Tuesday, May 26, 2015

5.25-26-.2015 Tennessee Civil War Notes

5.25-26.1861-1865

 

1861

 

            25, Governor Isham G. Harris on Confederate strategy for Tennessee

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Nashville, May 25, 1861.

Hon. L. P. WALKER, War Department, Montgomery:

SIR: Your dispatch of the 20th instant was placed in my hands by Gen. Zollicoffer on the 22d. I sent Lieut. McCall, of the Confederate Army, to West Tennessee on yesterday for the purpose of mustering into the service of the Confederate States such of our West Tennessee regiments as may be willing to enter that service, and think it probable that the four regiments to be armed with muskets will be mustered into service within a day or two. If, however, the whole number shall not be made up in that division of the State, I will make up the deficiency in regiments already formed in Middle Tennessee. I do not think it advisable to station a regiment of Confederate troops in East Tennessee at this time. We have about fifteen companies of the troops of the Provisional Army of Tennessee stationed at Knoxville, and sound policy requires that they should be continued there for the present instead of troops sent from or mustered into the service of the Confederate States. I approve your suggestion as to the use of the sporting rifle with minie-ball, and have no doubt it may be made a highly effective arm for all shooting purposes upon the battle-field. I am taking steps to raise the four regiments called for by your dispatch to be thus armed, and hope to have them ready for the field at no distant day.

Your dispatch is silent as to the subsistence, transportation, pay, &c., of the troops called for. I feel warranted, however, in assuming that these all follow as necessary incidents to the act of being mustered into the service of the Government of the Confederate States, and therefore have given orders to have them mustered in as fast as regiments are found organized and ready. The number of troops stationed at Cairo and above that point on the river and railroads, taken in connection with many other indications unmistakable in their character, but unnecessary to be enumerated here, drives me to the conclusion that the settled purpose of the Federal Government is to attempt to descend the Mississippi River with an overwhelming force at an early day, in view of which fact I regard it as a matter of the highest importance to the Confederate States, as well as to Tennessee, that a large force, fully armed and equipped, be stationed in the northeastern portion of this State. We find very little difficulty in raising any reasonable number of men, but unfortunately we have not a sufficient number of small-arms for such force as will be necessary for present purposes. We have been fortunate in securing a sufficient number of heavy guns for our stationary batteries, but have little or no field artillery. We have all the means of supplying this indispensable necessity of the service if I could secure the services of an experienced ordnance officer to direct us in their manufacture and to apply the proper tests when made. If you know of such an officer, whose services can be secured, I shall be greatly obliged to you for the information.

I am informed that there are a number of regiments, armed, equipped, and ready for the field in the States of Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana. If this be true, it seems to me that every consideration of prudence and security requires that these troops should be stationed immediately upon the northern boundary of West Tennessee. They will be more healthy, more comfortable, and more cheaply subsisted there than farther South, and if there is to be battle to prevent the invasion of the Valley of the Lower Mississippi it must be fought in the northern part of West Tennessee. I am concentrating such force there as I am able to arm, but such force as I may be able to concentrate there will, I fear, be unequal to the task of driving back so large a column of invaders as will be thrown upon us in that quarter. Indeed, if our forces and energies are not concentrated to meet the enemy at this point--if he should be permitted to lay waste to West Tennessee, flushed as he would be by this temporary success, and strengthened by the possession of Memphis as the base of his operations against the Valley below and the Southern States east of him--I am at a loss to know where the stand can be made to prevent his onward march to New Orleans. These suggestions have presented themselves to my mind with so much force that I have left authorized to submit them to you for such consideration as you may see proper to bestow upon them, after which, if you should take the same view of the matter that I have done, I shall be very happy to have your aid in inducing the States names to station their organized troops as suggested.

Very respectfully,

ISHAM G. HARRIS.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 52, pt. II, pp. 108-109.

            25, "MURDER WILL OUT" by William G. Brownlow

A secret of some importance has been cautiously communicated to this city from Alabama by a man not likely to be deceived. The same facts in substance have been intrusted to a most estimate individual here under the solemn injunction of secrecy for a specified time. There are now three other gentlemen besides ourselves and they are men of high positions who know the facts and have the evidence of them. This stupendous and appalling conspiracy amounts to this:

Johnson, Nelson, Baxter, Temple, Trigg, Maynard, Brownlow and George W. Bridges are to be arrested after the election in June by a military force and taken in irons to Montgomery and either punished for treason or held as hostages to guarantee the quiet surrender of the Union men of East Tennessee.

The facts of his conspiracy against the rights of America citizens together with the names of those concerned in urging it on, all, will be left in the hands of reliable, bold an fearless men who will make them public at the proper time. The thousands of Union men of East Tennessee devoted to principle and to the rights and liberties of those who fall at the hands of these conspirators will be expected to avenge their wrongs. Let the railroad on which Union citizens of East Tennessee are conveyed to Montgomery in irons be eternally and hopelessly destroyed. Let the property of the men concerned be consumed and let their lives pay the forfeit and the names will be given. Let the fires of patriotic vengeance be built upon the Union altars of the whole land and let them go out where these conspirators live like the fires from the Lord that consumed Nadab and Abihu, the two sons of Aaron, for presumption less sacrilegious. If we are incarcerated at Montgomery or executed there or even elsewhere all the consolation we want is to know that our partisan friends have visited upon our persecutors, certain secession leaders, a most horrible vengeance. Let it be done, East Tennesseeans [sic], though the gates of hell be forced and the heavens be made to fall.

In disclosing this bold and deep-laid plot against the liberties of freemen we have not intended a sensation article. Some may smile at its alleged senseless absurdity but we are not alone in putting forth these facts. We most solemnly implore our friends throughout East Tennessee as they regard our welfare and as they cherish principles for which we are likely battling not to molest any person or property in advance of an attack upon any of us but to hold themselves in readiness for action, action. As yet the conspiracy is only partially revealed, the murder partly out; the mask will be taken off in due time. We are not in possession of the names of any confederates and abettors outside of the limits of East Tennessee though some have been closeted with East Tennesseeans [sic] and the details of their plans agreed upon. Again in the name of everything sacred we ask for ourselves and those threatened with us that no more shall be made by our friends toward injuring the person or property of any living man or existing corporation until further developments are made; and then let every brave man act and let all act together. Thanks be to God for the vigilance of some true men and for their promptness in making communications. A Union man of high character who will disguise himself and travel hundreds of miles at his own expense to serve true men to him personally unknown deserves to be immortalized and to live forever.

OR, Ser. II, Vol. 1, pp. 911-912.[1]

            25, War excitement in Jackson

Went to town this evening. The Public mind is so excited that everybody wants to know everything….There will be fighting in earnest doubtless very soon. 1000 [sic] Confederate troops passed thro [sic] Jackson this evening from Miss. [sic] on their way to Northern line of Tennessee on [the] Mobile & Ohio Railroad. The Regiment formed in Jackson are ordered to leave this morning, destined for some place….I don't believe this war will last long. It may, it is true the preparations are on a grand scale both North & South & disposition is manifested by the Lincoln Government to "Wipe the South Out." [sic] But the Thing is impossible, and they must soon see it & desist. The issue is fairly made up. The South either seced [sic] or be content to live the mere dependencies of Northern oppression, ["]Liberty or Death["] is our motto.

Robert H. Cartmell Diary.

            25, Assistance for Soldiers' Families

Aid to the Families of Soldiers.—The county court have undertaken to allow to the wives of those who are absent on military duty twelve dollars a month, and to each of their children six dollars a month, when such families require such aid. Persons desirous of availing themselves of the allowance offered, will apply at the office of Esq. Hume F. Hill, on Main street, between Madison and Monroe streets, over Mansfield's drug store, or to Esq. Mallory, over Dearing & Wetherill's drug store, Main street, between Union and DeSoto streets.

Memphis Daily Appeal, May 25, 1861

            25, Criticism of the Tennessee Legislature's intent to raise and finance an army

That lawless secession mob, the Legislature of Tennessee, passed a bill to raise an army of 55,000 men and five millions of dollars. Tennessee has already ten or fifteen thousand armed men in the field, and the legislative bill, if carried out, will bankrupt the State utterly. The people of Tennessee can no more bear the contemplated taxation than they can pay the nation debt of Great Britain. The whole property of tens of thousands of families will be scarified, and still neither the required amount of money nor a half nor a quarter of the required amount will be collected.

But this monstrous bill is, for the form's sake, to be voted on by the people of Tennessee. If they were left to exercise their own free wills, they would crush it instantly and forever. But there can be no freedom of will in the case; the bill must be passed whether the people will it or not. For this the Union speakers of Tennessee are silenced upon the stump by threats of murder, the papers of that State have the soul of freedom and manhood crushed out of them by the mountain-weight of fear and terror, independent papers from abroad are mobbed out by vigilance committees, the State is covered all over with armed troops, and the voters are notified, that, to secure the safety of life and limb, they must, although possessing the legal right to vote by secret ballot, go to the polls with ballots so exposed that all may see what is written therein. By such means the people of Tennessee, who, if duly protected in the right of suffrage, would reject the wretched and pestilent secession ordinance by an overwhelming majority, and to be disciplined, dragooned, coerced into acquiescence in a measure, which, they know, will involve them in deep, dark, hopeless, and remediless ruin.

We are not capable of casting any imputation upon the people of Tennessee. It is circumstance, that unspiritual god, that has established a despotism over them. They may, before the opportunity has gone by, rise up in their majestic strength and assert and uphold their rights in the face of earth and heaven. But whether they do or not, let us of Kentucky, who are no prouder, no better, no braver, no more devoted to independence, than they, be continually vigilant, lest the meshes in which they are bound be woven around our own free limbs.

Louisville Daily Journal, May 25, 1861.[2]

25, 1861-APRIL 21, 1862, Confederate Policy of Repression in East Tennessee.

SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL EVENTS, MAY 25, 1861-APRIL 21, 1862

May  25, 1861.--Publication of Hon. William G. Brownlow's editorial, in the Knoxville Whig. "Murder will out," upon which his subsequent arrest was based.

July 9, 1861.--Maj. Gen. Leonidas Polk, C. S. Army, telegraphs to the Richmond authorities that "no time is to be lost in East Tennessee."

Aug. 3, 1861.--Governor Isham G. Harris, of Tennessee, proposes to visit Richmond to confer with the authorities upon the threatening aspect of affairs in East Tennessee.

4, 1861.--Arrest of Hon. Thomas A. R. Nelson on his way to the Union lines.

13, 1861.--President Davis orders Nelson's discharge.

Sep. 30, 1861.--Rev. William Blount Carter lays before Brig.Gen. George H. Thomas, U. S. Army, a scheme to burn the railway bridges in East Tennessee.

Oct. 22, 1861.--After a visit to Washington, William Blount Carter enters East Tennessee to organize parties to destroy the railway bridges.

Nov. 8, 1861.--Burning of the railway bridges and uprising of the mountaineers.

11-20, 1861.--Energetic efforts of Governor Harris and the Richmond Government to suppress the insurrection.

Nov.-Dec., 1861.--Failure of Federal efforts to succor the East Tennessee Unionists.

Nov.6, 1861.--William Blount Carter escapes to the Union lines and  reports to Brig. Gen. George H. Thomas, U. S. Army, the success of his enterprise.

20, 1861.--Col. William B. Wood, C. S. Army, announces to Hon. Judah P. Benjamin, Secretary of War, the suppression of the East Tennessee rebellion.

25, 1861.--The Secretary of War orders the captured bridge-burners to be tried by drum-head court-martial, and hanged if found guilty.

27, 1861.--Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, U. S. Army, earnestly urges upon Brig. Gen. Don Carlos Buell, U.. S. Army, an advance into East Tennessee.

29, 1861.--Judge Humphreys issues a writ of habeas corpus in the cases of certain bridge-burners. Writ not obeyed by the military.

Nov.-Dec., 1861.--Hanging of the bridge-burners.

Dec. 6, 1861.--Hon. William G. Brownlow arrested at Knoxville on a civil warrant for treason.

17-27, 1861.--Trial, condemnation and pardon of Harrison Self, a bridge-burner.

27, 1861.--Nolle prosequi entered in Brownlow's case, and he is discharged from civil into military custody.

  Jan. 2, 1862.--Hon. William G. Brownlow states his case to President Davis, and asks leave to withdraw from the Confederacy.

11, 1862.--Writ of habeas corpus issue in case of Daniel Smith and six other bridge-burners.

Mar. 8, 1862.--By direction of Secretary Benjamin, Hon. William G. Brownlow is escorted to the Union lines.

Apr. 21, 1862.--The families of Messrs. Brownlow, Johnson, Maynard and other Union men ordered to leave the Confederacy.

OR, Ser. II, Vol. 1, pp. 823-824.

            26, Assessing need for public assistance in Memphis

Aid to the Poor.—Mr. Underwood, city almoner, had several applications at his office on Second street near Madison yesterday, for assistance. Nine persons received articles of food for which they appeared very grateful. Three were refused, having revealed that they were not in necessitous circumstances. One woman, on being offered a piece of bacon, turned up her nose with the remark that she did not eat the article. She was informed that she might call again when real necessity had made her less delicate. Mr. Underwood will evidently make a good almoner. He is kind without credulity, and firm without harshness.

Memphis Daily Appeal, May 26, 1861.

 

1862

 

            25, Corporation of Murfreesboro takes the oath of allegiance excerpt from the diary of John C. Spence

Coln. Parkhurst, who is military gov. [sic] of the Town, issues [sic] an order on May 25, 1862, that all persons engaged in any business must take the oath of allegiance to the U. S. under pain of having their business houses closed. None could do business without thus complying. This was one turn on the screw to tighten matters up a little. There were buy very fiew [sic] at this time attempting to do, and if they had nothing to do business on, the goods all sold out.

But, the oath. This was a thing no one had any relish for, no matter what his feelings might be, and the more it was talked about the more the people became opposed. Felt like a tresspas [sic] on their feelings. It was simple enough in its nature. All a man had to do was to go before Capt. Rounds [the Provost Marshal], hold up the hand until he could repeat or read to applicant the oath, and at the end so help me, God, was added. The contents was [sic] varied to suit the times. A pass is not given which you carry in your pocket as a free man. [sic]. None now to molest or make afraid. Names set down in book. Taken oath. [sic]

The people did not crud [sic] the pro marshal [sic] very much for the gracious favor. Consequently, had quite an easy time in his office-an hour or so during the day-then, ride for health.

It became necessary to have the corporation [sic] take the oath. That is [sic] the Mayor and Aldermen, so though the Gov. and Pro.[vast Marshal]. They were doing business in an illegal way, and for that reason must take a swear. [sic] Here a difficulty arose about the matter among the aldermen. They could not reconcile it to their feelings, as several of them had sons in the confederate [sic] army. On this ground were opposed to the oath, and they sympathy of the whole board was for the south. The thing stood several days undetermined. How to dispose of it.

However, after a time, some charges being made in the board of Aldermen and for the sake of peace and interest of the public, they submitted to take the oath as Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Murfreesboro. But whether that oath applied [sic] individually or not, will be left for the future to decide.

Spence Diary.

            25, "He was one of our soldiers that had escaped jail, just half an hour ago…." Assisting an escaped Confederate prisoner of war in Murfreesboro

This afternoon we were lying down, when we saw Ma come tipping upstairs with mysterious air which I could not make out. I rushed out on the back porch, (as I was undressed) and saw Ma pass through with a (what proved afterwards a confederate) soldier. She seemed greatly excited. He was one of our soldiers that had escaped jail, just half an hour ago & Ma was trying to disguise him so as to let him escape. He changed his clothes [and] shaved off his whiskers, (Ma giving him some of Pa's clothes) making him look like quite a different man. Ma carried him up something to eat, he would not eat much said he had been to dinner, & would not take any more money, he had plenty. I hope he will get safely back to Starn's [sic] Cavalry. He said we had 5,000 men just above here, had had a fight, & we killed 30 or 40 Yankees, & it was that night he was taken prisoner.[3] That was the first time we had heard of the engagement. They always keep a defeat such a secret. This soldier came very near being discovered. There were three Yanks in the front hall who said they had come up to make Ma's acquaintance, as they heard Ma fed their prisoners when Morgan captured them, & when our escaped prisoner asked for the master of the house, the servant asked him in to the front hall, & lo! & behold there sat the man that had captured him a few nights before, and not having any suspicions, they took no notice of him, & he asked Ma for some water and then told his story, so Ma had to play a double game, make herself agreeable to the Yankees whilst getting our soldier off, & I felt vastly relieved when he got off safe. Ma went up town this evening & Kate Avent returned with her home. Cousin William Tilford, wife & daughter stopped by & made a visit awhile this afternoon. An old sick Yankee came here this evening late, & Pa had his sympathies aroused [and] consented to let him stay all night, made me so angry I cried until bedtime & would not eat any supper. He was put into poor Legrand's room to sleep, just to think, he may be lying out on the wet ground, wet hungry and sick & then for his enemy enjoying his room. I didn't like [it] one bit.

Kate Carney Diary.

25, "Ladies' Assistance Wanted."

—Mrs. W. S. Pickett, vice president of the Society of Southern Mothers, and Mrs. M. E. Pope, secretary, desires us to state that the Society of Southern Mothers have a large quantity of clothing, sheets, pillow cases, shirts and drawers for the hospitals, to be made up in preparation for the wounded of the impending battle.[added] All members of the Society, and others interested in the cause, are earnestly requested to call at the Overton hospital at 9 o'clock to-morrow morning, and take it home with them to make up as speedily as possible

Memphis Daily Appeal, May 25, 1862

            25, Theatrical Review in Nashville

Theatre.—The attendance at the theatre last night was very large, and we think that every person who was there went away satisfied with the performance. The "Old Guard" and "Black-Eyed Susan" was given in a most unexceptionable manner. Each and every member of the company deserves great credit for the way in which they personated the different characters they represented. Mr. Weaver's "Haversack," in the "Old Guard," could not have been surpassed. We have not seen a piece of acting for years that we consider superior to his personation of that difficult character.

Miss Constantine, who has been an exile from the stage for some nights past again made her appearance. She has, however, lost none of her bewitching fascination, but, on the contrary, looks prettier and dances better. Isabel Cubas should look to her laurels, or she may find a formidable rival in the fair Constantine, who, although she may not claim to be an "exotic," reared beneath a "sunny sky," still she understands the "poetry of motion," and is a most faithful representative of the Terpsichorean art. In addition to the dance, she favored the audience with a song. Her voice is soft, flexible, and sweet, but of not great range. We find no fault with her singing, yet we like her dancing better.

The bill for Monday night is very attractive, and will, no doubt, draw a crowded house.

Nashville Daily Union, May 25, 1862.

            26, Operations about Cumberland Gap

Report of Brig. Gen. James G. Spears, U. S. Army, of operations May 26, 1862, part of the March 28-June 18, 1862 Cumberland Gap Campaign.

HDQRS. TWENTY-FIFTH BRIGADE, ARMY OF THE OHIO, Camp Pine Knot, May 26, 1862.

The expedition of to-day under Col. Houk has not yet returned. The signal officer, Lieut. McKinsey, has arrived in camp and reports that beyond Gaylor's he and the cavalry, being in advance, were fired upon by the enemy, but in what numbers he is unable to report.

They were infantry and in the brush. Our advance was driven back, the signal officer losing his cap. When our main force got up they fired upon the enemy. The enemy then retreated. What subsequently transpired I am unable to state for want of information, save that our men captured a pick and some other articles, indicating that they are removing the blockade. Reliable information shows the enemy's strength now on Big Creek Gap to be 8,000 strong, with at least four pieces of artillery, and they positively declare their intention to invade Kentucky at this point. They are greatly exasperated, our pickets having killed one of theirs on yesterday. They are said to have 1,500 cavalry coming from toward Knoxville and down from Cumberland Gap. The blockade is now so far removed that it can all be moved and cleared away to Powell's Valley in one day. I have waited patiently here a good while, with an enemy threatening me in front of three times at least of those under my command. They have artillery; I have none. I do think the time has come that some action must be taken, and now is the time to move. You have the artillery and men, and at this point there is no mistake. If reliable information can be relied on, they (the enemy) intend to make the fight. I trust something will be done speedily. The enemy is now in the exact position he was when the former contemplated move was put on foot. Why not now advance? Such move would prevent them from re-enforcing the gap, and we could attack them in detail successfully; after which being done, if deemed advisable, we could move our whole force on Cumberland Gap and fortify out of reach of their cannon, and compel them to fight us from under their cover, or starve them out and compel them to surrender. I have been directed by you to be ready to advance or retreat at a moment's warning. I am sorry to have to say it is an impossibility to comply with the instructions, as we have to subsist and forage ourselves. The transportation is very weak indeed. Much of our forage and subsistence we have to haul twenty miles, and the transportation is frequently gone for two days at a time on foraging and subsistence purposes, so that often if called on to advance or retreat we would have no means of transportation, and the result would be our ammunition, tents, and camp equipage and all would be left, and perhaps lost and fall into the hands of the enemy. I earnestly call your attention to my condition in this respect that such action may be taken as will prevent any great injury resulting on any move that may be made under instructions yet in force relative to my command. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JAMES G. SPEARS, Brig.-Gen..

P. S.-Since writing the above Col. Houk has arrived. He is pretty well satisfied that the enemy is removing the blockade, and that the enemy who fired on our advance was merely the advance of the rebel force in removing the blockade. No one on to-day was killed or wounded.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 52, pt. I, pp. 14-15.

            26, Excerpt from the Diary of Lucy Virginia French

....The Federals visited this place [i.e., McMinnville environs] again on Friday last [23d]-came, I presume, to look up resigned officers and disbanded men-but they found none. Contented themselves with stealing horses, watches, etc., and paying for forage etc. in counterfeit money. They did not molest us, however. There are informers among us who keep them thoroughly "posted"-as it is quite plain for us to see from their actions and inquiries every time they come....

Diary of Lucy Virginia French, May 26, 1862.

 

 

1862

 

            25, Corporation of Murfreesboro takes the oath of allegiance excerpt from the diary of John C. Spence

Coln. Parkhurst, who is military gov. [sic] of the Town, issues [sic] an order on May 25, 1862, that all persons engaged in any business must take the oath of allegiance to the U. S. under pain of having their business houses closed. None could do business without thus complying. This was one turn on the screw to tighten matters up a little. There were buy very fiew [sic] at this time attempting to do, and if they had nothing to do business on, the goods all sold out.

But, the oath. This was a thing no one had any relish for, no matter what his feelings might be, and the more it was talked about the more the people became opposed. Felt like a tresspas [sic] on their feelings. It was simple enough in its nature. All a man had to do was to go before Capt. Rounds [the Provost Marshal], hold up the hand until he could repeat or read to applicant the oath, and at the end so help me, God, was added. The contents was [sic] varied to suit the times. A pass is not given which you carry in your pocket as a free man. [sic]. None now to molest or make afraid. Names set down in book. Taken oath. [sic]

The people did not crud [sic] the pro marshal [sic] very much for the gracious favor. Consequently, had quite an easy time in his office-an hour or so during the day-then, ride for health.

It became necessary to have the corporation [sic] take the oath. That is [sic] the Mayor and Aldermen, so though the Gov. and Pro.[vast Marshal]. They were doing business in an illegal way, and for that reason must take a swear. [sic] Here a difficulty arose about the matter among the aldermen. They could not reconcile it to their feelings, as several of them had sons in the confederate [sic] army. On this ground were opposed to the oath, and they sympathy of the whole board was for the south. The thing stood several days undetermined. How to dispose of it.

However, after a time, some charges being made in the board of Aldermen and for the sake of peace and interest of the public, they submitted to take the oath as Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Murfreesboro. But whether that oath applied [sic] individually or not, will be left for the future to decide.

Spence Diary.

            25, "He was one of our soldiers that had escaped jail, just half an hour ago…." Assisting an escaped Confederate prisoner of war in Murfreesboro

This afternoon we were lying down, when we saw Ma come tipping upstairs with mysterious air which I could not make out. I rushed out on the back porch, (as I was undressed) and saw Ma pass through with a (what proved afterwards a confederate) soldier. She seemed greatly excited. He was one of our soldiers that had escaped jail, just half an hour ago & Ma was trying to disguise him so as to let him escape. He changed his clothes [and] shaved off his whiskers, (Ma giving him some of Pa's clothes) making him look like quite a different man. Ma carried him up something to eat, he would not eat much said he had been to dinner, & would not take any more money, he had plenty. I hope he will get safely back to Starn's [sic] Cavalry. He said we had 5,000 men just above here, had had a fight, & we killed 30 or 40 Yankees, & it was that night he was taken prisoner.[4] That was the first time we had heard of the engagement. They always keep a defeat such a secret. This soldier came very near being discovered. There were three Yanks in the front hall who said they had come up to make Ma's acquaintance, as they heard Ma fed their prisoners when Morgan captured them, & when our escaped prisoner asked for the master of the house, the servant asked him in to the front hall, & lo! & behold there sat the man that had captured him a few nights before, and not having any suspicions, they took no notice of him, & he asked Ma for some water and then told his story, so Ma had to play a double game, make herself agreeable to the Yankees whilst getting our soldier off, & I felt vastly relieved when he got off safe. Ma went up town this evening & Kate Avent returned with her home. Cousin William Tilford, wife & daughter stopped by & made a visit awhile this afternoon. An old sick Yankee came here this evening late, & Pa had his sympathies aroused [and] consented to let him stay all night, made me so angry I cried until bedtime & would not eat any supper. He was put into poor Legrand's room to sleep, just to think, he may be lying out on the wet ground, wet hungry and sick & then for his enemy enjoying his room. I didn't like [it] one bit.

Kate Carney Diary.

25, "Ladies' Assistance Wanted."

—Mrs. W. S. Pickett, vice president of the Society of Southern Mothers, and Mrs. M. E. Pope, secretary, desires us to state that the Society of Southern Mothers have a large quantity of clothing, sheets, pillow cases, shirts and drawers for the hospitals, to be made up in preparation for the wounded of the impending battle.[added] All members of the Society, and others interested in the cause, are earnestly requested to call at the Overton hospital at 9 o'clock to-morrow morning, and take it home with them to make up as speedily as possible

Memphis Daily Appeal, May 25, 1862

            25, Theatrical Review in Nashville

Theatre.—The attendance at the theatre last night was very large, and we think that every person who was there went away satisfied with the performance. The "Old Guard" and "Black-Eyed Susan" was given in a most unexceptionable manner. Each and every member of the company deserves great credit for the way in which they personated the different characters they represented. Mr. Weaver's "Haversack," in the "Old Guard," could not have been surpassed. We have not seen a piece of acting for years that we consider superior to his personation of that difficult character.

Miss Constantine, who has been an exile from the stage for some nights past again made her appearance. She has, however, lost none of her bewitching fascination, but, on the contrary, looks prettier and dances better. Isabel Cubas should look to her laurels, or she may find a formidable rival in the fair Constantine, who, although she may not claim to be an "exotic," reared beneath a "sunny sky," still she understands the "poetry of motion," and is a most faithful representative of the Terpsichorean art. In addition to the dance, she favored the audience with a song. Her voice is soft, flexible, and sweet, but of not great range. We find no fault with her singing, yet we like her dancing better.

The bill for Monday night is very attractive, and will, no doubt, draw a crowded house.

Nashville Daily Union, May 25, 1862.

            26, Operations about Cumberland Gap

Report of Brig. Gen. James G. Spears, U. S. Army, of operations May 26, 1862, part of the March 28-June 18, 1862 Cumberland Gap Campaign.

HDQRS. TWENTY-FIFTH BRIGADE, ARMY OF THE OHIO, Camp Pine Knot, May 26, 1862.

The expedition of to-day under Col. Houk has not yet returned. The signal officer, Lieut. McKinsey, has arrived in camp and reports that beyond Gaylor's he and the cavalry, being in advance, were fired upon by the enemy, but in what numbers he is unable to report.

They were infantry and in the brush. Our advance was driven back, the signal officer losing his cap. When our main force got up they fired upon the enemy. The enemy then retreated. What subsequently transpired I am unable to state for want of information, save that our men captured a pick and some other articles, indicating that they are removing the blockade. Reliable information shows the enemy's strength now on Big Creek Gap to be 8,000 strong, with at least four pieces of artillery, and they positively declare their intention to invade Kentucky at this point. They are greatly exasperated, our pickets having killed one of theirs on yesterday. They are said to have 1,500 cavalry coming from toward Knoxville and down from Cumberland Gap. The blockade is now so far removed that it can all be moved and cleared away to Powell's Valley in one day. I have waited patiently here a good while, with an enemy threatening me in front of three times at least of those under my command. They have artillery; I have none. I do think the time has come that some action must be taken, and now is the time to move. You have the artillery and men, and at this point there is no mistake. If reliable information can be relied on, they (the enemy) intend to make the fight. I trust something will be done speedily. The enemy is now in the exact position he was when the former contemplated move was put on foot. Why not now advance? Such move would prevent them from re-enforcing the gap, and we could attack them in detail successfully; after which being done, if deemed advisable, we could move our whole force on Cumberland Gap and fortify out of reach of their cannon, and compel them to fight us from under their cover, or starve them out and compel them to surrender. I have been directed by you to be ready to advance or retreat at a moment's warning. I am sorry to have to say it is an impossibility to comply with the instructions, as we have to subsist and forage ourselves. The transportation is very weak indeed. Much of our forage and subsistence we have to haul twenty miles, and the transportation is frequently gone for two days at a time on foraging and subsistence purposes, so that often if called on to advance or retreat we would have no means of transportation, and the result would be our ammunition, tents, and camp equipage and all would be left, and perhaps lost and fall into the hands of the enemy. I earnestly call your attention to my condition in this respect that such action may be taken as will prevent any great injury resulting on any move that may be made under instructions yet in force relative to my command. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JAMES G. SPEARS, Brig.-Gen..

P. S.-Since writing the above Col. Houk has arrived. He is pretty well satisfied that the enemy is removing the blockade, and that the enemy who fired on our advance was merely the advance of the rebel force in removing the blockade. No one on to-day was killed or wounded.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 52, pt. I, pp. 14-15.

            26, Excerpt from the Diary of Lucy Virginia French

....The Federals visited this place [i.e., McMinnville environs] again on Friday last [23d]-came, I presume, to look up resigned officers and disbanded men-but they found none. Contented themselves with stealing horses, watches, etc., and paying for forage etc. in counterfeit money. They did not molest us, however. There are informers among us who keep them thoroughly "posted"-as it is quite plain for us to see from their actions and inquiries every time they come....

Diary of Lucy Virginia French, May 26, 1862.

 

1863

 

            25, Skirmish near Woodbury

MAY 25, 1863, Skirmish near Woodbury, Tenn.

Report of Col. William C. P. Breckinridge, Ninth Kentucky Cavalry (Confederate).

CAMP HEATH, June 6, 1863.

SIR: In accordance with the other of the general commanding, I submit the following report of the operations of my regiment upon the 25th ultimo:

My picketing required about 90 privates daily, and the pickets were relieved at 9 a. m.

About 10.15 o'clock upon the morning of May 25, when both the old and new pickets were out of camp, I received information from my advanced pickets on the Woodbury road, placed within 1 ½ miles of Woodbury by order of Gen. [Joseph] Wheeler, through Lieut. Campbell, that a body of Federal cavalry were advancing upon them. I immediately ordered Capt. [T. H.] Hines to take all the well-mounted men of Companies A, C, and E, and re-enforce the picket base, while I moved the regiment from its camp to the Woodbury and McMinnville road. Before Capt. Hines had time to move off, I received information that the enemy had driven in the advanced pickets, cutting off three of them, and were advancing with cavalry, infantry, and artillery, I immediately sent a courier to you with this information, and a courier to the officer commanding my chain picket, running to the Georgia pickets, upon my left, ordering that officer to make pickets fall back upon the roads they were respectively posted upon toward McMinnville, to redouble his vigilance, be prepared to collect his pickets, and send the information to the Georgia pickets. In a few moments I received information that the chain picket had been pierced at two places and part of two posts captured; that a heavy force of cavalry, accompanied by artillery, was rapidly advancing upon the road to Jacksborough, and another force of cavalry advancing upon a country road nearly unused, and which led into my camp. My horses were nearly unfit for service, having been on constant service with very scant rations for several months. My instructions were to fall back, when compelled to retreat, in such a way as to protect the road to Chattanooga.

Upon receiving that information, I ordered Maj. [J. P.] Austin to move the regiment to the junction of the McMinnville and Woodbury and McMinnville and Jacksborough roads. I ordered Capt. Hines to fall back rapidly nearer McMinnville than my camp, to prevent being cut off by any of the numerous roads that intercept the main road between Mrs. Glasscock's and the tan-yard. I ordered Capt. [W. P.] Roberts, with Company I, to scout the country toward, and, if possible, beyond, Jacksborough, and sent a small scout toward Short Mountain. Capt. Hines had scarcely time to obey my order when my camp was entered in four directions. Indeed, the rear guard of Capt. Hines' detachment was cut off, and but for the coolness of Capt. [F. G.] Hill and the few men under him, they would have been captured. I in person collected together the pickets and the men out of camp upon various excuses, and a few with good horses, and re-enforced Capt. Hines. The cavalry force of the enemy was so much larger than my own, the condition of my horses was so deplorable, that it was impossible for me to either check their advance but for a moment at a time or to send a scout around them. To prevent being cut off from the Chattanooga road, to give timely information to you and the Georgia pickets, and to protect my own regiment, were all I could hope to accomplish. The enemy advanced nearly to Mr. Hopkins', are there prepared an ambush for me. Capt. Roberts returned, reporting no enemy at Jacksborough, and that force returning toward Woodbury. Before his return I left scouts in front and upon the left of the enemy, with orders to report every movement, and keep me well informed, while I fell back slowly to the regiment, to prevent the enemy from cutting my command in two. Had I been left without instructions to protect the Chattanooga road, I would have remained close to the enemy, and, when cut off from McMinnville, fallen back toward Smithville. The enemy received, by some Union citizens, information of some movement in his rear, and fell back in the early part of the night, followed by my scouts, who followed him closely to his encampment near Readyville. Whatever information I received, I reported, either in writing or in person or by my adjutant, to you.

I lost 6 prisoners, captured by reason of the poor condition of their horses. The enemy lost 1 killed and 6 wounded, besides several horses.

I need not say how chafed I was that the condition of my regiment prevented me from punishing this advance, as I might easily have done under other circumstances.

I have the honor to be, &c.,

WM. C. P. BRECKINRIDGE, Col., Cmdg. Regt.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 23, pt. I, pp. 347-348.

            25, Scout and skirmish on Carter Creek Pike

FRANKLIN, May 26, 1863.

Gen. ROSECRANS:

No news or changes in front, that I can ascertain. A party was out last night on the Carter Creek pike; killed 2 and wounded several, but obtained no information.

* * * *

G. GRANGER, Maj.-Gen.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 23, pt. II, p. 364.

            25, Vallandigham's trip through Middle Tennessee

DON'T LIKE HIS SPEECHES.

From the Cincinnati Commercial, May 26.

Murfreesboro, May 25. – Vallandigham arrived here on a special train, under a strong escort, at 10 o'clock last evening, having left Louisville in the morning and passed through Nashville without stopping.

His arrival was expected by the military public, but its time not being known, no demonstrations of any kind took place. He was quietly taken in a carriage to the quarters of Major Wiles, the Provost Marshal General, where he was seen by Rosecrans and a number of other officers. He appeared to be fully composed, and abstained from the expression of any offensive sentiment.

At two A. M. his southward journey was continued. Major Wiles, with a mounted escort, started down to take him beyond our lines on the Shelbyville Pike.

By the way, the prisoner was cheerful, and discussed his situation very coolly, but upon approaching the nearest rebel pickets, commanded by Colonel Webb, of the 54th Alabama, some eight miles out, he became perceptibly affected.

Upon taking leave of his companions he said, in substance, "I am a citizen of the United States, and loyal to them, and want you to understand that you leave me here as a prisoner to the Confederate authorities."

To Colonel Webb he made a similar declaration. The former received him with the remark that he "had read his speeches, but did not like them, and that he could not receive him within the Confederate lines, but would permit him to remain at his post until he has ascertained the pleasure of his superiors."

The flag-of-truce partly then left Vallandigham to his fate, and returned.

Vallandigham's declaration was a very ingenious stratagem, by which he expected to prevent his reception by the Confederate authorities and secure himself the credit of martyrdom as a persecuted loyalist.

I deem it more than probable that in the face of the antagonism to the South he assumed in it, the enemy will refuse to receive him.

He was given to understand by Gen. Rosecrans that should he arrange to return into our lines in some way, the President's order to carry his original sentence into effect would he executed.

Part of the exile's provision for his pilgrimage into rebellion very properly consisted of two boxes of whisky.

Memphis Bulletin, May 29, 1863.

            25, A sister's assessment of her Confederate brother's optimism for the Confederacy, an excerpt from the journal of Amanda McDowell of White County

....We got another letter from Fayette on Saturday. He still advises us to buy clothing as if we could buy anything here. He talks of the Confederate money being good in the North and going so well in Ky. If it is very good, it is more than it is here. Though we could buy some things at some price, I reckon, was there anything to buy. He has been so used to carrying things through that he commenced, that he can't for the life of him believe but what the South will come out all right. Of course he is not such a fool as to think that his individual efforts will amount to anything great, but still he can't help but look on the brighter side altogether. I know he has got sense enough to see things in their proper light if he would only look.

Diary of Amanda McDowell.

            25, Fear and loathing; watching Federal forces invade McMinnville from Beersheba Springs

This evening Miss Jane and myself walked down to the spring – took and as we had our books with us, sat up in the upper story of the spring house and read until the twilight came on. As we were coming up we stopped at the observatory and there we soon became aware that persons were coming up the mountain below us. Some horsemen, and a two-horse carriage or ambulance. We started in a run up to the house to tell Col. Armfield there was news of some sort coming up the mountains. We met him down by the hotel – he said he did not like the looks of the affairs – he feared it was a bad omen – that the Yankees were in again at McMinnville. Sure enough and here they came – reporting that the enemy was within 8 miles of McMinnville when they left at one o'clock toady, and the whole town [was] in a panic. Breckenridge's' men some four to 500 strong were formed on the hill by our house intending to give them a fight. Enemy reported advancing slowly, with cavalry, artillery and infantry. Captain Townsend and his wife and Col. Nixon – commandant of the post are among the refugees here tonight – I don't know how many more are in the house. Oh! I do not know how I feel! I loathe the idea of the Yankees,-or even seeing them – but I had rather be there now with my husband and children than here even in safety while they are imperiled. Oh! I even feel too badly to cry!! I had rather, far rather, be there with them. My poor little children. How do I feel, thus cut off from them by so cruel an enemy. And I am distressed now too fearing that they may take off my husband a prisoner – when I watched him driving down the mountain yesterday and we waved our handkerchiefs and he waved his hand and kissed his hand to us, how little did I think of this! Oh! I wish I was there with them – this suspense will be so hard for me to bear tonight….I wrote all the beginning of the week and felt quite well. On Friday [29th] however[,] I was taken down and suffered extremely from sick headache. On Saturday [30th] afternoon Darlin' came – and I can't tell how glad I was to see him….Oh! how I do wish I could see the children tonight! The gentleman appear to think it very probable that the Yankees will not get into McMinnville tonight and there is resistance they may not come at all. God grant it!….Oh! I wish we were all up here! It would save me much "wear and tear" of mine tonight. Tuesday noon [26th] – Today a courier arrived whose dispatches report that the Yankees came within twelve miles of McMinnville and then fell back to Bradyville. All the panic and excitement [sic] was unnecessary therefore, and oh! how rejoiced I was to find that they had not again reached that poor devoted village, which seems now already given over to desolation. I slept very badly tonight in consequence of the visions of Vandal – insult and robbery – but today feel quite revived by the news. My dear little children are safe….All the refugees but Capt. Carter (an invalid) will leave tomorrow.

War Journal of Lucy Virginia French.

            25, Health and morale in the Army of the Cumberland in Murfreesboro; An Excerpt from the letter of Captain Gershom M. Barber to his wife

Headquarters O. V. S. S.

Murfreesboro, Tenn., May 25, 1863

My Very Dear Wife,

I wrote you last night when I was feeling very badly and scarcely able to sit up and knowing how uneasy you well feel I write you again this morning. Whatever stories you may hear about my health, you may always rest assured that what I write you will be the correct. There are persons here who are frightened at the slightest indisposition and think a man is going to die if he has the sick headache and of course will make all kinds of fanciful stories especially if I am not on duty as they regard me as the healthiest man in the battalion. In regard to the order prohibiting ladies from coming south. It would not interfere with your coming here, I could get a pass for you at any time. I had no fever all night and until 8 AM it is not coming on. The Dr. thinks I will get along without having a run of fever. I think it best to write you the real facts and then you won't depend on exaggerated stories from others. It is not best for me to write longer. I love you all as ever.

Barber Correspondence

            25, An ex patriot in Atlanta complains about the oath in Nashville

Atlanta May 25th '63

Dear Bettie

I have again been disappointed in not receiving a letter from you. Do my letters reach you as irregularly? If so it is not my fault. I write every week. This week I have something very unpleasant to tell you. Would you believe that Cousin William Murfree has taken the oath? I did not, but he has. I saw a lady, Miss Mann, sister in law of the Baptist minister, Mr. Ford, a few days since. She was just from Nashville, having been a sent out for refusing to take the oath. She did not like to tell me about Cousin William & did not until I asked her. O I am so disappointed in him, I always thought him a man of such firm unyielding principles, & I am ashamed to confess that a relative of mine has so perjured himself, for I cannot regard it in any other light. I do not think any man or woman justified in taking the oath they cannot feel, I would die first. But to do Cousin William justice I must say his is the hardest case I have ever heard of in Nashville. He did not take the oath to save his property, he told them he was willing to give that up if they would permit him to go to Canada, that he could not come South, his wife could not stand a Southern climate. They refused, saying he must take the oath or come South. He was in the Penitentiary for several weeks for refusing, but he yielded at last. But this does not excuse him, he ought to have done what he knew to be right & left the result to God. If ever I see him again I will tell him to remember his children, to revoke his oath and redeem his character. I have respected & loved him enough to tell him how that oath is regarded in the South. It seems that all the gentlemen in Nashville are beginning to feel that it is not wrong to take it, that it is forced upon them. They are now requiring every person in Nashville, male & female over eighteen years of age to take the oath or come South. They have also issued an invitation to the people of the north to come to Nashville & take the homes of those who have left. This is all perfectly true as I heard it from a reliable lady. Mr. Frazer has also taken the oath, but that does not surprise me, in fact nearly all the men there have done so, but few have come out. Mr. Anderson Julia's & Pattie's father, Col Brien your old admirer, his wife & Mr. Elliot's wife & daughters have come. I have heard that Mrs. Barrow, the Martin girls & Ida Hamilton have taken the oath. I tell you Bettie I am perfectly miserable about Pa & Ma. I know they would not do anything they considered wrong but I am afraid that Cousin William Murfree, Mr. Frazer, Mr. Woods, Dr Maddin (who is now Ma's physician & she is devoted to him) and others will convince Pa & Ma that it is not wrong, but their duty to take the oath & I tell you I had rather die this moment than have them do it. I have begged & implored Mr. Sehon to let me go to Nashville & bring them out. He at first positively refused to let me go, saying he could not have me in Nashville at such a time, but I told him I thought I would die if I had to live in such a state of suspense. I tell you Bettie often when I sit & think of the probability of Pa's or Ma's taking the oath I feel that I could start & walk every foot of the way to Nashville. I am completely miserable and Mr. Sehon has promised me if Gen Bragg will consent for me to pass our lines, I can go. I am to write to Gen Bragg by today's mail and I hope he will consent. Mr. Sehon has promised to do every thing he can for me although he is bitterly opposed to my going & only consents because he cannot refuse such begging. George is a great favorite of Gen Bragg, I hope on his account he will allow me to pass. If he does I will start immediately, but I am afraid he will not consent. I do not like to acknowledge it even to myself that it is possible for Pa to take the oath & were I to hear any one say it I would never forgive them, but I do not know how far his friends there can influence him, and I feel that it is my duty to go and see. The boys of course could not go and if they could, I would not mention my fears to them for they feel assured Pa would not take it. You & I are the only ones who could go and with your family it would be much harder for you to leave than for me. To be sure if you were to go any where on a visit, remember you are to leave me all three of the children, but I know it would be much more inconvenient for you to leave your house & go to Nashville than it is for me. I forgot to tell I hear it rumored that Gen Harding has taken the oath, after having been so firm & bearing imprisonment for so many months. Fannie and Mary Murfree begged & implored their father not to take the oath, told him they would feel disgraced forever. When Miss Mann left N[ashville]_ the oath had not been required of Pa & Ma, but it may be any day.

Your devoted sister

Annie M Sehon

Kimberly Family Correspondence.

            25, A surgeon's murder in Chattanooga

A WANTON MURDER IN CHATTANOOGA.

Dr. Francis Thornton, a Surgeon in the Confederate army, was murdered at Chattanooga on the evening of the 25th ult. Two of the men implicated in the deed have been caught. Dr. Thornton was a refugee from Jefferson county, Ky., where his father is a venerable minister of the Presbyterian Church. An obituary notice in the Rebel gives the following account of the assassination:

During that day (May 25th) he had received a large amount of hospital funds, and it is supposed the object of his assassins was to obtain possession of this money. Failing to effect an entrance into the house  by stratagem, they reluctantly left the premises, followed by Dr. Thornton, who, not suspecting their criminal purpose, and supposing them intoxicated, was endeavoring to persuade them to go back to their quarters. When they had reached the pavement, one of the two, apparently exasperated by the failure of their plans, to whatever end intended, turned and plunged a knife into his unsuspecting and unarmed victim, severing the iliac artery, and inflicting a wound from which death  necessarily ensured in a few minutes. He fell into the arms of his terribly stricken wife, his life blood gushing in torrents into her face and dyeing her person and garments: calmly gave instructions as to the disposition of his person, and advice to his family; and asking his beloved wife to meet him in Heaven, passed away to that "Better land" where "the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest."

Knoxville Daily Register, June 6, 1863.

            25, "I am convalescent now, but still quite weak, which must be my excuse for a short letter." David R. P. Shoemaker, Co. "E" 11th Reg. O.V.I. to Henry A. Bitner

Carthage, Tenn, May 25, 1863

Dear Friend Henry :

Your letter of the 6th inst. came to hand in due course of mail, and the reason it was not answered sooner was that I have been sick since the 1st of the present month with what is here called "Acclimating Fever." I am convalescent now, but still quite weak, which must be my excuse for a short letter.

In fact there is little news to write. Morgan and his ragamuffins have mostly left, and gone to the northeast . Our regiment is now out scouting.---

The change of climate and water is beginning to have its effect on our boys and about 12 per cent are on the Sick List. Intermittent Fever and Camp Diarrhea, principally.

My regards to all the friends. Write soon and do not govern yourself by the length of this letter.

Ever Your Friend

Shoemaker

P.S. I am getting very forgetful indeed, as I almost forgot to ask you to present my Compliments to Miss Addie [unclear: Croplan] and the fair sex generally.

Valley of the Shadow[5]

            26, Expedition from Memphis toward Hernando, Mississippi

MAY 26, 1863.-Expedition from Memphis, Tenn., toward Hernando, Miss.

Report of Maj. George N. Richmond, Second Wisconsin Cavalry.

CAMP SECOND WISCONSIN CAVALRY, Memphis, Tenn., May 26, 1863.

CAPT.: In accordance with instructions, I left camp with my command, 200 men strong, composed as follows: One hundred men from the Second Wisconsin Cavalry, 50 men from the Fifth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and 50 men from the First Missouri Cavalry. I proceeded, as directed, on Horn Lake road without encountering aught worthy of notice until I reached Nonconnah Creek, at which point the advance guard captured a member of Capt. Manning's company. About 3 miles south of Nonconnah Creek, on Horn Lake road, I turned from the main road to the left, in the direction of Hernando plank-road, governing my course so as to pass the plantations of Col. Blythe and Capt. Manning.

Nothing occurred of importance at either of these plantations. At what is called Horn Lake Crossing, on Hernando plank-road, I captured a man who had in his possession a discharge from the Confederate service, and who is now in charge of the provost-marshal, together with the first-named prisoner. At this point I also ascertained from citizens direct from Hernando that Col. Hatch visited that place yesterday with a cavalry force, and that an infantry force had arrived there today, 26th instant. I believe this information to be reliable. Judging from intelligence received from all parties with whom I conversed, I do not think it possible that any rebel force is north of Coldwater, except Capt. Manning's company, about 30 strong.

I captured several horses, mules, and some arms, but have received no report of precise number from detachment commanders. I will report all captured property as soon as possible. I arrived at camp at 5 p. m., after enjoying quite a pleasant scout.

I have the honor to be, respectfully, yours, &c.,

G. N. RICHMOND, Maj., Commanding Expedition.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 24,t. II, p. 432.

            26, Expedition, Middle Tennessee to Northern Alabama

CORINTH, May 26, 1863.

Maj.-Gen. ROSECRANS, Murfreesborough:

My cavalry will cross the Tennessee to-night at Hamburg, and push east to Waynesborough and Florence and attack enemy; also destroy all mills, forage, &c.

I understand that all the enemy's cavalry on that side of the river have been ordered to Columbia, and they are moving that way.

Two regiments of Roddey's force crossed at Florence last Friday.

G. M. DODGE, Brig.-Gen.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 23, pt. II, p. 364.

            26, Federal gunboats move Federal cavalry and capture animals across Tennessee River [see also 17-31, Naval Operations on the Tennessee River, relative to operations at Savannah and Clifton above]

            26, General Orders No. 65 issued in Memphis: expulsion of Confederate sympathizers

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 65., HDQRS. SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Memphis, Tenn., May 26, 1863.

* * * *

VIII. An entire year of occupation of this City by the United States has given abundant opportunity for all persons to make their deliberate election of the sovereignty to which they owe their allegiance. The so-called Confederate Congress by acts passed at an early period of the rebellion ordered peremptorily from the limits of the revolted States those true citizens who adhered to the country of their fathers. The same sentence will be pronounced after one year's patient waiting upon all who while denying their allegiance to the United States yet have found protection beneath its flag. These persons will be sent where their affections are.

IX. Giving aid and comfort to the public enemy is punishable with death and the leniency with which such persons have been treated must cease. Any person who shall hereafter offer insult by word or act to the United States or who shall express sympathy with the enemy or satisfaction at any imagined or real success of the Confederate arms will be arrested at once and severely punished.

* * * *

By order of Maj. Gen. S. A. Hurlbut

OR, Ser. II, Vol. 5, p. 711.

HQDRS. 16th Army Corps

Memphis, May 26, 1863

General Orders, No. 6I.

I. All persons residing within the city of Memphis, not in the service of the United States, are hereby required to enroll and register their names with the Provost Marshal, Lieut. Col. M. Smith within twenty days.

II. Such registry must show the character of each person registered under one of these heads:

1. Loyal citizens of the United States;

2. Subjects of foreign, friendly powers;

3. Enemies of the United States.

III. Each person who shall enroll him or herself as a loyal citizen shall take and subscribe to the following oath:

United States of America

State of Tennessee

Provost Marshal's Office for the ____ of ____ day of ______1863.

I do solemnly swear, in the presence of Almighty God, that I will bear true allegiance to the United States of America, and will obey and maintain the constitution and laws of the same, and will defend and support the said United States of America against the enemies foreign and domestic, and especially against at the rebellious league known as the Confederate States of America.

So help me God.[6]

Chattanooga Daily Rebel, June 28, 1863. [7]

            26, Major-General U. S. Grant's GENERAL ORDERS, No. 10, relative to appointment, powers, responsibilities and duties of district provost-marshals

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 10. HDQRS. 13TH A. C., DEPT. OF THE TENN.

LaGrange, Tenn., November 26, 1862.

I. A district provost-marshal will be appointed from these headquarters from each district in this department, who will have general supervision of all local provost-marshals in his respective district, and to whom they will make weekly reports of all arrests, seizures, and dispositions of all persons arrested and property seized.

II. District provost-marshals will receive their instructions from the provost-marshal general, to whom they will make semi-monthly reports of all arrests in their respective districts, stating the name, offense, officer by whom arrested, and the disposition made of the arrested party, also all property seized, by whom, and why seized, and the disposition made of the same, accompanying said report with a receipt from the quartermaster to whom the property has been turned over.

III. Local provost-marshals are prohibited from selling or disposing of confiscated property. They will turn all such property over to the nearest post quartermaster, and if there is no post quartermaster convenient then to a division, brigade, or regimental quartermaster, taking triplicate receipts therefor, two to be forwarded with report to the district provost-marshal. If property seized is such as is properly embraced in the commissary or ordnance departments the provost-marshal may turn it over to the proper officers of these departments instead of to quartermasters, taking receipts therefor, as provided in cases of quartermasters.

By order of Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 17, pt. II, p. 363.

            26, Recaptured slaves' depot relocation

RICHMOND, May 26, 1863.

Gen. BRAGG:

The depot for recaptured slaves at McMinnville will be changed, in orders, to Chattanooga.

S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector Gen.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 23, pt. II, p. 853.

            26, Announcement relative to the execution of Captain Arnold, C. S. A.

Rebel Officer to be Shot for Murder

Captain Arnold, of the Confederate Army, has been condemned by court-martial at Knoxville, and sentenced to be shot, for killing Major Adrian some months since. He is a young man and a brave soldier. Much sympathy is felt for him, and the entire Congressional from Tennessee have interested themselves to procure his pardon.[8]

Philadelphia Inquirer, May 26, 1863.

            26, Excerpt from newspaper report relative to waning guerrilla activity in West Tennessee

~~~~

The rebel guerrillas who for so long had annoyed the people of West Tennessee, have been, to a considerable extent, dispersed, thanks to General Hurlbut and General W. S. Smith; and now the people are returning to their former peaceful pursuits. The planters are busy with their plantations. Cotton has been planted to a considerable extent, looks promising, as do likewise the corn and wheat. Reason has returned and the people are coming out and freely acknowledging the error of their way and rallying to the flag of the Union, under which alone they find protection.

~~~~

The New York Herald, May 26, 1863[9]

            26-29, Expedition, Bolivar, Wesley Camp, Somerville, and Antioch Church, and skirmishes

MAY 26-29, 1863.-Expedition from Bolivar to Wesley Camp, Somerville, and Antioch Church, Tenn., and skirmishes.

Report of Col. Adolph Engelmann, Forty-third Illinois Infantry.

BOLIVAR, TENN., May 30, 1863.

CAPT.: On the evening of May 26, Gen. Brayman ordered me to proceed to Wesley camp-ground and fall upon a body of the enemy reported to be there, 175 strong, said to be but recently recruited, and about to go south to join the main body of the rebel army.

After sunset I left camp with 113 enlisted men and a proportionate number of officers, and guided by Mr. George Reeves, of Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois, formerly of Fayette County, Tennessee, I proceeded out on the Somerville road 14 miles, where we turned off to the right, and then proceeded by neighborhood roads toward Wesley Camp. At the residence of a gentleman named B. Springfield, 2½ miles before coming to Wesley camp, we surprised and captured 4 prisoners and their arms and horses. B. Springfield, proprietor of the house, was also taken and brought to this place. At half a mile farther southeast, at a place belonging to Mr. Steinbeck, Capt. Reid, according to his own statement, of Col. Neely's regiment of Confederate cavalry, with two more of his men, was taken, the men first captured claiming to be also of Capt. Reid's men.

Wesley camp and church having been completely destroyed last winter by the Seventh Kansas, [10] it no longer affords any shelter, and, although I descended upon it at full speed, no enemy could be found. I here obtained information that Col. [J. J.] Neely, with a number of his officers and men, was encamped at Core's place, 2½ miles southeast of Wesley camp.

I started immediately for the reported place, hoping still to be able to surprise the enemy in his camp, but unfortunately the guide here missed the road, and, after going out of our way some 4 miles, we arrived at Core's place with our horses much exhausted. No enemy was found.

I subsequently learned of Mr. Core that information having been received of our approach, being on his way to Memphis with a load of cotton, he stopped his team and returned to his plantation. I was also informed by a negro [sic] that as we rode up to Mr. Core's residence Col. Neely and his men went off in a southerly course across the farther portion of Core's plantation. However, as we first rode up to Core's house, he presented himself as a Union man, protesting that no guerrillas were ever near his place; showed certificates from Gens. Denver and Lawler, and Col. Hurst, and claimed protection, which I accordingly agreed to afford him to the extent possible. It being necessary that my horses and men should be fed, and Mr. Core's being the only place within some miles where this could be done. The provisions, however, were rendered with but poor grace. Two guns, two rifles, and a can of powder were found concealed in the weeds of the garden, and on my learning that the place had for a long time previously been the haunt of guerrillas, I had the powder blown up and Mr. Core's horses, guns, and rifles taken.

From Core's I went to Somerville, scouring the country on both sides of the road. I arrived at Somerville after dark, and, passing through the place, encamped on the north side of the Loosahatchee [sic], on the Whiteville road.

Having within twenty-six hours traveled nearly 60 miles on dusty roads, by great heat, and water for the horses being only found at great intervals, many of them had completely given out, and could not be used on the next morning.

Before daylight I had several houses in the neighborhood searched, but without success.

At daybreak I started with 70 men for Antioch Church, where, according to information, a large body of guerrillas were in camp.

Capt. Arosenius was left in charge of our camp on the Loosahatchee [sic], with 40 men. He had to guard the prisoners, picket the camp, patrol Somerville, and it being deemed important to occupy the bridge across the Loosahatchee [sic], on the Covington road, this bridge was guarded by 6 privates and 2 noncommissioned officers.

An hour after I had left with the main body of my men, the guard on the Loosahatchee [sic] was charged upon by Capt. Bell and 17 of his men. They came on shooting, and at full speed, but the small guard bravely stood its ground, repulsing the enemy, killing one of its number and wounding another in the knee. Firing was kept up for two hours before the enemy withdrew.

The expedition to Antioch met no guerrillas, although the country was searched in every direction. The white residents of the country, almost to a man, denied that there were any guerrillas in the neighborhood, while the very few loyal whites we met and the negroes [sic] on every plantation informed us that bands up to 20 men strong were passing daily, and stopping at farm-houses or lying out, as occasion required.

I am confident that the county of Fayette is at present infested by several hundred guerrillas, who are scattered for the more convenient feeding of themselves and horses, and only uniting when some great movement is to be made.

Capt. Reid informed me that he had only on the 26th instant come from south of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, and knew of Chalmers' defeat.

At 1 a. m. On the morning of the 29th, information was received that 3 guerrillas were at the residence of A. F. Gant, 4 miles south of Somerville. Capt. Hoering was sent with 30 men to start for them, and instructed on his return to Somerville to take the Bolivar road. I soon after started for Bolivar, proceeding but slowly, searching suspected houses and making frequent halts, to enable Capt. Hoering to come up.

When Capt. Hoering arrived at Gant's house, the guerrillas had left, but Gant was taken and brought in.

I arrived at Bolivar at 10 a. m. on the 29th. Most of the men had hardly been out of their saddles from the time of our departure, on the morning of the 26th, and all were very tired, but in excellent health and spirits.

We captured 1 captain, 6 privates, 2 citizens, 45 horses and mules, guns, rifles, and pistols.

I would also beg leave to state that as the saddles used by my men have either been taken from the enemy citizens, or are such as have been condemned in the Tennessee cavalry, they are very inferior, and scald the horses' backs and wear them out much sooner than good saddles would.

Information is just received that on Friday 102 Confederates were in Somerville after we had left, pretending to be in pursuit of my force.

I was also informed that Capt. [W. W.] Faulkner was, with several hundred men, near Mason Station.

Very respectfully,

ADOLPH ENGELMANN, Col. Forty-third Illinois.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 24, pt. II, pp. 432-434.

            26-June 1, 1863, Anti-guerrilla scout from Fort Heiman, Kentucky, into Tennessee and skirmishes

MAY 26-JUNE 2, 1863.-Scout from Fort Heiman, Ky.

Report of Maj. Hans Mattson, Third Minnesota Infantry.

FORT HEIMAN, KY., June 2, 1863.

LIEUT.: I have the honor to report that, in pursuance of special orders from post headquarters, I started, on the 26th of May last, on a scouting expedition, with Companies B, D, G, and H, third Minnesota Infantry, also two detachments of Companies A and D, Fifteenth Kentucky Cavalry.

 After marching 5 miles, I deployed the infantry as skirmishers, covering the west side of the Tennessee and both sides of Big Sandy Rivers. We thus scoured the country thoroughly through Henry, Benton, Carroll, Weakley, and part of Decatur Counties, Tennessee. We found Confederate soldiers and guerrillas in small parties scattered along the Tennessee and Sandy Rivers, and ascertained that there Is a large recruiting station near the east side of the Tennessee River, below Duck River, with a rebel camp of 400 to 600 men, and that this force constantly sends small parties across the Tennessee River, who gather up recruits and steal horses, and otherwise annoy the loyal citizens on this side. These parties mostly swim their horses across the river, the men crossing in skiffs or canoes.

We destroyed along the bank of the river, mostly in the vicinity of the mouth of Duck River, 2 large flat-boats, 7 large skiffs, and 6 canoes.

We had several little skirmishes with small squads of the enemy, the largest party any of my men found numbering only 15. In these skirmishes we killed 1 and wounded 5, either guerrillas or soldiers. We captured 4 officers: Lieut.-Col. Dawson, First Tennessee Cavalry; Capt. Howard, First Tennessee Cavalry; Maj. Algee, noted guerrilla chief; Capt. Grizzell, noted guerrilla chief, and 11 privates, some guerrillas and some soldiers; also 16 horses and 11 mules, with saddles, &c. We also captured a large private rebel mail.

I lost 2 men missing, one a soldier in the Fifteenth Kentucky Cavalry, name unknown to me; the other, John C. Hancock, Company G, Third Minnesota Infantry, was wounded, and is supposed to be a prisoner. F. M. Joy, Company G, Third Minnesota Infantry, was slightly wounded in the shoulder.

The conduct of Corpl. Jesse Barrick, Company H, Third Minnesota Infantry, is particularly worthy of mention. He captured, single-handed, the two desperate guerrilla officers, Maj. Algee and Capt. Grizzel, both of whom were together and well-armed at the time.

Capt. Vanstrum, commanding Company D, Third Minnesota Infantry, not having yet returned with his command, I cannot give a correct report of his doings in Weakley County, but have been informed by a messenger that he has captured a number of guerrillas and horses. He will make a full report to the district provost-marshal at Columbus, on his arrival there.

Respectfully submitted.

H. MATTSON, Maj. Third Minnesota Infantry Volunteers

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 23, pt. I, pp. 353-354.

 

 

1864

 

            25, Initiation of twice-daily scouts on Hernando and Pigeon Roost Roads, White's Station environs

HDQRS. DISTRICT OF WEST TENNESSEE, Memphis, Tenn., May 25, 1864.

Col. GEORGE E. WARNING, White's Station:

The Hernando and Pigeon Roost roads will be scouted for ten miles out every morning and evening by 100 men. You must have your scouts out constantly beyond White's Station, so as not to be surprised. You had better keep but a small stock of rations or forage on hand. Should the enemy be found approaching in force pack up and send everything here. How many wagons have you? If advisable you can keep an engine and cars to enable you to move suddenly if occasion should require it. Keep a sharp lookout.

C. C. WASHBURN, Maj.-Gen.

HDQRS. CAVALRY DIVISION, SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Memphis, Tenn., May 25, 1864.

Col. E. F. WINSLOW, Cmdg. Second Brigade:

COL.: In obedience to instructions from Maj. Gen. C. C. Washburn you will send out each day until further orders a scouting party of 100 men on each the Pigeon Roost and Hernando roads. They will start at 3 a. m. each day and return to the City at 3 p. m., at which time another party of 100 men will go out on the same road, and will return at 11 p. m. The officers will be instructed to be particularly guarded against ambush and also against running into patrols of the First Brigade from White's Station. Any information obtained or prisoners captured will be promptly forwarded to these headquarters.

By order of Brig. Gen. B. Grierson:

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 39, pt. II, pp. 49-50.

            25, Skirmish near Cripple Creek, Woodbury Pike

MAY 25, 1864.-Skirmish near Cripple Creek, Woodbury Pike, Tenn.

Report of Capt. Isaac N. Campbell, One hundred and fifteenth Ohio Infantry.

CAMP 115TH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, May 25, 1864.

CAPT.: I have the honor to report that on my return from escorting Maj. Rodgers, paymaster, to McMinnville, when near Cripple Creek, on Woodbury pike, I heard of some guerrillas crossing the pike and going into the cedars. I followed them and overtook the party (five men, mounted and armed with carbines and revolvers) near the house of Jesse Beshears. They were drawn in line across the lane, but after exchanging one round fled to the cedars. We killed 1 of the party, but the balance succeeded in making their escape. They appeared to be loaded with goods, and undoubtedly belonged to the band of guerrillas that have been plundering in the vicinity of Shelbyville.

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

I. N. CAMPBELL,

Capt., Cmdg. Mounted Detach. 115th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

OR, Ser. I. Vol. 39, pt I, p. 18.

            25, "Respect the Dead."

The military authorities have appropriated a tract of the McGavock property for the purpose of burying therein those who die from smallpox. The tract is becoming rapidly filled, and yet it is entirely open; cattle and hogs roam over the cemetery without let or hindrance. This ought not to be, if it can be avoided. Cannot the military authorities appropriate a sufficient number of posts and stakes to have it fenced in? Perhaps a sufficient number of convalescents can be found in [the] hospital[s] to do the work. We ask Mr. Spencer Chandler, who is always ready to lend a helping hand in a good cause, to see what can be done in this matter.

Nashville Dispatch, May 25, 1864.

            25, Negro students working their way through school in Nashville

"Recorder's Court"

* * * *

Sally Thornton, Sally Patton, Catherine Yancy, and Mary Reedy, negro women, were charged with disorderly conduct and keeping a disorderly house. There are six or eight of them in all, living in one room, some of them going to school during the day, and receiving negro men and white soldiers at night. The above were all that were found in the house when the officer went there. Fined $10 each, with the understanding that if they leave the house (91 South Cherry street) within three days the fine will be remitted.

Nashville Dispatch, May 25, 1864.

            26, The Annie Williams/Harriet Maxwell dispute

"Recorder's Court"

* * * *

Annie Williams and Harriet Maxwell had an interesting fight which was brought about in this wise: On Wednesday of last week [18th] Annie bought some laces, ribbons, and other fancy things, which were scarcely paid for and admired before they were stolen, and no clue could be found to the thief. On Tuesday Annie went to Mrs. Zachery, the fortune-teller, and learned many things concerning her past finery, but was advised to "keep dark" and have her "eye skinned" until time should reveal the facts. In describing the thief, the fortune teller drew a very good picture of Harriet; so when Annie returned, and took a careful survey of Harriet's form, face, and eyes, she looked awful mad. Harriet asked if she was mad because she had lost her things? Geees-so! [sic] Harriet supposed that Annie thought she took them. Precisely [sic] so. Harriet intimated that Annie was a black ____, Annie replied, Harriet flung a mug at Annie's head, Annie threw her left arm around Harriet's neck, grasped her by the throat, and with her right fist commenced the operation of pounding the lace, ribbons, etc., out of Harriet's face, and continued until they were separated. Harriet had several times intimated that the soldiers stole her property, but she didn't believe it-they were good fellows, and always gave her more then they took from her. Fined $10 each.

Nashville Dispatch, May 26, 1864.

            26, Confederate guerrilla challenge in the Strawberry Plains, Bristol, Greeneville and Rogersville environs

Knoxville 26th May 1864

Govr Johnson,

Dear Sir

The forces of the Government, as you know, have for sometime, been withdrawn from the upper part of Eastern Tennessee. We now, have no troops above Strawberry Plains, leaving all the country from that point to Bristol in the hands of about Two Hundred and fifty Rebels [sic], who are ravaging the country at pleasure, committing daily robberies, and occasional murders. I learn to day, that they are pasturing our wheat fields. This is to be the ruin of the people, as our people in a great measure, depend on their harvest for the means of living –

I mention these things to you, as I trust you will do something to releive [sic] our part of the country. There are two squads of Rebels, who stay about Greeneville, and Rogersville. They do not exceed 150. men.

If you will have one good [sic] Regiment of East Tennesseans, sent to the upper country, you will releive [sic] us, and get the lasting gratitude of the people of that section. Unless you [sic] do something I feel that there is no hope, and therefore, in the name of your old neighbors, and in my own, I earnestly call on you, for prompt [sic] action. We want our own men, who know the roads [sic] & the fords [sic], & who feel an interest in the country and its inhabitants.

Please answer.

Truly Yr Friend

J Netherland

Papers of Andrew Johnson, Vol. 6, p. 707.

 

 

1865

 

            25, Initiation of anti-guerrilla scouts in Knox, Anderson, Campbell, Montgomery, White, Overton, and Fentress counties, and between Little River and Tennessee River

HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Nashville, Tenn., May 25, 1865

Maj. Gen. GEORGE STONEMAN, Cmdg. District of East Tennessee, Knoxville:

GEN.: The major-general commanding directs that you send a force of cavalry of the region disturbed by guerrillas, starting from Knoxville and scouring the counties of Knox, Anderson, Campbell, and Montgomery to Morgan, where it will meet a force sent by Maj.-Gen. Rousseau through the counties of White, Overton, Fentress, and Montgomery. Maj.-Gen. Rousseau will confer with you as to the time of starting so that the commands will meet at Morgan. After having met the command of Maj.-Gen. Rousseau your command will return south, and pass through the counties of Roane, Rhea, and Hamilton crossing the Tennessee River somewhere in the neighborhood of Dallas, and returning to Knoxville. You will at the same time send a command to scour the country between Little River and the Holston. The object of this expedition is to destroy the guerrillas and restore quiet to the country.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WM. D. WHIPPLE, Brig.-Gen. and Chief of Staff

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 49, pt. II, p. 905.

            25, Anti-guerrilla expedition to White, Overton, Fentress and Montgomery and Morgan counties

HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, May 25, 1865

Maj. Gen. L. H. ROUSSEAU, Cmdg. District of Middle Tennessee:

GEN.: The major-general commanding the department directs that you send the Fourth Tennessee (mounted) Infantry, Col. Blackburn commanding, through White, Overton, Fentress, and Montgomery Counties to Morgan for the purpose of restoring quiet to that region, now so much infested by guerrillas. Orders will be sent Gen. Stoneman, commanding in East Tennessee, to send a force to the same region by another route, and the major-general commanding desire that you will confer with him as to the time of starting, that the two commands may meet at Morgan. After having met Gen. Stoneman's command your force will return to Alexandria and report.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WM. D. WHIPPLE, Brig.-Gen., and Chief of Staff.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 49, pt. II, p. 904.

            25, Report on fortifications at Johnsonville, Fort Donelson, Clarksville and Memphis

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR-GEN. OF FORTIFICATIONS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Nashville, Tenn., May 25, 1865.

Maj. Gen. GEORGE H. THOMAS, Cmdg. Mil. Div. of the Miss. West of Allegheny [sic] Mountains:

I have the honor to submit the following report of my inspection of the defenses at Johnsonville, Fort Donelson, Clarksville, and Memphis, with accompanying drawings:[11]

JOHNSONVILLE.

I inspected this position February 24, 1865, with a view to constructing further defenses on both sides of the river. The garrison of this post previous to Hood's invasion built a redoubt for six guns on the spur of the hill overlooking the depot, and when the place was threatened in November, 1864, two advanced batteries and rifle-pits were thrown up to defend the post. The attack by Forrest's troops came from the opposite or western side of the river. As there were no redoubts on that bank the enemy planted his batteries so as to completely control the river at the landing and the landing itself, which was flat and entirely exposed to their guns. The position was not yielded, though the boats and warehouses were destroyed. Instructions were given after my examination to erect a fort opposite the landing at Johnsonville and an additional one on the hill of the east bank. The rapid march of events since and the determination to abandon this position as a depot have rendered additional forts unnecessary. The bridges on the Northeestern Railroad between Nashville and Johnsonville were defended by block-houses until Hood's invasion, which compelled the abandonment of this line. Of course these defenses and the bridges themselves were destroyed by the enemy. The reconstruction of these block-houses was commenced to protect the bridges against guerrilla gangs, but in consequence of the breaking up of the rebellion all labor on these defenses has been suspended.

FORT DONELSON.

I inspected this position February 26, 1865, in company with the commanding general. The fort is large and irregular, conforming to the ground. The gorge is flanked. Most of the line is broken into salient and re-entering angles. It has a good command, though in some parts the hill slopes are too steep to be swept by canister. The ditches were well excavated, so as to give steep scarps not readily scaled. Seven barbette guns constituted the armament at the date of my inspection. Twenty guns could readily be mounted in Fort Donelson, and the interior space is large enough for a regiment; besides, it is connected with the river by two lines of rifle-pits inclosing the buildings belonging to the post. The fort had a good magazine well covered; directions were given to the commanding officer to repair the slight damages which had occurred to the breast-height wattling and to keep the work in good order with his command. The garrison of Fort Donelson controlled to some extent the country about and especially the narrow strip toward the Tennessee and had a favorable influence upon the navigation of the Cumberland. The fort is unnecessarily large, simply to hold the position, but for a garrison large enough to extend its influence to patrol in all directions its magnitude is not inappropriate.

CLARKSVILLE.

When the commanding general stopped at Clarksville sufficient time was not allowed to examine the fort. I could only see it is passing and from the town. The work was laid out and partly finished by the rebels before the position was occupied by the U. S. forces. Immediately after its occupation our troops finished the construction as laid out. The fort is large and partially flanked and has a sufficient magazine, which has required some repairs to prevent leakage. Its site is upon the hill which overlooks the city at long range. As Clarksville could not be an important depot, it required no defenses further than this simple fort to control the city and vicinity. Shoals in the river below Clarksville prevented transportation to Nashville during the summer by that route, and for two-thirds of the year the Cumberland is navigable to Nashville. All labor of a defensive nature has ceased on the railroad from Clarksville to Nashville and the trains have been removed by the chief quartermaster of the department.

MEMPHIS.

I inspected Fort Pickering, at Memphis, March 26, 1865, in company with the commanding general. These fortifications have been much criticized. At the time Fort Pickering was commenced it was desirable to build speedily a fort to cover not Memphis, but rather a depot, yet with power to control the city and drive out an enemy should he venture within its limits. The city might have been surrounded on a contour line of six miles, as the opposite bank of the river is low, and no danger was apprehended in that direction. Such a line would have required twelve redoubts half a mile apart and six miles of infantry intrenchment. Two interior forts as keeps to the position, to drive back the enemy, should he succeed in breaking the line at any point, would have been requisite for the most approved defense. These redoubts would have developed a line of artillery parapet at least one mile and a half long. It may well be doubted if such a line, though vigorously commenced, would have been finished during the war. Fort Pickering, with its keep, has a crest of about two miles and a half-length. If we except Washington, upon which immense labor has been expended, no city has been thoroughly defended with redoubts and infantry lines upon a development of six miles, as indicated above. Nashville as a depot, second to none other in the United States exposed to attack, has stood through the war but partially fortified, though the fate of the great Western armies, with their immense territorial conquests, were dependent upon it as a base of supplies. The continuous lines around Knoxville and Chattanooga, secondary depots, though important military positions, have been but recently finished. The most complete fortifications, perhaps, in Tennessee, that near Murfreesborough, employed the Army of the Cumberland six months, though its development with its interior constructions is less than three miles. Memphis was fortunate to secure so speedily the defense of Fort Pickering, and I do not doubt that its existence has prevented any serious demonstration against the place. It does not seem, however, to have been used by the quartermaster and commissary departments, as originally intended, though a rail track has been constructed from the river below through the fort to unite with the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. Fort Pickering was built mostly beyond the occupied portion of Memphis, on the plateau south of the city, with interior space supposed sufficient for ordnance, commissary, and quartermaster store-houses. It is one mile and a half long and quite narrow; the interior being a plateau with but slight depressions, is not so favorable for sites of store-houses as irregular ground with ravines would have been. Such store-houses, had they been erected, might have been covered by traverses. Gen. Gillmore inspected the works at Memphis in December, 1864, and recommended that five small redoubts should be constructed in advance of Fort Pickering to prevent an enemy from establishing mortar batteries in the near ravines to shell the fort. Without laying so much stress upon the mortar batteries, had Fort Pickering been made as intended the inclosed depot for Memphis, such advanced works would have been necessary to prevent an attacking force, favored by the irregular ground, from securing within easy range direct ricochet or vertical fire upon the inclosure with its store-houses, garrison, and employes; especially would it have been necessary to hold the position "A" from which Fort Pickering could have been enfiladed. Absolute security by means of fortifications can be attained only by excessive labor. Fort Pickering was probably quite as secure with its usual garrison as other positions of equal importance in Tennessee or elsewhere. This fort is mostly a broken line. Its ditches are therefore swept. It is fairly constructed, has a good command, so that the parapet gives excellent cover to the defenders; some traverses along the crest and some within the work would have been judicious, furnished excellent resting places for portions of the garrison not on duty. The ditches are from six to seven feet deep, and excavated on so steep a slope (which the tenacious soil permits) that it would be difficult to get over the parapet without ladders, and especially so under canister and musketry flank fire. The work therefore may be pronounced strong as an obstacle, which obstacle has been increased in portions of the contour line by inclined palisades placed in advance. It would be very difficult to assault Fort Pickering. Of course such scarps, from the effect of frosts and rain, will gradually crumble, but the garrison can and should remove the debris from the foot of the scarp. The interior work or keep is not in so finished a condition as the main work. There are some magazines near the parapet and under its cover. At the south end of the fort two ancient mounds are used as barbette batteries, which have a fine command over the country. Sea-coast guns on front or center pintles are placed in barbette in the salients of the work. It is questionable if they could be used thus exposed were the fort seriously attacked, unless the broken ground in front were held, as recommended, by advanced redoubts. Some field pieces at the re-enterings in embrasure defend the ditches and sweep the ground in front of the salients. Many of these sea-coast carriages are old, cracked, and quite defective. The armament must be pronounced bad. Rifled guns, both field and siege, with some Napoleons, would be more effective. I presume when Fort Pickering was constructed and armed the best armament was not available. It was doubtless necessary to use such guns as were on hand, including those taken from the enemy. In the north part of the fort toward the city is a large store-house used by the ordnance department. This building is covered from attack in the south by a stockade marked A on the plan. Between B and D the parapet has been dismantled. The new line, C, D, has been constructed to diminish the interior capacity of Fort Pickering, for the reason that the line was looked upon as too long to be secure with the usual garrison of Memphis. The parapet of this line has been recently constructed and several traverses commenced to cover its defenders, especially the gunners, against ricochet and even obliquely reverse fire. This portion was well advanced when inspected by me and was nearly ready for its armament. Strong stockades extend the north and south lines of Fort Pickering down the steep banks to the river. No barracks nor store-houses of any importance have been built within the fort. Some buildings standing near the ordnance depot before the fort was constructed are used by the garrison. Below Fort Pickering on the river's edge is a water battery armed with five 8-inch sea-coast howitzers--a feeble armament. The colonel commanding Fort Pickering designed and commenced a series of small works to surround the city. Some small enclosures with a connecting ditch or strong picket fence might have been a useful cover to the picket-line against surprise by cavalry; but it was too late to commence inclosing Memphis by a regular line of works and infantry entrenchments in the fourth year of the war. Though not familiar with the history of the defenses of Memphis, I have been informed that Gen. Halleck at the time of its occupation gave directions for the construction of a fort large enough to accommodate a garrison of 10,000 men. Gen. Webster and Capt. Jenney, serving as topographical officers, mostly superintended the construction, which was in great part executed by hired blacks. As Memphis will be one of the principal places in Tennessee to be occupied for the next year, perhaps for a series of years by a large garrison, and as it will doubtless be the headquarters of the District of West Tennessee, and perhaps of Northern Mississippi, as well as a depot, Fort Pickering will be retained and garrisoned. As the fort is very large, it will not be necessary to preserve the whole line. Too much labor would be required to keep it in repair. Probably the north part containing the ordnance store-house can be dismounted when the army is reduced. Preserving the fort south of the line C D, the interior space along the river-bank will be 6,000 feet long, much more than is needed unless the depot is wholly removed from the city and placed within the fort. As it will without doubt be necessary to pay rent for the ground occupied, and as light frame store-houses and carpenter and blacksmith shops can be cheaply built, more cheaply than rented within a city, it is probable that Fort Pickering will be occupied as the depot. The disposition to be made of any part of it therefore can only be decided after determining all the questions connected with the manner of occupying Memphis upon the peace establishment.

I inclose two tracings,[12] one of Memphis with Fort Pickering and the redoubts proposed for inclosing the city; the other of the fort simply showing its armament. Sketches of Johnsonville, Clarksville, and Fort Donelson accompany this report. I have not thought it necessary to attempt to describe these forts in detail. They are nearly all of similar profile, and the drawings show their contour line. That at Johnsonville was hastily built by the garrison, and is inferior in finish and strength to most of the redoubts of the Department of the Cumberland.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Z. B. TOWER, Brig. Gen. and Insp. Gen. of Fortifications, Mil. Div. of the Miss.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 49, pt. II, pp. 898-901.

            25, Deadline for administration of loyalty oaths in Middle Tennessee

HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Nashville, May 25, 1865

Maj.-Gen. MILROY, Tullahoma:

No more amnesty oaths will be administered to either soldiers or citizens, and all are repudiated and annulled which have been taken since the 15th day of December last.

GEO. H. THOMAS, Maj.-Gen., U. S. Army, Cmdg.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 49, pt. II, p. 905

            25, Peace comes to the Cherry Creek community in White County; an excerpt from the journal of Amanda McDowell

There has so much taken place that I shall not try to write it all. But I guess peace is made. That is all I care much for. The soldiers have all come that are alive and able to get here. They say they are not whipped but "overpowered," but I wonder what is the difference. The guerillas [sic] all surrendered but "Old Champ" (and some say another one or two) and he went back and offered to give up but they refused to take him and told him to go back and wait for further orders....

Diary of Amanda McDowell.

            25, Much of Dyersburg is burned [see May 26, 1865, Observations made by an ex-Confederate soldier from the Army of Tennessee while on his way home to his home in Dyersburgh environs above]

            25, An End to Amnesty Oaths in the Department of the Cumberland

HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Nashville, May 25, 1865

Maj.-Gen. MILROY,

Tullahoma:

No more amnesty oaths will be administered to either soldiers or citizens, and all are repudiated and annulled which have been taken since the 15th day of December last.

GEO. H. THOMAS, Maj.-Gen., U. S. Army, Cmdg.

OR, Vol. 49, pt. II, p. 905.

            25, "…Elkins drew up a double barreled gun and discharged two loads at me…." The Provost Marshal case of Benjamin Edens, assault and battery near Wartrace, Bedford County

I live near Wartrace Bedford Co Tenn on or about the 25th day of Nov 1864 I went to the house of Bill Elkins citizen of Wartrace to procure a Govt mule which I obtained to leave to procure and work throughout he winter from Lt in charge of the block house near Wartrace. I told Elkins that I had come for my mule as I had tracked him to his house he remarked he had no mule and his colored men without making hay remarked drew up a pistol and fired at me the ball taking effect in my head. I was then running and looking back. I saw four Negroes with Elkins at the head mounted on horses the party got within ten yards of me when Elkins drew up a double barreled gun and discharged two loads at me the loads were slugs one took effect in my left arm near the elbow and the other in the back of the head. I fell to the ground and remained perfectly still. They rote about me for a few minutes one of them remarked he's dead as hell. After the rode away I managed to get to my house some one hundred and fifty yards distant with the aid of my wife and boy. My arm has been amputated and is not thoroughly well yet. I am still suffering from the wounds in my head.

Fire & Blood, p. 193.

            26, Orders for processing returning Army of Tennessee veterans

HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,

Nashville, May 26, 1865

Brevet Maj.-Gen. WILSON, Macon, Ga.:

The oath of allegiance is not required of officers or soldiers of the Confederate army paroled under Johnston's surrender who desire to come to the State of Tennessee or Kentucky if their homes are in those States. Will send your telegram of this date in regard to vegetables, &c., to Sanitary Commission. Also have telegraphed Paymaster-Gen. in regard to pay. He says that the whole army will be paid up to date as soon as he can get the funds….The remainder of your cavalry is to come to Tennessee, to be mustered out and reorganized--those whose term expires before 31st of October to be mustered out, the remainder, to be consolidated into maximum regiments, taking men from the same States to fill up regiments. A portion of these will be turned over to Gen. Sheridan and the remainder distributed to aid in restoring law and order in Kentucky, Alabama, and Mississippi.

GEO. H. THOMAS Maj.-Gen., U. S. Army, Cmdg.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 49, pt. II, pp. 909-910.

            26, Fourth Tennessee Mounted Infantry ordered to clear White, Overton, Montgomery and Fentress counties of guerrillas

HDQRS. DISTRICT OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE,

May 26, 1865

Maj. Gen. G. STONEMAN, Cmdg. District of East Tennessee, Knoxville, Tenn.;

I am directed by the major-general commanding the department to send the Fourth Tennessee (mounted) Infantry, Col. Blackburn commanding, through White, Overton, Montgomery and Fentress Counties for the purpose of clearing that country of guerrillas, and to co-operate with a force sent out by you by another route to meet my command at Morgan. Please confer with me as to the time of starting, that the two commands may meet at Morgan after having performed the task assigned them. The force sent out by me will be directed to return to Alexandria.

L. H. ROUSSEAU, Maj.-Gen.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 49, pt. II, p. 911.

            26, Observations made by an ex-Confederate soldier from the Army of Tennessee while on his way home in Dyersburgh environs

....We arrived at Booths [sic] point a little after day light[.] 13 [sic] of us got off and soon struck for our respective homes[.] a part of the road was pretty mudy [sic] be we pushed on arriving at Dyersburg before 11 oclk [sic]. [sic] I took dinner with my revered friend G W D [sic] Harris D. D. I left his house about one oclk [sic]. [sic] passed through Dyersburg which had been afflicted with a pretty heavy burning the night before. I proceeded towards home meeting a number of old friends and acquaintances all of whom appeared glad to see me. I arrived at home a little after sunset [and] found my family up and in tolerable health except my wife who is afflicted with dispepsa [sic] [.] I felt in my heart to thank God I was at home once more where if permitted to remain undisturbed I expect to spend my days let them be many or few[.]

Arthur Tyler Fielder Diaries.

 



[1] As cited from the Knoxville Whig. May 25, 1861.

[2] As cited in PQCW.

[3] This may have been the skirmish at Winchester, see above, May 24, 1862.

[4] This may have been the skirmish at Winchester, see above, May 24, 1862.

[5]Valley of the Shadow.

[6] To paraphrase the rest of the article in the Daily Rebel: this oath was made in duplicate with one copy going to the Provost Marshal's office and one to the person. If the Provost Marshal doubted the sincerity of the applicant that person was called upon to give bond.

If a person refused to take the oath he was to be declared an enemy.

Enemies were not allowed to vote and lost all other rights guaranteed to citizens of the United States.

One year was alloted to come forth.

Giving aid and comfort to the enemy was punishable by death.

Property of the enemy was to be confiscated.

All those with Union sentiments were invited to take the oath.

Chattanooga Daily Rebel, June 28, 1863.

[7] See also Memphis Bulletin, May 30, 1863.

[8] There appears to be no reference to this case in the OR. Whether the Confederate Congressional delegation was able to save him is likewise unknown.

[9] GALEGROUP - - TSLA 19TH CN   .

[10] There is no other reference in the OR to more accurately date, substantiate or describe this event at Wesley Camp. The Seventh Kansas apparently had a reputation for misconduct. See January 3, 1863 "Action at Somerville" above.

[11] See Plate CXIV, maps 4,5, and 6, and Plate CXV, maps 1 and 2, of the Atlas.

[12] Not included in OR.

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