Tuesday, July 31, 2012

July 31 - Tennessee Civil War Notes


31, Report on the strength of the Provisional Army of Tennessee
MIDDLE TENNESSEE
Infantry at Camp Trousdale. -- Colonel Fulton’s regiment, 889 men, percussion muskets; Colonel Palmer’s regiment, 883 men, flint-lock muskets; Colonel Savage’s regiment, 952 men, flint-lock muskets; Colonel Newman’s regiment, 914 men, flint-lock muskets; Colonel Battle’s regiment, 880 men, flint-lock muskets.
Infantry at Camp Cheatham. -- Colonel Rains’ regiment, 880 men, 710 flint-locks, 175 minie rifles; Colonel Brown’s regiment, 885 men, percussion muskets. Considerable sickness in last named regiment, mostly measles; it might well take place of Colonel Maney’s regiment in East Tennessee, although not now in good condition for active, efficient services.
At Fort Henry. -- Colonel Heiman’s regiment, 720 men, flint-lock muskets. Erecting fortifications at mouth of Big Sandy.
Cavalry at Camp Cheatham.. -- One company, Captain Woodward, fully armed.
Camp Jackson. Battalion, five companies, Lieutenant-Colonel McNairy, fully armed.
Camp Lee. -- Battalion, five companies, fully armed. Our cavalry is armed with sabers, Colt navy pistols, and double-barrel shotguns, English twist.
FORCES IN EAST TENNESSEE
Infantry. - Col. George Maney, 944 men, rifle muskets; Colonel Hatton, 856 men, rifles; Colonel Forbes, 860 men, percussion muskets; Colonel Cummings, 877 men, flint-lock muskets. Field officers not chosen; ten companies strong.
Cavalry. -- Eight companies, about 653 men.
Artillery. -- Captain Rutledge’s company, 110 men, four 6-pounders, two howitzers.
FORCES IN WEST TENNESSEE.
Infantry at Union City. -- Colonel Travis’ regiment, 860 men, fling-lock muskets; Colonel Stephens’ regiment, 851 men, flint-lock muskets; Colonel Douglass’ regiment, 838 men, flint-lock muskets; Colonel Russel’s regiment, 737 men, flint-lock muskets; Colonel Pickett’s regiment, 744 men, flint-lock muskets.
At Fort Wright. -- Colonel Smith’s Regiment, 802 men, percussion muskets; Colonel Walker’s regiment, 541 men, flint-lock muskets.
Cavalry. -- Five hundred and fourteen men, flint-lock muskets.
Artillery. -- Colonel McCown, 140 men, flint lock muskets; Captain Polk, 67 men, flint-lock muskets; sappers and miners, Captain Pickett, 44 men, flint-lock muskets; riflemen, 493, flint-lock muskets.
The governor called for 2,000 riflemen, each man to bring his gun, to be taken by the State at valuation and converted into minie rifles, shooting sixty balls to pound. In response to this call ten companies are in camp at Murfreesborough, Middle Tennessee, and their guns are being converted into minie rifle[s] at the rate of 300 per week. Other companies more than sufficient to fill the call have tendered themselves and are marching or preparing to march into encampment. It is believed that from 4,000 to 5,000 men armed in this way can be raised in the State as twelve-months’ volunteers.
Total infantry, about 19,400; total cavalry, 2,079; total artillery, 558; sappers and miners, 44.
The State is making good sabers at the rate of thirty per day, casting cannon, making powder, and will soon be doing so on a considerable scale, as well as making guns in considerable numbers of superior quality; making caps in large quantities. 
OR, Ser 1, 52 pt. II, pp. 122-123.


31, “PITY THE POOR ORPHAN.”
The very faces and doleful appeals of some of our citizens, on taking the oath of allegiance, before the Provost, reminds us of the appeal which Patrick made to the Judge when standing up to receive the sentence of the court. Patrick had been arraigned for murdering his father and mother, and the evidence before the jury had shown the circumstances to be of the most revolting character. On being asked what he had to say why the sentence of death should not be passed against him, he said, with most doleful accents: “Nothing, your Honor, except that I am a lone orphan in the world, and mitigate the sentence accordingly.” Some of our citizens, who have most coolly stabbed the Government in every possible way, very plaintively plead that the Provost should bear in mind that they are poor orphans in this world, and should, therefore, be dealt with very tenderly.
Memphis Union Appeal, July 31, 1862.


31, Remarks by a private in the 15th Iowa Infantry relative to the greetings slaves made in Hardeman County, on the way to Bolivar
Hundreds of Negroes flock after us and don’t seem to be afraid of the soldiers. They yelled and shouted and said “day was glad to see Uncle Sams [sic] boys” With all their ignorance they seem to have pretty good ideas as to what is going on and I think it will not be many months until their influence will be felt in the scale.
About 10 oclock [sic] we came to Bolivar a beautiful town and surrounded by a splendid country. My feet were worn out when we halted and we were all very tired upon this our really first march. Dan and I put up our little tent and will sleep in it to-night. I think our tramp has been as useless as there is no enemy here in arms.
Boyd Diary.

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