USA > Tennessee > The Annals of the Army of Tennessee and early western history, including a chronological summary of battles and engagements in the western armies of the Confederacy > Part 24
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Very respectfully, E. BARKSDALE.
Jackson, Miss., August 3, IS7S.
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EARLY WESTERN HISTORY.
ANDREW JACKSON AT A FOOT-RACE.
EATS of strength and agility were common pastimes among the early settlers, and wrestling and foot-racing, particularly, were in- dulged in on all public occasions. At Nashville, Sam. Donelson was the champion runner, and his friends would have backed him with their last cent. On one occasion, Billy Read, a shirt-sleeve boy from Bledsoe's Station, happened to be in town, and some one, knowing him to be fleet-footed, set about to make a race between him and Donelson. Donelson was eager for the contest, and Read consented, after much persuasion. The fact that a stranger was going to run against the champion, created quite a stir in the village, and quickly drew together a large crowd, Andrew Jackson among them. Odds were offered freely on Donelson, and Jackson was particularly noisy in his behalf, but there were no takers. Read said he felt a little chagrined that he had not a single backer, but this determined him to do his best, and beat his antagonist if possible. Both parties gave ex- hibitions of their agility on the way to the field, but public sentiment ran to the conviction that the champion was invincible. The distance ran was one hundred yards, and, at the finish, Read came out ahead of the champion fully thirty feet. There was never such a surprise. The revulsion in favor of Read was quick and overwhelming. Jack- son was the first to get to him, and, in the enthusiasm of his admira- tion, patted the little fellow on his bare back so hard that he had to twist out of his grasp and dodge him for some time in the crowd.
DEATH OF NATH. THOMAS.
N TATH. THOMAS was an elder brother of Josh. Thomas, who was the only white man killed at Nicajack. This family was noted for daring, and we have knowledge that three of its members
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fell victims to Indian warfare. The subject of this notice fell in a sin- gle combat in which no witness survived to tell the tale. He and Ed- mond Jennings were trapping on the Cumberland, near where Harts- ville now stands, and when Jennings returned to the camp one day, from a visit to his traps, he found Thomas killed and a dead Indian lying near him. There were evidences of a terrible struggle, and it was supposed that the Indian got the advantage of his antagonist at the outset by taking him unawares. He probably aimed to do the work with the tomahawk, so as not to alarm Jennings, who might, in turn, become a victim to his prowess. Both were men of great strength, and the combat must have been hand to hand, and fought with great desperation, to have made it fatal to each. Jennings was so much impressed by the scene which met his gaze as he approached the camp, that he became alarmed for his own safety, and hastily abandoned the spot. In about two months he returned to the place and buried his companion's bones at the foot of a beech tree near by. Years afterward, traps, supposed to have belonged to the unfortunate trappers, were plowed up in this locality, and, forty-seven years after the tragedy, Jennings, who happened to be in the vicinity, identified the tree at the foot of which Thomas was buried, although the face of the country had become greatly changed by cultivation.
ADVENTURES OF NAT. PARKER AND PETER FISHER.
S Nat. Parker and Peter Fisher were returning from the usual scout which regularly made the circuit of the stations on Bledsoe Creek, in Sumner co., Tenn., they concluded, on reaching the vicinity of Morgan's Station, to take down the creek and kill a deer. At cer- tain seasons of the year these animals congregated at the streams to feed upon the long moss which grew in great abundance under the water at that day. As Parker approached the bank of the creek, and was peering up and down in search of his game, he heard a rustle in an island midway the stream, and, on looking, he saw eight Indians rising to fire upon him. He instantly turned to run, but the bank gave way under his feet, and he was precipitated into the creek. He was scrambling back with might and main, under the stimulus of the
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Indian fire, when his rifle, which was a very fine piece and highly prized, slipped from his hand and slid down the bank. He was loth to part with its possession, or leave it a prize to the enemy. So he quit his vantage ground and tumbled back after it, which, in spite of every effort, eluded his grasp until it reached the bed of the creek. The Indian bullets made the locality extremely hot, but he secured his gun, and, after much effort, regained the level and made his escape without serious hurt. He and his comrade now ran toward the fort, avoiding the maiden cane and chewing their bullets, so as to load rap- idly without the use of patching. Parker was of a very irascible tem- perament, and swore so long and loudly over his adventure at the creek as he was running off, that the Indians themselves took the alarm and fled, leaving their blankets and peltries behind.
CORNWALLIS AND DEKALB.
R OBIN HOLMES, a Revolutionary soldier, whose bones now re- pose in Sumner co., Tenn., was taken prisoner at the Battle of Camden, S. C., or "Gates' Defeat," as the people of that day used to style it. He was present when the brave old soldier, Baron De- Kalb, was being borne from the field, bleeding from eleven wounds. He said that Lord Cornwallis was deeply touched at DeKalb's condi- tion, and he saw him ride up to the vehicle in which he had been placed and charge the driver particularly to "drive slowly over the pine roots," adding, "Poor Baron, he is desperately wounded."
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THE SOLDIERS' WAR - BAG.
Female Courage .- During the late war, scenes like the following were of not unusual occurrence in parts of the Southern States in possession of the Federal Army. It occurred in Lincoln co., Tenn., at the house of Andrew Buchanan, a man over seventy years of age, and one of the best citizens of the State. He owned a number of slaves, and was supposed to have a considerable sum of money concealed about the premises. His family consisted of himself, wife, sev- eral daughters, two of whom had husbands in the Southern Army, and a son who had served an honorable part in the Mexican War. The family had retired for the night, when the son heard a tap at his window and his name pronounced. He arose and opened the door without dressing, when he was seized by three soldiers, who dragged him out into the yard and demanded his money. Being a man of firmness, he refused to give it up or tell where it was buried. Thereupon a pair of buggy lines were put around his neck and thrown over a limb of a tree. to which he was hoisted in a trice. After a severe choking, he was lowered and again asked to give up his money, with threats of instant death in case of re- fusal. The hanging had produced no effect toward making him waver in his de- nial, but contrawise ; so he was again hauled up, but he managed, by getting his hands in the loop, to break the force of the squeeze. On being let down, he was as obstinate as ever, and his persecutors were preparing to swing him again, when, fearing that he might be murdered, he called, with all his might, for help. The family had been ignorant of his situation until they heard his cry of distress, when the two married sisters came immediately to his assistance, begging for their brother as only a woman can plead ; but they were repulsed with brutal in- sults. The ladies were then ordered to tell where the money was, and, to work on their fears, their brother was knocked down with pistols, and his head cov- ered with wounds, which bled freely. These efforts failing of effect, the soldiers renewed the attempt to hang their victim. Now ensued a struggle between two weak women and three strong men, which exhibited, in a striking degree, the power of courage and perseverance over brute force. The brother aided his sis- ters all he could in a passive way, but he was too badly wounded to render much assistance. It would take pages of description to tell all of the incidents crowded into that long hour of contention and agony. The two ladies would cling to two of the robbers, and so interfere with their movements that the other, by himself. was not able to elevate Buchanan, who was rather heavy. In this way, with brief intervals, the terrible struggle lasted for an hour. The victim was repeatedly beaten over the head with pistols, but he remained firm to the last. The robbers claimed to be rebels, but their brogue proclaimed the lie. Finally, Buchanan broke away and ran to the house of an old negro to whom the family were much attached. The latter had four grown sons, but they were too much cowed by the
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fierce demeanor and threats of the soldiers to make any attempt at a rescue. The old man made an effort to assist his master, but was knocked down three times be- fore he desisted. The case seemed hopeless, but one of the ladies noticing among the robbers some symptoms of alarm at the possible appearance of bushwhackers upon the scene, screamed, at the top of her voice, for help. Two of the scoun- drels instantly choked her down and dragged her to the house, where they left her with threats of instant death if she made any further outcry, but her ruse had its intended effect. The Federals took the alarm, and, after some further beating of Buchanan, who was defiant to the last, they hastily left the scene for their camp, which was at Fayetteville, about three miles off. As stated at the outset, occurrences of this nature were not uncommon during the war. There were few families within the Federal lines who escaped visitation and more or less rough usage, and that, too, at times, by the authority of those in power. The Lisses faire -- the allowance to commit such acts by officers, was fully as dis- graceful as the order to commit them
Prowling a Prisoner .- During Sherman's march through South Carolina, three of Wheeler's men, on riding up to a house, discovered a Yank standing in the door, who laid down his gun on being ordered to surrender. The three rebs dis- mounted at the fence simultaneously, and each made a race for the prisoner, in order to be first to get his pocket-book and other valuables; in other words, to prowl him. One grabbed his watch, another thrust his hands into his pockets, while the third seemed likely to miss his share of the booty altogether ; but, hap- pening to enter the hall, he got a richer prize in a knapsack and a fine cassimere blanket. The pocket-rifler obtained twenty-five cents as his share. The helpless prisoner submitted like a post to the spoiling of his property, having, probably, played the same game on some luckless reb or helpless citizen. The sight was ludicrous from a post bellum standpoint, but such reprisals were common on both sides, and are indulged in by soldiers of all nations. Yet the sight became still more ludicrous, when, on the way to camp, the rebs had the prisoner down in the road and were taking turns trying on his boots, which, however, proved too small for any of the party.
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THE ANNALS OF THE ARMY OF TENNESSEE seems to me to be a most appro- priate place to insert a compliment once paid the grand old Army of Tennessee by our late President, Jeff. Davis. It was this: Shortly after our victory at Chickamauga, President Davis visited our army. He was met at the depot by all the officials and hundreds of soldiers. Immediately after mounting his horse he was completely surrounded, and thousands of voices called on him for a speech. Raising his hat, he said : " Man never spoke as you did on the field of Chickamauga, and in your presence I dare not speak. Yours is the voice that will.win the independence of your country and strike terror to the heart of a ruthless foe. I hope to see you again." With this he waived an adieu and rode away amid the shouts of the assembled multitude. JAS. E. BEASLEY.
Memphis, Tenn.
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EDITORIAL.
SHILOH MONUMENTAL ASSOCIATION .- We give space to the letter of Ex-Pres- ident Davis, and hope its noble sentiments, applauding the action of the Shiloh meeting, will find a fitting response all over our Southern Land. The dead of Shiloh need no such commemoration to make their story live. A monument to them will honor the living who erect it, and testify to the " best instincts of our nature." " It is not their reward, but our debt :"
Ex-President Davis-Letter to the Confederate Monumental Association at Shiloh .-- Gentlemen :- Your letter of the 10th inst. was forwarded from Memphis, and re- ceived here after some consequent delay. I regret that it will not be practicable for me to be present at your proposed meeting on the 27th inst.
The object which you have in view, is most highly appreciated, and commends itself to me by every dictate of duty and feeling of gratitude. The eventful field of Shiloh must ever be memorable, and awaken in the hearts of Confederates mingled sentiments of pride and sorrow. The heroism of our soldiers, the suc- cess of their desperate assaults, the skill with which they were led by that noble gentleman and great general, Albert Sidney Johnston, must ever be reverted to by us with proud enthusiasm. Many accounts of those best informed lead us to the conclusion that victory was in the grasp of our army at the moment when the great leader fell. That the bones of the men who died there should lie bleaching on the field where, with their life-blood, they sealed their devotion to the country, is a reflection on all the best instincts of our nature. It has been to me a matter of surprise and regret that our countrymen have not sooner attempted to raise a monument to those who gave all of earth for us, and who could have looked forward to no other reward than securing to posterity the liberties to which we were born.
To the great general who fell while leading his troops to the last charge which was believed to be necessary to render the victory complete, far less than the hon- ors which were due to him, have, I think, thus far been accorded ; and no small honor should be awarded to you for being the first to commemorate his services by a monument on the battle-field which he and his brave comrades made illus- trious. Not for vain display, not for personal glory, but to achieve an essential object to which his personal leading would contribute, he gave his life a willing sacrifice. Those who know how he rejected the most flattering propositions from our enemy, and under what extraordinary difficulties he came to join our service. will little heed the idea that he became reckless of life under the goading of ig. norant and unjast criticism. A long and very intimate acquaintance with Gen- eral A. S. Johnston, in academic, garrison and campaign associations, enables me to form a confident opinion as to the motives which would govern him in any case, and which influenced him in the last act of his life.
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Of calm judgement, concentrated will and iron nerve, he was as little likely os any man I have ever known to be influenced by popular clamor. When he would not effectively resist, he retreated, watchful of an opportunity to assume the defensive. When he saw a prospect of beating 'one of the armies of the enemy before the other could join it, he promptly availed himself of the occa- sion thus offered. When he saw the key of battle obstinately held, and felt that to seize it was to insure success, he rode forward under the high inspiration of duty, regardless of personal consequences. When he received the wound which proved fatal, he reckoned not of it, for his thoughts were of his troops, of the defenseless people he was striving to protect, of the cause to which he was de- voted, and thus he neglected himself, the only neglect that justice can ever lay at the door of that man, as great as he was good, and as good as he was great. In looking back to form an estimate of the consequences had he achieved a com- plete victory at Shiloh, who shall say he overrated the value of the issue therein involved ?
I trust that your labors will be successful, and that your monument will be worthy of the heroic dead who died for us, and that it will fitly commemorate their patriotism and their valor.
Upon the monument to be raised, future generations may read the names of some fallen braves whose last resting place no tomb-stone marks, and remote pos- terity may draw inspiration from the fact of consanguinity to those whose mem- ory you perpetuate.
Your work is not like that of one performed by a government, doing honor to its professional soldiery, but it is that of citizens manifesting respect to brothers who left the walks of civil life to defend their common homes and altars. Every profession, trade and pursuit in our land was represented in that army for de- . fense, and all are called upon to unite in your work with the sympathy of countrymen and the especial feeling for their own order also.
Be assured, gentlemen, of my earnest co-operation with you, as well in the manner you indicate as in any other in which I may hope efficiently to serve you.
Again, regretting my inability to be present at your meeting as invited, believe me to be, with grateful acknowledgement of your kind consideration,
Yours, faithfully, JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Beauvoir, Miss., June 21, 1873.
THE Southern Historical Society Papers " touches elbows" with the ANNALS in the following kindly notice. We repeat our sentiments of appreciation of the value and high character of the "Southern Historical Society Papers." The An- nals will always endeavor not only to "touch elbows" with our co-worker, but to "guide right" in promoting, in every way, the work of our Society : "An- nals of the Army of Tennessee and Early Western History. Dr. E. L. Drake, Editor, Nashville, Tennessee. We noticed, several months ago, the prospectus of this new candidate for public favor, which was started in April last. We have since received the numbers for April, May, June and July, and take great pleas- ure in saying that the monthly fully sustains its promise of interest and value. It
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proceeds upon the correct theory of allowing the men who made the history te !! the story, and is producing some articles of deep interest and great historic value. We cordially welcome the ANNALS as a valuable co-worker in the cause of his- toric truth, and shall feel it a privilege to " touch elbows" with it in our assau !:. upon the bulwarks of error. We shall preserve its numbers, have the volume: bound, and place them upon our shelves as valuable material for the future his- torian. We trust that friends of historic truth everywhere will give Dr. Drake warm sympathy and hearty support."
CORRECTION .- We have received a note from Mr. Chas. Johnston, of Virginia, calling attention to an omission of the word "only" in his article, "Attack on Fort Gilmer," as printed in The Southern Historical Society Papers. The text should read, " With great respect to yourself, not only on account of your career in the army," &c. The omission of the word "only" entirely perverts his meaning.
WE have received from General Marcus J. Wright a circular letter, announcing his appointment, by the government, as agent to collect the materials of Confed- erate History. As he states, all manuscripts which come into his possession will be published by the government at its expense. This is a laudable effort, evinc. ing a most commendable spirit. The history of the two parties to the late con- test is so interwoven that all of the facts on both sides are necessary for a proper understanding of the subject. When all of these facts are gathered and collated, . there will arise from their investigation one other great fact, namely : that the American soldier is the hardest fighter in the world, and that the Confederate soldier, in our opinion, as a type of courage, endurance and spirit, will be found to stand unrivalled in modern history. France, with her thirty-six millions of in- habitants, and wealth and means at her command, succumbed, in a six months' campaign, to a few hundred thousand German soldiers. However, it must not be forgotten, in making this contrast, that the impelling causes, in each instance, were widely different, and that a soldier's arm is nerved in proportion to the im- pulses and purposes that animate his heart. This offer, on the part of the gov. ernment, seems to be made in a laudable spirit, and as such we would commend it to the favorable consideration of our people.
THE Second Tennessee Confederate Infantry Regiment (Bate's) will hold its Annual Reunion on Saturday, September 7, 1878, at Madison Station, in David- son county, on the Louisville and Nashville and St. Louis and Southeastern Rail- roads, eight miles North-east of Nashville. There will be a grand barbecue, music, and other comforts, to make the occasion enjoyable. The friends of the members and their fellow-soldiers are invited.
TERMS .- In localities where we have no special contract with Agents, we will furnish an extra copy of the ANNALS one year, gratis, to any one who will get up a club of ten. Where persons will form a club of more than ten, we will allow them a copy at $1.So per annum. The name, post-office, county and State must be written plainly. Payment must accompany each list. Single copies, Two Do !- lars per annum. Address Dr. E. L. Drake, Editor, Fayetteville, Tenn., or A. D. Haynes, Publisher, Nashville, Tenn.
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ANNALS ARMY OF TENNESSEE EARLY WESTERN HISTORY.
VOL. I. & NASHVILLE, TENN., SEPTEMBER, 1878. ¿ No. 6.
GENERAL PATRICK R. CLEBURNE.
W E remember once, during the war, to have been one of a group, by chance, at the quarters of Major James Lanford, who was, at that time, Commissary of Cleburne's old Brigade. The conversation turned, by some means, on the subject of General Cleburne's career as a soldier, which some one observed had not been marred by a sin- gle false step, and had recently been further signalized by his brilliant and successful defense of Ringold Gap or Taylor's Ridge. To this Major Lanford replied that General Cleburne was a man of peculiar mould-so recognized by his most intimate friends, even before the war, when, as a lawyer of no great promise, he had his lot with the people of Helena, Arkansas. He had peculiarities aside from those pertaining to the foreigner, and so apparent on his arrival in this country ; and the Major related a number of anecdotes illustrative of traits of character which lay at the foundation of his fame as a soldier. He was much like Stonewall Jackson, in many respects, as will appear in the course of this recital.
We do not mean, in saying that he was peculiar, that he had oddi- ties of manner or conceit, which partook, in the least, of drollery or a conscious exhibition, whether portrayed in voice or port. He was always grave, reticent, solitary, wrapped in himself; seemingly se- riously engaged in thought at all times and pre-occupied. No one, by the remotest indirection, could accuse Cleburne's face of shamming. When on duty, he always meant business, and showed it in a square, penetrating look of the eyes that gave emphasis to his utterances. In .ordinary intercourse with his inferiors in rank, he rarely vouchsafed them a glance, though his manner had in it not the least smack of su-
VOL. I, NO. VI .- I.
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perciliousness ; and, unless on a subject in which he was much inter- ested, conversation was apt to be a drag to both parties. His face wore continually the placard, " No liberties allowed here," and he must have been a fool, indeed, who failed to observe it. The truth of this last remark found exceptions only on occasions having a deep gen .- eral interest, leveling in their tendencies, as, for instance : In March, 1864, he led two of his brigades in a snow-ball battle against the rest of his division, but, finding that his opponents yielded too readily to his onslaught, he deserted his proper side and threw himself at the head of the beaten party until the battle was restored to something like equal chances, when he withdrew to one side as spectator. Again, on the field of real battle his manner relaxed into a sort of bon hommie which his soldiers were quick to observe and regard as ap- probation ; for be it said that Old Pat had less cause to find fault with the conduct of his men on these occasions than he did in the daily routine of camp duties. At the Battle of Perryville he addressed the Second Tennessee skirmishers as "boys," but it was in admiration of a manful defense they were making in an exposed position on his left · flank which was seriously threatened at the time by a heavy force of the enemy. We remember hearing these "boys" repeat the express- ion after the battle with a good deal of unction. Cleburne was always harder on an officer than a "man." We recall having been "lifted out of our boots" by him on the drill-field several times, but always had the consolation of plenty of the same luckless company. Cap- tains of companies believed that he had a special spite at them, and were generally credited with the authorship of any faux pas which marred the precision of a movement. Many will recall, at this sug- gestion, Old Pat's excited gallop to the scene of confusion, and his "As you were," uttered in a tone of deep disgust. On the drill-field! he was a veritable pedagogue. But it is a remarkable feature of his character that he inflicted, probably, less punishment than any com- mander in the army. He had few of the appliances of discipline, and. consequently, few spectacles of penal degradation. His anger rarely went farther than reproof on the spot, and was never vindictive or vengeful. I never heard of a clearly established case of wanton in- justice on the part of General Cleburne. He stickled for obedience. and, when this was rendered, that was the end of the case as far as he was concerned. Yet, he had the reputation of being a harsh disch - linarian ; but it is evident, from the above statement, that he used his
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