Thursday, August 15, 2013

08/16/2013 Tennessee Civil War Notes

16, "The state of things in East Tennessee is incredible;" a letter to U. S. Senator Andrew Johnson[1]

Jamestown Russell Co. Ky

August 16, 1861

Hon Andrew Johnson

Dear Sir.—

I arrived at this point to day in Company with about 240 men from Morgan, Roan, Scott, Fentress, and Overton Counties. We have just decided to proceed to Camp Robinson [Kentucky], near Lancaster.- We are out of money—and traveling on the hospitality of our Union friends of Ky. We left our homes by different routs, and are together by some chance.—

The state of things in East Tennessee is indescribable.- Many of our people are prisoners in the rebel Camps.—Squads of Cavalry are Continually Scouring over the Country taking what they like--are pasturing their horses in Corn fields—taking prisoners all they can. The line between Tennessee and Kentucky is the main line of their Operation. The East Tennesseeans [sic] are tying to get to Kentucky by thousands, for the purpose of Arming and Organizing—and then going back to relieve those we have left behind us.—We expect now, to reach Camp Robinson in three or four days, and hope to meet many of our friends there—and if possible hope you will be there soon to aid us, by your Council.- If you know where Maynard is, Communicate the above to him, that he may assist if possible in giving us aid.—

G W. [sic] Bridges was taken prisoner on the 7th. of August.—he came to Monticillo [sic] and ventured back to see his family, who was coming by Jamestown, and was taken three miles inside the Kentucky line.- Myself and G. W. Keith came with him to Monticello and considered him out of reach of the enemy-- We have not been back home since.

To conclude-- I cannot write all.- we need help and must have it or we are lost.

Your friend B. J. Staples

Of Morgan Co. E. Tenn.

Papers of Andrew Johnson, Vol. 4, pp. 681-682.

 

 

 

16, "The state of things in East Tennessee is incredible;" a letter to U. S. Senator Andrew Johnson[2]

Jamestown Russell Co. Ky

August 16, 1861

Hon Andrew Johnson

Dear Sir.—

I arrived at this point to day in Company with about 240 men from Morgan, Roan, Scott, Fentress, and Overton Counties. We have just decided to proceed to Camp Robinson [Kentucky], near Lancaster.- We are out of money—and traveling on the hospitality of our Union friends of Ky. We left our homes by different routs, and are together by some chance.—

The state of things in East Tennessee is indescribable.- Many of our people are prisoners in the rebel Camps.—Squads of Cavalry are Continually Scouring over the Country taking what they like--are pasturing their horses in Corn fields—taking prisoners all they can. The line between Tennessee and Kentucky is the main line of their Operation. The East Tennesseeans [sic] are tying to get to Kentucky by thousands, for the purpose of Arming and Organizing—and then going back to relieve those we have left behind us.—We expect now, to reach Camp Robinson in three or four days, and hope to meet many of our friends there—and if possible hope you will be there soon to aid us, by your Council.- If you know where Maynard is, Communicate the above to him, that he may assist if possible in giving us aid.—

G W. [sic] Bridges was taken prisoner on the 7th. of August.—he came to Monticillo [sic] and ventured back to see his family, who was coming by Jamestown, and was taken three miles inside the Kentucky line.- Myself and G. W. Keith came with him to Monticello and considered him out of reach of the enemy-- We have not been back home since.

To conclude-- I cannot write all.- we need help and must have it or we are lost.

Your friend B. J. Staples

Of Morgan Co. E. Tenn.

Papers of Andrew Johnson, Vol. 4, pp. 681-682.

 

 

 

16, "The Women of the South."

The soldiers of the Confederacy, although fighting in the noblest cause, and for the highest stake that men ever battled for, have during the long and unequal conflict had much to dispirit them. Half fed and illy clad, they have been compelled to endure the rigor of a winter campaign in a climate to them alike unnatural and inhospitable. They have had to encounter the exhausting heat of a southern summer, deprived of all the appliances which secure either health or comfort. While their enemy has been bounteously provided with all the material of war, with all the medical science forwards to save life or alleviate suffering, with all that money and access to the markets of the world could supply to make war easy; the southern patriot shut out from all sources whence could come any such assistance, has had to struggle on through the gloomy series of hardships and sisters which have hitherto characterized this war, to him supported only by the indomitable fortitude with which the justice of his cause and the magnitude of the interests involved could give him. But amid all the trials of the doubtful struggle he has had one unifying sound of cheer-the sympathy which the noble daughters of the South have extended to the defenders of their land-it is not to much to say that but for the heroic spirit -- the self-sacrifice-the generous devotion which they have displayed, the fight would ere now have been ended and lost. Every impulse of the southern heart has been fired, every manlier characteristic of the Southern Nation has been strengthened by the conduct of their women.

The chivalry they have inherited from Knightly ancestors-the holy love they bear to wife, to mother and to sister-they duty which they owe to those who have nursed them through the pangs of wounds and sickness and cheered them with high and holy encouragement upon the toilsome march, and ever on the eve of battle, have appealed to those emotions which once aroused, make men invincible.

Let the soldiers who survive this contest devote a life-long gratitude to the glorious being who deprived themselves of comforts to administer [?] to their necessities, and when the sound of war is hushed, and our people remember its terrible dangers only as visions for pride and thanksgiving, let the Confederacy not forget the accord, in highest honors, to show who, when its existence was a matter for doubt with its most unflinching defender, did so much to redeem it.

The Vidette, August 16, 1862.[3]

 

 

 

16, "A House of Correction."

In all other cities of equal extent with ours, they have houses of correction for the purpose of punishing those who, from any cause, are not amenable to the laws, or that from any purpose whatever cannot be punished by the laws. Here we have nothing of the kind; yet there never was greater need for an institution of this kind than we have here in Memphis. We frequently observe cases where it could be conveniently just to punish petty misdemeanors which are not cognizable by the laws. We elsewhere give the particulars of petty thefts by juvenile thieves down on the landing; also of the robbery of Mr. Echerly on Shelby street. None of these thieves can be punished further than by three of four days detention at the stationhouse, because there is no law to cover their cases. We ought to have a house of correction for them.

Memphis Bulletin, August 16, 1863

 

 

 

16, "Bawdy Books and Pictures."

The attention of the police is called to the fact that there are a number of persons going about the city peddling obscene books and pictures. Yesterday we noticed two of these gentry doing a big trade, one in a store on Main street and the other on the levee, and at various times we have heard of others. They are said to be from New Orleans and up the river, and spend a goodly portion of their time upon steamboats. A sharp lookout should be kept for these gentry, and they should be punished severely if caught. Memphis is not so utterly depraved that she cannot be made worse.

Memphis Bulletin, August 16, 1864

 

 

14, 16, Correspondence between President Johnson and General Thomas relative to control alleged excesses of the Freedmen's Bureau in Nashville and Pulaski

EXECUTIVE OFFICE, Washington, August 14, 1865--6 p. m.

Maj.-Gen. THOMAS, Nashville, Tenn.:

From information lodged here the Freedmen's Bureau at Nashville and Pulaski are assuming and exercising powers in taking charge of property and other jurisdiction which is incompatible with the law creating the bureau and the design of its creation. I hope you will give it some attention, and if you deem it best some suitable and efficient agent will be at once appointed to investigate its proceedings. I fear the operations of Treasury agents and the Freedmen's Bureau are creating great prejudice to the Government, and their abuses must be corrected.

ANDREW JOHNSON, President United States.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 49, pt. II, p. 1100.

 

NASHVILLE, TENN., August 16, 1865, (Received 2.30 p. m.)

His Excellency ANDREW JOHNSON, President of the United States:

I can learn of no instance in which the officers of the Freedmen's Bureau have exercised illegal authority in taking charge of property, either here or at Pulaski. In two or three instances Gen. Fisk has restored to owners property which had been in charge of the Treasure agent, he being convinced after investigation that the property was not abandoned. I believe convinced after investigation that the property was not abandoned. I believe Gen. Fisk is doing all he can to settle all difficulty arising in his bureau justly and fairly under the law creating the bureau.

GEO. H. THOMAS, Maj.-Gen.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 49, pt. II, p. 1101.

 

 



[1] Slightly different versions of this letter appeared in the Louisville Journal, August 28, 1861; Knoxville Register, September 19, 1861; Memphis Appeal, August 30, 1861. See The Papers of Andrew Johnson, Vol. 4, fn. 1 p. 682.

[2] Slightly different versions of this letter appeared in the Louisville Journal, August 28, 1861; Knoxville Register, September 19, 1861; Memphis Appeal, August 30, 1861. See The Papers of Andrew Johnson, Vol. 4, fn. 1 p. 682.

[3] The Vidette was the newspaper of Brigadier-General John Hunt Morgan that was published, in this case, in Hartsville, Tennessee, when Morgan had occupied the town. Other issues were published in other towns in Tennessee and Kentucky. There are but few copies of this very occasional publication extant. These and other issues those that follow are provided through the courtesy of Mr. Fred Prouty, Executive Director of the Tennessee Wars Commission in Nashville, Tennessee.


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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