Tuesday, February 14, 2012

February 14 - Tennessee Civil War Notes

 "Valentine's Day."
Yesterday was the anniversary of that best of all Saints o­n the Calendar, Saint Valentine – and a dreary day it was. The rain pours, the ground soaks but it a very damp day that throws a wet blanket over the votaries of Saint Valentine. Let the wars rage and the elements do their worst, they cannot overturn the magical sway of our holy Saint. King Cupid is the o­nly ruler against whom there is no rebellion which does not recoil upon the heads of the rebels.
For a few days back the Stationary and News Depots might have been crowded with eager brawny limbed, burly handed soldiers culling from the stocks of Valentine's some tender missive love laden and fraught with sweetest thoughts for the girl they left behind them. To-day and for a week to come may be found around the Post Office clutching eagerly the sweet scented billets as they are rolled out with their linked sweetness, long drawn out, or mayhap the sharpest cuts by a caricature:
"Full many a shaft at random sent
Finds mark the archer never meant."
And many an unseemly "mitten" may a rough shod satire will be interpreted all wrong. The coyness of maidens and the reserve and affection of men makes squad havoc of human happiness. The selection of nothing more than a simple Valentine, has before now been fruitful of happiness or misery of thousand of couriers, Vive la bagatelle. Long live the memory of Saint Valentine.
Memphis Bulletin, February 15, 1863.

 

 

14, Reconnaissance on Cleveland and Spring Place road, East Tenn.
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Chattanooga, February 14, 1864.
Col. ELI LONG, Cmdg. Second Brig., Second Cav. Div., Calhoun, Tenn.:
You have doubtless received the report of Brig.-Gen. Cruft about the reported movements of rebel cavalry upon the Cleveland and Spring Place road. The major-general commanding desires that you send a small cavalry force upon that road to make a reconnaissance and ascertain the truth or falsity of the report.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. D. WHIPPLE,
Brig.-Gen. and Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Chattanooga, February 14, 1864.
Maj. Gen. G. GRANGER, Loudon, Tenn.:
Intelligence has been brought here that a force of rebel cavalry, 2,000 strong, has been passing up the Spring Place and Cleveland road, probably with a view to cut the railroad between Cleveland and the Hiwassee or capture a train.
The major-general commanding desires to know whether a portion of the cavalry force might not be brought down from the Little Tennessee and be posted at Benton for the purpose of preventing such operations of the enemy. Col. Long will be directed to send a small force of cavalry upon the same errand for the purpose of ascertaining the truth of the statement.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. D. WHIPPLE, Brig.-Gen. and Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 32, pt. II, 391-392.


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