Encyclopedia of Mississippi History Comprising Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions and Persons, Vol. II, Part 28

Author: Dunbar Rowland
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Madison, Wis. : S.A. Brant
Number of Pages: 1020

USA > Mississippi > Encyclopedia of Mississippi History Comprising Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions and Persons, Vol. II > Part 28

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The militia committee of the Convention of 1890, W. S. Feather- ston, chairman, reported that it is "necessary to have a military force at all times to respond to the call of the State," and the National Guard should be used for this purpose, with a limit of 1,000 privates, and for purposes of drill be called into camp at least once a year, and an annual appropriation of $10,000 should be made. The constitution of 1890 declares, "The legislature shall provide for the organizing, arming, equipping and discipline of the militia, and for paying the same when called into active service," also "The legislature is hereby required to make an annual appro- priation for the efficient support and maintenance of the Missis- sippi National Guard, which shall consist of not less than one hun- dred men for each senator and representative to which this State may be entitled in the Congress of the United States ; but no part

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of such funds shall be used in the payment of said guard except when in actual service." It is also required that the adjutant- general shall be given an adequate salary, and that the legislature shall empower the board of supervisors in each county to aid in supporting a company or companies of the National Guard, with its borders. The National Guard had, in 1892, been organized six years, and kept up by the men, aided by the Congressional allow- ance of $8,500 for arms, ammunition, equipments, uniforms, etc. In 1892, Adjutant-General Henry asked the legislature for aid, saying "I Believe I am correct in saying that Mississippi is the only State in the Union which does not provide for its National Guard." The commanders of the Reserve militia, were, in 1890-92: Wm. N. Munroe, major-general; J. H. Brinker, Samuel D. Robins, F. F. Myles, brigadier-generals.

National Guard: The Governor, commander-in-chief; Brig .- Gen. Wm. Henry, adjutant-general; Col. J. E. Halbert, surgeon- general; Maj. Lee Richardson, aide. James R. Davis, Biloxi, major-general commanding; J. S. Billups, Columbus, brigadier- general First brigade. First regiment infantry, R. M. Levy, West Point, colonel; Second regiment, infantry, C. L. Lincoln, Colum- bus, colonel; Third regiment, infantry, George S. Green, Jack- son, colonel; First cadet battalion, A. & M. college ; First artillery battalion, battery A, Vicksburg; B, Scranton; C, Bay St. Louis ; D, Biloxi; F, Pass Christian, Lt .- Col. E. W. Morrell, Biloxi, com- manding ; First cavalry battalion, Maj. W. A. Love, Crawford, two companies. In May, 1893, two companies of the guard were called out by the governor to protect the jail at Brookhaven from attack by a company of white-capper sympathizers, who had been re- pulsed in one attempt to release ten men held on the charge of whitecapping.

The Third regiment went into camp at their own expense, at Cooper's Wells, in August, 1893.

In 1894 an annual appropriation of $3,600 was made, not to be available, however, except when the guard should be called out to suppress violation of law. The railroads gave free transportation, and an annual encampment was held at Meridian-Camp Stephen D. Lee-in 1894, and another at Columbus in July, 1895,-Camp John M. Stone. At this time Alabama was appropriating $23,000 annually for encampments.

The encampments were held, as a matter of city enterprise with railroad cooperation, at Jackson in 1896, and Vicksburg in 1897. J. S. Billups was then major-general commanding; S. S. Morrow, colonel First regiment ; C. L. Lincoln, colonel, Second regiment ; George C. Hoskins, colonel Third regiment : E. W. Morrill, colonel First regiment artillery ; J. H. Cook, major First cavalry squadron ; R. W. Barnett, major Cadets. The aggregate membership was 1,795.

When President Mckinley called for two regiments from Mis- sissippi in 1898, the governor invited the captains of the National Guard to report how many of their men were willing to enlist.

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In response the guard went into camp at Jackson ; seventy-five per cent. of the officers and men tendered their services; sixty-five per cent. passed the examinations and served until the close of hostili- ties. At the beginning of the war of 1898 the regimental com- manders were Col. S. S. Morrow, First infantry; Col. C. L. Lincoln, Second infantry ; Lt .- Col. Devereaux Shields, Third in- fantry ; Col. E. W. Morrill, First artillery ; Maj. J. H. Cook, First cavalry. After the war the Guard was reorganized, with the same number of regiments, and R. M. Levy became colonel of the First, C. R. Shannon of the Second, and T. H. Shields of the Third infan- try.

No encampment was had in 1900, the legislature not providing therefor. The encampment of 1901, to have been at Greenville, was abandoned on account of wet weather. The second battalion, Third regiment, encamped at Natchez. The entire national guard went into camp at Biloxi in August, 1904. No troops were sent to the Fall Manoeuvres in Kentucky.

The annual encampment of 1905 was to have been held at Gulf- port, but was prevented by the yellow fever, during the prevalence of which details from all the regiments were used as quarantine guards.

The National Guard is supported in Mississippi mainly by ap- propriations by the United States congress. The State appropria- tion for 1904-05 was $7,500 a year, of which $2,000 is not available except in case of emergency.

At the beginning of his administration Governor Vardaman appointed Arthur Fridge adjutant-general, and Maj. S. R. Keesler major-general. A general inspection was made by Maj. R. W. Dowdy, U. S. A.

The roster of 1905 was, James K. Vardaman, commander in chief ; staff : Gen. Arthur Fridge, adjutant-general ; Colonels R. M. McGehee, chief of engineers; C. Lee Crum, judge advocate gen- eral; Walter Weaver, paymaster general; R. C. Rachford. com- missary general; Y. D. Lott, inspector general; C. C. Wyatt, inspector general of R. P .; W. S. Vardaman, quartermaster gen- eral ; Horton Frizell, surgeon general; W. T. Bolling, chaplain; J. D. Money, chief of artillery, and eighteen aide-de-camps. S. R. Keesler, Greenwood, major-general commanding; Col. S. L. Gwin, adjutant-general, and full staff ; First regiment infantry, Col. Sam Montgomery, Greenville; Lieut .- Col. John P. Mayo, Columbus- including First battalion; Maj. George A. Wilson, Lexington; Second battalion, Maj. B. A. Lincoln, Columbus; Third battalion, Maj. O. M. Lawrence, Booneville. Second regiment infantry, Col. Sam L. McCants, Meridian ; Lieut .- Col. Virgil Jones, Hat- tiesburg-including First battalion. Maj. J. H. Buschman, Hatties- burg; Second battalion, Maj. Homer Brett, Meridian. Third regiment infantry, Col. E. B. Baker, Natchez : Lieut .- Col. J. J. Hayes. Vicksburg-including First battalion, Maj. D. D. Ewing. Brookhaven ; Second battalion, Maj. J. N. Stone, Natchez. First

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battalion artillery, Maj. W. H. Brown, Meridian, including Vicks- burg and Meridian batteries.

Militia, Territorial. The first important order issued by Gover- nor Sargent, September 8, 1798, was for the organization of the militia, to include all free male inhabitants in the Territory be- tween the ages of 16 and 50. For military duty they were to be divided equally into companies of horse and foot, the companies to include 64 men, rank and file. The general organization would be in two legions, under the command of lieutenant-colonels, one in each district or county, above and below Fairchild's creek. The first Saturday of each month was fixed as assembly and drill day, besides four field days in each year. The following officers were named in the order: For the Upper district: Cato West, lieutenant-colonel; Narsworthy Hunter, major of horse; John Girault, major of foot; Thomas Green, Richard Harrison and Thomas Calvit, captains of horse ; James Truly, Jesse Harper and George W. Humphreys, lieutenants of horse; George Sulzer, Lacy Rumsey and James Spain, cornets ; Roger Dixon, Tobias Brashear, and Arthur Carney, captains of foot; John Brooks, James McIn- tyre and Gibson Clark, lieutenants; William Smith, James Daven- port and Eden Brashears, ensigns; James McIntyre, adjutant.

For the lower district, the lieutenant-colonel was not named. Benajah Osman and Sutton Bankes, majors of horse and foot; Benjamin Farrar, William Moore and David Ferguson, captains of horse; William McIntosh, George Cochran and John Minor, lieutenants : John Lintot, Hampton White and Charles Surget, cornets : John Ellis, Adam Bingaman, and Joseph Calvit, captains of foot; Abraham Ellis, Daniel Grafton and Philander Smith, lieutenants ; John Wall, Samuel Hutchins and William Dunbar, Jr .. ensigns ; John Wall, adjutant.

The choice of uniform was left to the officers, and it appears to have been blue and red in colors, which the governor approved. Col. West reported in November that several officers had declined commissions, notable among them, Maj. Narsworthy Hunter, who became the leader of an opposition to the governor. Consequently some changes were made in the list. Richard Harrison was given the rank declined by Hunter; George Salier and John Brooks were made lieutenants in place of Harper and Humphreys; Will- iam Thomas and Henry Green were made captains of cavalry, in place of Thomas Green and Harrison.

The militia laws were revised after the law making body was organized. The first law enacted in Mississippi Territory by the governor and judges was the militia act of February 28, 1799. Daniel Clark was then made lieutenant-colonel for Adams county, Banajah Osmun and John Ellis, majors. Upon the death of Clark, Osmun became lieutenant-colonel. In Pickering county John Girault was made lieutenant-colonel, Roger Dixon and Richard Harrison, majors.

On Governor Claiborne's arrival, 1801, he found that Governor Sargent, notwithstanding the exercise of great exertions, had

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been unable to organize the militia. There were no arms, either in the hands of citizens or available, and the secretary of state was asked to send to Natchez about 400 muskets and as many rifles. "Until the militia of this Territory are well armed and disciplined, my mind will not be tranquil," wrote the governor. "Bordering upon the dominion of a foreign power, separated from the nearest State (Tennessee) by a wilderness of six hundred miles in extent ; in the neighborhood of numerous savage tribes and with a population of negroes nearly equal to the number of whites; there exists uncertainty for peace, and our best reliance for safety must depend upon a well armed and well trained militia."

The governor labored earnestly toward organization, but found the obstacles many. He asked Gen. Wilkinson to put a blockhouse in the center of the settlements, to be used for an armory to store such guns as could be spared from the fort.

The militia appointments at the beginning of Governor Clai- borne's administration were as follows: Adams county : Banajah Osmun, lieutenant-colonel commanding; Abram Ellis and Rich- ard King, majors. Jefferson county: Zachariah Kirkland and William Thomas, majors. Washington county: John Caller and Nathaniel Christmas, majors. Claiborne county : Daniel Burnet, lieutenant-colonel; William Neely, major. Wilkinson county : John Ellis, lieutenant-colonel; Richard Butler, major. Artillery in Natchez: Samuel Postlethwait, captain; Joseph A. Parrott, first lieutenant ; Joseph Newman, second lieutenant. Israel E. Trask, brigade major and inspector.

In April, through the order of Wilkinson Capt. Postlethwait was supplied with a brass fieldpiece, 16 flannel cartridges, and 40 stand of arms, so that Natchez, at least, was equipped for war.

In the fall of 1802, the militia was pretty well organized, under the brigade command of Col. Osmun, whom Claiborne recom- mended for commission by the president as brigadier-general. In October, Brigade-major Trask was sent to Washington county to organize the militia on the Tombigbee.

Thirty-three boxes of rifles arrived in December, 1802, and were distributed, each recipient to pay for his rifle $14 in cotton.

In December, 1802, the governor appointed as his senior aide, Capt. F. L. Claiborne; junior aide, Capt. William Scott, both lately of the rank named in the United States service. Scott was promoted to lieutenant-colonel and aide in 1805. Other aides were Wm. H. Wooldridge, John F. Carmichael, Joseph Bowman, Nich- olas Perkins, Wm. B. Shields, Joseph Sessions, down to 1812. Isaac Guion was appointed brigade inspector in 1805, and suc- ceeded by William Scott in 1806. Andrew Marschalk was brigade major in 1810; adjutant and inspector, 1811; Joseph P. Kennedy, brigade major east of Pearl, 1811.

After Governor Claiborne went to New Orleans, the militia con- tinued as before to be one of the main subjects of the governor's messages, as the danger of foreign war was seldom allayed until after 1815. There was another danger also, constantly felt.

16-11

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Acting-Governor Cato West said in his message of December, 1804, that whatever security was felt because of the cession of Louisiana, "It is incumbent on us, notwithstanding, to use all the means in our power in preparing to repel hostile attacks and suppress insurrections of slaves, for events of the kind we have no assurance will not happen; to this end a well organized and effec- tive militia is indispensable. The citizens of a free government ought to take pride in assuming the character of soldiers when called to the service of their country, but to be good soldiers in war, it is necessary to be well trained in peace. I am sorry to observe that the militia of our Territory has for some time past been in a declining state."

Governor Williams, on assuming office in 1805, found the mili- tia in a state of disorder, but efforts for reorganization promised good results. He said: "We have several volunteer companies of horse, composed of the most wealthy and active men amongst us, who hold themselves in readiness, and I am persuaded would render services equal to any, if called upon."

There were many changes in the personnel of the officers, and the number of regiments were increased to agree with the num- ber of counties.

The first militia battalion to leave Natchez district for service was that which was called to New Orleans in 1790, by the Spanish governor to guard against French invasion at Balize. Under the United States government the first battalion called out was that which accompanied Governor Claiborne to New Orleans in 1803. (See Claiborne's administration.) The second, under the com- mand of Col. Ferdinand L. Claiborne, marched to Natchitoches in 1806, expecting to participate in a Sabine river campaign against the Spanish. Within the Territory there was special service on the Baton Rouge frontier in 1805 and at times afterward, mainly . under Capt. Joshua Baker, and in the severe midwinter of Janu- ary, 1807, on account of the Aaron Burr expedition. (q. v.) Also see Mississippi Battalion, 1808, and Washington county.

The life of the service was, of course, the cavalry, in which there was thorough organization and enthusiastic spirit. Most famous of all was the Adams Troop, of Natchez. Governor Williams in December, 1807, proclaimed the uniform for the field officers of the regiment of horse to be, "Blue faced with scarlet; gold laced but- ton holes; yellow buttons and epaulets; white under clothes ; sabers slung with white belts."

Before leaving Virginia, Governor Holmes (1809) asked the appointment of Col. Ferdinand L. Claiborne as brigadier-general of militia for the Territory, and again urged this after his arrival at the town of Washington. The legislature in December, 1809, joined in this request. But it seems to have passed unheeded, as in the case of Col. Osmun. In 1811, however, in prospect of war with England, Claiborne was appointed brigadier-general. Ben- jamin Farrar, former captain of the Adams troop, was commis-

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sioned lieutenant-colonel commanding the Territorial cavalry, in 1811, but declined.

The appointments to lieutenant-colonel commanding after 1804 were William H. Wooldridge, 1805; Ferd. L. Claiborne, 1806, vice Osmun, resigned; Thomas F. Fitzpatrick, 1805, vice Zachariah Kirkland, resigned; Hugh Davis (Wilkinson) 1807; James Caller, 1808 (Washington), vice John Caller, resigned; William R. Rich- ards, 1809; Nicholas Perkins (Madison) 1809.

The suspension of Col. Claiborne (Adams county) by Governor Williams in 1807 was an exciting event. Joseph Sessions, ap- pointed his successor, declined. Israel E. Trask accepted, and was succeeded by Philip Hoggatt, 1809.

Following is the list of lieutenant-colonels commissioned in January, 1810:

First regiment, William R. Richards, succeeded by David Nel- son, 1811; Second, Hugh Davis; Third, Philip Hoggatt, (declined, John Wood); Fourth, Thomas Fitzpatrick, in 1812, David Car- radine ; Fifth, William H. Wooldridge; Sixth, James Caller; Sev- enth, Peter Perkins: Eighth, Joseph Carson; Ninth, James Patton; Tenth, Benjamin Hicks; Eleventh, John J. Jones, succeeded by Robert Witherspoon. In December, 1811, two more regiments (or counties) were added, commanded by Josiah Skinner, Twelfth, and Timothy Terrall, Thirteenth.

These appointments in 1810 were under a new law at the begin- ning of Holmes' administration, with regiments for the new coun- ties of Washington, Baldwin and Madison (Alabama), and those in the Choctaw purchase, making eleven regiments. Governor Holmes, in November, 1810, reported that he had been successful in the reorganization, but urged some provision for what has since his time been found to be the only practical basis of militia, vol- unteer companies. In this year, 1810, some of the militia had active service on account of the Baton Rouge revolution. Details by volunteering and draft were made in 1811 to form a militia regiment under Col. F. L. Claiborne, which was sent to Baton Rouge, where it was the nucleus of the First Mississippi volun- teers, (q. v.) distinguished in the Creek war. In 1813 there were eighteen militia regiments, nominally, including two in Madison county.

Claiborne resumed the rank of brigadier-general after his return from the Alabama country in 1814, and held it until his death, when Thomas Hinds was appointed. The law of 1814 provided for a brigade organization with an adjutant-general at the seat of gov- ernment, upon an annual salary of $300. (See War of 1812, Creek war, Dragoons, etc.)

An act of Congress in 1816 required the appointment of a colonel as well as lieutenant-colonel and major for each regiment, and so the militia regiments began to have colonels of the full rank at the close of the Territorial period.

Millard, a postoffice of Pearl River county, on the New Orleans & North Eastern R. R., 8 miles southeast of Poplarville, the county

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seat. Lumbering and turpentine plants are located here. It has a population of about 200.

Millcreek, a postoffice of Winston county, located on Noxuba treek, 8 miles east of Louisville, the county seat.

Miller, a post-hamlet in the northeastern part of De Soto county, on the Kansas City, Memphis & Birmingham R. R., 14 miles from Hernando, the county seat, and nearest banking, telegraph and ex- press town. Population in 1900, 100; the population in 1906 was estimated at 150.

Millican, a hamlet in the southeastern part of Prentiss county, 18 miles from Booneville, the county seat. It has rural free delivery from New Site.

Millington, John, was a native of England. He was raised in London; was the pupil of Farraday, and an associate of McAdam; came to the United States after representing an English Company in the mines of Mexico; was professor of chemistry and natural philosophy in William and Mary College, 1835-47; resigned to accept the same chair in the University of Virginia in 1848. He was profoundly 'versed in the science of mathematics. He was connected with the University of Mississippi during the first nine years of its existence, and then resigned to accept the chair of chemistry and texocology at the Memphis Medical College. At the outbreak of the war he went to Philadelphia, and after peace was declared removed to Richmond, Va., where he died at the age of eighty-nine years.

Mills, a hamlet in the southern part of Carroll county. It has rural free delivery from Vaiden, the nearest railroad and banking town, on the Illinois Central R. R.

Millsaps College. After the removal of Centenary College in 1845 from Brandon Springs, Miss., to Jackson, La., the need was felt among the Methodists of the State for a college under control of the Mississippi Conferences and located within the confines of the State. Several attempts were made to establish higher insti- tutions of learning, but none of the movements were successful till in December, 1888, the Mississippi Conference and the North Mississippi Conference, resolved that a "college for the education of young men and boys" should be established in the State. Three preachers and three laymen were appointed from each conference to take immediate steps in that direction. The joint committee met in Jackson in January, 1889, and Major R. W. Millsaps (q. v.), a member of the commission, offered to give $50,000 for endowing the proposed college if the Methodists of the State would give a like amount. This proposition was enthusiastically approved, and Bishop C. B. Galloway was invited to take charge of a campaign for raising the proposed sum. In December of the same year, Dr. A. F. Watkins, of the Mississippi conference, was appointed a special agent to work with Bishop Galloway, and in 1890 $25,000 was collected. This amount was supplemented by $25,000 from Major Millsaps, making $50,000 for the endowment. In 1893, $50,000 was received under the same conditions, and the endow-

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ment stood at $100,000 until quite recently. In 1890 the Board of Trustees, under the presidency of Bishop Galloway, secured a charter from the legislature of Mississippi, naming the college for its distinguished benefactor. The Board on May 20, 1891, decided to locate the college at Jackson. Flattering offers were made by many towns, but the people of Jackson contributed $21,000 for grounds and buildings, 'and Major Millsaps added $15,000 to this sum. By the spring of 1892, the main building was nearly com- pleted, and the Board of Trustees organized its first faculty. Dr. W. B. Murrah (q. v.), was elected president. He was at that time vice-president of Whitworth college. Dr. Murrah has held this position to the present time, having refused many flattering offers to go elsewhere. No other member of the original faculty is now connected with the institution, though Bishop Galloway is still president of the Board of Trustees. In addition to the president, Mr. N. A. Patilo was elected professor of Mathematics. Prof. Patilo at the time of his election was doing graduate work in the Johns Hopkins university. At the same meeting of the Trustees Professor W. L. Weber, acting-professor of English in the South- western university, Georgetown, Texas, was elected to the chair of English. At a later meeting of the Trustees in the summer of 1892, Mr. G. C. Swearengen, a post-graduate student of Vander- bilt university, and a Ph. D. of Chicago university in 1902, was elected Professor of Latin and Greek, and Rev. M. M. Black, also a graduate of Vanderbilt, was chosen as principal of the Prepara- tory Department. With this faculty the first session opened Sep- tember 29, 1892. There were 150 students enrolled the first year, and the attendance has increased to 300 at present. The first session was one of marked success. At the commencement in June, 1893, the department of the Natural Sciences was created, and Prof. A. M. Muckenfuss was placed in charge of the scientific work. Prof. Muckenfuss was a graduate student of the Johns Hopkins university, and received his Ph. D. degree in 1895 from the Hopkins. In 1894 Professor Patilo resigned the chair of Mathematics and in his place was elected Dr. J. A. Moore, profes- sor of Mathematics in Southern University, Greensboro, Alabama. Dr. Moore has occupied this position till the present time, is sec- retary of the Faculty, and, as the present senior member of the Faculty, ex-officio vice-president of the college. At the same time Prof. Black resigned his position in the Preparatory Department, and Prof. R. S. Ricketts was selected in his place. Prof. Ricketts had been for over 20 years a professor in Whitworth Female col- lege, and has assisted in educating the mothers of many of his present pupils. As assistant in the Preparatory Department Prof. E. L. Bailey was elected. He was at the time principal of the High School in Jackson. At the commencement in 1896 a Law Department was added to the College, and Dr. Edward Mayes was elected Dean. Dr. Mayes had been professor of Law at the University of Mississippi, and Chancellor of the University for three years. At the same commencement the department of His-

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Encyclopedia of Mississippi History Comprising Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions and Persons, Vol. II, Part 28

Author: Dunbar Rowland Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Madison, Wis. : S.A. Brant Number of Pages: 1020

Author: Dunbar Rowland
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Madison, Wis. : S.A. Brant
Number of Pages: 1020