21, "To the Women of the South"
While the men in every part of the country are arming themselves and mustering in squadrons to resist the invasion and oppression threatening our beloved land, let us emulate the enthusiasm of our husbands, sons, and friends in the cause. Many of our daughters are already active in the service with their needles. Let the matrons of every city, village, and hamlet form themselves into societies, called by some appropriate name, pledged to take care of the sick and wounded soldiers of the Confederate army, whenever the changing drama of war shall bring them in their neighborhood; to take them if necessary and practicable, to their own homes. Let the organizations be commenced at once, with officers appointed and known, to whom the officers of the military companies may communicate the wants of the soldiers, and call upon for aid when the time for action shall come; and Baltimore has taught us how soon it may come.[1] I offer myself for the work. Will not some matron with more time take the lead, and allow me to serve in a subordinate capacity? Let the women of the entire South join and spread the organization till not a spot within the Southern borders shall be with its band of sisters, pledged to the work and ready for it; and thus shall every mother feel assured, in sending her sons to the field, that in time of need they shall have the tender care of some other mother, whose loved ones are in the patriot ranks at other points, and our soldiers feel sure that true hearts are near wherever they may be.
Mary E. Pope
Memphis Appeal, April 21, 1861.[2]
22, Anxious telegram communication between Governor Isham G. Harris and L. P. Walker, Secretary of War, relative to need for arms in Tennessee
NASHVILLE, April 22, 1861.
L. P. WALKER:
Have you any arms that you can spare to Tennessee? If so, of what character? I know of no market at which they can be procured immediately.
ISHAM G. HARRIS.
MONTGOMERY, April 22, 1861.
Governor ISHAM G. HARRIS, Nashville, Tenn.:
Some days ago I ordered 1,500 muskets and some heavy guns to Memphis. In my dispatch to-day I propose to furnish the three regiments asked for. If more can be done for you, you may rest assured it shall be.
L. P. WALKER.
NASHVILLE, April 22, 1861.
L. P. WALKER:
Can you send me an experienced ordnance officer to supervise, for a short time, the casting, testing, &c., of ordnance? It is indispensable.
ISHAM G. HARRIS.
MONTGOMERY, ALA., April 22, 1861.
Governor ISHAM G. HARRIS, Nashville:
Will send you ordnance officer as soon as one can be had. You may rely on this.
L. P. WALKER.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 52, pt. II, pp. 63-64.
21, Capture of McMinnville by Federal forces; a woman's account
Well, well, well, and it is anything but well! Such a time as we have had during the week that is past! We had just begun to get quieted down a little and to feel that perhaps the war-fiend would spare us for awhile. On Monday (20th) Gen. and Mrs. Morgan came out to see us. One item of our pleasant "running on" was an agreement that Gen. M. should send me some fine "liquor"--(alias brandy,) and I was to make he and Mrs. M. a bowl of elegant egg-nogg [sic]. Next morning (21st)...just about noon [my husband] came in, "Well, Bloss, the Yankees are coming now--certain." I was combing my hair--and I remember my face turned pale as I looked in the glass. "Where are they?" "In a few miles." I went and gathered up my fine books, silver, etc., land put them in my trunks....It was too late for us to move anything if they did come, so I assisted...in hustling a few things out of sight into our trunks and all we could do was "sit deep and stay where we were." Presently....the blue line appeared coming down the hill they rode off in a gallop towards town. Our pickets were driven in. The Yankees threw out their skirmishing [sic] on both sides, those to the left dashed all around our house and down to the river, where they captured John Paine and another soldier who were down there fishing. The first sight of them made me mad--I did think before they came that I could treat them politely-but "my goodness!" (as Gen. Morgan says) how hard it was for me to be commonly civil to the thieves and scoundrels! Soon they were all round the house--off their horses, and after the chickens, fussing and flying in every direction. The little Ting [sic] came running in, crying and screaming "oh! they're going to kill Mammy! they're going to kill Mammy!" I ran to the back door, 6 or 8 of them were at the smoke-house taking out the meat. They rode up and presenting a pistol at her head, ordered her to show them the meat--Ting was standing right by her side, and thinking they would surely kill her mammy she flew wildly into the house screaming to me to save her. Poor child! how frightened she was! All this while their column was moving on into town-- some pausing on the hill-side between our house and Colonel Splurlock's [a neighbor]. Soon the porches were full of them--we were surrounded on all sides--they took this battery certain. [sic] They crowded to the doors, some wanting one thing and some another, all talking at once, until one imp of darkness started into the house swearing he had heard we had meat hid and he was going to search the house for it. Just as he was about to pass me I laid my hand on his shoulder and looked him right in the eyes--(the devil was just about as tall as myself and one of the most repulsive countenances I ever recoiled from,)--I stopped him and asked "Are you a man?"--he hesitated a moment--seemed surprised that I should dare interfere, and sail "Yes." "Are you a gentleman?" he did not reply--but Mr. French [her husband] who was standing just by smiled and said "of course child"--"Well," I said, "if he is a gentleman he will show it by going out of this house," and turning to another of the men who had a rather pleasant face I asked "do your officers permit you to search houses without orders?" He said not--it was strictly against orders--adding "You are loyal people?" "Yes," I replied, "all our sympathies are entirely with the South." His countenance fell in a moment--but by this time the wretch who had sworn to search the house had "fallen back" among the crowd. By this time I saw them breaking into Mammy's house and sent Jessie flying to the kitchen to tell her. By the time she reached there the cabin was full--her drawers, trunks, and boxes upside down and inside out--half of their contents on the floor. Lee's Sunday hat and pants were gone and one of them had two coats making off with them. She gave them a regular "blow out" and made them give up the coats, but when she had time to clear them out and look about her she found they had taken her spoons, her flour and sugar, her silk apron--bucket--Lee's shaving apparatus--Puss' breast pin collar, handkerchiefs, stockings, and a pink tarleton [sic] party dress! The idea! I had all my jewelry, etc., under my hoops, and so had Mollie. We had made enormous pockets and filled them with our choices valuable, before the came. I really felt weighted down. The man who prevented that hateful wretch, McKenzie, from going up stairs, I found out was a Scaright, and a relative of the Scarights of Pa [sic] --of whom two, Tom and Jennie, were great friends of mine at school. He was the only one among the whole 2500 that I saw that had the slightest claim to be considered a gentleman....Darlin' took him up stairs and showed him what meat and corn we had put away there, and afterwards he prevented several from going to search--they would take his word, but now ours, of course. After he left however--the Col. had to take 4 different sets of them up and show them what we had, and among them that hateful McKenzie, who after he had robbed the negro houses, swore he would search the house and he would have what was there, and he didn't' care if our children did starve. I could have looked on and seen that wretch hanged, I am sure I could--just then. And now the cry was raised--"the factory!"--and sure enough there it was all in a blaze. Then a great smoke told us that the R.R. bridge and the old bridge by it were also burning. Soon the whole mass was alight, and a grand tho' [sic] sorrowful sight it would have been to me, had I had time to stand and look upon it--but this I did not. Towards evening the men said they were ordered to leave and some rode off. Searight [a neighbor], with whom I had a good deal of conversation, seemed troubled and ashamed of the excesses the men were committing--I tried to have him some supper cooked, but just as fast as the bread was baked and meat cooked, or even before, it was taken off the stove--the kitchen being crowded all the time. Just before he rode off I handed him some cake, which I wrapped up carefully and told him not to allow anyone else to see. I was in great hopes then that they were all going off--it was getting late in the evening and rain coming on. A portion of them did move off, but just at dark here they all came back again, and camped right "on top of us." The yard was full--the camp extended from the stables on the left clear round in front--thro' [sic] the grove, on the hill between us and Col. Spurlock's to the bluff and down the bluff almost to the river. The prisoners they had taken were confined in the "old stable" buildings--the "new stable" was occupied by their officers. A Col. Jordon, Maj. Jones, and another Maj. [sic] were here for supper, Jones being sick slept in the house, and the other two and a guard occupied the front porch. I could scarcely keep my face straight at supper to see those officers try to "put on" the courtesy and easy dignity of Southern gentlemen--their manners were fit upon them like a stiff suit of new clothes to a 10 year old boy. It amused me "to death." My poor little children got no supper that night, except some cake I gave them at dark,--I tried to have something got for them but could not succeed. When those officers sent to see about supper, I told them they could have it if they would come and place a guard at the kitchen if not, I could do nothing for them. They did so, and I gave them some bread, biscuit, ham and wheat coffee. All of them had been drinking--I smelled the mean whisky as soon as they came inside the door and they had red faced every one of them....At night M.[ollie] and I closed the curtains fast of my room and went to work, our trunks had all been down stairs and into my room--the place was crammed and jammed--we thought that ere they left some desperadoes might search our trunks--so down between the mattresses of my bed went silver cups, and plated, silk dresses, fine books, etc. (the bedstead was a "French" and very deep) then on went the bed clothes, and we lay that night on "silk and silver" if we didn't sleep. None of us more than dozed all night--it was one o'clock when I lay down. About dark I had had the negros [sic] move everything of consequence from Mammy's house and the kitchen up stairs, and they slept in the house. It rained thundered and lightened all night long, and was raining still in the morning when I rose. I was up and dressed early--had the children dressed and sent up stairs--the girls and Mammy in the dining room trying to cook us some breakfast.....Just after breakfast two men came to our doors--I went to open it Darlin being out, when they inquired if "any Confederate soldier had staid in the house last night?" "No--some of your officers did--but no Confederate." After some conversation it appeared that the notorious Dick McCann, whom they had made prisoner the day previous, and who was confined with the rest of the prisoners at the stable, had made his escape, and they were all furious about it. Soon after, here they were to search the house they were all furious about it. Soon after, here they came to search the house for Dick McCann--one man swearing that he saw him run from the negro house to the big house. I laughed at first at the idea of their being such fools as to think McCann would stop here right in the midst of them--but soon my attention was called to Mollie who had fallen aback on the bed almost fainting when she heard the head of that armed ten men say in a bullying insolent tone, "I have orders to search this house for that man, and I don't find him I shall set fire here, sir." "Very well," said the Col. quietly, opening the dining-room door and showing them in [and saying] "proceed with your examination. Your prisoner is not here and I beg you will satisfy yourselves." Poor Mollie she as pale as the pillow she lay on. I was working with her when the two of them burst into the room--looked in the wardrobe tossed up the children's bed--looked under mine, but as good luck would have it did not make Mollie rise--seeing her critical state I suppose. They went over the house like a thunderstorm--looked in the dirty clothes basket even....Everywhere, and in everything, they went with a rush, tossing and turning up everything, before them, and left, after tearing out the under-pinning of the house, and finding--a setting hen! They then fired the stable buildings where the prisoners had been kept and stood round it for awhile with their guns, looking for Dick McCann to jump out at them from a corn-shuck. Two came dashing up to the kitchen and smokehouse and after cursing and snorting round there awhile came to the house--and went thro' [sic] the search again. I...went to the back door--a fellow sat there on his horse and I think he was the maddest man I ever saw. He leveled his pistol at me as soon as I appeared--I supposed he thought I was about to shoot him with the camphor-bottle I held in my hand....I said "It is an impossibility sir, for you to find your prisoner here--he is not and has not been here." He replied angrily "When a man sees a [skunk?] Miss, he knows it--and I saw that man run up to this house--I saw it myself." "Well then," said I "if you saw him why did you not at that time pursue and take him?" "We are going to get him." "One thing is certain you are not going to take him here-it is simply impossible for you to find him where he is not!" I was so mad that if medicines had not been so scarce I think I would had shot him with camfire! [sic] Just then the ...searchers rushed by me out of the house and they all put off together towards the stable. I look out the front door,--the porch floor was all torn up--about 200 men sitting on their horses were ranged all along the front fence facing the house, watching either for the escape of Dick McCann, or for the firing of the house. I am not certain that they expected even that McCann was here--I think sometimes their object was to search the house for plunder. The looked in wash-stands--safes, and twenty places were a man could not possibly be hid, and even climbed up the posts of my bed-stead to look on top of the canopy! After they were gone the sight that this house presented was awful--and Mammy's house--no pen can describe. The stables burned all day--Darlin' save about one half of one poultry-house after they left....They had boasted so over the taking of Dick McCann that when he escaped them, they were perfectly furious, and it is a thousand wonders they didn't arrest the Col., as he escaped here, or burn the place---Anybody would have laughed to have seen the supper I gave those officers: biscuits, batter-cakes, hand and wheat coffee--voila tout!....All the wretches were from Indiana and Pennsylvania,--Great Caesar! How I did hate them! That imp of the devil, McKenzie, after he had been up stairs and searched for provisions--met Mollie in the hall and said to her in the hatefullest [sic], taunting way, "is that all ye got? if it is I pity ye!" Oh how I did want to kill him--the reptile!--They did not behave as badly in town as they did here--some houses were searched, but they burned no property save the factory and bridges. The factory they fired without once warning the operatives, and the building was on fire before the inmates up stairs--some in the third story, and nearly all women, knew anything of it all....Mrs. Morgan and Mrs. McCann left for Sparta in an ambulance about an hour and a half before the Yankees got to town. Morgan sat on his horse at Mrs. Meyers door until the head of the enemy's column appeared....he then fired off his revolver at them and "skedaddled," in the direction of Sparta....Dick McCann was drunk and whether he did it to save Morgan or not I don't know, but he was on the square when the Yanks filed into it. Seated on his horse he called out "halt!" and the whole [Yankee] column halted. "Who the devil are you?" cried the advance. "I'm the great chief," responded Dick. In an instant the cry rang back along the whole line. "Morgan, Morgan, we've got 'im! we've got 'im"--and they dashed forward. "Surrender!" "I'll be damned if I do. – come on!" And in an instant they were upon him--a sabre cut laid open his head, etc., he was thrown from his horse....They brought the prisoners out here and put them in the stables – about midnight Dick McCann escaped. He says he feigned to be exceedingly weak from his wound--once he said "Boys I wish you'd be kind enough to raise me up, I want to change my position." They did so, and he fell, apparently exhausted. He had a canteen of the meanest whisky extant – with this he was so kind and generous to the guard that he made them all drunk--the night was pitch dark--raining, thundering, and lightning--Dick moved a rock and got out--got down to the river, swam it...and by daylight he had a horse and was off towards Sparta. As they were carrying him past Armstrong's when they took him he called out to Mollie[:]"Tell my wife I'm not dead yet and I'll fight them again." – On Friday night about 8 o'clock Mrs. Rowans sent a runner to tell us to come right in, that the Yankees were 3½ miles of town. The rumor ran that Wheeler was driving this force back. We hurried up a cart, got our trunks taken in to Mrs. Rowan's and about 10 o'clock Mollie and Martha took the children in. What would I have thought two years ago to have seen my children driven from home at night to seek shelter where they could? Mrs. Rowan gathered them up as soon as they got in, exclaiming, "You poor little things, and did you have to be driven away from home at this hour of the night?" They were nearly asleep – Martha undressed them, and almost ere their young heads touched the pillows they were gone to dream-land. We confidently expected the Yanks in the morning, and as we had got so little away, Darlin' and myself remained at home – Puss and Mammy came to the house to sleep. Early next morning Darlin' went in to get the news and ere he returned the children came flying home to tell me that it was not the Yankees that were coming at all – but – Gens. Wheeler and Wharton! Oh! didn't we rejoice – first that it was not our enemies and second that our friends for whom we had been anxious, were safe! We were so uneasy lest Gen. Wheeler should not be able to get out for we understood that the enemy were surrounding him, advancing on him in the usual "three Columns" [sic] – one from here, one from Murfreesboro and one from Lebanon – but they did get out with all their men and 100 wagons, and safely too. This afternoon Maj. Chaffie of Gen. Wheeler's staff sent me a package from the Gen. containing a new Poem just issued by Goetzel and Co. of Mobile – entitled "Tannhauser"-(by two young Englishmen,) and a letter from Mrs. LeVert. I was delighted to see Madame's letter, and she no doubt has missed mine. Such is the present demoralization of the mails. This evening Maj. Buford and Major Chaffie called – Oh! I was glad to see Maj. B. It seemed an age had passed over us since we had seen him – that one day and night under Yankee Dominion made itself into months. We learned some particulars of Wheeler's campaign – they went with 8 miles of Nashville – were at Lavergne [sic] midway between Murfreesboro and Nashville, and captured the train at Antioch. They captured a large mail, and Maj. B. Gave Mollie some trophies in "Greenbacks" etc. He said the letters were rich specimens – he opened some hundreds and that was not 50 intelligent letters among them. The greater portion of them contained rings, crosses, jewelry, etc. which the writers were sending to sisters and sweethearts and which they said "were taken from the rebel women"….Maj. Chaffie told us of a Captain Steele with 10 men who kept the whole regiment of Yanks from advancing on his wagons – the day they left McMinnville. They had the fore wheels for a wagon – on this they placed a log, and ran it up and down across the road insight of the enemy who from a distance thought it was a cannon or so – and suspecting an ambuscade "skeedaddled" back to town. We have all out best things away now, except for my piano. I do not anticipate another visit from the devil soon – because did all the mischief they came to do – viz.,: burnt the factory and destroyed the R.R. bridge. At Morrison they burn the Depot and tore up the track – capturing the train which left here and our mail – also some prisoners. The train coming up they put back in a hurry. We are now in a desolate house – I laughed heartily when Maj. Burford and Chaffie came – the parlor was entirely bare almost and we had hardly chairs enough to seat the company!
War Journal of Lucy Virginia French, excerpt from the entry for April 26, 1863.
The Experience of the 2nd Tennessee Cavalry in McMinnville
On the 20th of April, 1863, we started for McMinnville. On the morning of the 21st, at daylight, we dashed into town and drove out John H. Morgan and his forces, capturing several prisoners. Morgan was in a private house[3] and saved himself by mounting his fine steed, striking spurs into his side and galloping off at lightning speed. We captured quite a quantity of army stores, including a train of cars, all of which we destroyed. We captured a large supply of whisky which was issued to the men and resulted in lively times. We found in this beautiful town quite a number of Union families, whiles those of the Confederate faith were mild and respectful. We returned by way of Liberty and then back to Murfreesboro,' arriving at our camps April 29th.
Knoxville Daily Chronicle, January 29, 1879.
The McMinnville Raid
On Monday[4] of last week [20th] a body of Federal cavalry from Murfreesboro dashed into McMinnville and burned the Cotton Factory, which was one of the most extensive and valuable in the South, and, beside, destroyed the Depot, Railroad Bridge, a locomotive and three box cars.
The question naturally arises, through whose carelessness was the raid permitted? Why was McMinnville left unprotected? Factories and provisions are not so plentiful in the South that we can afford to loser them in this wise. A Court of Inquiry should be held to ascertain how it is that a cavalry command can dash to the rear of Gen. Bragg's army, destroy property of inestimable value, and return to their own lines unmolested. There was – there must have been, gross negligence.
Fayetteville Observer, April 30, 1863
22, "Military Items."
Twenty-three Federal deserters were forwarded to their regiments this morning.
Geo. Smith, of the 4th U. S. Cavalry, was arrested yesterday and sent to the Penitentiary for forging discharge papers.
Sergeant G. Sanderson, company B, 4th Iowa Infantry, was stabbed in the neck yesterday by a guard at the barracks. The guard will be tried by court [sic] martial today.
Three prisoners of war were brought in yesterday, and will be forwarded this morning.
A. M. Bailey, a rebel soldier, charged with murder and highway robbery, is being tried by the Military Commission.
W. C. Raylor is released upon bail, to be tried by the Court at Murfreesboro next month.
Nashville Dispatch, April 22, 1864.
22, "Counterfeit Hundreds."
Jacob Hanlon, who keeps a store at No. 4 Market street, a few night's ago sold a pair of shoes to a man named Geo. Kelly, and received in pay a hundred dollar bill, which proved to be bogus. He charged but three dollars for the shoes, and therefore gave in change ninety-seven dollars. Hanlon was before the Provost Marshal yesterday, but no Geo. Kelly can be found.
Nashville Dispatch, April 22, 1864
23, News of the assassination of Lincoln reaches Lucy Virginia French
A great tragedy has been enacted, since my last writing, in the assassination of Lincoln and Seward. The first we heard of it was on last Thursday evening. I was out in the front yard clipping some cedars when the Col. came to the door – he had just come up from the garden, in his shirt-sleeves – and he said very quietly, "Well, Lincoln's dead!" I had not the smallest idea it was true. Mrs. Myers sent Billy out to tell us. The Col. went in town directly to learn the particulars. The story then ran that Lincoln and Johnson had been at the theatre together – a man had rushed up and stabbed both – killing Lincoln and mortally wounding Johnson, and the assassin had himself been killed on the instant. That was all anybody knew. Next day, in addition, comes the report that Seward had his throat cut also – then I didn't believe any of the story. Thursday, however, a courier came from Tulahoma [sic]-and Mollie came up from Woodbury. The story then ran that Lincoln and Mrs. L. went to the theatre-Mr. L. was shot in the head in his box by Wilkes Booth a son of Booth, the actor, and that he escaped on a fleet horse. The same evening Seward's room was entered – his two sons were murdered and he himself had his throat cut from ear to ear. Andy Johnson and Gen. Grant were included in the conspiracy, but they escaped, and Andy was inaugurated next day – Thus goes the rumor, and we've heard nothing more of any account. There was intense excitement in Nashville – some 10 men killed for rejoicing over Lincoln's death. Gen. Milroy, at Tullahoma also had some of his soldiers shot for the same, it is said. We are told that about 30 citizens of Nashville were arrested because they implicated Andy in the assassination of "Honest Abe." Some person in Murfreesboro took the crape from their doors, which had been placed there by military order – the houses were entered and the furniture destroyed or carried off. In town here many put mourning on their doors – both parties, but no such order was issued. The soldiers, however, exerted themselves to draw citizens into some expression of joy over the tragedy – so that they would have a pretext for ill using them. I feel that it is dreadful,-a tragedy solemn even to awfulness.
War Journal of Lucy Virginia French.
21, Guerrilla activity on the Obion
No comprehensive reports filed.
Excerpt from the Report of Acting Master Fentress, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Mist, regarding the general movements of that vessel, giving information obtained.
U. S. S. Mist
Off Barefiled's Point [Ark.], May 4, 1865
Sir:
....I continue to cruise from Osceola to Gayoso Landing....I keep generally under easy steam, and anchor but a very short time at any one place. One of the most important places on my beat is the mouth of the Obion River. Quantities of supplies are landed there, and some cotton is shipped from there almost every week. Steamers will not risk landing at that point without my protection....
Several gangs of...desperadoes, well armed and mounted, and commanded by a Captain Lee, formerly with the Tenth New Jersey Volunteers (U. S.). These are up the Obion, and on the 21st day of April last they boarded the steamer Panola...and after searching her, and finding no money or supplies, allowed her to proceed....
* * * *
I have the honor, sir, to be your most obedient servant,
Walter E. H. Fentress,
Acting Master, Commanding U. S. S. Mist.
Navy OR, Ser. I, Vol. 27, pp. 185-186.
22, Federal pursuit of guerrillas, Columbus across the Hiwassee
HDQRS. SEVENTY-FOURTH ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS, Columbus, Tenn., April 22, 1864.
Brig.-Gen. WAGNER:
GEN.: I have the honor to report "all quiet" on the Hiwassee, except some little excitement caused by rather bold and frequent stealing of mules by persons supposed to be connected with guerrillas from below. I learn also from refugees in to-day that in the vicinity of Ducktown the people were expecting a raid to-day or to-morrow by a force of about 100, under command of a certain notorious Dr. Young. I don't get reliable information of any particular evidence of the movement further than the expectations of the people there. Among the refugees in to-day was a gentleman of more than ordinary intelligence and shrewdness, and apparently better posted up in matters pertaining to the rebel army than any one I have before met with. His statement is that the nominal force of Johnston's army, as shown by the muster-rolls last month, was, 42,000 all told, but constantly diminishing by desertion, sickness, &c. I desire instructions whether to continue my report direct to you, and where. I have reported daily, but get no answer whether my dispatches reach you.
Your obedient servant,
JASON MARSH, Col., Cmdg. Seventy-fourth Illinois Volunteers.
8 O'CLOCK A. M .
P. S.-I am just in receipt of reliable information that a squad of rebel cavalry, 50 or 60, are dashing through 5 miles above me, making for my picket station at Savannah. I have dispatched two companies in pursuit.
J. M.
HDQRS. SEVENTY-FOURTH ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS,
Columbus, Tenn., April 22, 1864.
Brig.-Gen. WAGNER:
GEN.: As I stated in my dispatch of this morning, I sent two companies in the quickest possible time to the point where the rebel cavalry seemed, by their inquiries, to be making for the purpose of crossing the Hiwassee. On arriving there it was ascertained that they proceeded in that direction as far as Goley's Mill, about 3 ½ miles from this point, and about the same distance from Savannah, and then struck for the trail over the mountain; judging from their inquiries at different points, I concluded they would make for the crossing called Broad Shoals, about 12 miles, and might not get there before night. As soon as I learned their apparent course, I dispatched 30 men to Broad Shoals, in the hope of intercepting them during the night. As yet (midnight) I have not heard from the expedition. From entirely reliable information, they consisted of 64, divided into two squads, thoroughly armed, but very much jaded out.
The most correct account I can get of their companies is that they come from the direction and within about 4 miles of Riceville; beyond that I have not been able to trace them. The boldness and success of the affair demonstrates the necessity of having more force, and particularly some cavalry, in this vicinity, if it is important to prevent such raids or to have the present command here at all safe. It was their declared intention, before they got to Goley's Mill, to pounce upon my force at Savannah and capture them. I can't think why they changed their purpose, as I can see no reason why they should not have succeeded and got off before I could have rallied any force to stop them. I am satisfied that Goley aided them all he could. What shall I do with such men, when I have good reason to suspect them?
I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,
JASON MARSH, Col., Cmdg. Seventy-fourth Illinois Volunteers.
P. S.-I desire instructions whether furlough are still granted under the order giving 5 per cent. I am told that order has been suspended, but I can find no official notice of it among my papers.
J. M.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 32, pt. III, pp. 451-452.
[1] From April 17 through April 20, 1861, Baltimore was the scene of secessionist meetings and riots, which seemed to many Southerners to indicate that Maryland would secede from the Union.
[2]Anecdotes, Poetry, and Incidents of the War: North and South, 1860-1865, (NY: Publication Office, Bible House, 1867), p. 542. [Hereinafter cited as: Anecdotes.]
[3] Morgan did the same thing in Greeneville, in early September 1864, but was shot down while trying to escape.
[4] The McMinnville Raid actually took place on the 21st. The editor of the Fayetteville Observer erred.
James B. Jones, Jr.
Public Historian
Tennessee Historical Commission
2941 Lebanon Road
Nashville, TN 37214
Public Historian
Tennessee Historical Commission
2941 Lebanon Road
Nashville, TN 37214
(615)-532-1550 x115
(615)-532-1549 FAX
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