APRIL 30, 1861-1865
30, Sallie Gannaway Jamison[1] to Camilla Jamison in Murfreesborough
War with all its horrors, is upon us. I hear and think of but little else. 'This the greatest calamity that could befall us. Who dreamed that we would ever come to this? The United States! The star country! The model government -- by which other nations endeavored to frame theirs,-but I fear the star has sunk, -- her glory has departed... All is confusion, -- no telling what the future will be; but 'tis the privilege of the Christian to stand all of this as the sun amid the flying clouds of heaven, calm and serene; -- trusting not in any mighty warriors as brave army but in the Lord of Hosts. The ladies are highly excited in some places, quite patriotic. I expect we are all intensely southern in feeling about now, believe in withdrawing our patronage from the North and encouraging home manufactory exclusively, but none that I have heard of have proven this faith by their work so prominently as out neighbor Mrs. Morton. She has made herself and all of her daughters three home-spun [sic] dresses apiece, and she (the old lady) to show that she intends carrying out her principle to the letter wore one of them to town the other day... There are two military companies preparing for service. Mr. Donnell [a school master] is Capt. Of one, and has almost given up his place in the school; doesn't pay much attention to it... He said he was glad Ada didn't go back [to school], that he didn't expect to be there in two weeks himself. The excitement has gotten into the school, and the girls are making make the military clothes. Miss Searey is President of a company of ladies who are making military clothes. I guess the girls had all better be at home, for I don't expect they are doing much good studying.
Robert D. Jamison Papers, TSL&A
30, Special rates on the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad
N. & C. Railroad Company
Superintendent's Office
Nashville, Apr. 30, '61
To Whom this may Concern:-
The Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad Company will transport FREE OF CHARGE [sic] against the company, all volunteer companies, supplies and munitions of war, intended for the defence of the South. The commanding officer will be required to furnish the forwarding agent with a certificate showing them number of men and tonnage of freight so transported.
This proposition will not apply to individuals, but is confined to organized companies.
Nashville Daily Gazette, December 12, 1861.[2]
1862
30, A. J. Campbell and the exile of Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. William B. Carter
JONESBOROUGH, [April] 30, 1862.
Col. W. M. CHURCHWELL:
Mrs. Johnson, her two sons, Mrs. Carter and her two children will leave to-morrow night for Norfolk. You will send passports, transportation for myself and everything else that is necessary. Send them by the conductor of the next train; if otherwise I will not get them in time. Also send me $50.
A. J. CAMPBELL.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 1, p. 887.
30, News from a refugee concerning Memphis and West Tennessee
Late from Memphis, Tenn.
The Details of the Fall of New Orleans Suppressed by the Rebels.
Cairo, April 30.-A refugee from Memphis reports that the town of Humboldt was occupied by a small Rebel force, engaged in throwing up defensive works. He brings Memphis papers of the 26th [April].
They contain but little matter, further than a conflagration of the falloff New Orleans. The Avalanche grumbles that the Rebel authorities suppress the details in regard to the affair, and says noting but the bare facts of the surrender is known.
The same papers say the Southern people are fast losing all confidence in their river defences. It is generally admitted that the Union army can be no longer successfully resisted.
It also intimates a lack of confidence in the stability of the Southern Confederacy by advising its patrons to invest whatever money they have in real estate while the purchase can be made with the currency now in circulation, which consists principally of Rebel treasury notes.
The conscription law is being rigidly enforced. The Union men are secreting themselves of flying to avoid its operation.
The same refugee also reports that those merchants who are of avowed Secession proclivities are removing their good s to places of concealment and security. Large numbers of families are moving away daily.
The ideal of burning the town has been abandoned, in consequence of the determined opposition of property-holders. It was currently reported at Memphis that Beauregard has not over 80,000 men at Corinth, and no hope is entertained of his successfully resisting Gen. Halleck, who was believed to have 200,000 men.
As our informant left Memphis it was reported that the Rebel gun-boat fleet from New Orleans was in sight, bound up the river, to join Hollin's fleet.
Philadelphia Inquirer, May 1, 1862.
30, Excerpt from a newspaper report on threats of the Chattanooga Vigilance Committee and admonitions of Federal reprisals in kind
REBEL COERCION.-
~ ~ ~
The following is from the Nashville Patriot of recent date:
We learn from a gentleman of veracity, direct from Chattanooga, that the Vigilance Committee of that place recently held a meeting and determined to put to death fifteen or twenty of the prominent Union men of that vicinity upon the approach of the National army.
Most certainly the approach of the Federal army to Chattanooga or anywhere else will not be prevented or retarded by any such hellish device as that. Our armies will assert and exercise the rights of war. If it be found that the Vigilance Committee are really determined, in the event of the marching of our troops upon their place, let that number or twice that number of prominent rebels of Nashville or some other city be seized and sternly held as hostages for the safety of the threatened victims. If the rebels will insist upon making this a war of barbarism, a war of extermination, a war shocking to the moral sense of the world, they have unquestionably the power to do so, but the consequence, whilst terrible on both sides, would be far most terrible to their own,
Never in all the history of hostilities among nations, was any war prosecuted on higher and juster and nobler and more merciful principles than this has been on the part of the United States. Our Government and our people have alike seemed to bear in mind the great truth, that, whilst the legitimate object of the war is to preserve the greatest country of the age against the most atrocious rebellion of any age, it still a war of brethren.
Louisville Daily Journal, April 30, 1862. [3]
30, Excerpt from the Case of Asa Hodges, Suspected of Disloyalty to the Confederacy, Relative to the Memphis Committee of Safety
~ ~ ~
Gen. James A. Carnes states that he has known Mr. Asa Hodges for the last four or five years and has regarded him as a good citizen and a reliable and trustworthy business man; that he never heard his loyalty questioned, and regarded him as entirely loyal to the South; that the witness was a member of the committee of safety of the city of Memphis from its first organization and that his opportunities for getting the names of suspected persons was very good, and the witness is of the opinion that had Mr. Hodges been suspected he would have heard of it; that gentlemen in whom he had implicit confidence informed him that he talked and evinced the right spirit in the Southern cause.
~ ~ ~
OR, Ser. II, Vol. 2, p. 1552.
1863
30, Near Gallatin, Confederate attack on supply convoy on the Cumberland River bound for Carthage
GALLATIN, April 30, 1863.
Brig.-Gen. GARFIELD, Chief of Staff:
A gunboat and four transports were coming up the river this morning; the rebels fired into them, and one transport ran on a log and sank. One-third of her charge can be saved. I shall go to her relief immediately. There were 200 men, with officers, on the fleet, and only 30 armed, and when they arrived here they were out of ammunition. I shall supply them. The fleet was going to Carthage.
E. A. PAINE, Brig.-Gen.
GALLATIN, April 30, 1863--8.15 p. m.
Brig.-Gen. GARFIELD:
I have just returned from the wreck. The boats were fired upon by soldiers and citizens, with muskets and rifles. The gunboat returned the fire. The rebels had no artillery. The pilot or some other officer must have been frightened, and carelessly ran the boat on a log. It was loaded with bread mostly. I think I can save one hundred boxes. I sent one regiment across the river, to go down, and sent down my flat-boats to unload the wreck. I expect a fight on this side. The gunboat was out of ammunition. I furnished what was required from the magazine.
E. A. PAINE, Brig.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I., Vol. 23, pt. II, p. 296. [4]
30, Federal contingency plans anticipating Confederate attack in Middle Tennessee
HDQRS. TWENTY-FIRST ARMY CORPS, Murfreesborough, Tenn., April 30, 1863.
Gen. PALMER:
The information I conveyed to you on the morning of the 28th concerning the movements of the enemy at Beech Grove, the threatening your encampments at Cripple Creek and Readyville, was written hastily during the night. It was indefinite at the best, and I write now with the view of expressing my wishes more explicitly to you and your post commanders in the event of an emergency. In the first place, they must never forget that they are outposts of my command and for the Army of the Cumberland; that it is not contemplated to bring on a general engagement at either station, and, therefore, that in an engagement they must not look for re-enforcements, but fall back to my lines for protection.
In the event of a formidable attack on Readyville (and which from information previously received, might prove fatal to our position there), it would be better for Gen. Hazen to fall back on Cripple Creek, fighting if need be, than for Gen. Cruft to advance to Readyville, for should a general engagement take place in the vicinity Readyville in itself will be of no value to us.
In this event, Gen. Hazen will destroy, so far as practicable all works that might be of value to the enemy. Should the posts be attacked simultaneously and with a force and energy that might cut off or capture either, both must withdraw, Gen. Hazen through the woods on the new road indicated by you. I can conceive of no circumstances whereby Gen. Cruft should retire without communicating with or notifying Gen. Hazen. Should authentic information reach these commanders of a general fight going on (or the sound thereof) on any other approach to Murfreesborough than that guarded by them, they will unite as speedily as possible to rejoin my command. Whilst instructions contemplating an attack by an unknown force, and time and plan of the enemy alike unknown, must necessarily be very imperfect, yet, relying as I do on the good judgment discretion, and valor of my commanders, I feel that with these suggestions you, sir, with Gen.'s Cruft and Hazen, will fully realize and appreciate my views, and that in the hour of trial the best interests of the cause will be subserved in your hands.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
T. L. CRITTENDEN, Maj.-Gen., Cmdg.
[Indorsement.]
Respectfully forwarded to Brig.-Gen. Hazen.
This letter was prepared by the corps commander, at my request, that we might have his views in definite shape for the government of Gen.'s Cruft and Hazen and myself.
J. M. PALMER, Maj.-Gen., Cmdg.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 23, pt. II, p. 295.
30, The war against prostitution in Memphis [see April 29, "Special Order [sic], No. 13 above]
Closing Houses of Ill Fame.-It is a fact too notorious that our city at the present time is a perfect bee hive of women of ill fame. The public conveyances here become theirs by right of conquest, so much so, that a lady fears to side through the streets for fear of being classed with them. To a certain extent the steamboats plying between this and other cities North of here have not the same respectability that characterized them in former years. In fact morality, from importation of lewd women from the North, is almost at a discount. It is no common occurrence to see that class of beings walking arm and arm with men who wear the apparel of gentlemen, who are here in civil as well as military capacity, in broad daylight, to the infinite satisfaction of the women and the great annoyance to respectable people. The nuisance can be stopped, will it be? An order closing houses of ill-fame, punishing officers and soldiers for associating with the inmates of those houses and making it a heavy penalty for steamboatmen [sic] to bring lewd women down the river would no doubt have the desired effect.
Memphis Bulletin, April 30, 1863.
30, "Latest Attractions."
Cary's great Show made a brilliant and highly successful opening in our city on last evening. The entertainment was of a very creditable and amusing character, and consisted of pantomimes, theatrical farces, gymnastic and acrobatic feats, light and heavy ballooning, dancing, singling, etc. all of which was executed with the greatest skill, reflecting much credit upon the various artists. May they realize their highest anticipations, and be crowned with the success they so deservedly merit.
Memphis Bulletin, April 30, 1863.
30, "…we had our shooting match at Tuesday… "Letter of Corporal W. C. Tripp, Company B, 44th Tennessee Infantry, in camp near Wartrace, to his wife Martha Ann
April the 30 1863
Camp near Wartrace Bedford Co Tenn
Dear Wife I Seat my Self to drop you A few lines to let you no [sic] that I am well at this time ….there is talk of us a staying here a good while I have heard no news from the Yankees since you left here Martha I want to come home worse [sic] than I ever did cints [sic] you left here I suppose that Col Frelton ses [sic] all that wants to come home they can come before Christmas god grant how soon that hit may bee [sic] the boys is still a quarling [sic] yet but hit [sic] aint me turn over
The boys all sends thear [sic] love and respects to you …the helth [sic] of the regiment is very good at this time we had our shooting match a tuesday [sic] we shot wild we shot 160 yards heap of the boys mist [sic] the target the target was 6 feet hie [sic] 10 feet long I must bring my few lines to a close I remain youe [sic] effectionte [sic] husband untill [sic] death
MSCC/CWRC
30, Political endorsement from the Eighth Regiment of Tennessee Volunteers
Camp Near Shelbyville, Tenn., April 30, 1863
Mr. N. O. Wallace:
Sir – although distant from the country of my nativity, still we feel some anxiety that she gets off on the right foot in the ensuing August [Confederate] election. It encourages those who are in the field to see principles for which they are contending appreciated and sustained. We cannot have a man more warmly devoted, or more ready to sacrifice all, for the good of the cause, than our last Representative from Lincoln county; but I understand that he does not want his name to come before the people of the country for re-election. This being the case, I am decidedly in favor of a man who has shown his devotion to our cause by his works - other thing being equal. Among if not first, stands Capt. Wm. P. Tolley, on this list, who so ardently espoused our cause in its infancy in Lincoln Co, and he has shown his warm devotion to he cause by enlisting the first opportunity that was offered, and serving one year in the ranks, when he was chosen by his company as their leader and continued in his command until the ever memorable second charge at Gaines' Mill, when he sealed his devotion to our country's cause with his own blood while gallantly leading his "little host" [sic] to victory. In action he was cool and decided, and I have heard the boys remark that he and the lamented Major McLaughlin (daring almost to a fault) did more to rally the Brigade, than any other officer in it – Gen. Archer being almost exhausted – and Lieut. Col. Shackleford having just fallen. I merely give this short sketch as nothing but due one who has acted his part so nobly in the great struggle for Southern rights [sic] and Southern independence [sic] and would commend him to the favorable consideration of the people of Lincoln Co., as their candidate to represent them in the lower branch of our next Legislature, believing him to be in every way qualified for that position, and having as many claims on the people as any other man on account of services rendered.
A voice from the 8th Reg't Tenn. Vols.
Fayetteville Observer, May 21, 1863.
30, Orders to carry on anti-insurgent operations on the Obion river and report of the capture of Confederate guerrilla leader Captain Cotter and 25 of his men near Eaton, Gibson County
COLUMBUS, KY., April 30, 1863--10.20 p. m.
Lieut. Col. HENRY BINMORE, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Memphis, Tenn.:
At the request of Maj.-Gen. Curtis, I ordered, on 28th, six companies of Fourth Missouri Cavalry to co-operate with the New Madrid troops against Marmaduke, and to operate on their return on the Obion against the two rebel captains, Porter and Cotter. I have not yet head from the expedition, but Capt. Frank Moore, Second Illinois Cavalry, has just reported with Capt. Cotter and 25 of his men, captured in the vicinity of Eaton,[5] Gibson County, Tennessee, after a six days' scout and pursuit through the swamps. Capt. Moore nearly succeeded in capturing Capt. Porter also, who escaped in a skiff across the Forked Deer River, with Moore in hot pursuit.
ASBOTH.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 24, pt. III, pp, 248-249.
30, Favoritism in the execution of Confederate conscription in Union county[6]
The following unique letter was handed us by Capt. Webb, of the Enrolling Office of this Department;
UNION COUNTY, April 30, 1863
To Col. Blake, Comeding Cornscripts and so fourth:
Now Sur, I beg leeve to make a few remarks. Are the cornscripts ov ower cownty liable and ordered to be arrested. And delivered over at Knocksville to who has the collection ov them. Are the cornscripts officers aloud to seez one man and send wurd to anuther to cleer out and hide hisself? And then Kernel ar we kumpelled to have rollin officers who send men and buoys ove the mountings, telling the young men not yet 18 that the C. Gov. had abanderud ages under 18, and was ketchin corncripts by weight. And by this they have actery sceered off sum who ar not 17 years old-one in particler Elber Dawl, near me wus told that ef he weighed 124 lbs, he sertinly must go into the service of the C. S., and that nite he left for Ky., and is over thar now. We has in this cownty every enrollin offiser for the very wust cort of Likninite, & every one relatives ov the Cheerman or Cownty Court Clerk & this clerk was Thornberg's 1st Lieut. & the Cheerman is no better. Can we not have these stowt young men cauld into the servis or let them run off as sum ov them will do & have men over, 45 appointed or appint ower justices ov the peas & uther persins exempt from Concript this would at once put amazingly formydable force ov young men into the field & leave them who now have nuthin to do offishally to attend to the enroaling clerks sheriffs justices & other exempts. I have ritten to Congress asken them to pass a kempulserry law on the cownty coarts to make up the rollin officers entirely ov the exempt whether you have the power to change the appointments I know not, but this ere you can do, put them into the army a foarce the cownty courts to make other appointments for the pressant incumbenters in moast of the cownties in East Tennessee is a burlesk on the military but I kno that we has sum very good uns if I can get an order I will arrest a phew bad men & who ar lyin out steling everything in thar reach I have extended my few disjointed remarks much further than I espceted at first yours truly
JOHN DOOLY.
We are inclined to believe that the publication of the foregoing patriotic letter will result in important reforms in the enforcement of the Conscript act, and we accept in advance the thanks of Col. Blake for the invaluable suggestions presented.
Knoxville Daily Register, May 21, 1863.
1864
30, "Clippings from Brownlow"
We copy the following from Brownlow's Whig of April 30th:
* * * *
"Green Flies and Rebels"
Last year, as the citizens report, there were more green flies here than ever appeared in East Tennessee since the first settlement of the country. Cold and backward as the spring is, they are returning by thousands and are to be seen in every house, in every yard and in every street. They came last year to [bless?] the Confederates, as they were in fine condition to produce a crop of maggots. [sic] They return this spring under the misapprehension that rebels are holding the country!
Memphis Bulletin, May 14, 1864.
30, "Reducing the Poor Man's Wages"
There are those in our country who, at all hazards, are resolved on holding on to the negro [sic], and perpetuating slavery, even in the loyal region of East Tennessee. They know and feel that the people are sick and tired of fighting to perpetuate slavery in the Cotton States; that not one in ten of all the voters in East Tennessee have any interest in the institution; that they have seen their homes made desolate, and their loved ones slain and cruelly murdered on account of the nigger [sic]; that the spirit that actuated these outrages is showing itself as malignant as ever, under the guise of Unionism, [sic] and of upholding the constitution and laws, and finally, the real people see that there will be no peace in the country while the struggle is kept up to hold on to the disturbing element.
Gentlemen, with a view to carry the poor and laboring classes with them, at the ballot-box, to bolster up the institution, take the ground that if the negroes [sic] are emancipated, the competition will become so great between the negroes [sic] and the laboring classes of the whites, that poor men will have to work for nothing. This is all stuff. The emancipating of negroes [sic] will not increase their numbers, but diminish them. [sic] They are already here, and as slaves are in competition with white laborers, and really keep down the white man's wages. [sic] Emancipate them, and they will cease to be in competition with white laborers. Nay, more, our theory is, that in process of time they will, like the Indian tribes, become extinct.
But it is of no use to argue this question. The institution will be wiped out, and out to be, and that section that clings to it longest will see the most trouble, and the last to get rid of the horrors of war. Men who lend themselves to help bolster up slavery now, whether they own any or not, are in their own light, and will prove to be their own tormentors.
Brownlow's Whig and Independent Journal and Rebel Ventilator, April 30, 1864.
30, "Refugees from the South."
A gentleman at Cleveland, Tennessee, writing to his brother in Cincinnati, says that no man who has been in the service and observed Rebels closely, can avoid the conclusion that many of the refugees who now come within our lines are fugitives, not from the conscription, but from starvation. They hate the [Federal] Government, but love its rations. Even at Nashville there are many of this class, who return no service for their daily food. As a nut for copperheads to crack, we commend to their attention the fact that four or six weeks ago, but of every hundred rations drawn by refugees, ninety-six were drawn by whites and four by negroes [sic]; the latter, to a great extent, support themselves by their labor, Cincinnati Gazette.
The contrabands in this direction must be a superior race to those in Louisiana, for in the interview between the "Christian delegation" from Chicago and President Lincoln in 1862, the latter is reported as saying: "General Butler wrote me, a few days since, that he was issuing more rations to the slaves who have rushed to him than to all the white troops under his command. They eat, and that is all.' [sic]
Nashville Dispatch, April 30, 1864.
30, Elvira Powers remarks on the progress of her contraband students at the Refugee farm[7]
The aptness of the pupils, as a whole, is really surprising. Some have learned the alphabet, I am told, in three days, and others in a week.
It is said that all northern people who visit the school, very soon fall a victim to that fearful disease, known by the southern chivalry and northern copperheads, as "niggar [sic] on the brain." And I will confess my belief that were I to teach in this school very long, I might become so interested in some of my pupils I should sometimes forget that they were not of the same color as myself, and really believe that God did make of one blood all nations of the earth.
They present every shade of color from the blackest hue to a fairer skin than my own. It is often necessary to find out who the mother is before you know whether the person is white of black. The age [of the student body] varies from four to thirty.
The progress of some is really astonishing. One little black girl of seven years, and with wooly head, can read fluently in the Fourth Reader, and studies primary, geography, and arithmetic, who has been to school but one year. I inquired if any one taught her at home, if she had not learned how to read before that time. "Oh, no, I learned my letters when I first came to school, and I live with my aunt Mary, and she can't read. She's no kin to me, and I haven't any kin, but I call her aunt."
Perhaps she never had any, or is related to Topsey, and if questioned farther, might say she "'spects she grew." A boy about twelve, who has been to school but nine months, and who learned his letters in that time, reads in the Third Reader and studies geography. Some are truly polite. The first day of my taking charge of one of the division, a delicate featured, brown-skinned little girl of about nine years came to me and said with the sweetest voice and manner: --
"Lady will you please tell me you name?"
I did so, when she thanked me and said: --
"Miss P_____ can you please hear our Third Reader this morning." It was not an idle question either, for the school is so large that now, while two of the teachers are absent, from illness, some of the classes are each day necessarily neglected. And so eager are the generality of the pupils to learn, that most of them are in two or three reading and spelling classes at the same time.
One might now not only exclaim with Galileo, "The world does move," and we move with it. For though but a little time since the negro dared to say :I think," lest the master might exclaim,-- "You think, you black neggar [sic]-never you mind about that, I'll do your thinking for you." But would instead, say 'deferentially, with bent head and hand in his wooly hair, "Wall, massa, I'se been a studyin' about dat dar," is now learning to stand erect and confess that he does think; as well as learn to read and write.
One of the more advanced pupils told me that her father taught her to read and write before it was safe to let anyone know that he did, or that he could himself read.
Powers, Pencillings, pp. 61-63.
30, A Report on Female Confederates in Knox County.
Four She Devils.
A short time since, in the North-eastern corner of this county, and near the Union county line, the wife of a villian [sic] at Camp Chase, two single girls of another family and a rebel Negro woman, dressed themselves in rebel uniform and caps, and visited the house of a Union lady and frightened her all but out of her life, making threats and cutting up generally. This was beautiful conduct for – we will not say ladies [sic]-but for females. The authorities must erect a female prison [sic] here for all such, and when done, we move that these gallant rebels in breeches [sic] must be sent for. The only blunder they committed was in not having with them a negro man [sic] instead of a woman!
Brownlow's Knoxville Whig and Rebel Ventilator, April 30, 1864
30-ca. May 5, Expedition in West Tennessee to capture Forrest
HDQRS. DISTRICT OF WEST TENNESSEE, Memphis, Tenn., May 2 [Monday], 1864.
Brig.-Gen. BRAYMAN, Cmdg. District of Cairo:
GEN.: I wrote you what my plans were some days ago. I have no Official information that the force which I asked to be sent to Crump's Landing was sent; on the contrary I have a dispatch from Gen. Sherman, dated Nashville, April 28, [Thursday] 11.30 a. m., in which he says: "Don't calculate on a force moving inland from Tennessee River now, as we cannot spare it, but rely upon your own command." I sent out my force on Saturday morning [April 30] as I wrote you I should, but the [command] left with the understanding that they were not to have the co-operating force I asked for, and so understanding will not reach Bolivar Sunday [May 1] night as I stated. On the contrary, they may be delayed two or three days [i.e., until May 4 or 5, Wednesday or Thursday] hunting out a force of 2,000 or 3,000 of Forrest's men who are near Oakland, Mason's Station, and Covington, between the Hatchie and Wolf Rivers. Those streams are much swollen, and what men are in there I hope to capture Forrest with most of his force is north of the Hatchie, and it is very much swollen by heavy rains, so it will be impossible for him to cross below Bolivar, and probably not below Crump's Mill. It is very important that the space between Crump's Mill or Bolivar on the Hatchie should be held and Forrest's retreat south cut off until Sturgis can whip out the force south of Hatchie and come up. I hear from officers who have come down from Cairo that on the 28th [Thursday] an expedition left there for the Tennessee River in light marching order, and it was understood to be ordered to operate against Forrest.
I suppose these are the troops I asked for. If this be so I fear that they will move out toward the Hatchie, and failing to hear from Sturgis will return. This they should not do. They must wait for Sturgis, and prevent Forrest from escaping. He has ordered all his troops to join him on the 4th May [Wednesday] at Jackson. If there is danger of them returning before communicating with Sturgis (you will perhaps know the officer's orders who went in command), you will immediately send a dispatch-boat, with a copy of this letter, to the officer in command.
If my information is correct in regard to the present disposition of Forrest's forces, I think we shall punish him badly if I can have this co-operating force from the Tennessee. If this force has gone up the Tennessee for the purpose I now suppose, why was I not informed?
I am, general, your obedient servant,
C. C. WASHBURN, Maj.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 39, pt. II, pp. 8-9.
30-May 9, Expedition from Memphis to Ripley Mississippi and skirmish at Bolivar May 2 [See May 2, 1864, "Skirmish at Bolivar" below]
1865
30, Surrender of guerrillas along the Clinch River
No circumstantial reports filed.
RUTLEDGE, TENN., April 30, 1865.
[Maj.-Gen. STONEMAN, Cmdg. District of East Tennessee:]
GEN.: I have the honor to inform you that I have been constantly scouting both sides of the Clinch. There are but few guerrillas remaining in this vicinity, they having nearly all left since I came here. I have endeavored to carry out your instructions, but it is necessary to explain why I have taken some prisoners. When I found those men, the most of them had hidden or otherwise disposed of their arms, and others came and gave themselves up. I had not sufficient evidence at the time of their being bushwhackers or guerrillas, until they were identified by citizens who knew them to be such. In this manner several have come into my hands as prisoners. The most noted of these are Dr. J. P. Legg and P. H. Starnes, whom I captured north of the Clinch. I sent them to Knoxville by Lieut. Jackson and squad of Ninth Tennessee Cavalry. I have seven prisoners now at this place, which I send to Knoxville by Sergt. Edward Stokeley and squad of my company. I have just received orders from Col. Parsons to move, with my company, to Bull's Gap, which has created especially those grand jurors and others who are witnesses against prominent rebels. Many of the citizens have called on me this morning and desired me to state to the general commanding that their lives will be endangered by the removal of the soldiers from the place. On their behalf, if it is not inconsistent with the service, [I request] that may company be ordered to garrison this place until it may be considered safe without a military force.
I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. W. HARRINGTON, Capt. Company G, Ninth Tennessee Cavalry.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 49, pt. II, pp. 528-529.
30, Arrest of women for "rejoicing over the death of Lincoln."
On that morning, Mollie was carried away to Tullahoma – she and Mrs. McMillan having been arrested by order of Gen. Milroy on the evening of the 29th (Saturday). The charge was "rejoicing over the death of Lincoln." It seems that Mollie heard some days before that she had been reported for that at Lewis head-quarters, by a boy who came up with her from Woodbury. She had gone to Mrs. Grizzel's (where the boy lived, he was a bound boy) to attack him about it-he denied it all until he was black in the face, and said it was a Mrs. Boyd (who also came up with them,) who did the reporting – saying that she heard Mollie tell Jane Morford after they had gone to bed – that "When she heard Abe was dead she waved a Secesh-flag!" The Commandant of the post hated M. because she and other rebel girls had declined calling on Miss Sullivan because she drove out with him! Consequently, with Lewis personal pique and Clift persuasion [sic] – her case sent to Milroy – who sent for them. Seven armed men (!!!) [sic] were sent under an officer to arrest her! One, lone woman! The Lieut. Mollie says, looked ashamed of the array, and quite plagued when she quietly remarked that "really it was amusing to think she was so formidable – she had never though of it before." Everything was raked up against her that could be-as it was merely a case of personal pique and they pounced on the first excuse they could get to arrest her. The day Mollie and Mrs. McMillan went to Grizzell's to give the boys some of their mind about his lying, there was a woman there – a Mrs. Bell who went on in their presence to bewail her lot – she was a prisoner and so ill – threatened by the Yankees, and she cried and sobbed wonderfully over her troubles. When M. and Mrs. Mc. Rose to leave this woman came forward – shook hands with them – and told M. "she hoped she would have no further trouble" etc. Mr. And Mrs. M. had said nothing – but as soon as they were gone-what does she do but ups and reports [sic] to the powers that be – and old Miss Boyd, a tale-bearing woman as Wash calls her was hurried in, and M. arrested! After the ladies were taken off – the greatest efforts were made by Lewis to get evidence against Mollie but he failed. They even sent for old Mrs. Long – way on the road away down the road to Woodbury – as well as for Jane Morford but both of these evidenced for instead of against her. It was a all a made up thing – the old spy had not caught up and body and had been here a month, she was not getting her rights as to pay, she thought – consequently the little reports concerning M. and Mrs. Mc. Were magnified into a few mountains of falsehood and conjecture and sent flaming to Milroy. Lewis having a personal pique at Mollie caught at it as a god-sent [sic], and to gratify his own malice determined to put it thro [sic]. He did his best – and that proved one of the best of failures. Milroy's' scout, John Lee, who was to take them down to Tulahoma [sic], boarded sometimes at Henderson's – Mr. H. is M's friend and from him Lee was prepossessed in her favor – he was melted down too – when he saw them all crying at Mrs. Myers when M. left – going up the Ambulance just after he had put her in – he looked up in her face and said with a smile "Never mind Miss, I'll bring you back in a day or two, or my name is not John Lee." And it was principally to his reckon so that M. was indebted for her release – for he had great influence with Milroy and tho [sic] there was no evidence against M. worth 5 cents. Lee had to tell Milroy it wasn't worth a d__n or that discriminating officer would never have seen it. They are indebted to Captain Can for a quiet good word in their favor tho [sic] he claimed no credit for doing anything and for kind words to themselves. What he did, was done for their sakes alone and not for no interested motive. [sic] Joe Clift on the contrary had an interest of his own to subserve – and yet in doing this, he also served them. He did them the great favor to tell them exactly how they would be treated and dhow they must act, which was of the greatest benefit. Said he "There is no evidence you of any account it seems for Col. and Mrs. French's letter – no need for you to lay the case before Rousseau – at present – they will try to scare you with Camp Chase – and [the] Nashville Penitentiary but don't you give way an inch – stand your ground – don't say much – be pleasant – give Billings rope and he'll hang himself." Clift was getting up evidence against Billings and Milroy himself for abuse of their office as they had had him arrested for disobeying orders and he wanted M. to give him all Billings irrelevant questions and talk to her, which she put in writing for him. I will get M. to vie me a written statement of the whole affair – I mean to use it some day. Armstrong wrote down to Milroy – I wrote to Mollie, and on the way they came home – Armstrong was going around with a petition getting all the "Loyal Ladies" to sign it – except the Clifts. I was out in the yard in the evening when I saw the Col. Come around the bluff – and a lady with him, I knew the rebel dress-the grey dress and grey hat and plumes – it was Mollie! I had spent that afternoon – or the most of it writing a letter to Milroy – a long mile document [sic], and the Col. was going down to Tulahoma [sic] in the morning to see if he could not get the ladies released….But, as it turned out this was not necessary, they were at home. M. and I like to have never gone to bed that night – she had so much to tell me and so many funny things to say about those fools Gen. & P. M. of Tulahoma [sic].
War Journal of Lucy Virginia French, entry for May 10, 1865.
[1] Sallie Gannaway Jamison is not identified, but may have been a cousin in Ohio.
[2] The date is correct. The notice was reprinted in the December 12, 1861 issue.
[3] As cited in PQCW.
[4] Referenced neither in the OR General Index nor in Dyer's Battle Index for Tennessee. See also: Navy OR, Ser. I, Vol. 24, pp. 88-90.
[5] Eaton is located on SR 188 in the western section of Gibson county, near the Crocket county line.
[6] All spelling and grammar original.
[7] Powers had agreed to teach negro children at the "Refugee farm", or the "Eweing farm" on Friday, April 22, 1864. See: Powers, Pencillings, p.58.
James B. Jones, Jr.
Public Historian
Tennessee Historical Commission
2941 Lebanon Road
Nashville, TN 37214
(615)-770-1090 ext. 123456
(615)-532-1549 FAX
