5, Love, Marriage and Suicide in Civil War Memphis; the Allegory of Alice Simpson
The End of a Lucky Marriage.-Some six or seven months ago we gave an account of the marriage of a beautiful courtesan from a house of ill fame in this city. Her husband was a very wealth planter in Arkansas. We state in that account that the woman had declared that on her part the man who had chosen her should have no reason to complain of the future, whatever might be the events of the past. She was taken to her husband's home. Her life was far from stain. She appeared to be in the way to recover the position in society she had lost, when an individual arrived in the neighborhood that knew her. Her previous history was then exposed. Her efforts to escape the consequences of past guild were in vain. She committed the sin for which there is no earthly pardon. For her that world could offer no hope. He who had power to say, "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone," was not there to repeat them. Her new acquaintances avoided her; her now friends upbraided her; her new relatives denounced her and demanded of the husband that she should be driven like Hagar to the desert-to a desert where there was no angel to open the weeping wanderer's eyes and discover to her the well flowing with healing waters. The months of her purity counted as nothing in her favor; her husband brought her to this city and left her to misery and crime. She lately resided on Vance street, near the first bayou, passing by the name her husband first knew her by-Alice Simpson. She had been plunged into her early wrong course on her first return to the city, but had lately been industriously engaged in sewing for a living, and it was beloved was striving hard to lay aside finally the slough of her past life, and to maintain herself by honest labor. But that banishment from the brief paradise in which she had enjoyed the society of the pure and the respect of the good, she could not forget. Ceaselessly she turned her eyes back to those doors eternally closed to her, and saw no more the brightness that was within, only the fierce glittering of the flaming sword that tuned every was repelling her from hope. That brief interval of pure wifehood had awakened within the knowing consciousness of what she lost when her honor was robbed from by the honey-tongued seducer in her girlish, thoughtless days. This brief sojourn with good had been the fruit communicating to her a knowledge of good and evil too bitter to be borne. Despairing, she sought the sad fatal refuge of despair. On Thursday night [November 28] she took a large dose of morphine; yesterday Alice Simpson was a corpse and a suicide. How sad must be that sin whose anguish is increased by communion with virtue.
Memphis Daily Appeal, December 5, 1861. [2]
ca.5, Border fighting between East Tennessee and North Carolina
The Troubles in East Tennessee-War on our Border-North Carolina Invaded!-A terrible state of affairs exists in the border counties of Tennessee. A fight occurred last week at Parrottsville, Cocke county, about fifteen miles from this place, in which Capt. Gorman and two privates of the Confederate cavalry were killed. A messenger reached this place day before yesterday from the commanding officer at Greeneville, Tenn., urgently requesting that a force be immediately dispatched to the adjoining county of Madison, to intercept some two or three hundred Tennessee and North Carolina tories who had fled before the Southern troops had taken refuge in the mountains of Madison county., About one thousand tories, the messenger informed us, were at Newpor[t] in Bocke [sic] [i.e, Cocke] county, armed and organized. Col. R. B. Vance's regiment had been ordered to disperse them, and would, it was supposed, reach Newport last Tuesday. Nothing definite has been heard since, but it is presumed a collision has taken place before now.
We learn that a great many arrest[s] have been made, and no little old fashioned hanging has been done at Greeneville. The authorities having exhausted all mild remedies are determined to crush the rebellion by force, and teach the traitors that the Southern Confederacy is a Government with ample power to enforce obedience to its laws.
News from Col. Vance's regiment is most anxiously looked for. We will give it to our readers at the earliest possible moment.
[Ashville (NC) News, 7th, Inst.]
Macon Daily Telegraph, December 21, 1861.
The Troubles in East Tennessee-North Carolina Invaded-the Ashville (N. C.) News, of the 7th inst. says:
A terrible state of affairs exists in the border counties of Tennessee. A fight occurred last week at Parrottsville, Cocke county, about fifty miles from this place (Asheville, N. C.), in which Captain Gorman and two privates of the Confederate cavalry were killed. A messenger reached this place day before yesterday from the commanding officer at Greenville, Tenn., urgently requesting that a force be immediately dispatched to the adjoining county of Madison to intercept some two or three hundred Tennessee and North Carolina tories who had fled before the Southern troops and taken refuse in the mountains of Madison county.
About one thousand tories, the messenger informed us, were at Newport, in Cocke county, armed and organized. Col. R. B. Vance's regiment had been ordered to disperse them, and would, it was supposed, reach Newport last Tuesday. Nothing definite has been heard since, but it is not presume a collision has taken place before now.
We learn that a great many arrest have been made, and no little old-fashioned hanging has been down at Greeneville. The authorities having exhausted all mild remedies, are determined to crush the rebellion by force, and teach the traitors that the Southern Confederacy is a Government with ample power to enforce obedience to the laws.
Daily Dispatch, December 13, 1861.
5, Divining the moves of the Federal army in East Tennessee
The Designs of the Enemy.
The Rebels, it seems, are trying to establish two strong and important points, one of these to be at Knoxville, and the other at Chattanooga. At present they are removing all stores and supplies from below Nashville to Chattanooga, which place their officers have declared their intention of holding to the last moment, and for this purpose they are strongly fortifying the city. This point is naturally one of great strength, and should they use half the energy and skill in strengthening this point which they have displayed in other places, it may be found a difficult matter to dislodge them. But it must and will be done. The Rebels have succeeded, during their late raid though Kentucky and Tennessee, in carrying off an immense amount of stores, provisions and clothing, which are now stored principally at Knoxville and Chattanooga. To lose these stores at the present time would be to them an irreparable loss, which they will struggle hard to prevent, and before Tennessee is cleared of the wretches, there must be at least two most desperate encounters, and the issue of these will probably settle the questions of the Rebellion in this State.
The Citizens-Their Rumored Union Sentiments.
There has been much said throughout the North respecting the Union men of Tennessee, but, as yet, I have seen but few citizens indeed to whom this term is at all applicable.
Nearly all are known Secessionists; while many avow their sympathies for the Southern Confederacy with an order and warmth which leaves but little could of their sincerity. It is a well known fact that a large number of the farmers belong to some of the numerous guerrilla bands which infest the country. These squads can be called together in a few hours, and they are at all times on the alert to gobble up detached companies of Federal Soldiers, or harass Union citizens, wherever they may be found. For these acts, Morgan and his band generally receive credit; but it is a notorious fact that these citizen-robbers are far more cruel than any regularly organized band of the Confederates, and in many instances their acts are of the most dastardly and fiendish character imaginable.
Murder is as common to many of them as marching is to the majority of our troops. Even the wives and children of Union men are constantly in danger of their lives while they remain within reach of these inhuman wretches. But from the character of the Federal officers who now have charge of affairs in Tennessee, it is to be hoped that this state of affairs will not long continue, but that the time will soon come when, the very few good Union men in this State can enjoy their homes without fear from their disloyal neighbors.
Heavy Cannonading-Rumors of an Engagement.
Word has just reached camp from the Second Minnesota, who are now lying in a bend of the Cumberland, some fifteen miles from Gallatin, that heavy firing was heard all day yesterday [4th],[3] in an easterly direction, and it is supposed that considerable of an engagement must have taken place between our forces and the Rebels in the vicinity of Silver Springs. None of these particulars, however, have as yet reached us at this point, but we shall probably hear from there tomorrow. News brought into camp seems to indicate sharp work in that direction within the next two weeks. I have just heard from the three regiments belonging to the Third Brigade, which were sent forward a few days since. They are now encamped upon the northern bank of the Cumberland, about twenty-five miles from this point. They have finally arrived within sight of the enemy. To them has been assigned the duty of holding a ford at that point. The Rebels seem anxious to cross here, but although constantly to be seen on the opposite bank of the river, they are somewhat wary of coming within reach of our Western riflemen, and no doubt their caution has saved many of the rascals a whole hide, as the Second Minnesota especially are somewhere noted for the accuracy of their aim.
Philadelphia Inquirer, December 5, 1862.
5, Skirmish at Walker's Ford on the Clinch River
No circumstantial reports filed. [4]
FOUR MILES FROM WALKER'S FORD, December 5, 1863--12.15 p. m.
GEN.: Col. Graham is threatened with an immediate attack, and is probably now engaged. I have therefore ordered back another regiment to Walker's Ford, making two regiment and two guns to cover the ford. I shall wait here until I hear from Col. Graham again.
Yours, respectfully,
O. B. WILLCOX, Brig.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 31, pt. I, p. 399.
5, 1863 - Longstreet begins retreat from Knoxville
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE, Maryville, Tennessee, December 5, 1863.
Maj. Gen. GORDON GRANGER, Cmdg. Fourth Corps:
GEN.: The object of the present expedition having been accomplished, and the enemy being in retreat from Knoxville, you will please move your command to-morrow as far as Little River, going into camp at that place, and report in person to Gen. Burnside at Knoxville for orders.
By order of Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman:
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE, Maryville, Tennessee, December 5, 1863.
Brig. Gen. JEFF. C. DAVIS.
Cmdg. Division:
GEN.: The object of the present expedition being accomplished, and the enemy in retreat from Knoxville, the general desires you to hold your command in its present camp until he can decide upon future movements on consultation with Gen. Burnside. He will ride forward to Knoxville in the morning; meanwhile you will please hold your division in readiness to return to the neighborhood of the bridge over Little Tennessee, should it be deemed advisable on consultation with Gen. Burnside. Gen. Granger is ordered to report to Gen. Burnside for orders. The Fifteenth Corps will remain here until the general returns from Knoxville, and the Eleventh Corps will probably return to Loudon.
By order of Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman:
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 31, pt. III, pp. 340-341.
TAZEWELL, December 8, 1863.
Maj.-Gen. BURNSIDE:
Knoxville.:
MY DEAR GEN.: I received your request through Col. Foster to move down and join you. I shall do so as soon as the provision wagons that have left the gap arrive so that we can escort them. I believe Longstreet to be in full retreat, the rear of his infantry about opposite here. The rear guard of his cavalry is between Blain's Cross-Roads and Rutledge.
Col. Foster with the cavalry has moved to join your cavalry. I hope to see you soon.
With best regards, yours, most truly,
J. G. FOSTER, Maj.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 31, pt. III, p. 359.
HDQRS. FOURTH ARMY CORPS, Maryville, December 6, 1863.-9 a. m.
Brig. Gen. JAMES G. SPEARS, Cmdg., Loudon, Tenn:
Longstreet has retreated pell-mell from Knoxville, and the object of the expedition being accomplished you will remain at Loudon with your command until further orders.
By command of Maj.-Gen. Granger:
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 31, pt. III, p. 347.
5, Divining the moves of the Federal army in East Tennessee
The Designs of the Enemy.
The Rebels, it seems, are trying to establish two strong and important points, one of these to be at Knoxville, and the other at Chattanooga. At present they are removing all stores and supplies from below Nashville to Chattanooga, which place their officers have declared their intention of holding to the last moment, and for this purpose they are strongly fortifying the city. This point is naturally one of great strength, and should they use half the energy and skill in strengthening this point which they have displayed in other places, it may be found a difficult matter to dislodge them. But it must and will be done. The Rebels have succeeded, during their late raid though Kentucky and Tennessee, in carrying off an immense amount of stores, provisions and clothing, which are now stored principally at Knoxville and Chattanooga. To lose these stores at the present time would be to them an irreparable loss, which they will struggle hard to prevent, and before Tennessee is cleared of the wretches, there must be at least two most desperate encounters, and the issue of these will probably settle the questions of the Rebellion in this State.
The Citizens-Their Rumored Union Sentiments.
There has been much said throughout the North respecting the Union men of Tennessee, but, as yet, I have seen but few citizens indeed to whom this term is at all applicable.
Nearly all are known Secessionists; while many avow their sympathies for the Southern Confederacy with an order and warmth which leaves but little could of their sincerity. It is a well known fact that a large number of the farmers belong to some of the numerous guerrilla bands which infest the country. These squads can be called together in a few hours, and they are at all times on the alert to gobble up detached companies of Federal Soldiers, or harass Union citizens, wherever they may be found. For these acts, Morgan and his band generally receive credit; but it is a notorious fact that these citizen-robbers are far more cruel than any regularly organized band of the Confederates, and in many instances their acts are of the most dastardly and fiendish character imaginable.
Murder is as common to many of them as marching is to the majority of our troops. Even the wives and children of Union men are constantly in danger of their lives while they remain within reach of these inhuman wretches. But from the character of the Federal officers who now have charge of affairs in Tennessee, it is to be hoped that this state of affairs will not long continue, but that the time will soon come when, the very few good Union men in this State can enjoy their homes without fear from their disloyal neighbors.
Heavy Cannonading-Rumors of an Engagement.
Word has just reached camp from the Second Minnesota, who are now lying in a bend of the Cumberland, some fifteen miles from Gallatin, that heavy firing was heard all day yesterday [4th],[5] in an easterly direction, and it is supposed that considerable of an engagement must have taken place between our forces and the Rebels in the vicinity of Silver Springs. None of these particulars, however, have as yet reached us at this point, but we shall probably hear from there tomorrow. News brought into camp seems to indicate sharp work in that direction within the next two weeks. I have just heard from the three regiments belonging to the Third Brigade, which were sent forward a few days since. They are now encamped upon the northern bank of the Cumberland, about twenty-five miles from this point. They have finally arrived within sight of the enemy. To them has been assigned the duty of holding a ford at that point. The Rebels seem anxious to cross here, but although constantly to be seen on the opposite bank of the river, they are somewhat wary of coming within reach of our Western riflemen, and no doubt their caution has saved many of the rascals a whole hide, as the Second Minnesota especially are somewhere noted for the accuracy of their aim.
Philadelphia Inquirer, December 5, 1862.
5, Skirmish at Walker's Ford on the Clinch River
No circumstantial reports filed. [6]
FOUR MILES FROM WALKER'S FORD, December 5, 1863--12.15 p. m.
GEN.: Col. Graham is threatened with an immediate attack, and is probably now engaged. I have therefore ordered back another regiment to Walker's Ford, making two regiment and two guns to cover the ford. I shall wait here until I hear from Col. Graham again.
Yours, respectfully,
O. B. WILLCOX, Brig.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 31, pt. I, p. 399.
5, 1863 - Longstreet begins retreat from Knoxville
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE, Maryville, Tennessee, December 5, 1863.
Maj. Gen. GORDON GRANGER, Cmdg. Fourth Corps:
GEN.: The object of the present expedition having been accomplished, and the enemy being in retreat from Knoxville, you will please move your command to-morrow as far as Little River, going into camp at that place, and report in person to Gen. Burnside at Knoxville for orders.
By order of Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman:
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE, Maryville, Tennessee, December 5, 1863.
Brig. Gen. JEFF. C. DAVIS.
Cmdg. Division:
GEN.: The object of the present expedition being accomplished, and the enemy in retreat from Knoxville, the general desires you to hold your command in its present camp until he can decide upon future movements on consultation with Gen. Burnside. He will ride forward to Knoxville in the morning; meanwhile you will please hold your division in readiness to return to the neighborhood of the bridge over Little Tennessee, should it be deemed advisable on consultation with Gen. Burnside. Gen. Granger is ordered to report to Gen. Burnside for orders. The Fifteenth Corps will remain here until the general returns from Knoxville, and the Eleventh Corps will probably return to Loudon.
By order of Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman:
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 31, pt. III, pp. 340-341.
TAZEWELL, December 8, 1863.
Maj.-Gen. BURNSIDE:
Knoxville.:
MY DEAR GEN.: I received your request through Col. Foster to move down and join you. I shall do so as soon as the provision wagons that have left the gap arrive so that we can escort them. I believe Longstreet to be in full retreat, the rear of his infantry about opposite here. The rear guard of his cavalry is between Blain's Cross-Roads and Rutledge.
Col. Foster with the cavalry has moved to join your cavalry. I hope to see you soon.
With best regards, yours, most truly,
J. G. FOSTER, Maj.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 31, pt. III, p. 359.
HDQRS. FOURTH ARMY CORPS, Maryville, December 6, 1863.-9 a. m.
Brig. Gen. JAMES G. SPEARS, Cmdg., Loudon, Tenn:
Longstreet has retreated pell-mell from Knoxville, and the object of the expedition being accomplished you will remain at Loudon with your command until further orders.
By command of Maj.-Gen. Granger:
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 31, pt. III, p. 347.
5, "Scan Mag."[7] [sic] A January-May marriage disintegrates in Memphis
Some time ago a man past middle age, a widower in fact, became smitten with the charm of a young school girl of fifteen. She was young, and inexperienced, while he was well posted in the business of love, ardent and earnest. The homage of any man, no matter what his age or station, is grateful to woman as long as it is honest and pure. The Miss was flattered by his attentions, and allowed him at last to win her consent to a marriage. She was poor, while he was a worthy, industrious mechanic, just able to support a wife, and that was it.
It was a January and May over again, and it is well known the wide world over, that such alliances seldom prosper. She was a giddy girl, whose bounding blood accorded illy with the sluggish flow of his enfeebled currents. She had an overweening desire for finery, and that was something her husband, with his limited resources, could not procure for her. Before they had been married a year she began to wear gay colored clothing, a fancy bonnet, dainty gaiters, etc. The husband began to suspect that there was an Ethiopian in the woodpile, and remonstrated. There was a domestic explosion at once, and mutual recriminations were exchanged freely in the shape of broomsticks, invectives, hot water, hot names and bullets [?] of wood.
On the next day the bird that the old man had caged took wings to herself and fled. The bereaved spouse took the matter most unphilosophically, and grieved disconsolately. He pined and refused to eat. He neglected his labor, and it was feared by his friends he would become distracted. At last the intelligence came that the truant wife was boarding at the house of a person who was considered no better than she ought to be. He repaired to her, and begged her to return to his home, but she refused, whereupon he appealed to the military authorities for assistance. Although it was not a case that came directly under their supervision, they were disposed to make an effort to rescue the woman from the course of ruin which she had entered upon, and restore her if possible to arms of her natural protector.
She was arrested and brought up for the purpose of adjusting the difficulty, but it was found the moral disease had become too deeply seated. She admitted her shame and gloried in it, flatly refusing to go back, and declared here intention to continue the career she had commenced. It was absolutely appalling to see this mere child of sixteen so completely transformed to a very fiend of wickedness. She sneered at the tears of her husband, and laughed at his entreaties. The officers she defied to do their worst, and at last she flounced out of the room when she was released as an incorrigible, and went down stairs in triumph. When her husband saw how completely she was lost to him and all the world, his sorrow knew no bounds. It was heart-rendering to witness it.
Memphis Bulletin, December 5, 1863.
5, Skirmishing along the Tennessee River during the Knoxville Campaign
Reports of Brig. Gen. James G. Spears, U. S. Army, commanding First East Tennessee Brigade.
HDQRS. UNITED STATES FORCES,
Near Loudon, Tenn., December 6, 1863.
~ ~ ~
I was informed that quite a large cavalry force of the enemy were in my front, and that their pickets were within 4 miles of Kingston. I deemed it most prudent (expecting the boat to arrive every moment on the morning of the 4th) to move forward with my force, which I did, accordingly, by three different routes, throwing a force around on the river bank. In about 4 miles from Kingston we drove in the rebel pickets and proceeded on to a point 10 miles from Kingston, having skirmished with and drove the enemy before us, occupying their camps on the night of the 4th, with headquarters at Mrs. Beazeal's. We captured 26 prisoners, some horses and equipments.
~ ~ ~
JAMES G. SPEARS, Brig.-Gen., &c.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 31, pt. I. p.446.
[1] On file at TSLA.
[2] As cited in PQCW.
[3] There is no record of this engagement in the OR.
[4] There appears to be no information relating directly to a skirmish on the 5th at Walker's Ford, although this citation indicates Confederate forces were menacing Federal positions at the site and that a fight was looming.
[5] There is no record of this engagement in the OR.
[6] There appears to be no information relating directly to a skirmish on the 5th at Walker's Ford, although this citation indicates Confederate forces were menacing Federal positions at the site and that a fight was looming.
[7] The meaning of this story title is not exactly known, although from the context of the story it may have meant something like "Scandal Magazine."
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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