USA > Georgia > The history of the State of Georgia from 1850 to 1881, embracing the three important epochs: the decade before the war of 1861-5; the war; the period of Reconstruction, v. 1 > Part 27
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The year 1862 ended with one dollar of gold being equal to three and four of Confederate money. Our Confederate currency was rapidly depreciating, and patriotic men in vain resisted it. For instance, a public meeting was held in Macon, presided over by that noble gentle- man and distinguished ex-Judge, Thaddeus G. Holt, to devise means to strengthen the money of the new nation. Provisions and clothing had nearly quadrupled in value. One of the greatest obstacles that the South had to contend against in the war was the speculation that was constantly made in the staples of life. The General Assembly of Georgia constantly fought against it. In nothing did Gov. Brown more signalize himself than in his unsparing warfare against the speculators and extortioners. He stopped at nothing to thwart their infamous schemes and disappoint their subtle calculations. He seized their hoards without mercy, and struck down their nefarious projects.
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CHAPTER XXVII.
THE INCREASING WAR FEVER OF 1863.
The Average of 1863 against the South .- Gov. Brown Wished to Retire .- His Con- scription for Governor Irresistible -The Augusta .Constitutionalist Leads Off .- An Urgent Letter from some Augusta Gentleman calls Gov. Brown Out .- Brown's Letter .- Joshua Hill and Timothy Furlow against Brown .- A Triangular Fight .- Foreign Comment .- " Model War Governor."-Brown Elected the Fourth Time. -Confederate Congressmen .- The Legislature of 1863-4 .- Its Personelle .- Gov. Brown's Clarion Inaugural .- Ilis Message .- Military Changes .- Joli B. Gordon Rising into Fame .- Gen. Toombs .- Longstreet's View of Toombs .- Gov. Brown and Hon. James Seddon .- Gov. Brown's Second Memorable Controversy .- Gov. Brown and Mr. A. Fullarton, the British Consul .- A Spicy Correspondence .- Gov. Brown's Interest in the Soldiers .- His Part in the Missionary Mass Meeting and Baptist Convention .- Forest's Capture of Speight .- The Repulse by Fort McAl- lister.
THE year 1863 was one of increasing war-strain in Georgia. It was marked by an heroic monotony of sacrifices and service. At short intervals came demands for troops, to which our unconquerable men re- sponded with a gladsome readiness and in every case far beyond the call. The Federal Government bent to the conflict with the energy of a giant. Congress voted Lincoln five hundred millions of money, and three millions of soldiers to whip the fight. On the first of January Lincoln issued -his famous Emancipation Proclamation. The South met the colossal storm unquailingly. The year went on in blended vic- tory and disaster, but the average was against us. We lost Tennessee, that luxuriant land of milk and honey, the bounteous paradise of the soldiers' campaigning. Vicksburg fell, and the Confederacy at one stroke was riven into two fragments, split and cleft hopelessly asunder. The battle of Gettysburg was fought and lost, grandest fight and most disastrous defeat of the war, and deadly ending of the only formidable invasion of northern territory made by the South. Stonewall Jackson, that wonderful warrior, was fatally wounded by our own men and lost to the Confederacy. We won the battle of Chickamauga, fateful RIVER OF DEATH, but failing to follow it up, a terribly punished foe rallied and gathered his forces, and the cruel blistering, inexcusable defeat of Missionary Ridge by Gen. Grant, closed the year with our Western
259
GOVERNOR BROWN CONSCRIPTED FOR A FOURTHI TERM.
army shattered and demoralized at Dalton, and the besom of devastation hovering at Chattanooga upon our own beloved State.
Our regular biennial election came on this year of 1863. The press- ure upon Governor Brown had been superhuman. He had been very ill once or twice during his term. It was his wish to retire from the gubernatorial chair. But again the people, with a spontaneous and deep- voiced earnestness, called upon him to serve for a fourth term. It was a grand tribute to the man and the officer, to the individual, the patriot and the Governor. Despite his innumerable conflicts, that bred antago- nisms against him hot and fierce, and many of them implacable, the masses of the people elamored for him to continue in his great trust. Letters from all parts of the state poured upon him, beseeching him to remain. Journals that had opposed him insisted upon his re-election. Distinguished officers of the army wrote to him to consent to serve. The movement for his re-election appears to have been started by that powerful paper, the Augusta Constitutionalist, which had been almost uniformly opposed to him. This journal, early in the year, came out in a strong editorial and candidly admitted that in a
" Great crisis, a time of much peril and excitement, with new revolutionary phases con- tinually presenting themselves, he has administered affairs with singular wisdom, justice and success, has maintained the character, credit, rights and honor of Georgia and her people, and aided largely to bring the great struggle in which we are engaged to a suc- cessful and triumphant issue."
On the 16th day of May, 1863, Messrs. George Schley, B. H. Warren, James Gardner and Robt. H. May of Augusta, addressed a letter to Gov. Brown asking him to allow his name to be used. They stated that they had differed with him on many points of public policy, but appre- ciating his honesty of purpose, his adherence to the welfare and charac- ter of Georgia, and his devotion to the interest and comfort of our soldiers, as lovers of our country, they believed they could best promote her cause by merging all past differences in Gov. Brown's re-election. Gov. Brown replied on the 21st of May that he would serve if elected. HIe said that he had desired the position in time of peace. He had been gratified. He could not now decline its responsibilities in time of trouble. He alluded to the main ground of objection that had been urged against hin, that he had opposed the Confederate administration on its conscription policy. He had done it conscientiously, under an honest difference of opinion. He frowned upon any attempt to build up an opposition party to the Confederate administration. He also opposed any reconstruction of the old Union.
260
BROWN, JOSHUA HILL, AND T. M. FURLOW.
There is some interesting secret history connected with Gov. Brown's fourth candidacy for Governor, that has never been in print. The facts were furnished by Col. P. Thweatt. Gov. Brown had decided not to run, and called a meeting of a large number of his friends at the executive mansion to whom he announced his purpose. Gov. Brown wished Gen. Toombs to be Governor, and induced Col. Thweatt and other friends to canvass his chances, and after a careful scrutiny it was believed that Mr. Toombs' trouble with Mr. Davis would prevent his election. Gov. Brown was very warmly attached to Gen. Toombs, and earnestly desired his election, and reluctantly gave up the idea of his candidacy. At the meeting of friends, among whom were Col. Thweatt, Mr. Seward of Thomas, Mr. Gordon of Chatham, I. R. Foster of Chero- kee and Gen. Wayne, Gov. Brown announced his resolution not to run, and asked them to look about for some one else. It was moved to appoint a committee, and an additional motion was made that Col. Thweatt be added to it. Col. Thweatt declined to take any part in the matter, expressing the opinion, that none of the gentlemen proposed could be elected, and urging Gov. Brown, if he wished to take care of and sustain his friends, to withdraw his determination and let his friends run him again. This stopped further action. And Gov. Brown, under the strong pressure, yielded his inclinations and ran the fourth time. Col. Thweatt says, that until Gen. Toombs assailed Gov. Brown in 1868 he never had a warmer or more devoted friend than Gov. Brown.
This acceptance placed Gov. Brown before the people again. The opposition sought to get out a number of gentlemen. Gen. Gartrell, Gen. Colquitt, Judge Cabiniss and Judge Jenkins were all pressed to run, but declined. Finally the Atlanta Gazette put out the name of Hon. Joshua Hill, and stated authoritatively that he would serve if elected, but that he would not send forth nor deliver any address. The Rome Southerner hoisted Mr. Hill's name. The Atlanta Gazette ominously expired before the election. A pretty heavy fusillade was made against Mr. Hill, that he was in favor of a reconstruction of the Union. Messrs. George W. Adair, Jno. J. Thrasher and James W. Calhoun of Atlanta, addressed him a letter about this charge, to which . he replied denying it, but making no announcement of policy.
The Milledgeville Recorder put out the name of the Hon. Timothy Furlow, and that gentleman accepted in a letter declaring vigorously for the support of Mr. Davis and his administration. Thus stood the triangular contest. It was inspired by a shrewd policy. Mr. Hill was the representative of the conservative element and the rallying point for
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GOVERNOR BROWN ELECTED GOVERNOR THE FOURTH TERM. 261
a decided and growing Union fragment in North Georgia. Mr. Furlow was a secessionist and an ardent war man, and was expected to divide Brown's support. It was hoped by the opposition that in the split of elements the election would be thrown into the legislature, as it was not believed Gov. Brown could get a majority over both of his compet- itors. Mr. Furlow was a wealthy, liberal gentleman, devoted to the Southern cause and very popular. The campaign was only tolerably lively. People were too much absorbed in war to take much interest in politics. The enemy was at the door. The field of conflict was on the point of transfer to Georgia soil. Civil matters were at a discount in the turbulence of strife. The jingle of the sabre and the tread of armed men silenced the ordinary tumult of political agitation. A sort of mild . campaigning was done, but it made little noise. The dread work of revolution was running its bloody course, and men felt little inclination to vex themselves over civil place. Gov. Brown left his canvass to take care of itself, and busied himself with preparation for the storm gath- ering against Georgia.
How he was impressing impartial minds can be understood from the following opinion of the Mobile Register:
" Whatever the Georgiaus may think of their Governor he is immensely popular away from home. In his own State he appears to have bitter enemies, and this is evi- dence to our mind that he is a man of grit and not of straw. We look upon Mr. Brown as a model War-Governor-a veritable Stonewall Jackson among State Execu- tives. . For our part we render our sincere thanks to Governor Brown, and we believe his course meets the general and fullest approbation of the country."
The New York Herald watched the contest closely and predicted Mr. Hill's election. But the ballots told a different tale. There were 64,804 votes polled, only half a vote, showing the abstraction of the public mind from polities by the war. Governor Brown received 36,558, Joshua Hill 18,222, and Timothy Furlow 10,024. Gov. Brown had 18,336 majority over Hill and 26,534 over Furlow, and he beat both 8.312. The army vote from seventy-three regiments was 15,223, of which Brown received 10,012, Hill 3,324, and Furlow 1,887; Brown's army majority over Hill was 6,688, and over Furlow 8, 125, and over both 5,801. These figures show how Gov. Brown stood with the fighting men of the State, and how fully and emphatically the soldiers endorsed him. The vote also shows the terrible decimation our Georgia regiments had undergone in the service, testifying eloquently to their manhood.
The following gentlemen were elected to the Confederate Congress: First district, Julian Hartridge; second district, W. E. Smith; third
262
THE LEGISLATURE OF 1863.
district, M. H. Blanford; fourth district, Clifford Anderson; fifth dis- trict, J. T. Shewmake; sixth district, H. Echols; seventh district, James M. Smith; eighth district, George N. Lester; ninth district, H. P. Bell; tenth district, Warren Akin.
Of these, Win. E. Smith, H. P. Bell and Julian Hartridge have been United States Congressmen since the war, James M. Smith, Governor of Georgia, and Clifford Anderson is at present Attorney General.
In the Legislature there were some very able men. Among the Sen- ators were Thos. E. Lloyd, the great civil lawyer of Savannah; T. L. Guerry; Phil Cook, since a Congressman; J. H. Pate, now a Judge of the Superior Court; Gen. A. R. Wright, the brilliant Ranse, a Congress- man subsequently; E. H. Pottle, now a Judge; Alex. M. Speer, now a Justice of the Supreme Court; and C. D. Mccutchen, recently a Judge of the Superior Court. Among the leading Representatives were Gen. W. S. Holt and Thomas Hardeman of Macon, the latter an ex-Con- gressman; J. B. Jones, ex-member of Congress; L. N. Trammell, Presi- dent of the Senate since for two terms; Philip M. Russell of Savan- nah; W. F. Wright; R. Hester; Morgan Rawls, a Congressman after the war; M. Dwinell, a prominent journalist; Gen. R. W. Carswell, now a Judge; Jas. M. Russell; J. R. Stewart, now a Judge; Thos. G. Law- son, now a Judge; and B. H. Bigham.
The Hon. Thomas Hardeman was elected Speaker of the House, and Hon. A. R. Wright President of the Senate. The fourth inaugural ad- dress of Governor Brown was a remarkably ringing document, that seemed to have caught the clang of steel from the spirit of the great conflict. It had a single idea in it, put with singular eloquence. It simply sounded in a clarion voice the manly duty of the hour. Scan- ning the vast struggle, it sped to the State one throbbing idea that we were in to the death, and must unite and achieve freedom.
The annual message of Governor Brown to this legislature, of Novem- ber 1863, was one of the best papers of his executive career. It put the situation clearly and concisely before the people. It urged some very decisive measures, the repeal of the substitute law, authority to civil ofli- cers to arrest absentees from the army and the increase of the pay of soldiers. He argued that our soldiers should be clothed and their fam- ilies fed by the State whenever it was necessary to any amount. The improper impressment of private property, the right of the State troops to eleet their own officers he warmly advocated.
The Legislature adjourned December 14, 1863. It appropriated $500,000 to the "Georgia Relief and Hospital Association; " 82,300,000
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263
CONTINUED WAR ENLISTMENTS.
for soldiers' clothing; $6,000,000 for indigent families of soldiers; 8500,000 for salt; $3,000,000 for a military fund; $750,000 for a blockade steamer. The enrollment of all militia between 16 and 60 years was authorized, and the Governor empowered to call them out if necessary. Resolutions were passed re-affirming the resolutions of the General Assembly of 1861, pledging the state to the fight until peace was established upon the basis of Southern independence. A resolution was also passed accepting battle flags of the 4th, 14th, 20th and 26th Georgia regiments and the 12th Georgia battalion, and several Federal flags captured by the 4th Georgia and Dole's brigade.
During the year 1863 many interesting military matters transpired in Georgia and in connection with Georgia troops. The two regiments of Georgia state troops were organized by the election of E. M. Galt Colonel of the 1st regiment, and R. L. Storey Colonel of the 2d. The following infantry regiments also had been organized for Confederate service:
60th Georgia, Colonel Wm. H. Stiles.
61st
66 John H. Lamar.
62d 66 J. R. Griffin.
63d 66 66 George A. Gordon.
64th
Jno. W. Evans.
65th 66 66 Jno. S. Fain.
Some light infantry battalions had also been formed. Also the following cavalry regiments:
5th Georgia Cavalry, Colonel R. H. Anderson. 6th
John R. Hart.
7th
E. C. Anderson, Jr.
8th 66
J. I. McAllister.
9th 66
J. Taliaferro.
Also a second 4th Georgia cavalry under Col. Duncan L. Clinch.
Mr. Davis had made requisition for 8,000 home guards. Governor Brown called for these troops, and 18,000 offered, demonstrating the ready gallantry of our Georgians and the correctness of Gov. Brown's position that the conscript law was unnecessary in Georgia to raise soldiers. Mr. Davis would not permit the selection by these commands of their brigade and division officers. Gen. Howell Cobb was made Major General and assigned to the charge in Georgia. He assumed command September 14, 1863. Gen. Alfred Iverson, Jr., and Gen. Henry Jackson were reported Brigadiers under him, the former at Rome and the latter at Savannah. Gen. Gustavus W. Smith, who had resigned
264
GENERAL TOOMBS RESIGNS.
from the Confederate army, was employed by Gov. Brown in aid of the fortification of the state. Col. R. A. Smith of the 44th Georgia, I.t. Col. J. C. Mounger of the 9th Georgia, and Lt. Col. W. T. Harris of the 2d Georgia, were killed. A very sad loss to the state was Col. Peyton H. Colquitt of the 46th Georgia at Chickamauga, one of the most brilliant young men in the commonwealth. Col. Wm. Gibson of the 48th was badly wounded. It was in April, 1863, that a Georgia gentle- man was made Brigadier General, who became the most famous and brilliant soldier the state had in the war, Gen. John B. Gordon.
It was early in this. year that Gen. Toombs resigned. Of this versatile genius Gen. Longstreet, who arrested him once, said that if he had been educated at a military school in subordination, he would have been as illustrious and successful as a soldier as he was as a statesman, so great were his natural military abilities. And a curious incident is told which is vouched for by Col. Raphael J. Moses, who was serving under him, that at one period Gen. Toombs was desired at the same time by Gen. Lee and President Davis, one desiring to consult him on a war point, and the other on a matter of civil administration, both important affairs, and he had to hurry from Richmond to the front the same day to fill both momentous advisory rôles. Yet his ungovernable spirit of intractable insubordination to any authority kept him in hot altercation with his superiors, and resulted in such bitter feeling that he resigned his coveted stars. His farewell to his brigade was a model of eloquent pathos and incisive soldierly ardor. He came home, refused to run for Congress, and started to raise a regiment for the home service.
During this year, 1863, Gov. Brown had several of his memorable controversies that gave him so much celebrity in the Confederacy.
In May, 1863, a correspondence occurred between Gov. Brown and Hon. James A. Seddon, Secretary of War, in regard to the right of the Fifty-first. regiment of Georgia Volunteers to fill by election, the coloneley made vacant by the killing of Colonel Slaughter at Chancel- lorsville. This regiment was one of twelve organized regiments turned over to the President in February, 1862, under requisition of Mr. Davis, and declared by Mr. Benjamin, Secretary of War in 1862, to be entitled to elect their own officers and have them commissioned by the Gov- ernor of Georgia. Gov. Brown claimed, apart from this pledge, that this regiment came under the clause of the Constitution reserving to the States the appointment of the officers. Mr. Seddon claimed that under the conseription law the President was authorized to appoint the officers. Gov. Brown argued that the conscription law was in conflict
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GOV. BROWN'S CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE BRITISH CONSUL. 265
with the Constitution, and the Constitution must govern. Gov. Brown plead that the principle had been decided on this very question, raised in Col. Benning's regiment of Gen. Toombs' brigade, in favor of the right of the State to commission. Mr. Seddon refused to yield. Gov. Brown concluded his final letter with this thrust:
" The President has the power in his own hands, and I am obliged for the present reluctantly to acquiesce in what I consider a great wrong to thousands of gallant Georgia troops and a palpable infringement of the rights and sovereignty of the State. I will only add that this letter is intended more as a protest against your decision than as an effort to protract a discussion which it seems can be productive of no practical results."
There was probably no matter of higher value to our spirited volun- teers than this very privilege of selecting their officers, and the Con- federate authorities made a great mistake in their policy on this point. While it was true, as a general principle, that the ordinary war rules were founded in a long experience as to regular and professional sol- diers, our voluntary citizens' army was an organization of patriotic gentlemen, inspired by love of country and a blended sentiment of duty and honor. Mr. Davis and Gen. Bragg, both of them, failed to comprehend the difference. Some of our most skillful fighters and best strategists were civilians who had not enjoyed military education. The great bulk of our officers were men untrained in war. Gen. Sidney Johnson and Gen. Lee both appreciated the regime best for the volun- teer. The Legislature endorsed Gov. Brown's views ou this subject of election of officers, and passed a resolution urging them on the Confed- erate Congress.
A very spicy correspondence is that between Gov. Brown and Mr. A. Fullarton, British consul at Savannah. This was in July, 1863, when Gov. Brown ordered a draft of eight thousand men for home defense from persons between eighteen and forty-five years, including British subjects. Mr. Fullarton protested against such service, stating that for maintaining internal peace and order, British subjects were liable to duty, but not for fighting the United States troops. He claimed that the United States was not a foreign power in relation to Georgia. Gov. Brown replied, refusing to exempt British subjects from such duty or modify his order. The United States was a foreign nation at war with Georgia. If the British subjects did not wish to incur the burdens of living in Georgia they could leave. Mr. Fullarton replied that while advising British subjects to do police or patrol duty, he counseled them . if they were required to leave their homes or meet the United States forces in actual conflict, to throw down their arms and refuse to render
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266
REMARKABLE STATISTICS.
the service, which violated their neutrality. He claimed that Gov. Brown's course was in contrast with the practice of the United States Government and other Southern Governors. Gov. Brown replied that while Her Majesty's subjects lived in Georgia they must perform the duties imposed upon them by the law of nations. The Governor put in a home stroke by saying that if Fullarton really thought the United States was not a foreign power hostile to Georgia, he should have appealed for protection to British subjects resident in this State, to the government in Washington, and not to the Governor of Georgia. He . added that if Her Majesty's subjects should act on Mr. Fullarton's advice and throw down their arms on the approach of danger, and thus be guilty of the unnatural and unmanly conduct of refusing to defend their domiciles, they would be promptly dealt with as citizens of this State would be committing such dishonorable delinquency. As to the United States exempting British subjects, as it had by the use of money drawn large numbers of recruits from the dominions of Her Majesty, in violation of the laws of the realm, it may well afford to affect a pretended liberality which costs it neither sacrifice nor incon- venience. Mr. Fullarton gave up the contest, and there is no report of any hardship being suffered.
In all subjects pertaining to the welfare of the soldiers, Gov. Brown not only took a deep interest, but did an active part. A Missionary mass meeting was held in Griffin, April 26, 1863, Rev. Dr. Mell pre- siding, the object of which was christian ministrations among our sol- diers in the field. Gov. Brown attended and made an earnest speech for this noble cause, and gave a handsome donation to army colportage for the dissemination of religious reading among the troops. In the Baptist Biennial Convention at Augusta, May 11, 1863, resolutions of Dr. Broadus were reported, rendering hearty support to the Con- federate government and paying tribute to Stonewall Jackson. Rev. Dr. Boyce, of South Carolina, opposed these resolutions as covering po- litical ground. Gov. Brown made a speech of great power and fervor in support of them, and they were unanimously passed. In September, 1863, a dinner was given by the Atlanta ladies to the paroled Vicks- burg prisoners. Gov. Brown was the orator of the occasion, and made a most effective and patriotic speech.
There are some remarkable statistics for this year. Confederate money fell in value until from 4 to 1 in 1862, it became 21 to 1 in gold in 1863. The property of the state swelled in figures, from $578,352,- 262, in 1862, to $991,596,583, in 1863. Polls decreased in number from
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267
GEORGIA THE HEAVIEST LOSER OF MEN.
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