Mississippi : comprising sketches of towns, events, institutions, and persons, arranged in cyclopedic form Vol. II, Part 28

Author: Rowland, Dunbar, 1864-1937, ed
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Atlanta, Southern Historical Publishing Association
Number of Pages: 1032

USA > Mississippi > Mississippi : comprising sketches of towns, events, institutions, and persons, arranged in cyclopedic form 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).

240

MISSISSIPPI

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

241

MISSISSIPPI

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-II

242

MISSISSIPPI

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-

243

MISSISSIPPI

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 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

244

MISSISSIPPI

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-

245

MISSISSIPPI

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-

216

MISSISSIPPI

tory and Modern Languages was created, and Prof. J. P. Hanner was put in charge of the work. Prof. Hanner had been acting- professor of Natural Sciences in 1894-95, in place of Prof. Mucken- fuss absent on leave, and in 1895-96, was acting-professor of Ancient Languages while Prof. Swearengen was in Europe on leave. He was a graduate of Vanderbilt University. The faculty remained unchanged until the fall of 1899 when Prof. Weber re- signed from the chair of English to accept the same chair in Emory College. In his place was elected Professor D. H. Bishop, professor of English and History in Polytechnic College, Fort Worth, Texas. At the close of the session of 1899-1900, Prof. Hanner resigned from the Chair of History and Modern Lan- guages, and accepted a position in Emory College. Prof. B. E. Young resigned the chair of Modern Languages in the Polytechnic College, Fort Worth, Texas, and accepted the position made va- cant by Prof. Hanner's resignation. Prof. Bailey also resigned from the Preparatory Department, and Rev. G. W. Huddleston, principal of Carthage High School, took his place. Prof. Huddles- ton is still in this position. At the same time there were added to the Law Department, Judge A. H. Whitfield, Chief-Justice of the Supreme Court, and Judge W. R. Harper. These with Judge Mayes constitute the present Law Faculty. At the commence- ment of June, 1902, Dr. Muckenfuss accepted the chair of Chem- istry in the University of Arkansas, and in 1905 the same chair in the University of Mississippi. In his place was elected Dr. J. M. Sullivan, a Ph. D. of Vanderbilt, and professor of Natural Sci- ences in Centenary College. During the session of 1902-03, Prof. A. H. Shannon acted as professor of Biology and Sociology. In 1904 Prof. Young accepted the chair of Romance Languages in Vanderbilt University, and the chair of History and Modern Lan- guages was divided. Prof. J. E. Walmsley took charge of the work in History and Economics. Prof. Walmsley had been professor of History and Economics in Kentucky Wesleyan College, and, during the session of 1903-04, was acting-professor of History and Modern Languages in the absence of Prof. Young, who was in Europe. Prof. O. H. Moore, a graduate of Harvard, was elected to the new chair of Modern Languages. Dr. Swearengen resigned from the Latin and Greek Department, and the position was filled by Prof. M. W. Swartz, who had been professor of Greek and German in the Milwaukee Academy. Prof. Bishop accepted the chair of English in the University of Mississippi, and Prof. A. A. Kern was selected in his place. At the time of his election Prof. Kern was a graduate student of the Johns Hopkins University. During the session of 1905-06 a movement was organized to in- crease the endowment, and the movement has so far succeeded that the productive endowment is now near $200,000. Since the erection of the original main building. there have been added, an astronomical observatory, the gift of Dan A. James, the Webster Science Hall, and the Founder's Hall, these last being the gifts of Major Millsaps. In addition to the large dormitory, known as

247

MISSISSIPPI

Founder's Hall, there are ten smaller students' homes, and two fraternity halls. The college is situated in a most attractive part of Jackson, and its campus will soon be one of the most beautiful in the South. The College offers three courses leading to degrees, and its graduates have taken such high rank in the outer world that, though the youngest college in the State, it ranks second to none.

Millsaps, Reuben Webster, was born in Copiah County, Miss., May 30, 1833. He is a son of Reuben Millsaps and Lavinia Clowers, who were both Georgians by birth. Major Millsaps was educated at Hanover college and Asbury (now De Pauw) univer- sity, graduating in 1854. After returning to Mississippi he taught school for a few years and then entered the law department of Harvard university, from which he was graduated in 1858. . He began the practice of law in Pine Bluff, Ark., where he resided till the beginning of the war, when he joined Co. A, 9th Arkansas infantry. He was wounded once, and held the rank of major at the close of the war. He engaged in mercantile business in Mis- sissippi till 1880, when he removed to St. Louis, and remained there for four years. In 1884 he closed out his business in St. Louis, and, after spending a year in Europe, returned to Missis- sippi, and engaged in banking, first in Hazelhurst, and later in Jackson, where he now resides. He was president of the Capitol National bank, in Jackson, from 1888 to 1904, and is a stockholder and director in many of the banks of the State. He has given nearly $200,000 to Millsaps college (q. v.), and is interested in many philanthropic movements, in addition to the official posi- tions which he holds in the Methodist church. In 1869 he was married to Mrs. Mary F. Younkin, a daughter of Horace Bean, a banker of New Orleans.

Millview, a postoffice of Harrison county, on the Gulf & Ship Island R. R., 23 miles by rail north of Gulfport, and 1 mile south of McHenry Station, the nearest banking town.

Millville, a post-hamlet in the eastern part of Madison county, 18 miles from Canton, the county seat and nearest railroad and banking town. Population in 1900, 63.

Minden, a post-hamlet in the extreme southeastern part of Kemper county, on Wild Horse creek, about 18 miles from Dekalb, the county seat. It is 4 miles east of the main line of the Mobile & Ohio R. R. Population in 1900, 30.

Minerva, a postoffice of Montgomery county, 8 miles northeast of Winona, the county seat. The town is growing and has a population of 50.

Mingo, a postoffice of Tishomingo county, 12 miles south of Iuka, the county seat and nearest railroad and banking town.

Minieola, a post-hamlet of Kemper county, on Sucarnoochee creek, 5 miles north of Dekalb, the county seat.

Mining. See Clays, Cement, Fertilizers, Iron and Coal, Ochre.

Minor, Stephen, entitled in the Spanish documents, Don Estevan Minor, "was a native of Pennsylvania ; he first visited New Orleans

248

MISSISSIPPI

in 1780, to procure military stores for the American posts on the Ohio and Monongahela [the same errand on which Capt. James Willing came]. On his return, with a caravan of loaded mules, not far from the present post of Arkansas, his stores were plun- dered and his men all murdered; his own escape being due to a most fortuitous detention by sickness, a few hours behind his party. He afterwards repaired to New Orleans," where the American party was headed by Oliver Pollock and Daniel Clark, and joined in the expedition of Gen. Galvez against Mobile, Gal- vez' war being understood to be in sympathy with the American revolution. "His remarkable skill with the rifle, and his acts of gallantry, during the siege, attracted the notice and secured the favor of the general, by whom his position in the Spanish army was advanced." (Wailes, Historical Outline.) Minor was sent to Natchez in 1783, where he had the rank of captain in the Span- ish army, and the position of aide-major or adjutant of the mili- tary post. On the records his function appears, "ayudante del Fuerte Panmure de Natchez." Throughout the whole Spanish jurisdiction he was the subordinate officer to the governor, being in fact the American element in the government, and no doubt responsible for its adaptation to the customs and habits of the population. He was, of course, intimately associated with Miro and Gayoso, both of whom were promoted from the government of Natchez to the administration of Louisiana and West Florida.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Mississippi : comprising sketches of towns, events, institutions, and persons, arranged in cyclopedic form Vol. II, Part 28

Author: Rowland, Dunbar, 1864-1937, ed Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Atlanta, Southern Historical Publishing Association Number of Pages: 1032

Author: Rowland, Dunbar, 1864-1937, ed
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Atlanta, Southern Historical Publishing Association
Number of Pages: 1032