Diary of Private W. J. Davidson, January 23, 1863

An anecdote is told of James B. Wilson, of the Forty-first, during the late fight at Vicksburg, which should have appeared in its proper connection.

The Yankees used to deride our Tennessee boys while in prison, at Camp Morton, with the epithet of "Butternuts," on account of their clothing. At the fight at Chickasaw Bayou, one Tennessee regiment (the Third, I think) repulsed six or eight Federal regiments, capturing five stands of colors and five hundred prisoners, besides killing a great number. During the action the enemy's sharp-shooters killed one of our field officers, of which fact they seemed to be aware. As they were being brought in, Jim Wilson remarked, "You ran against the Butternuts, did you?" "Yes," replied a saucy fellow, "yes; and we picked out the kernels (colonels) too."

SOURCE: Edwin L. Drake, Editor, The Annals of the Army of Tennessee and Early Western History, Vol. 1, p. 22

Seeing the Prisoners Under Difficulties

A young man, in his anxiety to get a good sight at the prisoners on Saturday, followed them, fell to the rear of their long line, and marched with them through the big gate at Camp Morton.  But his curiosity got the better of his judgment, for while marching with the prisoners he got mixed up with them in such a manner that the guards refused to let him go, and actually held him prisoner with the others until Sunday.  In vain did he persist that he was a Union man, a citizen of this place, and only there out of motives of curiosity.  They would not believe his story, and he was marched off to quarters.  When rations were served out, he was so mad that he would not take his share or eat anything.  But when night came upon him he quieted down and bunked with a secesh.  In the morning he succeeded in getting the ear of the officers of the post, and through the influence of some of the leading citizens outside, who vouched for the truth of his statements, he was released. – Indianapolis State Journal.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, March 6, 1862, p. 2

Parson Brownlow At Camp Morton

The Indianapolis Journal says that the rebels at Camp Morton did not give Parson Brownlow a very cordial reception. He was met with jeers and crist of “Put him out,” “Don’t want him here,” “The old traitor,” etc., which he, having faced worse treatment under far more dangerous circumstances gave little heed to. The insultes came cheifly from the Kentucky Prisoners, who have been from the start the most obstreperous and unrepentant of the rebels there.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Thursday, April 17, 1862 and also in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862