Friday, May 17, 2013

5/17/2013 Tennessee Civil War Notes

17, "Victor Emmanuel II of Italy and the Confederate States—twin sisters of freedom." Flag presentation to the Memphis Italian-American volunteers

Italian Flag Presentation.

We have little space for the details of these frequent and interesting ceremonies—flag presentations—but in the case of the presentation that took place yesterday at Jackson's Mound, Fort Pickering, in which Mrs. Montedonico, Mrs. L. Rocco and Miss Mary Panisi were the donors, and the Italian military company the recipients, there is an interesting peculiarity, the parties being the countrymen of the incomparable Garibaldi and of the other heroes whose unconquerable determination has made Italy free. The address on the part of the ladies was as follows:

["] We present to you gallant soldiers, the highest gift that woman can donate to bravery. We give you this flag, well knowing that in your hands it will be carried on to victory, and while under your care it will never be tarnished. While it waves on the red battle field it will unfold to you the smiles of mothers, sisters, wives and sweethearts, and when you return it shall be treasured as the ensign of victory and honor. Guard and defend it forever. ["]

J. A. Signaigo, Esq., replied in the following suggestive words:

["] Ladies: Allow me in behalf of the Italian Bersaglieri military company to return to you our most sincere thanks. The presentation of this flag is an honor that will never be forgotten by us. This moment is an oasis in the desert of a soldier's life. But, be assured, that when the hordes of northern Vandals shall dare to invade the sacred soil of the Confederate States, the home of our adoption, this flag will be one of the foremost, among the first in defense of our mothers, our sisters, our wives, our sweethearts, and of our homes and firesides; and never will that flag be struck, until every man who battles beneath its folds shall have died defending it to the last. The remembrance of the fair ones who presented it will be an incentive to lead us on to victory; it will be to us what the white plume of Henry of Navarre was to his soldiers, the beacon that will lead us on to honor and to glory. The cause of the Confederate States is the cause of every honest Italian who glories in the immortal names of Cincinnatus, Rienzi, Garibaldi, and last and greatest of them all—the first soldier of Italian independence—the darling of the Italian nation—Victor Emmanuel II. Italy and the Confederate States—twin sisters of freedom. Liberty's youngest born—the cause of one is as the cause of the other; they are battling for the same great end—the right of man, against two of the most desperate tyrants that ever disgraced God's favored countries. The despised Francis Joseph, of Austria, and the drunken sot who not disgraces the office that the immortal Washington, Jefferson, and Jackson once graced and dignified—the American hero who revels in the halls of the old nation while the country is convulsed in the flame of civil war. Ladies, we swear to you that while the Confederate States remain, and they will live forever, "we wave the sword on high, and swear with her to live for her to die." Ladies, again we thank you for your generous present. ["]

Memphis Daily Appeal, May 18, 1861.

 

 

17, Franklin post master to Military Governor Andrew Johnson relative to the arrest of a recalcitrant rebel

Franklin Tenn [sic] May 17/62

Judge P. G. S. Perkins who was arrested by Col. Campbell [Union commander at Franklin] and forwarded to your city a few days ago deserves strict treatment. He is prety [sic] badly diseased; morally as well as politically. I am informed that he stated in a confectionary [sic] in this place in regard to the oath of allegiance that he expected we would all have to take it but that he would not consider it binding at all[.] [sic] Not withstanding [sic] such remarks have been verry [sic] common in Rebeldom [sic] in the last twelve or fifteen months I trust that no man holding a responsible position will be permitted [sic] to pass at par into [sic] the United States who entertains such views [.] Yours Respectfully

A. W. Moss [Post Master]

Papers of Andrew Johnson, Vol. 5, p. 401.

 

 

 

17, Skirmishes on the Bradyville Pike

MAY 17, 1863.- Skirmish on Bradyville Pike, Tenn.

Report of Maj. Gen. John M. Palmer, U. S. Army.

HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, TWENTY-FIRST ARMY CORPS, Cripple Creek, Tenn., May 17, 1863.

CAPT.: For several days parties of rebels have come out on the Bradyville road from Dug Hollow, and then come up to Youry's, 3 ½ miles from camp, and have told the people they were very anxious to see the Yanks at Cripple Creek. I determined several days ago to give them a dash as soon as I was ready.

On yesterday I rode out with my escort to Youry's. I had 20 men. This morning [17th], well satisfied that "the loyal citizens" had given them information of movements, and that they would be watching for me, I started at 7 o'clock with two companies of Tennessee cavalry, 60 men, my escort, 25 men, and 6 volunteers from Cruft's officers, and rode out on the same road. When I got to Youry's, I was told that 80 of the Third Georgia Cavalry, under Lieut.-Col. [R.] Thompson, had been there an hour before. I pushed on, taking the left-hand road, with the hope of reaching the Bradyville pike between them and their camp. We reached the pike, turned toward Murfreesborough, and had not proceeded more than a quarter of a mile when we perceived them in a lane, apparently uncertain whether we were coming or not. We did not wait to fire, but went at them at full speed. We came on them under a quick fire, but they broke when we got within 100 yards. We pursued them a mile, and have 18 prisoners. I do not know how many were killed or wounded. The enemy, after they reached the woods, rallied, and fought well, but they had no sabers, and only inflicted a few slight wounds. Five is the whole number wounded on our side. We had 2 or 3 horses ruined, but we took a number.

* * * *

All quiet in front.

Very respectfully,

J. M. PALMER, Maj.-Gen., Cmdg.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 23, pt. I, p. 333.

 

 

 

        17, Union railroad construction, homeguard depredations, Confederate guerrillas and smuggling in the Union City environs; an excerpt from the report of Brigadier General Henry Prince

HDQRS. OF DISTRICT, Columbus, May 17, 1864.

Maj. Gen. C. C. WASHBURN:

GEN.: I have finished the railroad to Moscow, because it is so often difficult to cross the Little Obion, and I can complete to Union City in four days, but am in no haste to begin that part for reasons already given. It is evinced that the road will pay from Union City here if we take the cotton and tobacco which will be offered for freight. My impression is decidedly against taking it, and I shall follow this policy, which is indicated by the orders you have issued for Tennessee, till I receive new instructions from you, if I can. The depredations committed on Union people by the force I sent out under Col. Moore were by the citizens mounted by Gen. Brayman's Special Orders, No. 45. I took away their horses and arms the day after they returned and revoked their permits. They knew the Union people, and selected them for annoyance according to my best information, which is confirmed from all different quarters. There is a force of guerrillas centering at Boydsville on the Tennessee line. Their object is to cover smuggling, I suppose, and I ought to have mounted men to disperse and catch them. A good squadron of cavalry would be very useful here. In the absence of it, I am trying to get up mounted infantry, but my force is limited. I have not latitude for selection or detail of officers, and horses are wanting. The steamer W. W. Crawford is suspected of smuggling.

* * * *

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

HENRY PRINCE, Brig.-Gen. of Volunteers.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 39, pt. II, pp. 34-35.

 

 

 

17, 1865 - Observations made by an ex-Confederate soldier from the Army of Tennessee while on his way home to the Dyersburgh environs; conditions in Greeneville

....By 6 oclk [sic]. [sic] everything was ready to move but no order was given until about 7 oclk [sic]. [sic] when everything was put in motion for Greeneville. We soon crossed the Nollychucky [sic] River a tolerable wide shallow stream. The road runs through a pretty hilly country though we passed several fine farms with splendid residences-when within half a mile of town we come [sic] to where the yanky [sic] troops were encamped said to be about 2000 about one half of whom were negroes [sic] sort who were nearly all in line clos [sic] on the side of the road where we passed and some of them cursed us as we passed along though we generally said nothing to them. The white and black Yankees [sic] mixed freely and conversed together hail fellows well met [sic]. We passed through Greenville [sic] where white and black of both sexes were mixing freely-The town ins rather in bottom being surrounded by hills on every side and is a place of some size especially when the sourrounding [sic] Country is taken into consideration here is the home of Andy Johnston [sic] President of the U. S. we [sic] passed through town about one mile and encamped until further orders., Among the yankies [sic] here there are several deserters from the Confederate Army among them I spoke to.-Evening Clouded [sic] up but awhile after dark Cleared [sic] off-We set up until 10 oclk [sic]. T. W. Jones and myself slept together [sic].

Fielder Diaries.

 


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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