Saturday, July 27, 2013

7/27/2013 Tennessee Civil War Notes

27, Destruction of ferry boats at Brownsville, Estenaula[1] and burning of steam mill and skirmish at Lower Post

BOLIVAR, July 27, 1862.

Gen. McCLERNAND:

I am surrounded by a large force. Two thousand infantry, said to be the advance guard, were at LaGrange yesterday morning. Cavalry are on all sides, said to be 5,000 strong. They have also plenty of artillery. We shall have a fight.

ROSS.

BOLIVAR, July 27, 1862.

Gen. McCLERNAND:

Dollins has just sent a messenger stating that he tried to capture and destroy the ferry-boat at Estenaula, but was driven back this morning. My forces had not joined him, but were near him. He wants infantry re-enforcements, and says he will whip them before he leaves there.

I can't spare any of my forces.

ROSS.

BOLIVAR, July 27, 1862.

Gen. McCLERNAND:

I misunderstood Dollins' messenger. The facts are as follows: The ferry-boats at Brownsville, Estenaula, and at the steam-mill ferry are destroyed. Dollins' skirmish took place at the ferry known as Lower Post, only 5 miles from Toone's Station.

ROSS.

OR, Vol. 17, pt. II, pp. 124-125.

 

 

 

27, "A Great Mistake."

On yesterday afternoon, Judge M. M. Brien had occasion to chastise a negro [sic] woman, to prevent her abusing a member of his family, when a large mob of negroes [sic] gathered in front of his dwelling and made pretty menacing demonstrations. The provost guard appeared, and after hearing how the matter stood, went their way. But a number of them soon returned and arrested the Judge and presented him before the bar of the Provost Marshal when he was released. Col. Spaulding was not present, but the gentleman officiating in his stead, treated the Judge very courteously, dismissing him with a remark that the time had passed when negroes [sic] could be whipped in this country. [sic] The Judge supposed the guard returned and arrested him at the suggestion of some of the angry negroes [sic] who had assembled near his residence

We would caution the soldier on duty in this city, that it would be wise to pay but little attention to many of the negroes [sic] who have accumulated in and around Nashville. Judge Brien is, and always has been, not only a Union man, but a strong administration man. And we have no doubt, but the "ironclads" and "copperbottoms," who saw the Judge marching up Capital hill has a sharp stick after him, laughed in their sleeves, and grew bolder in their reason [?]. Be careful soldiers, we know your motives are good, but don't punish your best friends by mistake. Done for the present.

Nashville Daily Press, July 27, 1863.

 

 

 

27, General Orders, No. 20, relative to Mrs. L. G. Pickett and her trial by Military Commission on charges of spying

Headquarters District of West Tenn., Memphis, Tenn., July 27, 1864

* * * * [sic]

III. 2D-MRS. L. G. PICKETT, Citizen of Shelby County, Tennessee

Charge 1st-Attempting to smuggle articles of merchandise through the lines of the United States Military force.

Specification-In this, that on the 15th day of July, 1864, the defendant, Mrs. L. G. Pickett, did attempt to smuggle divers articles of merchandize through the picket line in the vicinity of Memphis, Tennessee, to wit viz.,: One pair of citizens boots, and six or eight wool hats. This in the District of Memphis, Dist. of West Tennessee, in violation of existing orders and regulation of the Treasury Department.

Charge 2d- Smuggling.

Specification-in this, that Mrs. L. G. Pickett did on or about July 14th, 1864, at Memphis, Tennessee, smuggle divers article of merchandise, viz.,: One pair of boots, and six hats through the picket lines, contrary to law and military orders.

To which charges and specifications the prisoner pleaded-Guilty.

FINDING AND SENTENCE.

The court, after mature consideration of the pleas and other matters and thing involved in the case of the prisoner, Mrs. L. G. Pickett, citizen, as follows:

Of the charges and specifications-Guilty

And the Commission does, therefore, sentence her, Mrs. L. G. Pickett, citizen, to be confined in the military prison at Alton, Illinois, for the period of six months; and that she pay a fine to the United States of the sum of one thousand dollars ($1000); and that she be confined in said military prison until said fine be fully paid.

IV. Finding approved and sentence confirmed. Sentence of imprisonment will be carried into effect under the direction of the Provost Marshal, District of Memphis. At the expiration of the term of her imprisonment, the prisoner will be released from custody upon paying to the proper authorities a fine of one thousand dollars, in accordance with the terms of the sentence.

By order of Maj. Gen. C. C. Washburn

Memphis Bulletin, August 9, 1864. [2]



[1] The spelling of this word in the OR is both "Estenuala" in Haywood county, and "Estanaula,."the latter apparently in McMinn County. There is reference to "Estenuala" in the OR General Index, p. 292, but not to "Estanaula." Between 1827 and 1846 there was U. S. Post Office in "Estanaula" in Haywood County. Netiher has been precisely located. I am endebted to my colleague Steven Rogers for his help in this perplexing matter.

[2] See also Nashville Dispatch, August 4, 1864.


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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