Monday, September 24, 2012

September 24 - Tennessee Civil War Notes


24, Federal reconnoitering parties in search of Col. Forrest’s forces in West Tennessee
CORINTH, September 24, 1863.
Maj.-Gen. HURLBUT:
The following dispatch just received from Col. Spencer:
Col. [Jesse?] Forrest with his regiment and six companies at the main ford of Bear Creek. Roddey with remainder of his force at Courtland and Somerville.
E. A. CARR, Brig.-Gen., Comdg.
CORINTH, September 24, 1863.
Col. H. BINMORE, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.:
I have ordered out reconnoitering parties south from La Grange, La Fayette, Collierville, and Germantown.
Gen. Sweeny telegraphs that Richardson with 400 men crossed the railroad near Saulsbury on Sunday last. Very doubtful news from Pontotoc is that a large part of the force in that neighborhood has gone south. I wish to go to Pocahontas this afternoon to consolidate those regiments, and from there to Memphis to-morrow, if there is no objection.
E. A. CARR, Brig.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 30, pt. III, p 811.


24, Skirmishing near Chattanooga
HDQRS. TWENTIETH ARMY CORPS, On Picket Line near Chattanooga,
September 24, 1863--1.45 p. m.
[Gen. GARFIELD:]
GEN.: The position occupied by Gen. Spears cannot now be retaken without a strong assault in front and a turning maneuver by the left. The enemy have a line of sharpshooters along the lower bluffs of the mountain, which compelled the extreme skirmish line near and to the left of the railroad bridge to withdraw. They have also a line of skirmishers on the left bank of Chattanooga Creek. A battery properly posted on the opposite bank of the river and on the prolongation of the right of my line can sweep the face of Lookout Mountain and neutralize the effect of its occupancy by the enemy. The spirit of my orders has been obeyed, and the mountain has not been assaulted, nor will it be without further orders from the general commanding.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. McD. McCOOK, Maj.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 30, pt. III, p 822.


24, "Love and Desertion."
What volumes are expressed in these brief words? And how our young lady readers will start at the sight of them? We suspect that smelling bottles will be drawn forth from among the paraphernalia of the toilette, as with eager expectations of some heart-rending denouement, they run their eyes down this column to learn how a young lady loved a young man, and how they young man pretended to reciprocate her ardent affections, until she was carried away with the sweet delusion of being loved by him. How, when her whole being was bound up in his fate, that this heartless wretch with characteristic meanness, left her all alone to mourn over blighted hoped. But wait ladies, not quite so fast. The term "desertion" doesn't always mean desertion of lady’s love's [sic] and such is the case in the present instance. But we will proceed with our story:
Some time ago a fair-haired, bright-eyed son of Mars became acquainted with a Southern maiden. "He was fond, and she was fair." So of course they would take a mutual interest in each other's fate. There was, however, one impediment, to their complete happiness: that was, he had some time before entered into a contract with his Uncle Samuel, who demanded his services, and the nature of his obligations was [sic] such that he could not well afford to serve two at once. Besides, Uncle Samuel could not think of letting him off. His love for the fair daughter of Secessia triumphed over his veneration for his Uncle Samuel, so he left the service of the aforesaid individual, to enjoy felicity with the fair one. But Uncle Sam sent for him, and he was furnished with lodgings in the Irving Block, where he will have ample time to reflect upon the folly of loving "not wisely, but too well."
Memphis Bulletin, September 24, 1863.


24, “Bushwackers Near Memphis. Two Army Officers Murdered. Rebel Barbarity.”
Wood is being brought into the city from outside the picket lines under the direction of army officers, and on last Thursday, Dr. J. M. Osburn, Quartermaster James Helm and Second Lieutenant E. Bently, all of the 3d regiment United States colored heavy artillery, went out to oversee the work. For some reason or other, the determined to ride a short distance further. They apprehender [sic] no danger and were riding along gaily, when suddenly seven bushwhackers who were lying in ambush fired on them. Dr. Osborn fell immediately from his horse, Lieut. Bently rode a short distance and also fell from his horse.
Quartermaster Helm, who was unhurt, spurred his horse to get away, but had gone bur a short distance when the horse ran against the limbs of a tree and the quartermaster was knocked off, but managed to get away and reach the city on foot.
A company of twenty cavalry men were at once went out and recovered the body Lieutenant Bently, which they brought to the city. The body of Dr. Osborn was not found until yesterday morning, when a person near the place found it and brought it to the city. The murdered officers were probably killed by the first fire, but the bushwhacker amused themselves by firing their revolvers at the corpses. Over twelve balls were thus fired into the dead body of Lieut. Bently. When the party of cavalry went out for the bodies, they found no guerrillas.
Quartermaster Helm is of [the] opinion that the murderers were regular Confederate soldiers.
Retaliatory measures will probably be adopted. The other officers of the 3d regiment met last night and passed resolutions of respect for the memory of their deceased brother officers.
Memphis Bulletin, September 24, 1864

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