10, "Camp life is having its effect on our men. Dysentery and diarrhea are prevalent." Federal military activity in the Fort Henry environs
Again troops are moving. Our camp here is about deserted. Last week the five regiments of infantry here struck their tents and left. Boats have been coming and going. A large number is now up the river having taken troops, stores, etc. Yesterday the artillery stationed here left, escorted by about one hundred men of our battalion. Two companies of the Indiana 52nd came over here. So our force is small, but soon we too may leave here, for fresh fields. Camp life is having its effect on our men. Dysentery and diarrhea are prevalent. Except a slight attack of dysentery I have had good health. May I be truly thankful to my Heavenly Father for all his goodness to me, but how little do I care for religion; how my thoughts wander on other subjects and how much the world holds as its salve even here, when at any moment I may hurried out of it. Oh may I labor to make my calling and election sure, and succeed in the name of my Savior Jesus Christ.
Alley Diary
10, A Capital Crime in Confederate Memphis
MURDER ON JEFFERSON STREET – Between 7 and 8 o'clock yesterday morning, Mr. Hite, who has a store on Jefferson street, south side, between Main and Second streets, entered the cigar sore of Mr. J. D. Bonneweld, next door, to get a key when he found him lying on his back in the doorway of the portion that divides a sitting room from the rest of the store. On examining him he found he was dead. He procured the aid of Policeman Viers, and an examination was made of the body and store. The body was found uninjured except on the neck, and there were some dark marks showing that death had been produced by strangulation. The opinion of the officer is that the deceased was strangled by means of the silk handkerchief he wore around his neck. The store door was unfastened and a cup of coffee stood on the table in the sitting room. On the store counter near where the body lay, stood a box of fine cigars open. It appears probable that the murderer or murderers entered the store and asked for cigars, that Bonneweld left his table where he was taking his supper to wait upon them, and that he was seized and strangled. The safe was found open with the key in it, and the money I had contained was gone. The amount believed by the neighbors and acquaintances of the deceased to have been not less than fifteen thousand dollars, and as he is known to have been buying gold for some time – having intention of returning to his home in Germany when the state of public affairs would permit - it is believed that amount was in gold. Mr. Bonneweld had an account at the Savings Institution on Madison street, and on Saturday last he drew out what he had on deposit and closed his account. The officers of the bank think some then thousand dollars was probably laid out fully wrapped up in some insurance papers, the declaration of the deceased of intention to become a citizen signed by Mr. Wheeler, clerk of the criminal court and dated 1857, and some other papers and two rings and a breast pin, were also found undisturbed. The money drawer had been taken out and the loose case carried off. Some money wrapped up in different papers were [sic] left behind. The pantaloon pockets of the deceased were turned inside out his watch guard was broken and the watch taken away. The deceased was seen about seven o'clock, and it is believed the murder was done between that time and nine o'clock.[1]
The deceased from the neighborhood of Hamburg, Germany. He was between fifty and sixty years of age. He was very conventional in his habits, tough doing a good business he spent very little money. The circumstances of the murder remind us of the murder at the bank in Jackson, Tenn., some time ago. Nothing is apparent[ly] known to [give a description] in any quarter. This occurrence confirms what we have said two or three times lately – that there are at this time in the city some, and not a few, of the worst villains of the Confederate States. Citizens cannot be too careful when out in the streets at late hours, and in attending to the safe fastening of their house doors and shutters.
Memphis Appeal, March 11, 1862.
James B. Jones, Jr.
Public Historian
Tennessee Historical Commission
2941 Lebanon Road
Nashville, TN 37214
(615)-532-1550 x115
(615)-532-1549 FAX
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