Monday, November 25, 2013

11/25/2013 Tennessee Civil War Notes

        25, Work performed by Unionists arrested in Memphis

The Union men arrested in Memphis are not placed in comfortable prisons, or led by dainty and, as has been the case with some of out prisoners at Washington, but are put to work upon the streets, with a ball and chain attacked to each.

Philadelphia Inquirer, November 25, 1861

 

 

        25, "…nothing left but 16 hogs and 25 bushels of corn." Crushing the Unionist Rebellion in East Tennessee

From East Tennessee-Lincoln Camp Broken Up.-From 300 to 500 Lincolnites of Carter county, encamped about six miles from Elizabethton, dispersed on the approach of Confederate troops.

The citizens of Hawkins, Sullivan and Washington counties, to the number of about 500, turned out on the news of the bride-burning, and organized themselves into a regiment. Hon. Joseph B. Heiskell, member elect of C. S. Congress from the 1st Congressional District, was elected Colonel.

This regiment, with Col. Stovall's battalion, numbering 500, including a battery of flying artillery of four guns, found the Lincolnite camp deserted, and nothing left but 16 hogs and 25 bushels of corn. From 25 to 20 prisoners were arrested in the knobs, each armed with a gun, pistol and bowie knife, and taken to the Watauga bridge. They will probably be brought to Knoxville during the week, to be tried before the Confederate Court. The rebellion in Carter and Johnson counties may be said to be crushed out.

Arrival of Prisoners.-Some forty prisoners of Clift's traitor hand, from Hamilton, Rhea and Meigs, including a Lieut. Colonel and a commissary, were brought up on the train last night and marched through our streets to the jail. A number of arms were taken in their possession. Their condition, criminal as they are, excited the communication of our citizens, and in the crown that accompanied them to their dismal quarters, we heard by one expression of indignation against the unfeeling and unscrupulous demagogues, who deluded into there unfortunate condition, and then deserted them.

Knoxville Register, 19th.

Fayetteville Observer (NC), November 25, 1861. [1]

 

 

        25, Praises for Confederate volunteer nurses in Chattanooga

We publish with something more than pleasure the following note from Dr. Taylor, (chief of Ford Hospital) to one of the fairest, and as her donation indicates, one of the noblest daughters of this highland region. Such acts of munificents [sic], with the ceasless [sic] attentions of our women, day time and night time, to the soldiers, have turned down a golden leaf in the history of this war. May this vision of faith, hope and charity, be but the first of many following angels of mercy!

Foard [sic] Hospital

Chattanooga, Tenn., Nov. 24, [1862].

Editor of Rebel:

Permit me through your journal to acknowledge a liberal contribution of two hundred dollars. To Miss Louisa Massengale, the fair donor, I return the sincerest thanks of the sick under my care. The kindness and sympathy of such patrons greatly alleviates the sickness and suffering of our soldier, and their attention measurably supplies the absence of loved ones at home. The money has been given to Mrs. Ella K. Newsom, who with her usual kindness and impartiality makes purchases and distributes such delicacies and nourishment as may be permitted by the surgeons of the hospital.

R.H. Taylor, Surgeon in Charge

Chattanooga Daily Rebel, November 25, 1862.

 

 

        25, Skirmishing in Sparta environs

No circumstantial reports filed.

Excerpt from the Itinerary of the Cavalry, Army of the Cumberland, Maj. Gen. David S. Stanley and Brig. Gen. Washington L. Elliott commanding, from returns of November, December, 1863, relative to skirmishing in Sparta environs, November 25, 1863:

November 25, detachments from the First East Tennessee and Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry were sent to Sparta, Tennessee, under command of Lieut. Col. J. P. Brownlow, First East Tennessee Cavalry, and had frequent skirmishes with a band of guerrillas under the rebel Col.'s Hughs and Murray. The detachments invariably routed the rebels, inflicting more severe losses than they suffered, and driving them from their haunts around Sparta. In one of these affairs, Capt. Thomas S. McCahan, Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry, was severely wounded.

* * * *

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 31, pt. I, p. 437.

 

 

        25, Major-General U. S. Grant's assessment of the battle for Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, November 25, 1863.

Maj. Gen. J. G. FOSTER, Cumberland Gap:

The great defeat Bragg has sustained in the three days' battle, terminating at dark this evening, and a movement which I will immediately make, I think will relieve Burnside, if he holds out a few days longer. I shall pursue Bragg to-morrow and start a heavy column up the Tennessee Valley the day after. Use your force to the best advantage for Burnside's relief, and for regaining what has been lost in East Tennessee.

U. S. GRANT, Maj.-Gen.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 31, pt. III, p. 247.

 

 

        25, Reconnaissance on Duck River on Lynnville and Mount Pleasant pikes and the Lewisburg and Nashville pike crossings

No circumstantial reports filed.

HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Columbia, Tenn., November 25, 1864.

Brig.-Gen. JOHNSON, Cmdg. Sixth Division, Cavalry Corps:

GEN.: The general commanding directs me to request you to send a guard into this town to drive out the stragglers, who are reported committing depredations.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. N. ANDREWS, Capt., 8th U. S. Infty., and Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Columbia, Tenn., November 25, 1864--2 p. m.

Brig. Gen. R. W. JOHNSON, Cmdg. Sixth Division, Cavalry Corps:

Gen. Schofield wishes a reconnaissance made from the left of the line to the Mount Pleasant pike. You will take Capron's brigade and move out at once on the Lynnville pike till you have cleared the lines of our troops, and then move to the right as far out as possible till you have accomplished the object of the reconnaissance, finding the enemy, and, as nearly as may be, strength and composition of forces. Having done this return to your camp.

J. H. WILSON, Brevet Maj.-Gen., Cmdg.

HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Columbia, Tenn., November 25, 1864--7 p. m.

Brig. Gen. R. W. JOHNSON, Cmdg. Sixth Division, Cavalry Corps:

GEN.: Send without delay one squadron of cavalry up Duck River to the crossing of the Lewisburg and Nashville pike. From there let them feel out well toward Lewisburg for the enemy, reporting frequently all indications discovered. Upon reflection you had better make the force a good battalion. I understand the Lewisburg and Nashville road is a good one, and Duck River is probably passable there at nearly all times.

Direct the commanding officer to send in all the information he can get in regard to bridges and fords on the river.

Very respectfully,

J. H. WILSON, Brevet Maj.-Gen.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, pp. 1042-1043.

 

HDQRS. SIXTH DIVISION CAVALRY, November 25, 1864.

Maj.-Gen. WILSON, Chief of Cavalry:

GEN.: The party sent to examine the Hamilton Ford, six miles below, report it impassable; nothing but a horse-path and not now passable. The party from there went down the river six miles farther to another ford reported there. This latter ford is also impassable, but there is a good road leading into and out of it, there having been a ferry there. The party is now at the lower ford (fifty men and an officer), and is ordered to remain there. They report no signs of the enemy.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. W. JOHNSON, Brig.-Gen. of Volunteers.

HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Columbia, Tenn., November 25, 1864--10.15 p. m. (Received 10.50 p. m.)

Brig. Gen. R. W. JOHNSON, Cmdg. Sixth Division Cavalry:

Gen. Schofield has received an unofficial report to the effect that the Ninety-first Illinois [Indiana] Infantry, sent a few days ago to Williamsport, on Duck River, had been picked up by the enemy. While he does not rely upon this information he feels somewhat anxious in regard thereto. Please send word to the commanding officer of the squadron you sent down Duck River last night to ascertain the whereabouts of the regiment just mentioned. The river from here to Williamsport must be closely watched in order that any movements of the enemy in that direction may be discovered in time.

Please report as early as possible.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. H. WILSON, Brevet Maj.-Gen., Cmdg.

*  *  *  *

HDQRS. SIXTH CAVALRY DIVISION,

Near Columbia, Tenn., November 25, 1864.

Col. CAPRON, Cmdg. Brigade:

COL.: Gen. Johnson directs that you detail a reliable and energetic officer with a party of fifteen men to scout up Duck River, on the south bank, as far as Berlin, inquire for the enemy, and the condition of the fords, whether passable or not. The object of the scout is to ascertain whether the enemy is moving any troops to the east of this place to cross Duck River above this. If any are heard of all possible information must be obtained of their number, character, and purposes. Send with this officer all the guides you have. He is to communicate any information at once, by courier; or if necessary in his judgment, will return himself, with his party, to bring it; if nothing is heard before that, he will go on to Shelbyville.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. T. WELLS, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

P. S.-Col. Croxton will send out a similar party on the same errand and in same direction.

E. T. WELLS.

HDQRS. SIXTH CAVALRY DIVISION, Columbia, Tenn., November 25, 1864.

Col. HORACE CAPRON, Cmdg. Brigade:

COL.: In accordance with instructions received from Maj.-Gen. Wilson you will, as soon as possible, send out a good battalion up Duck River to the crossing of the Lewisburg and Nashville pike. From there, crossing Duck River on the Lewisburg and Nashville pike (if found fordable), let them feel well out toward Lewisburg for the enemy, reporting frequently all indications of them discovered. It is supposed that the ford will be found good, and the pike is easily found. The officer commanding will send in all information he can gather in regard to the fords and bridges on Duck River. The battalion will start as soon as possible. Do not fail to advise the officer of the scout sent out to-night toward Berlin from your command as also that from Gen. Croxton's.

This by command of Brig.-Gen. Johnson:

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. T. WELLS, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, pp. 1044-1045.

 

HDQRS. SIXTH CAVALRY DIVISION, Near Columbia, Tenn., November 25, 1864.

Col. CAPRON, Cmdg. Brigade:

COL.: You will move your command at once through town on to the Lewisburg pike. The object of the movement is to feel to the left of our line for the enemy; simply a reconnaissance, which being completed the command will return to camp. You will therefore leave the camps standing in charge of a few men from each battalion. You will take no transportation except ambulances.

By order of Brig.-Gen. Johnson:

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. T. WELLS, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Columbia, Tennessee, November 25, 1864.

Brig.-Gen. CROXTON:

The general commanding directs that you report with your brigade temporarily to Brig.-Gen. Johnson, commanding Sixth Division, Cavalry Corps.

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

LEVI T. GRIFFIN, Capt. and Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

NEAR COLUMBIA, November 25, 1864.

[Col. HORACE CAPRON, Cmdg. Brigade Cavalry:]

COL.: By direction of Gen. Johnson I send you sergeant of escort who has report to make of suspicious persons seen near picket-line.

The general directs that you send small force from picket-post once an hour during the night a short distance down the road, say one-quarter of a mile.

Yours, &c.,

JOHN J. KESSLER, Capt. and Provost-Marshal.

HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, Nashville, November 25, 1864.

Maj.-Gen. WILSON, Columbia, Tenn.:

MY DEAR GEN.: I arrived late last night, and have received orders to take command of the Fourth Tennessee and Ninth Indiana Cavalry. From what I can learn and see they can be ready to start Sunday evening or Monday morning. I will take five day's full rations and what forage the wagons will carry. The clothing, &c., is good. Fourth Tennessee armed-Maynard's carbines; Ninth Indiana will be to-night-same arms. Horses in fair condition. Aggregate strength about 1,200 for duty. Enough dismounted, &c., for camp guards. Hope to reach you in short two days' march.

I am, general, with great respect, your obedient servant and friend,

J. H. HAMMOND, Brig.-Gen.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, pp. 1045-1046.

 

 

        25, A religious revival in the Cherry Creek community [2]

....There is a revival going on down the creek and I went there last night. Martha Williams and Margaret Snodgrass professed a few nights ago and they had both shouted till they could not speak above a whisper, but they went all over the house like a couple of wild women slapping their hands and stamping and beating and hugging and shaking everyone they came to. It may be right and I have no doubt of their sincerity, but my understanding of the scripture is different. There is a great awakening all over the country, and [more] professions in the last four weeks than there has been in so many years before....

Diary of Amanda McDowell.



[1] As cited in PQCW.

[2] The passage was entered on November 26, 1864, but refers to "last night," or the 25th.


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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