Monday, March 17, 2014

3/16-17/2914 Tennessee Civil War Notes

        16, Memphis' Italian-American population

Our Italian Population.—We learn from an intelligent Italian correspondent that not less than five hundred of his countrymen reside in this city. They are of all classes of society, but everywhere industrious and law-abiding. They have no societies or clubs for Italians only, or any especial place of congregating, but mix themselves with society in general and become good American citizens.

Memphis Daily Appeal, March 16, 1861.

17, Memphis alderman investigated on moral's charge

Alderman O'Mahoney.—Council met on Friday night to investigate charges of immorality preferred against Alderman O'Mahoney, of the first ward. The nature of the charges have been stated in our report of the recorder's court, as consisting of improper intimacy with a negro woman. Alderman O'Mahoney appeared in military uniform and pronounced the charges false. The Board appointed aldermen Fraser, Kirby and Crews a committee to examine witnesses, aided by the city attorney, and to report to the Board as early as possible.

Memphis Daily Appeal, March 17, 1861

        16, 1864 - Excerpt from the letter of James Pritchard, 8th Iowa Cavalry, from Waverly, Tennessee, to his brother in Indian Territory

~ ~ ~

I like you have pot about out of any news to write. I have told you all worth telling about this place. The Bushwhackers are about all captured here nothing of importance happens to write about. Camp life as you very well know is very monotonous, even the weather here for three or four weeks [is] good continues fine not even a storm to change the scene. I hardly know what to think or say about the war ending. I believe the Rebels are on their last legs. They must give it up before long, I see no help for them. I think their golden opportunity to take Knoxville and repair East Tennessee is gone by their time if ever to try was when our veterans were home on furlough but now a good many are back, more coming and new troops coming every day Their men are deserting to our lines all the tie, even at this out of the way place about 300 deserters from their army have taken the oath. I am well except a stiff neck it hurts me to write. I had a letter fro home the same mail with yours….

James

Pritchard Letter.[1]

        17, Expedition from Island No. 10 to Riley's Landing Tennessee

FEBRUARY 17, 1864.-Expedition from Island No. 10 to Riley's Landing, Tenn.

Report of Capt. Robert M. Ekings, thirty-fourth New Jersey Infantry.

HDQRS. U. S. FORCES, Island No. 10, Tenn., February 18, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to report that, having received information that 4 deserters from the Union army were secreted near Tiptonville, Tenn., I with 40 men of my command embarked on a steamer at 2 a. m. of February 17, and proceeded down the river to Riley's Landing, 6 miles below Tiptonville.

At Riley's house we seized a small amount of Government ammunition and several guns. Being unable to carry away these guns we destroyed them.

We then proceeded to the house of one Lewis, where we succeeded in capturing 5 of the gang of guerrillas which has infested the bend for five months past. Together with them we captured their arms and their horses. These men were in bed, having their pistols under their heads, but being completely surprised offered no resistance.

From this point we marched to the place where the deserters were said to be employed, but could find no traces of them. Seeing no chance of effecting any further captures we got on board a boat at Tiptonville and returned to this post.

One of these prisoners, Owen Edwards, is a quasi lieutenant in Meriwether's company of bushwhackers, and is reported to have been in command of the party which fired into a Government boat below Tiptonville about three months ago. Another, Lewis, claims to belong to Faulkner's command. Gregg says he was a private in Meriwether's gang, but that he deserted when Meriwether proceeded south. George Moore, formerly of the rebel army, now horse thief and scoundrel in general, is the fourth person captured; and lastly Clayton, about whom I have no particular information except his being found with the rest at Lewis' house. Lewis is a paroled prisoner. He was formerly a captain in the Fifteenth Regt. Tennessee Volunteers, rebel army. He stated that the guerrillas have eaten over $200 worth of provisions at his house within six months. He has a parole from Gen. Quinby, formerly commanding this district.

Of the captured horses three have been sent to Columbus. The prisoners will be examined and sent to Capt. I. H. Williams, district provost-marshal.

R. M. EKINGS, Capt. Company C, 34th New Jersey Infantry, Cmdg. Post.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 32, pt. I, p. 404.[2]



[1] James Pritchard Letter, MS-2154. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Special Collections Library.

[2] This same report is also found in Rebellion Record, Vol. 8, p. 447. It includes the following sentence which does not appear in the OR version: "At nearly every house we visited, we found guns, which we destroyed."


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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