USA > Tennessee > History of Tennessee, from its earliest discoveries and settlements to the end of the year 1894 > Part 9
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THE CIVIL, WAR.
Stephen A. Douglas, eleven thousand three hundred and fifty; Abraham Lincoln, none. In view of these divisions, the Repub- lican party sprang from infancy into a gigantic party, and elected its ticket by an overwhelming majority. Only one issue was before the people in the campaign. that of slavery, and Lincoln's election was purely sectional. When the result was ascertained. . the forebodings showed fated war.
5. The election of the Republican ticket was not a surprise, but it disgusted the Southern leaders. The South loved the Union, for it was formulated by their forefathers, who always referred to the compact with pleasing interest. The Constitution was the supreme law of the land, and was always supported in the South. Believing their interests imperiled, the Southern people began to look around for a remedy.
6. The Legislature, on May 9, 1861, confirmed a list of generals of various ranks. preparatory to the forthcoming contest. Al! this while East Tennessee, aided by Brownlow, the Whig, and Johnson, the Democrat, made a united effort to remain loyal to the U'nion. Nowhere has the light of devotion to human freedom burned more luminously than in the mountains of East Ten- nessee. The vigorous Scotch settlers of that historic section carried with them the same detestation of slavery and reverence for the rights of man that distinguished their ancestors in the highlands beyond the sea.
7. A very large part of the people of East Tennessee remained loyal to the Union throughout the civil war, and sent many soldiers to the Federal army. They were fighting men, these hardy mountaineers, and they never learned what it was to Le decisively and enduringly beaten.
8. A Union Convention met at Knoxville on May 30, 1861. and memorialized the Legislature to remain loyal, but this convention was powerless to effect the desired object. It elected T. A. R. Nelson, President, and John M. Fleming. Secretary. It passed resolutions urging the formation of a new State, and declaring
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its fealty to the Union, after which it adjourned to meet at Greenville, June 17, 1861, but its plan never materialized.
9. Governor Harris issued his formal proclamation, June 24, 1861. dissolving the tie that had hitherto bound Tennessee to the United States of America, and, on August , an election was held to elect Representatives to the Confederate Congress. Little of importance occurred this year in the civil history of this State. To a limited extent battles will be noticed outside the State of Tennessee.
Io. On July 21, the main armies of the North and South met in battle array on the plains of Manassas in Virginia. The signal defeat, the total rout, and the wild, disorderly flight of the Union forces back towards Washington, wasthe result. Thisnews electrified the country. Neither side could honorably recede or compromise now. The North, humiliated with defeat, inust retrieve her honor and her fortune; the South, elated with vic- tory, would listen to nothing but a severance of the Union, which the North would never admit. The sympathizers of either side in Tennessee began to flock to the faction which they hoped would succeed. It was in the battle of Manassas that General T. J. Jackson received the famous appellation, "Stonewall." given by General Bee, who was rallying his men for a desperate charge. "Look at General Jackson! He is standing like a stone wall."
II. A large number of arms and prisoners were cap- tured in this battle, the result of which was to establish the Confederacy more strongly than ever in public confidence. The Confederates lost two thousand men, the Federals three thous- and. Many Tennessee troops were engaged in this battle, bear- ing themselves while exposed to the deadliest fire of the Federalists with unflinching courage.
12. Kentucky tried to remain neutral, but neutrality was impossible in a State centrally located, and a force soon overran it and a plan was materialized to augment the Union army
THE CIVIL WAR.
and organize its forces. A large Confederate force under General Polk occupied and fortified Hickman and Columbus, Ky .. 011 September 3. 1861. Two days later, the Federal army in force occupied Paducah and other points in Kentucky. On November 6, General Grant, with a land and naval force, left Cairo to attack General Pillow. A severe battle ensued at Belmont. Missouri, nearly opposite Columbus, resulting in a repulse of the Federal forces with a loss of one thousand men killed. wounded or taken prisoners. The Confederates lost six hundred and forty.
13. Tennessee was the battle ground for both armies. Upon its soil were fought four hundred and eight battles and skirmishes, many of which figured conspicuously and were keenly contested. General A. S. Johnson had headquarters at Bowling Green, and sent out detachments of troops to the fortified points of Hopkinsville, Forts Donelson and Henry, and Colum- bus, on the west, and Cumberland Ford on the east. General Buell was in chief command of the Federal army, now increased to seventy-five thousand men, and menacing the Southern army at every point. Both sides were busy in recruiting men and in supplying arms and munitions of war.
14. The distresses and horrors of war were now widespread over the land. Families were divided in feelings and sentiment. Very often the father enlisted on one side, his sons on the other. The closest ties and social influences seemed powerless to hold some families together. Under military rule, which heeded not civil or moral law, all the furies of malice, revenge, hatred and violence were let loose upon our State. The klu-klux and guerrillas did much lawlessner.
15. The battle of Mill Springs occurred January 19. 1862, and was a severe blow to the Southern army. In September, 1861. General Johnston had sent Zollicoffer through Cumberland Gap into Kentucky. After many skirmishes. Zollicoffer fell back to Mill Springs, on the Cumberland, and thence crossed the river
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to Beech Grove, which he fortified. At this place he was me by General Thomas. In the march to meet Thomas he wa- repulsed. It was in this battle that General Zollicoffer, second in command of the Confederate forces, was killed by a pistol -hot fired by Colonel Speed S. Fry. The Federals being heavily re- enforced, the Confederates were defeated and driven back. retreating into Tennessee. The killed and wounded on each side were over three hundred. This left General Johnston with- out support on his right from Bowling Green to Cumberland Gap. Now an invasion of Tennessee from this quarter was open to the Federal army under General G. H. Thomas, who had about four thousand men. . The Confederate commander, General G. B. Crittenden, had about the same number.
16. Forts Henry and Donelson were strong Confederate posi- tions, and were within twelve miles of each other. The former was on the Tennessee River, the latter on the Cumberland, just below Dover. FORT DONELSON The Union gun-boats under Foote moved up the Tennessee, and after an hour's engagement, on February 6, 1862, captured Fort Henry. In the meantime, many of the Confederate troops had been transferred to Fort Donelson. General Grant then moved up the Cumberland, and in conjunc- tion with the gun-boats. on February 12, invested Fort Donelson. The first day's fighting was desperate and after three days, General Buck- ner surrendered. It was at this place that Grant obtained hisfirst distinction. John B. Floyd, of Virginia, was in command. but Buckner, of Kentucky, Pillow, of Tennessee, who brought ten thousand men from Nashville, February 9, and N. B. Forrest. were present. The fort was completely surrounded by the Fed-
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erals, making the escape of many impossible. Forrest, Pillow and Floyd escaped. leaving Buckner in command, who soon surrendered.
17. Nashville now lay open to the approach of the Federal army by land and river, and over one hundred and twenty-six pieces of artillery were moved southward by General Buell. On February 25, 1862. the Federals entered Nashville. Bowling Green had been evacuated on the 14th, and the stronghold of Columbus was abandoned by General Polk, at the advance of the victors. General Johnston, in retreat through the mid-winter storms of wind and ice, passed through Nashville in advance of the Fed- erals, and thence to Murfreesboro, where General Crittenden's forces joined him. The two armies moved southward to meet soon on the plains of Shiloh.
IS. The battle of Shiloh, or Pittsburg Landing, was a very important one. After the Federal troops captured Nashville, and after the retreat of the Confederates, the Federals concentrated their forces at Savannah, on the Tennessee, and the Confederates at Corinth, Mississippi. The Federals, in March, 1862, drove away a Confederate battery which had been stationed at Pitts- burg Landing. On March 24, Johuston arrived at Corinth from Murfreesboro, General Buell was on the way from Nashville, and Johnston was anxious to attack Graut before Buell's arrival. From Corinth he marched towards Pittsburg Landing.
19. Sunday, April 6, 1862, the opposing armies met at Shiloh, a short distance from Pittsburg Landing. When night came the Confederates had the advantage, but they had lost General John- ston in the battle. General Beauregard commanded the Con- federates the next day, who were defeated and fell back to Corinth, where they were re-enforced. Finding the Federals too strong, on April 30, they evacuated Corinth. Fort Pillow was abandoned, June 1. Commander Davis moved the Federal fleet, consisting of nine gun-boats, four of which were rams com- inanded by Colonel Charles Ellett, Jr., down the Mississippi.
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and in a fight in front of Memphis, on June 9, destroyed the Confederate fleet and captured the city. The Confederate loss in the battle at Shiloh was eleven thous- and, the Federal loss fourteen thousand. The arrival of Buell saved the Army of Tennessee from utter rout. Johnston's death was disastrous to the Confederate success in the West.
20. On March 6, 1852. President Lin- coln issued a proposal "that the United States ought to co-operate with any State which may adopt a gradual abolishment of slavery, giving to such State money to be used to pay for losses or injuries from such change of systems." No one in Tennessee would accept money for PRES. LINCOLN, U. S. A. slaves freed, at that time, owing to a feeling of pride, princi- ple or other motive. The slaves of Tennessee were valued at many millions of dollars, the loss of which necessarily involved the slave-holders, and from which it took many years to re- cover.
21. Island Number Ten was surrendered on the same day that Corinth was evacuated, and the Confederates lost their strongest fortification in the Mississippi River. For twenty-four days the garrison had withstood a severe bombardment. Fort Pillow was evacuated, and Memphis, having no protection, was easily cap- tured by the Federals. This gave the latter control of the Mis- sissippi River from Vicksburg north.
22. The two armies were now on the defensive. After the fall of New Orleans, the armies decided to again invade Kentucky and Tennessee. At Corinth. the Confederate army was in com- mand of General Bragg, supported by Generals Polk, Hardce. Breckinridge, and Price. The Union army was in command of General Buell, aided by Generals Grant, Thomas, Sherman
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Pope, Sheridan, and Rosecrans. On May 29, when Buell's are approached, the Confederates withdrew to Tupelo, and the Uit army occupied Corinth. Both armies tr. divided their forces. Buell and Thom. entered Tennessee, going to the northeast while Bragg with a force pursued him. B then conceived the idea of threatening Kc: tucky to relieve Tennessee.
23. At Murfreesboro, two battles Wer- fought between Rosecrans, who succeed. Buell, and Bragg. On December ar. 0: right wing of the Union army was shattered: and the whole army almost defeated. I :: PRES. DAVIS, C.S.A. the night. Rosecrans rallied his men and was ready for battle New Year's day. br 110 engagement then occurred. On January 2, Bragg made :" heroic charge, which was met with dogged resistance, but he withdrew in good order. Generals Breckinridge and Sheridan were especially distinguished in these battles.
QUESTIONS .- 1. What did the Charleston Convention da 2. What was its object? Did it succeed? 3. What of the Rich mond Convention? 4. What of the Republicans? Who were elected ? 3. What of the South and the Constitution? 6. G ... the substance of this section. 7. What of East Tennessee: 8. What was the object of the Union Convention? 9. What: Governor Harris do? IO. Describe the battle of Mana. rt. Give its results. 12. What did Kentucky endeavor to d' Why? 13. What of battles in Tennessee? If. Give the sil- stance of this section. 15. What of the battle of Mill Spring- 16. Give the substance of this section. 17. What of the armie- now? 18. What can you say of the battle of Shiloh or Pitt- burg Landing? 19. Whom did the Confederates lose? WER of Charles Ellett, Jr. 20. What of President Lincoln's posal? 21. When did Island Number Ten surrender? When is it? 22. What of the two armies? Who were in co ninand . 23. Describe the battles at Murfreesboro.
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THE CIVIL WAR.
CHAPTER XXII.
THE CIVIL WAR --- CONTINUED.
1. February 22. 1862, General Grant put West Tennessee under martial law. When Governor Harris heard of the capture Fort Donelson, he convened the Legislature in extra session : Nashville, whence it adjourned to Memphis. The civil and military authority were merged and, on March 3. Andrew John- von was commissioned Military Governor and took charge on March 12. He requested the city officials at Nashville to take in oath of allegiance, which they refused to do, and he deposed them. He was untiring in his efforts to restore Tennessee to the Union. Johnson required the rich citizens of Nashville to con- tribute aid for the support of the poor.
2. General Buell, after the capture of Nashville, in February. :862, tried to seize and hold Middle and East Tennessee. He vent General Mitchel to hold the territory between Chattanooga ind Huntsville, Alabama. By well executed plans, G. W. Morgan obtained possession of Cumberland Gap. When the Confederates evacuated Corinth, Beauregard was superseded by Bragg. who aimed to reach Chattanooga and re-organize his mien. Buell, then at Nashville, decided to seize Chattanooga. The Confederates reached that city first, in June. In July. For- rest, with about two thousand men, left Chattanooga, and, on july 13, was at Murfreesboro. Unsuccessful skirmishes ensued. and his officers advised him to retreat, but by shrewd military tactics he captured one thousand and seven hundred Federals. and stores and supplies worth about one million dollars Soon a large body of Federals approached. and he retreated to Mc- Minnville, and then by circuitous marches joined Bragg at Chat- tinooga. Buell now collected his forces at Murfreesboro, and after Bragg invaded Kentucky, Buell met and defeated him at
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THE HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
Perryville. Bragg returned to Tennessee, and Rosecrans sups seded Buell.
3. Bragg gathered his forces at Murfreesboro. Rosecrans wi. now at Nashville and decided to attack Bragg at once. O. December 26, 1862, he advanced on Bragg, who moved out o: Murfreesboro to the bank of Stone's River. The armies met December 31 and the Confederates were successful in the fir -. conflict. but ultimately they were overpowered and repulse !. The battle of Stone's River lasted two days. Bragg retreated to Shelbyville and Tullahoma for headquarters, which places he fortified. Subsequently, near Thompson's Station, Forrest cap- tured Coburn and his force of over two thousand men.
4. Bragg was still at Shelbyville and Tullahoma, when, on June 23 1863. Rosecrans moved from Nashville to attack him. On June 27. after a few skirmishes. Manchester was taken by the Federals. Bragg made a successful retreat to Chattanooga. Rosecrans drove Bragg out of the territory, and a bloodless vic- tory was the result. It gave the Federals control of Middle Tennessee. At Stevenson, Alabama. Rosecrans collected sup- plies and forces to attack Bragg at Chattanooga, which com- manded the means of approach from the north to the southwest.
5. Buckner was at Knoxville. but Burnside forced him to retreat to Loudon, thence by way of Charleston to Chattanooga. Opposite Chattanooga. on the bank of the Tennessee, August 20. appeared several Union batteries, which surprised Bragg, who at once evacuated Chattanooga to escape from being surrounded. and withdrew to Lafayette, Georgia. Rosecrans left Nashville, August 16, and after having crossed the Tennessee, entered Chattanooga on September 9, but both armies were preparing for the final possession of that city. Lafayette was about twenty miles from Chattanooga. Rosecrans concentrated his forces in the Chickamauga Valley, about half-way between the two towns. Meantime, Bragg was re-enforced by troops from Virginia and Mississippi.
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THE CIVIL WAR.
6. The battle of Chickamauga began September IS and lasted until the zist. At first the Confederates were successful, and Rosecrans iell back to Chattanooga in confusion. The Federal retreat to Chattanooga gave them a better prospect of holding it. Bragg had lost many men, but he moved upon the city and almost surrounded it. On October 16. Thomas succeeded Rose- Frans. The siege of the city lasted until November i, when communication was restored by way of Kelly's Ferry. In the meantime. Bragg had fortified his positions on Lookout Moun- tain and Missionary Ridge.
BATTLE OF LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN.
7. Grant came from Mississippi to lead the Federals in these battles. On November 23, he forced Bragg from his positions. and now Chattanooga was completely in the possession of the Federals. After the battle at Chickamauga. Bragg sent Long- Street into Hast Tennessee to oppose Burnside at Knoxville. where the Federals were quiet until Sherman could relieve theni. Longstreet attacked him but was repulsed. When Sherman approached. Longstreet went to Morristown, where he wintered.
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THE HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
In the Spring he joined Lee in Virginia. Bragg's army retreated into Georgia, where Joseph E. Johnson superseded him, and Johnson. just before the battle of Atlanta, was superseded by Hood.
8. In September. 1864, Atlanta was taken, after which the Confederates determined to again invade Tennessee. Forrest came to Middle Tennessee and captured a body of Federal troops at Pulaski but was compelled to retreat across the Tennessee into Alabama. He soon made a raid through West Tennessee. Hood returned to Tennessee and, November 21, entered Middle Tennessee for the purpose of capturing Columbia. Finding that Schofield was occupying it, he marched around that town towards Franklin. On November 30, the battle of Franklin was fought, which was perhaps the bloodiest of all the engage- ments that occurred in the State. The Federals had taken and partially fortified it before Hood arrived. A hard fought battle ensued, after which the Federals withdrew, but the Confederates were badly disabled. General Pat Cleburne was killed in this fight.
9. From Franklin, Hood went to Nashville, which city the Federals had so strongly fortified that the Confederates had little hope of capturing it. General Bate was sent to destroy the rail- road between Nashville and Murfreesboro. Skirmishes ensued. General Bate joined Forrest and they attacked Murfreesboro, but were repulsed. General Bate then joined Hood, and Forrest was east of Nashville waging a campaign. Hood was defeated and withdrew into Mississippi. Now the Confederacy was split in twain, defeat after defeat followed, until at Appomattox Court House in Virginia, April 9. 1865, Lee surrendered, and this great war was over. The Army of Tennessee, Confederate States of America, under Joseph E. Johnson, surrendered at Greens- boro. North Carolina. April 26. 1865; the cavalry force of Lieutenant-General N. B. Forrest, under General Dick Taylor. surrendered at Meridian. Mississippi, May 4. and General E. Kirby Smith surrendered, May 26.
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10. Tennessee furnished the following officers to the Conied- erate army: Lieutenant-Generals -- N. B. Forrest and A. P. Stewart. Major-Generals -- W. B. Bate, John C. Brown. B. F. Cheatham, W. Y. C. Humes. B. R. Johnson. J. P. McCowan. and C. C. Wilcox. Brigadier-Generals-John Adams. S. R. Anderson, Frank Armstrong, T. B. Bell, A. W. Campbell. W. H. Carroll. J. E. Carter, H. B. Davidson, W. G. M. Davis. G. G. Dibrell. D. S. Donelson. R. C. Foster. C. W. Frazier. G. W. Gordon, Robert Hatton. A. E. Jackson, W. H. Jackson. William McComb. George Maney. J. B. Palmer, G. J. Pillow. L. E. Polk. W. A. Quarles, J. E. Raines, Preston Smith, T. B. Smith. O. F. Strahl, James Starnes, John C. Vaughan, A. J. Vaughan. M. J. Wright, and F. K. Zollicoffer. Federal officers: S. P. Carter. J. A. Cooper. A. C. Gillem, W. B. Campbell. Andrew Johnson, James Spears, J. P. Brownlow, George Spauld- ing, and W. J. Smith.
II. Tennessee furnished eighty-six regiments of intantry. seventeen regiments of cavalry, twenty-seven battalions of cavalry. four partisan companies, and twenty battalions of artil- lery. a total of one hundred and six thousand men. In addition to this, it furnished to the Union army thirty-one thousand and ninety-two white men, and a number of negro regiments. The total number of Union troops in the war was two million eight hundred and fifty-nine thousand one hundred and thirty-two. At no time did the Confederate army exceed six hundred thous- and men.
12. A convention at Nashville, January 9, 1865, adopted amendments to the Constitution abolishing slavery and repuli- ating the debt of the State contracted in aid of the rebellion. These amendments were ratified, February 22, by a vote of the people of twenty-five thousand two hundred and ninety-three for "it, and forty-eightagainst it.
QUESTIONS. - 1. What did Grant do? Harris? Johnson? Result? 3. What did Bragg do?
2. What did Buell attempt?
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Rosecrans? Result? 4. Where was Bragg? Rosecrans? 'The met where? 5. Where was Buckner? What of Bragg and Rose crans? 6. When was the battle of Chickamauga fought? Re- sult? 7. What of Grant and Bragg? Burnside? John-Da: 8. When was Atlanta taken? What did the Confederates deter mine? 9. What did the Confederates think about Nashville: Why. IO. Name a few Confederate officers. Union och- cers. 11. What did Tennessee furnish to the armies? 12. What amendments were made to the Constitution?
CHAPTER XXIII.
RECONSTRUCTION.
1. History as a science can deal worthily only with that which has been removed by the lapse of time, and the sweep of events. from the influence of personal prejudice, partisan considerations. and the biased judgment which come from the wrangling and jarring conflicts of political life.
2. Those who have figured in scenes which are passed upww by the historian, and who still live in the activity of the present are similar to those of whom Virgil sings. They wander restlessty upon the banks of the river Styx. unable to cross until thei. bodies have received the last rites of sepulture in the earth above.
3. After the war closed. it found Tennessee in a deplorable condition. East Tennessee did, as it considered. it- whole duty to the Union. Middle and West Tennessee did their duty. a they thought, to the Confederacy. It was a difference of home- opinion as to what was the best to be done in the premises.
4. Tennessee furnished over one hundred thousand men to the Confederacy, and over thirty thousand, exclusive of negroes. to the Union. War was over, and now the breach must !s Healed. In property she had lost enormously. and had incurred
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RECONSTRUCTION.
an immense debt: business was paralyzed, and the people were despondent over the depreciation of the value of their lands.
5. The Tennesseeans fought bravely and patiently for victory. but defeat, crushing, humiliating defeat, came, and yet no peu- ple ever went more bravely to work to rebuild their fortunes and to repair the ruin of war. Peace was declared, but it was not the peace that a generous foe should give to a thoroughly con- quered enemy. Adventurers, "carpet-baggers, " and malignant men, came in droves, and by their meanness and petty exactions made the situation infinitely worse. Instead of trying to culti- vate good will, and to restore the confidence of the people in the United States Government, the very opposite was sought, and bitterness and hatred on both sides were the results. The people were so galled and oppressed by these tyrants that the "Recon- struction" period is regarded with almost as much horror as the war itself.
6. Congress passed Reconstruction Acts for the Confederate States. These States were under martial law, and occupied by the military forces of the United States Government. Provisional Governors were appointed in each of the Southern States with instructions for the assembling of conventions composed of per- sons loyal to the United States Government, whose duty it should be to alter and amend the Constitutions of the several States.
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