Showing posts with label Leonidas Polk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Leonidas Polk. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Brigadier-General William H. Carroll to Major-General Leonidas Polk, November 11, 1861

MEMPHIS, November 11, 1861.
Major-General POLK:

Please send me all the guns and accouterments that can be spared to Chattanooga. I will move one regiment in the morning. You will see by the dispatches how urgent the necessity is.

WM. H. CARROLL.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 4 (Serial No. 4), p. 235

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Monday, October 21, 1861

General Zollicoffer sent the following telegram this morning to General Johnston, Bowling Green Kentucky:

One Ohio Regiment said to be twelve miles distant. Another regiment of the enemy a few miles beyond. I will feel of them today with two regiments and some cavalry. My force here is about 5,400.1

Johnston replied, the same day, thus:

Your telegram from London received. The information we have of the enemy in your front is this: 10,000 at Camp Dick Robinson, of these 4,000 are in advance toward Cumberland Gap, but how far is not known; it is commanded by Garrard; and 10,000 dotted from Robinson to Cincinnati.

General Polk ordered two howitzers, one Parrott and three iron guns to be shipped for you to Knoxville, October 15. A company to man this battery will be sent in a few days.2

On advancing with the infantry, about daybreak, Zollicoffer soon learned that the enemy had so blockaded the road, by cutting trees across it, that it was very difficult for infantry to approach the enemy's position, much less cavalry and artillery; and, moreover, the enemy's entrenched camp on Rockcastle Hills was a natural fortification, almost inaccessible, from our side of approach.

Winding their way, as best they could, between two hills, over the fallen timber, and up, up, up the rugged cliffs. Finally, about 9 A. M., the Eleventh (Rains) and Seventeenth (Newman) Tennessee Regiments attacked the Federals in their entrenchments on Rockcastle Hills. The following is taken from Colonel Newman's official report:

NEAR ROCKCASTLE HEIGHTS, October 21, 1861.

As ordered, I formed my regiment from hill-top to hill-top at open intervals to move in rear of Colonel Rains' Regiment and support him. Lieutenant-Colonel Miller was ordered to take command of the left wing, composed of Companies A, D, F and I . . . . and for the movements of said companies on the field I refer you to the report of Lieutenant-Colonel Miller, which is hereto appended and made a part of my report.3 The six companies, viz.: B, C, E, G, H and K, . . . . constituting the right wing, were under my immediate command, and moved forward in line of battle in the direction of the heights in front of our position.

Upon reaching a point within eighty yards of the heights, we discovered a number of men ascending the heights and entering the fortifications, but supposing these men to be a portion of Colonel Rains' command, I did not order them to be fired upon.

At this point we received a heavy volley of rifles and musketry. The command moved on, however, without returning the fire until within forty paces of the enemy's works before we discovered they were not Colonel Rains' men, at which time the men were ordered to cover as well as they could and to return the enemy's fire. In this position we maintained a heavy fire for twenty-five minutes, when I ordered Captain Armstrong and Lieutenant Harrison to move their companies around to my extreme right to prevent a flank movement of the enemy, which I saw they were about to make. These officers executed the order with promptness and alacrity, under fire.

The fire was kept up by all the companies for an hour and ten minutes, and, seeing that it was impossible to fall back without great loss, I ordered the works to be charged. Four companies gallantly charged the works, as ordered. Officers and men seemingly vied with each other as to who should be first to reach the works of the enemy.

After the fortification was reached, and many of my men had got within the works, driving the enemy from the first parallel, not receiving any support, and being nearly destitute of cartridges, I ordered my command to fall back, which it did in good order. While this was being executed the other two companies maintained their position as ordered. . . . . . . . . . . .

Killed, 11; wounded, 34.

All of which is respectfully submitted,
Taz. W. NEWMAN,        
Colonel Commanding Seventeenth Regiment Tennessee Volunteers.4

After he had fallen back to Flat Lick, between Barboursville and Camp Buckner, Zollicoffer sent the following report to A. S. Johnston:

CAMP FLAT LICK, KNOX COUNTY, October 24, 1861.

On the 21st I reached the enemy's entrenched camp, on Rockcastle Hills, a natural fortification, almost inaccessible. Having reconnoitered in force under heavy fire for several hours from heights on the right, left and in front, I became satisfied that it could not be carried otherwise than by immense exposure, if at all. received large reinforcements.

Our loss was forty-two wounded and eleven killed and missing. We captured twenty-one prisoners, about 100 guns and four horses. The loss of the enemy in killed and wounded unknown.

The country is so poor that we had exhausted the forage on the road for fifteen miles back in twenty-four hours. Our subsistence nearly exhausted. Under these circumstances I deemed it proper the next day to fall back. Enemy's camp said to be 7,000 strong, with large reserves near at hand.

Very respectfully,
F. K. ZOLLICOFFER,        
Brigadier-General.5

I have not been able to find Colonel Rains' official report, therefore can give no further account of the part taken by his regiment in the above action, though it would seem that the most of the fighting was done by Newman's Regiment, from the fact that Zollicoffer reports the same number, eleven, “killed and missing" from the brigade that Newman reports “killed" from his regiment; the former, however, reports eight more wounded, which may have been the loss of Rains' Regiment.6

Remaining in front of the Federal position, Zollicoffer made another slight attack about two o'clock, P. M., but still he could not induce the enemy to come from his intrenchments and give battle on equal footing.

The Thirty-third Indiana Infantry, under Colonel John Coburn, and the First Kentucky Cavalry, under Colonel Frank Wolford, did the most of the fighting on the part of the enemy.

I take the following from Colonel John Coburn's official report, addressed to “General A. Schoepf, Commanding Brigade:

They (Rebels) soon came near us7 under cover of a wood, which entirely concealed their approach until we were apprised of their presence by the firing of musketry. At this time we were reinforced by a portion of the First Kentucky Cavalry, dismounted, under Colonel Wolford, about two hundred and fifty strong, who immediately formed and took part in the engagement. The firing at this time was very severe, which caused the cavalry to waver and retreat. They were soon, however, rallied and formed again in order, and fought with good spirit.

The enemy engaged was composed of a portion of General Zollicoffer's command, and consisted of two regiments of Tennesseans, under the command of Colonels Newman and Cummings (Rains). They charged up the hill upon us, and were met by a galling and deadly fire, which wounded and killed many of them. The front of their column approached within a few rods of us with their bayonets fixed, declaring themselves “Union men,” and “all right,” at the next moment leveling their guns at us and firing.

After being engaged nearly an hour, the enemy retreated, bearing off a portion of their dead and wounded and their arms. Our men have buried their dead left on the field and taken the wounded8 to our hospitals. Thirty corpses have been found up to this time (October 22d). A large number of their wounded and dead were carried off in their wagons. It is safe to estimate the loss of the enemy at least one hundred killed. . . . . . . . . .

About the close of the engagement four companies of the Seventeenth Ohio, Colonel Connell, came upon the hill and formed in line of battle. . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . About two o'clock, P. M., we were again attacked. At this time the Fourteenth Ohio, Colonel Steedman, appeared upon the field. . . . . . . . . . . .

At ten o'clock at night Lieutenant Sypher, of Captain Standart's Ohio Battery, came on the hill, on an alarm fired three rounds. They were the last shots fired.

At about two o'clock in the morning we heard sounds which betokened a movement of General Zollicoffer's army. It proved to be a retreat. . . . . . . . . . . .

The number of our loss is a follows: Company D, one killed and five wounded; Company I, one killed and ten wounded, three mortally. Colonel Wolford lost one killed and eleven wounded.9

Colonel T. T. Garrard, Third Kentucky, who was in command at Wildcat before General Schoepf arrived, wrote to General Thomas, under October 25th, thus:

Your aid arrived in time to save us from a certain defeat (what others may say to the contrary notwithstanding). It is not necessary for me to say one word about the fight, for you have no doubt been fully posted. Though don't be deceived as to the number killed by us; my impression is that we did not kill to exceed sixteen, and wounded some thirty or forty.

Many say we lost a great victory by not pursuing the enemy. It is true, if we had have known as much then as now, we might have done.wonders. But we expected an attack the next morning, and every one was sleeping on their arms, and we never knew the enemy had left camps until near eight o'clock. We have a great many here who know precisely how to manage affairs when the enemy is out of hearing, but would be as much at a loss to do so in a fight as I would be.

I am glad to have an opportunity of proving by a Federal Colonel, who was present at Wildcat, that Colonel Coburn did greatly overestimate our loss at that place.

Supposing that all of the missing were killed, Colonel Newman reported eleven killed, but as three of them were only wounded, our loss was really eight killed and forty-five wounded, one mortally.

Colonel Garrard does not say any thing about the Federal loss in his report. General Schoepf reports four killed and eighteen wounded, while Colonel Coburn reports twenty-six wounded from his and Walford's regiments.

Companies A and E, of McNairy's Battalion went back a short distance in the direction of London, crossed over to the Richmond road, and thence around to the east of Wildcat, to keep a sharp lookout for any flank movement that the enemy might be making in that direction. Making no discovery, however, we returned to the wagon train, about half-way between London and Wildcat, a little after dark.
_______________

1 Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 209.

2 Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 212.

3 Not found.

4 Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 213.

5 Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 210.

6 Since writing the above I have learned (from Military Annals of Tennessee, p. 293) that Rains lost “one killed and six or eight wounded."

7 On an eminence east of the Federal encampment.

8 Three, one mortally, so General Schoepf reports. See Rebellion Records Vol. IV., p. 207.

9 Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 208.

10 Rebellion Records, Vol. IV., p. 319.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 59-65

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Lieutenant-Colonel William W. Mackall to Brigadier-General Felix K. Zollicoffer, October 21, 1861

BOWLING GREEN, October 21, 1861.
General ZOLLICOFFER:

GENERAL: Your telegram from London received. The information we have of the enemy in your front is this: 10,000 at Camp Dick Robinson; of these 4,000 are in advance towards Cumberland Gap, but how far is not known; it is commanded by Garrard; and 10,000 dotted from Robinson to Cincinnati. General Polk ordered 2 howitzers, 1 Parrott, and 3 iron guns to be shipped for you to Knoxville October 15. A company to man this battery will be sent in a few days.

W. W. MACKALL,        
Assistant Adjutant-General.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 4 (Serial No. 4), p. 212

Sunday, April 10, 2022

Leroy P. Walker to Major-General Leonidas Polk, September 4, 1861

RICHMOND, September 4, 1861.
General POLK, Memphis, Tenn.:

News has reached here that General Pillow has landed his troops at Hickman, Ky. Order their prompt withdrawal from Kentucky.

L. P. WALKR,        
Secretary of War. 

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 4 (Serial No. 4), p. 180

Jefferson Davis to Major-General Leonidas Polk, September 4, 1861

RICHMOND, September 4, 1861.
General POLK:

The necessity justifies the action.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 4 (Serial No. 4), p. 181

Gustavus A. Henry to Jefferson Davis, September 15, 1861

CLARKSVILLE, September 15, 1861.
His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS, Richmond, Va.:

I am just from Nashville, where some dissatisfaction prevails at the action of General Polk in taking Columbus, Ky. Whether it was altogether politic to take possession I need not say, but it will be ruinous to order him back. Let him advance his columns into Kentucky, to Bowling Green and Muldraugh's Hill if necessary, and I predict he will not leave an enemy behind him south of that place in two weeks.

In confidence I say to you the service here needs a general at its head in whom the Army and the country have unlimited confidence. Albert S. Johnston first, and Buckner and Gus. W. Smith as officers under him, would give such confidence as would insure success. I do not even insinuate that any one now in office should be displaced. I do not think they ought, but that the persons above named should be added to the list.

The neutrality of Kentucky has been all the time a cloak to enable the Lincoln party there to hide their real design to arm the friends of Lincoln and to disarm the Southern Rights party. We ought to strike now. A step backward would be fatal, in my opinion. We cannot long avoid a conflict with the paid and bought friends of Lincoln in Kentucky, and the fight might as well come off now as at any other time. If it is to be done, it should be done quickly.

Ever your friend and obedient servant,
G. A. HENRY.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 4 (Serial No. 4), p. 192-3

Saturday, November 13, 2021

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: June 15, 1864

Clear and cool; warm late in the day.

It is rumored now that the enemy got to Westtown yesterday, some ten miles below the point on this side occupied by Butler; and to-day he is leaving, either crossing to the south side (probably to cut the railroad), or embarking in his transports for no one knows whither. So, this attempt to take Richmond is as bad a failure as any.

Grant has used up nearly a hundred thousand men—to what purpose? We are not injured, after withstanding this blow of the concentrated power of the enemy. It is true some bridges are burned, some railroads have been cut, and the crops in the line of the enemy's march have been ruined; but our army is intact: Lee's losses altogether, in killed and wounded, not exceeding a few thousand.

A report of an officer states that the James River is not fordable anywhere above for forty miles.

There is a rumor on the street that the head of Ewell's corps (commanded by Gen. Early) crossed the Rappahannock, yesterday, at United States Ford. If this be so, there must be consternation in Washington; and the government there will issue embarrassing orders to Grant.

The spirits of the people here are buoyant with the Western news, as well as with the result of Lee's campaign.

The death of Gen. Polk, however, is lamented by a good many.

The operations of Forrest and Morgan are inspiring.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2p. 231-2

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: June 1, 1864

At 7½ A.M. cannon and musketry heard northeast of the city, which either ceased or receded out of hearing at 12 M.; or else the hum of the city drowned the sounds of battle. Up to 3 P.M. we have no particulars. Beauregard is on the right of our line; Lee's headquarters was at Yellow Tavern. He is sufficiently recovered to direct the battle.

Butler has mostly if not entirely evacuated Bermuda Hundred; doubtless gone to Grant. The President rode out this morning toward the battle-field. Every one is confident of success, since Beauregard and Lee command.

The Secretary of War granted a passport to Mr. Pollard, who wrote a castigating history of the first years of the war, to visit Europe. Pollard, however, was taken, and is now in the hands of the enemy, at New York.

Another row with the Bureau of Conscription. Brig.-Gen. Chilton, Inspector-General, has been investigating operations in Mississippi, at the instance of Gen. Polk; and Col. Preston, Superintendent of the Bureau, disdains to answer their communications.

My landlord, Mr. King, has not raised my rent!

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2p. 223

Monday, June 21, 2021

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: April 25, 1864

A bright and beautiful day; southern breezes.

No reliable war news; but there are rumors that our victory at Shreveport was a great one. Nothing additional from North Carolina, though something further must soon occur there. It is said the enemy's killed and wounded at Plymouth amounted to only 100: ours 300; but we got 2500 prisoners.

President Lincoln has made a speech at Baltimore, threatening retaliation for the slaughter at Fort Pillow-which was stormed.

Lieut.-Gen. Polk telegraphs that our forces have captured and burnt one of the enemy's gun-boats at Yazoo City-first taking out her guns, eight rifled 24-pounders.

To-day Mr. Memminger, in behalf of the ladies in his department, presented a battle-flag to the Department Battalion for its gallant conduct in the repulse of Dahlgren's raid. But the ladies leave early in the morning for South Carolina.

The President still says that many of the government officers and employees must be sent away, if transportation cannot be had to feed them here as well as the armies.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2p. 192

Monday, May 10, 2021

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: April 11, 1864

Rained all night, but clear most of the day.

There are rumors of Burnside landing troops on the Peninsula; also of preparations for movements on the Rappahannock—by which side is uncertain. It is said troops are coming from Mississippi, Lieut.-Gen. (Bishop) Polk's command.

The FAMINE is still advancing, and his gaunt proportions loom up daily, as he approaches with gigantic strides. The rich speculators, however, and the officers of influence stationed here, who have secured the favor of the Express Company, get enough to eat. Potatoes sell at $1 per quart; chickens, $35 per pair; turnip greens, $4 per peck! An ounce of meat, daily, is the allowance to each member of my family, the cat and parrot included. The pigeons of my neighbor have disappeared. Every day we have accounts of robberies, the preceding night, of cows, pigs, bacon, flour—and even the setting hens are taken from their nests!

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2p. 185

Sunday, May 9, 2021

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: April 20, 1864

A clear morning, but a cold, cloudy day. The following dispatch from Gen. Forrest shows that the bloody work has commenced in earnest:

DEMoPolis, ALA., April 19th.

TO GEN. S. COOPER.


The following dispatch has just been received from Gen. Forrest, dated Jackson, Tenn., April 15th.


L. Polk, Lieut.-General.


I attacked Fort Pillow on the morning of the 12th inst., with a part of Bell's and McCulloch's brigades, numbering —, under Brig.-Gen. J. R. Chalmers. After a short fight we drove the enemy, seven hundred strong, into the fort, under cover of their gun-boats, and demanded a surrender, which was declined by Major L. W. Booth, commanding United States forces. I stormed the fort, and after a contest of thirty minutes captured the entire garrison, killing 500 and taking 100 prisoners, and a large amount of quartermaster stores. The officers in the fort were killed, including Major Booth. I sustained a loss of 20 killed and 60 wounded. The Confederate flag now floats over the fort.


N. B. FORREST, Major-General.

There is a rumor that Grant's army is falling back toward Centreville. It is supposed by many that all the departments will follow the Auditor to Montgomery soon. 

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2p. 189

Thursday, April 1, 2021

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: March 25, 1864

Raining moderately.

Yesterday Mr. Miles, member of Congress from South Carolina, received a dispatch from Charleston, signed by many of the leading citizens, protesting against the removal of 52 companies of cavalry from that department to Virginia. They say so few will be left that the railroads, plantations, and even the City of Charleston will be exposed to the easy capture of the enemy; and this is “approved” and signed by T. Jordan, Chief of Staff. It was given to the Secretary of War, who sent it to Gen. Bragg, assuring him that the citizens signing it were the most influential in the State, etc.

Gen. Bragg sent it back with an indignant note. He says the President gave the order, and it was a proper one. These companies of cavalry have not shared the hardships of the war, and have done no fighting; more cavalry has been held by Gen. Beauregard, in proportion to the number of his army, than by any other general; that skeleton regiments, which have gone through fire and blood, ought to be allowed to relieve them; and when recruited, would be ample for the defense of the coast, etc. Gen. Bragg concluded by saying that the offense of having the military orders of the commander-in-chief, etc. exposed to civilians, to be criticised and protested against—and “approved” by the Chief of Staff—at such a time as this, and in a matter of such grave importance—ought not to be suffered to pass without a merited rebuke. And I am sure poor Beauregard will get the rebuke; for all the military and civil functionaries near the government partake of something of a dislike of him.

And yet Beauregard was wrong to make any stir about it; and the President himself only acted in accordance with Gen. Lee's suggestions, noted at the time in this Diary.

Gen. Polk writes from Dunapolis that he will have communications with Jackson restored in a few days, and that the injury to the railroads was not so great as the enemy represented.

Mr. Memminger, the Secretary of the Treasury, is in a black Dutch fury. It appears that his agent, C. C. Thayer, with $15,000,000 Treasury notes for disbursement in Texas, arrived at the mouth of the Rio Grande in December, when the enemy had possession of Brownsville, and when Matamoras was in revolution. He then conferred with Mr. Benjamin's friend (and Confederate States secret agent) Mr. Quintero, and Quartermaster Russell, who advised him to deposit the treasure with P. Milmo & Co.—a house with which our agents have had large transactions, and Mr. M. being son-in-law to Gov. Vidurri—to be shipped to Eagle Pass via Monterey to San Antonio, etc.

But alas! and alas! P. Milmo & Co., upon being informed that fifteen millions were in their custody, notified our agents that they. would seize it all, and hold it all, until certain alleged claims they held against the Confederate States Government were paid. Mr. Quintero, who sends this precious intelligence, says he thinks the money will soon be released—and so do I, when it is ascertained that it will be of no value to any of the parties there.

Mr. Memminger, however, wants Quartermaster Russell cashiered, and court-martialed, and, moreover, decapitated

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2p. 176-7

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: March 17, 1864

Bright, clear, and pleasant; frosty in the morning.

Letters from Lieut.-Gen. Hood to the President, Gen Bragg, and the Secretary of War, give a cheering account of Gen. Johnston's army at Dalton. The men are well fed and well clothed. They are in high spirits, “and eager for the fray.” The number is 40,000. Gen. H. urges, most eloquently, the junction of Polk's and Loring's troops with these, making some 60,000,—Grant having 50,000,—and then uniting with Longstreet's army, perhaps 30,000 more, and getting in the rear of the enemy. He says this would be certain to drive Grant out of Tennessee and Kentucky, and probably end the war. But if we lie still, Grant will eventually accumulate overwhelming numbers, and penetrate farther; and if he beats us, it would be difficult to rally again for another 'stand, so despondent would become the people.

Gen. Hood deprecates another invasion of Pennsylvania, which would be sure to result in defeat. He is decided in his conviction that the best policy is to take the initiative, and drive the enemy out of Tennessee and Kentucky, which could be accomplished to a certainty.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2p. 173

Friday, December 11, 2020

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: February 19, 1864

Cold and clear. Congress adjourned yesterday, having passed the bill suspending the writ of habeas corpus for six months at least. Now the President is clothed with DICTATORIAL POWERs, to all intents and purposes, so far as the war is concerned.

The first effect of the Currency bill is to inflate prices yet more. But as the volume of Treasury notes flows into the Treasury, we shall see prices fall. And soon there will be a great rush to fund the notes, for fear the holders may be too late, and have to submit to a discount of 33% per cent.

Dispatches from Gen. Polk state that Sherman has paused at Meridian.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2p. 152-3

Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: February 14, 1864

Clear and windy. There is nothing new that I have heard of; but great apprehensions are felt for the fate of Mississippi—said to be penetrated to its center by an overwhelming force of the enemy. It is defended, however, or it is to be, by Gen. (Bishop) Polk.

I hear of more of the escaped Federal officers being brought in to-day.

The correspondence between the President and Gen. Johnston is causing some remark. The whole is not given. Letters were received from Gen. J. to which no allusion is made, which passed through my hands, and I think the fact is noted in this diary. He intimated, I think, that the position assigned him was equivocal and unpleasant in Tennessee. He did not feel inclined to push Bragg out of the field, and the President, it seems, would not relieve Bragg.

Mr. Secretary Seddon, it is now said, is resolved to remain in office.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2p. 149-50

Monday, November 2, 2020

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: February 16, 1864

A plan of invasion. Gen. Longstreet telegraphs that he has no corn, and cannot stay where he is, unless supplied by the Quartermaster-General. This, the President says, is impossible, for want of transportation. The railroads can do no more than supply grain for the horses of Lee's army—all being brought from Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, etc. But the President says Longstreet might extricate himself from the exigency by marching into Middle Tennessee or Kentucky, or both.

Soon after this document came in, another followed from the Tennessee and Kentucky members of Congress, inclosing an elaborate plan from Col. Dibrell, of the Army of Tennessee, of taking Nashville, and getting forage, etc. in certain counties not yet devastated, in Tennessee and Kentucky. Only 10,000 additional men will be requisite. They are to set out with eight days' rations; and if Grant leaves Chattanooga to interfere with the plan, Gen. Johnston is to follow and fall upon his rear, etc. Gen. Longstreet approves the plan—is eager for it, I infer from his dispatch about corn; and the members of Congress are in favor of it. If practicable, it ought to be begun immediately; and I think it will be.

A bright windy day—snow gone.

The Federal General Sherman, with 30,000 men, was, at the last dates, still marching southeast of Jackson, Miss. It is predicted that he is rushing on his destruction. Gen. Polk is retreating before him, while our cavalry is in his rear. He cannot keep open his communications.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2p. 150-1

Friday, September 25, 2020

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: February 1, 1864

Hazy, misty weather. Gen. Lovell (who lost New Orleans) has applied for a command in the West, and Gen. Johnston approves it strongly. He designs dividing his army into three corps, giving one (3d division) to Gen. Hardee; one (2d division) to Gen. Hindman; and one (1st division) to Lovell. But the Secretary of War (wide awake) indorses a disapproval, saying, in his opinion, it would be injudicious to place a corps under the command of Gen. Lovell, and it would not give confidence to the army. This being sent to the President, came back indorsed, “opinion concurred in.—J. D.”

Gen. Pillow has applied for the command of two brigades for operations between Gen. Johnston's and Gen. Polk's armies, protecting the flanks of both, and guarding the coal mines, iron works, etc. in Middle Alabama. This is strongly approved by Generals Johnston, Polk, Gov. Watts & Co. But the President has not yet decided the matter.

The Commissary-General is appointing many ladies to clerkships. Old men, disabled soldiers, and ladies are to be relied on for clerical duty, nearly all others to take the field. But every ingenuity is resorted to by those having in substitutes to evade military service.

There is a great pressure of foreigners (mostly Irish) for passes to leave the country.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2p. 140

Thursday, September 17, 2020

The Southern Mothers and the Special Policeman.


EDITOR APPEAL:  The petition for a special policeman to perform certain duties for  the Mothers’ Rooms, having given rise to much discussion in the Board of Aldermen, and the matter being evidently from the reports of that discussion greatly misunderstood, will you permit me to correct the false impression created thereby and more particularly by the remarks of Ald. Kortrecht.  In the beginning of the enterprise of the Mothers, the Vigilance Committee ordered the free women of the city to do the washing of the establishment in regular course, and the captain of the police was instructed to have them brought to the Rooms, and see that they returned the articles in due time.  This required only a few hours time every week, and there being a larger number of such women in the city enjoying the protection of the laws, for the vindication of which our boys are in arms, the duty, if properly seen to by the police, cannot fall upon the same person oftener than once in two or three months.  It was to attend to this duty, only, that the Mothers desired a special person detailed.  They have no further need for an officer in their establishment.  I regret having troubled the city in the matter, since it has given rise to a misunderstanding of their position and wants.

In regard to the remarks of Ald. Kortrecht, I wish to state that he has been misinformed.  The Secretary of War has been applied to, to give the appointment of a surgeon in the army to G. W. Currey, M. D., the surgeon of the Rooms, but has not yet acted upon the petition.  Gen. Polk has been ordered the payment of the soldiers’ rations to the Mothers while the soldiers are in the Rooms, but they have not yet been drawn, and when drawn will not support the institution or pay one tenth of the expenses.  It takes charge of no soldiers but those in the service of the Confederate States, and of no persons but the soldiers themselves.  It is not a charitable institution.  These men are periling their health, their lives and the hopes of their families in many instances, for the defense of our homes and dearest rights, and we cannot consent to have it called a charity, in those who stay securely under the protection their valor gives them, to care for them with the tenderness of mothers when they shall be sick or disabled.  The people have taken this view of it, and sent to the Southern Mothers money, furniture, food, etc., that has made their institution a home to the sick and disabled soldier; and the great-hearted southern people will do it still, and never think it a charity.  But upon the contributions of that public to thise cause the Mothers ral[l]y, and have relied to this moment.

S. C. LAW, Pres. S. S. M.
Mary E. Pope, Secretary.

(City papers please copy.)

SOURCE: Memphis Daily Appeal, Memphis Tennessee, Friday, August 23, 1861, p. 4

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: January 30, 1864

The Senate has passed a new Conscription Act, putting all residents between the ages of eighteen and fifty-live in the military service for the war. Those over forty-five to be detailed by the President as commissary quartermasters, Nitre Bureau agents, provost guards, clerks, etc. This would make up the enormous number of 1,500,000 men! The express companies are to have no detail of men fit for the field, but the President may exempt a certain class for agricultural purposes, which, of course, can be revoked whenever a farmer refuses to sell at schedule prices, or engages in speculation or extortion. Thus the President becomes almost absolute, and the Confederacy a military nation. The House will pass it with some modifications. Already the Examiner denounces it, for it allows only one owner or editor to a paper, and just sufficient printers,— no assistant editors, no reporters, no clerks, etc. This will save us, and hasten a peace.

Mr. G. A. Myers, the little old lawyer, always potential with the successive Secretaries of War, proposes, in a long letter, that the Department allows 30 to 40 foreigners (Jews) to leave the Confederate States, via Maryland, every week!

Mr. Goodman, President of the Mississippi Railroad, proposes to send cotton to the Yankees in exchange for implements, etc., to repair the road, and Lieut.-Gen. (Bishop) Polk favors the scheme.

Commissary-General Northrop likewise sent in a proposal from an agent of his in Mississippi, to barter cotton with the Yankees for subsistence, and he indorses an approval on it. I trust we shall be independent this summer.

To-day it is cool and cloudy, but Custis has had no use for fire in his school-room of nights for a week—and that in January. The warm weather saved us a dollar per day in coal. Custis's scholars are paying him $95 the first month.

I shall hope for better times now. We shall have men enough, if the Secretary and conscription officers do not strain the meshes of the seine too much, and the currency will be reduced. The speculators and extortioners, in great measure, will be circumvented, for the new conscription will take them from their occupations, and they will not find transportation for their wares.

The 2000 barrels of corn destroyed by the enemy on the Peninsula, a few days ago, belonged to a relative of Col Ruffin, Assistant Commissary-General! He would not impress that—and lo! it is gone! Many here are glad of it.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2p. 138-9

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

United States Military Installations Named For Confederate General

Military Installation
Named For
Fort A. P. Hill
Ambrose Powell Hill
Camp Beauregard
P.G.T. Beauregard
Fort Benning
Henry L. Benning
Fort Bragg
Braxton Bragg
Fort Gordon
John Brown Gordon
Fort Hood
John Bell Hood
Fort Lee
Robert E. Lee
Fort Pickett
George Pickett
Fort Polk
Leonidas Polk
Fort Rucker
Edmund Rucker