelson
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Saint Louis, March 17, 1862.
Maj. Gen. U. S. GRANT, Fort Henry:
I inclose you a letter and a slip from a newspaper as a sample of what I am almost daily receiving in relation to the general plunder of public property which it is alleged took place at Fort Donelson. Representations of these robberies by our soldiers and the general neglect of the officers were made to Washington, and I have been called on time and again to have the officer and men arrested and punished. Of course I would act only through you, and as you had full power to order courts, I deemed it your duty to bring these plunderers to justice. Officers of companies, regiments, brigades, and divisions should be held strictly accountable for the conduct of their men, and where they fail to prevent such misconduct they should be arrested and tried for neglect of duty.
In justice to myself as well as to you I inclose herewith copies of a letter received from the Adjutant-Gen. in relation to the matter and of my answer.
I have been directed hereafter, when any plunder of this kind occurs, to arrest every officer in command of the troops engaged in it.
H. W. HALLECK, Maj.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 10, p. 42.
17, Skirmishing at and surrender of Columbia to Federal forces
The pickets of the enemy and our own pickets shot at each other across Duck River at Columbia for about two hours some 100 shots the bridges being burned down and the river verry [sic] high they could not get near enough to do much harm to each other. All our cavalry left this morning for Decatur. Col. Biffle & Col. Scott's cavalry, Scott is from Louisiana.
The Mair [sic] & Aldermen sent a flag of truce to the enemy…acknowledging the surrender of the town to the enemy[.] [I]t was all the citizens could do to keep the yankeys [sic] from shelling the town in consequence of shooting at them.
Diary of Nimrod Porter, March 17, 1862.
17, General Orders, Nos. 6 and 9 condemning acts of pillage, plunder and destruction by the Army of Tennessee
GEN. ORDERS, No. 6. HDQRS. ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Jackson, Tenn., March 17, 1862.
The following general orders from the headquarters of Maj.-Gen. Bragg are approved by the general commanding this army, who profoundly regrets their necessity. They are adopted for this entire command, and will be enforced in all respects for the credit and honor of our several States and our cause:
GEN. ORDERS, No. 9. HDQRS. SECOND GRAND DIV., ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Bethel, Tenn., March 16, 1862.
With a degree of mortification and humiliation he has never before felt, the major-general commanding has to denounce acts of pillage, plunder, and destruction of the private property of our own citizens by a portion of the troops of this command, which bring disgrace upon our arms, and, if not checked, will assuredly entail disaster upon our cause. Men capable of such acts may swell our numbers, but will never add strength to our armies. They would do less harm by serving in the ranks of the enemy; and, if not prepared to abandon the vicious habits they have unfortunately contracted, had better lay down their arms and retire. Gallant men, not thus demoralized, stand ready to use them, and will do so with that firm reliance on an overruling Providence which a consciousness of right can alone give. The first step toward achieving success is to deserve it. Commanders of all grades will be held responsible for the suppression of this great crime.
Full compensation will in all instances be made from the pay of the offenders, and where this fails in its object, summary punishment will be inflicted. The general will not hesitate to order the death penalty where it may be necessary, and will approve its execution by subordinates where milder measures fail.
By command of Maj.-Gen. Bragg:
* * * *
By command of Gen. Beauregard:
* * * *
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 10, pt. II, p. 338.
17, Parson Brownlow addresses Unionist throng in Nashville
PARSON BROWNLOW IN NASHVILLE
Speech of Parson Brownlow, delivered in front of the St. Cloud Hotel, Nashville, on the evening of the 17th:-
GENTLEMEN:-I am in a sad plight to say much of interest-too thoroughly incapacitated to do justice to you or myself. My throat has been discarded for the past three years, and I have been compelled to almost abandon public speaking. Last December I was thrust into an uncomfortable and disagreeable jail-for what? Treason!
Treason to the bogus confederacy; and the proofs of that treason ware articles which appeared in the Knoxville Whig in May last, when the State of Tennessee was a member of the imperishable Union. At the expiration of four weeks I became a victim of the typhoid fever, and was removed to a room in decent dwelling and a guard of seven men kept me company. I subsequently became so weak that I could not turn over in my bed, and the guard was increased to twelve men, for fear I should suddenly cover and run away to Kentucky. Becoming convalescent, in a measure, I was removed to my former place of confinement. One day I was visited by some Confederate officers, who remarked, "Brownlow, you should not be here. Take the oath of allegiance to the Confederate Government, which will not only entitle you to a speedy release, but insure your protection." Sir," said I, "before I would take the oath to support such a hell-forsaken institution, I would suffer myself to rot or die with old age."
Why, my friends, these demagogues actually boast that the Lord is upon their side, and declare that God Almighty is assisting them in the furtherance of their nefarious project. In Knoxville and surrounding localities, a short time since, daily prayer meeting were held, wherein the Almighty was beseeched to raise Lincoln's blockade, and to hurl destruction against the Burnside Expedition. Their prayers were partly answered-the blockade at Roanoke Island was most effectually raised; a reciprocal of their sacrilege divinely tendered.
Gentlemen, I am no Abolitionist-I applauded no sectional doctrines-I am a Southern man, and all my relatives and interests are thoroughly identified with the South and Southern institutions. I was born in the Old Dominion, my parents were born in Virginia, and they and their antecedents were all slaveholders. Let me assure you that the South has suffered no infringement upon her institutions; the slavery question was actually no pretext for this unholy, unrighteous conflict. Twelve Senators from the Cotton States, who had sworn to preserve inviolate the Constitution framed by our forefathers, plotted treason at night-a fit time for such a crime-and telegraphed to their States, who had sworn to preserve inviolate the Constitution framed by our forefathers, plotted treason at night-a fit time for such a crime-and telegraphed to their States dispatches advising them to pass Ordinance of Seccession. Yes, gentlemen, twelve Senators swore allegiance in the daytime, and unswore it at night. A short time since I was called upon by a little Jew, who I believe, is the Secretary of War of the bogus Confederacy. He threatened to hang me, and I expected no more mercy from him than was shown by his illustrious predecessors towards Jesus Christ.
I entered into a long correspondence with this specimen of expiring humanity, but from mercy or forgetfulness, on their part, I was permitted to depart with all my documents in my little valise, which I hope to publish at no distant day. Gentlemen, when I started on my perilous journey I was sore-distressed in mind, and exceedingly so in body. But the moment my eyes encountered the pickets of the Federal army my depression decreased, and returning health seemed suddenly to invigorate my physical constitution.
Gentlemen, Secession is played out-the dog (remainder of article not extant)…..
Atlanta Democrat, March 29, 1862.
17, A visit by a military poet
...in the afternoon I was a good deal bored by a long visit from a "Morgan man" who pretended to be "literarious," [sic] and repeated to me stanza after stanza of his "pieces." His name was Daniel. I heard the children come home from school and felt so worried that I was obliged to remain in the parlor and could not go out and meet them. When at last the man took his leave, I came out and found Mollie and the children at dinner--.
War Journal of Lucy Virginia French, entry for March 17, 1863.
17, Federal foraging east of the Harpeth River [see March 17, 1863, Confederate scout in Murfreesborough and Versailles environs below]
17, Confederate scout in Murfreesborough and Versailles environs
CHAPEL HILL, March 18, 1863--5 p. m.
Gen. POLK, Shelbyville, Tenn.:
GEN.: So far have heard nothing from the party who left last night. Their instructions were to procure guides whenever they could, and to ascertain the whereabouts and movements of the enemy about Murfreesborough; to report everything deemed important as soon as ascertained.
I learn to-day that some Federals are on this side of Harpeth River, about 3 miles below College Grove, foraging, but have not learned their strength or position. Citizens say they were foraging for camps at Triune. Will endeavor to learn more about them.
Very respectfully,
P. D. RODDEY, Col.
CHAPEL HILL, March 18, 1863--11.30 p. m.
Gen. POLK, Shelbyville, Tenn.:
GEN.: No news from my scouts toward Versailles and Murfreesborough. Col. [J.] Patterson, with four companies from his regiment, and Maj. Johnson, with five companies from mine, have [sic] gone to College Grove to-night to support a party sent out by Gen. Wharton. Will send another courier if any news from the front comes in.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. D. RODDEY, Colonel.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 23, pt. II, pp. 707-708.
17, Confederate scout from Unionville to College Grove
No circumstantial reports filed.
17, Running skirmish between Nashville and Carthage along Cumberland River between U. S. N. convoy and guerrillas
NASHVILLE, March 23, 1863.
Gen. JAMES A. GARFIELD, Chief of Staff:
Tuesday, 17th, gunboat Orient left Nashville for Carthage. She went as convoy to the steamers Commerce, Lizzie Martin, and Cottage. The steamers took 320 tons or 250,000 rations for the command at Carthage. They skirmished with guerrillas for 20 miles, but sustained no damage. All the boats have returned to Nashville this morning.
J. D. STUBBS, Capt. and Quartermaster.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 23, pt. II, p. 162.
17, Army orders improvements to public sanitation in Nashville
The approach of warm weather makes it imperatively [sic] necessary that a strict attention should be paid to the cleansing of streets, lanes and alleys in this city as the city authorities have not force enough to have this cleaning thoroughly done, it is hereby ordered:
That all owners and occupants of buildings, all owners and agents for owners of empty lots, and all officers or employees of the United States, occupying buildings as offices, store-houses, hospitals, barracks...have the streets, lanes, and alleys and backyards fronting or adjoining their respective houses or lots, thoroughly cleansed within three days....
Persons who are not able themselves or by hire to furnish wagons as to have rubbish or dirt...removed will be furnished on application with transportation by the Quartermaster's Department.
Any owner or agent for owners of any house or lot failing to comply...will be severely punished.
Nashville Daily Union, March 18, 1863.
17, Conditions in Middle Tennessee, excerpts from a letter to Mrs. U. G. Owen
Shelbyville Tenn March 17th 1863 [sic]
Mrs. Dr. U. G. Owen
* * * *
I am going to send a furlough today to Gen'l Bragg to get him to approve it for me to leave for thirty days until I recruit my health. And if he does not grant it I will be sent to the Officers Hospital [sic] at Rome Goergia [sic] ... I hope Gen'l Bragg will give me a furlough then I can go where I please if I could get away from camp where I could get something to eat I would get hearty soon, but I will die unless [there is] some change for the next few months.
* * * *
Your Pa brought Silvy [a horse] with him & sold her to a man living [in] East Tenn for $1600....Tobe Sledge deserted & saw men hunting him coming in both ends of a lane & no chance to run drew his knife & cut his throat but failed to kill & is now lying at home & will probably get over it. Yankees took all my medicine took Father's clothes Mother's clothes Negroes clothes took Sam Gus & Charles. Jack & Abe are at Fagans [sic] trying to make a little something to eat.[1] Your Uncle Baker hasn't a horse on his place. Y[ankee]s took everything Aunt Matilda Owen had corn, meal, flour, pots, ovens, Skillets, Sifter, & broke her up entirely & took her son John off to prison. After taking Mother's corn [they] cut the cribs down. They break open all the locks search drawers, closets, bureaus, wardrobes. Chesley William's wife tried to keep them out of her smoke house, [but] they knocked her down choked her & nearly put her hip joint out of place. She is confined sick now from the effects. Old Andy Ralston's wife knocked sick two of them down with a cedar poll [sic]. Sister Martha has another baby three weeks old & is very low now. Bob says that Mother thinks she will die. Capt. Bill Rucker was killd [sic] dead at the Skirmish below Nashville not long since his body was brought home....
Y[ankee's] ransacked Bil [sic] Demumber's house & took Sam off. Your Pa is going to take Frank, Lewis, Mike, John, Seal[2] to East Tenn & hire them out. he [sic] an [sic] Bill & arch will make a little corn, potatoes & your Ma & Mary will cook & wash & make a regular poor man's life of it how would you like to be there. The whole family are awfully troubled, they expect the house will be burned....Yankees burned down Chesly Williams & Floyd storehouse last Saturday. Some other houses caught from them & burned down also.
I haven't had any more cases of Small-pox [sic]. I had one case only & that about three weeks ago. It is not spreading at all here. All the mills in the country are burned. Mother has an awful time & half the time has nothing at all to eat. Your Uncle Baker has come to Duck River to get a little meal & not a horse. Your Pa has our young mare at his house. I told you that the Y[ankee]s took her off.
I will get an answer from my furlough [request] in 10 or 12 days....I intend going to the Hospital if I don't [get] the furlough & probably I can get it from the Hospital....You will think this is a long letter for a sick man to write, but I have had to stop & lydown [sic] several times since I commenced it. What must I do if I get my furlough approved [?]....
* * * *
If I don't get my furlough I will go to the Hospital and if I get permission from the Surgeon to go to some house in the country I will write for you to come to me. And even if I get my furlough I expect to go to you and both of us take a trip to Georgia, Ala, or where you want to go....
Dr. .U. G. Owen
Dr. U. G. Owen to Laura, March 17, 1863.
17, Continued difficulties procuring meat and arms for the Army of Tennessee
CHATTANOOGA, March 17, 1863.
Gen. S. COOPER:
The following dispatch has just been received from Gen. Bragg:
We require 400,000 rations of meat to subsist this army up to the 31st of March, besides the 190,000 pounds already sent by Maj. Cumming. He declines sending any more, unless the Secretary of War, gives the order. The meat must be sent, or we cannot subsist this army. Gen. Johnston ordered Maj. Cumming up here. He has not come up, nor has he furnished us any supplies since he took charge of subsisting this army.
BRAXTON BRAGG.
I hope that orders may be given in the case. Maj. Cumming did not obey the commanding general's order to collect supplies in Tennessee for Gen. Bragg, but sent a substitute.
J. E. JOHNSTON.
CHATTANOOGA, March 17, 1863.
Col. J. GORGAS, Chief of Ordnance, Richmond:
The 5,000 arms which you informed me you had ordered to Gen. Bragg have not been received. The ordnance officer here reports the receipt of only 1,450. I am informed that the State of Virginia has 10,000 muskets at Lynchburg. Can you not borrow them? Send 1,600 to Gen. [James] Cantey, at Pollard, Ala., and supply Gen. Bragg's army from the rest.
J. E. JOHNSTON, Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 23, pt. II, p. 702.
17, Confederate scouts in Middle Tennessee
HDQRS. WHARTON'S BRIGADE,[3] Dr. Frazier's, March 17, 1863--12 m.
Maj. THOMAS M. JACK, Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Shelbyville:
MAJ.: The enemy have retired since yesterday morning from the Salem pike, so that there is no force on that road 2 miles south of Murfreesborough. My scouts report large bodies of the enemy (no definite number), supposed to be 10,000, gone in the direction of Triune. Union citizens are leaving the country above Middleton and Versailles, going to Nashville. I have scouts near Murfreesborough, from whom I will get reports before night, I hope. A wagon train from near Salem went on last evening toward Nashville, by dirt road.
The above information is from Col. [J. S.] Prather's command.
Very respectfully,
WILL. T. MARTIN, Brig.-Gen.
CHAPEL HILL, March 17, 1863--9 p. m.
Lieut. Gen. LEONIDAS POLK, Shelbyville, Tenn.:
GEN.: Yours, directing great vigilance and activity, is at hand this moment. A messenger from my scouts near Versailles says the pickets on the Triune and Eagleville pike fell back from the position they held yesterday. My scouts are bold, energetic men, and have been scouting with me for sixteen months, and I know them to be reliable in everything. They come in thoroughly disgusted with the guides furnished them. They represent that they are led by backways and by-roads, such as are never traveled by the enemy, and they think the guides seek only for safe places, &c. You will at once perceive the difficulty under which we labor. I have represented all this to Gen.'s Van Dorn, Wheeler, and Hagan; still, no efficient guides come. I shall use every means in my power, with the greatest industry, to keep you posted in regard to the movements of the enemy.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. D. RODDEY, Col.
HDQRS. WHARTON'S CAVALRY, Unionville, March 17, 1863--9 a. m.
Lieut. Gen. LEONIDAS POLK, Cmdg., &c.:
GEN.: I am just in receipt of the accompanying dispatch from Col. Prather. I will be able to ascertain the truth of the report to-day. All quiet. No enemy at Eagleville.
Respectfully, general, your obedient servant,
JNO. A. WHARTON, Brig.-Gen.
[Inclosure.]
MIDDLETON, TENN., March 16, 1863.
Gen. WHARTON, Cmdg. at Unionville:
GEN.: My scout has just returned, and reports that the enemy have evacuated Salem. The citizens also report that the enemy are leaving Murfreesborough. The enemy's wagon train took the Nashville road from Salem, and the infantry took the pike from Murfreesborough. I have another scout out, with instructions to follow up the enemy and get all possible information in regard to their movements. I will communicate with you as soon as I can hear from my scout.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN S. PRATHER, Lieut.-Col., Cmdg. Post.
HDQRS. POLK'S CORPS, ARMY OF TENNESSEE, Shelbyville, Tenn., March 17, 1863.
Brig.-Gen. WHARTON:
GEN.: Information has reached the lieutenant-general commanding indicating a movement of the enemy from Murfreesborough, on the Nashville pike. He desires to ascertain the truth of the matter, and instructs me to request you to send out strong scouting parties in that direction, charged with the duty of watching this movement and reporting the facts.
I am, general, respectfully, your obedient servant,
THOMAS M. JACK, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
HDQRS. WHARTON'S CAVALRY, March 17, 1863.
Maj. THOMAS M. JACK, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.:
MAJ.: Your dispatch received. I had previously sent out a scouting party to ascertain the truth of the reported movement of the enemy. Shall continue to send out scouts until the truth is ascertained, and will report promptly any information received.
Most respectfully, major, your obedient servant,
JNO. A. WHARTON, Brig.-Gen. of Cavalry.
UNIONVILLE, March 17, 1863--8 p. m.
Lieut. Gen. LEONIDAS POLK, Cmdg. at Shelbyville:
GEN.: A scout has just returned from College Grove. They report the bridge over Harpeth, near that place, as almost completed; that the enemy have desisted from work on it, saying that it will be finished when they desire to use it. They are yet camped at the junction of this and the College Grove pike.
I am as yet unable to give you certain intelligence as to whether the enemy are retiring from Murfreesborough. Exertions are being made to ascertain this to a certainty, and during the morrow you will be advised. I send you a late paper with a speech in it from Brady, of New York, a quondam friend of ours. I believe we will have to win our independence by our own valor and patient endurance, without aid from foreign powers or domestic broils among our enemies. Any late papers will be most acceptable.
Most respectfully, general, your obedient servant,
JNO. A. WHARTON, Brig.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 23, pt. II, pp. 703-705.
17, Confederate guerrillas capture the Grampus No. 2 at mouth of Wolf River, at Island Little Chicken
Newspaper clippings enclosed in statement of J. E. Cheek, of Mound City, dated Memphis, March 19, 1863.
The Grampus No. 2 arrived here a day or two ago with 3,500 bushels of coal in tow. She lay a little above the mouth of Wolf River at the Island Little Chicken, within 50 yards of the Tennessee shore. At about 12 o'clock last night, all hands being in bed but the watch, some men suddenly sprang on board from the bank. The watch was seized and a pistol put to his head, and one by one the various parties on deck were made to leave their berths; a guard with a revolver in hand was set over each one of them, and any shouting or signaling to boats that lay not very far off was prevented.
The engineers were compelled to get up steam and the pilot to take the boat with 3,500 bushels of coal, but leaving the barges behind, to the regular ferry landing at Mound City, 5 miles above our landing. Here the commander of the boat, Captain Thomas Chester, was robbed of nearly a thousand dollars, greenbacks, which he had upon his person, and a very valuable gold watch. They stripped the boat of its furniture, bedding, lanterns, crockery ware, and dishes, and all the things lying about that they wanted. These were hauled away by the aid of a wagon and six horses to where the men said they had a camp some distance back. When the work of plunder was completed the Grampus was set on fire and cut loose. She floated to the foot of the island that is opposite Mound City, where she and her coal are burning at the moment we are writing.
The party making the capture consisted of 13 men; they said they had 15 or 20 more within a short distance. They said they were the people who took the Musselman and burned her on Friday last, and that they should have more yet; and they told the Grampus people to tell General Hurlbut when they got back to have his bed big enough, for he would find one of them sleeping with him some night.
He also stated that they had four rams coming, and when they arrived they should have possession of the river at that point.
They stated that some of them had been all over Memphis during the day, and they had been near the Grampus and found out how she lay.
The following names were among those heard or known by parties taken from the Grampus: Colonel Williamson, Jim McGehee, Lieutenant Barton, M. R. Cheek, jr., and ---- Green. Some of these names will be remembered as having been written on passes given to persons on the Musselman when she was taken.
The persons taken from the Grampus were not unkindly used. They were told that if they chose they might go into an empty house above the landing, build a fire there, and remain until morning. This was no doubt the house Captain Cheek, of the ferryboat, used to keep as a tavern. The Grampus people were paroled; they walked down the shore and were brought across to this side, where they are detained on one of the gunboats for examination. Among the spoils taken from the Grampus the captors seemed to be more pleased to receive her bell, which was a valuable one. It was understood that all the captors were residents of the neighboring portion of Arkansas. Colonel Williamson and Captain McGehee had a sort of uniform on.
This bold act of making off with a boat just above the city landing, within sight of the city and within gunshot of the gunboats, is one that will awaken at least surprise, and, we presume, can not pass without chastisement.
Navy OR, Ser. I, Vol. 24, pp. 136-137.
17, John Hunt Morgan entertains Lucy Virginia French with war stories
On the evening of Tuesday 17th March when we had the "Morgan supper" – I had Gen. M. account to me some of his achievements. I like the Gen. very much – his eyes are small but full of expression and his smile is very genial and winning. It comes over his face like the laugh over a child's countenance. Having in it an innocence of humor which is very beautiful to me. Standing across the room the Gen. looks much younger than when you come close up to him in conversation – then you note the short deep lines about his eyes and mouth. He is tall – and his figure full – broad-chested, dark hair, rather short, wavy and rather thin – dark beard and mustache [sic] both worn short- full, broad, high forehead – nose small and not remarkable – mouth very good I though some of his teeth artificial. Hands small while – for a man, and soldier. I do not remember much of his account of the Hartsville fight, owing to my knowing so little of the locality – I could not get a clear idea of how he managed his men. He said, however, that he was misinformed at the outset having learned there were 900 Federals at Hartsville he determined to take them. "The whole of the affair" said he "was a series of fortunate accidents….I was informed they were 2500,-I assure you [that I thought] them 5000 – they looked immense to me. Bud I did not dare fail then – in a few days I was to be married you know – and besides I had to take them or they take us. I was obliged to fight and to do it quickly too for a large Federal force were within a few miles of Hartsville. I attacked them – we fought desperately for (I think 4 hours)-when up went the white flags of the enemy! I hurried the prisoners together so as to make good our retreat across the river where the re-inforcements should come up – we had no time to care for our killed and wounded – but the ladies came flying out of Hartsville wanting to know of me where our wounded were-I pointed them out to them recommending them to their care, and then I could rest easy concerning them – I knew that they would be well cared for. I had just got me men, prisoners, and the beautiful Parrott guns we had taken over the river and was sitting there on my horse with my staff around me – when a shell cut the limb of a tree just above me. The enemy were on our track and we had just escaped him. – As soon as the battle was decided I threw my leg over the saddle and tearing a leaf from a tote-book wrote a note to Mattie[4]-sending it off in haste by a courier. The next Sunday evening we were married. At one time during the fight there was a great explosion quite near me as I stood by my little mountain howitzer batter – I saw a friend fall dead by one of the guns. It was the explosion of one of the caissons – from the enemy's shell.["] The Gen. when he becomes excited in a narration – talks fast and as if was brim-ful [sic] of the subject – catching his breath a little at intervals. He seemed very modest withal – claiming only credit for his men. He seems frank too – at one time mentioning that his mother had gone to Louisville one to receive his body – "she had heard I was killed" said he "was the time I was whipped down here at Lebanon."[5] – At Gallatin he said Col. Boone told him afterwards that they were just dressing and remarked to his wife that "this was about the hour Morgan usually made his appearance," in a few moments there was the reply. I told him I understood that Mrs. Boone exclaimed on hearing that-"I surrender and so does the Col!" at which he laughed heartily saying he did not heard that. "does it not seem strange Mrs. French" he went on, "when I tell you that on the next morning at Hartsville I felt that I must go to Gallatin? I knew nothing of what was going on there – but I had a strange and strong presentiment that I ought too. I had no known business there – but gathering a portion of my men I mounted my horse and set forward. It was [a] grey morning when we reached the place – Instantly we were surrounded by the whole lady population – crying, sobbing, entreating us to have their friends – beautiful girls with disheveled hair – in their night-robes, with bare feet upon the damp streets – just as they rushed from their homes – wives, weeping, mothers beseeching us to save their boys – ho! Madame it was heart-breading. I do not believe there was a dry eye in my whole-command [sic]. It seems that after we left Gallatin a party of Federals came up from Nashville and took every male in the place – intending to march them to Nashville to prison. They treated the citizens shamefully – carrying off everything they could, tearing the earrings from the ladies, the rings from their hands – the breast pins from their bosoms. The men old and young were marched off down the R.R., at the entrance of a bridge two of my young men had been murdered – I called my men up to me – pointed them to the blood and told them whose it was. 'We take no prisoners today' was their reply, and we dashed forward. The first Yankees I came up to had an old man nearly exhausted – driving him forward at the point of a the bayonet – he was perhaps 80 years of age – I think that was the only time in my life that I felt all humanity leave my heart –"He here described how the Yankee ran down an embankment, and he forced his horse his horse as it were, and shot him though he begged for life.)![sic] Then he described their following on – relieving men and killing Yankees as they went until they came up with the last – 300-near Nashville – and these they took prisoners. There were so many of them said he that when they threw down their arms we couldn't shoot them all. Then he described their evening entrance into Gallatin – such a contrast as it was with the morning – ladies coming up with bouquets and refreshments – ladies in carriages come after their friends the prisoners – it was a perfect oration, joyful – overwhelming. Certainly this was a stirring day for John Morgan and his men! He got into Gallatin and perfectly exhausted threw himself down somewhere to sleep. Scarce an hour passed as he thought when he heard a dash of cavalry and started up – he knew something was wrong. The news came – Johnson was upon him – (Johnson went from here to Gallatin.) They had a skirmish with the vanguard – Morgan drove them back – as he thought to the main body. He was then about retiring himself, "when said he (to show you Mrs. French what little things change the fate of a battle) – I saw at some distance in the road before me the form of a female. Immediately I said – if the enemy were advancing upon us that lady would not be there in the road, I will ride forward and see what it means. Leaving command with two men to follow me at a given signal I rode to the lady. It proved to be an acquaintance – Miss Allen, she was attentively regarding the body of a Federal officer who laid by the road side, Lt. Col. Wynkoop. She stated that the Federals were in full retreat and we put on after them. Coming in sight they sent in a flag of truce to bury their dead and recover their wounded. I sent them word that our engagement was not yet terminated – that they had to fight for the privilege. And we did fight for some hours,-the result you know." (I remembered how badly whipped Johnson acknowledge himself to be in his official report last summer. How he laid the blame on his men, asserting that they "behaved shamefully, " etc. He begged Col. Duke not to carry him through Hartsville a prisoner – and Duke magnanimously granted his request. I wouldn't have done it – after all the indignities he (Johnson) had heaped upon the citizens of that place. Magenis told out here one day a good story of Gen. Morgan's presence of mine. Down somewhere between Murfreesboro and Nashville somewhere (I think it was,) he got beyond the enemy's pickets – they were between him and his own camp and saw him ere he was aware. There was a little house near- he rode up and asked for a drink of water. Morgan had on a Federal uniform – the man of the house brought him a drink, The Gen. remarked that it was very bad water – and looking the man in the eye [said] sternly [:]"Tell me instantly the name of one of those men yonder in picket." The man said one's name was Burns[.] "Well,' said Morgan, "they are not doing their duty there" and dashing forward he called out "Burns you scoundrel what do you jean by doing duty in this way?" (Burns started up on the instant.) "Where is the commanding officer of this guard" cried Morgan, the officer appearing he continued, "You are under arrest sir – stack the arms!" Arms being stacked he formed the men in line of march, then said "Hand me those guns" taking them before him on his horse – he then marched them to his camp! On version I heard of the story says that the men thinking of course he was a federal officer informed him he was marching them in wrong direction to find their camp to which he replied that he was John Morgan and knew very well where he ought to carry them!....
War Journal of Lucy Virginia French, entry for March 22, 1863.
17, Nashville newsboys become nuisances
Recorder's Court.
…Four newsboys were brought up for fighting. One of them was fined $5 and costs, another $1 and costs, and the other two discharged. These newsboys are acquiring some very bad habits, of which they must be broken, or the city will be flooded with a growing generation of candidates for the Penitentiary. Many of the smallest of them use language perfectly shocking to persons not by any means sensitive on the subject, and one-half of the fights among them originate in the calling of each other improper names. You must correct your manners and habits, boys, or the police will be compelled to call you to account.
Nashville Dispatch, March 17, 1863.
17, Smugglers, harboring guerrillas and female soldiers in Nashville
Army Police Proceedings.
Before the Chief of Army Police, Nashville, March 16, 1863. James Whiteman and Cook Cantrell were arrested under a charge of smuggling and harboring guerrillas. A large quantity of goods were seized upon the premises of Whiteman, some eight miles from the city, near the White's Creek road. The goods consist of about five thousand yards of calicoes and other "domestics," and eight boxes of "cotton cards," and are of about three thousand dollars in value. They were found in the "loft" of a negro's house about a mile from "Whiteman's Mills." It does not fully appear whether the goods were owned by said James Whiteman or by one of his brothers now in the rebel service, but it is clearly evident that it was intended to take them South. Whiteman admitted that he had the goods placed in the "loft" in the night. He was committed to jail until the case can be fully investigated. The charges against Cook Cantrell were not sustained and he was discharged upon taking the oath of allegiance….
Lizzie Bishop and Sallie Mosely, being dressed in soldiers' clothes, were arrested on the train at Lavergne on Saturday and sent back to this city. They stated that they were induced to dress as soldiers and go aboard the train by John Kittle and Alex. ________, of company I of the 60th regiment of Illinois volunteers. Sent them to their homes.
Another female, dressed as a soldier, was arrested on the train from Murfreesboro'. She was required to go North.
Nashville Dispatch, March 17, 1863.
17, Private Fergusson floats petition to remove company B's lieutenant
Tusday [sic] 17th
Still warm and pleasant the imployment of the morning was to get up a petition of demonsterance [sic] to over throw our first Lieutenant from the puseation [sic] he now holds for getting drunk & disgracing himself and the company in presence of the hole [sic] regt while on dress puraid [sic] the petition was signed by nearly all of the company and by every squad connected with our company at 3 oc P.M. it was handed in to the coonel. At 3 oc P.M. we had commissioned drill then Battalion & dress puraid in the evening at ½ past 4.
John Hill Fergusson Diary, Book 3.
17, Report on the 20th Tennessee's wedding dress flag
A Flag for a Tennessee Regiment.
From the Jackson (Miss.) Crisis.
The Chattanooga Rebel mentions the fact that the wife of General John C. Breckinridge has had prepared a magnificent stand of colors, constructed from the silk of the wedding dress worn by herself upon the day of her marriage, to be presented, through her husband, to the most gallant and brave regiment in his division. The Rebel understands that this appropriate and valued present had been bestowed upon the 20th Tennessee regiment, commanded by Colonel Tom. Smith, and well known as the famous "Battle's regiment," that did such gallant service in the disastrous battle of Fishing Creek.
Nashville Dispatch, March 17, 1863.
17, Report on the lynching of Methodist parson Cavendar in Van Buren county by Confederate soldiers ca. May 17, 1861
A Tennessee Hero.
There are many names in Tennessee, and particularly in the eastern portion of that State, which the loyal people will not willingly let die. They will be read and thought of in the far future as the present generation look back at the demi-gods of the Revolution. A letter from Cincinnati, of recent date, gives some account of one of those noble-hearted Tennesseans, and, as the story came from the lips of a dying man, it is probably truthful. The writer states that among the Rebel prisoners at Camp Dennison, Ohio, was one named Neil, who, when asked how he came to be a Rebel, stated that the Secessionists scared him into it.
He had been a postmaster in Van Buren county, Tennessee, and a Union man. The Rebels held three elections in that county, but got hardly a solitary vote in Neil's precinct. Enraged at this, they imported a force of soldiers and began to lynch unarmed Unionists. This style of procedure made some converts, but it was withstood. Among the victims Neil spoke of-and, as he knew that he was dying, he reminded his hearers of his obligation to speak the simple duty-was the martyr patriot whose history he thus recited:
"There was in Van Buren county an old Methodist preacher of a great deal of ability, named Cavender. He was from the first a most determined Union man, and his influence in the county was great, they determined to make an example of him and get him out of the way. So they took him out of his house, put a rope around his neck, and, setting him upon a horse, led him into a forest. They then told him that unless he would publicly renounce his Unionism they would hang him. Cavendar replied:-'God gave my breath to bear witness to His truth, and when I must turn it to the work of lies and crime, it is well enough to yield it up to Him who gave it.'
They than asked him if he had any parting request. He said 'he had no hope that they would attend to anything he might ask.' They said they would. He then requested that they would take h is body to his daughter with the request that she would lay it beside the remains of his wife. They then said, 'It's time to go to your prayers.' He replied, 'I'm not one of the sort who has to wait until a rope is round his neck to pray.' Then they said, 'Come, old man, no nonsense; if you don't swear to stand by the Confederacy, you will have to hang,' at the same time tying the rope to a branch.
The old man said, 'Hang away.' One then gave a blow with a will to the horse upon which Cavender sat; the horse sprang forward, and the faithful servant of God and his country passed into eternity. Well, they tore the flesh off his bones and threw it to the hogs; his heart was cut out and lay in a public place till it rotted. Can it be wondered if few are strong enough to resist their only legitimate arguments for Rebellion."
Philadelphia Inquirer, March 17, 1863.
17, Newspaper report on the Sanitary Commission in Jackson and Bolivar, checking Van Dorn, Sullivan's expedition, destruction of flat boats at Savannah
THE WAR IN TENNESSEE.
Report of Major Robb on the Affairs of the Illinois Sanitary Commission-Abandonment of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad from Columbus, to Jackson, Tenn.-Reasons-Van Dorn-Destruction of Boats at Savannah by a Small Force of Union Troops-Hospitals at the Point [Jackson] to be abandoned.
Special Correspondence of the Inquirer.
Jackson, (Tenn.), March 9, 1863.
The energies and kind acts of the various sanitary commissions, National and State, are convincing of the humanity and progress of the age. Kind families at home, sacrificing in many instances their comfort and their time, for the sake of the brave men who have left their firesides to vindicate the honor of their country and their flag, shows that the spirit of patriotism exists everywhere, in a manner suitable to conditions and opportunities. Those in the field, by an abnegation of home pleasures, to endure the hardships and exposures of a soldier's career. Those at home, by acceptable offerings of food, raiment, in fact every imaginable thing of usefulness, or even of luxury, in some cases, to modify the virulence of disease or the pains of wounds from a paper of pins to a complete suit of apparel. From a hard cracker to the most luxurious of fruits, is forwarded to those various Commissions, for distribution among the sick or injured.
The good offices of Maj. T. P. Robb, the Illinois State agent, first brought the benevolent designs of these societies to my attention, and therefore it is of him and his works I will now more particularly speak. Las summer Governor Yates, ever thoughtful of the soldier's welfare, commissioned Major Robb to visit the Illinois troops, with a view of examining into their wants, requiring a report to be made to him, upon which he proposed to base a system whereby to ameliorate the conditions of the troops.
Some months were consumed in this tour of inspection, at the end of which Major Robb reported as advised. He thought something might be done by which the sick and wounded, particularly, would be bettered. Accordingly, he suggested the institution of a sanitary commission in this department, independent of the United States Commission. The Governor considered the matter and on the 8th of August, 1862, the present commission, head-quarters were established at this point [Jackson], with Major Robb at the head. Later another was established at Bolivar, thirty miles below here. Through the kindness of Major Robb I send you a copy of his report up to January 1st of this year. As it has not been given to the public, I embody it in my letter. It is addressed to the Illinois Commissary-General.
Jackson, Tenn., Feb 13, 1862- Colonel John Williams, Commissary General, Springfield, Ill.; Sir: Annexed you will find a report of the disbursement at my sanitary quarters in Jackson, from the date of my establishing the same, August 8th, 1862, to January 1st, 1863. Also a report of disbursements by my agent at Bolivar, Tenn. I have devoted all the time I coukld spare from my quarters and other duties to the roms at Bolivar, and have the satisfaction of knowing that the troops stations at that post all along the railroad to Grand Junction have all their wants supplies as is possible from a sanitary room. The disbursements from my quarters you will observe have been at this post, the different stations en route to Corinth; at Corinth, the different stations en route to Columbus, and to the different stations en route to Bolivar. While our army was advancing I sent several carloads of vegetables and other stores to Grand Junction, La Grange, Holly Springs and to regimens in the extreme advance.
It would be idle for me to speak here of the numerous letters of thanks from officers, surgeons and soldiers I have on file, expressing their thanks to me, he kind-hearted donors at home, and our noble Governor, for the numerous evidences that he has given the sick and wounded soldiers that he is their friend, first and last. When they get home they will prove themselves his friend. In fact, they have lately done so at Corinth, at Bolivar to-day, and will here in a few days. I hope and pray, Colonel, that our friends at home will not relax their efforts in behalf of our hospitals. I know that we draw heavily upon them and that very many are constantly giving. Let me assure all such that their gifts are totally appreciated, and finally, let me tell them that their "burdens are light" in comparison to those borne by the brave boys they have sent to fight our battles.
These Southern pitiless storms have no mercy on the soldier as he stand watch, nor his military law and discipline, but such is a soldier's life in camp. Our friends at home, seated around their fires, have little idea of the exposure their brave boys are subjected to. I only wonder that our sick list is not larger. Notwithstanding all their hardships, their spirits are good. All they ask is that they may be kindly remembered at home, and upheld and supported by their State. But enough.
On account of the "Forrest raid" in December and January, I was unable to forward you a full report in season for your annual report to the Governor, consequently, I only sent you, at this late day, a report of my disbursement and these brief particulars.
Respectfully,
T. P. Robb, State Agent,
That part of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad connecting this point with Columbus, Ky., is to be abandoned to-day. During the raid of Forrest into this strict he made this road the object of his most indignant malignity, insomuch that he destroyed several miles of trestle-work. High water, and a host of other equally as potent reason, prevented the reconstruction of the road. This has at last, however, been done, and immense trains or empty cars are now continually passing here on their way to Memphis. The object in repairing the road was merely to transport the rolling stock accumulated at Columbus, before the raid, to some point where it would be useful. The road has always been held at a great expense of troops to guard to. Of late the opening of the Memphis and Charleston road has made Memphis the base of supplies, throwing this road out of use. It has wisely been determined to abandon it.
The troops on guard duty along the road are commencing to arrive here. What disposition will be made of them is, of course, no known to me, but I feel confident that force at this point will be greatly strengthened. The country north of this is well cleared of guerrillas, and can be watched as well by scouting parties as an immense scattered force, the detachment, is no instance, being without immediate operating proximity when attacked in detail upon the centre. The same force, concentrated here, will be of much greater service in checking raids upon this country.
For some time Van Dorn has been circulating in significant proximity to the Tennessee river. Several days since it was presumed that he really designed a movement this side [sic]. He was closely watched by General Sullivan's cavalry, which, perhaps was the reason for his not carrying out what his actions indicated. For the present no fears are entertained, in consequence of the rapid rise of all the streams in this part of the State. For some days we have had incessant rains, which have entirely submerged the country, particularly in this vicinity, the lowland standing as much a five feet under water.
An expedition started from Bethel about twenty-five miles southeast of this, returned day before yesterday eminently successful. General Sullivan having learned that a number of boats were being accumulated at Savannah, a Tennessee river town, ordered them destroyed and detailed a number of picked men for that purpose. They set out quietly, and with adventure reached the river, which they crossed, they found matters as reported. Without disturbance, at an early hour, the party set to and destroyed every barge, flatboat and skiff to be found, and then recrossed and returned. The enterprise was attended with no loss to us. Our men were away before their presence was known to the enemy. No pursuit was made, when the boats were discovered missing. The party arrived at Bethel highly delighted with their expedition.[6]
This place, until within the last few weeks, has been the seat of the general hospitals of the army. Many sick were accumulated here. A recent order caused the removal of the sick to Memphis or the North as rapidly as their condition will admit. Several of the hospitals have been entirely abolished, and all the patients removed. The worst cases will remain here for the present. I cannot ascertain any reason for this action, but several significant changes suggest something important before long.
Philadelphia Inquirer, March 17, 1863.
17, Wedding party at the home of Mr. Reynolds on Walden Ridge
I do not suppose that the history of the world contains such a rare case of universal concord being the result of such universal discord. [sic]. The [wedding] party was composed of 1st, Rebel and Union citizens; 2d, Rebel and Union soldiers; 3rd, Rebel and Union deserters; 4th, Rebel and Union spies; 5th Rebel and Union bushwhackers.
Scarcely a harsh word was uttered during the whole night; all danced together as if nothing was wrong, and parted mutually the next morning, each party marching off separately.
Considering the great hatred existing between the different parties it is marvelous that bloodshed was not the immediate result.
Chattanooga Gazette, March 17, 1864
17, Skirmish at Manchester
No circumstantial reports filed.
17, Skirmish at Winchester
No circumstantial reports filed.
17, Special Orders No. 62, relative to Tipton County issued
SPECIAL ORDERS, No. 62. HDQRS. SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Memphis, Tenn., March 17, 1864.
* * * *
IX. The citizens of the county of Tipton, Tenn., having by a large majority enrolled themselves to preserve life and property and to keep the peace within said country, and pledged themselves in writing so to do against all persons except organized forces of the United States or of the Confederate States, it is ordered that no troops of this command shall enter said country, except under written orders from the commanding officer at Memphis, and that no property of kind shall be taken by military seizures within said country. This privilege will continue so long as the said citizens shall in good faith perform the said agreement, and the same privilege will be extended to other counties which shall in good faith adopt and carry out this course.
* * * *
By ordered of Maj. Gen. S. A. Hurlbut:
T. H. HARRIS, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 32, pt. III, p. 87.
17, An end to military control over circulation of the press in Chattanooga
SPECIAL ORDERS.
Headquarters Depart't of the Cumberland.
Office of Provost Marshal General
Chattanooga, Feb. 17, 1864
All orders heretofore issued in this Department proscribing or restricting the circulation of Newspapers, are hereby revoked.
by command of Maj. Gen. Geo. H. Thomas
J. G. Parkhurst,Col. and Pro. Marshal.
Nashville Dispatch, March 16, 1864.
17, Death of a Nashvillian in a guerrilla attack near Memphis
"Death of Lieut. Samuel M. Allen."
A telegraphic dispatch from Cairo, to the Louisville papers of the 17th inst., giving an account of a guerrilla fight in Shelby county [sic], Tennessee, says:
One was named Contrigal, a daring robber, who had a repeater which he fired. Forrest ordered his men to fire and Contrigal and his companion, Samuel Allen, formerly of Nashville, fell dead.
The Samuel Allen spoken of is Lieut. Samuel M. Allen, son of Mrs. Joseph Allen, of this city. Instead of being concerned with robbers, as the foregoing paragraph intimated, he was the victim of robbers, having been killed and robbed them, as we learn from a private letter from Memphis received in this city, and written by Wm. Farrington, Esq., of that place. The murder and robbery took place near the residence of Mr. Jamison, about twenty-five miles from Memphis.
Lt. Allen was captured at Vicksburg and paroled. He was subsequently taken sick at the camp for paroled soldiers, near Marietta, Ga.; and was permitted to leave there on furlough. He went to the residence of Mr. Geo. L. Holmes, formerly a member of the Tennessee Legislature, who lives some fourteen miles from Memphis, and sought of the commander of the Post at that city, permission to visit his family in Nashville, furnishing him with a frank and candid account of his position and the circumstances attending his presence in Tennessee. The permission asked having been denied, he remaind [sic] with Mr. Holmes, observing his parole honorably; and was with the consent of Gen. R. S. Granger, commander of this post, furnished with means by his friend here. He was enjoying the hospitality of Mr. Holmes up to the day of this death. Lt. Allen was an honorable high-minded and chivalrous young man, greatly beloved by a large circle of friends in Nashville.
Nashville Dispatch, March 19, 1864.
17, New construction in Nashville
Military Improvements. – In various parts of the city, but especially around the outskirts, the different military departments are making many improvements, and erecting extensive buildings, for depots, workshops, feed shed, etc. Among others we notice an enormous warehouse and commissary building on the line of the Franklin Railroad, near the Holy Trinity Church, South Nashville. Its dimensions are 120 by 1000 feet, and one story high. It is calculated to hold almost any quantity of government stores that may be needed.
Nashville Dispatch, March 17, 1864
17, Thanks from a Yale law student
Law Department Yale College
New Haven Ct March 17, 1864
His Excellency Andrew Johnson
Governor of the State of Tennessee Nashville
Sir –
It is gratifying to my pride to be able to inform you that nearly a year ago I was permitted to take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States, renewing in good faith all my obligations to the benificent [sic] Government under which I was born.
Ever since that period I have been here at the Law School of Yale College endeavoring to qualify myself for a profession by which I hope to get a living in my native Nashville.[7]
Every day's experience – as I become a man – convinces me the more the utter wickedness of this most unprovoked rebellion into which as a boy I so unfortunately stumbled – and I can say with truth that I most ardently desire its overthrow.
Your policy for reconstruction in Tennessee, if I understand it, is the only true policy.
I seize this opportunity to thank you for your good counsel and advice when I was a rebel prisoner at Nashville, and only regret that I did not profit from it an earlier day. I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully Your ob't serv't
Jos. E. Harris
Papers of Andrew Johnson, Vol. 6, p. 647.
17, A Reporter's Article Concerning East Tennessee Life
Life in Eastern Tennessee.
Description of the Country-Incidents-Political Sentiments of the People, etc.
[Correspondence of the St. Louis Democrat.]
Eastern Tennessee, March 17, 1864
The Chattanooga Valley-Reminiscences of the Battle of Chickamauga.
While the cars were rolling down the beautiful Chattanooga valley, after passing the far-famed Lookout Mountain, I was looking out of one of the windows to see if the old hut and quarters which I occupied during the siege of Chattanooga were still standing, to afford me a resting place till I could make hasty arrangements to join the command with which I am traveling. They were there. What a perfect farce the siege of Chattanooga was! It is estimated by our best engineers that during the siege, lasting from the 25th of September to the 25th of November, the rebels threw into our lines 200 tons of shell. They only killed two niggers and one mule, besides wounding one soldier, who, I am sorry to say, afterward died. Now let somebody figure up what it cost them to kill one Yankee. The soldiers became so accustomed to the boom of big guns on Lookout and the bursting of shell, that they would not miss the count of their crackers when receiving the rations if the whole battery fired at once. Now my object is to tell you I got to my command, and what I saw by the way.
Our haversacks were supplied with three days cooked rations, besides tea, coffee and sugar, coffee-pot, etc. Our gum and army blankets were packed upon our horses, and at sunrise on the 16th instant myself, with a companion, started. We were prepared to camp in the woods if necessary, or stop at houses if it suited or convenience. Our road went directly over Mission Ridge. We started in a brisk trot for a few miles in order to pass as quickly as possible the dead horses and mules that literally cover the ground for miles and miles around Chattanooga. It is not extravagant to say that in a circle of three miles in diameter around Chattanooga, there are no less than 20,000 dead horses and mules-some of them partially buried, burned, the greater part in all stages of decomposition. They are also scattered all the way back to the Chickamauga battle-field, and on the river road toward Bridgeport they are so thick that if they were strung out in one line I have no doubt they would reach the whole distance, touching each other all the way. We live through it, and struck the valley at the place Gen. Sherman's corps made such a vigorous assault on the 25th of November. Three times they were repulsed with heavy loss, but as often returned to the charge, which was not easy in the face of all the batteries, and up a hill an angle of at least 35 degrees, amidst a perfect storm of balls. But they succeeded at last. The undergrowth looks as though a man had been through it with a brush scythe, and the larger trees are cut in every direction.
We took the main road towards Knoxville and found that we had come to the Chickamauga river, too near its mouth, and either to cross over through the wood to dry ford where there is a bridge of swim our horses. We chose the former; and here we were sorry that neither of us had any kind of an army about us. The whole wasted country, just without the lines from Chattanooga is infested with bushwhackers, and at Turner's Station, only six miles from Chattanooga, the next day after we passed, a sentinel was shot dead at his post. But trusting in Providence, we made our way safely to the bridge, and on the first station. On this line of railroad and the common road running nearly parallel with it, there is a courier line the whole distance to Charleston. Troops are stationed all along the line form Chattanooga to Knoxville, taken from the Fourth Army Corps. The road is little traveled at present, and we hardly met a traveler the whole distance of 90 miles. The courier posts are from three to five miles apart, and nearly the whole from three to five miles apart, and nearly the whole travel on this thoroughfare is done by them. The citizens living on the road tell me that before the war you were never out of sight of wagons going and coming. The passage of large armies up and down this beautiful valley has made sad havoc with the farms. More than half of the fields are turned into common, the fencing being burned. Soldiers, on both sides, much prefer burning rails to chopping wood. All the horses and mules have been taken, and what few teams are left are made up of scalawag horses and mules-with crooked legs and sore backs-left behind as the debris of the army.
Loyal and Disloyal Inhabitants.
The people are loyal or rebel by neighborhoods. You come into a fine valley and ask the first man you see; are the people here secesh or Union? If he is a Union man (he sees at once what you are) his face will brighten up ;and he will reveal himself in full three minutes, and recount his suffering in glowing language, and in one case, in answer to the question, he said (after taking a survey of us a moment,) "Well, we are Union, that's what's the matter: and besides that we intend to stick to the old flag just as long as we live. Just ride here to any house and I'll show you the old flag-but we had [it] buried for two years, but, thank God, Gen. Burnside resurrected that before the trumpet sounded, and we don't intend to bury it again soon."
Meet one of doubtful loyalty, and ask the usual question, and he will begin his speech something in this way: "Well, now, it's a little mixed in this neighborhood; there are some on both sides and we hardly know what we are. We believe in the Union, however,-that is, if-and-and but." Well that is enough' we make a chalk mark on [the] note-book that that man, and all that talk in a similar manner, un unmitigated rebels yet, and have not seen enough of war to scorch the brand of traitor from their countenances. It is as plain to be read in their faces as the brand of Cain, which Parson Brownlow says, was a black skin. On the road between Chattanooga and Knoxville two thirds of the residents are unconditional rebels yet, and are only kept at bay by the presence of the Union army. Many of them are undergoing a kind of forced conversion to Unionism, but the old adage will probably hold good in most cases:
Convince a rebel against his will,
And he remains a rebel still.
Petticoat Secesh.
We fell in company with two she rebels between Loudon and Lenoir, and having asked the older one a few questions soon discovered there were no if and buts with her. Shielding herself under the garb of sex, she launched forth with all the bitter invective that her language could command, reiterating all the lies against the Yankees ever invented by Jeff. Davis & Co., and insisted they were true, notwithstanding my denial. She said her husband was a prisoner at Johnson's Island; that he was nearly starved to death; that the prisoners there could not take the least exercise in the large pen (she called it) in which they were confined, without being shot down by our sentinels; that we had murdered hundreds of their men in that way. She finally wound up with the (to her) consoling remark that the poor white people at the North were starving to death by thousands to pay for making war upon the South. Their own horses at the very time were perfectly loaded down with commissary stores they had obtained from Loudon and were carrying home. Now it may be the best policy to feed such rebels, But most of us think the best way would be to send them over the lines and let the rebels deal out the stores to them which they have stolen from this valley, and which are now stored up to feed their soldiers with. They have tried in some instances, but the rebels won't let them cross the line at all unless they are abundantly able to support themselves.
Story of a Farmer's Trouble.
About noon we rode up to a very good farm house and in a[n] old outhouse near by was a man about 60 years of age, trying to fix up a thing called a plow. In front of the hose was a beautiful field of perhaps 200 acres, and not a rail in sight, or a fence of any kind except a board fence just around the house. We accosted him and he invited us to dismount and go into the house. About the premises were several old negroes and some small children and quite a number of female darkies. He invited us to dinner, and, of course, we did not object, and it was a good substantial dinner-corn, beans and ham, boiled milk and wheat coffee. After dinner we had an hour's chat, and his story will cover the cases of hundreds more in this valley.
To the question, Are you a Union man? his answer was: "No; I am a rebel-or rather, I was one. I, of course, being a Southern man, thought I must do as the others did, fight for my rights, and as you can see how the thing has turned out as well as I can. Just look at my farm of 820 acres of as good land as ever lay out of doors. There are not 1,000 rails left on the place. My niggers are gone that are worth anything. The gals and children and old men are left on my hands to support. All my horses and mules are gone, and the best wagon. We thought there would be no war. The leading men told us so. Only put on a bold face and secede, and we can have everything our own way down here just for the asking. Yes, we did have it our own way over the left [sic]. First comes the rebel army. They would not steal a thing-not they. So I went into a big speculation and sold them everything I could spare and took their money for pay. Thousands of dollars they paid me-but they might as well have stolen it-for only yesterday I sold $2,000 of their money for $200, and took a man's note for that-that is rather doubtful. Besides, the rebels steal just as much from me as the Union men did, with the exception of Gen. Sherman's corps. They beat any thieves I ever saw, rebel or Union. The found things I had buried and had forgotten myself where I hid them. They seemed to be natural thieves-wo [sic] be to those poor Alabamians down at Selma if Sherman is really there. A few such corps as they are would carry the whole Confederacy off on their back in just two months' time, and he would never find it out until it was too late."
We laughed, and he went on with his story: "I have just found out within a few months, that we have made a great mistake down here in the South on this nigger question, and I might have found it out years ago, if I had only thought a little. I came into this beautiful valley some 20 years since with only a few hundred dollars, and went to work with my own hands, and prospered beyond my expectations-paid for all my land here, built this house and out buildings, put several thousand dollars ahead and thought I must buy some niggers, and I tell you the honest truth when I say that since that time I have never made one cent. The niggers wasted and eat up all my profits. When the Federals began to come down in this region many of my neighbors run their nigger away South, and urged me to do the same, but I refused, and told them that if the niggers want to go South or North, they might go, or if they wanted to stay with me I would to the best I could do for them. This nigger question is played out, and we have got to try another kind of civilization down here. We have been cheating ourselves long enough. I have taken the amnesty oath and I intend to stick to it now. Although I am rather old I think we can fence up a small farm on the old one (that is, if Sherman don't come this away again,) and make a living anyhow, and leave my children a free inheritance if they ever get out of the rebel army alive."
We cheered him up in his laudable undertaking, but could give no encouragement that Gen. Sherman's Corps would never pass up this valley again. As he had taken the oath he appeared to be exceedingly anxious to know whether the Federals would hold on to this line of railroad or not. I told him he might rest easy on that subject, that we intended not only to hold this valley, but all the other valleys and railroads between Chattanooga and the Gulf of Mexico.
Bushwhackers.
We rode on, and about sundown concluded to camp by the side of the road in some tall grass. My companion had gone back for some fire to the nearest house, (for we had after all, forgetting that most necessary article for travelers in this country-matches,) while I prepared our tent made of gum blankets We had nearly completed our arrangements for the night, when a courier came galloping along and saw us. He rode down to us, and says, "What are you going to do here?"
We told him to camp for the night.
"Well," says he, "you had better gather up your traps and ride on to the post only one mile. The bushwhackers will gobble you up before morning, if you stay here. Only last night they shot three fingers off one of our boys just below here, and tried to kill him, but he managed to make his escape."
We didn't camp there, not that we were afraid, on no, but we did not care about having our fingers shot off. We found the courier's post, where we had a very pleasant night with a company of the 39th Indiana mounted infantry, who are performing the dangerous duty of couriers on this part of the line. They tell me that the attacks of these robbers are seldom made in the day time, but they watch for night travelers, occasionally tearing up the railroad track.
The Splendid Scenery-The Soil.
On the second day we passed Cleveland, a very fine village, and in its days of peace ad prosperity must have been a pleasant place for a residence. To-day we rode in silence and gazed at the splendid scenery of this great valley-the real Switzerland of America. The valley is not a dead level like Illinois, but interspersed with small hills and valleys, abounding in fine springs and bubbling brooks that came tumbling down from the mountains with clear and sparkling water, and I fancied if we only had a hook and fly we could haul out the speckled trout the same as in New England. Away on our left runs a ridge on the Cumberland mountains, and on the right at some 15 or 18 miles distance the Chilhowie mountains, and away beyond that towering high in the air, the blue ridge of the Smoky mountains. Between these mountains runs the Tennessee river, commencing really [?] at Lenoirs [sic] station, where the Holston and Little Tennessee start. And then below at Clarkson, the beautiful Hiawassee comes in, and at Kingston, the Clinch, and at Sweet Water, the river bearing the same name.
To one accustomed to a prairie country like Illinois or Missouri, where the soil is black and deep, the land appears at the first sight to be of little value, being of a lightest color on the surface, and when the soil is worn off or removed, of a dark brick red. But I am told it is exceedingly fertile. In fact, you only have to examine the size of the corn stalks still standing in the fields, to come to the same conclusion. The farmhouses and dwellings of all kinds, are generally constructed in the same Southern style. Porches in front and rear, and sometimes on the end, with the everlasting chimney out of doors stuck up against the house. Even the brick houses are marred and disfigured in the same way.
Suffering of the Union Men.
We called just at dark at a comfortable looking farm-house three miles south of Athens, and asked permission to tarry for the night. It was so readily granted, and in a way that told me at once "you are at the home of a friend." On stepping into the room, it was very evident, without asking a single question, for there on the table lay Parson Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. A rebel sympathizer would as soon have the small-pox in his house as the rebel ventilator. We felt a little doubtful about the propriety of leaving our horses in the open stable by the side of the main road, when our landlord had his two scalliwag [sic] mules safely housed within the narrow limits of his smoke house. But the dark and rainy night gave promise of safety. Here we were entertained the whole evening in listening to the sufferings of the men in that neighborhood.
"In this valley, called Dry Valley, lived the Methodist preacher named Dugan, (of Brownlow's notoriety,) weighing some 250 pounds that those devils incarnate arrested for his loyalty to the Government, making him walk some 10 miles through the hot sun and riding in his buggy themselves.[8] The poor old man fainted time and gain on the journey, but there was no relenting with them. They told him they would sweat the Lincoln fever out of him. They robbed him of all he had, and imprisoned him, but he managed in some way to escape, and is now preaching again at his old stand. What rendered the crime more heinous was the fact that his enemies (some of them) were those with him he had taken sweet counsel in the House of God, and with whom he had knelt at the altar of prayer. What can be more appropriate to this persecuted class of men than those lines of Capt. Grisham of the 10th East Tennessee cavalry:
They struggled, fell, their life-blood stained,
The cruel, murderer's hand'
They clasped their country's flag and cried
God and our native land.
Let angels spread their wings above,
Let flowers forever bloom;
Let bays, green bays, spring forth to mark
The martyr's tomb.
The Landscape-Loyalists and Seceshers!
At early dawn we left our kind friend and his family, and rode on toward Athens. The inhabitants of this town are loyal almost to a man, and when we passed through the town the Stars and Stripes were floating from the roof of their neat and commodious court-house, and not a soldier in sight. We were disappointed in this. We expected to find several regiments encamped here to preserve the peace of the neighborhood. On inquiry, we found that in the town of Athens they had a home guard, and felt able to defend themselves from the hands of thieves and robbers that infest this valley. Merchants, mechanics and farmers were busy at their several occupations, and it looked more like an Illinois town than any place I have seen in East Tennessee. Here the traveled road diverges from the railroad, and we struck off through the timber, and over the hills six miles, to come upon the railroad again at Mouse creek valley.
It was a lonesome ride, resembling very much some of the bluff roads on the Illinois river. We passed only one house the whole distance, and that was a miserable log house situated in a clump of pines. As we rode pas the house, we were astonished at the number of towheaded children at the woodpile-the tallest of whom was not over three feet in height. We commenced counting, two, four, six, and to the question asked: Are you all here? :Oh no," says he, "the two little ones are in the house." They hurrahed for old Abe and we rode on. We traveled this lonesome road a few miles further and came at last to the crest of the hill some 500 feet directly overlooking the valley. There it lay at our feet, extending north as far as the eye could reach and at least three miles in width-dotted with neat farm houses, and just below us Mouse Creek station, with its dozen or more near white cottages and one large brick mansion. A couplet in that beautiful hymn by Here, as I surveyed this beautiful valley ran through my head continually:
Where every prospect pleases,
And only man is vile.
We passed on through this valley, and, night overtaking us nine miles south of Loudon, we called at the farm-house and requested permission to tarry which was readily granted. To the question "Are Union or rebel?" the answer was, "Both."
"Well," says I, "that is a new state of things which I do not understand."
This was the house of a widow lady, and her story was a simple statement of facts, which we listened to very attentively. When she had finished her story she drew one long, deep sigh and retired. I pitied the poor woman, from the bottom of my heart. She said she had two sons in the rebel army and one in the Union. Her son now at home had fled to the mountains to avoid conscription. Her two daughters now at home, young ladies, 18 and 20 were divided, one Union and one rebel. For herself, she had nothing to say-the divisions in her family had made her prematurely gray, (holding up a lock of hair,) and the only wish she had was, that the war might speedily end in some way; and when I asked the usual question, the Union girl stepped into the other room and returned with a beautiful silk Union flag. Such is life in Eastern Tennessee.
Daily Evening Bulletin, (San Francisco, CA), May 18, 1864. [9]
17, U. S. N. patrol on Cumberland to Big South Fork from Nashville ends
U. S. STEAMER REINDEER, Off Nashville, Tenn., March 17, 1865.
Maj. Gen. GEORGE H. THOMAS, U. S. ARMY, Cmdg. Department of the Cumberland, Nashville, Tenn.:
GEN.: I have the honor to inform you that in compliance with your wishes and in obedience to the orders of Lieut.-Commander Le Roy Fitch, commanding Tenth District Mississippi Squadron, I have been up the Cumberland River with this vessel and U. S. steamer Victory as far as Wolf Creek Shoals, a point about forty miles below Camp Burnside (Big South Fork). On these shoals I found five feet scant water and thought it imprudent to go farther on a rapidly falling river. I made landings at all important points and at many farm-horses and impressed the people with your desires and intentions in regard to themselves as forcibly as possible. I incline to the opinion that the information will be rapidly carried into the interior and ultimately yield good results. I saw no guerrillas, and consequently had no trouble. I was told, however, and I think truthfully, that on Sunday last, 12th instant, a force of about 100 rebels had crossed the Cumberland from Celina the mouth of Obey's River, with what intentions and under whose command I could not ascertain. This intelligence I communicated to commanding officer at Carthage and to the camp of wood choppers at Dixon's Springs, about thirty miles lower on the river. A good deal of apprehension exists on the north side of the Cumberland, caused by the movement of bodies of guerrillas and their rumored purpose of concentrating to attack the camp above alluded to. The force which crossed at Celina may have been en route for the rendezvous.
I have the honor to be, general, your obedient servant,
H. A. GLASSFORD, Acting Volunteer Lieut., Cmdg.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 49, pt. II, p. 10.
17, News from Tazewell and Chattanooga
* * * *
Clarence J. Prentice, son of the editor of the Louisville Journal, and especially virulent rebel, recently [March 5] undertook to capture Tazewell, Tennessee.[10] He had 150 men; this place was held by 50 men under Lieut. Jennings. Prentice demanded surrender; Jennings declined; a fight ensued, and Prentice was whipped most decidedly. Instead of taking the place, the rebel leader was compelled to send a flag of truce for permission to bury his dead.
The Chattanooga Gazette of the 10th says a force of rebels said to number about one hundred were reported in the vicinity of Cleveland on the 9th. Eight or ten of their party were captured during the day by some of our forces. Another large party crossed the line of the Chattanooga and Knoxville railroad, between Cleveland and McDonald's Station, the same day about daylight
* * * *
New York Times, March 17, 1865.
17, 1865 - U. S. S. Peosta conducts anti-guerrilla operation
"...after midnight the Peosta landed at Crump's landing and sent out scouts. They returned with six prisoners at 5:30 am who were found to be within the Peostas [sic] lines. That afternoon a detachment of the crew exchanged small arms fire with rebels across the river from Savannah. Such patrols and exchanges between the crew of the Peosta and area guerrillas were repeated during the next few days.
U. S. S. Peosta Daily Deck Log.
[1] Sam, Gus, Charles, Jack, and Abe were slaves belonging to the Owen family.
[2] Frank, Lewis, Mike, John, and Seal were slaves.
[3] Formerly Wheeler's cavalry brigade.
[4] Morgan's fiancé.
[5] May 5, 1862. Morgan was chased out of Lebanon by forces under Union General E. DuMont.
[6] The nature of this report seems to place the event at Savannah on March 7, although that date is by no means certain. Moreover, both Sullivan's expedition from Bethel and its associated daring exploit at Savannah seems to have gone unheralded by the editors of the Official Records.
[7] Harris' aspirations for a career as an attorney in Nashville were cut short when he died in London in 1865. As cited in Papers of Andrew Johnson, Vol. 6, p. 647, n. 3.
[8] This incident is best revealed in the following:
MEMPHIS, October 26, 1861.
ROBERT JOSSELYN, Esq.
DEAR SIR: On my return from Nashville last night I received your letter of 11th instant. The prisoners alluded to were [H. C.] Jarvis, [John W.] Thornburgh and others who were arrested for treason and imprisoned in Nashville. They were turned out by Judge [West H.] Humphreys whilst I was in Nashville.
More than 100 persons have been arrested in East Tennessee with-out warrants in some cases, marched great distances and carried into court on no other charge than that they were Union men. In one case an old man named DuGALEGROUP - TSLA 19TH CN an, a Methodist preacher, was arrested, carried fifty miles on foot (he a large, fleshy men), refused the privilege of riding his own horse, and all they had against him was that in February last he prayed for the Union. If that is a good charge about two-thirds of the people of the State are liable in the same way as at that time they voted 62,000 majority for the Union.
I have spent much time this summer and fall in trying to conciliate the people of East Tennessee. I thought I had succeeded. Just as the people were quieting down, getting reconciled, raising volunteers, &c., they commenced these arrests which have gone far to poison the minds of the people against the Government, and if tolerated and persisted in the people of that end of the State at a critical moment will rise up enemies instead of friends.
You ask me who makes these arrests. As far as I can learn they are instigated by a few malicious, troublesome men in and about Knoxville. I always hear the names of W. G. Swan, William M. Churchwell, John H. Crozier, [John] Crozier Ramsey and the postmaster at Knoxville mixed up with these matters. It is these men have private griefs and malice to gratify and they aim to bring down the avenging arm of the Government to satiate their passions. Crozier Ramsey is the attorney-general. It is said he in most cases causes the arrests and makes the affidavit. Just think of this--an attorney degrading himself by turning an affidavit man.
You may inquire what is the remedy? I answer turn out Ramsey; put some man in Middle or West Tennessee in his place who has dignity and character; turn out the postmaster at Knoxville. If the President will then make it known to all officials that he discountenances all frivolous arrests things will quit down. If, however, he refuses to do this, retains Ramsey, then we may look for great trouble in that end of the State. If the President will write Landon C. Haynes, Senator-elect, and any other respectable man in East Tennessee he will be at no loss what course to pursue.
I address this to you to be certain the President will get it and receive attention.
Very respectfully,
ROBERTSON TOPP.
[Indorsement.]
Referred to the Secretary of War, that such inquiry may be made and action taken as will prevent as far as we may such proceedings as are herein described.
J. D[AVIS.]
OR, Ser. II, Vol. 1, p. 834.
[9] As cited in PQCW.
[10] See March 3-5, 1865, Reconnaissance from Cumberland Gap, Tennessee, to Jonesville, VA above.
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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