Newspaper articles, etc. of the Day

[thea_447]

CHARLESTON MERCURY, June 2, 1862, p. 1, c. 1
Chased by Ladies.--The following paragraph we clip from the army letter of the Mobile Tribune: "We were driving Sedgwick's infidels across Bank's Ford, when a Yankee officer was seen making his way through the streets of Fredericksburg, where we had no troops at the time, in order to gain the opposite side of the river. A number of ladies, standing on a porch at the time saw the runaway, and cried out "stop him, stop him," when a Miss Phillippa Barbour, a niece of Col. Phil Barbour, of Virginia, with a number of other ladies, gave chase, and ran the Yankee officer nearly down, who, convulsed with laughter at the sport, and the idea of being pursued by ladies, became nearly exhausted, and gave up on being hemmed in at the corner of a garden fence! The ladies took him prisoner, and locked him up in a room until our troops again entered the city.

[thea_447]

CHARLESTON MERCURY, June 5, 1863, p. 1, c. 1

War Upon Women and Children.

[From the Staunton (Va.) Spectator.


Brigadier General Roberts came into Weston week before last, after our forces under Gen. Imboden had passed through, and commenced a series of tyrannical acts alone worthy of abolition commanders.

They delivered copies of the annexed orders to numbers of families, some of whom have reached this point--having been sent through their lines as far as Kernestown, at which place they arrived at night, and were there left to take care of themselves. Sixty-three women and children were sent out with the lady who received the order from which we copy, and sixty-two who did not have natural protectors in the South, were at the same time started for Camp Chase. This treatment is hereafter to be dealt out to all Southern sympathisers [sic] who may be found in their lines.
What a valiant set of warriors, who, as long as our forces were in Western Virginia, kept aloof from danger, and after their departure charge into defenseless towns and wreak their vengeance upon helpless women and children!
Headq'rs Ind. Div'n Middle Depm't, }
Weston, N. W., Va, May 16, '63. }
General Order No. 63.
I. The Major General Commanding the Department has directed that all families within the lines of this army whose natural protectors have joined the rebellion against the United States, by taking up arms or going and remaining within the country occupied by the Confederate armies, be sent beyond our military lines.
II. All officers and military commanders, within the lines of the army, will see that these instructions are strictly carried out.
III. The humane policy of the Federal Government to give protection to families of rebels within our lines, on the observance of strict neutrality, has been so shamefully used as the means of treacherous and treasonable intercourse and information with the enemy, that its discontinuance has become a necessity.
By order of Brig. Gen. B. S. Roberts.
(Signed) Jas. McC. Bell,
Capt. and A. A. G. U.S.A.
(Official.) L. Markbeit, A. D. C. and P. M.

---

Hd Qrs. Ind. Div. Middle Dep't, }
Provost Marshal's Office. } Weston, W. Va., May 16th, 1863 }
Madam: I have the honor to inform you that yourself and the grown members of your family are hereby required to hold yourselves in readiness to proceed outside the Federal lines on Tuesday morning, May 19th, 1863.
The following regulations will be strictly observed:
I. No person will be permitted to take with him or her more than 60 lbs. of baggage.
II. No person will be allowed to take with him or her more than $1000 in United States funds, gold and silver included. No limit placed on Confederate scrip.
III. Persons who cannot provide themselves with transportation will be furnished such by the Government.
By order of Brig. Gen. B. S. Roberts.
L. Markbeit,
A.D.C. and Provost Marshal.

[hawglips]

Jefferson Davis to Franklin Pierce

Washington D.C. Jany. 20. 1861

My dear friend,

I have often and sadly turned my thoughts to you during the troublous times through which we have been passing and now I come to the hard task of announcing to you that the hour is at hand which closes my connection with the United States, for the independence and Union of which my Father bled and in the service of which I have sought to emulate the example he set for my guidance. Mississippi not as a matter of choice but of necessity has resolved to enter on the trial of secession. Those who have driven her to this alternative threaten to deprive her of the right to require that her government shall rest on the consent of the governed, to substitute foreign force for domestic support, to reduce a state to the condition from which the colony rose. In the attempt to avoid the issue which had been joined by the country, the present Administration has complicated and precipitated the question. Even now if the duty "to preserve the public property" was rationally regarded the probable collision at Charleston would be avoided. Security far better than any which the federal troops can give might be obtained in consideration of the little garrison of Fort Sumpter. If the disavowal of any purpose to coerce So. Ca. be sincere the possession of a work to command the harbor is worse than useless.

When Lincoln comes in he will have but to continue in the path of his predecessor to inaugurate a a civil war and, leave a soi disant democratic administration responsible for the fact. Genl. Cushing was here last week and when we parted it seemed like taking a last leave of a Brother.

I leave immediately for Missi. and know not what may devolve upon me after my return. Civil war has only horror for me, but whatever circumstances demand shall be met as a duty and I trust be so discharged that you will not be ashamed of our former connection or cease to be my friend.

I had hoped this summer to have had an opportunity to see you and Mrs. Pierce and to have shown to you our children. Mrs. Davis was sorely disappointed when we turned Southward without seeing you, I believe she wrote to Mrs. Pierce in explanation of the circumstances which prevented us from executing our cherished plan of a visit to you when we should leave West Point.

Mrs. Davis joins me in kindest remembrance to Mrs. Pierce and the expression of the hope that we may yet have you both at our country home. Do me the favor to write to me often, address Hurricane P.O. Warren County, Missi.

May God bless you is ever the prayer of your friend

Jeffn,, Davis

[hawglips]

Jefferson Davis to William Allen

Hurricane [Warren County] Mi[ssissippi]
25th March 1844

Dr. Sir

"The sick man knows the Physician's step", but I assure you that if breaking a long silence to ask a favor of you should expose me to the suspicion of remembering you only because of my trouble, the fact is nevertheless quite otherwise. I am one of the Presidential "Electors" for the State of Mississippi and though I do not doubt the democratic character of our people I fear false statements and false issues in the approaching canvass and expect the Whigs to make great exertions,

I wish you aid me with any statements which can be made available against the charge of defalcation and extravagance under Mr. Van Buren's administration--against the present Tariff as productive of Revenue--against the U.S. Bank--against the charge of improper removals of officers and if there be such statement the removals in the first year of the Harrison & Tyler's administration. Further I should be glad to have the evidence of Mr. Clay's refusal to divide the resolution of censure upon President Jackson for the removal of the deposites and the rule of the senate in relation to the division of questions--Secretary Taney's report on the removal of the deposites from the U.S. Bank--Secretary Poinsett's annual report recommending reorganization of the Militia and answer to call of the house on the same subject. Was not President V. Buren one of the first to point out the unconstitutionality of the military districts as projected in that answer? I had but cannot now find a speech of yours showing that the U.S. Bank loaned at a time which indicated the purpose, more money to members of Congress than the amount of their pay--can you send me a copy of that speech?

I have mingled but little in politics and as you perceive by this letter have an arsenal poorly supplied for a campaign. Labor is expected of me and I am willing to render it. I believe much depends on this presidential election, and that every man who loves the union and the constitution as it is should be active.

You will understand what I want or should want better than myself, so far as you can conveniently send such you will greatly oblige me; and any suggestions you may find leisure to make to me will be highly appreciated. Vy. Respectfly. and truly yours--

Jeffn. Davis

[thea_447]

MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [ATLANTA, GA], June 15, 1863, p. 1, c. 3

Arrival of Refugees.

From the Savannah News.]
We have announced before that Gen. Hunter, the Federal commander at Hilton Head, had ordered that all the citizens of St. Augustine who sympathized with the South, or who had relatives in the Confederate army, should be banished from that city. In pursuance of this barbarous order, on Tuesday, the 28th of May, the Federal steamer Boston was at the wharf at St. Augustine, prepared to receive the exiles. Some thirty or forty citizens, men, women, and children, were embarked on board the steamer, which proceeded on her voyage, the exiles being uniformed of their destination. Many supposed that they would be landed at Fernandina, but, upon their arrival there, they were informed that the order from General Hunter was peremptory for the steamer to proceed to Hilton Head. The steamers accordingly arrived at that port. The prisoners were not taken on shore, but were kept on board one week. They were then taken to Beaufort, and placed in a dwelling there, guarded by Federal troops. This, we learn, was done to protect them from the insults of the Federal troops, frequent complaints having been made by political prisoners of the ill treatment received by them at the hands of the Yankee officers and soldiers. From Beaufort they were conveyed in accommodation wagons to the Confederate lines, and by railroad a portion of them arrived in this city on Wednesday night by the Charleston train.
On their arrival within our lines, they separated in different directions, in search of relatives and friends, many of them being comparatively destitute, having been robbed of their property and driven from their homes with scant means.
We learn that the following are among those who have arrived in this city: The three Misses Buffington and brother, Mrs. Putnam, Mrs. Smith, Mr. Panotty, wife and daughter. Also, the mother of Gen. Kirby Smith, who is seventy-six years of age. Mr. Quincy, an old gentleman of eighty years of age, with his wife, two daughters and two sons, took the train for Charleston. Mr. Buffington was detained as a prisoner at Hilton Head. . . .

[thea_447]

MONTGOMERY WEEKLY ADVERTISER, October 1, 1862, p. 2, c. 6

The "Ragged Rebels."

The correspondents of Northern papers writing from the lines of the Yankee armies, make themselves very merry at the expense of the barefooted, ragged "rebels" whom they chance to see or hear of. The Yankee people are informed that the "rebels" are a set of half naked, filthy, hungry wretches, whom it seems almost a mercy to kill.—They are said to be hatless, shoeless, and coatless, and the arms they have are frequently of the poorest description. After enjoying a hearty laugh over the picture presented of the "rebel" soldiery, the correspondents change the scene and present to the view of their admiring countrymen a picture of the condition of the "Union" soldiers. This fortunate class of human beings are described as being fat and sleek, well clothed, well fed, and splendidly armed. In fact they have everything which it is desirable or possible for men in the service to have. We admit that there is some truth in what the correspondents say. There is no doubt that the Yankee soldiers are better clothed, better fed, and better armed than many of the Confederate soldiers, yet somehow the "rebels" very frequently succeed in defeating the sleek, well fed and well armed enemies, and in taking from them their arms and clothing. The Yankees may amuse themselves as much as they please at the ragged condition of our soldiers, but so long as victory perches on our [illegible] we can afford to let them laugh. The Yankees, however, should remember that the sleek and well fed British in the old revolution made sport of the barefooted and bareheaded rebels of that day, and it may not be amiss to remind them that those may laugh who win.

[thea_447]

MONTGOMERY WEEKLY ADVERTISER, October 8, 1862, p. 1, c. 3

Destitution in our Army.

Army correspondents and others, familiar with the condition of our army, represent some of our regiments as being in a desperate condition for clothes. In the late battle of Manassas, one hundred men of the 20th Georgia regiment, are said to have went [sic] into the action, and actually stormed a battery barefooted. A correspondent, who was an eye witness of the scene, says that the macadamized road over which our poor fellows charged, was profusely marked with the blood from bruised, bare feet of whole regiments. Only think of our soldiers going barefooted, charging over the flinty surface of a macadamized road, marking their course with their blood, while thousands of sleek speculators, who have been industriously buying up all the leather in the country, and creating other monopolies calculated to drive the destitute families of these poor barefooted soldiers to privation and want, are wearing their $20 calf skin boots and resting at night on the downy beds of ease! Is there no remedy for this monstrous evil? Must our soldiers continue to battle for our country's freedom half naked, while thousands of able-bodied young men are permitted to remain at home, it would seem, for the express purpose of oppressing their indigent families? Is ours a speculator's government or is it a government of the people? Why are vampires and blood-suckers protected in their infamous villainy, whilst those who stand a living wall between us and our5 enemies are permitted to go barefooted and their families allowed to suffer for the common necessaries of life?—Columbus Sun, 29th.

[thea_447]

MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [GRENADA, MS], June 12, 1862, p. 1, c. 4

The Fall of Shiloh Church.

No one who visits Pittsburg Landing has [fold in paper] pilgrimage to Shiloh Church, and few have returned without bearing home with them a piece of the church as a trophy.
Shiloh Church is now in ruins. Like the Southern Confederacy, its backbone was sometime since broken by the continual abstraction of portions of the building. The door frame had been cut away, and the logs had but little support. On last Thursday Capt. Shunk and Dr. Hamlen visited the church, and took lunch in it. After the doctor had vanished, and while Capt. Shunk was yet eating, the doctor approached the side of the house near the door, to speak to a man on the outside. A gun was leaning against the side of the house, one of the logs, as it afterward appeared, resting upon the point. While speaking, he involuntarily took hold of the gun, and finding it was held by the logs, gave it a sudden jerk, loosing it from the logs, when the whole building fell with a terrible crash. The doctor and Capt. Shunk, with rare presence of mind, jumped between the sleepers, where the lower floor had been removed, where they were buried, receiving a number of bruises. The noise of the falling building drew quickly a large crowd, who hastened to release the buried men from their prison. Dr. Hamlen bears home with him seven bruises, and Capt. Shunk, quite a number, including an ugly gash over his eye. We have seen clapboards and splinters of all sizes almost, carried away from this church. We shall now expect to see entire logs borne home by gatherers of relics.--Evansville Journal.

[thea_447]

MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [GRENADA, MS], June 12, 1862, p. 2, c. 6

Letter from a Lady.

Memphis, June 10, 1862.
Editor's Appeal: I send you some Yankee papers of the latest date, that are in this place. ... The Yankees thus far are on very good behavior. Col. Fitch, it is hoped, is not such a beast as Butler. So far as I can learn, not a scrap of a Federal flag has yet been hung out save by the invaders themselves, and not a single instance of a Memphian greeting the enemy cordially, if I may except that of my little three year old boy. Yesterday he was standing on the sidewalk and a squad of Yankees passed by him. The little rascal ran in among them and in the most cordial manner shouted at the top of his lungs, "Howdy, soldier! howdy, soldier! howdy, soldier!" shaking hands with half a dozen of them, who seemed delighted at such a warm demonstration of sympathy--the first they had met with since landing on our bluff. But while in the midst of his hand-shaking he screamed out: "Now go shoot the Yankees! go shoot all the Yankees! shoot the Yankees!" It was funny to see the change that came over their smiling faces; and the people on the sidewalks, who witnessed the scene, broke out into a big laugh. Our citizens are extremely anxious to get Southern papers, that we may have at least one grain of truth to rely on.

[thea_447]

CHARLESTON MERCURY, January 13, 1863, p. 1, c. 5

Woman and the War.

What a beautiful tribute to the women of the South was that paid by Bishop Elliott, in his recent sermon at Savannah. Said he:
"The attitude of woman is sublime. Bearing all the sacrifices of which I have just spoken, she is moreover called upon to suffer in her affections, to be wounded and smitten where she feels deepest and most enduringly. Man goes to the battlefield, but woman sends him there, even though her heart-strings tremble while she gives the farewell kiss and the farewell blessing. Man is supported by the necessity of movement, by the excitement of action, by the hope of honor, by the glory of conquest. Woman remains at home to suffer, to bear the cruel torture of suspense, to tremble when the battle has been fought and the news of the slaughter is flashing over the electric wire, to know that defeat will cover her with dishonor and her little ones with ruin, to learn that the husband she doted upon, the son whom she cherished in her bosom, and upon whom she never let the wind blow too rudely, the brother with whom she sported through all her happy days of childhood, the lover to whom her early vows were plighted, has died upon some distant battlefield, and lies there a mangled corpse, unknown and uncared for, never to be seen again, even in death! Oh! those fearful lists of the wounded and the dead! How carelessly we pass them over, unless our own loved ones happen to be linked with them in military association, and yet each name in that roll of slaughter, carries a fatal pang to some woman's heart--some noble, devoted woman's heart. But she bears it all, and bows submissively to the stroke. He died for the cause. He perished for his country. I would not have it otherwise, but I should like to have given the dying boy my blessing, the expiring husband my last kiss of affection, the bleeding lover the comfort of knowing that I kneeled beside him."