Monday, March 24, 2014

3/24/14 Tennessee Civil War Notes

         24, Rabbi Peres wins in common law court

The Hebrew Trial.—In the case of the Rev. J. J. Peres, who sued in the common law court for salary claimed by him from the congregation of the synagogue in this place, a verdict was given yesterday in favor of Mr. Peres. A trial for libel in which Mr. Peres is plaintiff is expected to take place next week. It will be very interesting, many points respecting the present religious standing of the Jews in this country and their observances, will come up. The clergy and religious portion of the city will find much to interest them.

Memphis Daily Appeal, March 24, 1861

 

 

         24, General Mitchel reprimands Mrs. Polk

The Nashville correspondent of the Cincinnati Gazette tells these incidents:

"The following interesting scrap of news is told by an eye-witness to the scene: One day last week General Buell and the Brigadiers of the Department, who were present, went in a body to call upon Mrs. James K. Polk and her niece, daughter of Ex.-Rev. Gen. Leonidas. Mrs. Polk seemed determined that no doubt should be entertained as to her sentiments in regard to our unhappy difficulties. The gentlemen present, as they were severally addressed, simply bowed in silence, until Gen. [Ormsby MacKnight] Mitchel who was standing somewhat away from the party, was singled out. To him Mrs. P. remarked: "General, I trust this war will speedily terminate by the acknowledgment of Southern Independence." The remark was the signal for a lull in the conversation, and all eyes were turned upon the General to hear his reply.

He stood with his lips firmly compressed, and his eyes looking fully into those of Mrs. Polk, as long as she spoke. He then said: Madam, the man whose name you bear was once the President of the United States; he was an honest man and a true patriot, he administered the laws of this Government with equal justice to all. We know no independence of one section of our country which does not belong to all others, and judging by the past, of the mute lips of the honored dead, who lies so near us, could speak, they would express the hope that this war may never cease if that cessation was purchased by the dissolution of the Union of States over which he once presided." Needless to say that remark was, in a calm dignified tone, apt with that earnestness for which the General is noted, no offence could be taken.

Southern independence was not mentioned again during the interview.

New York Times, March 24, 1862.

 

 

         24, 1863 - "SOL. STREET AND THE GRAND JUNCTION RAID;" a correction from Major Smith, First West Tennessee Cavalry [see also: March 15, 1863, "Saulstreet's guerrilla band's activities near Grand Junction"]

Editors Bulletin:-Will you please make a correction in your correspondent's account of Sol. Street's raid at my house on last Sunday night a week ago. Street came there with some fifty men, demanded an entrance, which was given to him. Mrs. S. and daughters never left their bed. Sol. Cursed and swore considerably, rifled the drawers, too Mrs. S's jewelry and all the dry good he could find in the house, together with all the stock he could find at the barn, and even some toys that were brought for the children to play with. He took Mrs. S.'s dress, examined the pocket and took therefrom a purse containing forty dollars and left word he was coming back in ten days to burn the house. He and his men acted in the most rude manner. The safeguard was found by one of the negro men being frightened and made [to] tell where he stayed. There was only one of them. I deem it only an act of justice to Col. Oliver, commander of the post, to say that in thirty minutes from the time Street came to my house, which was at 3½ o'clock, he had a force there. They were ten minutes too late. The great trouble has been, and is in this day, that there is no cavalry at this point.

I hope to be at Sol's house one of these days, not only to drive him, but every friend of his out in the country. These lawless bands, that go round the country robbing every man's house they come across, ought to be put down. I respect the regular soldiers, but despise the guerrilla thieves that infest the country. They ought to be pulled out root and branch and nothing of them left, and shall be, as far as my power goes

W, J. Smith

1st West Tennessee Cavalry

Memphis Bulletin, March 24, 1863.

 

 

         24, U. S. gunboats Robb and Silver Lake bombard Confederate conscripting party in vicinity of Carrollville and Clifton on the Tennessee River

UNITED STATES STEAMER ROBB, March 24, 1863.

Gen. DODGE, Cmdg. Forces at Corinth, Miss.:

SIR: I would most respectfully call your attention to the vicinity of Clifton and Carrollville, Tenn. Being on my way, in company of the United States gunboat Silver Lake, up the Tennessee River, and coming in the vicinity of those places after dark last evening, I thought I would like to see them in daylight, so laid over at Beech Creek Island until daylight. This morning, about 6 o'clock, I arrived opposite Carrollville. I found about 100 rebels of Col. Daugherty's command, under Van Dorn, rendezvoused there, conscripting, stealing horses, and stopping movers [i.e., refugees] from leaving the country. I shelled them out of the place, but don't know what damage was done them. I found a number of carbines and 6 or 8 horses, with saddles and bridles, which I took. I also captured two of the band (Blackburns-father and son.). Clifton and Carrollville are undoubtedly the rendezvous of the conscripting parties of Wayne County and vicinity. Those parties trouble the west side of the river a good deal.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JASON GOWDY, Acting Volunteer Lieut. Cmdg.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 23, pt. II, pp. 168-169.

 

 

         23, A Grand Review in Murfreesboro and Rosecrans' praise

Monday March 23rd: Weather rainy by spells all day. Came off picket and were ordered to prepare for Grand Review by Gen'l Rosecrans. Our Brigade received especial compliments from the General. He said that our Regt looked comfortable and that were good soldiers and that we now knew how to live and that since our Regt. would soon be filled up we must learn the new ones how to Soldier which means to stand as well as we.

Follett Diary

 

 

         24, Capture of Confederate navy officers attempting commando attacks upon Tennessee River shipping [see February 5, 1865 Confederate riverine-commando raid frustrated at Kingston]

HDQRS. DISTRICT OF EAST TENNESSEE AND FOURTH DIVISION, TWENTY-THIRD ARMY CORPS, Knoxville, Tenn., February 25, 1865--7.15 p. m. [Received 27th.]

Maj. S. HOFFMAN, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Department of the Cumberland, Nashville:

Two officers in the uniform of and claiming to belong to the Confederate navy were captured yesterday near Loudon. They state they were of a party sent from Richmond to destroy the bridges and steamboats on the Tennessee River. The balance of the party made their escape and are still at large.

DAVIS TILLSON, Brig.-Gen., U. S. Volunteers, Cmdg. District and Division.

HDQRS. DISTRICT OF EAST TENNESSEE AND FOURTH DIVISION, TWENTY-THIRD ARMY CORPS, Knoxville, Tenn., February 25, 1865.

Maj. Gen. JAMES B. STEEDMAN, Chattanooga:

Two officers in the uniform of and claiming to belong to the Confederate navy were captured yesterday near Loudon. They state they were of a party sent to capture and destroy the steam-boats on the river. The remainder of the party made their escape and are still at large; they may attempt to carry out their plan. I respectfully suggest that guards on the boats be increased and cautioned to exercise unusual vigilance.

DAVIS TILLSON, Brig.-Gen., U. S. Volunteers, Cmdg. District and Division.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 49, pt. I, p. 769.

 

 

         24, "Frame Houses."

The law prohibiting the erection of frame houses in the city without the consent of the City Council was yesterday repealed by that body. It was contended on one hand that this action would tend to create nuisances, endanger valuable property and increase the rates of insurance, while on the other it was maintained that it gave the poor people the advantage of building a home, and encourage immigration into our city. It is a debatable question.

Nashville Dispatch, March 24, 1865.

 

 

         24, "Uniformed Police."

The bill passed by the City Council yesterday to uniform the policemen of the city is another step towards progression [sic]. In all cities of any pretension, the police are uniformed, and it has proved of great advantage. The suit prescribed is pretty and appropriate, and cannot fail to lend an air of authority and dignity to our guardians of the city. The will be in the literal sense of the term "clothed" with authority. Strangers visiting us will be impressed with the "greatness of our institutions" and conduct themselves accordingly.

Nashville Dispatch, March 24, 1865.

 


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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