Notes from Civil War Tennessee,
March 9, 1862-1865
1862
9, Nashville Correspondence relative to Confederate climate of opinion prior to and the fall of Nashville
Letter from Nashville, Tennessee. We are permitted to publish the following extracts from a letter to Mrs. Joshua Abbot, of this city, from her daughter, Mrs. William Kelsey, who has lived several years in Nashville, Tennessee:
Edgefield (near Nashville) March 9, 1862.
My dear M-----: How shall I ever be able to express the various emotions that fill my heart, now that I am again permitted to write to you. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and praise him for his deliverance. He has carried us thus far through many sore trials. – Our lives have been spared, though enemies have surrounded us – those who have openly declared they would burn our houses, and some even have said they would be glad to see W---- hung. W-----has been reported to a vigilance committee several times, and if they could have turned us out of door, they would have gladly done so, but here we are yet, and surrounded by soldiers of the Federal Army. But let me go back. Three weeks ago last Sabbath, Johnston's rebel army passed here, in retreat from Bowling Green – thousands of poor, broken-down, scared creatures. Many of them were in rags and half starved. Some of them with whom I talked said their pursuers were right at their heels. For twelve hours the streamed by our door, some stopping to beg victuals, then hurrying on in their flight, expecting to find Nashville fortified so that it might be a place of refuge for them. But there were no forts or reinforcements there, so through the city they went, as fast as legs could carry them, and off to the South.
The next morning those very men that have been at the head of the rebellion in Nashville were missing; among them were four Methodist ministers, agents of the great publishing house. They were of the hottest sort of Secesh, and have left their fine houses and go to parts unknown. All the week after the surrender of Fort Donelson, the authorities were pressing men to work, taking them from their homes. They got W-----one day, and he had to carry bacon all day through a drenching rain. The next day an order was issued from the rebel government that every man who could bear arms should come out and fight for the South. W----- went to the woods and stayed all one day; the next day word came that houses would be searched. That night was one of much anxiety to us, for they would not spare us; the Union men would be hunted down, and we had been among the first who dared proclaim their true sentiments. A friend proposed to W----- to take a trip down the river, and I almost compelled him to go, as I knew he would then be safe for a short time. The next morning we heard horsemen riding by very early, and L----- dressed herself as quickly as she could, took her little Union flag, and ran down to the gate. Some men were riding past, and she said to them, "Are you Yankees?" "Yes, right from Yankeedom." She waved her flag, at which the seemed greatly delighted. They were pickets in advance of Buell's army. We soon had them in to breakfast, and were relieved of all our troubles, for they were friends such as we had not seen for a long time. W----- came home the day after, and found a house full of soldiers. He was just beside himself with joy.
I should have that before our Union friends came, General Floyd ordered the two bridges between Nashville and us to be destroyed. This has nearly ruined this place. It was a fiendish act, and has already made many Union men here. It is a great loss to the citizens. The army gets along well enough, for they have many boats for crossing.
There is no business going on here; very few stores are open, and hardly anything doing. The manufacture of soldiers' clothes kept many families from starving during the winter, but that has stopped, and now what will become of them? You will hardly believe what high prices we have had to pay for everything. Calico, 50 cents per yard; cotton thread, 20 cents per spool; unbleached shirting, 25 cents per yard; four, $10 per barrel; lard, 25 cents per pound; pork, 18 cents per pound; potatoes and apples, $4 each per barrel; salt, $18 per barrel; coffee, $1 per pound; tea, $4 per pound; butter, 48 cents per pound; but I can never tell one half of the miseries brought upon Tennessee by those who have ruled us. The heel of the oppressor is now moved, and I hope we may never be crushed beneath it again.
New Hampshire Statesman, April 5, 1862.[1]
1863
9, Confederate scouts, College Grove, Eagleville, Harpeth Creek vicinities
CHAPEL HILL, March 9, 1863.
Gen. LEONIDAS POLK, Hdqrs. Shelbyville, Tenn.:
GEN.: The only item of news since my last, at 10 this a. m., is contained in inclosed note[2] from my picket outpost at Riggs' cross-roads; it is corroborated by some citizens coming in since. Maj. [W. A.] Johnson, of my regiment, has gone out to investigate the matter, and engage the enemy if they advance on us. I send this via Unionville, that Col. [A. A.] Russell may know all that I do of the enemy's movements.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. D. RODDEY, Col.
CHAPEL HILL, March [9], 1863--10 p. m.
Lieut. Gen. LEONIDAS POLK, Hdqrs. Shelbyville, Tenn.:
GEN.: I send you all the information I have obtained since my last, at 4 o'clock. When my scouts left College Grove, at 4 p. m., they saw the enemy's pickets standing on the hill at Dr. Webb's place, south side of Harpeth Creek. When I left the vicinity of Eagleville this evening, two of my guides promised to remain in the vicinity all night, but they came in at 7 o'clock, and stated that the enemy were in Eagleville one hour after we left; but as they did not see them, I don't consider it reliable. I have a reliable scout in the vicinity of the enemy, who have not yet returned.
I wish to make this explanation: I was ordered by Gen. Bragg to report to you, and by you to report to Gen. Wheeler. Afterward Gen. Wheeler ordered me to report to Col. Hagan, and by Col. [J.] Hagan to keep up constant communication with Col. Russell, at Unionville, of everything in my vicinity. I understood from that order that Col. Russell would keep him advised, and that it was unnecessary for me to make any other report. I hope the above explanation will be satisfactory. Not having been instructed to report to you, I thought it might be a breach of etiquette to report otherwise than through my brigade commander. I would like very much to know what is considered to be [the duty] of an officer occupying my position [in front]. I have heretofore, for want of a knowledge of the [country], been unable to ascertain the object or strength [illegible[3]], of the enemy, except by skirmishing with and fighting [illegible], which I have done every chance, but so far [illegible] no party of theirs I could cope with, and have to give back. Yet I am fully satisfied. We have punished them much worse than they have us, notwithstanding Col. [J. M.] Warren ran into a party at College Grove and lost some thirty-odd of his men. (It was done by my order.)
I am, most respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. D. RODDEY, Col., Cmdg.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 23, pt. II, p. 676.
9, Skirmish between bushwhackers and Confederate cavalry at Smokey Creek in Scott County
We left Brimstone last night and crossed the mountain toward New River. Arrived at New River this morning.
A party under Capt. Rheagan was sent out to day to make an excursion up Smokey [sic] Creek. They did not advance far up the creek until they were fired on by a party of bushwhackers, of which Rheagan claimed to have counted 24. Several rounds were exchanged before the enemy was repulsed, which was unusual stubbornness for bushwhackers, as they usually fire one round and then run. Rheagan's party numbered 23 men. I will say here that all of Scot [sic] County and a great deal of contiguous territory, both in Tennessee and Kentucky, is a solid bed of rugged and precipitous mountains, cut and gashed in all directions with deep ravines, and all having rushing streams of water in them. Most of the inhabitants live along these streams, though some live high up on the mountains. The roads along these streams are often more trails, and the mountain bordering the streams are often so steep and craggy that bushwhackers can conceal themselves in good rifle range of a road and fire into a column of cavalry with perfect impunity, as it would often require one hour of hard climbing on foot to reach them, and by that time they are as fleet-footed as a deer. If they had the courage and discipline of soldiers they would be hard to conquer, but that is where they are lacking. The crack of a gun seems to inspire them with an irresistible inclination to run.
Diary of William A. Sloan, March 9, 1863.
9, A case of mistaken identity during an expedition by the 7th Kansas and 4th Illinois
Monday, 9th -- We are in marching order on time 250 strong under command of Maj. Merriman. We moved east to Colliersville [sic], then north three miles across Wood [Wolf?] River, where we were joined by 120 men of the 4th Ill. Cavalry under Col Wallace who assumed command of the expedition. We continued our march thorough Fisherville, which is only a name of a neighborhood, and about noon passed Hickory With [Wythe]. Here we fed horses. While there, our rear guard was fired upon by a party of citizens and one of our outpost pickets was captured. Passing on from there we crossed the Hatchy [sic] River. A Union man by the name of Forbes mistook us for rebels in disguise and fired upon our advance. In the skirmish which followed he killed one of our men and wounded another. His house was fired to burn him out as he was strongly barricaded inside. When he came out and learned his mistake he was very sorry, as were we. He was seriously wounded in the hand. He was a strong Union man and had been active as a scout and spy for us, and could live at home but little on account of the rebel sentiment all around him....
Pomeroy Diaries, March 9. 1863.
9, Disease and death in the camp of the 100th Indiana Volunteer Infantry in the Collierville environs according to Sergeant Theodore Osburn Winther
We came back to camp yesterday[4] and find that since were away the other Companies have built a fine little fort close by the Depot and also thrown up rifle pits in several places and are now digging a well 6 feet square. They are down about 40 feet and soon expect to find water which we very much need for the water here is poor, mostly [from] shallow wells.
A great many of the boys are sick and in the hospital. Reuben Allspaugh, George M Clark, William P. Hunt, Samuel Heistand, William Miller, Amos Reed, Hubert Starr, and George Wixon have died since we came here. All [are] of my company. So with those absent from duty, or sick, our company can only muster 37 men for duty. And less than a years [sic] service! What will it be in three years? A good many of the Regiment have died of small pox. None of my Company, however. We have all been vaccinated. I tried it twice but it did not take. We have a pest camp a couple of miles out.
Civil War Letters of Theodore Osburn Winther, pp. 52-53.
ca. 9, "They boys behaved well and have lost that shaky feeling which seemed to come over them when first called out." Combat along the Wolf River environs; an account by Sergeant Theodore Osburn Winther, 100th Indiana Volunteer Infantry
Some of the Companies which are at Collierville came out and we all went on a scout across Wolf River, a good sized stream, some two miles from our stockade running nearly paralell with the R.R. We had some trouble getting across. Found a canoe (Uncle Jimmy). [sic] Leieut [sic] Boyd got into it and promptly upset, and would have drowned if some of the boys had not fished him out. We finaly [sic] found a foot bridge and got across. We soon found where the Rebels had been. They ran away so quick they left their camp fires with their breckfast [sic] cooking. We captured an officer, his horse, and a lot of saddles, bridles, blankets, and arms. We moved down the River and got another officer, several privates and some 75 mules besides a number of god horses; also a quantity of arms of various kinds which we found in the houses which we searched for them and where the Rebels win their hats had thrown them away. [sic] Among the rest was a fine sharp shoot's rifle made in England with telescope sights. It has been given to John Bean of our company who aspires to be a sharpshooter. After a march of more than fifty miles with but little rest we returned to our log foot bridge with the Rebels close behind us exchanging shots. But they did not dare come very close and we crossed the river safely with our captures. Major Parrett was with us but Captain R. M. Johnson had command of this expedition and managed it so well that the men have great confidence in him. They boys behaved well and have lost that shaky feeling which seemed to come over them when first called out. Once or twice the bullets came pretty close. I felt a little nervous when we came to cross the foot bridge but we posted a good guard to cover us while crossing and got over it all right.[5]
Civil War Letters of Theodore Osburn Winther, pp. 49-50.
9-10, Skirmish with R. V. Richardson's Partisan Rangers near Concordance and the capture of Confederate Brigadier General Robert H. Looney, 7th Kansas and 6th Illinois cavalry
Tuesday, 10th.-We left camp near Gallaway at daylight and two hours march brought us to Concordance, a very small dilapidated village, near where our advance met a company of 39 Guerillas [sic] with their chief Richardson. They fled without firing a shot. We chased them several miles without capturing them. The object for our expedition was to break up Richardson's force. Col. Grierson of the 6th Ill. Cavalry is cooperating with us. He had met Richardson's band yesterday [9th] morning, captured his camp and train, killed 25 men, wounded others, and captured many and scattered the remainder....Near Wythe Station on the Memphis & Charleston we came upon the rebel brigder [sic] general [Robert F.] Looney, Major Branford, Capt Wright and a Lieut. Col. They had just reached home on furlough. We capture all but the latter who succeeded in escaping. It was abed for them to have their visit spoiled but such is the fortune of war. Gen. Looney and staff was on recruiting service in West Tennessee. We put a stop to that business. We bivouacked on the plantation where these captures were made. It had been cold and rainy all day. It cleared off soon after we camped and our bright campfires were a great comfort.
Pomerory Diaries, March 10, 1863.
RICHARDSON SURPRISED.
HIS CAMP BURNED AND COMMAND SCATTERED.
He Loses Twenty-five Killed.
Capture of Gen. Robt. F. Looney and Staff
Intelligence has reached the city that on Monday last [9th] Col. Richardson, a guerrilla leader, formerly residing in this city, was surprised, and with his band captured. It appears that Richardson and his men were lying in camp within four or five miles of Covington, Tennessee, and at 10 o'clock on Monday morning, the camp was suddenly and unexpectedly set upon by Federal troops. The surprise was complete. As many of the men as could, got away, but Richardson and nearly four hundred of his men are reported as captured. The prisoners have not arrived here, and we have no particulars of the affair. We have no doubt, however, from the sources from whence we derive our information, that the camp was surprised and taken.
LATER.
We have since learned that Richardson himself escaped, though he lost 25 men killed, and his men were chased until they scattered into by-places in squads of one or two.
Richardson escaped by hard running.
We also learn the Gen. Robt. F. Looney, Major Staford, Capt. Bright, and Lieutenant Williams, together with most of his command, were captured yesterday near Wythe depot by Col. Lee's cavalry.
Gen Looney and his command will probably be brought into the city today. They were at Col. Lee's headquarters at Germantown last night.
Memphis Bulletin, March 12, 1863.
The Surprise and Rout of Guerrillas in West Tennessee.
We take the following account of the surprise and route of Richardson's Guerrillas, in West Tennessee, from the Memphis Bulletin of the 13th:
It appears the attack was made from the south by Col. Grierson, and Richardson's force attempted to make a vigorous fight. The attacking and opposing forces were about equal, and the fight was a warm one, lasting about six hours. Richardson's men were poorly prepared to fight, but made the best use of their means, fighting as they retreated. The line of their retreat was toward the north. Twenty-two of their men were found killed on the field, and thirty one of the prisoners taken in the engagement are already in the Irving Block.
Among them is the notorious guerrilla Cushman, who was recently captured near Fort Pillow, and subsequently escaped from Columbus, Kentucky. Cushman, it seems, had joined Richardson's band, and in the fight on Tuesday was wounded in the right arm, the ball entering above the wrist and coming out near the elbow. Cushman is a hard looking Christian, and if there is anything in looks he is a bad man. Only a portion of the command of Colonel Grierson had returned, and they, with prisoners, and there is no reason to believe the defeat and dispersal of Richardson was even worse than the first report made of it. As already stated, the entire camp was broken up; twenty-two of them were known to have been killed, and thirty-one taken prisoners. The number of their wounded is unknown. In fact the full measure of success cannot be ascertained until the pursuit is given up. Only two men were known to have been killed on our side.
There was a report that General Looney was among the prisoners brought in last night, but if he was we did not see him – General Looney, it seems, was sent out to recruit in West Tennessee. He was opposed to Richardson's thieving operations, and reported him to General Pemberton, who at once ordered Richardson to report at Grenada. This he refused to do, feeling that the Confederates could not send a force to take him, as he was hemmed in and protected by Union bayonets. Richardson is said to have done a big business in the conscripting line. He forced everyone who was able to do so to pay him $1,000 for release from military duty, and divided with some show of liberality among his men. The consequence was he managed to keep a goodly number of men with him. All who could not pay $500 for exemption had to be conscripted.
Milwaukee Daily Sentinel, March 25, 1863.[6]
1864
9, Visiting neighbors in Union-occupied Shelby County, an entry in Belle Edmondson's diary
March, Wednesday 9, 1864
Tate and I went over to Mrs. Clayton early this morning-had to pass through the Yankee Camp, no trouble, spent the day and came back this evening. Hal and Dink came with us-Tate's horse threw her, not hurt, I was never so full of laugh-reached home about dark. After Tea we were all sitting in the Parlor when in walked Joe Clayton and Mr. McCorkle, our little St. Louis friend, he has a furlough, and is going to St. Louis and New York to see his Father and Sister-we were all delighted to see him. All sat in the Parlor until 11 o'clock, singing, playing and had a real nice time. Laura and I were not so lonely. Hal shared my little room-I heard of my letters in town, but could not get any one to bring them to me. Mr. Wilson took one of those Yankees prisoner the other evening, and got him a fine Saddle and Bridle, so he has made up for his loss at the Party. Oh! I am suffering so much with my spine, what is to become of me-
Mrs. Dupre arrived from Dixie, sent Helen two letters by me. I was so much disappointed that I did not get one. I expect my friends will all forget me now that I cannot run to Memphis and bring what they want.
Diary of Belle Edmondson
9, Apprehension of Northern Interlopers Dominating Post-War Tennessee
RECONSTRUCTION IN TENNESSEE.
The Nashville (Tenn.) Union, a paper which advocates the most "radical" doctrines in the matter of slavery, and zealously co-operates with the President's plan of "re-construction" in Tennessee, expresses the opinion that there is nothing to discourage the friends of the Government in the spirit manifested by the people of that State. On the contrary, there is much that is encouraging. In taking the oath of amnesty required by the President as a condition of their pardon for participation in the rebellion, they manifest both sincerity and alacrity. They are endeavoring, in good faith, our contemporary says, to accomplish their part of a proffered contract and, if the President makes good his promise of restoration to rights of property, the best result maybe anticipated. It is sincerely trusted by the friends of the Government in Tennessee that there will be no disappointment in the matter, and they will deeply deplore any which may be construed into a want of good faith in the premises.
Among the causes of solicitude the "Union" recognized the presence in Tennessee of a intrusive and meddlesome population who have recently entered the State in the train of our armies, and have while doing a thriving business as sutlers, commercial agents, army contractors &c., are also apt to claim a monopoly of all the "loyalty" that is found or to be found in Tennessee. As those disinterested and self-sacrificing patriots have their congeners in other parts of the country, we give this description of that class which has its habitat in Tennessee, as described your Nashville contemporary. It says:
["]There is a rising party-or a party which is endeavoring to rise, and which will rise, if noise and impertinence can work elevation-to which we would fain believe the Government intends to give no encouragement. They have no country of their own, except Bedlam, and are forever canting about the extermination of our people, and the colonization of the country with persons like themselves. They are doubtless sincere in all they say, and would prefer that the Government should pursue such a policy as they may indicate. They would like to do all the voting, as they now endeavor to do all of the talking; for they would like to vote themselves and their tools not yet imported into all the offices. They pretend to huzzah for the President, yet they are unwilling the people of the State should return in good faith to their allegiance under his proclamation of amnesty, because that might break up the monopoly of loyalty. Loyalty being greatly diffused, by a restoration of the Government, might not be quite so lucrative. To the minds of these zealous persons, the Government has been exceedingly remiss in the matter of confiscation. They would like, no doubt, to see the absolute alienation of real estate and that conducted in a manner so rapid that each of them could buy a farm for little more than a fair per diem to the auctioneer who sells it. When the military authorities have dispensed with the use of such houses as are now found in needful in the city of Nashville, nothing would better please the pluperfect zealots than to have them put up at action to be sold only to such bidders as would take an oath of their prescription. They would see to it that the oath had something in it which no honest man could swallow, and thus exclude all bidders but themselves. Our Government has righteously invaded the houses under insurrectionary rule with a conquering army. The conquests of that army have glorified our flag, and even the nation increased reputation with the civilized world. Let us not encourage a disgraceful social invasion of Jacobins and Bedlamites to follow in the rear of our soldiers, and blot the page of their-well-earned fane."
Daily National lntelligencer (Washington, DC) March 9, 1864. [7]
1865
9, Apprehension of Northern Interlopers Dominating Post-War Tennessee
RECONSTRUCTION IN TENNESSEE.
The Nashville (Tenn.) Union, a paper which advocates the most "radical" doctrines in the matter of slavery, and zealously co-operates with the President's plan of "re-construction" in Tennessee, expresses the opinion that there is nothing to discourage the friends of the Government in the spirit manifested by the people of that State. On the contrary, there is much that is encouraging. In taking the oath of amnesty required by the President as a condition of their pardon for participation in the rebellion, they manifest both sincerity and alacrity. They are endeavoring, in good faith, our contemporary says, to accomplish their part of a proffered contract and, if the President makes good his promise of restoration to rights of property, the best result maybe anticipated. It is sincerely trusted by the friends of the Government in Tennessee that there will be no disappointment in the matter, and they will deeply deplore any which may be construed into a want of good faith in the premises.
Among the causes of solicitude the "Union" recognized the presence in Tennessee of an intrusive and meddlesome population who have recently entered the State in the train of our armies, and have while doing a thriving business as sutlers, commercial agents, army contractors &c., are also apt to claim a monopoly of all the "loyalty" that is found or to be found in Tennessee. As those disinterested and self-sacrificing patriots have their congeners in other parts of the country, we give this description of that class which has its habitat in Tennessee, as described your Nashville contemporary. It says:
["]There is a rising party-or a party which is endeavoring to rise, and which will rise, if noise and impertinence can work elevation-to which we would fain believe the Government intends to give no encouragement. They have no country of their own, except Bedlam, and are forever canting about the extermination of our people, and the colonization of the country with persons like themselves. They are doubtless sincere in all they say, and would prefer that the Government should pursue such a policy as they may indicate. They would like to do all the voting, as they now endeavor to do all of the talking; for they would like to vote themselves and their tools not yet imported into all the offices. They pretend to huzzah for the President, yet they are unwilling the people of the State should return in good faith to their allegiance under his proclamation of amnesty, because that might break up the monopoly of loyalty. Loyalty being greatly diffused, by a restoration of the Government, might not be quite so lucrative. To the minds of these zealous persons, the Government has been exceedingly remiss in the matter of confiscation. They would like, no doubt, to see the absolute alienation of real estate and that conducted in a manner so rapid that each of them could buy a farm for little more than a fair per diem to the auctioneer who sells it. When the military authorities have dispensed with the use of such houses as are now found in needful in the city of Nashville, nothing would better please the pluperfect zealots than to have them put up at action to sold only to such bidders as would take an oath of their prescription. They would see to it that the oath had something in it which no honest man could swallow, and thus exclude all bidders but themselves. Our Government has righteously invaded the houses under insurrectionary rule with a conquering army. The conquests of that army have glorified our flag, and even the nation increased reputation with the civilized world. Let us not encourage a disgraceful social invasion of Jacobins and Bedlamites to follow in the rear of our soldiers, and blot the page of their-well-earned fane."
Daily National lntelligencer, (Washington, DC) March 9, 1865. [8]
9 – April 10, 1865, The case of Ramsey, Sperry and Fox, prisoners of war in Knoxville
RICHMOND, March 9, 1865.
Lieut. Col. JOHN E. MULFORD, Assistant Agent of Exchange:
SIR: I have learned that Messrs. Ramsey, Sperry, and Fox, citizens of Tennessee, are kept chained together and made to parade the streets of Knoxville. I will thank you to make inquiry into this matter, and if it is found to be true, that you will have them relieved from such ignominious punishment.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
RO. OULD, Agent of Exchange.
[First indorsement.]
HDQRS. ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES, City Point, Va., March 17, 1865.
Respectfully referred to Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas, commanding Department of the Cumberland, for report in this case.
By command of Lieut.-Gen. Grant:
T. S. BOWERS, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
[Second indorsement.]
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Nashville, Tenn., March 25, 1865.
Respectfully referred to Col. J. G. Parkhurst, provost-marshal-general, Department of the Cumberland, for report. This paper to be returned.
By command of Maj.-Gen. Thomas:
SOUTHWARD HOFFMAN, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
[Third indorsement.]
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, OFFICE PROVOST-MARSHAL-GEN., Nashville, March 26, 1865.
Respectfully referred to Col. L. S. Trowbridge, provost-marshal-general of East Tennessee, for report.
By command of Maj.-Gen. Thomas:
R. M. GOODWIN, Capt. and Assistant Provost-Marshal-Gen.
[Fourth indorsement.]
OFFICE PROVOST-MARSHAL-GEN. OF EAST TENN., Knoxville, Tenn., April 3, 1865.
Respectfully returned with information that the prisoners Ramsey, Sperry, and Fox have never been treated in the manner mentioned. Ramsey and Sperry are here in prison and are as comfortable as prisoners can expect to be. Fox died in hospital February 5, 1865.
S. T. . BRYAN, Jr., Capt. and Acting Provost-Marshal-Gen. of East Tennessee.
[Fifth indorsement.]
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, OFFICE PROVOST-MARSHAL-GEN., Nashville, Tenn., April 10, 1865.
Respectfully returned to Maj. Southard Hoffman, assistant adjutant-general whose attention is invited to the above indorsement of Capt. Bryan, jr.
R. M. GOODWIN, Capt. and Assistant Provost-Marshal-Gen.
[Sixth indorsement.]
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Nashville, Tenn., April 11, 1865.
Respectfully returned to Lieut.-Gen. Grant, commanding Armies of the United States, with reference to indorsement of Capt. Bryan.
GEO. H. THOMAS, Maj.-Gen., U. S. Army, Cmdg.
OR, Ser. II, Vol. 8, pp. 370-372.
9-10, Guerrilla activity near Memphis
Killing, Robbing and Whipping.
The Memphis Bulletin of the 9th and 10th has the following pleasant record:
AN ATTROCIOIUS MURDER-THE VICTIM STRIPPED.
A very inoffensive young man, named Allender, who lives near the State Line Road, was out shooting on last Tuesday with a small shot gun, when he was met by guerrillas, who ordered him to give up his gun. He refused, saying that as it was for only firing small shot, it would be useless to them. The guerrillas advanced to take the gun, when Allender prevented it, threatening to shoot if any one assailed him. At this two of the guerrillas drew their revolvers and shot him dead. They then rifled his pocked, and stripping the body, carried off the clothes.-Memphis Bulletin, 9th.
Guerrilla Outrage-Two Southern Men Hung.-Two men who had been into Memphis with teams and colored drivers, to sell cotton, were, on Tuesday, going out on the Hernando road, and when a few miles from the city, they were met by guerrillas, who charged them with being Union men. The imputation was denied, but this did not satisfy the guerrillas, who robbed them of a considerable sum of money whipped the negro drivers in a most inhuman manner, and finally hung the two cotton sellers, whose names were White and Johnson. From one of these murdered men the guerrillas took over three hundred dollars.-Memphis Bulletin, 9th.
Cotton Buyer Hung.- A man named George Sterling, who lived outside the line on the Raleigh road, and has been accustomed to purchase cotton and bring it into Memphis, was caught on last Wednesday by guerrillas, who robbed him of $500, and then hung him.-Ib.
Whipping and Hanging.-A Bloody Fight.-Two men, names Robert Jackson and Wm. Flood, own farms on the Hernando road, ten or eleven miles from the city, and had both been reported guerrillas when the occasion offered. Some misunderstanding recently occurred between them and this led to a collision on Wednesday. They fought with bowie knives, and the contest was of the most desperate and sanguinary character. One of the men was almost literally hacked to pieced, and lived but a few minutes. The other still lives, but is dangerously wounded., Ib., 10th.
Daring Robberies-Increase of Crime.-A man named Flannegan, an employee on the steamer Fanny, was going through Shelby street last Wednesday night, and a short distance from the Gayoso House was assailed by two men, one of whom sprang from behind a post and the other from an alley. Having no warning, he was unable to defend himself, and being knocked down, he was, while insensible, robbed of one hundred and twenty dollars. The desperadoes escaped before Flannegan recovered his senses.
A man named John Dunn was going up the wharf last Wednesday night, when two men met and asked him the time of night. Mr. Dunn pulled out his watch to give the desired information, when one of the rascals grabbed it and started to run. Dunn called loudly for the watch, and ran after the escaping thief, but the accomplice tripped him up, and they escaped before he regained his perpendicular.
The house of Mrs. Richards, on Poplar street, was entered by two burglars early on Wednesday evening. They asked her whether she had any money, and getting no satisfactory answer, the rummaged her house and found fifteen dollars. Mrs. Richards screamed for help, but one of the rascals seized had compelled her by threats to keep quiet, until, having secured her watch and a lot of clothing, they escaped.
William Watson was going through Beal street near the market on Monday night, when he was knocked down and robbed of sixty dollars.
~~~
New Orleans Times, March 15, 1865.
9 – April 11, The case of Charles W. Meeks, Confederate tax collector
RICHMOND, March 9, 1865.
Lieut. Col. JOHN E. MULFORD, Assistant Agent of Exchange:
SIR: It has been credibly represented to me that Charles W. Meeks, C. S. collector in Tennessee, was captured at Bristol on or about the 15th of December last and taken to Knoxville, where he and his son, William B. Meeks, not yet sixteen years of age, are still confined in jail, the former on a charge of treason for holding the office of collector under the Confederate States Government and the latter on a totally unfounded charge of bushwhacking. I will think you to take immediate steps for inquiry into this matter, that you may inform me what are the purposes of your authorities.
In view of the course I have pursued in relation to civilian prisoners, will you not have them promptly released?
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
RO. OULD, Agent of Exchange.
[First indorsement.]
HDQRS. ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES, City Point, Va., March 14, 1865.
Respectfully referred to Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas, commanding Department of the Cumberland, for report:
By command of Lieut.-Gen. Grant:
T. S. BOWERS, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
[Second indorsement.]
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Nashville, Tenn., March 25, 1865.
Respectfully referred to Col. J. G. Parkhurst, provost-marshal-general, Department of the Cumberland, for report.
This paper to be returned.
By command of Maj.-Gen. Thomas:
SOUTHARD HOFFMAN, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
[Third indorsement.]
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, OFFICE PROVOST-MARSHAL-GEN., Nashville, March 26, 1865.
Respectfully referred to Col. Trowbridge, provost-marshal-general of East Tennessee, for report.
By command of Maj.-Gen. Thomas:
R. M. GOODWIN, Capt. and Assistant Provost-Marshal-Gen.
[Fourth indorsement.]
OFFICE PROVOST-MARSHAL-GEN. OF EAST TENN., Knoxville, Tenn., April 5, 1865.
Respectfully returned.
Charles W. Meeks is held for trial for treason by the Federal court. The young man is also in custody. He was sent up to Strawberry Plains February 11, 1865, to be sent through the lines by flag of truce, but by order of Gen. Stoneman the flag was not allowed to proceed and he was returned to this place.
S. T. BRYAN, Jr., Capt. and Acting Provost-Marshal-Gen. of East Tennessee.
[Fifth indorsement.]
OFFICE PROVOST-MARSHAL-GEN., Nashville, April 9, 1865.
Respectfully returned, inviting attention to the indorsement of the acting provost-marshal of East Tennessee, which contains all the information in this office concerning the Meeks.
J. G. PARKHURST, Col. and Provost-Marshal-Gen., Dept. of the Cumberland.
[Sixth indorsement.]
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Nashville, Tenn., April 11,1865.
Respectfully returned to Col. T. S. Bowers, assistant adjutant-general, headquarters Armies of the United States, with reference to preceding indorsements.
GEO. H. THOMAS, Maj.-Gen., U. S. Army, Cmdg.
OR, Ser. II, Vol. 8, pp. 379-380.
[1] GALEGROUP - TSLA 19TH CN
[2] Not found.
[3] Illegible as determined in the orginal transcription of the OR.
[4] Since the editor dates the letter from which this narrative is taken as March 10, 1863, and Winther states: "We came back to camp yesterday" the date of March 9, must be correct. Nevertheless, the information following, taken from the same letter, may not have the correct date, even though it is an approximation. It is difficult at times to correctly date information, especially when editors seem to have neglected explaining problems of this kind that confront historians.
[5] The editor of Civil War Letters of Theodore Osburn Winther, dates this expedition as May 5-10, 1863, yet the letter by Winther is dated March 10, 1863. It is far more likely that it should be dated as above and was most likely part of the Expedition from Collierville, March 8-12, 1863. See: OR, Ser. I, Vol. 24, pt. I, pp. 423-426.
[6] As cited in GALEGROUP - GALEGROUP - TSLA 19TH CN. See also: Boston Herald, March 23, 1863.
[7] TSL&A, 19th CN.
[8] TSL&A, 19th CN.
James B. Jones, Jr.
Public Historian
Editor, The Courier
Tennessee Historical Commission
2941 Lebanon Road
Nashville, TN 37214
(615)-770-1090
(615)-532-1549 FAX
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