Notes from Civil War Tennessee, March 17, 1861-1865
1861
17, Memphis alderman investigated on moral's charge of "improper intimacy with a negro woman"
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[1]
1862
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.
1863
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.
1864
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
1865
17, 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.
James B. Jones, Jr.
Public Historian
Editor, The Courier
Tennessee Historical Commission
2941 Lebanon Road
Nashville, TN 37214
(615)-770-1090
(615)-532-1549 FAX
No comments:
Post a Comment