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HOW IT WAS;
FOUR YEARS AMONG THE REBELS.
BY MRS. IRBY MORGAN,
Nashville, Tenn.
PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR.
PUBLISHING HOUSE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH,
SOUTH.
BARBEE & SMITH, AGENTS, NASHVILLE, TENN.
1892.
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1892,
BY MRS. IRBY MORGAN
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
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DEDICATED
TO THE
CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS.
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INTRODUCTORY WORDS.
THIS book gives an inside view of things during the war by a
truthful, patriotic, great-hearted woman, whose keen observation and
kindly soul are reflected in its pages. It is refreshing, after the deluge
of dry official reports of campaigns and battles and the unhappy
contentions of so many surviving heroes as to where to locate the
glory of victory and the shame of defeat, to hear a woman's voice
telling the story of that awful time in her own way, which is very
straightforward, circumstantial, and realistic. I mean realistic not in
the nude and vulgar realism of a class of modern novels equally inane
and indecent, but realistic in the sense that events are narrated with
simple truthfulness. There is no partisan coloring or melodramatic
flourish. Mrs. Morgan tells what she saw and heard during those
"Four Years with the Rebels" in a colloquial style that suits the theme
and charms the reader.
Mrs. Morgan is a Southern woman, and the throb of her womanly
heart is in every line. The splendid courage of the soldiers of the
Confederacy finds part of its explanation in the intense devotion,
unfailing fortitude, and sublime self-sacrifice of the women of the
South. The sons and husbands of such women could not be cowards.
Even in a case in which cowardice might be in the blood or the
nerves, the inspiration of woman's sympathy and the traditions of a
people where courage is hereditary, and among whom true chivalry
yet lingers in this materialistic and sordid age, the constitutionally
timid were swept into the current and carried forward on the crest of
the fiery waves of war.
It is worthy of notice that Mrs. Morgan, writing more than a
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quarter of a century after the war, expresses no doubt of the
righteousness of the Southern cause. Whatever may be said of the
people of the South, and whatever may be the ultimate verdict of the
world, it is uttering nonsense to say that their hearts were not in the
struggle. Men do not die and women do not suffer, as the men and
women of the South died and suffered, for a cause that is not dear to
them. Had not the hearts of the men and women of the South been in
the cause, the Confederacy would have collapsed with its first serious
reverse. The leaders of the South did not drag the Southern people
into the war any more than did the leaders of the North drag the
Northern people into it. They had been drifting into its vortex for
two generations, and what had been long dreaded and foretold came in
1861.
Reconstruction has been effected, and reconciliation has been so
greatly advanced that hopeful patriots of all sections indulge the
expectation that the time is not far off when the last note of
sectional discord will be hushed, and the last sectional politician will
be buried deep with his face downward. But it may be said here, as it
has been said before, that if it is insisted that, as a condition of
perfect reconciliation, the Southern people shall acknowledge that
the boys in gray fought and died for a cause they believed to be wrong,
the trumpet of the last judgment will sound before they will make the
shameful concession. They were defeated, but they made a good fight
for what they believed to be a just cause. They died for their
convictions, and no Southern man or woman will seek to fix upon
their memories the blot of insincerity Neither will any true man or
woman of the North seek thus to smirch the memory of our dead
heroes. The women of the two sections who still mourn for their dead
who sleep where they fell may clasp hands in a sacrament of sorrow
and forgive on both sides, but they cannot forget.
Within the bounds of Mrs. Morgan's personal acquaintance in
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Nashville and elsewhere she is well esteemed as a lady of the highest
social respectability and Christian virtues. Beyond that circle is the
general public, to whom I commend these pages with these
"Introductory Words," with the belief that they will greatly enjoy
their perusal, and with the hope that, having yielded to the urgent
request of her family and friends in giving this book to the press, the
author may be rewarded by a large measure of success.
O. P. FITZGERALD.
March 4, 1892.
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HOW IT WAS.
CHAPTER I.
THE people of Nashville for weeks before the
fall of Fort Sumter were greatly excited, as the
whole country was watching and waiting coming
events. Fort Sumter fell; and no one can
describe the excitement but one who witnessed
it, and every one commenced planning and trying
to do something to aid the South.
Drums were beating, fifes playing, the boys coming
in troops to enlist for the war, and anxious fathers
and mothers could be met at every point.
All were earnest and anxious, as few had anticipated
the result of the wrangling the country had
had for years; and now war was upon us, and we
totally unprepared for it.
All the old guns and muskets to be found were
brought into requisition, and many consulted as to
how to use them, how they could be remodeled,
etc., and we of the South were in a dilemma what
to do; but we went on the presumption, "where
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there's a will there's a way," to get us out of difficulty,
and the result proved it.
Mr. V. K. Stevenson and others formed a company
to gather war materials, and my husband, Mr. Irby
Morgan, was selected by him to go to New Orleans,
Louisville, and other points to get sulphur and other
material for making caps.
Col. Samuel D. Morgan took great interest in the
cap factory, and it was a success, for in a short time
they were making thousands. Mr. Morgan brought
home two of the first perfect caps, and requested me
to keep them as souvenirs of the war. The caps that
were used at Manassas and Bull Run were made in
our cap factory of the material bought by my husband.
After this factory had proved a success, Mr. Morgan
and others were sent to hunt wool to make clothes for
our soldiers, and he went to Texas and other points and
bought four hundred and fifty thousand pounds and had
it shipped to Nashville, and from here he took it to
factories in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and East
Tennessee to be made in Confederate gray. He went
to the factories and got the cloth, and the last he
procured Gen. Rody had to send an escort to guard the
wagons, and he delivered to the department in Atlanta
five hundred thousand yards of Confederate gray
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which he had had made at a cost of seventy-five cents
a yard, when it was selling in the market at five dollars
a yard. After he returned from Texas, then our work
began.
Col. Terry's gallant command from Texas came
through the marshes of Louisiana, in water and mud
almost waist deep, and most of them took severe colds,
and by the time they got to Nashville a number were
sick. To add to their troubles, the measles broke out
among them. Hospitals were hurriedly fitted up, and
they were soon crowded. The citizens were greatly
distressed, and the ladies went in troops to see them, to
take delicacies, and to do all to alleviate their
sufferings. Miss Jane Thomas, Mrs. Felicia Porter, and
many others were untiring in their attentions; but the
hospitals were so crowded and uncomfortable that a
number decided to take them to their homes and nurse
them. A great many were young, petted darlings at
home, and of course they were wretched. I took Capt.
Rice, a grand old man who lived on Trinity River on a
large farm; also Frank Roan, Capt. Hunter, and Frank
Kibbe, all four from Texas, and Levi Jones, of East
Tennessee. All were very ill with measles and terrible
coughs, and we sent for our family physician and did
all we could for them, sitting up and nursing for two
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months. I hired a nurse and got the boys from the
store to help sit up with them. Capt. Hunter was
delirious for two weeks, and Capt. Rice as ill as could
be to live, and we watched and waited as tenderly as
possible. After two months Capt. Hunter got strong
enough to join his command, so did Frank Roan and
Kibber; that left me with Levi Jones and Capt. Rice.
Dr. Atchison told me he thought Capt. Rice would die. I
was much distressed, for I had become greatly attached
to the old man. I went to him and said: "Captain, you
are very sick; I fear you will not get well." He said, with
a great deal of earnestness and quiet dignity: "Madam,
I am an old man. I have plenty at home, a large farm,
negroes, no wife nor children, and the boys were all
leaving, and I loved them and could not stand to see
them go without me, and I thought a country that had
done so much for me I ought to fight for it." I said: "My
dear old friend, you must try to think of a better land, to
which you are fast hastening. Look to God for help. We
have done all we can for you; now beg God to help you
to be ready to meet him." He said: "I have always been
charitable, have ever been kind to my negroes, and old
Master will deal kindly with me. I have no fears." And
just as the glorious sun rose the old man's
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spirit took its flight, I hope to a better world. We
buried him at Mt. Olivet.
All were gone now but Levi. He seemed delighted
with his surroundings; would come into my room and
would sit for hours with the children and myself and
tell me about his mother, sisters, and brothers, and
wish he was at home with them. He said he wished he
was at home so he could go to the singing school. He
was tired of the war. He reverted to the singing school
again and again, and said they made the prettiest music
he ever heard, indeed they were powerful singers.
One day I said I thought the fresh air would do him
good: "I will have the carriage ready, and I want you
to take a ride." He was delighted, and observed that he
thought it would do him "a power of good." As he
crossed the bridge he saw his first steamboat; and he
was charmed, and told me when he got home that he
thought "it was such a good idea, houses floatin' on
water, and a feller could fish all the way down." He
got to looking well and ate heartily, and I said "Levi, I
expect soon they will call on you to join your
command." He said: "Yes; I am looking any day to be
sent for, but I am powerful weak." He screwed up his
courage enough to appoint a time to join his regiment,
but when the fatal day arrived he came
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to my room with a handkerchief bound around his
jaws. I asked him what was the matter. He said his
tooth was killing him it was aching so bad. I got him
camphor, laudanum, and warm cloths to apply, and he
sat with his head bent down in his hands and rocked
and moaned and, as I thought, oblivious to all
surroundings; but all of a sudden he looked up with his
keen, black eyes, and said: "When I go home, I am
going to send you a barrel of apples and sweet taters."
I thanked him, and said he was very kind; and then he
would rock and moan again, seeming in great agony.
After being silent for some time, he raised his head
again and said: "Miss Morgan, California must be a
great country. Sweet taters grows thar an trees, and
weighs sixty pounds." I told him I thought it wonderful.
He was just nineteen, and could I have done so, I
would have sent him home to his mother to be happy.
After his toothache was cured he could find no other
excuse, so finally, with great reluctance, he joined his
command.
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CHAPTER II.
THE next startling event was the battle of Ball's
Bluff, in which Col. Erasmus Burt, brother-in-law of
Mr. Morgan, lost his life. He was Auditor of the State
of Mississippi, and raised a splendid regiment around
Jackson, sons of the best and most influential families,
and went to Virginia to the seat of action. They had a
terrific fight there, and Col. Burt killed Col. Baker, of
Oregon, and a whole regiment of Federals fired on
him, and as Col. Burt fell, mortally wounded, his
regiment yelled and charged like demons, killed and
drove into the Potomac two thousand seven hundred
men, and it was called at the time by the Federal
papers: "The Ball's Bluff Disaster." Col. Burt was
promoted for his bravery, but it came too late, as he
died the next day. This was early in the war, and a
company was detailed to escort his remains to
Jackson. He was beloved by all, for he was a brave
soldier and a Christian gentleman. He left a widow and
eight children with no protector, so Mr. Morgan moved
them to Alabama near relatives.
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One day it was announced that Gen. Beauregard
and Father Ryan would give a talk on the war, at
Masonic Hall, so we went to hear them. This was soon
after the battles of Bull Run and Manassas, and they
had a great deal that was encouraging to say. After
the lecture was over we went up to the platform and
were introduced to them, and expressed pleasure at
hearing them give so encouraging accounts of our
prospects. Gen. Beauregard spoke of the battles of
Manassas and Bull Run, and said the Federals were so
demoralized that if we had been prepared to pursue
them we could have gone to Washington and dictated
terms of peace. He asked my husband if he was
related to Gen. John T. Morgan, and he told him he
was his brother. He said we ought to be proud of him,
for at a critical time in the battle he, by his strategy,
helped to turn the tide in our favor. We told him that
Nashville had made the caps that fought those battles.
I never will forget Father Ryan's noble countenance,
so full of love and gentleness. He had long hair, a
handsome face, and every inch a man and poet, and
his love for our South land beamed forth in every look
and trembled in ever word he uttered.
They had been fighting at Fort Donelson for days,
and we would hear very distressing accounts from
them: our boys in water knee-deep, and such
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terrific fighting it was fearful to contemplate, and such
overwhelming numbers to contend with. But almost
every day we would hear of deeds of valor and
bravery, and we felt that our noble boys could not be
whipped. They were outnumbered and had to succumb,
and only those know, who went through these exciting
times, what the news of the fall of Fort Donelson
meant.
The next report was that the army was falling back
and would make a stand at Nashville. Some said they
would fight in Edgefield; others, that they would fall
back and fight on the other side of the river. By the
next morning the streets were filled with soldiers,
wagons, army stores, and artillery wagons being
prepared to send South, and the excitement was at
fever heat, and pandemonium seemed to reign.
The next news was from an old friend, Mrs. Stubbs,
who said Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston was at her
home; had come there to rest, and everything was
being done for his comfort. I prepared a waiter of
delicacies, and was soon on my way to her house.
When I arrived, she insisted on my seeing him, but I
said I wouldn't think of intruding. She took the waiter to
him, and in a little while came back with a message
from the general that he would like to see me. She took
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my arm, and almost before I knew it I was in Gen.
Johnston's presence. He expressed great regret at
having to fall back. I told him I hoped he would not
think it presumption, but I was anxious to know if he
intended making a stand at Nashville."My husband
intends to take us South if the army does fall back; but
if it is not proper to answer, don't hesitate to decline. I
am anxious to know, for we will have to make some
few prepara
before leaving home." He said:
"You had
better get ready and start in the morning." I looked at
that noble face and massive head, and saw sorrow and
care depicted there, and I have never forgotten him.
That careworn face is fresh in my memory. I have met
Mrs. Stubbs many times since the war, and she loved
to dwell on the time Gen. Johnston was at her house,
and she, as many others would have done, considered
it a great honor to entertain so brave a man. I went
home, and soon after saw Drs. McTyeire and
Summers, knowing they were as anxious as we to get
away with their families. But by night the rumor was
all over town that the army would make a stand, and
every one who could shoulder a musket must help to
defend Nashville to the last ditch. My husband thought
it best for us to go, and he would stay and fight if
necessary. So we started to
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Fayetteville. Before leaving, I called up my two faithful
servants, husband and wife, Henry and Martha Brown
by name, told them to take the keys, use wood, coal,
and contents of the larder, and take good care of the
house and everything in it; and faithfully they
performed their part. They buried my China, packed at
night my carpets to my mother in Nashville, carried my
furniture, piece at a time, to the houses of different
friends, and stayed as long as they were allowed. The
Federals wanted to make a hospital of the house, when
our friends, Mr. Dick White and family, moved in and
kept it for us till the close of the war. Martha and
Henry went to Washington with President Johnson's
family, Martha as maid in the "White House," and
Henry as a trusted servant; but he died a few months
after going there. I mention all this to show the fidelity
of the old servants. They had been with us many years,
and "Mammy Martha" was dearly beloved by us all. I
packed my trunk, took my nurse Ella, and children, and
my little son, ten years old, to drive the barouche, and
we started to old friends in Fayetteville, leaving Mr.
Morgan there to await coming developments. We
traveled with sad hearts, thinking of the dear ones left
behind who could not follow us.
Events soon showed that instead of making a
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stand the army was retreating, and the roads were
filled with every kind of vehicle of which the
imagination could conceive. Artillery wagons,
ambulances, furniture wagons, carts, and every kind of
conveyance to which a horse could be hitched. They
were driving, lashing, yelling, and galloping, and my
little children and myself in the midst of them. We got
to Murfreesboro after dark, but found that the army
had beaten us there and all the hotels were filled.
There we were in the crowded street, not knowing
where to go or what to do, when I heard my old
hackman's voice, Frank Eakin, for he had waited on
me in that capacity for many years whenever a hack
was needed. Never did a voice sound so sweet! for I
was much fatigued, and more worried in mind than
body. He ran up and said: "Is that you, Miss Julia?"
And I said: "Yes; what is left of me." He said: "I will
take you out to Miss Julia Eakin's [Miss Julia Spence,
now], and Miss Myra Eakin is there - just come all
the way from New York - got there this evening." So
I gladly followed Uncle Frank until we got to Mrs.
David Spence's house, and there received a hearty
welcome, and we all sat up till late that night,
bemoaning the fortunes of war. Early in the morning
old Frank had everything in readiness, trunks securely
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strapped, harness adjusted, etc., and many directions to
my son how to drive to prevent an accident. Then,
after Mrs. Spence had prepared us a sumptuous lunch,
we bade them good-bye, thanking God for having such
kind friends raised up to us in our hour of need.
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CHAPTER III.
WE rode on and on, and I thought our journey would
never end. The children would say they heard
cannonading, and I would imagine a thousand things
were happening, and Mr. Morgan among them, and I
felt wretchedly. Just as we rode into Shelbyville the
children exclaimed: "There comes papa, on a horse,
riding as fast as he can!" I strained my eyes to see,
but the dust was so bad that objects directly in front
could hardly be distinguished; but sure enough, their
keen eyes were not mistaken, for on he came at a
rapid gait to catch up with us, and we were all so
delighted we forgot how tired we were; and the
children's tongues let loose, and such a Babel of voices
you never heard, all trying to talk at once, telling our
hairbreadth escapes from being run over by so many
wagons. We spent the night in Shelbyville, and next
day started to Fayetteville to stay with an old friend,
Dr. Robert McKinney. Mr. Morgan went on to Atlanta
to attend to government business.
When we arrived at Fayetteville, we found a
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large portion of Johnston's army there, and they
continued to come for several days. We met at the
doctor's house Gen. John C. Breckinridge, an old friend
of the family; Gen. Forrest; Dr. Kelley (or rather Col.
David Kelley), then on Gen. Forrest's staff; and Gen.
Bowen and wife, of Gen. Price's army of Missouri.
We heard the fight at Fort Donelson discussed from
every point, and I came to the conclusion that our
soldiers had done enough to stop and not fire another
gun. I heard Gen. Forrest tell of the execution of our
sharpshooters, and after the battle he said he counted
sixty killed in one place, and called on Col. Kelley to
know if that was the number. He said their execution
was wonderful and fearful to contemplate, the number
killed was so great. Gen. Bowen was a splendid
specimen of manhood, and his wife was charming.
They spent a week at the doctor's, and we had a
pleasant time going to see the soldiers drill. Soon the
army left for Corinth and Shiloh. I learned that Gen.
Bowen was killed at Shiloh, and his wife returned to
Missouri.
Before Mr. Morgan left he gave me a box of gold
containing $12,000, and told me to take good care of it:
we might need it. I told Mrs. McKinney,
and we discussed the danger of keeping it in the
house, for we felt very anxious about it, as there
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were servants going in and out all the time. We
thought and planned as to the safest disposition that
could be made of it. There was a large rosebush
directly under the window of her bedroom; so we
decided to dig up the rose, divide it, and send a piece
of it to a neighbor who was anxious to have some of it,
and while the servant went to deliver the rose to our
friend we slipped the box in the hole and planted back
what was left of the rose, gave it a good pounding and
profuse watering, and it scarcely wilted, it was so well
managed.
We remained in Fayetteville six weeks, then Mr.
Morgan came and took us to Lookout Mountain to Mr.
Aldehoff's Seminary, where we boarded and sent the
children to school. Several Nashville girls were here at
the seminary. We had a delightful time roaming over
the mountains, for the scenery was magnificent; and
every afternoon I would take my children and a troop
of boys and girls - for both sexes attended the school -
and we would walk for miles, feasting our eyes on
the beautiful mountain azaleas, holly, and laurel, and
many lovely wild flowers which were rare to us, and
we would all go back with our hands and aprons full of
the sweet blooms. The air was so cool and bracing it
seemed we would never tire of these excursions. I
was so
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charmed with the beautiful flowers and shrubs, and so
confident we would whip the Yankees and get home
by fall or spring at the least, and acting on the
presumption, I got some of the mountain women to go
with me to select plants to take back to Nashville. I
walked, looked, and admired, and tied a piece of white
string on one, red and black on others, so I would
know them when I got ready to take them up. I
planned that I would take up enough native soil to
insure success when I removed them, and I was so
delighted with the idea of procuring so many novelties
I would walk for miles hunting them. But alas! the time
never came for them to be transplanted, for after that
too much of stern reality occurred to fill the heart and
mind, and made me forget the beautiful wild flowers.
In our strolls we would often come in contact with the
residents, and would have long chats with them. They
seemed well satisfied with their surroundings. Most of
them had been reared there, knew but little of the
outside world, and were contented and happy. I asked
them how they lived, as most of the men were in the
army; and they told me they dug calamus, ginseng, and
angelica, and gathered huckleberries, blackberries, and
dewberries, raised chickens and hogs, and they got on
finely. They were kind-hearted,
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polite, and credulous to a degree that astonished me,
and seemed ready to believe all the marvelous tales
that could be conceived of. I felt so sorry for them,
seeing how ignorant they were; and then I thought
they were happier than we were, with no aspirations in
life, and thankful for what they had.
One day the children came in and told me that Gen.
John H. Morgan's command had just come and were
encamped just down the hill; and in a day or two Gens.
John H. Morgan and Basil Duke, hearing we were
there, came up to see us. Mr. Aldehoff and wife
treated them so kindly that they were delighted with
their visit. Mrs. Aldehoff was a descendant of Gov.
Sevier, and a splendid woman, and her husband a most
enthusiastic Southerner.
The boys soon heard we were related to Gen.
Morgan, and they came in numbers to see us; and as I
had learned most of the patriotic war songs, I would
play, and the children and soldier boys would gather
around and would make the welkin ring with
"Dixie," "Bonny Blue Flag," "Maryland," "She
Comes, She Comes." She did not come, but, to judge
from the singing, we were very happy in the
anticipation. Among the boys was one named Hughes
Hopkins, a son of a Presbyterian minister, and the
brightest, jolliest fellow I ever met. He
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formed quite an attachment for the children, and would
come up nearly every day to see us. He was highly
educated, could quote poetry by the hour, and he was
so entertaining we all loved to hear him. One day he
was telling us some of his trials on the Potomac, and he
said that they were very hungry and had their skillets
frying bacon, and were waiting for it to get done when
the Federals opened fire on them, and a head of a
soldier was blown in their skillet and spoiled all their
sop. I told him it was horrible in him to speak so lightly
of death. He laughed and said that it was the evil of
war, and a fellow gets hardened and used to anything.
The time came for them to move, and he came to
say good-bye. He had a splendid form, straight as an
arrow, had a pleasant though homely face, and on one
cheek was a long scar. He extended his hand, and
said: "Good-bye, madam. You have been kind to me,
and I thank you, and if I never meet you again, for I
may be killed [I felt like crying, his voice was so
pathetic], have me decently buried, and please, ma'am,
furnish money to have masses said for my soul. I think
I will make a pretty corpse." I asked what his good
father would say to hear him talk so, and he gave a
hearty laugh, raised his hat, and bounded down
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the hill like a deer. That was the last I ever saw of
him. I do not know whether the poor fellow was killed
or not.
I was kept very busy with my children, for my
faithful nurse I brought with me was taken sick. She
was the only daughter of Peggy Lapsley, of Nashville.
Her mother came to me the morning I left home, and
asked me to take her South, as I could do a better part
by her than she could. She relieved me of a great deal
of care with my children, day and night. Ella was a
bright mulatto, very handsome and intelligent, and I felt
in my exile she was more than a servant to me. She
almost felt like one of my family, for they were
devoted to her, she was so tender and gentle to the
little ones. She grew worse day by day, and the
physician from Chattanooga pronounced her very ill,
and he feared I would have to lose her. She became so
nervous that the noise of the children worried her, and
I thought it best to have her moved to the house of a
poor white family who lived near the seminary, and for
a sum of money the mother and daughter promised to
devote all their time to her, wait on her faithfully, and
sit up with her. I prepared all her meals, had them sent
to her, and went every day and stayed with her as
much as possible, and would go after supper
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to see if she had every attention. The school
children and mountain woman, seeing our distress,
became greatly interested in her, and often after school
the children would gather flowers and take them to her.
And she was always so grateful. She lived six weeks,
and as she was growing weaker she said: "Miss Julia, I
want to ask a favor of you. I know I am going to die,
and I feel perfectly resigned, but I hate to leave you
and the children." I asked what favor it was she
wished, for I would do anything for her. She said:
"Please take all my little trinkets to my mother -
breastpin, locket, and some of my hair - and tell her to
meet me in heaven." I promised to do all she asked, and
wanted to know if that was all. She said: "No, there is
one thing more. Miss Julia, I hate to ask you, but I want
you to shroud me. I don't want strangers to do it." I told
her I would do anything for her, as she had been
faithful and true to me and mine, and that I would stay
by her till the end. She died two days later, and I got a
nice coffin and shroud and laid her out tenderly, and as
she was lowered in the grave I felt that one of my best
friends had left me. We had her buried on the mountain,
and the school children came in a procession and
covered her grave with flowers. We had a fence built
Page 30
around her grave, and as long as we stayed there her
grave was bright with fresh flowers. When I got back
to Nashville, I sent for her mother to deliver Ella's
treasures to her, but learned that she too had passed to
her eternal home, dying near the same time her child
did. I go through all this detail to show the devotion of
Southerners to their slaves.
The children were anxious to see the sun rise on the
mountain, for we had heard what a magnificent sight it
was, so we got up quite a party and started early, and
we were repaid, for a more glorious sight was never
beheld. We were so high above the surrounding
country that we appeared, in the dreamy, misty
morning, as if we were in fairyland, with the floating,
feathery clouds around us. After the sun threw his light
in all directions the fleecy clouds began to dispel and
the grand old Tennessee appeared like a silver band
winding its course placidly along, and cars looked like
tiny carriages. As I looked on this grand river I felt like
shouting and praising God and saying, "Thou, O Lord,
art worthy to receive glory and honor," for such
magnificence in scenery I never beheld. We had been
on the mountain six months, and had spent the time
very pleasantly. We had made many friends among the
Page 31
boys and girls, who were from the best families of East
Tennessee and different sections of the country. But
the time came for us to leave, as the Federals were
thundering their artillery all around Chattanooga, and
the reverberations on the mountains were terrific.
Page 32
CHAPTER IV.
MR. MORGAN came up to Chattanooga and
carried us down to Marietta, Ga., and procured board
at the Kennesaw Hotel, and sent to Alabama for his
old father and sister and family, consisting of Mrs. Col.
Burt and six children. Her two oldest sons had gone
into the army. He got a farm close to town, bought
three negro boys for her, and had his old father to
manage the place. We brought her two daughters in
town to go to school with our girls, and they all started
to Mr. Benedict, an Episcopal minister, who had a fine
school in Marietta. My husband had finished his
government business and had joined the army, going
with his brother's command, Gen. John T. Morgan's,
the Fifty-first Alabama Regiment, as a private. Gen.
Clemens and Hon. George W. Jones, two old friends,
came to me and told me that it was a shame for Mr.
Morgan to go, as he was over forty-five; he could be
so much more useful at other points, as good business
men were badly needed, and he could do more for the
cause by staying in Atlanta than by enlisting as a
private.
Page 33
They and other friends wrote to Richmond to his
brother-in-law, Judge William P. Chilton, Member of
Congress, and Meredith P. Gentry, to state the case;
and the next mail brought back a commission as
quartermaster of a division, with headquarters at
Atlanta. I was delighted, and sent it to him; but it was
returned posthaste to Richmond, he declining to accept
it.
I was at a crowded hotel, but I got Mr. White, the
proprietor, to give me a private table in the dining room
for my family and a few friends, among them Mary
Gentry, daughter of Meredith P. Gentry, Mr. Fred
Shepherd, of Nashville, and Mr. Sandy Shepherd, from
Memphis. The latter gentleman was there looking after
the interest of his bank. We sent to Charleston and
bought a sack of Java, and I got my nurse, Nancy, to
make us good coffee on my stove in my room. We
fared better than most of them at the hotel tables, for
they had parched wheat and rye for coffee; and old
friends coming and going soon learned where to get a
cup of pure coffee, and Nancy was often kept busy to
supply the demand. Judge Caruthers, Judge
Marchbanks, Gov. Neil S. Brown, my old teacher, Dr.
C. D. Elliot, and many others got their cup as long as it
lasted. Dr. Elliot would say: "Julia, my child, I am
going up to the front
Page 34
to look after the boys, and must have my coffee to
take with me; my supply is out." His knapsack was
always filled for him, and he would go off with a glad
heart to try and comfort the soldier boys. He was as
much devoted to them as he was to his old Nashville
Academy pupils, and that was saying a great deal, for
he had been a faithful teacher and friend to hundreds
of girls scattered all over the South.
Nancy was my courier, always on the alert to get
startling news. After the battle of Murfreesboro she
came up early one morning and told me the house was
filled with wounded soldiers. Their destiny was Atlanta,
as they had hospitals there and none at Marietta at that
time. The poor fellows had heard that a great many
Nashville refugees were there, and as the train stopped
they slipped off in the dark and came to the hotel and
sent word to us that they wanted to see the Nashville
ladies; but just at the time most of them had left. I got
up though, and as soon as I dressed I went down to see
them. I went from room to room, and found twenty-
seven poor fellows - some terribly wounded - shot in
the legs and arms, and one had his eye put out.
Different parts of the brave boys' bodies felt the
effects of the Yankee bullets. I went in one room, and
found Dr. Lowe, from
Page 35
Shelby County, shot through the eye, the ball coming out
of the back of his neck, and it was strange that it did not
kill him. His hair was very long, all bloody, and dried to
his face, and all caked with blood around his eye, or the
socket, as the eye was gone. I felt sick at heart, but
went to work with my nurse to assist me. I had warm
water brought, and with a soft cloth bathed the bloody
hair until I could remove it from the wounded part, got a
pair of scissors, and soon made the poor fellow more
comfortable by cutting off his long, matted hair, and a
more grateful man I never saw. He was in a fearful
condition, but as I looked at the poor, sightless eye and
pleased face I felt repaid for my efforts; and he told me
he felt more comfortable and so thankful to me. I did
not take time to hunt help, but went from room to room.
The wounded men were all dirty, hungry, and bloody.
My heart would give a big bound as I looked eagerly
into each face, thinking maybe some of our Nashville
boys were among them. I found Capt. Jackson, from
the Hermitage, Capt. Lynn and Mr. Herran, from near
Memphis, and others, whose names, after the lapse of
so many years, I have forgotten, but all in the same
condition: dirty, bloody, and hungry. As fare was high at
the hotel, and most of the poor fellows were without
Page 36
money, I sent Nancy out, bought light bread, butter,
and eggs, and had strong coffee made in my room, and
we went to work cooking, and in a little while had
enough prepared for them to eat to satiety. The next
thing to be done was to get them some clothes. I
started and hunted up all the Nashville ladies at the
other hotel, and those boarding in town, and also called
on the ladies of Marietta to help us. I had a hundred
yards of pressed flannel my husband had bought to use
in case of an emergency, as goods were getting very
scarce; but when such scenes of distress were brought
to me, my first impulse was to help relieve, so I got the
ladies together and we cut out and made up as long as
the cloth held out, and what I lacked others furnished.
Hurrying and sewing for several days, we got all
supplied with flannel shirts, drawers, and undershirts,
and as "cleanliness is next to godliness," they felt
nearer heaven in clean beds, and new underclothes,
and good women around them ministering to their
wants, than they had in some time before. In the
meantime we sent for Drs. Steward and Setz, and they
did all they could for their comfort. Mr. White, the
proprietor, came to me and said: "I am a poor man and
am not able to feed them, but will let them stay until
places can be provided for
Page 37
them." I told him I would see to their being fed, and I
did; and had them well fed, too. I put on my bonnet and
started out to hunt homes in private families for them,
and I had good success. Mrs. Gen. Hansel took four;
Mrs. Col. Atkinson, four; Mrs. Brumby, three; Mrs.
Dennead, three; and so on until all had comfortable
homes provided, and I felt happy to know that they
would be so well cared for. Most of the ladies sent
their carriages for them, and they went with thankful
hearts. As they were the first wounded soldiers who
had stopped in Marietta, they all fared sumptuously, and
Dr. Setz and dear old Dr. Steward visited them
regularly and did all in their power to alleviate their
sufferings. Some of the boys were extremely ill from
their wounds, as erysipelas set in. I got a home for two
country boys who were badly wounded, with an old
lady and gentleman who had no children. Two days
after, the old lady sent for me to come to see her on
important business. I hurried down, called for her, and
she said: "You must move those boys from my house, I
can't stand them." I asked what on the earth was the
matter. She told me her place and all she had was
about to walk off with, as the soldiers called them,
"graybacks." The neat housekeep
was in
despair.
Allusion to these pests is not very
Page 38
delicate, but they were common in the army, where so
many were crowded together they could not help
getting them on their clothing. It made no difference
how neat and cleanly they were, they were all in the
same category, liable to the "pests." I said: "Please
don't move them; one has high fever now and is
delirious, and the other is too sick to be disturbed." I got
some one to help her clean her house; then sent for a
negro barber and told him I would pay him well if he
would help me. He asked me what I wanted done, and
told him to get a large kettle, heat water, then get a
big tub, soap, and towel. He got every thing in
readiness and attempted to take one of the soldier's
clothes off, and I was waiting to hear the result. The
negro came out puffing and blowing, and said: "I can't
do anything with him. He fit me and scratched, and
tried to bite me." I told him that was a small matter,
not to give up, but to go and hire a strong man to help
him, for I told him it must be done. He went off for
assistance, and in a little while was back with help.
After waiting quite a time, and hearing a big fuss in the
room, he came out and said: "Missus, I done soap him
and scrub him good, and now he is done dress up nice."
I thanked him and told him to go through the same
process with the other one. He did so, and had
Page 39
no trouble with him. He came and told me he had
finished them both, and I then directed him to cut their
hair. This was accomplished, and he sent for me to
come in and see how well he had done his work.
Strange to say, the delirium was relieved, fever cooled,
and they began to improve from that bath. The next
thing was to look after their clothing. They each had a
suit of Confederate gray, and as clothes were so
scarce and hard to get, I could not think of throwing
them away. I had them all taken out in the yard and
told the barber to go right off and get an old darky to
come and wash them. He soon brought an old woman,
and, for a stipulated price, she undertook the job. She
looked at the clothes, and said: "Missus, dem's
powerful 'ceitful t'ings, dey hides in ebery seam and
crack. You has to bile dem all day and all night, and
den dey ain't dead." I told her to "bile 'em all day and
all night," just so she got them clean. "But, missus, dat
ain't all; you has to get the hottest flatiron, and iron in
all de seams." I told her I would leave it with her, just
so she got them all right, and she worked over them
faithfully until they were clean and nice, and hung up
for future use.
I went down the next day, and the boys looked like
new men, and the old lady was bright and
Page 40
cheerful, and I felt happy at my success. Some of the
women of the present day may think it would have
been more suitable for men to attend to these things.
But where were our men? Most of them were
tramping through mud and dirt, rain and cold fighting
battles, many lying on the cold ground wounded, and
others passed to "that bourn whence no traveler
returns." No, when duty led the Southern women, we
did not stop to consider if the thing necessary to be
done was elegant or delicate, but could we do ought to
alleviate suffering, and cool a parching brow, or make
a bed softer to the maimed and shattered limbs of our
dear ones. Many of them had loving kindred thinking
and praying for darling husbands, brothers, and sons. I
thought I had my country charges all settled and happy,
but in a few days I was sent for to come as quickly as
I could: they wanted to see me. I went down and was
received at the door by the old lady. She was very
kind, and told me her boys were doing finely, but were
somewhat nervous. I walked in and asked if they
wished to see me about anything important. They said
"Yes," in a low, confidential way, and continued, "I
believe the old lady wants to kill us, as she has a loom
in the next room, right against the partition at the head
of our bed, and she has been
Page 41
weaving for two days, and late last night, and says she
has a good deal more to do before she finishes her
cloth." I told them I would make it all right; I knew the
old lady was good and kind, and I knew too she didn't
mean to annoy them. They said: "Yes, she is good to
us; gives us plenty that is nice to eat, and talks kindly to
us, but that rattle, rattle, rattle [said in a wail] will kill
us; we can't stand it." I had a talk with the old lady, and
she promised to postpone the weaving, and seemed
sorry that she had annoyed them. They stayed with her
until they were well enough to join their regiments.
Two days before they left the servant came in and
announced two soldiers in the parlor; said they wanted
to see me, and I immediately went in. They looked
neat, fresh, and cheerful in their suits of gray that the
old regress had "biled all day and all night," and to my
astonishment, each one had a fiddle under his arm.
They said they were going away and thought they
would play some for the children and myself; said they
were considered "powerful good players" at home. I
thanked them for their thoughtfulness, called the
children in, then they tuned and tuned, and finally
started off on some jigs, and they played all the country
breakdowns you ever heard. The more and louder they
played, the
Page 42
more numerous became their audience. The children
and servants in the hotel came in numbers, until they
had a crowd of attentive listeners. As the excitement
increased, the louder they played, until they seemed in
perfect ecstacy. After they had played all they knew,
we all thanked them, bade them good-bye, and it was
the last I ever saw or heard of them. On shaking their
hands in farewell I felt touched, for the poor fellows
had paid what they conceived to be the greatest
compliment in life: given me the benefit of what they
imagined fine music.
Page 43
CHAPTER V.
CAPT. JACKSON'S wound proved more serious than
we thought it would at first. Col. and Mrs. Atkinson
and Miss Annie were as kind and attentive as possible,
and tried in every way to alleviate his sufferings.
Erysipelas set in, and he had raging fevers and was
delirious. I went to see him as often as possible, and I
feared he would die; but by faithful nursing he began
to show signs of recovery, and after some time he was
well enough to ride, and Miss Annie would bring him in
her carriage to see me, and soon rumor had it that
when the captain left he would leave his heart in
Marietta.
Mrs. Gen. Hansel had Dr. Lowe and Mr. Herron
from Shelby County, Tenn. I mention these three
particularly, for they all had erysipelas, raging fevers,
and this in connection with their bad wounds gave us
much anxiety for their recovery; but the beautiful
surroundings of Mrs. Hansel's home, and kind
treatment, soon had them on the road to health.
Capt. Lynn, of Tennessee, was badly wounded
Page 44
He came hobbling in one morning on crutches, and
told me his leg was in a terrible condition, and he feared
amputation would be necessary. He said he hated to
ask me, but he would be so thankful if I would take off
the bandage and see what I thought of it. The doctors
then were scarce and in great demand all the time. He
was wounded just below the knee on the underside of
the leg. I got my servant to get me some hot water,
Castile soap, and some old linen rags, removed the
bandage, and found the place in a frightful condition.
His leg was swollen large enough for two, and the
cloths had dried and hardened on it until I wondered
how he endured it at all. I washed it carefully,
saturating the soft linen with some soothing solution the
doctor had given him. After the bandage was
readjusted he felt much relieved, and I told him to come
to me every day and I would dress it for him. He was
very grateful, and after the close of the war I got a
letter of thanks from him saying I saved his leg. I think
that a mistake, but I certainly made him feel more
comfortable. By the most tender care of the ladies of
Marietta, and the best medical skill, they all got well and
rejoined their regiments. Marietta, up to that time, had
known but little of the horrors of war; so the first
wounded soldiers they nursed gave
Page 45
them a little insight in it. Soon after this hospitals were
established there. Then the work commenced in
earnest. We had at this time quite a colony of
Nashvillians: Dr. A. L. P. Green, wife and daughter,
Mr. Matt McClung and wife, Miss Patty Anderson,
Mr. Ike Lytton and family, Mr. Jess Thomas and
family, Mr. Tom Marshall and wife, Mrs. Avent, Miss
Bettie Childress and her sister, Miss Ann Patterson,
Miss Frank Anderson, Gen. Clemmons, Hon. George
W. Jones, Mr. Sandy Shepherd, Mr. Fred Shepherd,
and many others too numerous to mention, and all great
workers. Some one or other of them were always
finding objects of distress, and their necessities were
always supplied.
Col. John. Overton was there and was as bighearted
then as he is now, running up to the army and then
back again, speaking words of comfort to the boys at
the front and the poor wounded ones in the rear. But
enough. I could fill a volume with acts of heroism and
devotion to our Confederacy. To sum it all up, we had
our hearts and hands full. At this time most of the
Nashville ladies were at the two hotels. At the
Kennesaw House, where we boarded, the saintly Mrs.
A. L. P. Green would appoint one day in each week
for fasting and prayer for our beloved cause, and we
Page 46
would try to say "thy will be done," but am afraid we
had a mental reservation, "but let us whip the
Yankees." Now the sick and wounded came in
numbers, and we were all kept busy trying to minister
to their necessities and to the alleviation of their pains.
In a short time the town became so crowded many of
the Nashville people moved to other points. That left us
almost alone at the hotel. Mr. and Mrs. White, the
proprietors, were very kind to us, and helped in many
ways in caring for the sick and wounded soldiers. The
house was full of strangers, coming and going all the
time. A family stopped there for awhile that interested
me very much. It consisted of Gov. Baylor, of Arizona;
Col. Baylor, his brother, our former Minister to
Austria; and the Governor's and colonel's brother and
sister, Eugene and Fanny Courtney Baylor. Gov. and
Col. Baylor were delightful company, and Fanny and
Eugene splendid musicians, and every night Mary
Gentry and myself got them to play for us. Fanny sung
the Scotch songs with much pathos, and some of
Eugene's compositions were wonderful. He was only
twenty years old, but was wonderfully gifted in music.
My girls got him to teach them many pieces of his own
composition. I did not think then that these friends we
were making would
Page 47
in after years make a name for themselves, for they
were so modest and unassuming; but Eugene has lived
to be a great composer of music, and Fanny an
authoress of considerable note.
On two occasions trains of soldiers came down the
road, and we learned that on account of some
accidents they had nothing to eat in twenty-four hours.
We were all greatly excited, and I went around from
one boarder to another and got their consent to give up
their breakfast and let the soldiers have it. I told Mr.
White, the landlord, our decision, and he agreed to it. I
dispatched my nurse to make coffee, and in a little
while big and little, white and black were carrying
dishes out to the train to feed the soldiers. We took
everything in the eating line we could lay our hands on,
and as fast as one pot of coffee was emptied I would
send for another. It was a long train, and it took a good
deal to satisfy the famished occupants. Soon the news
got out in town, and a rumor to the effect that there
was a trainful of starving soldiers was circulated, and
here they came, women and children running, with their
faces red from excitement - some with provisions,
others directing servants with large waiters, baskets,
bundles, and any way it could be brought in a hurry.
The soldiers ate like they were starved; and when the
Page 48
whistle blew, such scrambling and grabbing as there
was to take what was left with them.
All were bountifully fed and were happy, and with
many thanks and loud cheers they were gone; but still
tired and almost breathless women continued to come
with their donations, and were much disappointed when
they found the train had moved off. This was a
memorable day in Marietta, but we felt well repaid in
going without our breakfast to see the enjoyment
depicted in the faces of our soldier boys. In a short time
gamblers and rough characters began to come in such
numbers that it made it disagreeable for us, but Mr.
Morgan was in the army and I thought I would try to
stand it, as I was anxious to keep as near the front as
possible. Almost every day there were disturbances
among these characters, and it made me very watchful.
One night I sent my little son to see if supper was
ready. The dining room was next to the office, and as
he was a favorite in the house, some one called him in
the office to speak to him; and this time it happened to
be the marshal from Atlanta, and he took him in his lap
and was talking to him when a gambler, who supposed
he had come up to arrest him, fired on the marshal,
killing him, the ball going just above my son's head, and
as the marshal fell Bob rolled over on
Page 49
the floor. You can imagine my feeling when some one
came up and told me. I was almost frantic, and ran
downstairs, but met one of my friends leading Bob to
my room. He was as white as a sheet and frightened
almost to death. Mr. Fred Shepherd begged me to let
him take the children and myself and go to the other
hotel, but I told him I would go in my room, lock the
door, and not let any one in. I thanked God for
preserving my child's life, for it was a narrow escape. I
got my nurse and children in my room and locked the
door and awaited results with fear and trembling, for
we heard that a mob was after the gambler and
intended to hang him. And such an uproar in the streets
and hotel was fearful. I waited an hour listening to
every sound, almost afraid to breathe. In a short time I
heard screams and the sound came nearer and nearer,
and some one commenced shaking my door as if they
would break it down. I said: "Who is there?" Mrs.
White, the proprietor's wife, said: "It is I. For God's
sake come down, Mrs. Morgan. They have cut Mr.
White all to pieces, and I can't get any one to come and
help me." The children were attached to Mr. White,
who was kind to them and would often assist them in
their lessons, as he was a fine mathematician. So I
asked them if they would be afraid
Page 50
for me to leave them, and they all said no - to go and
help Mr. White and they would stay with Nancy, the
nurse, who promised me faithfully not to open the door
at all. So I started, but in the meantime Mrs. White had
gone back to her husband, and with a prayer for help
and protection I ran down the hall and one pair of steps,
then another hall until I got to her door, and I said,
"Open quickly;" for I was so badly frightened I could
hardly stand on my feet. We were soon in the room
and the door again locked. The doctor had been sent
for, but could not be found, and I told Mrs. White that
something must be done or he would bleed to death.
We sent the servant to the drug store, got sticking
plaster, and washed off the blood to see where he was
cut and found five wounds, and as she would wipe off
the blood I would draw the wounds together with
sticking plaster. In the morning the doctor came,
examined him, and found the wounds were not
dangerous, and said we had done what was necessary.
He got well in a few weeks, but his face was badly
scarred, and as long as we stayed at the hotel they did
all they could for our comfort, for they felt grateful for
my help in their hour of need.
Page 51
CHAPTER VI.
A FEW weeks after that I was sitting in my room and a
gentleman was announced. I looked up, and who should
I see but Capt. St. Clair Morgan? I said: "My old boy, I
am so glad to see you, where did you come from?" He
said: "I came down from the front to get my boys some
shoes; they are almost barefooted." We had a long talk.
He said he believed his company was the bravest one in
the whole army. He had raised a company of Irish in
Nashville, and it did his heart good to see the devotion
of these men to him. He said he believed any one of
them would die for him. After talking for some time, he
bade me good-bye; said he had to hurry to accomplish
his business. The next morning I took the children, as it
was my custom, on the front porch to see the cars pass.
I saw St. Clair on the train loaded down with shoes. He
had strings around his neck and on his arms, and he
looked like a bundle of shoes. He was remarkably
handsome, and in the strength of his young manhood he
was a pleasant picture to look upon. He said in a
stentorian
Page 52
voice, "Cousin, I got my shoes for my boys;" and
waving a farewell, he was soon lost to view. It was the
last time I ever saw him. By this time there were more
fights, and the wounded came down in numbers. I went
to the hospitals almost every day, always fearing I
would find some of our Nashville boys among the
wounded. The ladies of Marietta, and we "refugees,"
as we were called, did all in our power for the poor
boys. I went to the hospital one day to take some
delicacies, and as I passed in I was attracted by what I
thought the handsomest face I had ever seen. I stopped
and spoke to its owner. He looked fresh and ruddy and
so young. He had beautiful, laughing brown eyes, and
to look at him one would think he was in perfect health.
He tried to be cheerful and bright, and seemed anxious
to talk. I asked him where he was wounded, and he
answered: "Shot through the knee, and the doctor says
he fears he will have to amputate my leg; and," he
continued, "if they do cut it off, it will almost kill mother
and father." I asked him where they lived, and he said
in Mississippi. He told me in the conversation that he
was an only child; was just twenty-three, and before he
enlisted he had entered on the practice of law, after
having received an education at Harvard or Yale - I
have forgotten which - and said his
Page 53
name was Lieut. Nelson. I learned enough to know he
was a mother's darling. I stayed with him sometime and
felt loath to leave him, but told him I would come again
soon. He said: "Please come: I feel so lonely and
wretched." I felt anxious about him and went back early
in the morning: and saw from his face that he had
suffered greatly in the night. He told me they had
decided to amputate his leg at 12 o'clock that day. I
could hardly keep the tears back to see the look of
despair on his face when he told me he was afraid he
would die, and seemed always to be thinking of the
agony it would give his beloved parents, and said:
"What will they do without me!" He seemed deeply
affected, and I tried to speak words of comfort to him,
but I felt faint at heart. I went home, and waited until 4
o'clock, that beautiful face haunting me every moment.
I put on my bonnet and hurried to see him, and found
the operation had been performed. And O, such a
change! He looked haggard and pale, his pulse beating
rapidly and breathing with difficulty. He knew me,
pressed my hand and held it for some time. I tried in
every way to make him feel that he was not alone; that
a sympathetic friend was by his side, and he seemed
much gratified. I told him to look to God for help; that
he alone could save. He
Page 54
listened eagerly, and when I had finished said: "Amen."
And in a few minutes he lost consciousness, and I saw
he was sinking rapidly. I thought of that poor father
and mother so far away, who would never look on the
face of their beautiful soldier boy again, and my heart
went out in loving sympathy to her as only a mother's
heart can. I stayed as long as I could with him, and
went weeping home. He died at 8 o'clock that night,
and the next day he was gently lowered in a soldier's
grave, where he will rest until the trumpet shall shall
sound at that great and final day. After that many sad
scenes were witnessed among the sick and wounded. I
read every day in the Chattanooga Rebel the list of
killed and wounded, and trembled as I did so, fearing
some one dear to us would be among them.
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CHAPTER VII.
I CORRESPONDED with friends and relatives,
constantly hoping to have news from dear ones
exposed to danger. One day I received a letter from
Richmond, Va., from Mary Valentine, a cousin of
mine, telling me that my nephew, Felix Hicks, was with
her and was quite a hero, as he had been in a Northern
prison for some time. He, with many others, had been
captured in one of the battles - I forget which one, for
I write from memory - and had been in close
confinement, so when an exchange of prisoners was
proposed there was great rejoicing. After our boys had
boarded a vessel and started to meet the prisoners to
be exchanged they found out there was some trouble
at Washington about it and no more exchanges would
be made then. The boys were turned back to wait
results. They were furious, and went to work to make
plans for escape. It was agreed that at a given signal
they were to seize the guards, disarm and secure them,
and make the pilot and engineer do the rest. There
were quite a number of prisoners on board. They
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succeeded in their plans, and by threats and
intimidations made the pilot and engineer take them
near Norfolk and land them.
They made their way to the swamps and stayed
there two or three days, living on anything they could
beg or find to eat. The Federals heard of their escape,
and shelled the woods in every direction. After staying
together for several days, they thought it best to
separate and try to make their way back to the army.
So they started, each one looking out for himself. Felix
traveled at night until he thought it safe to appear in
daylight. He made his way to Richmond, and when he
got to Mr. Valentine's he was ragged, dirty, foot-sore,
and nearly exhausted. The girls took him in hand and
soon had him provided with new clothes and kept him
until he was able to travel. He then started to Marietta
to see us and stay a little while before rejoining his
command. We felt proud of our beardless boy, and
enjoyed every minute of his stay with us. The young
people all had merry times together. Felix had a fine
voice, and he regaled us with many beautiful songs,
some he learned in prison. But the sad time came when
he had to leave us and return to his regiment, which
was then in Mississippi. The next day Col. Randle
McGavock came to say
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good-bye. He looked so bright and hopeful and every
inch a soldier. He too went to Mississippi. Several
weeks after this I received a letter from Felix, saying:
"After a few more fights Gen. Forrest says that he will
give me a furlough of ten days, and I will come to see
you all. I can hardly wait, but must exercise patience."
We looked anxiously forward to the time when we
would see him again. It seemed almost like one of my
children coming, and in our exile we felt that these
bonds of affection were strengthened. But instead of
the visit I received a letter from Capt. Matt Pilcher
saying: "Felix was killed today, gallantly fighting for his
country. A braver boy I never saw. How my heart
goes out to his father and mother, for he was their idol!
We are paying dearly for our liberty in giving up so
many noble boys."
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CHAPTER VIII.
THE next sad news was that Col. Randle McGavock
was killed, valiantly fighting near Raymond, Miss.; also
Capt. Tom Cooke. My heart sunk in gloom, and I
asked God for help in these dark hours. These were
trying times, and I hope never to see the like again.
News came that preparations were being made to
fight at Chickamauga. I knew most of the Calvary
would be there. Gen. John T. Morgan's command and
Wheeler's Division had already gone up. My husband
was with the cavalry in his brother's command, and I
felt miserable. The battle was fought, and such
slaughter and carnage was fearful to relate. Both sides
suffered terribly. I scarcely ate or slept, and the
suspense was maddening. The intelligence came that
Capt. Jackson was killed. We felt this loss deeply, for
we were greatly attached to him. He had won our
hearts by his gentlemanly bearing, and he was so
handsome and brave. His brother, Col. Jackson, was at
Marietta on parole, having been captured at Vicksburg
when that place surrendered. He
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and many others were waiting to be exchanged, and
were in camp near Marietta. Col. Atkinson and himself
went up to get the captain's remains to bury in Marietta.
After hunting over the field, they found the poor fellow
lying on a blanket with straw under his head; badly
wounded, but still alive. They took him to Ringgold; but
he was exhausted from loss of blood, and they had no
time to attend to his wounds. He never rallied, but died
in a few hours after getting him there. They brought his
body to Marietta and buried him. Since the close of the
war his remains have been removed to Nashville, and
now rest at the "Hermitage," near Gen. Andrew
Jackson's tomb. The next day my nurse came up and
said a wounded soldier was in the parlor on a cot, and
wanted to see me. I wondered who it was, and hurried
down, and found Gen. Gregg, of Texas, in a bad
condition. He had his face and head bandaged, and
seemed in great pain, but he told me he wanted to see
me to tell me about Capt. St. Clair Morgan's death. He
said: "He was my devoted friend. I loved him and he
was brave to recklessness. He was a friend of my
boyhood days, and in the war we were much together.
In one of our engagements, on making a terrific charge,
Capt. St. Clair was galloping on ahead of me, cheering
as he went. And as we came
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back from the charge I saw a form I thought I knew.
Hurriedly jumping down, I raised up the head and saw
it was my dear friend. A bullet had entered his
forehead and gone through his brain. He died with his
face to the foe. He was as brave and daring as any
man I ever saw, and had a heart as tender as any
woman's." I felt greatly shocked, for it had been but a
short time before that when I saw him, so bright and
handsome, with his load of shoes on his way to make
his boys comfortable. Now he was still in death,
waiting to be placed in a soldier's grave in a strange
place.
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CHAPTER IX.
WE were standing one day on the portico watching for
the cars to come in, and as the train stopped I
saw an aged couple alight, and come feebly up
the steps; and just then some friend greeted me.
I heard some one say: "Is this Mrs. Morgan?"
I said: "Yes." She threw her arms around my
neck and wept as though her heart would break,
and said, "I am Capt. Jackson's mother, and
this is his father," pointing to a venerable-looking
old gentleman. I took them to my room, and
after she composed herself, she told me, in a
trembling voice, that Capt. Jackson had written
to them of his being wounded and the kind
friends he had met. They had tried and tried to
get a pass to come out to see him, and at last
succeeded.
They started from the "Hermitage" in a buggy, had
their trunk stolen, and after many difficulties got to
Cartersville, and there learned that their son had been
killed and buried at Marietta. They felt that they must
come on and hear all they could about their darling
boy. I told them all about his
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sojourn with us, and sent word to Col. and Mrs.
Atkinson that they had arrived; and in a little while the
colonel's carriage was at the door, and they were soon
conveyed to Mrs. Atkinson's residence.
I can never forget Mr. and Mrs. Jackson. She had a
sweet, resigned face, and, for an old lady, was
beautiful. And he was a dignified, venerable-looking
man. They are indelibly impressed on my mind.
She told me she was born in the North, but was
devoted to the South, and the dearest treasure of her
heart had died battling for its rights. After spending
several days in Marietta, and learning all they could of
the death of their boy, they came to bid us good-bye.
Ah! how my heart went out in sympathy to those
weary old pilgrims whom we would never see again
until we meet around our Father's throne. We can
teach our children to venerate this noble pair, and to
love and admire their brave son, who died defending his
country. We were watching and waiting to hear news
from other loved ones. We had those who were very
dear to us in the cavalry. We heard of them destroying
a long train of wagons for the enemy. Then again, they
would be miles away, giving them trouble in another
direction, and it
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seemed they were everywhere, watching to see where
they could strike a decisive blow. Exciting events were
occurring every hour, rumors of fights and news of
friends killed or wounded.
One morning a paper was handed to me stating that
a terrific fight had taken place, near Farmington, Tenn.,
between four thousand Confederate cavalry and six
thousand Federals. Many were killed and wounded,
and among the number was Irby Morgan, of Nashville,
mortally wounded. I was almost frantic with grief. My
anxiety was terrible.
In a few hours Lieut. Minot, of Gen. John T.
Morgan's command, came in a buggy, sent by Mr.
Morgan, to tell me to hurry to him. He was on Sand
Mountain, and was badly wounded, but alive. The
lieutenant told me they had a severe fight, and Capt.
Allen, of Mr. Morgan's company, was shot down, and
so disabled he could not move. He begged Mr. Morgan
not to leave him, and said that he would rather die than
be taken prisoner. So Mr. Morgan ran back and was
endeavoring to support the captain off the field.
Encumbered with his heavy weight, besides his pistol,
musket, and cartridge box, his movements were slow.
He had gone only a short distance, when he felt a
stinging pain in his side, and found the Yankees
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had discovered his design, and were firing on him from
all sides, and a ball struck him in his right hip. It was a
miracle he was not killed. He had just reached some
cedar trees when he received the wound, but in his
excitement he did not think he was much hurt. When
he got under cover, he looked down and found the
blood gushing out of the top of his cavalry boot, and
said to Capt. Allen: "Old fellow, I feel faint, I will have
to lay you down, I can't struggle any farther." He laid
him down as best he could, and some one saw him and
carried him beyond danger of the enemy.
Mr. Morgan had tied his horse near where he
attempted to save the captain, so after he was
wounded he crawled to his horse, and led the faithful
steed along until he got to the surgeon's stand. Then he
fainted from loss of blood. His brother got his surgeons
to take charge of him. They laid him across some logs,
examined his wound, and found his hip shattered and
the ball lodged near his spine. They probed and probed,
but could not get it out. By that time he was in a dead
faint, and they thought they could never bring him to
life again. But after using restoratives he opened his
eyes. After consultation they decided the ball could not
be removed without injuring
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the spine. His brother put him on a horse and got
Mr. Jim Copeland, of Nashville, and Lieuts. Minot and
Hyat to ride on each side of him, he being in the center
of the column. When he got to Cornersville, an old friend
let him have a buggy and harness. They made it secure
with ropes and strings, and then got a pillow and put him
in the buggy. He could not sit down, so had to kneel on
the pillow which was placed in the foot of the
conveyance and hold on to the dashboard to steady
himself. And when too weary of this position, he would
be turned and would rest his head on the seat. The horse
became frightened at something and began to rear and
plunge and kick. Mr. Morgan, seeing the danger he was
in, crawled up on the seat. The horse gave another
plunge, and he went over the back of the buggy.
Fortunately, he had presence of mind enough to roll over
into a ditch, and the cavalry did not trample him to death.
His companions found him and took him into a cornfield,
made a fire and kept him as comfortable as possible until
morning, when they started for the Tennessee River. He
had a horror of being taken prisoner, and would endure
any pain to go on with the boys.
They finally got to Sand Mountain, where he met
Mr. Jordan, who kept a public house. He
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was left there until I was sent for, but had every
attention and much kindness shown him. After getting
settled and feeling happy that he was out of the way of
the Federals, he sent Lieut. Minot for me.
I had an infant only a few weeks old, but Dr.
Steward told me to go: that I would be better off than
to remain in the excited state I was in. I sent for his old
father, got a trusty nurse; and when Mr. and Mrs. Tom
Marshall heard of it, they came from Cartersville and
took charge of my children at the hotel. Several of my
friends, among them Rev. John Bryson, went with me
to Rome. Then I got a wagon, and in all traveled two
hundred and fifty miles.
I found Mr. Morgan terribly wounded, pieces of
bone working out, and pieces of his clothing that the
ball had carried in worked out too. He also had a
raging fever. I watched anxiously day and night for
several weeks. One morning he said: "Cheer up. I
believe I shall yet pull through, but it was a narrow
escape." He gradually grew better; and when I knew
all danger was over, it occurred to me that cover for
our beds was scarce and hard to get, so I determined
to hunt around among the mountain women, and see if
I could not buy some homemade worsted counterpanes
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and blankets. I got some at twenty-five dollars apiece,
and they did good service afterward.
We stayed at Mr. Jordan's six weeks, and then
decided to travel slowly until we reached Marietta. We
got a wagon and put a feather bed in it, and made the
horses almost walk until we got to Gadsden, and
stopped there to rest, for Mr. Morgan was very weak
and greatly fatigued with the trip. We spent the night,
and in the morning he was much better.
There was a party of persons going out to see Black
Creek Falls, and he insisted that I should go too, as I
would never have the opportunity again. So I went, and
enjoyed it so much. I was delighted with the view.
Black and Clear Creeks unite several miles above the
falls, and empty over a precipice of eighty feet. As the
sun throws its bright rays on the torrent as it dashes
over the falls, it is a grand sight. Under the falls there
was a platform erected, and I learned that Wheeler's
cavalry had had a dance there a few nights before.
From the number of peanut hulls I saw they must have
had a jolly time with the country girls. After feasting our
eyes on the grand scenery, we went back, and all
decided we had been repaid for our trip. The next
morning we started for Marietta, and felt almost as if
we were
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going home, for we had so many kind friends there,
and we had many to welcome us back. Gen. Bate
hobbled out on his poor shattered leg, and his face
beamed with pleasure at seeing his old friends again.
We found our children well, and all charmed with our
dear, faithful friends, Mr. and Mrs. Marshall, for their
unremitting kindness to them during our absence.
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CHAPTER X.
NEWS came that Gen. Streight intended to make a raid
on Georgia, and great apprehension was felt as to the
result. The next report was that Gen. Forrest, with
three hundred and fifty men, had, with a ruse, captured
seventeen hundred Yankees. We learned of the brave
girl who jumped on behind Gen. Forrest on horseback,
and went to show him the ford of the river where his
soldiers could cross; how he arranged his men in
companies, making it appear that soldiers were
advancing from every direction, so that Gen. Streight
thought he was surrounded with great numbers. Gen.
Forrest gave him a certain time to surrender or he
would open his batteries on them. They did surrender;
and when they learned the small force that had
captured them, they were greatly chagrined and
mortified. We heard that they were to be taken to
prison at Andersonville. I felt sad to hear it; for
although we were delighted at the brave daring of our
much-loved general, we had heard such terrible
accounts from our boys in
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Northern prisons, of suffering and privations, half fed
and clad, with sickness and often death, suffering from
the rigors of a Northern climate. I thought, "With
everything North to eat and wear, if our boys suffer so,
what can we do with our limited means to render
prisoners comfortable?" and I wished them back with
their friends. We were more than willing to provide for
them, but what did we have, shut in from the whole
world, and most of the men in the army? But we gave
our prisoners the best we had, and were always more
than willing to exchange.
My servant came up one morning and said: "Gen.
Forrest and Mr. George W. Jones wish to see you." I
hurried down, and was delighted to meet them; and as
Gen. Forrest's wonderful capture was the theme of
every fireside, it was doubly interesting to listen to him
narrate his wonderful maneuvers, for it would give me
something to always remember and repeat with pride.
He went into detail, and gave to me an accurate
account of the encounter, and I found the report to be
pretty correct. I told him what he already knew, how
proud we all felt of him, and asked him many questions
on the situation of the South. I asked him if he
considered this his most brilliant achievement, and he
said: "No. The raid I made in
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Murfreesboro where I captured so many in town and
the courthouse, I consider the brightest feather in my
cap." He went on to tell me that in Murfreesboro, in
July, 1862, he captured the whole garrison: eighteen
hundred men, six hundred head of horses and mules,
forty wagons, six ambulances, four pieces of artillery,
and twelve hundred stand of small arms. This was done
by a force equal in numbers to the Federals captured.
"The military stores taken by me in this affair were
valued at $1,000,000." When I looked into his calm face and
clear gray eye I could hardly realize the pent up force
that was smoldering there. But woe to the coward or
straggler! They had better meet the enemy than to
encounter him. After he left I had quite a levee, for the
ladies came in troops to hear what their brave chieftain
had to say. You can't imagine in this day how excited
and enthusiastic the women became. The news of
victory was like an electric spark that set us all on fire.
Our Nashville friends were now all scattered in
every direction, and when we would get letters, which
were few and far between, we would send them all
around to the rest. We corresponded with a good many
of our soldier boys, and we were often enabled to send
them news of their
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friends. I have many of these letters now, and they
are precious relics.
My husband received a letter from Dr. McTyeire,
from Butler Lodge, Ala., where he was with his family.
He wrote: "John and myself expect to raise a large lot
of cowpeas. Let Bob come down, and I will teach him
to plow. We hope we will succeed, for this will be my
chief dependence for a living. Little did I think when my
father died, and a few old servants cared for the place,
that I would ever feel thankful to have it for a retreat
for my family. My wife and children are bearing their
exile so cheerfully." He told me that he was the only
white man left in the neighborhood, as all the others
were in the army, and he spent his time preaching and
looking after the widows and children, and working on
his farm. We received letters from Dr. Summers, Dr.
A. L. P. Green, Col. Samuel D. Morgan, Gen. John H.
Morgan, and many others. I have them now, and often
take them out and read them to my children and
grandchildren. But I am digressing.
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CHAPTER XI.
MR. MORGAN was still weak, suffering from his
wounds. He was put on the retired list. The
crowd was surging in our direction, the hotels
were crowded with gamblers and bad characters,
drinking, carousing, coming and going. Food was
getting scarcer and cooking worse. To sum it up,
confusion reigned. One day Col. John. Savage
came to me and said they had changed the name
of the hotel. I asked him the new name, and he
said: "H--l and hash house, instead of Kennesaw
Hotel." I told him that was a fearful name, but he
went off laughing heartily. The time had come
when we had to make a change. Houses were
hard to get; we were in a sad dilemma; we did not
know what to do. Fortunately, we heard of a
house for sale, furnished complete throughout,
everything to be sold. It was a convenient place,
with large rooms and a good many of them. We
were pleased with it, so bought and moved into it
at once, as the family occupying it were anxious
to go South. In a short time Col. Samuel D.
Morgan heard of our move, and wrote
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to me to try to get a house near us, as he was anxious
to get his family together. After many trials we
succeeded in getting a house next to us, the Episcopal
church intervening. He wrote to Dr. Robert Williams
and family, and with his granddaughters, the Misses
Cheney, they came to Marietta and went to
housekeeping. About that time the contents of the trunk
I brought from Nashville were nearly exhausted, and it
was almost an impossibility to get goods for clothing.
Some ran the blockade and got goods from Memphis
and some of the Atlantic ports, but they were the
fortunate few that succeeded. The girls needed clothes
and had to have them, so I got a bolt of hickory stripe
made by our factories. I will describe it for the benefit
of the girls of to-day: It was pin-striped, blue and white,
made of fine thread, heavier than gingham. I made a
dress each for my two girls and two nieces. The style
of make was a yoke, full sleeves, sash of the same, and
four folds stitched on the bottom of the skirts. Two of
the dresses were headed at the top of the fold with red
and two with white cord, and when they were done I
thought them beautiful.
The girls decked out in them and felt so independent
in their Southern-woven dresses, and proud too that
they were Southern girls. These were
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among their best dresses, and as they were satisfied and
pleased, I was happy to see them contented. The next
serious question was where to get food, as our family
was very large and the house crowded all the time with
friends; so our supplies had to be considerable, and it
gave us much cause for worry. There were an old
gentleman and lady of Northern birth who had lived
there for many years, and had shown us much kindness.
They had a nice place near town, and raised quantities
of vegetables and had nice fruits, and they were
thoughtful and kind, often sending us baskets of fresh
vegetables, honey, and fruits. We persuaded them to sell
us everything we needed in that line. We always had a
cordial welcome to their home, and many nice dinners
we have eaten with them. We needed meats and many
things the old gentleman couldn't supply, so Mr. Morgan
sent for him and got him to consent to go up and down
the road to get supplies. He got us flour, two barrels of
molasses, cowpeas, hams, meal, and many other
necessaries. Besides these articles, he bought beef
cattle that were poor, and Mr. Morgan got Joe, my
faithful servant boy, to boil bran, cowpeas, and corn
together and give them all they could eat, and we soon
had a lot of fine beeves to kill. I had a good receipt for
corning beef, and I succeeded finely in keeping it, and
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we made many a soldier boy's heart glad by dividing
with him. We raised chickens, or attempted to do so,
and we had a time, as our place was near the depot.
We were fortunate enough to get a good cow, had a
little garden, and some fig trees were on the place
which bore an abundance of luscious fruit. This was a
new sight to us, fig trees bearing, but we soon learned
to think them great delicacies. We considered
ourselves very fortunate in having so many of the
necessaries of life, and it made us happy to divide with
those who couldn't get these things. Meat was a great
item in housekeeping and it was hard to get, as the
army consumed so much. In a short while Col. Samuel
D. Morgan got a letter from John H. Morgan, saying:
"I will soon be married to Miss Mattie Ready, of
Murfreesboro, Tenn." We had had no intimation of any
such thing, and were greatly surprised to hear it. When
Gen. Basil Duke and he came to see us on Lookout
Mountain, I thought he was too much absorbed in the
war to think of marrying; but he did take unto himself a
wife, and came down to Marietta to see us all, his
uncle's family and ours. We were delighted to see him
again, for he had by his bravery, dash, and brilliant
achievements distinguished himself, and we felt he
was a deserved hero, and we delighted.
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in honoring him. When he came with his pretty
young wife, we thought a handsomer couple could not
be found. He had a magnificent figure, was remarkably
handsome, and was every inch a soldier. He was kind
and pleasant to every one he met, and I think had more
personal magnetism than any one I ever knew. The
citizens toasted and feasted them and made their ten
days' stay delightful. We had then a little baby six
months old, named Cornelia Hunt, the middle name for
him. He loved children, but was especially fond of this
little curly-headed one that bore his name, and would
always call for her when he came. During their stay in
Marietta, they rode frequently on horseback, and many
times we would watch them with interest and think
how distinguished they looked. He often talked to us
about the war, and one night we all gathered around
him, the children all excitement, wanting to catch every
word, and asked him to tell us of some of his daring
deeds. He related many incidents that had occurred
since he started out, but after a lapse of thirty years
many of them have escaped my memory. But one
incident I recall. He said he heard a long train would
leave Louisville on a certain day filled with clothes for
the soldiers and army stores of all kinds and in large
quantities. He
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made a dash into Kentucky, and by traveling day and
night met the train just beyond Mammoth Cave. His
daring soldiers dashed up and stopped the train. He
said it was the longest one he ever saw, not only filled
with army stores, but a great many ladies going to
Nashville, some to join their husbands and others to
meet their sweethearts, for the Federals were having a
nice time in Nashville. When the train was drawn up,
he said he never saw such consternation depicted on
faces. One old lady ran up to him and begged him not
to kill her; told him to take all she had, but spare her
life. He remarked that it made him feel embarrassed to
be regarded as a murderer of helpless women and
children - a man who had always been proverbial for
his gallantry to ladies; but such horrible tales had been
told about him that they were prepared to meet a
brigand, and they regarded him as a monster in human
guise. He said his soldiers and himself ran from car to
car and escorted the women and children out, placed
them where they would be out of danger, and then
went to work to destroy and burn up everything, he
taking time to run out and reassure the ladies that they
should not be hurt. Some of them begged him piteously
for their trunks, but he told them he was sorry that his
time was too limited to
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show them such courtesies. Some laughed at the
ludicrous position they were in, and others rained
down imprecations on his head. The soldiers
made a complete wreck of everything, and with a
military salute and profound bow bade the ladies
farewell, jumped on their horses, and were gone.
That train was a great loss to the Federals, and as
such large stores of clothes and army supplies were
burned, it retarded their progress for several days.
His delightful visit was as drawing to an end, he was
much impressed with the kindness shown him by
all, and said his visit-would not be soon forgotten.
He came to say good-bye to us, and I made him
promise to keep us posted as to his movements,
and he said he would send us Videttes from every
point he made a raid. This little paper was edited
by Major Gano, of his command - just a small sheet,
inferior paper, and published hastily, but gave the
welcome news of his movements. I have some of
them now; but they are old, ragged, and worn.
The last one we got was from Hartsville, Tenn.,
telling of his fight and captures there. Not long
after that he was captured by the Federals and
taken to a Northern prison, and as all are familiar
with his capture I will not recount it, but a letter
written to his uncle describing his feelings and
thoughts while imprisoned thrilled us at the time.
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CHAPTER XII.
HE went on to tell his different plans for escape. He
described the dogs in the prison yard, and how ferocious
they were, and knew he would have to pass these
brutes to get out of the inclosure. And many hours he
would roll from side to side on his cot, and try to think of
some way to get them off his track; but it seemed that
all schemes failed. He said he felt that to have gotten
them out of his way he would have eaten them. He
made his escape from prison one dark night when the
rain was pouring down in torrents, and succeeded in
crawling by the guard, hardly breathing until all danger
was past. After his death a good many of his command
were stationed near Marietta with Wheeler's Division.
They would come in often to see us. Many of them I
had met on Lookout Mountain. Among them were Drs.
Joe and Charlie Tidings, surgeons in John H. Morgan's
command. They were very kind to us, and gave me a
case of medicines, with instructions how to use them in
case of emergency, for physicians were so much in
demand, caring for the sick and
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wounded, that it was often with difficulty that they
could be found when needed. They were kind and
attentive to Mr. Morgan in his weakened condition.
The ball in his side could not be removed, and it gave
him continual pain, pressing against his spine. The
surgeons told him that after awhile a sack would
gradually form around the ball, but not to entertain any
hope that it could ever be extracted. He is now an old
man, many long years have elapsed since those stirring
and sorrowful times, and the ball is often still a
reminder of those days of strife and bloodshed.
I had so many cares now, I could not go to the
hospitals as often as I wished, but whenever I could
find time I would prepare waiters of delicacies, and the
girls would help me take them. They would wait at the
doors and I would go through and distribute them to the
poor, desolate, homesick boys, and my heart would
bound with pleasure to see the grateful look of
appreciation on their poor, sunken faces; and they
would tell me how good everything tasted after eating
so much old light bread and soup. Capt. Jim Barnes
and Capt. Ed Douglass, of Nashville, came from East
Tennessee with rheumatism, and stayed with me two
months, until they got well enough to join their
commands.
Page 82
The army was still falling back and fighting almost
all the time, for they contested every foot of ground
from Dalton to Atlanta, though against overwhelming
numbers. Such deeds of bravery and valor were never
surpassed; but were shared by Wheeler, Cheatham,
Dibrell, Morgan, and indeed all, for it would be hard to
discriminate, they all fought so bravely.
I heard that Col. Terry Cahal, one of our Nashville
boys, was badly wounded. They were in a fight, and he
leaped over the fortifications and wrested the colors
from the enemy, and in his effort to get back was shot.
I had him brought to my home, where I could watch
him. He was telling me of the fight with great
exultation, and said that he did not mind being hurt to
get their colors. His wound was not as serious as it
was at first thought to be. He was considered brave
and daring almost to recklessness.
Marietta, being so near the army' was now
crowded all the time, and our house filled to
overflowing. It was very elastic, and we could always
find room for one more. One night we had as guests
Gen. John M. Bright, Gov. Neil S. Brown, Judge
Marchbanks, Dr. C. D. Elliott, Rev. John Bryson, Col.
Robinson, Col. Terry Cahal, and Dr. John B. McFerrin.
We had two mattresses on
Page 83
most of the beds, so we would take one off of each and
spread them around in different rooms, parlor included.
Our family was large, so with these guests added it
looked like a small hotel. I had to put Dr. McFerrin in the
bed with a very fleshy man, and expressed my regrets,
but he said: "Don't worry, sister, for this is good
sleeping; better than I have been used to, for I have been
lying on the ground in camp with the boys." The all-
absorbing theme was the removal of Gen. Joe Johnston.
Many thought that President Davis had committed the
error of his life, for Gen. Johnston had only to command
and the soldiers obeyed, never questioning a move, for
they had implicit confidence in him. And the soldiers
would often say: "What old Joe does is all right. He
knows what he is about." With Gen. Hood they had
some fears; but their ardor for the cause was so great
that they did not stop to cavil, but rushed with
impetuosity to accomplish all they were ordered to do.
They often said, afterward: "If old Joe had been left in
command, Gen. Sherman would never have got to the
ocean." President Davis was terribly censured, but his
conduct since then for thirty years has refuted all
charges and calumny imputed to him at the time. When I
think of that grand character, sometimes seeming almost
isolated,
Page 84
censured by the South for what they conceived an
error of judgment, and calumniated all over the North, I
wonder that that proud spirit of that weak body did not
succumb. But he was so deeply imbued with the idea
of sovereignty of the States that he died battling for
what he conceived to be the bulwark of the South,
these rights.
Well, many changes were taking place on all sides.
The school our girls had attended, taught by Mr.
Benedict, was given up, and we were greatly worried
as to where we would send them. Mr. Jesse Thomas,
of Nashville, came to Marietta; and knowing how
competent Miss Kate Thomas was as a teacher, we
begged her to take a class. She timidly shrank from
anything of the kind, but after a good deal of
persuasion we got her to consent to open a school. Col.
Samuel D. Morgan sent his granddaughters, Mr.
Lytton his girls, four went from our home, and from the
ladies of Marietta she had many applications. Many a
glad mother had reason to thank Miss Kate for the
training of her daughters in gentle, ladylike deportment,
and classic and text-book knowledge.
Page 85
CHAPTER XIII.
WE would have daily visits from some of our boys.
Hardly a day would pass but what we would see some
familiar face. Gens. Cheatham and Bate, Capts. Joe
Phillips and Van McIver, Maj. James W. Thomas,
Lieut. George Lytton, Capt. Matt Pilcher, Mr. Jim
Buckner, Capts. James Cooper, Capt. John Morton,
Collins Bright, and many others too numerous to
mention. Gen. Frank Cheatham, "Our Frank," as the
boys called him, would run in occasionally. He was
always jolly, but often looked weather beaten, with
faded clothes and bronzed face. The boys would say:
"We will go anywhere old Frank orders us, even were it
in the cannon's mouth." He reminded me of an old
Roman soldier, so dignified when commanding his
troops; but when not on duty, he was a genial
companion. We felt proud of our Tennessee boys, but
had an especially tender place for the "Rock City
Guards," as they were boys we had known all our lives;
but all knew that they had a welcome at our home, and
whenever they could get leave of absence for a
Page 86
few days, would slip down to Marietta, and we would
spend happy hours together, and many a little
entertainment the girls would get up for their pleasure,
and such hunting of clothes and decking out was right
laughable. My husband's wardrobe was drawn on until
he could sometimes scarcely find a change of clothes,
white shirts particularly, and handkerchiefs. Pieces of
ribbon and anything were used for cravats; but the
boys had a merry time, anyway, and old Marietta
would resound with their enthusiastic songs: "Bonnie
Blue Flag," "Dixie," "My Maryland," and many others
I have forgotten. They would often wind up with
"Home, Sweet Home," and the tears would gather in
their eyes. They would have for refreshments,
popcorn, sorghum candy, gooberpeas, and sometimes
cake, and all kinds of fruits. How they would enjoy it,
after eating hard bread and bacon, and sometimes beans
and cowpeas for days! When they would start back, I would
fill their canteens with buttermilk and sorghum molasses,
give them a piece of corned beef and some beaten biscuit,
and they would feel rich and happy.
Our old friend, Gen. John M. Bright, had a son not
quite fourteen years old, who gave him great
uneasiness. He was well grown for his age,
Page 87
looked older than he was; and as his brothers were in
the army, he was anxious to go too, but his father
thought it best for him to stay in Lincoln County with his
family. But news came that John Massey, a splendid
young man, and others, of Fayeteville,
had been shot by
order of a Federal general for bushwhacking. John was
of an impetuous disposition, and his father determined
to get him out of the lines, for fear he would be killed.
He finally succeeded, and sent him to Chapel Hill, N.C.,
to school, paid his tuition in advance, and in talking
to me about him congratulated himself on the good
arrangements he had made for him, and that a great
trouble had been lifted off him. After a few weeks
Johnny appeared at my door, carpetbag in hand, greeted
me, and was overjoyed to see us. I in return was
delighted to see him, for I loved him very dearly. His
mother had been one of my cherished friends for years.
I expressed great surprise, and asked him how he got
here. He said: "Well, Aunt Julia, I couldn't study, and I
worried and worried the teacher until he gave my
money back. If he had not done it, I would have run off,
for I intend to join the army." He opened his valise and
commenced pulling out clothes, and said: "See what I
have brought you all." He had a thin summer coat for
Mr. Morgan,
Page 88
and a handsome meerschaum pipe, and something for
the children and myself, and he presented them with a
beaming face. I told him that I was very sorry he had
spent his money. "Your father was here last week and
told me that his family were having a hard time at home
in the lines, and needed that money." He looked very
sorrowful for a few minutes, but in a little while after I
heard his merry laugh with the children, and I went in
and asked him what he intended to do. He said that in a
few days he intended to go up to the army, but I knew
that his father would not consent to it for a moment, for
he was entirely too young. I consulted Mr. Morgan, and
we decided that he should not go, and told him so, and
also informed him that he had to start to school, which
he reluctantly consented to do. The next morning we
entered him, and we had a merry time watching John to
keep him from running off. His father was urging him all
the time to stay and try to improve his time, and insisted
on us controlling him as we would our own boy. I had
my seven children, two nieces, and John, making ten
young people in all, and my hands and heart were full of
anxieties and cares. My husband was still feeble. He
hobbled around on crutches, and gave me all the
assistance he could in managing the children and
household.
Page 89
Joe, my faithful servant, worked my garden, and we
had a quantity of nice, fresh vegetables, plenty of milk
and butter, meat, flour, and so on; but our soap gave
out, and we could not buy it. We were in a dilemma -
war times, and no soap. A friend of my husband told
him that they had at the commissary department a
large lot of refuse grease, and said that if we would
send for it we could have it. So we did send, and got
the grease, and also a quantity of wood ashes from
friends. I called Joe up, and asked him if he could
make an old fashioned lye hopper. So we went to
work, run the lye down, and began on our soap. In a
few days we had four barrels of fine lye soap, but my
eyes were nearly smoked out. I was proud of my
success, and made enough to last me till the close of
the war.
We often wondered that we had nothing stolen, as
there were so many coming and going all the time,
colored and white. I will mention a fact that astonished
every one. The morning I left Nashville I hastily
gathered up six or seven dozen knives, forks, and
spoons, small and large, with my name on them. I used
them constantly in the house and kitchen - for I had
no others - never losing a single piece, and when I
came back to Nashville I brought them all home
safely. It
Page 90
was remarkable how little stealing-was done,
especially in provisions, for so many were on short
rations.
I must say that we should never forget the negroes,
for they were faithful and industrious, and seemed to
face their responsibilities. Many said to me: "De las'
promise I made old master was, I would take good
care of missus and de chilluns." And faithfully did they
keep their promise. When news would come that an
old or young master was killed, they would weep with
the family pure tears of affection. I would hear the old
mammies tell of the different ones of the children that
they had "nussed," and now they were big soldier
boys, and had gone to fight for their country, and in
letters these boys would write home there were always
messages of love for their "dear old mammy." And
when the brave boys gave up their lives and were
fortunate enough to be sent home, those black
mammies were among the first to show the last tender
love and respect for their beloved dead. They were
always proud of "our white folks," as they called them,
and were ever ready to do their bidding and attend to
every want. I do not remember a single act of
lawlessness on their part during the war. I have a
warm place in my heart for the negroes, and can't help
but feel
Page 91
grateful to them for their unremitting fidelity to us
during the long struggle.
The army was now falling back slowly but surely,
and we would hear of thrilling deeds of daring on the
part of our brave boys led by our faithful and
chivalrous Gen. Dibrell: making a dash where the
enemy least expected them, killing and capturing
many. His command were devoted to him. The boys
would (different ones) get leave of absence, and would
nearly always come down to spend a few days among
Nashville friends. It did our hearts good to see them
eat. Many, many times when they would be in a hurry
to start back I would make them go out and help the
girls churn, so they could take their canteens full of
fresh buttermilk; and what a frolic they would make of
it!
Letters often came asking us to send or buy for
them articles of clothing, and particularly shoes, and
often they did not fit, but would have to be worn. You
must not suppose for a moment that we were the only
workers, for many others were doing as much and
more than we. But I started out to tell what I saw,
heard, and did, and I was kept so busy that I didn't
have time to know what others were doing.
The soldiers were the most cheerful persons we
Page 92
would see. They would come with their clothes faded,
ragged, and drawn up from rain and exposure until the
tops of their socks were showing, and we would never
hear a murmur or complaint from them.
One day Neil Brown came in to see us. He looked
so weather-beaten that I scarcely recognized him. I
gazed at his handsome, bronzed face only a
beardless boy - and thought him the picture of
bravery, and he looked as if the word "fail" never
entered his vocabulary, although it appeared dark to us.
You would see often perfect caricatures among the
poor fellows, but if it made them sensitive, they didn't
show it. They seemed merry and light-hearted, and I
would often look at them and wonder that in the midst
of so many uncertainties how they could be bright; for
who knew but that before the week was out some of
them would be still in death. I could hardly restrain my
tears before them, and would often leave them to
conceal my emotions. Many of these dear ones I had
known from childhood, and in our exile they felt very
near to us. With how much pleasure did we contribute
to their wants and try to make their stay with us
pleasant! And when we would bid them good-bye, it
was often their last farewell on earth.
Page 93
CHAPTER XIV.
I WAS suffering great apprehension every day about
my seven-year-old boy, for fear he would be killed. I
had made him an artillery suit, and he would tell every
one that he belonged to Capt. John Morton's battery,
and he really thought he was a soldier. He had a dozen
little boys he would drill, and called them his company.
They would march up and down the street, and
frequently during the day you could hear "hep, hep,"
stepping to the music of drums and tin horns, or
anything that came handy that they could make a noise
with. Sometimes tin pans and sticks would be a
substitute for lack of something better. He was a
sprightly little fellow, and the soldiers nearly ruined him.
He called old and young by their first names - John or
Tom, or whatever it might be. I would reprove him, and
he would say: "They told me to call them that." It all did
very well for awhile, and amused us, but he began to
think he was monarch of all he surveyed, and acted
accordingly. He would run off from home and I would
hear of him riding behind one of the soldiers in one
direction,
Page 94
and a little while after he would be seated up beside
the driver on an artillery wagon sailing another way. I
would send runners to hunt him, would bring him home
and punish him; but often the temptation to be with the
soldiers would overcome him, and he would start
again. He would listen to them talk, and he would tell
us marvelous tales. He had no idea of numbers and his
hundreds of killed and wounded would swell up into the
thousands. To sum it all up, he was fast getting to be a
regular newsmonger, and was as well known as any
boy in Marietta. He knew persons I had never heard
of, and would yell out, "Howdy, Bill," maybe to some
settled man, or one with gray hairs. But to top the
climax, Mr. Fred Shepherd came leading him in one
day, and told me if I didn't want a dead boy I would
have to keep him at home. He said: "I just pulled him
out from under a car that was oscillating, ready to
start. His whole bag of marbles had tumbled out and
had rolled under the cars, and he started right after
them, and I happened along just in time to save him." It
was such a narrow escape that it made me tremble ,
and I thought: "What shall I do with him?" I was
almost in despair. I had whipped him, put him to bed,
tied him to a chair, and would often bribe him to be
good. He had quite a contempt
Page 95
for girls, and thought it a great insult to be called like
them. So I thought over every mode of punishment, and
concluded I would put a hoop skirt on him and a dress
with a long train. I said: "My son, I have tried to have a
nice boy, but he is so bad and runs away so much I will
have to make a little girl of him." He wailed, but I
persisted, and took my chair for the evening and stayed
with him. In a short while several persons came up to
my room, and he would run behind the door, pulling his
train after him. He would stay still for some time, until
his curiosity would get the best of him and he would
peep out. Some of the ladies got a glimpse of his hoop
skirt, and laughed heartily, and asked me what on earth
was the matter with the child. I told them I had made a
girl of him to keep him at home; that he ran away and
behaved so badly. Then he would scream and cry and
try to explain, but I persisted; and late in the evening he
got so tired of the room he ventured out in the hall to
see what was going on among the children, but as soon
as he spied them he came flying back and they after
him to know what was the matter. But "Sallie," as I
called him, got in first, trail and all, and slammed the
door and said: "Please, ma'am, take them off, and I will
never run off again." It did break him of this
troublesome
Page 96
habit of running off, but in after years I had cause to
regret it; for the name followed him to Nashville, and
more than one fight resulted from his being called by
that name. And whenever they did dare to utter that
name they would prepare to get out of his way, for
rocks would fly in the cause. But after he grew up to
manhood the name seemed to have a fascination for
him, for his partner for life was called "Sallie."
Page 97
CHAPTER XV.
THE lines were tightening each day. Fights occurred
constantly below Dalton, the troops stoutly contesting
every inch of ground. We would hear startling rumors
every hour of the nearness of the enemy. Now and
then Gen. Frank Cheatham would run in for an hour or
two. We had great confidence in him, and looked up to
him as one of our bravest leaders. He was so
sympathetic and kind to the boys that they almost
idolized him, and the soldiers would often say to me:
"Why, old Frank is one of the boys." But in battle they
obeyed him implicitly. As the army was falling back
now daily, Mr. Morgan was in great trouble about us;
he didn't know whether to send us farther south or to
let us remain in Marietta. He had his old father and his
sister and family on a little farm living comfortably, and
as we were well fixed in Marietta and the children at
school, he concluded the best thing to do in the event
of the enemy getting to Marietta, was to let us remain
quietly in the lines and he would go farther South. In
the meanwhile the excitement was getting to fever
heat, and as
Page 98
the children shared with the older ones in this terrible
nervous strain, they became so excited that study was
out of the question. My nieces went out to stay a few
days with their mother, never dreaming of any trouble.
The enemy were advancing, and soon old Kennesaw
resounded with the roar of artillery. We would go out at
night and listen to the reverberation of that old
mountain, knowing that every shot was the death knell
of some dear one. O the tension was fearful! How my
heart would go out to our dear boys and the loved ones
at home! But all we could do was to bow our heads in
prayer and beg God to help us all and sustain us by his
grace. Nearer and nearer the sounds would come, the
excitement increasing. I never will forget the day the
news came that Gen. Polk was killed. He was greatly
beloved by all, not only for his bravery, but for his pure
Christian character. The next startling information was
that the enemy were in a few miles of the town in
overwhelming numbers, and were advancing rapidly.
The scene beggared description - the town was
almost in a frenzy of excitement. Our house was
crowded with soldiers, as the army was almost in the
town. The boys begged Mr. Morgan to take us South,
and he said he had moved his family so much he didn't
see how he could go farther; but
Page 99
that boom, boom, boom got to be every minute,
resounding from hilltop to hilltop. We could see the
smoke from the firing. O it was a grand but awful sight!
We could do nothing but walk, talk, and wait, feeling
that some great calamity was impending. We could
hear nothing from Sister Lucy and family, and knew by
that time that the enemy were near her house, and we
thought of the girls, the old father and daughter in their
helpless condition, and we were miserable. We knew
the old man could do nothing to protect them, and our
hands were equally powerless, we were nearly crazy.
Page 100
CHAPTER XVI.
ALL the information we could glean was that our army
was fighting as few ever fought, and falling on all sides.
About 11 o'clock we saw an ambulance stop at the gate, and
my first thought was that some dear one, wounded or
dead, had been brought to us. We ran to see who it was,
when sister and girls bounded out, then the old father and
three negroes, all in a pitiful condition. Their clothes were
muddy, bedraggled, and saturated with water. They told us
the Federal batteries were planted so that they swept the
house, and shell after shell was sent crashing and
shrieking through the house. At intervals they tried to get
their precious clothes, and succeeded and tied them up in
bundles and then started to run. A shell would burst near
them and they would drop their treasures and cry awhile,
then at an interval seize them and start running until they
got far enough to feel safe from the shells. It commenced
raining, and they were in a deplorable condition. Gen. John
T. Morgan, her brother, with his command, had been for
several days around and in her house, as she knew many
of them; but he had taken part of his troops and had gone
Page 101
around in another direction to meet the enemy, leaving
part of his command with Wheeler's Brigade. When
they returned to where Wheeler's troops were stationed
and heard of the sad plight the family were in, the boys
were furious; they believed it premeditated cruelty on
the part of the Federals. They jumped on their horses
and in the midst of flying shells rode up to where the
helpless family were in the woods near their house. The
enemy in passing had raided the house,. and as they
could not carry off the things, had deliberately ripped
open feather beds and had the contents flying in every
direction; had knocked in the heads of several barrels of
molasses and did all the damage they could. After they
left our boys went into the house and saved what things
they thought most essential for the family and that could
be hurriedly moved; brought ambulances enough to
carry the family and what was left of their belongings to
Marietta. Some of the boys laughed and said the last
things they saw were ducks, chickens, and turkeys
struggling in molasses and feathers. After hearing of the
treatment they had received, we were terribly
frightened, and begged to be taken farther South. The
soldiers told Mr. Morgan they would help us in every
way to get ready for a hasty departure, so he
telegraphed a friend in Augusta to
Page 102
get us a place. He succeeded in renting half of a house
on the Sand Hills, near Augusta. After we decided to
go there was no time to lose, so the soldier boys went
to work, helped to take down the beds and furniture,
and we got things packed up in a short time. Maj.
Cummings kindly let us have cars enough to hold our
things. Gen. John M. Bright, Col. Terry Cabal, Capt.
Collins Bright, Jim Buckner, and many of the Rock
City Guards came in and went to work. Such a hurry
and confusion there was then, all anxious to see us
start. By this time pandemonium reigned in the streets -
soldiers, wagons, artillery wagons, drivers shouting
and hurrying, and the "tramp, tramp, tramp" was
heard in every direction, all falling back as fast as
possible, going to Atlanta to make a stand. We were
soon in readiness, all of our small possessions packed
in the cars. Mr. Morgan, his father and sister with her
family, the children and myself, and our faithful Joe got
on the car and started to Atlanta. On arriving in that
city, we were in such a crowd we had to wait some
time before we could push through. Every little while
some kind friend would come in and speak a word of
encouragement and offer to render some assistance.
Maj. John Bransford was also among our friends who
volunteered his services.
Page 103
CHAPTER XVII.
WE were worn out from work and anxiety, and so tired
waiting, and were almost famished for water. It was
very scarce, as hundreds of soldiers and people from
every direction were thirsty too, and were begging for it
on all sides. I don't know when I ever felt so gratified in
all my life as when old Dr. Hudson, of Nashville, came
up with a tin bucket of cool, fresh buttermilk. He told
me that he had walked for some time trying to find this
milk for the children and myself; had offered to buy it,
and finally he succeeded in begging this bucketful. I
thought it the most delicious milk that I had ever tasted.
We all enjoyed it and thanked the old gentleman most
heartily. We looked and wondered how he had
squeezed through that surging mass, and felt grateful
beyond expression for his kindness. It was indeed the
cup of cold water given to the thirsty.
From Atlanta, Mr. Morgan sent his father, sister,
and her little children to Alabama, and we started with
our family and two nieces to Augusta, and thence to
the Sand Hills, a lovely suburb of
Page 104
Augusta, and we were fortunate enough to rent half of
a house owned by two sisters, Mrs. Edgar and Miss
Carmichael, nieces of Dr. Paul F. Eve, of Nashville.
They gave us a warm welcome to a delightful home.
We had five large rooms and were pleasantly situated,
and remained with them until the war closed. Mrs.
Edgar, sister, and two boys just returned from the
Virginia Military Institute occupied the other half of the
house. We never had kinder friends than they were,
and the friendship has been continued since the war.
In a short time there was a call for ladies, men, boys,
and girls to come to the Arsenal to help make
cartridges, and as they were needed, the girls from
Augusta and the Sand Hills (mine among the number)
responded. The girls were patriotic, and didn't shrink
from doing anything to help the cause so near to our
hearts. They didn't ask, "What can I do?" but, "What
must I do?" willing to have work assigned them. They
went every day and worked faithfully for several
weeks, and for some time after this. They would bring
home as a souvenir a cartridge they had helped make,
and the patriotic Southern blood burned proudly in their
veins as they would tell how faithfully they had labored
for their country.
Page 105
CHAPTER XVIII.
THUS the work at the Arsenal went steadily on,
and to increase the interest and hasten the work,
they began to pay from fifty cents to $1 a day. The girls
were too patriotic to take any money for their services,
but the little boys thought that they would make a little
money for themselves, and at night on their return they
would compare notes and have a big counting, and they
thought themselves very rich.
One night I overheard a conversation between
Johnny Bright and my little son. He told him that he had
saved up $30, and he would show them all what he
intended to do with it. And on being pressed to know
what he had on hand, said: "I am going to run off and
join the army." I walked in and said: "Well, young man,
what will your $30 buy? You need shoes and a hat
now, and your money won't buy you a pair of shoes."
For by that time the money had depreciated so that
everything brought fabulous prices. He looked
crestfallen, and did not say anything again for some
time about going. I do
Page 106
not give dates of occurrences, for after thirty years,
and writing from memory, many facts as well as dates
have been forgotten.
A few weeks after my
encounter with John Bright
we sent our two daughters and two nieces to Eatonton,
Ga., to school to Mrs. Jane T. H. Cross, an old
Nashville teacher, who had opened a large school
there. Other Nashville girls attend
the same school, and
our girls boarded with Mr. Jesse Thomas's family. A
few days after they left, Mr. Allen Washington, wife,
and five children came from Marietta, and remained
with us until he could secure them a home elsewhere.
Mr. Washington was in the government clothing
department, and he was kept pretty busy securing
clothing for our needy boys. Among others from
Nashville who took a prominent part in this department
were Maj. V. K. Stephenson, Mr. George O'Bryan,
Mr. George Cunningham, and Mr. Tom Massengale.
Mr. Washington would run down every few days to
spend a day and night with his family, and after several
efforts he finally secured them a home. After they left
I commenced my work again in the hospitals. I found
them crowded with our wounded boys, and more
coming in every day. I offered to help in any way I
could, and they told me
Page 107
that it was hard work for them to get enough for all to
eat, and if I would help prepare food for them it would
be a great blessing. So I told them that I would cook
two days in each week for the gangrene hospital. They
sent me out a number of hams and sacks of flour, and I
got Joe to build up a fire under a large kettle I had, and
we would boil a number of the hams at once. While
they were cooking, we would make up a large lot of
beaten biscuit, and the ladies of the Sand Hills were
very kind in making frequent donations of delicacies,
and the next morning I would start with the nice things,
just as happy as I could be to feel that I could minister
to the sufferers. Joe would take the express and I the
barouche, often well packed, and I would go in and out
to help distribute, always looking for our Nashville boys.
In these many journeys made, my heart was gladdened
when I could see the look of pleasure and gratitude on
many pinched and suffering faces. Many bandages did I
remove, and would wash and dress the wounds, for the
surgeons were so rushed it was impossible to pay the
attention that cases really needed. Often letters would
have to be written to the absent loved ones at home,
some the last love greetings they would ever get from
their soldier boys. O the horrors of war! I hope
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I will never have to pass through such heartrending
scenes again. If I could remember all the sad sights I
witnessed during the four years I was South, it would
fill a large volume, for I was in the midst of it from the
time I left Lookout Mountain till the close of the war.
Page 109
CHAPTER XIX.
IN a few weeks we had a colony of Tennesseeans on
the hill. Col. E. W. Cole, Mr. Tom Massengale, Mr.
Gerry Pearl, Maj. Cunningham, all with their
families, and many others too numerous to mention.
We were all kept busy, and it seemed to me that the
Southern women thought nothing too difficult to
undertake, always feeling that where there was a
will there was a way out of all difficulties. I went
one day to see Mrs. Col. Cole, who was a big-
hearted, thoroughgoing woman, and loyal to her
country. On entering the room I heard a peculiar
noise, and I asked what it was. She told me it was
silkworms feeding; and sure enough there they
were, feasting on leaves. She said: "The soldiers,
many of them my friends, need silk handkerchiefs,
and I have already woven quite a number." And
when she showed me the results of her labor, I was
astonished.
Things were developing so fast that the crisis
seemed almost upon us. We were almost in the throes
of death, and fighting desperately was the order of the
day. Many more wounded men were
Page 110
brought to Augusta, and among them Capt. Collins
Bright. He was badly wounded, gangrene had set in,
and he was in a pitiful condition. He sent me word he
was there, and I went in immediately to see him. My
husband told me before starting that I must use every
effort that I could to get permission to bring him home
with me, so we could nurse and give him that attention
he could not receive at the hospital. Capt. Bright said
his destination was another point, but he heard that we
were near Augusta, so he begged to be taken there.
The officers had given orders that none should be taken
to private houses, as many were already scattered in
different directions, and some tarried longer than the
officials thought necessary. I begged hard and long
before I could gain their consent to remove him. Then
certain conditions were imposed that I thought rather
hard. They were to this effect: That I must come in
every morning at 9 o'clock and report his condition. I
gladly consented, and with his servant's (Ira) help got
him in the carriage and we both started home happy. I
got directions from the doctor what to do, and upon
examination found he was wounded above the knee on
the underside of his leg, and a large hole was there
where the flesh had been shot away. When I looked at
the lacerated, angry-looking
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leg, I felt faint and turned away, but only for a
moment, for he was suffering intensely. I went to work,
and with Ira's assistance, bathed and dressed it. He
suffered agonies, for the leaders in the leg could be
plainly seen where the flesh was torn out. He was
unable to move himself, and he was weak and feverish.
I had to obey orders and be at the hospital not later than
9 o'clock to report his condition. I went for a week and
found it exceedingly irksome, and began to feel that it
was a farce. One morning I found quite a number of
young doctors in the office, looking gay and jolly. They
were laughing and talking, and seemed to be having a
good time. I said: "Gentlemen, I want to see Dr. Paul F.
Eve." They told me that he was not in, and didn't know
where he could be found, as he was going all the time
from one hospital to another. I said to them that if I
could see him I knew he would put a stop to all this
foolishness, coming to report every day that my soldier
had not run off, when he was too weak to turn in his
bed. They laughed and said: "Madam, you have earned
your soldier; and you needn't come any more." And they
went on to tell us the difficulties they had to contend
with; so many being absent and would not report to
them, and asked me to please let them know every now
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and then how the captain was getting on, and "if you
need medical assistance, we will gladly respond." I
thanked them heartily, and bowed myself out, and
went home feeling greatly relieved. I nursed him
faithfully for nearly three months, and then he was
able to rejoin his command.
One morning a box was sent me from Col. Samuel
D. Morgan, by a trusty friend, containing twelve
thousand dollars in gold, and he said I must take care of
it for him; for he was afraid it might be stolen, and
added that both his family and ours might need it before
the war was over. After keeping it for awhile I felt
very uneasy about having such a large sum in my
possession, so decided to send it back. I was so uneasy
I couldn't sleep for fear some one would rob us. It was
returned to Madison, Ga. In a little while it came back
to me, and he said I must keep it, for he felt it was
more secure in my hands. I was in a sad dilemma, not
knowing what to do. I now had his $12,000 and $7,000 of
our own in gold, besides watches and gold trinkets the
boys had left with me for safe-keeping. I would lie
awake at night and try to devise some means of
safety - some secure place to hide it - and the more I
thought the more I was troubled; for the servants were
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sharp, keen set. I worried daily, and finally took my
friend, Mrs. Edgar, in whose house we lived, into my
confidence, and we decided to bury it in the cellar. I got
her to send her servants on errands a long distance from
the house, and I told mine to take my children to walk.
Then we had to hurry. I took part of the gold and ran to
the cellar and hid it behind some boards and ran back
for the rest. When I got in the cellar I locked the door
inside. It was a long room running the length of the
house, and had been used for years for sawing and
stacking wood and for coal; but after locking myself in I
found to my consternation that I had forgotten to bring
the mattock for digging the hole to deposit it in. I
wondered what I would do. I was afraid to go out for
fear some one would see me and thereby excite
suspicion. The only light I had was from windows with
iron bars let in, so it was close and I became so excited
and warm; for I imagined every minute some one would
come and get in the door. I looked around and saw
hanging on the wall an old rusty sword, so as quickly as
I could I climbed up on a stack of wood and got
it down, and on examination found I could dig with it,
and my next thought was where the hole should be. I
had selected a place before bringing the gold, but was
afraid the keen-eyed servant boy might
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see fresh clay dug up and suspect something, so I
decided that would not do. There was a long road in
the center where the boy at different times had sawed
wood, and I noticed that where the wood-horse stood
there was a large pile of sawdust. I moved it out of the
way and commenced to dig my hole. It was some time
before I got to the hard clay, and when I did reach it I
thought I would never get out enough dirt to make the
hole deep enough. But I worked and perspired, got out
of breath, but was afraid to stop to rest, for there was
no time to lose. I would dig awhile, then grabble the
clay out with my hands, and by sheer perseverance I
finally got it sufficiently deep to hold the gold. I groaned
in agony over my blistered hands. Every few minutes
would glance at the door and windows to see if any
one was near, and I believe that if I had seen eyes
peering through the windows I would have dropped on
the floor from sheer excitement. But the gold was put
in, and then I threw the clay on top, and with the help
of a maul, which I found near by, I soon had the dirt
mauled and packed in tight until it was as firm as the
ground. What remaining pieces of clay I saw I
gathered up in my skirt, threw it carefully behind the
wood, piled the sawdust up and mauled that, and then
got some loose dust and scattered it over so it looked
as if
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nothing had disturbed it; then put the wood-horse back
just over the gold. I made my exit as soon as possible,
and secretly watched to see if the boy who sawed the
wood noticed anything amiss in his workshop, but he
went along as usual with his duties, piling up the
sawdust over the buried treasure. When the war
closed, it was returned to Col. Samuel D. Morgan. I
would hesitate to go through the same ordeal again, as I
almost suffocated.
Page 116
CHAPTER XX.
THE fighting continued daily, and we would hear
heartrending descriptions of the sufferings of our
brave boys, fathers, and husbands. The slaughter was
terrible, and often the enemy's forces numbered three
or four to our one. Look at them at the siege of
Vicksburg, in the trenches, for weeks holding the
gunboats at bay! Look at them at Port Hudson and all
down the Mississippi, having chills and fever until they
looked like hickory leaves and were almost reduced to
skeletons! Chills would seize them, followed by
burning fevers, and they would take quinine without
measuring it, and as soon as the fever would pass off,
to use their expression, "they would get up and go for
the Yankees again." Look at Shiloh, Gettysburg,
Chickamauga, Franklin, and our brave army in
Virginia, in all the numerous battles - indeed in fights
everywhere! Whole regiments would form a solid line,
and would be mowed down; and in a second almost
a solid front would be presented again to share the
same fate; and often there would hardly be left
enough to form a corporal's guard.
Page 117
We would hear from every division in the South of
deeds of daring and bravery that could not be
surpassed, and this accomplished by men with short
rations and poorly clad. Talk about Washington at
Valley Forge? Their sufferings could not surpass that
borne by our brave boys, half clad and often
barefooted because shoes could not be procured, many
times their feet so swollen from weary marches and
hard leather that they would have to wrap them in rags,
often leaving traces of blood on the snows of Western
Virginia; but in the midst of these distresses pressing
on to meet the enemy. Talk about the Spartans at
Thermopylæ the charge of the brave six hundred? We
had our Greeks and brave Scotch Highlanders, or their
equals, in our dear Confederacy. I often thought, when
our generals had to contend with such overwhelming
numbers, that they might have exclaimed in anguish of
spirit, as Wellington did at Waterloo: "O for night or
Blucher!" But the Federals had the world to draw on
for their Bluchers, but we the lifeblood of our little
Confederacy. And in thinking of the difference in
numbers, you will pardon me if I digress for a few
minutes and mention a little fact that struck me so
forcibly lately and will carry out my statement in regard
to their overwhelming forces. From the pension list,
Page 118
thirty years after the war, we find they are paying
more persons than we had soldiers in the field. I saw
the list of enlisted men given a short time since, and it
was over two millions, and we had six hundred
thousand valiant troops from our beloved South, our
husbands, sons, and brothers fighting for home and
dear ones. The Government is paying Federal pensions
to the uttermost parts of the earth almost - Australia,
New Zealand, and every country in Europe - for their
army was made up of recruits from everywhere. Any
one who would fight for money was sent against us. I
have done our soldiers great injustice, for instead of
contending with three to one, they had six and eight to
one of ours. Was such a thing ever heard of in the
world's history? and just to think it lasted four long
years with all our privations and sufferings, and then
not whipped, but had to succumb to brute force. I think
the United States ought to feel proud of the soldiers of
the South, and be willing to accord them the place of
honor in history they so richly deserve. We can
challenge the world, and say: "Show us their equals in
honor, integrity, bravery, and gallantry shown our
women under all circumstances."
Page 119
CHAPTER XXI.
SERVANTS were hard to get, but we succeeded in
finding a faithful, good woman, a negro from Virginia,
who cooked for us, and with our faithful servant, Joe,
who was invaluable, we got on very comfortably. Joe
was the quickest, smartest negro I ever saw - always
ready and willing for any emergency. I had to send him
to Augusta almost every day, and I was very uneasy,
so afraid he would be forced to work on the
fortifications or to move cotton, for they were stacking
it in the streets preparing to burn it if the enemy came.
They had tried to get him several times, but he had
eluded them by some cunning device. It was difficult to
get hands to work, for they would hide in the day, but
at night the churches would be crowded. They had a
revival of religion started when we first got to Augusta,
and it lasted for months. One night the officers heard
of this meeting, and made a raid on the male portion,
and got a good many hands for their work, but Joe
jumped out of the window and made his escape. The
next morning he laughed and told me about it, and
Page 120
said he was too smart: they couldn't "ketch?" him. One
day I had occasion to send him to Augusta for
something that was greatly needed, and I noticed him
before starting working at his arm. He had bandaged it
up tightly, and was preparing to put it in a sling. I
asked him what he was doing. He said: "Miss July,
my arm is broken, and you know I can't work." I was
greatly amused, and for a week after that, whenever
he had to go to the city, these same preparations had
to be made. He always started off with a stick, and
when an officer came in view he hobbled along,
leaning on his stick, arm and leg both disabled. But
one day they got him. He was a fine singer and
celebrated jig dancer, and cut the pigeon wing to
perfection, and his great desire to show off to his
colored friends was the means of his capture. He saw
a platform in the street, and with his crippled leg and
bandaged arm mounted it and commenced a lively jig,
singing in a loud voice, "Carve dat 'possum to de
heart;" and just as he finished and was about to
descend with great difficulty the officer laid hold of
him and said: "I have been watching you for several
days, and you are a slick rascal, but I have got you
now and will put you to work." He tried to beg off,
and told them all his white folks were sick and he was
their only dependence,
Page 121
and he had just come in for the doctor. But
all his pleading was without avail; they would listen to
no excuse, and put him to work to pile cotton, and gave
him some hands to help him. They had to straighten
some cotton that was bulging out of line and stack it. So
he went to work very cheerfully, proved a good
worker, went all down the line and adjusted it, and
when this was finished, he found a long row of wagons,
and he had to examine them (a self-imposed task). He
would crawl under and out again until he got out of
sight of the cotton, and then he fairly flew home, but it
was late when he got there. He laughed immoderately
when he told us how he had got ahead of them again,
and I said he would have many sins to answer for in
the stories he had told, but thought if he would not
make himself so conspicuous he would fare better. I
had to keep him at home for some time, afraid to send
him to town, and it was a great deprivation to me, and
particularly so to him, as he was missing so much fun
and I his valuable services, but he bore his imprisonment
very cheerfully. Capt. Charlie Ewing, of Nashville, and
several other boys just from the front, came to see me
at this time and told me there was a great revival of
religion in the army, and that Dr. John B McFerrin,
Bishop Quintard, and many other
Page 122
preachers of all denominations were taking part in the
meetings; that the bishop had confirmed a number of
the boys, and many of them were greatly concerned
about their soul's salvation. They said Dr. D. C. Kelley,
then Col. Kelley, had regular prayer meetings, and that
Gen. Forrest attended them. Col. Kelley was on Gen.
Forrest's staff, and he had great influence over the
general, and when he got in a towering rage Col.
Kelley could by talking to him soothe and quiet him in a
few minutes He had confidence in his colonel, for he
had seen him tried many times and knew him to be
fearless and brave, and he had great admiration for a
brave man. I was delighted to hear such good news,
for when the sun would rise in the morning we could
not tell ere the day closed how many mothers' darlings
would be giving up their lives for the land they loved so
well.
Page 123
CHAPTER XXII.
MY protégé, Johnnie Bright, and my little son were
greatly annoyed because they did not have new
clothes, and I had resorted to patching to make them
presentable. Two nephews of the lady whose house
we rented had just returned from school, and had
plenty of military clothes, consisting of nice jackets
and an innumerable number of white linen pants, and
my boys felt they were sadly neglected, and I fear
they looked with envious eyes on the cadets' fine
clothes. I had some of the Confederate gray left, and I
told Johnnie I would have him a suit made, and he
was delighted with the idea. I gave him the
cloth and told him to go to Augusta to a certain tailor,
have it cut, and get him to furnish the trimmings and
make it. I had bought him a hat and shoes, and he only
needed the suit to make his wardrobe complete. He
went off in a glee, for clothing was hard to get then at
any price. Every day for a week he would go in to see
how the suit, or rather the making of it, was
progressing. On Saturday he came home all
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decked in his finery, and O such a sight it was! He had
made a full colonel's uniform, with a general's cap and
gilt braid, stars and tassels, and to sum it all up, I never
saw as much tinsel on one uniform in my life. And this
was the secret of so many trips to town, giving
directions about the trimmings, as I afterward learned.
When I saw him, I was so convulsed with laughter I
could hardly speak for some time; and when all joined
in the laugh, he stood considerably abashed at his
reception. It was some minutes before I could speak to
so grand a gentleman, but ventured at last to ask him
what his outfit cost. I had given him a large bill to have
changed to pay the tailor, and he handed me a few
"shinplasters," all he had left. He said a piece of the
goods was left, and he thought it a pity to have any of
it wasted, so he just had the cap made. His conscience
began to hurt him some, for he had the new hat I had
just bought him, and he thought an apology necessary.
I ventured to ask so august a personage what his cap
had cost, and he said he got it cheap, as trimmings
were so high: he got it made for $50. Our currency
had depreciated greatly by this time, and everything
was scarce and hard to get. Johnnie was not quite
fifteen, had grown up like a weed, was tall and
handsome and we thought he looked elegant in his suit,
Page 125
although he had not earned his stars and bars. He
was now more determined than ever to go to the army,
and he worried us so much we finally gave a reluctant
consent. We got him some pins, needles, and thread,
packed his clothes, fixed him a nice lunch, and he bade
us an affectionate farewell. He went to town, walked
around a few hours, and began to get a little homesick;
so he came back, he said, to spend one more night with
the children, and he would certainly start in the
morning. The children were delighted at his return, as
they were greatly attached to him. I told him to tell his
father that we were all opposed to his going, and he
said: "Aunt Julia, you rest easy: I will make it all-right
with pa." The next morning he really started, and a few
days afterward I got a letter from him saying: "A
soldier offered me five hundred dollars for my suit, but
I wouldn't take a thousand for it." The letter was filled
with Latin, with the translation above the lines. That
was for the benefit of the children, for he loved to be
thought an oracle by them. In his wanderings he had
gotten a little smattering of Latin, and he used it on all
occasions. Dear Johnnie, we all loved him, and we will
never see his like again. We all missed him after he
left, and had many a merry laugh at his expense. He
went through the war,
Page 126
and died soon after. I never saw him again, but even
now I often think of the generous, handsome, merry,
rollicking boy.
Every few days some friendly face from the army
would slip out to see us for a day and night. Often they
were sent to the rear on important business. One
morning we heard there were sixty or seventy soldiers
(some Tennesseeans) in jail, and were to be shot for
desertion; for it was deemed necessary by the officials
to make examples of some of them to prevent utter
demoralization to the whole army. I learned that Albert
Gentry, son of Hon. Meredith P. Gentry, was among
the number. Col. Gentry was then at Richmond, was a
member of Congress, and was considered a great
orator. I had heard from Albert's sister that he had
been left at home on a farm in Tennessee, and that he
had slipped off without their knowledge and had joined
the army. He was only sixteen years old, but well
grown. His father and sister were friends of ours, and
we were greatly distressed at hearing of the trouble
the boy was in, and I determined to do all in my power
to save him from so sad a fate. I decided to go in
immediately and see what could be done, for ladies
could do more than men in cases like this. They were
like the importunate widow: would persevere and take
no denial. I
Page 127
went to see the officer who granted permits for persons
to visit the jail, but he persistently refused to let any one
see them. I returned home very sad and dispirited. My
husband wrote to Col. Samuel D. Morgan and Judge
William P. Chilton and asked them to do what they
could for him. Col. Morgan wrote to President Davis to
ask his help. I went again to Augusta and begged to be
permitted to see my friend's son, but with no better
success. I was almost in despair. There was a Gen.
Roberson from Texas whom I had met in Marietta. He
had been very kind to Sister Lucy Burt when the
Federals bombarded their house, and had rendered them
valuable assistance in their flight. He was afterward
badly wounded - had three ribs broken by a cannon
ball - and I had been visiting him and taking him
delicacies. The thought occurred to me that maybe he
might have some influence, so I went to him and he
gave me some encouragement, and told me to call again
the next day, and in the meantime he would see what
could be done, and said he would gladly do all in his
power to help me. I went home with a lighter heart. On
applying to him the next day, I found he had secured the
permit, and after thanking him for his kindness and
promptness, I hurried to the jail. I presented my paper
with a good deal of
Page 128
trepidation - for I had worried so much over the case I
confess I was somewhat nervous - but to my surprise,
I was promptly admitted. I called for Albert Gentry.
The guard said he would be down in a few minutes,
and in the meantime I took a survey of his abode. I
looked up and saw a good many heads and eyes
peering through the grated bars at me, and such a
noise above. They had a fiddle, and were playing,
singing, dancing, and such stamping of feet I never
heard. I thought, "Poor, young, thoughtless creatures,
dancing on the brink of eternity," and I felt sick at
heart; but in a little while the noise ceased, for they
soon found out a lady was there.
Page 129
CHAPTER XXIII.
IN a short time Albert came in, and I told him who I
was. I had never seen him before, but let him know
that I was a friend of his father and sister, and I was
greatly distressed at his situation. He asked me many
questions, and I told him that from a recent letter I had
heard that his father was sick and had left Richmond
for some other point in Virginia, and his sister had
gone home thinking he was there. He told me that he
had heard nothing from them in a long time, and had
got tired and slipped out and joined the army. I asked
him what he was put in jail for, and he commenced
sobbing, and said for desertion, but he did not intend to
desert. He joined the army to fight, but wanted to do
so for Tennessee, and did not want to be sent to South
Carolina. He, boy-like, wanted to defend his own State,
and he heard Forrest's cavalry were going to
Tennessee, so he left his own command and went to
Gen. Forrest, and they arrested him. I asked him if he
knew that they were sentenced to be shot in three or
four weeks, for a good many others were in jail for
Page 130
the same thing. He said he had heard their fate. After
telling him I was trying to do all I could for him, I arose
to leave. He begged me to come to see him again, and
thanked me for my efforts and seemed to appreciate
them. All the time I was talking, anxious eyes were
peeping at me through the small windows. I asked
Albert if I could do anything for him, and he said:
"Yes, ma'am; please bring me something to eat." The
other prisoners heard the request, and they yelled out:
"Bring us some too; and some tobacco." I told them
that I would remember them; and such shuffling and
pushing each other aside to see me, and impress on
me to be sure to bring them something! Poor boys,
how sorry I felt for them, such merry, rollicking
fellows under such circumstances! I stopped in
Augusta and told some gentlemen friends about the
tobacco, and they promised to have it ready in the
morning. I hurried home, started to cooking, and
prepared a large basket of as many nice things as I
could collect. I took Joe and started off early the next
morning with my basket loaded with supplies for the
unfortunates, and got the tobacco on my way to the
jail. When I got there, I called for Albert, and told him
to take the basket and tobacco and go up and
distribute the things among the boys. I waited
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until he came back, and he said that they sent many
thanks to me for my kindness; that it was the best
eating they had had in a long time, and they said that
when I came again to please remember them. I told
them I would not forget them. I went in for nearly a
week, and always carried my basket well filled.
Still no news came from Richmond. The enemy was
tearing up the railroads and breaking the connection
everywhere. The mails were very irregular, and every
two or three days Cousin Sam Morgan would write
and want to know if anything had been done for the
boy. In sheer desperation, I went to Gen. Roberson
and told him he must help me. He said that he had
worried a good deal over the case, and thought that he
had found a solution to it. "At least I hope; but don't be
too sanguine, for you might be disappointed. I will send
a special courier to South Carolina to Gen. Johnston
and state the case to him, and I think he will help us."
He sent the messenger, and in a few days he came
back with the good news that Albert was released. I
soon had him with us with a leave of absence for ten
days, and then he was to join his command. He had
been in prison long enough to be very dirty, and his
clothes were in a bad condition' and he looked pitiful. I
looked over
Page 132
and mended what few clothes he had, and supplied
him with all he needed. Before his time was out he
looked rested and cheerful; but I watched for the day
of his return, and I had him all ready, clothes packed,
a good lunch ready, and told him good-bye.
A little while after he left, his father came - had
heard of his son's trouble and came to Augusta to see
about him. I never saw any one more grateful than
he was for saving his son. He wept like a child when
we told him what we had to contend with to get him
released. He said that he thought his boy was at home
on the farm, never having heard he had joined the
army.
Page 133
CHAPTER XXIV.
WE were being sorely pressed on all sides. Every man
that could shoulder a musket was needed, and all in
the jail were let out, I am glad to say, without a one
being shot. But it gave them a good scare that lasted
the rest of the war. They needed this example, for
many of them were very much demoralized with the
long, tedious marches, poor food, and scant clothing.
They commenced to think they had the world to
fight. I wonder sometimes that they persevered as
long as they did without complaining.
One morning I received a message from a lady I
had known in Marietta. She and her husband had
been very kind to us while there. She asked me to
please come over the river to Hamburg to see them.
Her husband was very sick, and was so anxious to
meet me. This place was in South Carolina, just
across the river from Augusta. I went over, and found
her husband with a hard chill. The bed he was on
shook, the rigor was so great. They were in extreme
poverty, having left Marietta when the enemy was
near, and were not
Page 134
able to bring many of their things with them. The fat,
jolly man had fallen off until I hardly recognized him.
His face had turned from a very red to a pale color.
He had been a generous eater and drinker, and the
vintage had been short in South Carolina, and his
purse shorter; so to sum it all up, he was in a pitiful
condition. I did what I could to help them, and then
said good-bye. I didn't hear anything from or about
them in three or four weeks. The conscript officers
were after every man that could fire a gun, and my
friend's husband was among the recruits taken up. He
came to Mr. Morgan in great distress, and asked him
to write a note to Dr. Paul F. Eve, stating his inability
to do service. He said he knew Dr. Eve was his
friend, and anything he would write him would have
its influence. He was very patriotic, but he didn't like
the smell of gun powder. My husband told him he was
not a member of the medical board, and he didn't see
how he could write him a paper of disability. He had a
holy horror of going into the army if there was any
way to prevent it, and had his heart set on the note,
and said: "Write anything you think will help me, and I
believe Dr. Eve will release me." Mr. Morgan still
declined, not knowing what to state; but he would take
no denial. So the note was
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written to this effect: "Dr. Eve: Having known this
gentleman and family intimately for eighteen months
while in Marietta, I think that I can safely say that I do
not think he is good for anything in the world." He
read it over, and said: "O my friend, I will never forget
you while I live. I thank you most heartily." I think that
he was the first man I ever knew who thanked
another for calling him a fool. Dr. Eve was a man of
keen perceptions, and saw the joke and enjoyed it
immensely. He gave him a letter of disability, and as
long as the doctor lived he laughed over this funny
incident.
Page 136
CHAPTER XXV.
THERE were crowds of sick and wounded soldiers in
Augusta, and going up Green and Broad Streets any
pleasant day you would see the sidewalks thronged
with them, getting the fresh air and enjoying the
sunshine, many looking pale and haggard, but cheerful
and bright, and if there was any fun to be had, they
were always ready to enjoy it.
There was a noted belle, of Augusta, that could be
seen frequently on the streets. She had a magnificent
form and graceful carriage, and as she came with her
stately walk she always attracted attention. A friend
told me that he was standing on the pavement one day
as she passed, and he noticed a pale, cadaverous,
ragged soldier looking eagerly at her, and saw a merry
twinkle in his eye. The lady had on a dress with a
very long train to it, and as she turned the corner she
looked back, and gave her skirt a slight pull. The
soldier, still looking intently at her or the train, now
said: "Go on, marm, it's a comin'. It's jest turnin' the
corner." She blushed and hurried on.
Page 137
Of course there was a hearty laugh, in which my
friend joined. He said it was ludicrous in the extreme.
They were so full of fun that an occasion like that
was irresistible.
Old Cousin Samuel Morgan was restless with
nothing to do but watch and await coming events; and
as he was quite an artist, he conceived the idea of
carving some pipes and pipestems as souvenirs for his
children, grandchildren, and friends, to while away idle
moments. There was a quantity of soft, white stone
near where he lived, and he got this and carved
beautiful designs and polished them highly, and they
were very artistic. He made pipes of this stone and
carved fishes on them that were perfectly executed,
and many pipestems that had various devices on them.
One had a likeness of my husband, with rod in hand,
pulling out a five-pound trout. There was the man, rod,
line, and fish, and you could almost imagine the sheen
on the scales of the fish. They were highly prized not
only as works of art, but for his sake. I mention and
describe so minutely for a purpose that I will tell later
on.
Our lines were drawing in closer in every direction.
I was kept so busy with family affairs and soldiers
coming and going that I didn't get to the hospital as
often as I had formerly done. It was
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a great deprivation, for in going I often found many
that I knew. Letters were written by me, as on
former occasions, to loved ones at home bearing
messages from dying boys to their mothers and
sisters. I have letters now in response to some of
these, full of anguish and sorrow; but such were the
cruel issues of the war.
The women of the South were as brave as the
men, and there was no menial office that they would
not perform if it was to alleviate suffering. My
husband was still at home with the Minie ball in his
side, and at times suffered agony with it. He
consulted several surgeons in regard to his joining his
command, and they told him that if he rode horseback
he would run the risk of being paralyzed.
The enemy was advancing rapidly, and everything
was at fever heat. News came that Gen. Sherman
was coming, like the Duke de Alva in the
Netherlands, with torch and sword, burning as he
came, for he was having a triumphant march, gaining
great victories over helpless women and children, for
our forces were scattered in every direction. Gen.
Hood in Tennessee, Gen. Joe Johnston in the
Carolinas, Gen. Lee's army in Virginia, and our
cavalry trying to fight the enemy everywhere The
Federals had such overwhelming forces that
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our fatigued and broken-down soldiers could not defend
all the weak points, and they were contending for every
foot of ground, and whenever they could make a stand
they would fight. Sherman advanced to attack Augusta,
and every man that could shoulder a musket was urged
to help defend the place. Mr. Morgan was restless, and
he said at last that he would take the chances and go.
Col. Stoner, of John H. Morgan's command, got him a
good horse, and Drs. Joe and Charlie Tidings, surgeons
of the same command, promised me that if he was killed
or wounded they would look after him especially. Joe
brought "Dixie" out, and after telling us good-bye, he
mounted, and in a few minutes was lost to our view.
That was as dark a day as I spent during the war. Hope
seemed all gone for a few hours, for when I thought of
the sacrifices made by our people, and the privations
they endured, I wondered how they could be
unrewarded. The soldiers still hoped that something
would happen to turn the tide of battle in our favor.
They were the last ones to give up, and "Onward!"
was their cry. There was severe fighting going on
fifteen or twenty miles from Augusta, in South Carolina.
The next bulletin announced that Gen. Sherman had
burned Columbia, S. C., and that many persons
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had perished in the flames. And news followed
this speedily that the Federals were in sight of
Augusta, and that they were burning everything in
their reach. You could hear anything and everything
that was horrible. Alas! much that we heard was too
true, and we looked upon Gen. Sherman as a monster
in human shape, and now that the grave has closed
over him he will have a big account to settle for his
treatment of the South in her last struggles.
The next morning after my husband left, some one
came in and told me that they saw my little son
running in the direction of Augusta with his gun on his
shoulder. He said that he was going in the trenches to
help defend Augusta. Fortifications were being thrown
up, and every preparation was being made to save the
place, and every man and boy was eager to help.
There was a crowd going in to report for duty. I called
Joe and told him to run as fast as his feet could carry
him, and bring my little son back before he was lost in
the mass of men. I was so excited I walked the yard,
straining my eyes in the direction of the city. He was
gone two hours, and it seemed an interminable time
before I saw Joe coming with him. He said that he
had hunted a long time, and finally saw him, and had
to force him to come, by telling him
Page 141
141
that he would take him in his arms and carry him
whether or not. This would have been a terrible insult
to a soldier, so he followed Joe home very reluctantly.
I took his gun and told him not to touch it again without
my consent, and if he did I would break it all to pieces,
for he might have had his head blown off and no one
would have known whose child he was in that great
crowd. He saw from the mood I was in that I was
prepared to do what he would have thought the
greatest calamity of his life, for he prized his gun more
than anything he possessed. My threat had the desired
effect, for he stayed at home closely after this.
I had heard no news from Mr. Morgan, and I felt
restless and miserable all the time. There was rumor
of a fight, and many were supposed killed and
wounded, but we had no way of learning the real
truth. One night about 10 o'clock I heard the rattle of
wheels, and then a vehicle stopped at my front door. I
took a light and ran out and saw Drs. Joe and Charlie
Tidings. I said: "Where is Mr. Morgan?" They
replied: "In the ambulance." They told me not to be
alarmed, he was hurt, but they hoped not seriously,
and then lifted him out carefully and brought him in the
house. They then told me that twenty miles from
Augusta they had met a large force of Gen.
Sherman's
Page 142
cavalry, and as they were making a double-quick
charge Mr. Morgan's horse got his leg in a sand hole.
The horse fell on him and nearly killed him, and but for
the prompt assistance of his friends, who jumped
down and lifted the horse off, he would have been
dead in a little while. They got him to the rear as soon
as possible. He had a violent contusion of the hip, and
was badly bruised all over; but if he had no internal
injuries, they thought that he would pull through all
right. They remarked: "It is God's providence that he
wasn't killed, for where he fell eighty were killed and
wounded." They remained all night, examined him in
the morning, and gave me explicit directions what to
do for him, and bade us good-bye. That was the last
that I ever saw of those two good men, but I will
always feel grateful to them for their kindness to me
and mine during the war. Mr. Morgan was confined to
his bed for some time, and when he did get up he had
to use crutches for many months.
Not many days after this we got a letter from Col.
Sam Morgan, saying that the enemy was near
Blackwell, S. C. He was living there with his
daughter, having gone there when Sherman took
Marietta. He said that he would send all of
his family to our house, and for me to do the best
Page 143
that I could with them. I went to the car at the stated
time of arrival with my carriage at their service, but
after consultation with his daughter, found that room
could not be made for all, for my family was large and
so was theirs, and our rooms were limited. So they
decided that it was best to remain in the car until
further arrangements could be made. I took his four
granddaughters out with me, and left the others in the
car. They soon decided to go up to Madison, Ga. I kept
the four girls for awhile, and two days after two nieces
of my husband ran over from Montgomery to spend a
few days, not dreaming of the disasters that were so
soon to come upon us. I had now my old kinsman's
four granddaughters, four nieces (two of them lived
with us), and my two daughters - ten girls - and a
merrier, jollier crowd never got together. They did not
brood over troubles like the old people, and I was glad
to see them so happy. Now how they were to sleep
was the next question, and they told me to leave it all
to them and they would arrange it.
The Montgomery girls left in a short time, fearing
they might be cut off from their home. The girls told
me that they were compelled to have some clothes
laundered. I sent all around to hire a washerwoman,
as my servant was sick, and I
Page 144
was afraid for her to undertake it; but no negro could
be got for love or money, as they were all too much
excited looking for the Yankees. The girls were in a
sad dilemma, and none of them had ever tried the
washtub. They had a long consultation, and came to
the conclusion that if Joe would bring the water and set
the kettle to boiling, they would roll up their sleeves and
play the Biddies. So Joe very promptly had the pot
boiling, adjusted the tubs and washboards, and such
scrubbing, laughing, and chattering you have not heard
in some time. They made a regular frolic of it, and
every now and then they would call on Joe for more
water or some other service. He danced attendance on
them through it all. It was a ludicrous sight. I have
laughed over it many times. They finally got through
the first and last washing they ever did in their lives,
and they all joined in and soon had the clothes ironed.
All pronounced it a success, but it left blisters on their
hands. I may not get the dates of certain events just at
the right time, for in thirty years I have forgotten many
things that transpired. In a short time the girls went to
Madison, to their grandfather, and mine returned to
Eatonton to school.
One morning the news came that Gen. Lee had
Page 145
surrendered, and the next day it was confirmed. We
both wept like children. The next news was that Gen.
Sherman had taken Augusta, and he had sent a
detachment of soldiers to the Sand Hills to take
possession of the arsenal near us. In the course of the
day I heard a noise, and on looking out, saw sure
enough a long line of blue coats, drums beating,
banners waving, negroes running, shouting, yelling,
looking like lunatics just escaped from the asylum.
Among the number, my cook ran by me, with her white
apron tied to the end of a broomstick, shouting and
cheering at the highest pitch of her voice, jumped the
fence, and was gone. Joe walked out into the yard with
the children, and said: "I am so mad with them fool
niggers. If they are free, they are free, but not to make
fools of themselves." He said: "Now, if you please,
look at the poor, white trash them niggers is running
after. If they was in the gutters they wouldn't pick
them up, unless they wanted them to fight for them. I
tell you now they won't get dis nigger. And I thank God
I know who my friends are." I agreed with him, that he
had some sense and reason, and the other poor, silly
creatures did not know what they were doing. I told
him that he was my only dependence, and he must stay
and cook supper
Page 146
for us. He readily consented, and went to work as
if nothing had happened.
After dark, Celia, my cook, came back, utterly
exhausted and said that she was tired almost to death,
but still she went to work to pack up her clothes. I
went to her room and asked her what she intended to
do. She said: "I am packing up all my things, for I am
going to start to Virginny to-morrow, to see my
children." I told her that I did not blame her for
wanting to find her children, but if she started she
would have to walk most of the way, as the railroads
were torn up in every direction. I liked the negro, she
had been faithful and trustworthy, and I told her that if
she would wait until I went to Nashville I would pay
her way to Richmond. She looked undecided and I
said: "Don't you believe me? Did I ever tell you
anything but the truth?" She said: "No, ma'am, but,
missus, is I free?" I told her yes, to put her clothes
away and behave herself. I did not want to see her
start and maybe die in a fence corner by herself. She
seemed perfectly satisfied. But in a few days was
taken quite sick from the effects of the tramp after
her deliverers. She grew worse, and I sent to Augusta
for Dr. Joseph Eve, and he pronounced her very ill.
She had been a delicate negro before this, and the
Page 147
present excitement added fuel to the fire, and in a
few days after, we found that she would not recover.
By the time I got through with doctors' bills and
funeral expenses, I found I had paid out many dollars
in gold for the poor, simple creature.
I now had to depend on Joe for everything - we
made him both maid and waiting boy, and he proved
competent and willing, for faithfully he performed his
part.
The next morning the children came running in, and,
said: "Papa, papa! A whole lot of Yankees are coming
up the front walk." And they all began crying and
begging him not to go out, for they thought his time
had come to be captured. He told them that he would
go out to meet them, for he could not help himself. So
he started, followed by the children and myself. He
walked clown a short distance in advance, and I heard
him say: "Why, howdy, boys? We thought you were
Yankees coming to arrest me."
The party consisted of Gen. Basil Duke, Dr. Robert
Williams, a son-in-law of cousin Sam Morgan,
Charlton, Richard, Calvin, and Key Morgan. These
were all the Lexington Morgans left, as John H.
Morgan and Thomas, his brother, had been killed
some time before this. There was quite a large party
of them, including servants.
Page 148
The latter had on blue clothes, and the children had
mistaken them for Federals. They said:
"We have just left President Davis. We cut across
the country and made for your house, and we want to
stay here until we can send to Augusta and see what
Gen. Sherman's terms of surrender will be. If
favorable, we will have to take the oath and go home;
if not, we will get on our horses, and try to cross the
Mississippi River, then into Texas and Mexico." After
consultation it was agreed that Dr. Williams should go
in to see the Federal authorities. In the meantime I
was running back and forth trying to find them
something to eat.
The servants fed the horses, and then I pressed
them into service, and with Joe to help, we soon had
dinner ready for them. I had strong coffee and tea
made, and when it was all ready they sat down and
did full justice to it. Then the pipes were called for.
We had enough tobacco, but not enough pipes and
stems to go around, so we called Joe, and submitted
the case to him, and he said that in a little while he
could fix some cob pipes. He had some stems. He
came back in a short time with those he had made,
but still they lacked some; so Mr. Morgan called on
me for my beautifully carved stems and pipes. I
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gave them up rather reluctantly, as I had set my heart
on keeping them as specimens of art, but I soon
gladdened the hearts of those who were anxious to
smoke. They were all restless, and all were looking
eagerly for Dr. Williams's return, but he did not get
back till late in the afternoon, and brought the good
news that the terms were honorable. In a short time
their horses were saddled, and I brought out their
treasures I had in safekeeping for them for some time.
They consisted of watches and other gold trinkets, and
bars of silver they had gotten in Richmond when paid
off as soldiers. They went to Augusta, took the oath,
and then started for their homes.
I have the stems and pipes with the nicotine in them
from the smoking they did that memorable day of
agony, and they have never been used since.
By this time the Federals were all over the country,
and we learned that when Marietta was burned, our
home there was untouched, as the general in
command took it for headquarters, and had a flag
stretched across the front of the house, and I suppose
that saved it. We did not care to stop in Marietta. Our
hearts were yearning for home and loved ones, and
"Onward to Nashville!" was the cry.
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Mr. Morgan went in advance of us to see what
arrangements he could make for taking us home and
in a little while he wrote to my nephew to bring us on.
We soon had everything in readiness, and bade our
Georgia friends farewell with sad hearts, for they had
greatly endeared themselves to us by their kindness
during our sojourn with them.
We started, going by Madison, where we were
joined by Cousin Sam Morgan and family, also our
girls, who had come over from Eatonton to meet us on
our way to Nashville, and among others who
composed the party were John H. Morgan's widow
and little daughter and Miss Alice Ready. While
passing up the road we saw signs of Gen. Sherman's
work; he did it well and thoroughly. It had been raining
a great deal, and on the clay hills were many tents
filled with women and children, with mud and slush all
around, and heaps of ashes, and smokeless chimneys
standing as lone sentinels in the devastated and waste
places. Many Confederate soldiers were wending
their way home on foot to take up the thread of life.
They were ragged, tired, weary, and sore-footed, with
the glint still in their eyes. In looking at them, I thought
of a little verse I had seen in early life.
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I
see a man:
I
do not see his shabby dress,
I
see him in his manliness,
I
see his ax, I see his spade,
I
see a man that God has made.
If
such a man before you stand,
Give
him your heart, give him your hand,
And
praise your Maker for such men.
They
make this old world young again.
I felt like giving each
one my hand and bidding them
"Godspeed." All needed the ax and spade when they
did get home to build up demolished houses; and,
Phoenix-like, they rose from their ashes, built up their
homes, planted crops, and have given many millions to
educate white and colored, and are paying a greater
part of the pensions to Union soldiers. They are, in
short, astonishing the world, all going to show that the
Scotch, Irish, Huguenot, and Cavalier blood cannot be
kept down. If Gen. Sherman's idea had been carried
out, which was, as fast as we were turned out of our
homes, to bring in those from the North and colonize,
we would now have been no better than Russian
serfs; but the old man made suggestions and nursed
his wrath to keep it warm. Another one of his ideas
was to give the negroes the torch and sword and let
them burn and slay as they chose, but the enlightened
nineteenth century would never
Page 152
have submitted to the warfare of the Dark Ages on
this American Continent. If he had a kind word
to say, or one of encouragement to his fallen
brother, no one ever heard it. How different with
heroic Gen. Grant! He had the elements of a brave
man and a heart that could feel for the infirmities
of others. Look at him at Appomattox Courthouse
when Gen. Lee surrendered! Behold the two men! Gen.
Lee stately, upright, standing in his physical
beauty, and on looking at him Gen. Grant doubtless
felt he was in the presence of his peer, "a foeman
worthy of his steel." Gen. Lee, conscious of dignity,
rectitude, gallantry, chivalry, and a pure Christian
character, stood and faced his conqueror. Did Gen.
Grant show any exultation over his fallen foe? No, he
was too magnanimous for that. I have been told that a
casual observer could not have decided who was the
victor or the vanquished from their faces, as both
looked sad. Gen. Grant, as he conceived in line of
duty to impose such humiliation on so brave and great
a man, doubtless felt sad. Gen. Lee, feeling he had
struggled with his brave army as few men ever did, by
having to contend with privations and hardships
almost unheard of, overwhelming numbers, and after
having done all that a man could do in fighting for
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just and righteous cause, to have to succumb. He felt
almost crushed and broken-hearted, but did he give up
the battle of life? Not he! He went to work again and
died in the harness. I believe that history will give
him the place of the greatest and best man that ever
trod this American Continent. What did Gen. Grant do? He
spoke kind words to his vanquished brother and tried to
heal dissensions, and his last plea in life was for
peace. We cannot but feel pleasure in contemplating such
a man. I have often tried to imagine the return of our
valiant soldiers to their homes after an absence of four
years. When they left them peace and plenty reigned;
farms with cattle on every hilltop, and in valleys long
rows of cabins filled with happy inmates, and everything
to make the heart glad. But now desolation seemed to
reign. Homes burned, cattle gone, forests cut down,
fences torn down, and negroes freed. Nothing left but
helpless wife and children, and some of the poor fellows
with legs, and some with arms gone, and many almost shot
to pieces; the same proud spirit with the will to work,
but physically disabled.
Did you ever hear one say that he was ashamed
of his wounds? No. Napolean's "Legion of Honor"
were never prouder of their scars than were these old
veterans; and their faces would light up when
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they would give the accounts of the battles where
they were maimed and mutilated for life. We
have heard of a very few truckling, pusillanimous
spirits that have gone North, and for filthy lucre's
sake have sold their manhood, and have said
that they were ashamed of the part that they had
taken in our struggle. All the harm that I wish
them is that they will never pollute the soil of our
"Sunny South" with their unhallowed feet. And
I know that brave Northern soldiers can have only
contempt for such craven spirits.
Ought we of the South ever to see one of her brave
veterans suffer? It would be a shame and a blot on the
escutcheons of our fair land to permit it. Although many
years have passed, and very little has been done,
everything points to the time when they will be cared
for. Look at the efforts of our few noble women in
securing the Confederate Home. They commenced with very
little encouragement, and have plodded patiently and
perseveringly until I am rejoiced to say that their
untiring efforts are being crowned with success. God
bless them in their holy undertaking! and may their
efforts stimulate our men that fortune has smiled upon
since the war, and impel them to take some of their
hundreds of thousands, and even millions, and make the
old veterans' hearts glad! Many of them are
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going down the other side of the hill, and are weary and
worn, straggling with penury and want. If I had the
power, I would pension every one of them, and not give
it as doling out charity, but let them feel that they
had earned it and had a right to it. Go on, grand women
of the South, in your hallowed work, and don't give up
until your end is accomplished. Our men are too
chivalrous not to give aid when they see the efforts of
their mothers, sisters, and wives trying to do what duty
ought to impel them to perform. When your noble work has
been carried through, and after "life's fitful dream is
o'er," take your children and spread flowers over their
graves, and never let them forget the brave heroes that
sleep their last sleep in the land they loved so well as
to lay down their lives defending it. So impress it on
their young minds that when we go to give an account of
our stewardship the story shall be repeated to the
children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, so
that "Old Mortality" shall not have to come along to
scrape off the moss and mold to read the inscription on
the tombstones that mark the resting place of our noble
dead.
Page 156
CHAPTER XXVI.
AS we passed through Marietta I looked to see the
homes of friends who had shown us so many delicate
attentions, and had been so good nursing our brave
boys. But there, too, the work of Gen. Sherman was
well done, as there was nothing left in many cases
but heaps of bricks and ashes.
We got to Chattanooga, and such a desolate, dreary
looking place it was, for it had been raining, and the red
clay was shoe deep. It had been the center and
distributing point for the Federals, and crowds of troops
were still there, besides thousands who had taken up
temporary abodes. My nephew was trying to get our
baggage. The children were worn out and crying, but
we all started to walk to the hotel, which was a short
distance off. Joe headed the procession with two of
the children in his arms; the rest of us, plunging along,
would slip in mudholes, and such scrambling as we
would have to keep from falling; and to add to the
trouble, it was one of the darkest, gloomiest nights that
I ever saw, and the depot and surroundings were
poorly lighted. We finally reached the
Page 157
hotel, bedraggled and weary, and went to our rooms,
were we ate our lunch from a basket that I had
brought with us.
After being much refreshed from our night's rest, we
started the next morning for Nashville. My baby and
the next one were especially devoted to Joe, and
wanted him with them all the time. He amused them
continually, and I told him to stay in sight, so if I
wanted anything I could call him, and he promised to
do so. The cars were filled with Federal soldiers,
walking up and down and watching every movement.
They spied Joe standing by the children and ordered
him out, and when the children saw him start, they
began to yell and scream, and would not be pacified for
some time. I told the soldiers that I had tried to get a
maid, but did not succeed, and that Joe was almost
indispensable to me, for the little ones were attached to
him, and they were very tired, and I needed him to help
me. Several of the Federals came and sat down near
the children and began to talk to them. The train
stopped for a few minutes, and the children spied some
blackberries, and turned and said: "Lankees, get me
some berries." And before I had hardly heard their
request, two of them stepped off and got a handful. In
the meantime the cunning Joe was
Page 158
watching an opportunity to get back, and in a little
while he walked in with a bucket of water, which he
politely handed to the ladies first, and then to the
soldiers, and then he said something to the children and
started to go out, as he found that they were watching
him so closely. They screamed at him, and said: "Joe,
come back and look at them Lankees." They were so intent
in watching the "bluecoats" that they got all around
them to laughing. Many of the passengers were refugees
returning home. Many of them had left dear ones behind
under the sod. They were depressed and tired with
delays, so the children, Joe, and "the Lankees" helped
to relieve the monotony, and Joe, by his kind attentions
to all, was allowed to come back to his pets.
We finally reached Nashville, and I went to my sister's
and stayed until we could get possession of our house.
Then I learned of the many changes that had taken place
in the four years. Many were in deep mourning for dear
ones killed in the numerous battles fought. Many of the
old citizens had passed away, while others had spent
months in the prisons for not taking the oath, and large
sums of money had been extorted from the citizens to
support idle negroes and poor white people who had
followed the Federals here.
Page 159
I had received very few letters, and those
unsatisfactory, while away, as all had to be submitted
to the military authorities for inspection. I learned
that the old Academy, my dear Alma Mater, had been
stripped of everything, and my mind reverted to my
childhood and to the eight happy years that I had spent
there; to the cabinet of curiosities, containing shells
from all parts of the world, and many rare specimens of
art; to the immense library, and the numbers of pianos.
All these accumulations of years were packed up and sent
North to enrich some Yankee officers' families. The old
empty house was left standing as a monument of one of
the largest and most successful female schools in the
South, and Dr. C. D. Elliot, as Principal, was much
beloved, and was considered a prince of educators.
A friend moved into our house and kept it from being
turned into a Federal hospital. We had to pay a large
sum of money before we got our house released from the
Freedman's Bureau, and thanks to our old servants, found
most of our furniture scattered around among different
friends, where they had placed it for safe-keeping
before going to Washington.
After we had been home several days, a number of the
girls' friends came to see them. They
Page 160
were upstairs having a jolly time, all talking at once,
when the doorbell rang. I went to open it, and there
stood eight or ten Federal soldiers on the porch. I
began to tremble, and was greatly startled, and thought:
"What have I said that could have been reported to them,
and maybe cause my arrest?" For from the time of my
arrival I had tried to be very prudent in expressing
myself, and felt all the time that I was almost in
purgatory. Down South we had had full scope, and now
that we were almost too full for utterance we had to
bridle our tongues, and it was a great deprivation. We
were advised that if we did talk, to close our doors and
watch the keyholes. Well, there I was, confronting all
those soldiers. I at last ventured to ask what they
wanted. They were so engaged looking up at the pretty
girls (for by this time every window was filled with
heads, eager to see what was the matter) that they
scarcely noticed me. I waved my hand to the young folks,
and they immediately left, and then I got the soldiers'
attention and asked them again what they would have.
They all seemed in great glee, and said that they had
been in the army a great while and had been paid off to
go home, but hated to go back without seeing something
of the ladies of the South, and they wanted me to board
them for two
Page 161
or three weeks, and said that they would pay me well.
You can imagine my disgust, in the frame of mind that I
was in then, but I had to present a smiling face and
tell them that it was impossible, as I had a very large
family, and that all of my rooms were full; but they
still insisted. I told them that there were many hotels
and boarding houses, but they seemed determined to force
themselves on us. While they talked I scanned them
closely, and saw that they were dressed very
conspicuously and had on a good deal of "pinch back"
jewelry. They were very anxious to make an impression,
and I wanted so badly to tell them my opinion of them,
and I was really afraid that they would force themselves
on us anyway; but they finally left, though they seemed
greatly disappointed, and not in a good humor.
Almost every night murders were committed, and we on the
east side were almost afraid to leave our homes after
dark. On the bridge and down the avenue many were
assaulted and robbed; and it behooved all the Rebels to
be very quiet, as Nashville was still full of troops,
and none of us felt very safe. One day we heard that
Gen. Joseph Wheeler had been knocked down and badly
beaten the night before for no other reason than that he
had been an "accursed Rebel general."
Page 162
Mr. Morgan was furious, for he was much attached to Gen.
Wheeler, as were all of his command. No notice had been
taken of the cowardly assault by the authorities, so we
determined to try to find out the truth. After hunting
nearly all the morning, we heard that he was at a house
on High Street. So we went and rang the bell, and a lady
answered. We asked if Gen. Wheeler was there, and she
said: "Yes; in a room upstairs." We found him in bed and
badly bruised and beaten. He said that he had had no
warning of any danger, and that before he knew it he was
on the ground, and a burly soldier pounding him, and he
a small man and totally unarmed, not prepared in any way
to defend himself. He told us that only a few had been
to see him. To tell the whole truth, people at that time
did not know what to do or how to act. We expressed
great sympathy to our noble friend, stayed with him some
time, and were very sorry that we were unable to give
the ruffian his deserts.
Many long months passed, fraught with bitterness and
uneasiness. The people of the South felt that they were
overcome but not conquered, and many a bitter pill they
had to swallow, submitting to the inevitable.
The last time that I ever saw our brave hero,
Page 163
Gen. Forrest - a little while before his death-was at a
large barbecue given by my husband. He was faint and
weak then, and had to be supported on the grounds, but
was anxious to meet many of his old comrades for the
last time on earth. Since then many more have gone over
the river, where they rest under the shade of the tree
of life. The great reunion will come some day, when the
long parted will meet, and the sword of the Christian
warfare will be laid down, and eternal rest will be
theirs.
The faithful Joe of our war experience is still with us,
having been with us almost constantly during and since
the war. Not long since we had his likeness taken, that
each child and grandchild should have one of our
faithful old friend. He often relates thrilling episodes
of his experience during the rebellion, and still clings
to his "white folks."
We are now old and gray-headed, and we sit by the fire
and tell our children and grandchildren of the deeds of
daring heroism and bravery of our dear soldiers who
sleep on many a hilltop and valley. They died defending
a cause that they felt to be just. I teach the children
to hate war and all its horrors, and to love peace; but
to always love and reverence the memory of our brave
soldiers,
Page 164
and when all prejudices and animosities shall have been
buried our heroes' stars will blazen forth in the galaxy
of fame with a brightness and effulgence that may have
been equaled, but never surpassed in the world's
history.
Page 165
LETTERS.
[These are a few of the
many letters we received during
the war. They are given to show how we commenced arming
our soldiers for the four years' fight. Many of our
guns, made to carry Minie balls, were manufactured at
our little gun factory in Nashville.]
MONTGOMERY, May 18 1862.
To Hon. L. P. Walker, Secretary of War.
Dear Sir: I am satisfied of your disposition to comply
with Tennessee's request, so far as it is consistent to
do so under the circumstances.
In view of the patent facts, both of the scarcity and
pressure for arms, I have conceived the idea of
converting all the rifles in Tennessee of sufficient
weight into as nearly as possible a uniform length and
uniform caliber, and adopting for their use the Minie
ball. This use of the Minie ball explains all of the
difference between the effectiveness of modern rifles
and the Tennessee or Kentucky gun. By this scheme I am
fully warranted in saying that all our deficiencies may
be supplied.
What do you think of it? I am ready and willing to be
devoted to its accomplishment.
Awaiting your answer I am your obedient servant,
IRBY MORGAN
Page 166
MONTGOMERY, 14 1861.
To Hon. L. P. Walker,
Dear Sir: The
inclosed letters will explain the nature
of my business with you. Tennessee is without arms, and
has no other hope of getting them than out of the
abundance represented to be in the possession of the
Confederate Government. By the late act of the Tennessee
Legislature it was determined to raise fifty-five
thousand troops, twenty-five thousand to be at once
under the control of the Confederate Government, and the
balance, thirty thousand, to be held as reserve for
contingencies. There is no mistake about the raising of
the required number, or one hundred thousand, if
necessary, but we have no arms to place in the hands of
this gallant host of Rebels, and the question arises
where shall the supply come from? It is in my judgment
of the very highest possible importance that a wise,
timely, prompt, liberal, confiding line of policy be
adopted toward that people, not that they are likely to
backslide from this position, which has been a source of
so much rejoicing to us all, by no means, but that she
may realize for herself in the hour of her need the fact
that your foresight had prepared you for every event,
controlled by human agency, and that you are ready and
willing to fulfill your promises to her.
Page 167
To have undertaken this great revolution unprepared,
unadvised, and without a comprehensive view of the whole
ground was to have been guilty of great folly, and it is
at this particular juncture of equal importance, with
reference to moral effect, that Tennessee's estimate of
this great movement shall suffer no injury at your
hands.
If I could possibly have an interview with you, I could
give you many good reasons, not properly to be
undertaken by letter. I am expected to telegraph the
substance of the result of my conference with you on
this subject, to headquarters, at Nashville, during to-day.
Any communication you may be pleased to address me
will reach me at once at the office of Messrs. Chilton &
Yancey.
Awaiting your reply, I am your obedient servant,
IRBY MORGAN.
NASHVILLE, May 7, 1861.
To Hon. W. P. Chilton Montgomery.
Mr. Irby Morgan, who is
just starting to Louisville,
Ky., on public business, requested me to enclose to you
these caps as the first make of Nashville. They are
making millions now of the same sort. Mr. M. bought the
copper in Orleans, and other fixings, and says please
attend to his request per his express to you from
Orleans.
Respectfully yours,
C. D. SANDERS.
Page 168
NASHVILLE, May 4, 1861.
Dear Irby: Since
writing you to-day, suggesting the
removal of the Harper's Ferry machinery to Nashville, it
has occurred to me that if the scheme meets favor at the
hands of President Davis, that in order to have it here
in the quickest possible time, that if you could do so
consistently, that you might tender your services, go at
once to Gov. Seldon with the proper credentials, and get
his consent for its removal out of reach of accident. If
Richmond should be taken - and that is highly probable,
or, at least, the attempt probable - the first act of the
invaders would be to destroy every machine or tool with
which arms could be made. If this would not be done,
Lincoln would show a great want of judgment in
conducting the war.
Yours,
S. D. MORGAN.
NASHVILLE, May 13, 1861.
To Irby Morgan, Esq., care of Hon. W. P. Chilton,
Montgomery, Ala.
Dear Sir: Since
writing you yesterday, I have received
by express, without any advices, an Enfield rifle,
which, I presume, has been sent me by Judge Chilton. It
is the most superior arm for a soldier I have ever seen.
I do not think it can be improved. It is simple, strong,
and light. I
Page 169
can have them made here just as good as the sample, and
I can find all the material necessary right in our own
city. Every piece of machinery necessary can be
contracted for here also, as well as at any other place
in the world, and, if need be, I can certainly get as
many workmen from England as I want, or even from
Yankeedom.
I will send you samples of our caps by express to-day.
In haste,
S. D. MORGAN.
NIGHT OF APRIL 24, 1861.
To Irby Morgan.
Dear Irby: In the hurry of business, I forgot this
evening to ask you to whose care I should address any
communications to you whilst in New Orleans. Bear in
mind, I shall address you, if need be, to the care of
Perkins & Co. Perkins is full of zeal and energy, and
will make you an able adjunct in your purchases, and, if
need be, have your checks cashed by the banks (and
which, by the way, they should do at par, as we are
preparing to defend Louisiana and New Orleans more than
ourselves).
I think you should see the Governor even if you have to
go to Baton Rouge, for he certainly must have to spare some munitions or arms for the purpose we want them. We
shall be forced, if possible,
Page 170
to dislodge the troops from Cairo. To do this we
should have more arms and ammunition, and especially
some field artillery, which, it seems to me, will not be
as valuable to Louisiana as to Tennessee. Perkins can
attend to forwarding by railroad anything you may
purchase. See if good blankets can be had, the number,
etc., and telegraph me, as we may probably have to order
some. Look also for good shoes suitable for soldiers.
Keep me well advised of your movements.
S. D. MORGAN.
FROM GEN.
JOHN H. MORGAN.
To Irby Morgan.
Dear Sir: In a
few days I
leave for Knoxville. I shall
remain a few days, previous to making another long trip.
I hope the uniforms I ordered are complete.
Would like very much to have one thousand more of the
same kind made at once, if possible. My men are in want
of clothing, and I will be prepared to pay for what you
have furnished. I have now upon my rolls 4,000 men, but
how long they will let them remain with me I cannot
tell. My last trip from Kentucky was quite successful.
Carefully destroying all rail communication from
Franklin to Nashville, every bridge and trestle
Page 171
being burned, which I am satisfied is the cause of the
Federals not having advanced farther as yet. They are
camped on and near the Cumberland. Now, from Nashville
to near Carthage, my advanced regiment is encamped in a
few miles of them. We are taking prisoners every day:
yesterday, 160; to-day, 50. Since leaving the army, one
month since, have captured 1,000 and paroled them.
I cannot understand the movements of our army, am
fearful that we are going to enact the same programme as
last winter, fall back all the time. This portion of
Tennessee is worth all the rest of the State to us,
containing all that our army requires. Half the proper
exertions in getting provisions are not being made, and
instead of falling back (at present) we ought to push
forward, and consume and send back all the provisions
and stock in this portion of the State, for the enemy
are not prepared at this time to give battle, and if we
would only advance twenty-five miles, they would
certainly fall back; but it really seems to me that our
generals are always preparing to fall back, as the enemy
approaches, and will not rest until they get a big river
between them.
I have to-day applied to be permitted to take my crowd
across into Kentucky, and to break up all
Page 172
communication between their army and Louisville, which
will certainly prevent the advance of their army until
the rivers rise, and can supply themselves by
transports. A large army cannot be subsisted upon the
country. Nearly all the cavalry should be sent into
Kentucky and completely destroy all communication by
rail and pike, and at the same time be relieving the
South of at least ten thousand men, who are feeding upon
her very vitals at present.
Love to cousin.
Yours very truly,
JOHN H. MORGAN,
Colonel Commanding Brigade.
HEADQUARTERS, HARTSVILLE, August 24.
To Irby Morgan.
Dear Sir: Before
I left Knoxville I wrote you to have me
made 500 more uniforms of same quality as the others. My
command has grown so rapidly that I will have to get you
to have made 500 more, being 1,000 Have them done as
soon as you can. My men are nearly out of clothes. Have
them made full size, and very strong. Our service is
very hard upon clothes. I shall depend upon you
furnishing me 1,000 uniforms, and have them made up as
soon as possible. We have had a succession of brilliant
affairs for the last six or
Page 173
eight days. You will see an account in the paper I send.
The newspaper is edited and published in my command. I
send my reports in printed form to Richmond. We are
enjoying ourselves very much. These people are the most
loyal I ever met, and treat us like princes. The ladies
are both beautiful and clever. The railroad from
Franklin, to within eight miles of Nashville, is
completely destroyed.
The tunnel above Gallatin we burned, and it cannot be
opened in less than three months. All the frame work was
burned, and the rock fell in, and is still burning. It
is a slate rock containing coal. We destroyed every
bridge. The Yankees have gone up the road, and are now
using the other one by Springfield. It is a great blow
to them. Gen. Nelson passed up the middle pike, day
before yesterday, with a portion of his command, to
Bowling Green.
I am satisfied they are leaving Nashville and preparing
to make a stand at Bowling Green. We have been in this
place some ten days. You can see how far we are in the
advance of our whole army. Have had as many as five
thousand Federals between us and the army since we came
here, but the result has been that we have accomplished
more than any division of our Western army.
Page 174
We found the people out of heart and spirits; they had
given up all prospects of being relieved. They are now
all wide-awake and are joining the army rapidly. I am
getting from fifty to sixty men per day from Kentucky,
and without any assistance from Richmond. Nearly every
gun, and all my equipments, we captured from the Federals.
I send to-day to Knoxville Gen. Johnson and his
officers, whom we captured.
Give my love to cousin, and tell her to kiss the little
ones for me.
I hope to see you in Madison soon.
Yours truly,
JOHN H. MORGAN.
Colonel Commanding Brigade.
P. S. - You can let the editors of Atlanta see my
proclamation.
HEADQUARTERS, LEXINGTON, KY.,
October 6, 1862.
Dear Uncle Sam:
I have just returned from a very
fatiguing trip in the mountains, where I have been
impeding the retreat of Gen. Morgan from Cumberland Gap,
and consequently did not hear with certainty of the
death of poor Sam until my arrival at this place. Allow
me to mingle my grief with yours in this sad
bereavement, so sudden, so severe that I can scarcely
realize it. You have this consolation: that your gallant
son died in the
Page 175
discharge of his duty, with his face to the foe. His
last words were: "Tell my father that I died for my
country."
Sam, as you well know, entered my command as a private.
His unassuming bravery and strict attention to his duty
soon elevated him to rank of lieutenant, and soon after
to that of captain. His impartial justice and attention
to the wants of his men rendered him very much beloved,
and deeply do they mourn his loss. How sad that a career
which opened so brightly should have been so suddenly
checked by the base treachery of a foe who fired after
the token of surrender was given.
Basil Duke informed me that he, has already written to
you, giving you the particulars of his death, and I will
not therefore recount them. I write simply to testify my
love and appreciation of Sam's worth, and to assure you
that long will his memory be cherished with affection.
Your sincere friend,
JOHN H. MORGAN.
KNOXVILLE, TENN., June 24 1862.
Dear Irby: I
wrote you the other day from Chattanooga in
reference to purchasing cloth for my men, and before I
left there - through mistake, I suppose - the cloth came to
my address. I sent it back to you, as I desire to have
you attend to having
Page 176
it made up. Please have it worked up by the measure
sent as rapidly as possible, and also let me know when I
shall send money, and how much. Remember me very kindly
to Cousin Julia and your very interesting little girls
and boys.
Yours truly,
J. H. MORGAN.
To Mr. I. Morgan.
Dear Sir: I send
you by express $5,500, which you will
take care of for me, if you please. It is too much
trouble to carry about, and any expenditures you make
for my command can be taken from it. As soon as the
uniforms are complete, please send them up with account
of all expenses, and I will then give orders for any
others I may require. Give my love to cousin and the
children.
Very truly yours,
J. H. MORGAN,
Colonel.
P. S. - Paper very scarce. We will start for Kentucky in
a few days, and we will be heard from.
JOHNNIE'S LETTER ON HIS WAY TO
JOIN THE ARMY
GRIFFIN,
GA., August 18 1864.
To Mrs. Irby Morgan, Augusta, Ga.
Dear Aunt Julia: I
arrived at this place Sunday at
1 o'clock, in which I found pa and Collins doing well.
Collins is improving very fast. His wound has been very
severe. The gangrene ate a tremendous
Page 177
hole in his leg, but I think it has been killed
out. I think it will take three or four months before he
can walk on his leg. Mr. Southgate, of Nashville, died;
John Shooks, of Fayetteville, died; Major Miller's leg
was taken off. There are two hundred wounded in Griffin
now. There are a great many of the Lincoln County boys
here. One just from there told me Hal McKinney has taken
the oath. I never once thought that it was Hal. Willie
McEwin came out. We had five brigades of cavalry in
Sherman's rear, between Dalton and Chattanooga. They
passed though Marietta and burned part of it. A great
many commissary stores also were burned. On my travel I
saw a great many Yankees that our men had captured. One
of them came up to me and asked me for something to eat.
He told me that if I would give him something to eat he
would give me a housewife. I told him that I wanted to
see him starve awhile first. When I reached Macon, he
asked me again, and I gave him a piece of corn bread;
then he gave me the housewife. It was the prettiest I
ever saw. He said that he hated to give it up, and I
told him that I hated to give up my bread. I am very
sorry I left my blanket, but I can use Collins's. He
will not be able for service in four or five months.
General Cheatham is here on a furlough to get
Page 178
married, I am informed. John Bryson is here. Mr. Mar
left this morning. Tell the girls that Collins is
looking very anxiously for a letter from them every day.
The boys here are trying to persuade me not to go in the
army. I tell them I have started and I will not back
out. Willie McEwin and James Wood are going with me.
Willie McEwin is going to the same company to which I am
going. The people are expecting a raid here every
minute. They have burned the bridge ten miles above
Griffin, and are now destroying the railroad. Companies
have been sent out to drive the invading party back.
There is no more news concerning the army as far as I
can ascertain. Capt. Tully is out from Tennessee. He
brings no news concerning the family. Collins, I think,
will be able to get about in five or six weeks, as the
symptoms of the gangrene have ceased. Pa's health is
good. When you write, direct your letter to the Eighth
Tennessee, care of Col. Anderson, Company E, Atlanta.
Write soon. Tell the girls to write to me; but if they
don't want to write don't ask them. Collins sends his
love. Give my love to the family. The last wishes of
your friend,
JOHN M. BRIGHT, JR.
P. S. - Tell Uncle Morgan I looked for him in Macon, but
couldn't find him. I will proceed to the front to-morrow.
Page 179
FROM ONE OF MY WOUNDED
SOLDIERS.
IN
CAMP NEAR SHELBYVILLE, TENN.,
February 16 1863.
To Mr. Irby Morgan and family.
Kind and Much
Esteemed Friends: Ere this you doubtless
think I have forgotten you, but far from it. I would
have written to you before this time had I had an
opportunity of delivering the package you intrusted to
my care. Immediately on my arrival I made inquiries and
ascertained that Wheeler's command had moved forward,
destination unknown. Since then the weather has rendered
the roads almost impassable. In a few days I will avail
some opportunity to send or take it to the proper one. I
met Mr. Herron this morning. He looks well. Mr. Brooks
is now in my tent. He is quite well, and sends kindest
wishes and regards. The general health of the troops is
good. I learn the small-pox is prevalent in some
regiments. I hope it will not get around among ours; if
it does, I will light out, or be inclined to do so.
Light out is the Rebel term of skedaddle. From the
present signs of the times, I judge that as soon as the
weather admits we will have a fight here. From accounts
the enemy moved thirteen divisions from Murfreesboro a
short time ago. The weather, though, stops their
movements for awhile.
Not being anxious for the conflict, I would not
Page 180
care if it remained so for some time to come. We
occasionally hear cannon on the front. It is supposed to
be cavalry skirmishing. I heard several this morning. I
learn that our regiment and the 13th are to be
consolidated. I dislike it very much, though the 13th is
a good regiment, or the remainder of one. After the
consolidation it will still remain the 154th.
The sharpshooters of our brigade, a company that
formerly belonged to our regiment, have been transferred
to Forrest's and are to be mounted. They left this
morning for Franklin to join Forrest's command. This
will be news to Stoveall and Walker. This is about all
the news in camp. I never before saw camp so dull,
nothing transpiring to break the dull monotony. I have
several times wished that I had not left the pleasant
little place, Marietta, when I did. My entire trip was
gloomy and unpleasant, the trains were very much
crowded. I got a seat to Chattanooga by playing a very
badly wounded leg on the passengers. From Chattanooga I
secured a double seat, and kept it too, by the same
game. I suffered a great deal, apparently, from my
wounded leg.
I stopped at Tullahoma one day. The next day I took the
train for Shelbyville, and found the conductor an old
friend and acquaintance. I got a seat
Page 181
in the baggage car, and got to Shelbyville about dark.
It was snowing hard. I had to walk about three miles to
camp in mud knee deep, and since have not been out of
sight of camp, except the day of review of our division
before Joseph E. Johnston. Not being on review, I got
good sight of him. His appearance is fine, his
intellectual capacities are in prominent features, and
at once revealed to scrutinizing eyes, and I think is
equal to the times and emergencies. He says that our
corps is the most imposing he ever reviewed. They are
drilled, disciplined, and will fight.
You will please remember me to all my inquiring
acquaintances and friends. Tell Mr. Frazier I will write
to him if ever anything of interest transpires.
I am going to report for duty in the morning, unless my
arm, where I was inoculated, grows worse. The only duty
we have is to guard two conscript regiments in our
brigade, to keep them from deserting. Poor soldiers.
With great respect I remain yours truly,
JOHN H. LYNN.
CAMP NEAR CHATTANOOGA, TENN., July 16 '63.
Mrs. Morgan: My
kind and esteemed friend, it may seem
ungrateful that I had not heretofore
Page 182
acknowledged the receipt of your very kind letter of the
22d of May. The only excuse I offer is simply this: We
were then lying at Shelbyville, and one could write
nothing of interest, and even now cannot do much better
than to relate old and stale incidents. As for the
particulars of the fate of Vicksburg, you are possibly
better acquainted with than I.
The fall of Charleston is reported as truth, yet nothing
to confirm the report. Therefore I still have hope that
the South can yet boast of one Gibraltar. On or about
the 24th of June we were then in front of Shelbyville
working on the fortifications. About that time Col.
Morgan's "Regiment of Cavalry" moved in near the works
about one-half mile from our encampment, but from the
push of work I did not get a chance to go and see him,
as I would like to have done. On the night of the 26th
we got orders to cook rations. About sunrise on the 27th
we were formed, not knowing where we were going, to the
front or rear. We struck the pike, moved by the left
flank, to the rear, in retreat. This day was a hot,
sultry one. As we passed through Shelbyville we saw
every indication of retreat. Union families were seen
peeping through windows exuberant with glee; other
families of Southern sympathy were in great distress
Page 183
and gloom. I then thought of yourself and family,
feeling as if every foot we moved would prolong your
banishment from your once pleasant and happy home. We
marched all day in the rear of the army, and night found
us seven or eight miles from Shelbyville, worn-out and
sick. During the night the rain fell in torrents, and
the only shelter was trees. On the 28th we arrived at
Tullahoma, cooked four days' rations on the 29th, and
moved to the front on pickets three miles from the line
of fortifications - just our brigade - the enemy showing
evidence of fight. We occasionally heard a bullet pass.
It seemed they were advancing, but slow and cautious. On
the 30th the First Kentucky Cavalry had drawn back to
our line of skirmishers, and reported the enemy
in force two hundred yards from us. We remained
thus until after sunset, when a report from a rifle in
our front, then a volley which we didn't answer, expecting
the enemy wanted to advance his lines. At dark all
was quiet as death. We laid down upon our arms with sad
feelings, thinking that the dawn of July 1st would usher us
on a field of death and carnage. About 10 o'clock we are
aroused from sleep and move to the rear, it having been
ascertained that Rosey had evaded us by the right flank,
and was endeavoring to get to the mountains before we
could. We marched all
Page 184
night and until noon of the 2d. We halted at Alizonia,
nothing unusual but the heat, and a great many cases of
sunstroke. The 3d, at daylight, we move. through
Winchester, stopping within two miles of town to rest in
the heat of the day. Before we got seated the cavalry
were skirmishing in Winchester. We pushed on, got to
Cowan Station at 3 or 4 o'clock, formed line of battle,
and lay without any further molestation. The 4th day of
July we made an early start over the mountains, the
enemy's cavalry still pushing us closely until we
crossed the mountain and Tennessee River. We were then
more secure, all the wagons safe in camp at Shell Mound
Springs, which is large enough to float a large boat,
and very cold. On the 5th we crossed one mountain,
climbed another, and camped on the mountain thirteen
miles from this place. On the 6th we got on the
railroad, arriving here to learn of the fall of
Vicksburg. The troops do not seem so much affected by
the intelligence as would be supposed. The consolation
is: the gallant con duct of the heroic garrison, and the
hardships they underwent before the place surrendered,
and the loss the enemy sustained there. It has cost
them more than it can be worth, as it does not insure
them the free navigation of the Mississippi River. Well,
we are lying under the summit of old Look out,
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but do not expect to remain, as we have got work to
do, and the sooner the better for us. There is no doubt
that the enemy will find it easier to recruit since our
late reverses.
Mrs. Morgan, I expected Mr. Pettit or Walker to bring me
some clothes that my friend, Mrs. Glover, has made for
me, but I was disappointed. John Walker certainly forgot
it. If you will have them at the hotel at your room, a
friend of mine, Mr. Pratt, will bring them to me. He
left this morning for Atlanta. Will return Saturday,
when he will step off the train to get the package. He
would not have time to find Mrs. Glover's house. If you
will attend to this request, it will greatly oblige me.
Mr. Lowe is driving around camp in good health; Brooks
"ditto." I see Lowe occasionally; he is on some detail
duty. There is not much sickness at present among the
troops, though a great deal of playing off. I have a
notion of playing rheumatism for a few days' leave of
absence. Bragg says a man is not a good soldier unless
he can play off. Tell Fannie I have waited patiently for
an answer to a letter written last winter. I am afraid
the good people of Marietta are forgetting the situation
of their beloved country. I learn they have balls often,
and are enjoying the gay frivolities of times of peace.
Well, I guess it may be all right,
Page 186
as the first night I was at home in Kentucky I passed at
a ball for a few hours, forgetting we were at war, and
enjoyed myself beyond description. Give friends, one and
all, my kindest regards, and write soon. Remember me to
yourself and family.
Your true friend,
J. H. LYNN,
Company E, 154th Tennessee Regiment, T. V.
Page 187
THE VIDETTE.
[In these pages we give
a portion of the contents of one
number of a little paper called The Vidette, which was
occasionally issued by Gen. Morgan's men while on their
rapid march. This copy was printed at Hartsville, Tenn.,
August 24, 1862; and we reproduce it here, thinking it may
be of interest to some of the old soldiers and many of
the sons of those gallant men who gave their lives in
the defense of the Southern cause.]
MORGAN'S VISIT TO GALLATIN AND THE
JUNCTION
- HIS FIGHT WITH GEN. R. W. JOHNSON.
GEN. MORGAN, with a
portion of his command, marched in
the direction of Gallatin, on the 19th inst., and
learning that the enemy was moving into the place he
ordered Capt. Hutchison with his company to cut them off
from Nashville by destroying the bridge, which he did.
Gen. Morgan moved early on the morning of the both to
engage the Federals, whom he thought gallant enough to
meet him. But what was our surprise to learn on reaching
Gallatin that the cowards had contented themselves with
visiting distress and misery upon the citizens of that
town. These hirelings of the North had arrested every
Page 188
male citizen of the town that could be found. The gray
haired grandfathers, fathers, husbands, brothers, and
sons were torn away from their families because they
had fed, or talked with, or seen Morgan and his men.
The heartrending appeals of the distressed ones
mourning for those who were hurried in the dead hour
of night, on foot, to a distant prison, without crime,
brought tears to the eyes of many a stout heart besides
Morgan's. If Morgan stays his hand when the invader
treats our citizens thus, and tries still to abide the rules
of civilized warfare, our consolation is that there is a
God who looks deep into the heart, who will bless the
noble patriot for his forbearance, while he will as surely
curse the foul persecutors of quiet men, women, and
children. Gen. Morgan could have swept more than
one hundred and sixty of them that day from the face
of the earth; but no, he captured them. He would not
yet turn a deaf ear to their appeals, notwithstanding
that they had murdered two of our men in cold blood
after they had surrendered, and the cries of those who
had appealed in vain were still ringing in his ears. Take
care, invaders! I heard a humble minister of the gospel
who had witnessed your proceedings say that he hated
you now with a bitter hatred.
Gen. Morgan pursued the enemy, who had left
Page 189
about 11 o'clock the night previous on foot, toward
Nashville, skirmishing on the right and left, killing about
twenty, capturing one hundred and sixty and a few of
the stolen negroes, and releasing fifty or more of the
citizens of Gallatin. When within nine miles of Nashvile,
in an advance movement made by Company A upon a
stockade where a force of the enemy were posted,
Lieut. James A. Smith, of Company A, and Capt.
Gordon E. Niles, former editor of this paper, fell at their
posts. Long will they live in the memory of their
associates in arms, with whom they nobly battled for
Southern rights. Their monument is more imperishable
than marble. Gen. Morgan, 'tis said, when a large body
surrendered, exclaimed: "Why don't you fight?" No
wonder; for that was the feeling of all: disappointment
at not getting a chance at men who would attack
unarmed citizens and surrender to armed troops. But
the basest of all was Col. Heffernan's order to them to
kill all the prisoners if attacked by the Confederates.
Gen. Morgan, according to previous arrangement,
moved back with his command to Gallatin, after
destroying another bridge, more effectually cutting off
the communication between Nashville and Louisville.
Early on the following morning
Page 190
(the 21st while preparing to leave Gallatin, our scouts
and pickets brought news of the advance of the enemy
from toward Hartsville, and soon Gen. Johnson
appeared with his forces in sight of town. Gen.
Morgan moved his command out of town to meet the
enemy. (How unlike the invaders, who take shelter
when convenient!) Gen. Morgan gave the gallant
Texas boys under Maj. Gano the privilege of opening
the fight with the advance of the enemy, which they
did in elegant style. Maj. Gano led them forward, while
his men poured the contents of their trusty guns into
the ranks of the enemy, driving them back under a
heavy fire. Upon the left Capts. Castle, Bowles,
Castleman, Jennings, and Lieut. White led their
companies forward in splendid style under command of
Col. Duke, spreading dismay through the right wing of
the enemy's ranks; while Capts. Desha, Breckinridge,
McFarland, Jones, and Lieut. Lea upon the right,
pushing on in gallant style, drove back the enemy's left.
Gen. Morgan was seen upon all parts of the field, his
voice and presence giving strength to his troops and
weakening his foes. Col. St. Leger Grenfell, on the
right, cheered on the brave Southrons. Maj. Gano,
leading a charge across a field, had his horse killed
under him, and the brave Capt. John M. Huffman
nobly did his
Page 191
duty upon every charge until a Minie ball fractured his
left arm near the shoulder, thus disabling for a time a
gallant soldier. After driving the enemy back some
three miles from the town, routing them alternately
from field and pasture, Gen. Morgan turned back his
command to look after the dead and wounded, and
after making ample preparation for the interment of the
dead and giving attention to the wounded of both
friends and foes, and learning that the enemy had
formed again some three miles from town, Gen.
Morgan advanced to meet them. Throwing Col. Duke
with two companies on the right of the pike, Maj.
Morgan the left, while Maj. Gano with four companies
went forward upon the road, led by the general in
person. The enemy fled and divided. Col. Duke
followed a heavy force that rallied at Cairo and gave
battle. He charged them with his gallant braves, and I
have been informed that the firing was as heavy for a
short time on the limited field as on the fatal day at
Shiloh: but the enemy was routed, and Gen. Johnson
captured. The central division pursued another body of
the enemy to a ford on the Cumberland River, and
firing upon the rear guard killed one horse. The
casualties of the day were: In Morgan's command, 8
killed and 12 wounded; in the enemy's ranks, 63
Page 192
killed (6 since died), about 100 wounded and 200 captured.
The difference between the casualties of the South
and North can be easily accounted for: the patriot who
fights in defense of his country is nerved to a steady
arm under any circumstances. The subjugator, who
would conquer in order to play the despot, or fights for
hire, trembles for his life. Again, the interposition of
divine aid has always been for the DEFENDERS OF
JUST RIGHTS, and never with the invader, who battles
for subjugation. My firm conviction is that before the
South is subjugated there will be none left in the North
but women and children. The North could stop the
war; the South can continue it as long as the North
wishes. Gen. Morgan is here and will remain as long
as he chooses, and when he leaves he will take the
road to the place of his destination.
AN EYEWITNESS.
BRIGADE ORDERS.
HEADQUARTERS MORGAN 'S BRIGADE,
HARTSVILLE, TENN., Aug. 22, 1862.
1. THE officer in
command calls the attention of all
officers and men to the Proclamation issued this day.
At the same time he desires to place upon record in
Brigade Orders his high sense of
Page 193
the gallantry and devotion shown by all ranks during
the two arduous days of service. Soldiers, your
commanding officer is proud of you, and thanks you
from his heart.
2. The commanding officer having thought it to be to
the interest of the service that a corps of guides or
scouts should be organized for the more regular and
efficient discharge of this most important duty, has
ordered that a corps of sixteen men be raised from the
several companies under his command, to be
commanded by Lieut. Brady, of Company M, who will
select the men most suitable for the service, and
present them to the acting brigade general for his
approval.
3. Lieut. Brady is hereby withdrawn from Company
M, and appointed chief of this newly raised corps, with
rank of second lieutenant.
4. Regimental officers are requested for the future
to grant no passes or leave of absence except to such
soldiers as exhibit their arms in perfect order. The
safety of the brigade may often depend upon the state
of its arms, and too much attention cannot be paid by
regimental officers to this most important duty.
CAPT. JONES,
Captain of the Day.
By order of G. St. L. Grenfell.
Page 194
EDITORIALS.
ADVICES from Nashville show that Johnson's men
were picked, and that they have been a month picking
and drilling men and horses to take Morgan. Send your
refuse next time; your picked men fail.
A REPORT from Nashville
last night confirms the
statement that Bragg has whipped Buell and captured
most of his forces, and that Nelson is trying to find his
way out from Nashville with two thousand infantry and
two hundred cavalry.
JOHNSON'S men,
en route for Gallatin, said:
"Morgan's men can destroy bridges, but they can't
stand fire."
Johnson's men,
en route for the guardhouse, said:
"Johnson was a fool for attacking Morgan."
THE Northern generals have come to the conclusion
that their troops are giving their parole to
get out of service. You need not talk any more about
volunteers when you can't keep those you already
have in the field according to your own showing, and if
you force back the paroled soldiers
Page 195
as you threaten to do, you force them to certain death
if captured. So think twice before you act on that.
VERILY the Southern women think every man
good-looking that stands up nobly for his rights. Won't
Morgan have a pretty lot of boys? They improve every
trip. We heard a lady complimenting St. Leger. Some
of the rest of us will come in soon for a share.
WE were pleased to see Gen. Forrest yesterday. He
looks to be in the enjoyment of excellent health, and
happy as you could expect so noble a patriot, enjoying
the good news that crowds upon us from every
quarter. I thought as I looked upon the manly forms of
Forrest and Morgan that nothing could excel that
picture except the groups, everywhere to be seen, of
our lovely countrywomen. They excel all that the
universe contains. Untiring in their efforts, beautifully
flushed with the rosy tinge inspired by patriotic zeal,
their warm hearts pouring out to God unceasing
prayers for our success, O what can equal the women
of the South? They are the noblest works of God. I
must leave this dull sanctum to look once more upon
them.
Page 196
HEADQUARTERS MORGAN 'S REGIMENT,
HARTSVILLE, August 22, 1862.
To Gen. Cooper, Adjutant General, Richmond.
General: I beg
to confirm my dispatch of the 20th
inst., announcing the result of yesterday's expedition.
My command consisted of my own regiment (seven
hundred strong) and a squadron of Texas Rangers,
numbering about one hundred men, that returned that
day worn-out to Gallatin.
At 11 o'clock P.M. I received information from one
of my friendly scouts that the enemy's cavalry was
encamped on the roadside between Castalian Springs
and Hartsville, a distance of only twelve miles from my
camp. Judging from the fact that they had halted by
the roadside, I concluded that they intended to march
at night or possibly early in the morning, and I made
my preparations accordingly, dispatching scouts upon
whom I could depend to bring me positive information
as to the enemy's movements.
At daybreak my column was on the move, and as
the advanced guard reached the head of the town my
pickets came galloping in, followed by my principal
scout, who reported that he was closely pursued by a
large body of cavalry. Not wishing, on account of the
inhabitants, to make
Page 197
Gallatin the scene of our contest, I advanced my
column, and was greeted on reaching the Hartsville
pike by a heavy fire from that direction. I dismounted
two leading companies to fight, and threw them into
the woods on the left of the road. The enemy
increased the fire, and I gradually had my whole
command engaged.
The fight began at 6:30 o'clock and was maintained
without much advantage on either side - the enemy
having, perhaps, rather the best of it at first - until
about 8:30 o'clock, when they began to fall back, and
my men to redouble their efforts. At 9:30 o'clock I had
driven them four miles, and was preparing for a final
charge, when a flag of truce was brought proposing an
armistice, in order to bury their dead. My reply was,
that I could entertain no proposition except
unconditional surrender.
I learned then that the troops were commanded by
Brig. Gen. Johnson. During the parley, the enemy had
formed into line of battle, and were evidently ready to
defend themselves from any fresh attack.
I divided my forces into three divisions, leading one
myself in the direction which I thought Gen. Johnson
had taken. Maj. Morgan had five companies under his
orders on my left. Lieut. Col.
Page 198
Duke, on my right, had three companies and his
advanced guard.
Some delay was occasioned by the nonarrival of my
gallant Texas Rangers, who formed part of the body
under my own immediate orders. They had been
separated from their horses during the preceding fight,
and had not been able to recover them in time to come
to the front. On their arrival, we marched on in the
direction of the enemy, and Col. Duke's Division
coming within sight, advanced at a canter and opened
fire. Gen. Johnson's forces, being on a good pike,
retreated for some time faster than my men, who were
on difficult ground, could follow; but after a pursuit of
some two miles they were overtaken and compelled to
fight. They were dismounted and formed behind their
horses. The position that they had selected was a very
good one, especially as they considerably outnumbered
Col. Duke's force, which was the only one opposed to
them, Maj
Morgan and my own attachment in the
eagerness of pursuit having taken too far to the left.
Col. Duke reports that on perceiving that the enemy
had halted, he formed his three companies and the
advanced guard into columns of squadrons, reserving
the regular distances betwixt each so as to be able to
form into line at command and
Page 199
attack. This was done with admirable precision and
coolness by his men, and nothing could exceed their
gallantry.
The enemy was formed under the brow of a hill,
and my men were drawn up above them, so that their
fire told with effect on my line, whilst that of the
attacking party went over their heads. After a very
sharp engagement of about fifteen minutes they broke
and ran.
Gen. Johnson, his adjutant general, Capt. Turner,
Maj. Winfrey, and a number of privates were
captured, but the main body escaped to the hills
through the woods and high corn, making for the
Cumberland River.
Thus ended an action in which my command, not
exceeding seven hundred men (one whole company
being in the rear with prisoners), succeeded in
defeating a brigade of twelve hundred chosen cavalry
sent by Gen. Buell expressly to take me or drive me
out of Tennessee, killing and wounding some one
hundred and eighty, and taking two hundred prisoners,
including the brigadier general commanding, and the
greater part of the regimental officers.
My loss in both actions amounted to five killed,
eighteen wounded, and two missing. Amongst the
wounded was Capt. Huffman, who had his
Page 200
arm shattered by a ball whilst leading gallantly on his
brave Texas Rangers, a small body of men
commanded by Maj. Gano, of whom I cannot speak too
highly, as they have distinguished themselves ever
since they joined my command, not only by their
bravery, but by their good, soldier-like conduct.
To all my officers and men my best
acknowledgments are due. Nothing but hard fighting
carried them through.
To my personal staff I am deeply indebted. Col. St.
Leger acting adjutant general, ably supported me;
Capt. Llewellen, my quartermaster, and Capt. Green
Roberts, who acted as my aide-de-camp, were most
active and fearless in carrying my orders, and the
captains of companies were cool and collected in the
performance of them.
Lieut. Col. Duke led on his regiment, if possible,
with more than his usual gallantry, and contributed by
the confidence with which he has inspired his men to
insure the success of the day.
Lieut. Col. Duke makes particular mention of the
cool and determined manner in which Lieut. Rogers,
commanding advanced guard, Capts. Hutchinson,
Castle, and Lieut. White, respectively commanding the
three companies composing his
Page 201
division, behaved; in fact, the conduct of both officers
and men deserves the highest praise.
I received every assistance from the patriotism and
zeal of the neighboring citizens, amongst whom Maj.
Duffey and Capt. R. A. Bennet were preëminent.
I have also to report that I have received a dispatch
from Gen. Forrest stating that he has encamped within
eight miles of me with a reënforcement of eight
hundred men, but no artillery. The want of this arm
cripples my movements and prevents my advance with
that certainty of effect which a battery would afford.
Recruits are daily and hourly arriving. The
population seems at last to be thoroughly aroused, and
to be determined on resistance.
I hope shortly, general, to be able to report further
successes; and rest assured that no exertion on my
part shall be wanting, and that no sacrifices on that of
my officers and men will prevent our giving as good an
account of the enemy as our small numbers will admit
of.
I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect,
general, your most obedient servant,
JOHN H. MORGAN,
Colonel Commanding Cavalry, C. S. A.
P. S. - This morning I received positive information
Page 202
as to Gen. Nelson's intentions and movements.
He is retreating from Nashville to reënforce Bowling
Green, at the head of fifteen hundred infantry, two
hundred cavalry, and twelve cannon. It is evident that
the intention of the Federals is to attempt the defense
of the line at Bowling Green and Lebanon.
J. H. M.
NOTICES.
QUARTERMASTER'S DEPARTMENT,
LOCKE'S HOTEL Aug. 19, 1862.
ALL persons having
claims against the
quartermaster are notified to present them for
settlement immediately.
D. H. LLEWELLYN,
Quartermaster, C. S. A.
HEADQUARTERS MORGAN'S BRIGADE,
HARTSVILLE, August 22,1862.
ALL persons having
property in their possession
captured from the enemy will deliver it to me at
Locke's hotel.
D. H. LLEWELLYN,
Assistant Quartermaster, C. S. A.
PROCLAMATION.
HEADQUARTERS MORGAN'S BRIGADE,
HARTSVILLE, August 22, 1862.
Soldiers: Your
gallant bearing during the last
Page 203
two days will not only be inscribed in the history of the
country and the annals of this war, but is engraven
deeply in my heart.
Your zeal and devotion on the 20th at the attack of
the trestlework at Saundersville, and of the Springfield
Junction stockade, your heroism during the two hard
fights of yesterday have placed you high on the list of
those patriots who are now in arms for our Southern
rights.
All communication cut off betwixt Gallatin and
Nashville, a body of three hundred infantry totally cut
up or taken prisoners, the liberation of those kind
friends arrested by our revengeful foes for no other
reason than their compassionate care of our sick and
wounded, would have been laurels sufficient for your
brows. But soldiers, the utter annihilation of Gen.
Johnson's brigade, composed of twenty-four picked
companies of regulars, and sent on purpose to take us,
raises your reputation as soldiers, and strikes fear into
the craven hearts of your enemies. Gen. Johnson and
his staff, with two hundred men, taken prisoners, sixty-
four killed and one hundred wounded, attests the
resistance made, and bears testimony to your valor.
But our victories have not been achieved without
loss. We have to mourn some brave and dear
comrades. Their names will remain in our
Page 204
breasts; their fame outlives them. They died in
defense of a good cause. They died, like gallant
soldiers, with their front to the foe.
Officers and men, your conduct makes me
proud to command you. Fight always as you
fought yesterday, and you are invincible.
JOHN H. MORGAN,
Colonel Commanding Cavalry.
THE END.
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