Friday, December 19, 2014

12.19.2014 Tennessee Civil War Notes

        19, "To the Friends of the Sick and Wounded Soldiers of the South."

The Soldiers' Relief Society of Tennessee having been authorized and desired by the Secretary of War, and by the Medical Director of this Division of our army, to perform the services in the Confederate States Hospitals, which they have discharge under the direction of the Governor in the State Hospital, have assumed a similar charge and supervision of the following Hospitals, viz.,: -State Hospital, 1st College Street Hospital, 2d College Street Hospital, Front Street Hospital, Cedar Street Hospital; Elliot Hospital. These are now filled with patients from the armies of the Confederacy, and every effort is being made to provide others as fast as the increasing necessities of the service demand additional accommodation. We have entered upon the discharge of our duties with a determination to do all in our power, at whatever cost of personal comfort or convenience, to alleviate the misfortunes, and to contribute to the wants and comforts of the gallant defenders of our soil, who may be stricken down by disease or by the casualties of war.

We are receiving liberal contribution to aid us in our work from every portion of the Confederacy; but the demands upon us are daily increasing [sic] and we send forth this appeal to the generous citizens of the South for further assistance with the confident expectation that it will be promptly and favorably responded to by every Southern heart. The contributions most needed are money, cotton for mattresses, blankets, flannel, under clothing, provisions or any articles which may be useful or necessary for the sick, wounded or convalescent. Those when received are distributed to the different Hospital under the supervision of the eminent Medical Director, Dr. Yendell. However small may be the intrinsic value of articles contributed, let it be borne in mind that if there is a multitude of contributors the aggregate will be large.

Contributions should be addressed to Mrs. Felicia G. Porter, No. 38, Cedar St., Nashville, Tennessee, and when it is practicable and proper to do so, the wishes of the donors in regard to the disposition thereof will be complied with.

From the patriotic citizens of the Confederacy we anticipate a prompt and generous responses to this our appeal in behalf of the gallant soldiers who have consecrated their lives to our noble cause, and who have been prostrated while defending our homes from the aggression of a ruthless invader.

Felicia Grundy Porter, Pres't.

Nashville Daily Gazette, December 19, 1861.

        19, Cocke County Representative J. H. Randolph's facetious amendment to a bill to protect the property of married women during the Thirty-Fourth General Assembly in Memphis

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, That all women of whatever age, rank, profession or degree, whether virgins, maid or widows, that shall from and after the passage of this act, impose upon, seducer betray into matrimony any male subject in the Confederate States of America and particularly in the State of Tennessee, by means of scents, paints, cosmetics, artificial teeth, false hair, Spanish wool, iron stray, high-heeled shoes, or bolstered hips shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined in the Sum of One Hundred Dollars and imprisoned at the discretion the Court trying the Cause.

Tennessee House Journal, 1861-1862, p. 237.

 

Death to the Women.

A bill was introduced in the Legislature, a few days ago, providing that a woman, of whatever station, degree or position, be she virgin, maid or widow, who shall here after entrap, inveigle or seduce into matrimony, any male subject of the Confederate States of America, and particularly of the State of Tennessee, by means of scents, paints, pomatum, rouge, lily-white, essence peppermint, balm of 1000 flowers, false hair, artificial teeth, Spanish wool, iron stays, low-neck dresses, high-heel shoes, or padded hips, shall be deemed of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, be fined $100, and be imprisoned at the discretion of the court trying the case.

Now wouldn't it create a flutteration [sic] among the women if that bill were to pass! But it didn't, ladies. You can go on taking the boys in.

Clarksville Chronicle, December 20, 1861.

 

In the legislature of Tennessee, upon the consideration of bill No. 94; to protect the property of femes covert:

Mr. Fleming offered the following amendment to the bill:

Be it further enacted, That in all popular elections in this State, every unmarried woman, being the owner of taxable property, shall be entitled to vote as male citizens are now authorized by law to vote; and every married woman, having separate property, whose husband may be insolvent, shall, in like manner, be entitled to vote, and the husband of such woman is hereby disfranchised.

Mr. Rankin offered the following amendment to the amendment:

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, That all women, of whatever age, rank, profession, or degree, whether virgin, maid, or widow, that shall, from and after the passage of this act, impose upon, seduce, or betray into marriage any male subject in the Confederate States of America, and particularly in the State of Tennessee, by the means of scents, paints, cosmetics, washes, artificial teeth, false hair, Spanish wool, iron stays, high-heeled shoes, or bolstered hips, shall be guilty of misdemeanor, and upon conviction, shall be fined in the sum of $100, and imprisoned at the discretion of the court trying the cause.

On motion of Mr. Speaker Keeble, (Mr. Estes in the chair,) the amendments were laid upon the table.

[Little Rock] Arkansas True Democrat, December 26, 1861.[1]

        19, "Old political animosities and private grudges have been revived, and bad men among our friends are availing themselves of the opportunity afforded them by bringing Southern men to hunt down with the ferocity of bloodhounds all those against whom they entertain any feeling of dislike." Dissatisfaction with Confederate administration in East Tennessee

HDQRS. CARROLL'S BRIGADE, Knoxville, Tenn., December 19, 1861.

Hon. D. M. CURRIN, Richmond, Va.:

DEAR SIR: I regret to trouble you with this communication, but feel myself called upon to do so by a sense of duty both to the Confederate Government and to the people of East Tennessee. It might, perhaps, have been more properly done by some one higher in authority than myself. At the instance, however, of a number of leading citizens, together with many officers of the Army, I have concluded to undertake the task of laying truthfully before some one connected with the administration of the Government a fair and truthful statement of the present unhappy condition of affairs in this portion of the State, believing as I do that when laid properly before the heads of the Government it will induce a thorough and most salutary change in the policy now being pursued in reference to that deluded portion of our people who have heretofore been unfriendly to the present revolution.

There are some very important facts connected with the recent political history of East Tennessee which apparently have not yet come to the knowledge of the Government or have been entirely overlooked, while others of less importance have been greatly exaggerated. To these I beg to call your attention. In the beginning of the present contest between the North and South the attitude assumed by East Tennessee was a very doubtful one, and it was deemed best by those fully acquainted with the temper and sentiment of the people to pursue a conciliatory policy towards them. Mr. Davis himself, I believe, adopted this view of the case, and for a time pursued the mild course thus indicated. The result was a very great change in the public mind touching questions at issue between the Northern and Southern Governments.

In September Maj.-Gen. Polk sent Gen. W. H. Carroll here for the purpose of endeavoring to bring the people over to the support of the Confederate Government and to enlist one or more regiments for the Army. Gen. Carroll succeeded beyond his expectations, raising and organizing in a very short time a full regiment-coming, too, mostly from those counties where in June the heaviest vote had been polled against the separation of Tennessee from the Federal Government. Subsequently about thirty companies more have reported and joined his command from the same section, and composed principally of the same class of people; so that now we have in all nearly 10,000 [?] [sic] effective soldiers in the field that in June were almost unanimous in opposition to us. This gratifying result I am satisfied is attributable almost entirely to the liberal and conciliatory policy of which I have spoken; but notwithstanding this large accession to our Army, and the still greater number who had been converted from enemies into friends and allies, there were still left a few leading miscreants and a handful of ignorant and deluded followers, who were wicked enough for the commission of any crime, however detestable. By these, and these alone, were the bridges burned and other depredations committed, while the mass of the people were entirely ignorant of their designs and utterly opposed to any such wickedness and folly. The numbers engaged in these outrages have, I know, been greatly overestimated, as facts have been developed in the investigations that have been made by the court-martial now in session at this place, which satisfy me beyond doubt that there were not, at the time the bridges were burned, 500 men in all East Tennessee who knew anything of it, or who contemplated any organized opposition to the Government.

The excitement arising from this circumstance created more alarm among the Union men than among those who were loyal to the South, for they very justly supposed that it would be a signal for the advance of a large Southern army in their midst, and in the first paroxysm of fear which these apprehensions induced hundreds fled hastily from their homes, some taking refuge in the mountains and others going into Kentucky. Col.'s Leadbetter and Vance moved their commands into that portion of the State bordering on the Virginia and Kentucky line, while Gen. Carroll and Col. Wood moved from the west in the direction of Chattanooga and Knoxville. Scouting parties were sent out in every direction, who arrested hundreds suspected of disloyalty, and incarcerated them in prison, until almost every jail in the eastern end of the State was filled with poor, ignorant, and for the most part harmless men, who have been guilty of no crime save that of lending a too credulous ear to the corrupt demagogues whose counsels have led them astray. Among those thus captured were a number of bridge-burners. These latter were tried and promptly executed.

The rigorous measures adopted by the military commanders here struck still greater terror into those who had before been Union men, and to avoid arrest and, as they thought, subsequent punishment, concealed themselves, thus giving the semblance of guilt to actions innocent in fact, and entirely natural under the circumstances which surrounded them. About 400 of the poor victims of designing leaders have been sent to Tuscaloosa as prisoners of war, leaving in many instances their families in a helpless and destitute condition. The greatest distress prevails throughout the entire country in consequence of the various arrests that have been made, together with the facts that the horses and the other property of the parties that have been arrested have been seized by the soldiers, and in many cases appropriated to personal uses or wantonly destroyed.

Old political animosities and private grudges have been revived, and bad men among our friends are availing themselves of the opportunity afforded them by bringing Southern men to hunt down with the ferocity of bloodhounds all those against whom they entertain any feeling of dislike. The officers in command here have used every effort to restrain the soldiery from all acts of lawless violence. The scattered and distracted nature of the service in a great measure neutralizes their efforts. My position in the Army enables me to speak advisedly of these things, and I venture to say that if assurances of safety were given to those persons who have fled from their homes under apprehensions of danger they would return and be good and loyal citizens. The wretched condition of these unfortunate people appeals to the sympathy and commiseration of every humane man. When in Richmond a short time since I was present at an interview with the President, and feel assured that he has no disposition to exercise any unnecessary severity towards these deluded dupes. Those best acquainted with affairs here are fully impressed with the belief that if the proper course were pursued all East Tennessee could be united in support of the Confederate Government. Strong appeals have been made from all sections to Gen. Carroll to release those now in prison here and the return of those sent to Tuscaloosa; but, under the instructions from the Secretary of War, by which he is governed, he does not feel at liberty to do so. My first intention was to have addressed this letter to the Secretary of War, but on reflection concluded that a representation from you would have far more influence; besides, as I am an officer in the Army, it would perhaps not be proper for me to make any suggestions to Mr. Benjamin unless they should be called for.

Col. H. R. Austin visits Richmond for the purpose of impressing these views upon the President. Col. Landon C. Haynes will follow in a few days for the same purpose. These gentlemen can inform you more fully touching the subject of which I have written. I beg you to give them every assistance you can in bringing this important matter before the President and Secretary of War.

Respectfully, your friend,

H. C. YOUNG.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 7, pp. 777-779.

        19, Skirmish at Brentwood

No circumstantial reports filed.

        19, A view from the inside of the Confederate hospital in Chattanooga; an entry from Kate Cumming's diary

I have been kept quite busy ever since I came here; in fact, we all have been. We have a good deal to try us, but our minds were made up to expect that before we came. The stove smokes badly, and we find it almost impossible to do any thing [sic] with it; besides it is so small that we scarcely have room to cook on it what little we have. The surgeon, Dr. Hunter, like many other men, is totally ignorant of domestic arrangements, and also. Like many others, wholly unaware of his ignorance. The only consolation we get from him is a fabulous tale about a woman (a "Mrs. Harris") who cooked for five hundred people on the same kind of a stove.

One of our greatest trials is want of proper diet for sick men. We do the best we can with what we have-toast the bread and make beef-tea; and we have a little butter-bad at that.

There are no changes of clothing for the men; but we have cloth, and after our day's work is done, we each make a shirt, which is a great help. The last, though by no means the least, of our troubles is the steward who has taken a dislike to us, and annoys us in every little petty way possible. His wife has charge of the wards across the street from us. The assistant surgeon complains of her inattention to her duties in waiting on the sick.

A man, by the name of Watt Jones, died in my ward to-day; another, by the name of Allen Jones, yesterday-both members of the Fourth Florida Regiment.

Our room is in the third story, facing the west; the view from it is really grand, and when worn out physically and mental, I derive great pleasure from looking out. On the north of us runs the Tennessee River; opposite that is a range of hills-one rising above the other-dotted with beautiful residences, surrounded by prettily laid out gardens. On the southeest is Lookout Mountain, its peak frowning down on the river which winds around its base-looking like a lion couchant [sic], ready to spring on its pray.

Cumming, A Journal of Hospital Life, p. 46.

        19, Federal regulations relative to commerce in the Humboldt environs

No. 2.

Headquarters U. S. Forces

Humboldt, Tenn., Sept. 19, 1862

In pursuance of the regulations of the Secretary of the Treasury, concerning commerce with the insurrectionary States, and General Order 119, from the war [sic] Department, all persons are prohibited from bringing Goods, wares, or merchandise of any description whatever, to any place within the limits of this "Post" without permission from the Post Surveyor. All permits heretofore granted by any authority whatsoever to persons to import, or sell goods at this Post, are hereby revoked. Any violation of this order will be followed by the arrest of the guilty party, and the confiscation of the property, attempted to be brought in or to be disposed of unlawfully.

The following paragraphs from the regulations of the Treasury Department are published for the information and guidance of all concerned:

"All transportation of Coin or Bullion to any state or section heretofore declared in insurrection, is absolutely prohibited, except for military purposes and under Military order or under the special license of the Secretary of the Treasury; and no payment of gold or silver shall be made for cotton, or other merchandise within any such state or section, and all Cotton or other merchandise purchased or paid for therein, directly or indirectly, in gold or silver, shall be forfeited to the United States.

No goods can be shipped with or without permit to insurrectionary district, or to places in the loyal States under insurrectionary control, or to places held by the Military Forces of the United States; except to persons residing or doing business there, whose loyalty and good faith shall be certified by an Officer of the Government, or other person authorized to make such certificate, or by a duly appointed Board of trade as such place, by whose approval and permission only, the same shall be unloaded and disposed of.

The Provost Marshal will take such steps was are necessary for the enforcement of this order

By order of

D. C. Poole, Lieut. Col., 12th Reg[iment]'t. Wis. Vol., Commanding Post.

Soldier's Budget [Humboldt], September 22, 1862.

        19, Praise for General Negley's disciplinary policy

It is gratifying to witness Gen. Negley's determination to enforce discipline, and have every thing done right. He is winning golden opinions from our citizens for his efforts to establish order and peace in our midst, and is spoken of in the highest terms of praise by every one who is thrown in contact with him, either in way of business or society, for his soldierly and gentlemanly bearing.

Nashville Dispatch, September 19, 1862.

        19, "We regret to have to say that officers have lately become as unruly as some of the privates."

Orders Concerning Soldiers.—General Order No. 3, published in another column, will be received with thanks by all lovers of peace and good order. We regret to have to say that officers have lately become as unruly as some of the privates. One Wednesday night several young bloods were amusing themselves on Summer street near midnight by making night hideous with their yells and unearthly cries, climbing lamp post and putting out the gas lights, ringing door bells, and performing sundry other antics unbecoming the dignity of an officer.

Nashville Dispatch, September 19, 1862

        19, War causes a projected shortage of seed and workers to produce wheat

Seeding time is nearly over, and it is estimated that not more than half the usual breadth of wheat has been sown-partly owing to the scarcity of seed, and partly to the absence of a large proportion of the laboring population. McMinn [county] is rated as the heaviest wheat raising county in East Tennessee, but under the most favorable circumstances it will not turn out more than a half crop next year.-Athens (Tenn.) Post.

Memphis Appeal [Grenada, Ms], December 19, 1862. [2]

        19, Reconnaissance, New Market, Mossy Creek

HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, Near Strawberry Plains, December 20, 1863--10 p. m.

GEN.: Maj. Thornburgh, First Tennessee Cavalry, who was sent last night by Gen. Elliott with two companies to the mills in the vicinity of New Market, has returned, and reports a large force of cavalry on the north (this) side the Holston, below Mossy Creek and at the mouth of Buffalo Creek.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. D. STURGIS, Brig.-Gen., Cmdg. Cavalry Corps.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 31, pt. I, p. 418.

        19, Skirmish at Stone's Mill

No circumstantial reports filed.

        19, Secretary of War E. M. Stanton directs Federal forces in Stevenson, Alabama, and Nashville, Tennessee, to furnish food, clothing and shelter to the needy in Chattanooga

WAR DEPARTMENT, December 19, 1863--2.40 p. m.

Maj. Gen. GEORGE H. THOMAS, Comdg. Department of the Cumberland, Chattanooga:

The Secretary of War directs that you instruct the commanding officers at Stevenson and Nashville to furnish the necessary supplies of food, clothing and shelter to destitute women and children coming within our lines. Separate abstracts will be kept of the issue made in each department and proper returns made to the heads of departments in this city.

ED. R. S. CANBY, Brig.-Gen., Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 31, pt. III, p. 444.

        19, Skirmish at Blain's Cross Roads

No circumstantial reports filed.

BLAIN'S CROSS-ROADS, December 19, 1863.

* * * *

Skirmishing goes on almost constantly with little effect. Longstreet is near Rutledge.

* * * *

J. G. FOSTER, Maj.-Gen.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 31, pt. I, pp. 284-285.[3]

        19, Occupation of Dandridge

STRAWBERRY PLAINS, Tennessee, December 19, 1863.

Col. E. M. McCOOK, Cmdg. First Division Cavalry:

I have the honor to report that none of the enemy have passed down the east side of the Holston River. There are 60 of the rebel cavalry at New Market and 150 more some 8 miles above, and in the country 300, running four grist-mills, supplying their army. The mills are in the neighborhood of New Market, 8 miles from Strawberry Plains. Six hundred of the First East Tennessee Mounted Infantry are occupying Dandridge. There is an abundance of forage on the east side of the river.

I have the honor to be, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. M. MILLER, Lieut., Cmdg. Scouts.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 31, pt. III, pp. 448-449.

        19, Federal Provost-Marshal General of East Tennessee, Brigadier-General S. P. Carter, complains of depredations committed against civilians

OFFICE PROVOST-MARSHAL-GEN. OF EAST TENNESSEE, Knoxville, December 19, 1863.

Brig. Gen. EDWARD E. POTTER, Chief of Staff, Army of the Ohio:

GEN.: I regret the necessity of calling the attention of the major-general commanding the department to the frequent complaints on the part of citizens of the lawless conduct of troops serving in this department. Horses, forage, provisions, and not infrequently household effects are taken by wholly unauthorized persons, leaving no receipt or voucher of any sort. Many of the citizens thus troubled are as loyal and patriotic as the soldiers of the United States Army, and, in some cases, they have been stripped of their all by men wearing the garb of Federal soldiers. I respectfully request the general commanding to issue stringent orders on the subject of procuring animals, forage, and other supplies, making a few examples of lawless stragglers, which will arrest this widely prevalent evil, and thus redeem our cause from the odium which must, of necessity, unless it is checked, be attached to it, even in the minds of our own friends.

One particular source of evil is due to the absence of proper instructions, or the character of those given, to parties sent our for forage. More serious complaints are probably made against Wagoner's and wagon-masters than any other class of Government employees. Robbery, theft, fraud, and open outrageous violation of all law seems to characterize their conduct in every part of the country. In behalf of a people who have suffered more than those of any other portion of the United States for their devotion to the Government, I appeal to the commanding general to introduce and enforce such regulations as will insure to them the protection they have a right to expect from an army which is here for the express purpose of restoring to them the enjoyment of those right of which they have been so long deprived.

I am, general, very respectfully, &c.,

S. P. CARTER, Brig. Gen. and Provost-Marshal-Gen. of E. Tennessee

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 31, pt. III, pp. 447-448.

        19, Privations suffered by Federal troops in East Tennessee

HDQRS. FOURTH ARMY CORPS, In the Field, Blain's Cross-Roads, 22 Miles from Knoxville. December 19, 1863.

Maj. Gen. GEORGE H. THOMAS, Cmdg. Department of the Cumberland:

GEN.: The sufferings and privations now being undergone by our troops are most cruel, I assure you. We have been now nearly a month without tents and clothing, and from the limited quantity of our transportation-only one wagon to a regiment-and being obliged to live upon the country, our rations have been very irregular and limited.

We are now bivouacking at this place, 22 miles east of Knoxville, in the mud and rain, and many of the command are falling sick with pneumonia, diarrhea, &c., Our officers are destitute of clothing and cooking utensils, being unable to procure them at Knoxville. A small supply of clothing and shoes has arrived, about one-third of what is needed.

The stock of medicines and stationery in Knoxville is entirely exhausted. Our books and records having been left behind, we are unable to make any returns. If it is determined that we remain here this winter, I respectfully request that the First Division of this corps be sent up to join us, and with them can be sent our transportation, baggage, camp and garrison equipage, to which they can act as escort.

I am, general, very respectfully,

G. GRANGER, Maj.-Gen., Cmdg.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 31, pt. III, p. 448.

        19, C. S. A. Major-General R. Ransom, Jr., requests abolishment of partisan ranger organizations

HDQRS. DIST. OF SOUTHEESTERN VA. AND EAST TENN., Camp near Bean's Station, Tennessee, December 19, 1863.

Hon. J. A. SEDDON, Secretary of War:

SIR: Having witnessed a good deal of the operations of what are known as partisan rangers, I have the honor to petition that all such organizations be abolished. They are usually, so far as my experience has gone, the most trifling troops we have. Acting alone, they accomplish nothing, and when serving with other troops they hang upon the rear to gather up property, and instead of turning it into the proper departments, spirit it away for speculation. Besides, it is evident injustice to the great mass of the army for a small part to be allowed pay for partial captures, while those who do the real work have no special reward. It will create great satisfaction to have all the troops put on the same footing.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. RANSOM, Jr., Maj.-Gen.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 31, pt. III, p. 849.

        19-20, Confederate raid near Knoxville [Graveston] and scout

HDQRS. SECOND CAVALRY DIVISION, Sawyer's House, December 20, 1863.

Maj. Gen. J. G. PARKE, Cmdg. Army in Field:

GEN.: A band of rebel soldiers, about 60 men, came, as is supposed, from Powder Spring Gap last night, passed down Flat Creek Valley, crossed the road to Maynardville, and went down as far as Graveston, within 12 miles of Knoxville, and returned before day-light this morning. It was reported this morning that they had captured one of my courier-posts, but this is not true. I have heard of no damage done by the raid, although the mail from Cumberland Gap to Knoxville barely escaped. I have sent another scout over the road to-day. I called at your headquarters to-day in your absence to suggest the propriety of the better securing the communication both from Blain's Cross-Roads and Knoxville to Tazewell, by moving the Second Brigade of my division, now encamped near here, to the point where the road coming out of Flat Creek Valley crosses the road from Blain's Cross-Roads to Tazewell and Maynardville. The brigade at that point would be about 5 miles from the cross-roads, and 4 miles from infantry support, but it would be in much better position to watch the valleys on the north side of Clinch Mountain, and prevent, such raids as that of last night. If you approve the movement I will order it to be made in the morning.

Very respectfully,

JOHN W. FOSTER, Col., Cmdg. Second Cavalry Division.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 31, pt. III, p. 453.

        19-20, Federal reconnaissance from Corinth, Mississippi, to Hamburg Landing, Gravel Hill and Purdy[4]

....Capt. Thornton who went out yesterday with 50 men returned to-day. He was at Hamburg Landing, Gravel Hill, and Purdy. He reports that a body of rebel cavalry passed south between here [Corinth] and the Tennessee River last Tuesday [15th], numbering from 500 to 5,000. They had a large number of conscripts for Bragg's army....

Pomerory Diaries, December 20, 1863.

        19, Skirmish at Rutherford's Creek

No circumstantial reports filed.

Excerpt from the Report of Col. Datus E. Coon, Second Iowa Cavalry, commanding Second Brigade, of operations September 30, 1864--January 15, 1865, relative to the skirmish at Rutherford's Creek, December 20, 1864.

HDQRS. SECOND Brig., FIFTH DIV., CAVALRY CORPS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Gravelly Springs, Ala., January 20, 1865.

* * * *

....December 20, at daylight were again in motion down Rutherford's Creek. Marched nearly two miles, when I was ordered to dismount my command and construct a crossing from the fragment of a railroad bridge which the rebels had destroyed the day previous. This works was completed, and my command across at 12 m., and the pursuit again resumed. The Seventh and Ninth Illinois were dismounted and deployed on foot, while the remainder of the brigade followed mounted to Duck River, opposite Columbia. On arriving here found the enemy had crossed his rear guard in comparative safety at 4 a. m., leaving a small party, with a piece of artillery, as rear guard in the town upon the opposite side. A light skirmish between the above-named regiments and the enemy, accompanied by light cannonading from both sides, closed the operations of the day, when the command encamped to await the arrival of the pontoons. During the skirmish the Seventh Illinois discovered where the enemy had abandoned four pieces of artillery by tumbling it into Duck River over the abutment of the old bridge. It was afterward taken out by the infantry.

* * * *

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 593.

        19, Skirmish at Curtis' Creek

No circumstantial reports filed.

        19, Skirmish near Columbia

Dyer's Battle Index for Tennessee.

        19, Orders to arrest Federal stragglers in Nashville environs and restrict movement into and out of Nashville

HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, December 19, 1864.

Brig. Gen. JOHN F. MILLER, Cmdg. Post of Nashville:

GEN.: The major-general commanding directs that you will have all stragglers belonging to the troops in front whom you may find about the city of Nashville and vicinity arrested, confined in the barracks, and turned out, under guard, every day, to work on the fortifications until further orders, reporting to the major-general commanding the number you have arrested and so employed. You will exercise great vigilance in overlooking the passes of persons permitted to go in and out of Nashville, and all persons who enter Nashville without proper authority should be arrested and put to work on the fortifications, until they can fully satisfy you that they are not enemies of the Government. Travel by railroad and steam-boat to Nashville from Kentucky and the States west of the Ohio River is positively prohibited, except with passes issued from headquarters Military Division of the Mississippi, for good reasons, which must be stated on the pass. This order will be understood as particularly applicable to women desiring to enter Nashville, and none will be admitted unless their loyalty is well established and known, and even loyal women are not to be admitted except upon the best of reasons. You are also directed to make a thorough examination of the country about Nashville for the killed and wounded of the recent battle, and have them provided for, and also collect the arms, &c., found upon the field.

I am, general, your obedient servant,

[ROBT. H. RAMSEY,] Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. II, pp. 278-279.

 



[1] As cited in: http://www.uttyl.edu/vbetts.

[2] Valley of the Shadow.

[3] Not listed in Dyer's Battle Index for Tennessee

[4] This reconnaissance mission is not listed in the OR or Dyer's Battle Index for Tennessee


James B. Jones, Jr.

Public Historian

Tennessee Historical Commission

2941 Lebanon Road

Nashville, TN  37214

(615)-770-1090 ext. 123456

(615)-532-1549  FAX

 

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