Tuesday, March 3, 2015

3.03.2015 Tennessee Civil War Notes

        3, Confederate ordnance and quartermaster report for Fort Pillow

FORT PILLOW, March 3, 1862.

Gen. POLK:

We have at this post the following ordnance stores: 604 32-pounder cartridges, 3,300 pounds cannon powder, 400 quill cannon primers, 200 friction tubes, 32 bridge barrels, 150 port-fires, 146 canister, 164--balls, 104 Read balls, 174 shells for 32-pounders, 4,560 32-pounder balls. Guns: Six 32-pounder rifle guns, and ten smooth-bore 32-pounder on river and four 32-pounders on back line, all mounted. Quartermaster's stores: 170 second-hand tents, without ropers. Amount of rations at Fort Pillow: 10,000 rations of rice, 10,000 rations of beans, 10,000 rations of molasses, 30,000 of rice, 10,000 rations of beans, 10,000 rations of candles, 4,000 rations of meal, 30,000 rations of vinegar, 40,000 rations of soap, 60,000 rations of coffee, 30,000 rations of sugar, 6,000 rations of bacon.

Shall I mount the guns that may come here?

MONTGOMERY LYNCH, Capt., Engineer Corps.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 7, p. 916.

        3, Andrew Johnson appointed Military Governor of Tennessee

War Department

March 3rd. 1862

To the Honorable Andrew Johnson

Sir:

You are hereby appointed Military Governor of the State of Tennessee, with authority to exercise and perform, within the limits of the state, [sic] all and singular, the powers, duties and functions pertaining to the office of Military Governor (including the power to establish all necessary offices and tribunals, and suspend the writ of Habeas Corpus) during the pleasure of the President, or until the loyal inhabitants of that state shall organize a civil government in conformity with the Constitution of the United States[.]

(Signed) Edwin M. Stanton

Secretary of State [sic]

Seal of the War Office

Papers of Andrew Johnson, Vol. 5, p. 177.

        3, Feminine squirrel hunting in Putman County

....Fayette brought Father a shotgun the other day and some ammunition, and insisted that Mary and I should learn to shoot so we could kill squirrels or a hawk if one should come after a chicken when Father was not at home. Mary says she could shoot but she would be almost sure to drop the gun at the noise, which is about so. Well, this evening the squirrels kept up a general clatter on every side, laying up hickory nuts for the coming snow, I guess. Father felt bad and would not go out. I told him to fix the gun and I would shoot. There were two before the door but they scampered off. I came back, set the gun down, and Mary said there were some between here and the old houses. I got the gun, went down there to the fence, and there was one sitting quietly on the fence. I dropt [sic] upon my knees, laid the gun in the crack of the fence, took sight, pulled the trigger, crack; no fire! no smoke! The squirrel sat perfectly still, as if conscious that there was no harm in my proceedings. Thinks I, "You are cool, I'll scare you anyway if the old thing will fire." So I tried again but crack! the gun was not loaded. Father thought it was and only put cap on in it. [sic] I came to the house, he loaded it, and I went back a little farther down and got nearly as fair a chance at another. This time the gun went off, as did the squirrel. I think I crippled him but it was snowing so hard right in my face that I could hardly see. So much for my first experience in shooting.

The Diary of Amanda McDowell.

        3, Hot Air from Nashville: A Confederate Pipe-Dream after the fall of Fort Donelson

Letter from Nashville.

We are permitted to use the following private letter, received in this city yesterday, from an intelligent citizen of Nashville. The spirit manifested by the people of that devoted city, is such as will animate every true southern's heart, even under the most disheartening circumstances:

Nashville, March 3, 1862.

Dear F----: B----:is with us to-night, on his way to the land of freedom, and I embrace the opportunity to write you a line for fear it is the last you will receive from me until our conquring [sic] army retunes to drive the invader from our midst, as we firmly believe it will do, for our cause is just and God will defend us. We have faith that he will so guide and direct our armies so as to enable them in a short while to liberate not only our people, but to drive the ruthless invaders from every part of southern soil. We are confined here, but not conquered. No, so long as the Confederate flag waves over one foot of ground will we bear allegiance to it, and when it falls may we all be buried beneath its folds. This, I believe, it the feeling that animates every suthern man in our community. We have lost nothing of our strength by the occupation of Nashville but the Lincolnites. Those who have gone to them are our enemies before, and many who were very mild ain their advocary of southern rights, and were supposed to be rather luke-warm, are now as determined as the vilest rebel among us, and will sacrifice everything in defense of southern liberty.

Could you visit us now, and see the closed and barred doors and windows of our storehouses-the utter stagnation of all business-the deserted and lonely appearance of our great thoroughfares, you would be convinced that Nashville, notwithstanding the many charges against her, was true and loyal to the South yes, "as true as the needle to the pole;" and our southern brethren I know would sympathize with us, rather than denounce us, as it is reported some of our Memphis friends are doing.

To feel that we are in the hands of the hated Yankee, that we are no longer freemen, that we are bound under the most odious despotism, that can disgrace God's creation, that our present conditions is to continue, without any form of relief, I would pray God in his mercy to strikes us from existence-but I do not despair-we will soon drive the accursed creatures back to their dens, there to devour each other.

There have been no arrests as yet-but we are to be terribly oppressed, how or in what way I know not. Our cavalry have killed a number of their pickets every nice since their arrival, and taken some six or eight cannon. Our loss very slight. Their army is encamped some 6 or 8 miles on the Murfreesboro road. What their intentions are we know not, but it is supposed they will move on in pursuit of our army. A large force o pickets were sent out last night on the Franklin road with six pieces of artillery.

Gen. Buell is greatly harassed at the killing of his pickets, and also greatly surprised to find the Union sentiment so weak, He says there is no Union sentiment here-that we are all Secessionists. He urges us to resume our business, saying that he will molest nothing, but so far he has produced no effect. The whole army is evidently greatly disappointed at the feeling manifested toward them. They are making every effort in their power to create a favorable impression, but it will do no good.[1]

Memphis Daily Appeal, March 8, 1862. [2]

        3, Chattanooga, Gen. Braxton Bragg forbids new recruits or conscripts for Army of Tennessee to join cavalry

CIRCULAR. HDQRS. ARMY OF TENNESSEE, Tullahoma, March 3, 1863.

Hereafter no recruits or conscripts will be allowed to attach themselves to a cavalry command.

By command of Gen. Bragg:

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 23, pt. II, p. 660.

        3, Skirmish near Bear Creek[3]

No circumstantial reports filed.

        3, Police, Vaccination Bill and More Taxes; a Session of the Memphis Board of Mayor, Common Council and Aldermen. Some municipal matters discussed at the regular session of the Memphis City Council

Council Sayings and Doings. Council met in regular session last evening; and after considerable routine matters had been disposed of, the subject of:

POLICE MATTERS

Came up on a report in favor of employing for detectives in addition to the present police. The police some time ago numbered one hundred, then sixty five, and lately it was reduced to thirty-two.[4] [emphasis added] This proposition would raise the number to thirty-six. Alderman Drew was strongly opposed to increasing the city finances. He believed the detectives wanted the appointment for their own advantage, not that of the city. Alderman Tighe brought forward facts and figures in view of the proposition that the police cost the city nothing, on the contrary the amount of fines; and by persons arrested is greater than the amount of the salaries of the police. (To make this argument worth anything, the net proceeds of the fines, not the gross amount, should be cited.) Alderman Morgan called attention to the surprising fact that two persons had petitioned Council to employ them as detectives, they offering to do the duties without receiving any pay from the city. Alderman Morgan was of the opinion that when such a proposition could be made there was something behind hand that ought to be known. Besides, if not paid, the police would not be responsible to the city, though the city would be responsible if irregularities were done under the sanction of its authority. Without ordering such an investigation as Alderman Morgan's remarks suggested, the Board resolved to employ the four detectives, and give them fifty dollars a month each, anyhow.

VACCINATION

An account was offered by one of the Ward Physicians for pay, for vaccinating over two hundred persons, for which the charge was one dollar each. Council thought this a high charge, and referred the bill back. The Mayor said he had agreed to pay only fifty cents each. Alderman Morgan wanted to know what authority there was anywhere to appoint these Ward Physicians, or to let them act for the city with out a proper contract. The Mayor said the vaccination was done by military authority, and gentlemen of the Council would have to pay, or go to the Irving Block. The bill was withdrawn that enquiry might be made as to the facts of the case. Alderman Jones and others were of [the] opinion that what has been done on the account of the military, should be paid by the military. The Board appeared to feel it a difficulty that the city should have to pay bills contracted without authority of Council, to men whose appointments have not received the sanction of Council.

MORE TAXES

Ald. Morrill offered a resolution to have an extra tax collected, by aid of a military order of General Veatch, which officer objects to opening the grog shops and those places consequently pay no license. The tax collector will doubtless be authorized to collect an additional tax from merchants and others without delay.

Memphis Bulletin, March 4, 1863.

        3, Anxiety concerning change in Nashville's negro-church-going population

Sunday Nuisances.—A sight which we have often enjoyed, and always commend, in a Southern city, is in watching the colored population wending their way to and from Church on a Sunday. We could expatiate largely on the subject, had we time, and on the pious thoughts which filled our mind, as they passed us by to their places of worship. We see little of such scenes in Nashville at the present time; instead of finding our colored churches filled to overflowing by the large influx of contrabands, we find them comparatively empty, the attendance being much smaller than two years ago; while the streets are filled with them, and the ears of citizens shocked with the blasphemous and obscene language of the blacks walking our streets. They are all the bad manners of their superiors and neglect all that is good. We urgently request the police to look into this matter, more especially on High street, the Public Square, the vicinity of the Watson House, and the Post-office.

Nashville Dispatch, March 3, 1863.

        3, "The most faithful of their faithful cannot be trusted." The work of the Army Police

Army Police Proceedings.

Before the Chief of Army Police, Nashville, March 2.

. . . In the course of investigations before the Chief of Police, it has come to light that the female members of a family in this city, of reputed respectability, are in the habit of exhibiting a bone of the human leg taken from the body of a Union soldier slain in the battle of Bull Run, as a parlor ornament. What a beautiful illustration of womanly instinct and delicacy!  To what a height of moral purity and beauty would not these ladies elevate the race!  Every feminine virtue recoils with horror at the bare thought of such a sacrilege. The English language does not furnish terms sufficient to express the deep detestation in which the act should be held. It has been supposed that only savages of the most brutal character suffered such practices, but it seems the refinement of the nineteenth century cannot be perfected without them. Ladies of position keeping a portion of the leg of a soldier constantly before them, upon their parlor table!  Outraged decency cries shame!  shame!! We will warrant that ghosts of deceased Union soldiers, in battalions, will haunt those women during the terms of their natural lives….

The secession women of the city are in a perfect whirlpool of commotion. That terrible Col. Truesdail is giving them a great deal of trouble. They say, "every thing we do and all our plans are carried right straight to him. Who can it be that does it?"  In attempting to solve this mystery clique suspects clique, neighbor suspects neighbor. The dearest friends are falling out. The most faithful of their faithful cannot be trusted. How long this most unhappy state may continue, it is impossible to conjecture. An incident occurred a day or two since illustrative of their condition. A lady, who has never dreamed of being in the Police service, called upon the Chief of Police and informed him that certain ladies were accusing her of being one of his detectives, and remarked: "Col. Truesdail, you know that I have never said one word about them; what shall I do; can't you do something to counteract the impression?" The Colonel suggested that a charge of having contributed something to the cause of the Union was highly creditable to her patriotism, and should be to her a source of pride, but that the ladies she referred to were uncharitable enough to doubt his veracity and it would be useless for him to deny any thing. Other similar incidents might be given.

Nashville Dispatch, March 3, 1863.

        3, On the role of women in the war; an excerpt from a Confederate soldier's letter

Letter from Tennessee.

Camp near Franklin, Murey [sic] Co., Tenn.

March 3, 1863

…God bless the ladies, the part they have acted in this war will never be forgotten, and that part is no little. Their fair hands have clothed our army, have woven the fabric that warmed the soldiers frozen form, as he laid down to sleep at night in the cold winters blast, and have administered to the wants of the sick and wounded; they have breathed words of consolation to the sick and afflicted; and by their spirited address, have nerved men on to deeds of daring….

Galveston Weekly News, May 6, 1863.[5]

        3-5, Skirmish at Thompson's Station

CAR, p. 28.[6]

        3-6, Expedition from Concord Church to Chapel Hill

No circumstantial reports filed.

        3-8, Expedition from Murfreesborough to Woodbury

MARCH 3-8, 1863.-Expedition from Murfreesborough to Woodbury, Tenn.

Reports of Maj. Gen. Joseph T. Reynolds, U. S. Army.

HDQRS. FIFTH DIVISION, FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS, March 8, 1863.

COL.: The brigade of Col. Hall has returned to camp with 8 or 10 prisoners and load of forage.

Col. Wilder this moment reports the arrival of the Seventeenth Indiana (mounted), who were sent this morning from Readyville to reach Murfreesborough via Auburn. They crossed from Readyville to the Auburn pike, and went as far as Auburn, charged on a party of rebels, "killed a major and one or two others," and wounded several. One private (Seventeenth Indiana) severely wounded in the arm, and one of our guides captured. No other loss to us. We took several revolvers and one revolving rifle.

Very respectfully,

J. J. REYNOLDS, Maj.-Gen.

HDQRS. FIFTH DIVISION, FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Murfreesborough, March 10, 1863.

COL.: I have the honor to render to following account of our recent expedition: Left camp at Murfreesborough, March 3, with brigades of [J. T.] Wilder and [A. S.] Hall, and encamped that night at Readyville. Immediately after encamping, lost 2 men from the Eightieth Illinois Regt. [sic], by desertion. They were conducted to the rebel camp near Brady's Rock by a citizen reported to live near Readyville. All our efforts to secure this man were unavailing. Fourth (Wilder's) Brigade foraged to the front toward Woodbury. Saw no enemy, except a few pickets.

On the night of the 4th, Hall's brigade made a movement on the enemy at Brady's Rock, about 7 miles from Readyville (as the command had to go through the hills). The night was very clear and moonlight. [sic] Passed one picket station safely, but were discovered at the one nearest the enemy. Part of the force got well round their camp, and part advanced in front. The enemy had evidently been put on their guard by our deserters. Our forces closed in upon the rebels rapidly. They ran in every direction; returned our fire once, but without effect. We killed 1 and wounded several.

Col. Hall's brigade returned to camp at Readyville in the afternoon of the 5th.

On the morning of the 6th, moved on Woodbury, Wilder's brigade to the right and rear, Hall's to the left, myself, with Hazen's brigade and the guns, in front. Enemy's pickets met us in front, 4 miles from Woodbury; drove them at long range, without results. Halted, keeping the principal part of our force concealed, to give time for the flank movements to be executed. These movements were both promptly made, but the rebels got information of them, in spite of all precautions, and ran, principally toward McMinnville. The party that we had thus far held steady in front, on learning that the main rebel force had retreated, did the same, toward Liberty.

Our force, except Hall's brigade, Seventeenth Indiana (mounted), and two howitzers, returned to Readyville.

Hall's command remained at Woodbury over night, and joined us on the 7th, which day Wilder spent in foraging.

On the 8th, Hall foraged, and the whole command returned to camp at Murfreesborough, the Seventeenth Indiana and two companies of Stokes' cavalry by way of Auburn, near to which place they had a skirmish with some rebel cavalry, and killed 1 field officer and wounded several men.

Results.-We killed 1 field officer and 1 private; captured 25 prisoners, including 1 lieutenant and 2 conscript agents, and obtained about 100 wagon-loads of forage. We lost 2 men by desertion, 3 men captured (Eightieth Illinois), 1 first sergeant captured, and 1 private wounded severely in arm (Seventeenth Indiana).

An idea of the country which our forces passed can be formed from the accompanying map.[7] It is very broken, and as almost every citizen is a spy for the enemy, by day and by night, it is very difficult to surprise or surround them.

Very respectfully,

J. J. REYNOLDS, Maj.-Gen., Cmdg.

OR, Ser. I. Vol. 23. pt. I, pp. 71-72.

        3, Skirmish with Rebel guerrillas near LaGrange

No circumstantial reports filed.

Excerpt from the Report of Col. P. C. Shanks, Seventh Indiana Cavalry, of operations January 22-February 9, relative to skirmish with Rebel guerrillas near LaGrange, February 3, 1864

COLLIERVILLE, TENN., February 10, 1864.

* * * *

On February 2, at 8 a. m., I sent Capt. Shoemaker with 40 men to escort Lieut. Grebe with dispatches to Gen. Smith. He reached Grand Junction and learned of the enemy at LaGrange. He reported to me the fact. I sent him Lieut. Skinner and 40 more men.

He then, on the morning of the 3d, drove the enemy from LaGrange, and without further difficulty reported at Memphis. The result of the fray at LaGrange was taking 8 prisoners, killing 2, and wounded 1, and some horses.

Respectfully submitted.

JOHN P. C. SHANKS, Col. Seventh Indiana Cavalry.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 32, pt. I, p. 274

 

Memphis Bulletin, March 4, 1863.

        3, Anxiety concerning change in Nashville's negro-church-going population

Sunday Nuisances.—A sight which we have often enjoyed, and always commend, in a Southern city, is in watching the colored population wending their way to and from Church on a Sunday. We could expatiate largely on the subject, had we time, and on the pious thoughts which filled our mind, as they passed us by to their places of worship. We see little of such scenes in Nashville at the present time; instead of finding our colored churches filled to overflowing by the large influx of contrabands, [emphasis added- we find them comparatively empty, the attendance being much smaller than two years ago; while the streets are filled with them, and the ears of citizens shocked with the blasphemous and obscene language of the blacks walking our streets. They are all the bad manners of their superiors and neglect all that is good. We urgently request the police to look into this matter, more especially on High street, the Public Square, the vicinity of the Watson House, and the Post-office.

Nashville Dispatch, March 3, 1863.

Excerpt from 3-5, Reconnaissance from Cumberland Gap, Tennessee to Jonesville, Virginia

MARCH 3-5, 1865.-Reconnaissance from Cumberland Gap, Tenn., toward Jonesville, Va., with skirmishes (4th) at Ball's Bridge, Va., and (5th) at Tazewell, Tenn.

Reports of Lieut. Col. William C. Bartlett, Second North Carolina Mounted Infantry.

CUMBERLAND GAP, March 5, 1865.

On the 3d I made a reconnaissance toward Jonesville. Was attacked yesterday morning at Ball's Bridge by about 250 rebels. We whipped them and drove them back up the valley. Owing to high waters I did not follow them over a couple of miles. I had 103 men with me. Has courier arrived with letter of mine to A. G? If so please retain letter till you hear from me. Please answer.

W. C. BARTLETT, Lieut.-Col.

CUMBERLAND GAP, March 5, 1865.

Part of Giltner's command surrounded Tazewell this a. m. and made a formal demand for surrender. This was refused, and they attacked Jennings with vigor. The enemy was thoroughly beaten, numbers killed and wounded, and Lieut. Richmond captured. Have as yet no further details. Rebels asked time to bury their dead, but Lieut. Jennings charged them instead. The attacking force was commanded by Lieut.-Col. Prentice, Seventh Confederate Cavalry Battalion.

W. C. BARTLETT, Lieut.-Col.

Brig.-Gen. TILLSON.

ADDENDA.

HDQRS. DISTRICT OF EAST TENNESSEE AND FOURTH DIVISION, TWENTY-THIRD ARMY CORPS, Knoxville, Tenn., March 5, 1865.

Lieut. Col. W. C. BARTLETT, Cmdg., Cumberland Gap:

Your dispatch received. I congratulate you upon your success. How much force did the enemy have? Is there any reason to suppose that they were the advance of any considerable force, or that it means anything more than a raid?

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

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 49, pt. I, p. 75.

        3-11, Expedition from Memphis to Northern Mississippi[8]

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 49, pt. I, p. 76.

the Report of Col. P. C. Shanks, Seventh Indiana Cavalry, of operations January 22-February 9, relative to skirmish with Rebel guerrillas near LaGrange, February 3, 1864

COLLIERVILLE, TENN., February 10, 1864.

* * * *

On February 2, at 8 a. m., I sent Capt. Shoemaker with 40 men to escort Lieut. Grebe with dispatches to Gen. Smith. He reached Grand Junction and learned of the enemy at LaGrange. He reported to me the fact. I sent him Lieut. Skinner and 40 more men.

He then, on the morning of the 3d, drove the enemy from LaGrange, and without further difficulty reported at Memphis. The result of the fray at LaGrange was taking 8 prisoners, killing 2, and wounded 1, and some horses.

Respectfully submitted.

JOHN P. C. SHANKS, Col. Seventh Indiana Cavalry.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 32, pt. I, p. 274

 



[1] Apparently the Federal army was actually pursuing a public relations campaign designed to win the hearts and minds of Nashvillians.

[2] As cited in PQCW.

[3] This skirmish may have taken place in either Hickman, Humphreys, Maury, Montgomery, Wayne or Williamson counties, all in Middle Tennessee, and all having a "Bear Creek" within its boundaries. There was another skirmish at Bear Creek, on October 3, 1863. It, like this citation, has no circumstantial reports.

[4] See February 15, 1863, "The Police," above.

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

[6] Most likely mistaken for the skirmishes at and near Franklin on March 4-5, 1863. See below.

[7] Not found.

[8] All action occurred in Mississippi although the expedition originated in Memphis, Tennessee.

 

James B. Jones, Jr.

Public Historian

Tennessee Historical Commission

2941 Lebanon Road

Nashville, TN  37214

(615)-770-1090 ext. 115

(615)-532-1549  FAX

 

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