5, Action at Nashville
NOVEMBER 5, 1862.--Action at Nashville, Tenn.
REPORTS.
No. 1.--Brig. Gen. James S. Negley, U. S. Army.
No. 2.--Col. Robert F. Smith, Sixteenth Illinois Infantry.
No. 3.--Gen. Braxton Bragg, C. S. Army, commanding Army of Tennessee.
No. 4.--Brig. Gen. Nathan B. Forrest, C. S. Army, commanding cavalry.
No. 1.
Report of Brig. Gen. James S. Negley, U. S. Army.
HDQRS. UNITED STATES FORCES, Nashville, Tenn., November 5, 1862.
SIR: I have the honor to inclose you an official reports of small affair with the enemy to-day. I do not apprehend an attack upon Nashville in force before the arrival of the enforcements. The enemy continue to concentrate troops at Murfreesborough and toward Nashville. Their force positively exceeds 25,000, of which at least 5,000 are cavalry. They have about forty pieces of artillery, and it is now certain that a portion of Bragg's army is at Murfreesborough; but whether they will maintain a position at Murfreesborough or this side is not plainly indicated by their present operations. Their cavalry approach our lines daily, and are engaged in driving off stock and negroes. My command is in fine spirits and the transportation in excellent condition.
With assurances of high personal esteem, I am, yours, very truly,
JAS. S. NEGLEY, Brig.-Gen., Cmdg.
[Inclosure.]
HDQRS. UNITED STATES FORCES, Nashville, Tenn., November 5, 1862.
SIR: This morning at 2 o'clock Forrest's (rebel) cavalry, numbering about 3,000, with four pieces of artillery, opened a sharp fire on our picket line, on the south, between the Franklin and Lebanon pikes. The picket line on the Murfreesborough road gradually withdrew, for the purpose of bringing the enemy under the guns of Fort Negley, two of which were opened upon the enemy and drove him speedily beyond the range.
Almost simultaneously with the attack on the south, John Morgan's forces (2,500 strong, with one piece of artillery) made a dash on Col. Smith's command, on the north side of the river, with the evident intention of destroying the railroad and pontoon bridges. After a sharp contest, in which several companies of Illinois troops behaved with great gallantry, Morgan was repulsed, leaving a stand of regimental colors in our hands, 5 killed, and 19 wounded. He then burned an old railroad building in Edgefield and retreated to Gallatin.
Finding the enemy on the taking a position beyond our picket lines, Col. Roberts, with two regiments of infantry and one section of artillery, was ordered to advance on the Murfreesborough road, while I took the Sixty-ninth Ohio Infantry, with a portion of the Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania, Fourteenth Michigan, and Col.'s Stokes' and Wynkoop's cavalry, with two sections of artillery, numbering, in all, about 1,400 men, and pursued that portion of the enemy on the Franklin pike. They were speedily driven from every position by our artillery until we reached a distance of 7 miles from the city. Col. Stokes' cavalry was here directed to charge upon the enemy's rear and then retreat, with a view of bringing him to a stand; but the main body of the enemy, with their artillery, had suddenly turned into a lane to the left, while our cavalry, in the excitement of the chase, pursued a small portion of the enemy within 5 miles of Franklin, capturing some prisoners, killing several, and taking a drove of cattle. Previous to the return of Stokes' cavalry, the enemy appeared in considerable force upon our left, front, and rear, with the evident intention of cutting off cavalry and our retreat. The infantry and artillery were immediately moved forward a mile, to the support of our cavalry, which was ordered to rejoin the column immediately.
Upon receiving intelligence from my vedettes that the enemy was in force a mile to our rear, masking a battery close to the road, the head of the column was immediately placed to the rear and hastened forward to the position occupied by the enemy, fortunately getting our artillery into position and action, forcing the enemy to retire, which he did in great confusion and with considerable loss, after he succeeded in getting his artillery into position, and a brisk firing ensued for about half an hour, during which time our forces had to be frequently shifted, to avoid their range.
Ascertaining that the enemy greatly out numbered our force, and were aiming to make a charge on both of our flanks, the troops were slowly retired, upon favorable ground, toward the city. At the same time the cavalry was so disposed as to divert the coming charge of the enemy on our rear, and lead them upon the Fourteenth Infantry. The object succeeded admirably, an entire regiment of cavalry making the charge receiving a fire so destructive as to drive them back in great disorder. The enemy then planted several guns on the turnpike, which were driven off before they could charge their pieces. Our forces then retired in good order toward the city, the enemy making one more attempt to get in our rear, nearer the city, but were immediately driven off by a regiment of infantry and a section of artillery, which had been ordered forward as a reserve. The concerted plans of the enemy, who had Handson's brigade of four Kentucky regiments and two Tennessee regiments of infantry, with five batteries of artillery, were defeated, and enabled our troops to give an additional proof of their efficiency and valor.
As we did not reoccupy the field of action, the enemy's total loss is unknown, but is represented by prisoners to have been large. Twenty-three prisoners were captured, including 2 captains of Morgan's artillery. Our casualties of the day were 26 wounded and 19 missing.
I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAS. S. NEGLEY, Brig.-Gen., Cmdg.
No. 2.
Reports of Col. Robert F. Smith, Sixteenth Illinois Infantry.
HDQRS. SIXTEENTH ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS, Edgefield, Tenn., November 5. 1862.
SIR: In compliance with orders received from brigade headquarters, I have the honor to report, for the information of the general commanding, that this morning, about daylight, the rebel force, under Gen. Morgan, numbering not less than 2,000, attacked my pickets at the railroad station, and succeeded in surrounding the company stationed there (Company E, Sixteenth Illinois, Capt. Wilson). The outposts were immediately called in by Capt. Wilson, and, after a severe skirmish, the company succeeded in cutting its way through the enemy and reaching camp. Company K, Sixteenth Illinois, under command of First Lieut. Woodall, with 10 men of Company D, under Lieut. Sommerville, who were stationed on the White's Creek pike, were now completely cut off from camp, but all succeeded in returning safely by reaching the river and marching under the shelter of its bank to the intrenchments.
Company C, Capt. Rowe, which was stationed on the Gallatin pike, had by this time attacked and driven back the enemy's left, when the right also fell back, leaving 5 of their wounded in our hands.
We took from the enemy, besides the wounded, 2 prisoners, 2 horses, bridles, saddles, &c., and one regimental flag.
The officers and engaged all behaved with unusual coolness and bravery, especially Companies E and C.
I cannot close my report without mentioning the excellent conduct of the mounted scouts belonging to Capt. Twyman's independent command. I have rarely seen their equal for bravery and efficiency.
The casualties in my command are as follows: Wounded, 5; missing, and probably taken prisoners, 6.
I am, with much respect, your obedient servant,
R. F. SMITH, Col., Cmdg. Sixteenth Illinois Volunteers and Post.
No. 3.
Reports of Gen. Braxton Bragg, C. S. Army, commanding Army of Tennessee.
KNOXVILLE, TENN., November 9, 1862.
We had a brisk skirmish with the enemy near Nashville on the 5th, killing and wounding about 100. Our loss very slight. Destroyed a large number of cars, engines, water-tanks and bridges on Nashville and Louisville road. Brig.-Gen. Forrest was in command. Enemy is re-enforcing. Our forces are moving up. I leave to-morrow for the front.
BRAXTON BRAGG.
Gen. S. Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector Gen.
No. 4.
Report of Brig. Gen. Nathan B. Forrest, C. S. Army, commanding cavalry.
BRIGADE HDQRS., La Vergne, Tenn., November 6, 1862.
GEN.: Agreeably to orders received, I moved my commands on the night of the 4th instant in the direction of Nashville, distributing them as follows: Col. John T. Morgan's regiment [Fifty-first Alabama], of Partisan Rangers, and Capt. W. C. Bacot's battalion, Forrest's regiment, to the right of the Murfreesborough pike, with instructions to move forward on the Lebanon, Stone's River, and Chicken pikes, and to drive in the Abolitionists' pickets at daylight, which was done agreeably to orders and in gallant style, killing and wounding several, with the loss of 1 man killed and 2 horses wounded. Lieut.-Col. [A. A. ] Russell, Partisan Rangers, on Murfreesborough pike, followed by Col.'s [J. B. ] Palmer's and [R. W.] Handson's brigades, with four batteries of artillery, commanded by Maj. [R. E.] Graves, after proceeding to Dogtown,[1] 3½ miles from Nashville, encountered the Abolitionists' pickets, at which place he (Col. Russell) was ordered to dismount his command, press forward, and drive in the pickets. He succeeded in driving them to their first line of fortifications with considerable firing for 1½ miles. I here found them in some force behind a brush and log fortification around a high hill on right of pike. Here they made a stand, but after a short resistance [I] drove them from their position and gained the hill, at which place I planted my rifle battery of our pieces and opened fire on Jones' Hill, 1½ miles distant. At this time the firing was heard from Col. [John T. ] Morgan, at Edgefield. About the same time Col. [James W.] Starnes opened fire on the Nolesville pike, he having been ordered, with Col. [G. G.] Dibrell's regiment, Maj. [D. C.] Douglass' battalion, Capt.'s [S. L.] Freeman's and [Franklin] Roberts' batteries, to the left of Murfreesborough pike, down the Nolensville, Mill Creek, and Franklin pikes. The engagement now became general, Capt.'s Freeman's and Robert's batteries having opened from Nolesville pike a vigorous fire on Saint Cloud's Hill. The firing was kept up until 10 o'clock, when I withdrew my forces.
Our loss in this action was 3 killed, 10 wounded, and 5 missing. Loss of Abolitionists, 15 killed, 20 prisoners, and supposed 20 wounded, one shell from Nolensville pike killing 5 in fortifications.
I then moved Col.'s Starnes' and Dibrell's regiments and Capt. Freeman's and Roberts' batteries out on the Franklin pike 5 miles. The Abolitionists were in ambush with four regiments of infantry, twelve pieces of artillery, and a battalion of [William B.] Stokes' cavalry, commanded by Brig.-Gen. [James S.] Negley. They opened fire upon us from their position. I placed Freeman's and Roberts' batteries (four pieces each) on left of Franklin pike, between the Nolensville and Franklin pike, and returned their fire. After a spirited contest of an hour, they gave way, falling back down the Franklin pike toward Nashville. At this time I ordered my cavalry to charge, which order was quickly obeyed, their infantry and cavalry retreating down the pike toward Nashville. From this position my guns commanded the pike and played upon the Abolitionists with good effect, killing and wounding some 20 at one fire, which caused them to break and flee in disorder. I followed them up for a mile, when my artillery ammunition gave out and I withdrew my forces.
My loss in this action was 1 killed and 3 wounded. Loss of Abolitionists, 40 killed, 20 prisoners, and reported 60 wounded.
After this engagement I moved back to La Vergne.
Great credit is due Capt. Freeman's battery, and Lieut. [J. H.] Wiggins, commanding Roberts' battery, and their officers and men, for their coolness and discretion during this engagement. My officers and men acted well during the day, obeying with promptness each command.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
N. B. FORREST, Brig.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 20, pt. I, pp. 3-7.
"The Skirmish on Wednesday"
We have been able to obtain but a meagre [sic] account of the skirmishing on Wednesday, as yet. From reliable sources, however, we learn that twenty three prisoners were brought to town.
* * * *
During the day, some six or eight Federal soldiers were killed and thirty two wounded. We have heard of four Confederates killed in the vicinity of Edgefield, and one on the Nolensville pike, besides other, whose name we could not ascertain, on other pikes where skirmishing took place.
Nashville Dispatch, November 7, 1862.
November 5th about 2 oc [sic] in the morning we heared [sic] heavy volies [sic] of Musketry [sic] away to our left we could also hear shooting every little while all round the line we felt satisfied the enemy was close we could hear what we suposed [sic] to be wagons running in the night some of the boys heard lowd [sic] talking like a good many talking at one time they could also hear hammering and choping [sic] we expected the enemy was planting large guns and fortifying with the intension of giving battle as soon as day appeared the officer of the day came around about 3 oc [sic] and charged us to be ready for he expected the enemy was in large force in front of our lines: about day brake [sic] the rebels fiared [sic] on us the boys fiared [sic] and the musket balls sharp and keen the rebels fell back a little after a while [sic] the rebels opened on us with a battry [sic] of artillery [sic] they had it planted on a hill about 200 yds [sic] in front of our posts they shelled us 2 hours but we held our ground the rebels advanced at the same time the artillery was in operation but our company & company B on our left opened on them a heavy fiar [sic]: a little heavier then the enemy liked to stand they fell back again the shells were bursting all around us and cutting the limbs of trees one Shell passed through a tree 2 feet thick and never stoped [sic] its corce [sic] after a while [sic] about 3 co[s] of rebel cavelry [sic] came out on the road about 600 yds [sic] a head [sic] of our pickets we let [sic] into them pritty [sic] lively while they stayed in our reach they had a large secesh flag the boys all held for the flag [sic] the enemy got out of the way as fast as they could about 10 oc [sic] the fiaring [sic] seaced [sic] at our point Colonel tillison [sic] and the Stave [sic] officers of our regt came out shortly after the rebels had drawn back they ware [sic] prowd [sic] to think that we had mintained [sic] our puseation [sic] so well they told us that 2 regts stationed on our right & left ware [sic] driven in and they believed we stood under the heaviest fiar [sic] they told us a little joek [sic] about General Negley he came up to the post whare [sic] he could have a view of the picket lines he inquired how it was that that Battalion in the center held there puseation [sic] when all the others ware [sic] drove [sic] in some one said it was the divelish [sic] 10th they did not know anything about running colonel tillison [sic] told him he never drilled his regt in that drill Negley said if that is the 10th Ills the enemy will not get that hill for nothing general Morgan came out to us after the fiaring [sic] was all dun [sic] he was in the best of spirets [sic] he said we had dun well remarkable [sic] well he said he always put faith in the 10th but now he was satisfied the tenth ware [sic] all right he asked a number of questions then went around the lines two batrey [sic] of our artilery [sic] had gon [sic] out to drive the enemy or lern [sic] there [sic] strength one Battrey [sic] went out in the Murphys Borrow [sic] pike with 2 regts to suport [sic] it and one went out on the franklin [sic] pike it was hatlans [sic] they had no suport [sic] at first as all the troops nearly went over the river to assest [sic] the 60th & 16th Ills they ware [sic] attacted [sic] at day brack [sic] this morning and had a hard fight the regt had 5 killed so the 60th & some 8 or 9 there was other[s] killed but I have not lerned [sic] the number the enemy suffered the worst of all around there was a great many killed and wounded: after the fight stacked up over the river & regts [sic] was sent to suport [sic] Hotlans [sic] battry [sic] that was only thringly [sic] ingaged [sic] with the rebel battry [sic] on the franklin [sic] pike with only 17 or 18 men on from company H and a few cavalry to suport [sic] it 2 regts of rebel infantry charged on the battry [sic] Hatlan had to fall back to save his battry [sic] one man in company H of our regt got his leg shot of[f] by a peace [sic] of a shell close up one shell from our fort struck under the rebel battry [sic] and exploded killing 5 rebels and wounded severals [sic] soon the 14th Michagan [sic] and a Pa [sic] regts [sic] came up to the suport [sic] of the battry [sic]. 2 regts of rebels again charged on hottlans [sic] battry [sic] the 2 regts that had gust [sic] arived [sic] lay concealed until the rebels came close the ware [sic] coming on the duble [sic] quick and hearing when the 2 regts raised up and gave them a voley [sic] which killed a large number of them our regts then charged on them and drove them back at the point of the Baynet [sic] the rebels then retreated some distance again they rallied and charged on our men with about 10000 [sic] infantry led by a charge of cavelry [sic] our battry [sic] by this time had been reinforced with 3 more regts they met the cavelry [sic] charge in good order they fiared [sic] a few voley [sic] into them killing a great many horses and riders a number of horses went flying of[f] without riders the infantry charge was met with great determination on our side our battrey [sic] played in good order our infantry being well formed to receive them poared [sic] in a fiar [sic] amongst them that compeled [sic] them to fall back again our men followed them up and would a [sic] captured there [sic] battrey [sic] had they not skidaddled [sic] our men pursued them 7 miles and captured 30 prisoners they gathered up the wounded of the enemy and left them with the citizens along the road I can not tell how many was killed on eather [sic] side but we must have had 25 or 30 killed also a number wounded I can give no corect [sic] number of the enemy as they picked all the dead and wounded they could and halled [sic] them off.
John Hill Fergusson Diary.
Yesterday's excitement.—Our people were awakened early yesterday morning by the firing of cannon in the neighborhood of South Nashville, which commenced about 4 a. m. and continued at intervals until afternoon. We are informed that the attack was made by the Confederates, driving in the Federal pickets on the pikes leading South and East from town, about 3 a. m. How many were engaged on either side, or what casualties befell the contending parties, we are unable to say. About 6 a. m. the citizens of Lower Edgefield were surprised to see about 1500 cavalry enter the town, driving the Federal pickets before them to their entrenchments, each firing as they ran, killing and wounding about fourteen in all—seven on each side, and a loss of four Confederate horses killed. The Edgefield R. R. depot was destroyed by the Confederates, as also were the machine shop and eight cars, when they left the town for parts unknown. The fight in South Nashville continued some ten or eleven hours, the Federal forces leaving their fortifications and following the Confederates four or five miles.
There was pretty heavy skirmishing at several points, and a few were reported to have been killed on both sides. Several of the Confederates were captured and brought into the city, among whom we have the names of Capt. Jenkins, of Maury county, who is captain of an artillery company, a son of Judge Baxter and a son of J. George Harris.
We shall, probably, be able to furnish further particulars in to-morrow's paper.
Nashville Dispatch, November 6, 1862.
The Recent Skirmishes at Nashville—Report of Gen. Negley.
Headquarters U. S. Forces, Camp Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 5, 1862.
Sir: This morning at two o'clock Forrest's rebel cavalry, numbering about 3000, made an attack on our picket line on the south, between the Franklin and Lebanon pikes. The picket line on the Murfreesboro' road gradually withdrew with the purpose of bringing the enemy under the guns of Fort Negley, two of which were opened upon the enemy, and speedily drove him beyond the range.
Almost simultaneously with the attack on the south, John Morgan's forces, twenty-five hundred strong, with a piece of artillery, made a dash on Col. Smith's command on the north side of the river, with the evident intention of destroying the railroad and pontoon bridges. After a sharp contest, in which several companies of Illinois troops behaved with great gallantry, Morgan was repulsed, leaving a stand of regimental colors in our hands, five killed and nineteen wounded. He then burnt an old railroad building in Edgefield, and then retreated to Gallatin.
Finding the enemy on the south taking a position beyond our picket lines, Colonel Roberts, with two regiments of infantry and one section of artillery, was ordered to advance on the Murfreesboro road, while I took the Sixty-ninth Ohio infantry, with parts of the Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania, Fourteenth Michigan, Col. Stokes' and Wynkoop's cavalry and two sections of artillery, numbering in all about one thousand four hundred, and pursued that portion of the enemy on the Franklin pike. They were speedily driven from every position by our artillery until we reached a distance of seven miles from the city. Col. Stokes' cavalry was here ordered to charge upon the enemy's rear and then retreat, with the view of bringing him to a stand. But the main body of the enemy, with their artillery, had suddenly turned into a lane to the left, while our cavalry in the excitement of the race, pursued a small portion of the enemy within five miles of Franklin, capturing some prisoners, killing several and taking a drove of cattle. Previous to the return of Stokes' cavalry the enemy appeared in considerable force upon our left, in front and rear, with the evident intention of cutting off the cavalry and our retreat.
The infantry and artillery were immediately moved forward a mile to the support of our cavalry, which was ordered to rejoin the column immediately.
Upon receiving intelligence from my videttes that the enemy were in force a mile to our rear, masking a battery close to the road, the head of our column was immediately faced to the rear and hastened forward to the position occupied by the enemy, fortunately getting our artillery into position and action, forcing the enemy to retire, which he did in great confusion and with considerable loss; after which he succeeded in getting his artillery into position, and a brisk firing ensued for about half an hour, during which time our force had to be frequently shifted to avoid their range.
Ascertaining that the enemy greatly outnumbered our forces and were aiming to make a charge on both our flanks, the troops were slowly retired upon favorable grounds, toward the city; at the same time the cavalry were so disposed as to divert the coming charge of the enemy on our rear, and lead them upon the Fourteenth Michigan infantry; the object succeeded admirably—an entire regiment of cavalry making a charge, receiving a fire so destructive as to drive them back in great disorder. The enemy then planted several guns on the turnpike, which were driven off before they could load their pieces.
Our forces were retired in good order towards the city, the enemy making one more attempt to get in our rear nearer the city, but were immediately driven off by a regiment of infantry and a section of artillery which had been ordered forward as a reserve.
The concerted plans of the enemy, who had Hanson's brigade of four Kentucky regiments and two Tennessee regiments of infantry and five batteries of artillery, were defeated, and our troops enabled to give additional proof of their efficiency and valor.
As we did not reoccupy the field of action, the enemy's total loss is unknown, but is represented by prisoners to have been large. Twenty-three prisoners were captured, including two Captains of Morgan's artillery. Our casualties of the day were ____ killed, twenty-six wounded and nineteen missing.
I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Jas. S. Negley, Brigadier-General Commanding.
Nashville Dispatch, November 16, 1862.
5, Confederate conscription exemptions and the sudden upsurge in skilled workers in Athens
Mechanics.—It used to be said that we had no mechanics in this country; but it can't be so said now.
The conscript is working wonders in that respect; and shoemakers, tanners, foundry-men, coopers, blacksmiths, wagon-makers, millwrights, iron-makers, etc., are multiplying rapidly. And not less remarkable is the fact that mechanical occupations covered by the Exemption Act have suddenly attained a degree of respectability they never possessed before in the estimation of some very clever people. Bully for the conscript! We shall soon be a community of artisans. Counter jumpers and lawyers ain't nowhere. Leather aprons and clouted shoes are all the go now.—Athens, Tenn. Post.
Montgomery Weekly Advertiser, November 5, 1862.[1]
[1] As cited in: http://www.uttyl.edu/vbetts. Apparently many otherwise pro-secession upper-class men in Athens suddenly found dodging the Confederate draft preferable to serving in the Confederate army.
Confederate Exemption Act
A BILL
To exempt certain persons from military duty, and to repeal the acts heretofore passed by Congress on the same subject.
1 SECTION 1. The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That certain persons as hereinafter provided, are and shall be exempt from military service in the provisional army of the Confederate States:
1 I. Those who shall be held unfit for service in the field by reason of bodily or mental incapacity, to be ascertained by a surgeon of the army, who is not a resident of the part of the country from which those he is called upon to examine may have come: and persons declared to be unfit for duty in the field under this act, or under the act entitled "an act to establish places of rendezvous for the examination of enrolled men," approved October 11th, 1862, by reason of any organic disease, or permanent disability, shall not be afterwards subject to be again examined and enrolled.
1 II. The Vice President of the Confederate States, and the officers, judicial and executive, of the Confederate and State governments, including postmasters appointed by the President, and confirmed by the Senate, and such clerks now employed in their offices as are allowed in writing by the Postmaster General, and excluding all other postmasters, their assistants, and clerks, and except such State officers as the several States may have declared, or may hereafter declare, by law, to be liable to military duty: members of both Houses of the Congress of the Confederate States, and of the Legislatures of the several States, and their respective officers.
1 III. All volunteer troops heretofore raised by any State since the passage of the act "further to provide for the public defence."approved April 16th, 1862, while such troops shall be in active service under State authority: Provided, This exemption shall not include any person liable to military duty under said last named act.
1 IV. Pilots and persons actually and regularly engaged in the merchant marine service.
1 V. The presidents, superintendents, conductors, treasurer, chief clerk, engineers, managers, station agents, section masters, two expert track hands to each section of eight miles, and mechanics in the active service and employment of railroad companies, not to embrace laborers, porters and messengers: Provided, That no President or conductor of any railroad company or railroad train, shall be exempted from military service under this act, when such president or conductor shall fail, neglect or refuse to furnish seats to such wounded or sick soldiers of the army as may desire transportation over such railroad, and fresh water for drinking purposes, in such tanks or other vessels, in each passenger car, as may necessary for the use of said sick and wounded, and also the necessary fires to render said cars comfortable.
1 VI. Captains of boats, and the engineers and pilots thereof,actually and regularly engaged in canal and river navigation, the president of any canal company, the secretary, chief clerk, chief toll-gatherer, and such mechanics in the permanent service of said company as the president, under oath, shall declare to be necessary and now employed; the president, general superintendent and operators of telegraphic companies, and the local operators of said companies, not to exceed two in number at any telegraphic office but that at the seat of government of the ConfederateStates.
1 VII. One editor of each newspaper now being published, andsuch journeymen printers, engineers, pressmen and stenographic reporters as the editor or proprietors thereof may certify, upon
oath, to be indispensable for conducting the publication; thepublic printer, engineers, pressmen and such number of journeymenprinters as he may certify, upon oath, to be necessary forthe discharge of his duty.
1 VIII. Every minister of religion, authorized to preach accordingto the rules of his sect, and now in the regular discharge ofministerial duty: and all persons who have been, since the 16th ofApril, 1862, and now are members of the society of Friends,or the association of Dunkards, Nazarines or Menonists in regularmembership in their respective denominations: Provided,That such members shall furnish a substitute or pay a tax offive hundred dollars each into the public treasury.
1 IX. All shoemakers, tanners, blacksmiths, wagon makers,millers and their engineers and mill-wrights, skilled and actuallyemployed on the 16th of April, 1862, in said trades as theirregular vocation, and working therein for the public, and whohave since said time been so regularly employed: Provided, saidpersons shall make oath in writing, supported by the affidavitsof two creditable persons, (which affidavits shall be delivered tothe enrolling officer,) that they, (said artisans and mechanics,)are so skilled, and are, and have been, since the 16th of April,1862, actually employed in one of the above trades as their regularvocations, and working for the public; also, the superintendentsand operators in wool and cotton factories, paper mills andcarding machines, and in card factories, and in factories forthe manufacture of wire for cotton and wool cards: Provided,That the exemptions herein granted to persons on account oftheir mechanical skill or occupation, shall be subject to the conditionthat the product of the labor of said exempts shall not exceeda fair and reasonable amount, and to be within a maximum to befixed by the Secretary of War, under such regulations as he mayprescribe: And provided, That in the case of the superintendentsand operators in wool and cotton factories, paper millscarding machines and mechanics in these and all other manufacturingestablishments, the manufactured articles shall be sold ata net profit net to exceed thirty per centum upon the capitalinvested, which fact shall be ascertained by the oath of thepresident, superintendent or proprietors of such manufacturingestablishment: And provided, also, The presidents or proprietorsof the said establishments shall make affidavit in writing, to befiled with the Secretary of war, that the superintendents andoperators therein are skilled as such and indispensable to said establishments: And provided, If it shall be shown upon evidence to be submitted to, and judged of by, the Secretary of War, that any manufacturing establishment has violated this condition, the exemptions herein granted shall no longer be extended to the persons employed in said establishments or factories; but each of them shall be forthwith enrolled and placed in the military service.
1 X. All Presidents and professors of colleges and theological seminaries, who have been regularly engaged as such for the two years last preceding the 11th of October, 1862; all superintendents of lunatic asylums and the regular physicians, nurses and attendants therein; and all teachers regularly employed in institutions for the deaf, dumb and blind.
1 XI. All physicians who now are, and have been for the last five years, in the actual practice of their profession; and in each apothecary store now established and doing business, one practical apothecary in good standing as such.
1 XII. All artisans and mechanics employed in the manufacture of arms or ordnance of any kind, ordnance stores, or other munitions of war, or army supplies, by the several States or by contractors to furnish the same to the several State governments, whom the Governor or Secretary of State thereof may certify to be necessary to the same: Provided, The persons contracting with said State governments shall make oath in writing, to be filed with the Secretary of War, that said employees are indispensable, on account of their skill, to the successful performance of their contracts.
1 XIII. All persons engaged under the authority of the Secretary of the Navy in the construction of ships, gunboats, engines, sails or other articles necessary to the public defence.
1 XIV. Superintendents, mechanics and miners, employed in the production and manufacture of lead and iron; also persons engaged in burning coke for the smelting and manufacture of iron; regular miners in coal mines; and one collier to each furnace and forge for making blooms and pig and bar iron; but said exemption shall not apply to laborers, messengers and wagoners, except at works employed exclusively for the State or Confederate Governments: Provided, The persons interested in the exemption from military duty of said superintendents, mechanics, miners and
colliers, shall make affidavit in writing, that said persons are skilled in said labor, and are indispensable to such works, and that after diligent effort, they have been unable to procure superintendents, mechanics, miners and colliers who have been discharged from the provisional army, or who are not subject to military duty.
1 XV. In addition to the exemptions specified in the foregoing paragraphs, the Secretary of War is hereby authorized, and it shall be his duty under the direction of the President, to exempt or detail from the Provisional Army, upon any terms or conditions he may prescribe, such other persons as he may be satisfied, with the sanction of the President, ought to be exempted or detailed, in districts of country not supplied with slave or white labor indispensable to the production of grain and provisions, necessary for the support of the families of soldiers in the field; or persons indispensable for the police of plantations cultivated exclusively by slave labor, and owned exclusively by minors under the age of eighteen, lunatics, femes sole, or persons in the military or naval service; also for the maintenance and support of the army, the public defense or the general vital interests of the country; and it is the true intent and meaning of this act, that the enumeration of the exemptions in the foregoing paragraphs, shall not be construed to limit or restrain the exercise of the power herein granted.
1 SEC. 2. That all exemptions by law shall only continue whilst the person is holding the office, or engaged in the pursuit or occupation, by reason of which the exemption was granted; and nothing in this act or any other in relation to exemptions, shall be construed so to exempt agents, clerks or other persons employed by officers in the quartermaster, commissary or other departments of the government, unless such agents or clerks are allowed by law, and their fees or salaries fixed by law. Nor shall anything herein contained be construed so as to authorize the discharge of any one now in the military service of the Confederate government.
1 SEC. 3. That all laws and parts of laws providing for exemptions from military service, are hereby repealed, and no person exempted under previously existing laws shall continue to be exempted, unless embraced within the provisions, and on the terms and conditions of this act. The provisions of this act shall apply to all persons between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years, not in the military service. But this act shall not repeal an act passed at the present session of Congress, entitled" an act to exempt contractors for carrying the mails of the Confederate States, and the owners of post coaches and hacks
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5, "Something must be done for the relief of the poor, and that speedily."
The Poor.—Something must be done for the relief of the poor, and that speedily. By the charitable forethought and energy of Mayor Smith, a supply of wood has already been obtained, and is now being distributed to the needy. This will prevent much suffering from cold, but will not alleviate the pangs of hunger. We will not write an essay on Charity, but we may be permitted to say that it is the greatest of all Christian virtues—"Charity covereth a multitude of sins," and without charity, all other virtues are of no account. Even in the eyes of the worldling, what is a man esteemed, if he have no charity? He may accumulate enormous wealth—he may attain distinction in many ways—but he will leave behind him no sorrowing friends to proclaim his virtues—he will be denounced as a miser, who died unlamented. How different with the man who feels for the suffering poor, and who is ever ready to contribute his mite for their relief. The memory of such a man lives in the hearts of the people—rich and poor; all revere him; all love him; the prayers of the poor are continually ascending to the Throne of Grace for blessings upon him, and few indeed there are so base as not to admire his goodness of heart. We are no advocates of compulsory measures—as a rule, we denounce them as unnecessary in, and an insult to, a Christian community; we ask that some of our prominent citizens band themselves together for the purpose of alleviating the sufferings of the poor among us. You who are constantly murmuring at the scarcity of delicacies upon your tables, call upon us, and we will conduct you to the abodes of the sufferers whose cause we are now pleading, and who would thank God for "the crumbs that fall from the rich man's table." Come with us, we repeat, and we will teach you a lesson of gratitude in Almighty God for his mercy to you, and convince you that you have abundance and to spare. Again we say to our rich men, adopt immediately some organized plan of relief, before some poor creature dies in our midst from starvation.
Nashville Dispatch, November 5, 1862.
5, 1863 - Skirmish near Readyville
No circumstantial reports filed.
Excerpt from the November 5, 1863 report of Brig. Gen. George Crook. U. S. Army, commanding Second Cavalry Division, as it relates to the skirmish near Readyville. See full report above.
At Readyville I crossed over on to the Liberty pike, so as to get between them and La Vergne, and also to prevent them from ambushing me on the road. By this move I drove them off in the direction of Shelbyville.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 30, pt. II, p. 636.
5, 1863 - Shelbyville sacked by elements of Wheeler's command and federals in pursuit Confederates
No circumstantial reports filed.
Excerpt from the October 11, 1863 Report of Col. George B. Hodge, C. S. Army, commanding Cavalry Brigade relative to the sack of Shelbyville, October 5, 1863
* * * *
On the evening of the 5th, I encamped 12 miles from Shelbyville, and was ordered to lead the advance in the morning into Shelbyville. During that night, however, some advance regiments took, sacked, and plundered the town, and on the 6th, I passed to the right of it....
* * * *
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 30, pt. II, p. 727.
5, A Former Slave Owner's Complaint that Her Erstwhile Slaves Refusal to Work
Yellow Creek Dickson County, Tennessee
November 5, 1864
To the Honorable Andrew Johnson
Governor of the State of Tenn.
I Send to you for advice in Regard to the Situation of my family[.] I am left a lone Widow and in Verry bad health and a verry large family of Negroes Numbering Ninety Two and Forty Seven of them Under Twelve Years old and the other 45 being principally the father's and Mothers of the 47 Children. Those Negroes Refuses to do any labour for Their Support. I have proposed to give them land and Mules and provisions &c. for Farming and they Refuse to accede to the propositions and they Could have all they Could make and they Still Refuse to make anything to support themselves and Families upon. I therefore Send to you to know what to do. It was my husbands Request to keep them all on the Farm in Families &c and I cannot possibly do it unless they can be made to do work and Support themselves upon their labour and I do believe that you will Say to Mr. M. F. Shelton that for me to do and what you may wish to know about the affairs[.] He can inform you for he knows the Whole facts as they really are. This 5th day of November Anno Domini 1864[.]
I am most Respectfully and Sincerely your humble and obedient friend and forever feel in duty bound and humbly pray thy Advice to me.
Respectfully
Ann Fentress.[1]
PAJ, Vol. 7, p. 268.
[1] There is no longer a place "Dogtown" in Davidson County, although it may have been in the neighborhood of the State Lunatic Asylum on Murfreesboro road. Dog town may have been a contraband camp or may have had associations with "Dogtown sabres," the only Confederate sabres produced in Nashville. A place named "Dogtown"exists east of Elizabethton in Carter County.
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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