Mississippi : comprising sketches of towns, events, institutions, and persons, arranged in cyclopedic form Vol. I, Part 33

Author: Rowland, Dunbar, 1864-1937, ed
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Atlanta, Southern Historical Publishing Association
Number of Pages: 1030

USA > Mississippi > Mississippi : comprising sketches of towns, events, institutions, and persons, arranged in cyclopedic form Vol. I > Part 33

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).

"My regiment having continued to advance was near at hand. I met and formed it rapidly into line of battle. The line then ad- vanced in double-quick time, until within the estimated range of our rifles, when it was halted and ordered to fire advancing. The progress of the enemy was checked. We crossed the difficult chasm before us under a galling fire, and in good order renewed the attack upon the other side. The contest was severe-the de- struction great upon both sides. We steadily advanced, and as the distance was diminished the ratio of loss increased rapidly against the enemy; he yielded and was driven back on his re- serves. A plain now lay behind us-the enemy's cavalry had passed around our right flank, which rested on the main ravine, and gone to our rear. The support I had expected to join us was nowhere to be seen. I therefore ordered the regiment to retire, and went in person to find the cavalry, which, after passing around our right, had been concealed by the inequalities of the ground. The regiment was formed again into line of battle behind

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the first ravine we had crossed; soon after which we were joined upon our left by Lieutenant Kilbourn, with a piece of light artil- lery, and Colonel Lane's Third regiment of Indiana volunteers. Lieutenant Kilbourn opened a brisk and very effective fire. The enemy immediately receded; we advanced, and he retired to the mountain. We occupied the ground where the Missis- sippi regiment first met the enemy, when a heavy fire was opened upon us by a battery which the enemy had established near the center of his line. [Both regiments and artillery fell back.] We had proceeded but a short distance when I saw a large body of cavalry debouch from his cover on the left of the position from which we had retired, and advance rapidly upon us. The Missis- sippi regiment was filed to the right, and fronted in line across the plain; the Indiana regiment was formed on the bank of the ravine, in advance of our right flank, by which a reentering angle was presented to the enemy. While this preparation was being made, Sergeant-Major Miller was sent to Captain Sherman for one or more pieces of artillery from his battery. The enemy, who was now seen to be a body of richly comparisoned lancers, came forward rapidly, and in beautiful order-the files and ranks so closed as to look like a mass of men and horses. Perfect si- lence and the greatest steadiness prevailed in both lines of our troops, as they stood at shouldered arms awaiting an attack. Con- fident of success, and anxious to obtain the full advantage of a cross fire at a short distance, I repeatedly called to the men not to shoot. As the enemy approached his speed regularly diminished until, when within eighty or one hundred yards, he had drawn up to a walk and seemed about to halt. A few files fired without or- ders, and both lines then instantly poured in a volley so destruc- tive that the mass yielded to the blow, and the survivors fled. Captain [T. W.] Sherman having come up with a field piece from his battery, followed their retreat with a very effective fire until they fled beyond the range of his gun.

"Soon after this event a detachment of our artillery and cavalry rode up, and I was directed to cooperate with it in an attack upon the enemy at the base of the mountain. We advanced parallel to this detachment until it halted. I then placed my men under such protection as the ground afforded from the constant fire of the enemy's artillery.

"At this time the enemy made his last attack upon the right, and I received the General's order to march to that portion of the field. After marching two or three hundred yards we saw

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the enemy's infantry advancing in three line upon Captain Bragg's battery, which, though entirely unsupported, resolutely held its position and met the attack with a fire worthy of the former achievement of the battery, and the reputation of its meritorious commander. We pressed on, climbed the rocky slope of the plain on which this combat occurred, reached its brow so as to take the enemy in flank and reverse when he was about one hundred yards from the battery. Our first fire, raking each of his line, and open- ing close upon his flank, was eminently destructive. His right gave way and he fled in confusion. In this last contest of the day my regiment equalled-it was impossible to exceed-my ex- pectations. Though worn down by many hours of fatigue and thirst, the ranks thinned by our heavy loss in the morning, they yet advanced upon the enemy with the alacrity and eagerness of men fresh to the combat. In every approbatory sense of these re- marks I wish to be included a party of Colonel Bowles' [Second] Indiana regiment, which served with us during the greatest part of the day. When hostile demonstrations had ceased I retired to a tent upon the field for surgical aid, having been wounded by a musket-ball when we first went into action."

This second battle was at the place where the Mexican reserves made the last assault, sweeping away the Illinois and Kentucky infantry, until they were held in check only by the three guns of Captains O'Brien and George H. Thomas, reinforced at the criti- cal moment by Couch, of the Washington battery, and a little later, by Bragg, who was in time to let fly some canister and check the enemy. It was then that the famous order came from Taylor : "A little more grape, Captain Bragg." The ravine was strewn with the American dead and dying, among them Colonels Hardin, McKee and Henry Clay, Jr., when Davis and Lane, with their Mississippians and Indianians, reached the adjoining plateau, "the former in time to pour a fire into the right flank of the enemy and thus contribute to his repulse." Bragg followed the retreating Mexicans up the plateau, supported by the Mississippians, and shelled them until beyond range or sheltered by the ravines." (Wilcox.)

In his report Colonel Davis particularly commended the service of Maj. Bradford, Adjt. Richard Griffith, Sergt .- Maj. Miller, Quar- termaster-Sergt. White, Commissary Mott, Quartermaster Slade, and the company commanders, Capt. Sharp, Capt. Delay, Lieut. Cook, Lieut. Fletcher, Lieut. Moore, who fell in the first fight and was succeeded by Lieut. Clendenin, and Captains Taylor, Cooper

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and Downing. Lieut. McNulty was killed; among the wounded were Capt. Sharp and Lieutenants Carnot, Posey, Corwine and Stockard. The loss in the first encounter was 30 killed and 40 wounded.

Gen. Taylor reported: "The Mississippi Riflemen, under Col- onel Davis, were highly conspicuous for gallantry and steadiness, and sustaincd throughout the engagement the reputation of vet- eran troops. Brought into actions against an immensely superior force, they maintained themselves for a long time unsupported, and with heavy loss, and held an important part of the field until reinforced. Colonel Davis, though severely wounded, remained in the saddle until the close of the action. His distinguished cool- ness and gallantry, and the heavy loss of his regiment on this day, entitle him to the particular notice of the government." The offi- cial report of casualties was 39 killed, 57 wounded.

After the battle was over companies D and K, Capt. W. P. Rogers and Lieut. Daniel R. Russell, who, with some Illinois com- panies and artillery, had held Saltillo against Minon's cavalry, were brought up to the field to take the place of their comrades in the line.

Buford, a post-hamlet in the west-central part of Marion county, 6 miles west of Columbia, the county seat and nearest railroad and banking point. Population in 1900, 51.

Bullock, a post-hamlet in the southeastern part of Tippah county, about 12 miles southeast of Ripley, the county seat, and nearest railroad and banking town.

Bunckley, a post-hamlet in the southwestern part of Franklin county on the Homochitto river, 10 miles southwest of Mead- ville, the county seat, Knoxville station on the Yazoo & Missis- sippi Valley R. R. is the nearest railroad point. Population in 1900, 35.

Buncombe, a post-hamlet in the southern part of Pike county, about 15 miles east of Magnolia, the county seat. Mesa is its near- est railroad town.

Bunker Hill, a post-hamlet in the southern part of Smith coun- ty, about 16 miles south of Raleigh, the county seat.

Burdett, a postoffice of Washington county, on both the South- ern, and the Yazoo & Mississippi Valley R. Rs., about 12 miles east of Greenville.

Burgess, a post-hamlet in the west-central part of Lafayette county, about 9 miles west of Oxford, the county seat and the

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nearest railroad and banking town. It has a money-order post- office. Population in 1900, 86.

Burke, a post-hamlet of Calhoun county, four miles west of Pittsboro, the county seat. Population in 1900, 27.

Burkettsville, an extinct village of Attala county, which was located seven miles north of Kosciusko. It once had two stores, a blacksmith shop, a church and a camp ground. It was named for Burkett Thompson, its most prominent citizen and merchant. G. W. Galloway, merchant, and Dr. Cook, physisian, were residents of the village.

Burnell, a post-hamlet in the western part of Copiah county, about 20 miles west of Hazlehurst, the county seat.

Burnet, Daniel, a conspicuous figure in the territorial period, came to Natchez district as an expert surveyor during the Span- ish dominion. He was active in the romantic, political and per- sonal feuds of 1797 and later, and carried the memorial of the Hutchins party to Congress, a task of no little danger. Power, the famous Spanish intriguer, was appointed surveyor of the line of demarcation in 1798, but as his presence would not be endured, he called on Daniel Burnet to serve as his deputy, which he did, throughout the survey, on behalf of the Spanish government. After Claiborne became governor of the territory, Burnet became a colonel of militia, and a member of the legislative council. He was postmaster at Grindstone Ford, in 1805, on the Nashville- New Orleans route, this being his place of residence. He had been granted one thousand arpents on Bayou Pierre by the Spanish government in 1790, and another thousand in 1795. Col. Burnet was a member of the constitutional convention of 1817, represent- ing Claiborne county, a senator in the first legislature of the State, and in 1819 he was an unsuccessful candidate for lieutenant-gov- ernor, on the ticket with 'General Hinds. He was again a mem- ber of the state senate, and honored in legislative councils, when he died in 1827.

Burns, a post-hamlet in the northern part of Smith county, on Oakohay Creek, about 8 miles north of Raleigh, the county seat. It has a money-order postoffice. Population in 1900, 62.

Burnsville, an incorporated town, and a thriving little station in the northwestern part of Tishomingo county, on the South- ern Railway, about 7 miles west of Iuka, the county seat and nearest banking town, and 15 miles southeast of Corinth. It has a money-order postoffice, and two churches. The town is in a

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good farming country and has a saw-mill, a stave factory and a cotton gin. The population in 1906 was estimated at 500.

Burnt Mills, a postoffice in the central part of Tishomingo coun- ty, about 10 miles south of Iuka, the county seat, and nearest rail- road and banking station. It has a money-order postoffice. Popu- lation in 1900, 33.

Burr Expedition. For some understanding of the conditions precedent, the reader is referred to the articles on Louisiana, Florida, Spanish and French relations, Blount Conspiracy, Wil- kinson, etc. Aaron Burr, the ablest politician of his age, a lawyer of wonderful success, and a personage of extraordinary powers of social influence, missed by one vote election to the presidency of the United State in 1801, and served the next four years as vice- president according to the law of that time. Within that four years he sought to be elected governor of New York and was de- feated by the influence of Alexander Hamilton, whom he chal- lenged to a duel and killed. At the end of his term, March 4, 1805, at the age of forty-nine years, a great politician distrusted by both political parties, he bade farewell to the United States senate in a speech that left his dignified audience in tears, and turned to the Southwest to find a new field of effort. He proposed to begin the work that was actually accomplished within the next few years, the liberation of Spanish America. Involved in this was the old dream that Wilkinson and Miro had dallied with, the founding of an empire bounded on the east by the Alleghanies, on the west by the Pacific and on the south by the limits of conquest. But this he did not talk of to many, and his talk was vague. Burr was entertained in Kentucky and Tennesse, with great hospitality, as a gallant soldier of the Revolution and recent vice-president. An- drew Jackson was his warm friend and admirer and sympathizer in any project against the Spanish. At Fort Massac, Burr spent four days with Wilkinson, newly appointed governor of the Ter- · ritory of Louisiana, who had written a letter to John Adair, com- mending Burr: "He understands your merits and reckons on you. Prepare to visit me and I will tell you all. We must have a peep at the unknown world beyond me." From Massac Burr came down the Mississippi in a barge, with a military escort furnished by Wilkinson, and a letter of introduction to Daniel Clark, which pledged the life of the general that confidence in this "great and honorable man" would not be misapplied.

He reached New Orleans June 25, and began the collection of information bearing upon the Spanish dominions. He gained the

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sympathy and assistance of the Mexican Association, an organ- ization working for the ultimate liberation of Mexico, of which Mayor Watkins was an influential member. A great mass of in- formation was rapidly acquired and threads of intrigue spun in every direction. He made better military maps of Texas than had theretofore been known. After a fortnight in New Orleans, Burr took horse for Natchez, where he spent a week getting in touch with the inhabitants willing to engage in an expedition against the Spanish. It was upon an interview at this time that George Adams based the remarkable pen picture of Burr that is repro- duced in Claiborne's Mississippi, and Third report Mississippi archives, describing his eyes of dark hazel, seeming black in. the shadow of projecting brows; eyes that "glow with all the ardor of venereal fire and scintillate with the most tremulous and tearful sensibility, roll with the celerity of poetic fervor and beam with the most vivid, piercing rays of genius." From Natchez Burr rode to Nashville, thence pushed on to Lexington and Louisville, and in September again visited Wilkinson, who afterward testified that at this time he warned the government that Burr should be watched. But he actually cooperated by letters intended to make it appear that Burr was seeking election to Congress from In- diana. This early, it began to be published in the Northern news- papers, in the form of query, that Colonel Burr was organizing a project to seize the forts and military posts on the Mississippi, and call a convention of the western States to form an independ- ent government in confederation with Louisiana. The new gov- ernment would make a free distribution of the public lands that Congress was selling, invade Mexico, aided by British fleets, and the army would revel in the plunder of Spain. Such reports were circulated also at New Orleans. Clark wrote to Wilkinson, call- ing them "absurd and wild," but telling the general he was cred- ited with being the right hand man in the conspiracy. "Entre nous, I believe that Minor of Natchez has had a great part in this business, in order to make himself of importance-he is in the pay of Spain and wishes to convince them that he is much their friend."

On his return east Burr addressed himself to a scheme he had already laid the foundation for, persuading England to finance the project by talk about the establishment of an independent govern- ment in the Mississippi valley. Wilkinson became aware of this and used it against Burr later. As he wrote confidentially to Jef-

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ferson, he believed Burr had "duped both the British and Spanish legations and converted them to his use, by the promise of the subversion of our government on the one hand and the revolu- tionizing of Mexico on the other." Burr actually tried to terrify the Spanish minister into paying the expenses of an expedition for the liberation of Mexico and the Floridas by revealing the whole project to him, through his friend Dayton. The Spanish minister was even made to believe that it was intended to seize Washington and carry off the contents of the treasury and ar- senals. But these efforts failed and Burr was compelled to de- pend on what money could be raised by his friends, Senator Smith, Blennerhassett, and others, and his son-in-law Joseph Alston, of South Carolina. July 29, 1806, he wrote the famous letter to Wil- kinson that Swartwout delivered at Natchitoches. In this he said that detachments of the expedition would follow him down the Mississippi and be met at the mouth of the river by British and American ships. Wilkinson should be second in command. Burr would meet him at Natchez between the 5th and 15th of Decem- ber, to determine whether they should seize on or pass by Baton Rouge. "The people of the country to which we are going are prepared to receive us; their agents, now with Burr, say that if we will protect their religion, and will not subject them to a for- eign power, that in three weeks all will be settled. The gods in- vite us to glory and fortune. It remains to be seen whether we deserve the boon." On his way through western Pennsylvania, with a few friends, Burr visited Col. George Morgan, whose pro- ject to make New Madrid the capital of an American state under the protection of Spain had been defeated by Wilkinson as con- flicting with his own schemes for secession of the west, nearly twenty years earlier. Morgan sent word to President Jefferson that Burr talked of disunion. Reaching Lexington, Burr con- tracted for the purchase of the famous Bastroup grant on the Ouachita. Circumstances conspired to promise success. The Spanish advance toward Red river had aroused the west (See Sabine Expedition). Wilkinson was depended on to furnish a war, under cover of which the campaign for the liberation of Mexico could have clear sailing. Unfortunately, the Spanish lost their nerve at the critical moment, and retreated. Wilkinson then turned back to Natchez, apparently determined to treat Burr's Swartwout letter, which contained no word of secession or threat against New Orleans, as a treasonable menace. His subordinate, Maj. Freeman, in command at New Orleans, was instructed to

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begin repair of the fortifications, quietly. From Natchez, .Novem- ber 12, the general wrote Governor Claiborne at New Orleans, re- vealing in confidence, the terrible danger that menaced the Amer- ican government and the storm about to break upon New Orleans, and said: "I shall leave this place the day after tomorrow, but must dismantle Fort Adams and remove every offensive weapon from it." To President Jefferson at the same time he wrote that the west was pervaded by a "deep, dark and wicked conspiracy" that promised to "involve us in a foreign conflict and shake the government to its foundation." He proposed to put New Or- leans under martial law. He feared nothing so much as assissina- tion, and believed more than three men in New Orleans would seek his life. At the same time Wilkinson sent Walter Burling on the mysterious trip to Mexico (See Sabine Expedition), which the Mexican archives show was to deliver a letter to the viceroy demanding compensation from Spain for Wilkinson's recent serv- ices, to the amount of $100,000.

Following is the view of this episode taken by Yrujo, minister of Spain to the United States: "According to appearances, Spain has saved the United States from the separation of the Union which menaced them. This would have taken place if Wilkinson had entered cordially into the views of Burr-which was to be expected, because Wilkinson detests this government, and the separation of the Western States has been his favorite plan. The evil has come from the foolish and pertinacious persistence with which Burr has persisted in carrying out a wild project against Mexico. Wilkinson is entirely devoted to us. He enjoys a con- siderable pension from the king. With his natural capacity and his local and military knowledge, he anticipated with moral cer- tainty the failure of an expedition of this nature. Doubtless he foresaw from the first, that the improbability of success in case of making the attempt, would leave him, like the dog in the fable, with the piece of meat in his mouth; that is, that he would lose the honorable employment he holds and the generous pension he enjoys from the king. These considerations, secret in their na- ture, he could not explain to Burr; and when the latter persisted in an idea so fatal to Wilkinson's interests, nothing remained but to take the course adopted. By this means he assures his pen- sion ; and will allege his conduct on this occasion as an extraor- dinary service, either for getting it increased, or for some generous compensation. On the other hand this proceeding secures his dis- tinguished rank in the military service of the United States. and

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covers him with a popularity which may perhaps result in pe- cuniary advantages, and in any case will flatter his vanity. In such an alternative he has acted as was to be expected; that is, he has sacrificed Burr, in order to obtain, on the ruin of Burr's reputation, the advantages I have pointed out." Yrujo to Ceval- los, Jan. 28, 1807, Spanish archives.)

Burr was twice arrested, while in Kentucky, on the charge of organizing an expedition against the Spanish country, but ac- quitted, and he was gaining greater good will than ever when President Jefferson, who had up to this time been so indulgent as to give color to the rumors that Burr's enterprise was with of- ficial approval, issued his proclamation of November 27, 1806, an- nouncing that sundry persons were conspiring to form a military expedition against the dominions of Spain, and warning all faith- ful citizens to abstain or withdraw from "their criminal enterprises." This seemed to be the result of Wilkinson's letter, though there were many other previous sources of information, and the cab- inets of London, Paris and Madrid were long before informed of the details, real and pretended, of the enterprise. The proclama- tion, coming after such long delay, was taken in the West as evi- dence that the President had strong proofs of the only project ascribed to Burr that was popularly regarded as a "criminal en- terprise," viz .: an attempt to alienate the West from the Union. Confidence in Burr was withdrawn, and the country went into a panic, neighbor suspecting neighbor of dark and terrible designs of treason. Wilkinson went down from Natchez to New Orleans about this time, his orders having been obeyed to dismantle Fort Adams, and all the troops were transferred to New Orleans, where military preparations were going on apace. Mead wrote to Gov- ernor Claiborne October 3 regarding "a secret plot existing in our territories," and on November 23 communicated that a gentleman of respectability and character had made a full disclosure, throw- ing himself "on his country for pardon," and that New Orleans was to be the first place of attack. In this letter he said, "It is be- lieved here that General Wilkinson is the soul of the conspiracy," and in regard to the evacuation of Forts Adams and St. Stephens, "What is all this for? Is it to act for you or against you?" But when Jefferson's proclamation and orders expressing full confi- dence in Wilkinson arrived, there was nothing to do but follow the policy of the president. December 6 Wilkinson asked Gov- ernor Claiborne to proclaim martial law, in view of the prospect that the government of the United States was to be subverted,

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"and the goddess of liberty will take her flight from this globe for- ever." Burling had not yet reached the city of Mexico with the demand for $100,000 for saving that kingdom, and it was wise to lay a good foundation for the claiming of high honors for saving the United States. Claiborne refused to be alarmed enough to turn the government entirely over to the general. Finally the business men of New Orleans were called together and the dan- ger officially revealed to them, Wilkinson excusing his delay in doing this by his fear of assassination. The object of Burr was represented to be the looting of New Orleans. Claiborne was told the militia would be of no effect against the bloodthirsty hordes of Burr, and at the same time Wilkinson wrote to Clark, then in Washington, D. C., that if Burr could not bring to Natchez more than 2,000 men he would not dare attack New Orleans. The New Orleans people soon put the general at a true estimate, and began laughing at him; but he demonstrated his power by making mili- tary arrests, and defying the courts, and the civil officers armed with writs of habeas corpus. Finally, the court of the county of Orleans adjourned in protest, Judge Workman resigned, Claiborne yielded, Wilkinson was supreme and the press was stifled. Pre- tending that he had just learned that Workman was a supporter of the filibuster scheme, the general caused the arrest of the judge, who was held to trial at Natchez. Gen. John Adair arrived Jan- uary 14, and was arrested by a detachment of 150 men, under Col. Kingsbury, dragged from table and locked up for shipment with other suspects to the North. Jefferson wrote to Claiborne, "The Federalists will try to make something of the infringement of lib- erty by the military arrest and deportation of citizens," but he hoped for public approval if the infringement did not go too far. While forcing Claiborne to his purposes, Wilkinson also affected to despise him, writing to Clark: "Cet bete is at present up to the chin in folly and vanity. He cannot be supported much longer ; for Burr or no Burr, we shall have a revolt, if he is not removed speedily."

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Mississippi : comprising sketches of towns, events, institutions, and persons, arranged in cyclopedic form Vol. I, Part 33

Author: Rowland, Dunbar, 1864-1937, ed Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Atlanta, Southern Historical Publishing Association Number of Pages: 1030

Author: Rowland, Dunbar, 1864-1937, ed
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Atlanta, Southern Historical Publishing Association
Number of Pages: 1030