Tuesday, June 11, 2013

6/11/13 TN Civil War Notes

11, "Sometimes I sleep with the Captain, sometimes with Gabe." James I. Hall's letter from Camp Brown to his family in Covington, Tennessee, describing life in a Tennessee camp of instruction

Misses Jesse & Mary E. Hall

c/o Doctor W. M. Hall

Covington

Tipton County

Camp Brown, June 11, 1861

Dear Children,

I expect that you would get a letter from your papa. I am at Union City camped out in the woods. Mr. Wood, Mr. Winford Gable and I stay in the same tent. Sometimes I sleep with the Captain, sometimes with Gabe. We have the ground covered with straw, sleep on a mattress, have plenty of blankets. Gabe cooks for us. We have fried ham, biscuit, and coffee for breakfast, dinner and supper, sometimes we get peas, beans, onions and potatoes for dinner. Grandma sent us some nice butter but it is almost tone. We have plenty to eat Gabe washes for us. There are six regiments here now & we expect two or three more today more today. I do not know how long we will stay here. We may go to Columbus very soon when we go there we will have a great deal of hard work to do.

I will not have to work much myself. Our camp is close beside the railroad. A great many cars pass every day & night. The whistle wakes up every night.

I would like to be at home for the concert, if Jessie will play her piece well, but I cant get away. If we start here long, I want you both to come up to see me after the session is out. While I am writing, another regiment has come on a train of cars as long as from Grandpas houses to the gin. The men are in box cars knocked all the planks off from the sides of the cars and are standing with their head out at the openings. Looking like chickens in a chicken wagon. That is the way our company came up form Jackson. We have a great deal of noise in the camp at night, some of the boys sing, some holler, some bark like dogs, some crow like chickens and one whistles so much like a mocking bird that you would think it was a bird indeed at nine o'clock the lights are blown out and all go to bed except the guards who walk around the camp all night. They have a hard time when it rains. We see ladies and little girls in the camp every day, who come in to the soldiers. Seeing little girls here, reminds me of my little girls at home, I wonder if they are well are and well and doing well and wish that I could see them for a little while. I want Jessie to write me a letter with a pencil and get aunt Sarah to direct it. I can read it. Let sissy tell Jessie something to write. Let me know how your both do how Grandma & Grandpa & all the family do. Give my love to all your uncles & aunts & Cousins

From your papa

Jas. I Hill

Ninth Infantry, pp. 130-132.

 

 

 

 

11, Altercation in a Memphis bagnio

[W]hile in one of the parlors at Pirse Perry's bagnio on Main street, [a U. S. naval officer] was shot by John Forrest.[1] Both had been in the parlor some time, and those who witnessed....say the parties had had a difficulty. Forrest was intoxicated. The name of the officer was Gilmore. The police and a Federal guard soon entered the room and arrested Forrest, who was taken to the fleet.

Memphis Argus, June 12, 1862.

 

 

 

 

        11, Action at Triune

JUNE 11, 1863.--Action at Triune, Tenn.

REPORTS.

No. 1.--Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger, U. S. Army.

No. 2.--Brig. Gen. Robert B. Mitchell, U. S. Army, commanding First Cavalry Division, Department of the Cumberland.

No. 3.--Col. Edward M. McCook, Second Indiana Cavalry, commanding Second Brigade.

No. 4.--Lieut. Col. Robert R. Steward, Second Indiana Cavalry.

No. 5.--Lieut. Col. John A. Platter, Fourth Indiana Cavalry.

No. 6.--Col. Daniel M. Ray, Second Tennessee Cavalry.

No. 1.

Report of Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger, U. S. Army.

TRIUNE, June 11, 1863--12.45 p. m.

The enemy attacked our pickets vigorously about an hour since, but met with their usual fate. I have cavalry on the flanks. Think it was only a demonstration or a reconnaissance.

G. GRANGER, Maj.-Gen., Cmdg.

Brig. Gen. JAMES A. GARFIELD, Chief of Staff, Department of the Cumberland.

No. 2.

Reports of Brig. Gen. Robert B. Mitchell, U. S. Army, commanding First Cavalry Division, Department of the Cumberland.

TRIUNE, June 11, 1863--9.30 p. m.

Forrest attacked here to-day, on Eagleville pike, at 10 a. m. We followed up with cavalry, and drove him across Harpeth. We lost 5 killed and 12 wounded, as near as can be ascertained without reports. The enemy lost 21 killed and 60 wounded, and 10 prisoners that we have.

ROBT. B. MITCHELL, Brig.-Gen.

Maj. W. H. SINCLAIR, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

HDQRS. FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION, Camp near Triune, Tenn., June 12, 1863.

MAJ.: I have the honor to make report as follows of the part taken by my command in the affair of yesterday:

Maj. Gwynne had immediately, subsequent to the attack of the enemy, driven them into the timber on the west of the Chapel Hill pike in our front and on their left, from which they had advanced with an attempt at a charge. The enemy falling back, the First Brigade, Col. Campbell, moved to the right of the pike, and the Second Brigade, Col. McCook, moved to the left, both advancing and concentrating near the pike, about three-quarters of a mile from the Harpeth River.

The enemy retreated rapidly over the open country, but made short stands in the intervening wooded positions. They succeeded in crossing the ford, and made a final stand on the opposite bank of the river, behind a stone wall, from which they were driven by the Second Michigan, First East Tennessee, and part of the Second Indiana, who crossed the river, and the enemy left in disorderly retreat.

Being without artillery, and the enemy having obtained such an advance, I did not deem it advisable to follow them farther, and returned to this encampment.

I have previously reported, by signal dispatch, the probable loss of the enemy, from information gathered from citizens, prisoners, and other sources.

Our casualties were as follows.[2]

The prisoners taken were all on picket here.

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

ROBT. B. MITCHELL, Brig.-Gen.

Maj. W. H. SINCLAIR, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

P. S.--The command behaved admirably. It has been ascertained since my signature that two more of the wounded enemy have died, making a loss to them in killed of 23.

Return of Casualties in the First Cavalry Division, Department of the Cumberland, in the action at Triune, Tenn., June 11, 1863.

                            Killed.

                               O  EM  EMW  EMCM    A       Remarks.

2d  Indiana......... ........... 1    1         2         4    6 horses disabled.

4th Indiana......................3        5      8                 5 horses disabled.

4th Kentucky........        1         1                     2       3 horses lost.

2d  Michigan........                   2          1       3      6 horses lost.

9th Pennsylvania....   1             10                    11       2 horses lost.

1st Tennessee.......                                                    1 horse lost.

 Total........  1   3             18          6    28

O=Officers. EM=Enlisted men. EMW=Enlisted men wounded. EMCM=Enlisted men captured or missing.

A=Aggregate.

No. 3.

Report of Col. Edward M. McCook, Second Indiana Cavalry, commanding Second Brigade.

HDQRS. SECOND BRIGADE, FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION, Near Triune, June 12, 1863.

CAPT.: I have the honor to report that part taken by my command in the skirmish of yesterday. In accordance with your orders, the brigade formed on the left of the Chapel Hill pike, and advanced toward Harpeth River; the Second Indiana on the right, the Fourth Indiana in the center, and the Second East Tennessee on the left. The skirmishing was continuous and lively all the way to Harpeth River. The enemy was driven across, when, in compliance with orders, we returned.

Total casualties: * Killed, 2; wounded, 5; missing, 5; horses disabled, 11.

All my men and officers behaved well. I would call especial attention to the conduct of Capt. J. B. Edwards, Company B, Second Indiana, who, with 53 pickets of that regiment, held the whole force of the enemy in check for two hours.

I inclose the report of Maj. [James W.] Steward, field officer of the day, concerning this.[3]

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

EDWARD M. McCOOK, Col., Cmdg. Second Brigade.

Capt. JOHN PRATT, Assistant Adjutant-Gen., First Cavalry Division.

No. 4.

Report of Lieut. Col. Robert R. Steward, Second Indiana Cavalry.

TRIUNE, Friday, June 12, 1863.

COL.: I have the honor to report the part taken by the Second Indiana Cavalry, under my command.

We got out on the field at 11.30 o'clock, and were ordered to form off to the left of the Chapel Hill pike, and remained in line for a half or __________ [sic] three-quarters of an hour, when an order came to move in line left of the pike. We had not gone far before we were ordered to form again, our right resting on Chapel Hill pike. While thus formed, Lieut. Blaine, whom I put in command of the skirmishers, was killed, while nobly leading his men on. I then received an order to countermarch my right and cross the pike, where there appeared to be heavy skirmishing going on. When I got opposite a large field, I asked permission to cross with the right. Col. Campbell gave the permission asked for. When Capt. Kessler, commanding Company A, moved in the field, the firing was very severe, but Capt. Kessler gave the command "Charge," which they obeyed most nobly. We drove the enemy from the woods on the opposite side of the river, and I divided my command, and crossed part above and [part] below the woods.

Col., I need not make mention of individual gallantry, for they all did nobly.

The casualties are as follows.[4]

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. R. STEWARD, Lieut.-Col., Cmdg. Regt.

Col. E. M. McCOOK, Cmdg. Brigade.

No. 5.

Report of Lieut. Col. John A. Platter, Fourth Indiana Cavalry.

HDQRS. FOURTH INDIANA CAVALRY, June 12, 1863.

COL.: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by my command in the action of yesterday (June 11):

My skirmishers, under command of Capt.'s Pepper and Purdy, successfully engaged the enemy on our left, dislodging him from behind stone walls and cedar groves, and finally compelled him to fall back across the river, with a loss of several wounded.

My loss is as follows: 8

All of which is respectfully submitted.

I have the honor to be, colonel, your obedient servant,

JOHN A. PLATTER, Lieut.-Col., Cmdg. Fourth Indiana Cavalry.

Col. E. M. McCOOK, Cmdg. Second Brigade.

No. 6.

Report of Col. Deniel M. Ray, Second Tennessee Cavalry.

HDQRS. SECOND EAST TENNESSEE CAVALRY, Camp near Triune, June 11, 1863.

SIR: I have the honor very respectfully to report that, upon reception of orders, my regiment was immediately formed, and advanced with the remainder of the brigade to the front of the fortifications near Triune, where the enemy made his attack this morning. Was there formed in line upon the extreme left of the brigade, and were engaged in skirmishing with the enemy during the continuance of the action, which lasted until a late hour in the afternoon. Although my skirmishers were at times exposed to considerable heavy firing of the enemy, my regiment was fortunate enough to escape without loss of any kind whatever, and I have no casualties to report.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

D. M. RAY, Col., Cmdg. Second East Tennessee Cavalry.

Lieut. W. C. McGONIGAL, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Cav. Brigade, First Div.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 23, pt. I, pp. 374-378.

 

 

 

11, 1864 -  An interesting patient in Ward 3, Hospital 8, Nashville

While in ward 3…I was beckoned to, from a sick bed, whose occupant wished me to come and "rejoice with him." Upon going there he assured me with a mysterious air, that he "isn't going to tell everybody, but as I was a particular friend of his, and he had always thought right smart [sic] of me, he would tell me something surprising."

Upon expressing my willingness to be surprised, he confidently and joyfully assured me that though very few people knew it, yet he was "The veritable man who killed Jeff. Davis, President of the Confederate States!" [sic]

He waited a moment to note the effect upon me of this pleasing intelligence, when I quietly told him I didn't know before that Jeff. Davis was dead, but that if he was, and he was the one who killed him, they ought to give him a discharge and let him go home, as he has done his share of the work. Then he joyfully assured me, that "they have promised to do so, and that his papers are to be made out to-morrow." But more serious thoughts came to me then, for I saw written on his countenance, in unmistakable characters, the signature of the Death angel, marking his chosen, and through I knew not how soon his papers would be made out, was certain that before long they would be, and that he would receive a full and free discharge from all earthly toil and battle the Great Medical Director of us all!

Powers, Pencillings, p. 27.

 

 

 

11, 1865 - Return of the Bank of Tennessee and State Archives to Nashville

Arrival of Isham G. Harris' Cabinet-Capture of $600,000 in Coin-Grand Escort of the Captures Specie, Assets, and Archives of State, Back to the Capital.

From the Nashville Press and Times.

The dispatch from General Upton to Governor Brownlow announcing the capture of the archives of the State, and the assets of the State Bank with $600,000 in coin, together with the arrest of three members of King Isham's Cabinet, has already been given to our readers. Tuesday morning the Governor and Hon. A. J. Fletcher, Secretary of State, went to the Chattanooga depot to take formal possession of the captured property of the State. The property was in the charge of Captain Thos. O. Gilpin, of General Upton's staff, who brought it from Augusta. Captain Cravene, of the 72d Indiana Mounted Infantry, captured the archives at James Land's house, three miles from Buzzard Roost station, near Gus Swamp.

The archives filled forty one boxes, containing the papers belonging to the offices of the State Secretary, Treasures and Comptroller, together with the large amount op papers belonging to the Adjutant General of the State, much of which relates to the secret service of the rebel army. There are probably some interesting documents among them, relating to petitions for appointment in the rebel service, which the writers would gladly consign to the flames, or to the bottom of the Cumberland River. But treason, like murder, will out. The specie and papers of the Bank of Tennessee were captured in Augusta by General Upton's command. The precious metal filled 56 boxes of two small casks. On several of the boxes we observed the imprint of the Mexican cap, wit the motto, Libertad, upon its rim. Possibly the officers of the bank have been using the specie of the bank for blockade running and cotton speculations, and have thus got hold of some of Maximilian's gold. Capt. Gilpin had also a bag containing $1,700 in New Mexican gold coin, about the size and value of a double eagle. This sum was claimed, we learned from Capt. Gilpin, as private property by Mr. Mitchell, the father-in-law of John A. Fisher, the absconding cashier of the mother Bank of Tennessee.

Fisher shewed himself to be a thorough-bred swindler, in accordance with his former character, for he fled from Augusta with $60,000 in gold, and is now skulking through the swamps in Georgia, seeking to escape the country and the demands of justice. The notorious rebel President of the Bank, G. C. Turbett, formerly of the Union and American, accompanied him in his flight. We strongly suspect that when an investigation shall have been had the abstraction will reach a much larger sum. The robbers have shown a determination to take good care of themselves, whatever suffering might befall the State. And these thieves were the leaders of Tennessee! We blush at the thought!

Dunlap, Battle, and Ray, the Comptroller, Treasurer, and Secretary or State under Harris, were brought to his city by Captain Gilpin as prisoner, and are held on parole. The other fugitives cannot possibly escape the vigilance of our troops.

After a brief and hasty examination half a dozen of the large red wagons belonging to the Quartermaster's Department, marked "U. S. Transfer" on the sides, were ordered up, and the valuable cargo, the last relics of Confederate authority in Tennessee, were placed in them. The loading being completed, the Governor and Secretary, in all the simplicity of "plebianism," mounted the specie wagon, and the imposing procession drove up the street towards the Capitol. Everybody had heard of the great arrival of boxes of gold and silver, and of course everybody gazed eagerly at the train. It was a new chapter this, in the work of restoration, and something very different from that which the Confederates had bargained for four years ago. It was the restoration of stolen goods. It stuck as an odd instance of retributive justice that the transfer of this property should be made by a United States officer in the United States Transfer wagons. The procession was an imposing one, as we think we said, and if we didn't say it, we ought to have said it. Its personal constituents were unexceptionable. The central team carried Governor Brownlow, Secretary Fletcher and Captain Gilpin, and

"A youth to fortune and to fame unknown"

whom modesty forbids us to mention. In addition to this invaluable personal freight there were a large number of boxes of coin, and two boxes of State archives. On one of those sat the plain but decorously garbed Governor, holding a gold-headed cane, and looking placidly down upon the caskets of coin which were his footsteps. He was literally walking the golden street as the reward of his sturdy and inflexible fidelity to the cause of patriotism and good morale He smiled, for he had struck a mine which would make a sensation in the diggings of Arizona. His administration was established on a gold basis, and Tennessee would probably be the first State in the South to resume specie payments.

The modest Secretary sat upon another chest, holding in his hand a red silk handkerchief containing the private correspondence of the rebel State officials, and feeling no doubt much more comfortable than he did during the reign of terror in Greeneville, when Ledbetter's assassins hunted the Union like wild beasts to their places of concealment.

A good deal, perhaps one or two hundred thousand dollars of the Bank fund, has been stolen by the Fisher gang,[5] but under all the circumstances, the people may thank their stars that matters are no worse. The boxes are now all safely and permanently lodged in the Capitol, and their contents will be duly investigated as early as possible.

Macon [Ga] Daily Telegraph, June 11, 1865



[1] It is not known if John Forrest was a relative of Nathan Bedford Forrest.

[2] List omitted.

[3] Not found.

[4] List omitted.

[5] Unidentified.


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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