4th Alabama
Private
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2016
- Location
- Oregon
The newly formed 4th Alabama Infantry Regiment was making their way from Dalton, Ga. to Lynchburg Va. to be inducted into the Confederate Army of Virginia. By Kim Christensen
May 2, 1861. Thursday- Election Day. [Dalton Ga.]
Captain Lindsay and the "Larkinsville Guards" from Jackson County arrived on the early morning train and came on into camp. Candidates and their campaigners conspicuously mingled with the newcomers for some last minute electioneering.
At eleven o'clock, we were all called out to cast our votes anxiously gathering round to hear the results. After an expectant flurry of ballot counting , the results were announced. As expected all the Northern companies but for the exception of the "Canebrake Rifles" had voted for Captain Jones. At the last minute they had a change of heart and decided to throw in their support behind Syd Moore. Many of their boys knew him as he hailed from the next county and thought quite highly of him. He had served in the Mexican War and in the campaigns against the Cherokee Indians and for the last several years had been in the U.S. House of Representatives.https://civilwartalk.com/file:///C:...umb Drive/Chap 1 Final Proof Draft.docx#_edn1
Well, this really put a twist on it and with all the southern companies solidly behind Governor Winston, it seemed to assure the Governor the election. But, what do you know if the Marion company didn't go over to the North Alabamians and when the final vote was counted, Captain Jones was elected by an eleven vote majority.[ii] Capt. Evander Law unanimously won the office of Lt. Colonel and of course Charlie Scott was easily elected to the post of Major.[iii]
No sooner had we settled back into our quarters when a sudden commotion brought everyone outside. Quartermaster wagons had pulled into camp and word spread that we were to be issued Arms! Everyone was excited as we rushed the wagons. Thoroughly envious of the dashing figure cut by those already armed with their beautiful Mississippi rifles, we pushed eagerly into line to pick up our new weapons. A detail under Captain Tracy, with the "North Alabamian,s" kept everyone back as the lids were pried off the long wooden boxes and the Captain began passing out muskets to the first in line. To our utter astonishment, instead of the short, walnut stock and brass bound Mississippi rifles we had been expecting, we were handed a collection of old George Law muskets.[iv] They were merely discarded flint and steel smoothbore muskets left over from the Revolutionary and War of 1812 which had been worked over and converted with percussion locks. Rough and rusty, most of the springs were loose fitting or broken and the gun locks were so wood bound that they were impossible to even cock. If you could get the dern thing to fire, it seemed most probable that it would do more harm to the owner than to any enemy we might be aiming at. These antiquated, clumsy looking guns were clearly an offensive insult and we took it as such. Many of the boys bristled and became so indignant they positively refused to accept them and it took nearly an hour and every ounce of Captain Tracy's rather formidable patience and persuading influence, to ultimately appeal to our patriotism as soldiers of Alabama, before everyone reluctantly accepted the old muskets with mumbled complaints.[v]
Settling around the fires for the evening, we struggled to polish up the "rough" spots on our old muskets best we could, certain we were getting the small end of the horn on this no matter what Captain Tracy said. By and by, we passed over this complaint and the conversation turned to politics and we took up a great discussion on this morning's elections. Those that had supported Governor Winston were disappointed over the outcome, but those who knew Colonel Jones gave every assurances of his qualifications. Lieutenant Colonel Law seemed to all an accomplished officer and a thorough soldier, while Major Scott, perhaps unfamiliar with military life and the details of his new office, was well thought of and all agreed he would no doubt soon acquire the skills needed to properly perform his duties.[vi] Around nine o'clock, just as we were settling in for night, considerable excitement once again stirred through camp. Rushing outside to see what had set off the commotion we learned that orders for us had arrived. We were to leave for Lynchburg, Virginia tomorrow at eleven o'clock.[vii]
May 3, 1861, Friday. [Leaving Dalton]
After breakfast we took down our tents and began packing up clothing and equipment to the martial airs of "Grey Jackets over the Border." Everyone seemed to have brought along a trunk, augmented with various and sundry, grips, knapsacks and valises of the sort to see to our comforts. Before long, an immense pile of luggage was heaped up in the middle of camp. Passing to and fro through camp, Colonel Jones was busy giving instructions to the officers and
making sure everything was securely packed into a variety of hired wagons that would carry our equipment to the depot. By ten o'clock, everything was ready, and we marched back down Hamilton street and over to the station to meet the Lynchburg train.[viii]
Arriving at the depot were surprised to find a long line of rough, simple boxcars waiting patiently at the platform. Of course we had expected to be met by a passenger train, and upon discovering that this was indeed our train, it's safe to say we were a bit taken back by the situation. After a hasty discussion allowed as we'd signed on as soldiers and would have to get used to some rough use in our new life. Determining to make the best of it, we crowded onto the old boxcars. Everyone that is but Theodore Wren of Captain Dawson's company. He just absolutely refused to enter, declaring himself to be "no horse to be trundled about in a cattle car." He threatened to resign on the spot and vowed that he'd return home before boarding a common stock car. Now there wasn't any of us that didn't have sympathy for old Theodore's notion, but enough was enough. After a few minutes of polite and careful coaxing by some of the officers, Captain Dawson, Sgt. Boykin Goldsby and a few of the other large Selma boys picked him up and simply heaved him aboard.[ix]
Even though we were crammed in forty and more to a car, the officers soon concluded there wasn't enough room to fit the entire regiment onto the train and part of the regiment would have to await the arrival of another train.[x] With a few muttering grumbles a few of the boys got off, the doors closed and we pulled slowly out of the station, fondly waving a truly tearful goodbye to the wonderful citizens of Dalton.[xi]
It was nearly four hundred and fifty miles to Lynchburg and we made ourselves as comfortable as we could hunkered down on the rough wooden floor, quietly watching the red clay countryside of northern Georgia pass by through the open doorway. By noon, we rumbled into Tennessee at Red Clay. On the verge of voting for secession and joining the Confederacy, Tennessee by all accounts still fostered many pockets of pro-union sentiment, especially in the eastern portion of the state in which we were to pass through. Rumor had it that the lonely glens and ravines of Green and Jefferson county which lay ahead, were teeming with numerous guerrillas, bushwhackers and renegade Tennessee mountain boys lying in wait to attack the train.[xii]
The rumors grew as we rumbled north until everyone was edgy and anxious with anticipation. Winding our way north, we were received with great enthusiasms in some and rather marked coolness in others. In Cleveland, Union flags could plainly be seen flying over many of the buildings, and only a handful of brave ladies dared to wave and throw small bouquets to us as we passed, yet in Charleston, not twelve miles away, found the tracks lined with enthusiastic supporters.[xiii] At Athens we were told a large liberty pole had been erected, flying the National colors and that Andy Johnson and "Parson" Brownlow, editor of the Knoxville Whig, were addressing a large Union meeting there. With nerves on a raw edge, this was simply too much of an indignation to bear, and it became dangerous for anything from a sympathizing Yankee cow down to a non-partisan goose to be caught within pistol shot of the train. By the time we reached the Athens depot, we were mighty hot for a brawl, but as we passed the place, there stood the lone pole with nothing but a fragment of a lady's falmoral floating from the mast.[xiv]
We crossed the beautiful rolling Tennessee river at Loudon, finding the same mixed sentiment in each small town we passed. Still, we did our part for the cause, courting pretty Tennessee girls at every water tank and turnout, promising a triumphant return with Yankee trophies hanging from our belts. By the time we reached Knoxville we were spoiling for a fight and ready to tangle with anything remotely connected to any anti-secesh feelings. Finding an enthusiastic crowd gathered to meet us at the depot seemed to only deepen the tension and some of the boys left the train in a rage, intent on demolishing the office of the traitorous Knoxville Whig. Colonel Jones quickly sent a squad to round up the hotheads, who were soon brought back before any harm could be perpetrated.[xv]
Piling back up onto our cattle cars, we pushed on north, stopping near sunset to pick through a rick of hay near the tracks for bedding. Slept on the cars, such sleeping as it was.[xvi]
Find Out More Info on HIM!
[ii]"Editorial Correspondence" dated May 2nd 1861 from Miss Alphine Sterrett Scrapbook. Department of Alabama Archives. 4th Alabama Collection.
[iii]Coles. History. Orginization" pg. 3. Hudson. pg. 143 Muster Rolls Company "F" 4th Alabama. Article entitled "Reminiscences of the Fourth Alabama" dated August 30th, 1866. Department of Alabama Archives. 4th Alabama Collection . Cease Not to Think of Me. The Steele Family Letters. Edited by Patricia H. Ryan. Letter by Capt. Edward Tracy dated May 3 1861. pg 137
[iv]George Law, a buisnessmen from New York had contracted to buy all the antiquated flint and steel lock muskets dating to the Revolutionary War from the United States Government. Converting them to percussion locks, he re-sold them back to the Government at a large profit. Many of these muskets found their way down South at the beginning of the war. CHECK DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY on George Law.
[v]Coles. History. Orginization" pg. 5. Newspaper Article from "Hunstsville Democrat." September 11, 1861. entitled "Interesting Diary of a Young Soldier." April 30th entry. Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the US Military Academy West Point. Vol. 1. Gen George W Cullum. pg 226.
[vi]"Editorial Correspondence" dated May 2nd 1861 from Miss Alphine Sterrett Scrapbook. Department of Alabama Archives. 4th Alabama Collection.
[vii]Hudson. pg. 143. Cease Not to Think of Me. The Steele Family Letters. Edited by Patricia H. Ryan. Letter by Capt. Edward Tracy dated May 3 1861. pg 137 On the 22nd of april, Secretary of War, LP Walker, had requested two regiments from Alabama to rendezvous at Lynchburg and on the 1st of May, Samuel Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector General, wrote that "three regiments from Tennessee, two from alabama, two from Mississippi and one from Arkansas, in all eight regiments to concentrate at Lynchburg,"OR 2 Cooper to Smith. pg 792. OR Series 4. Vol 1 Walker to Moore pg 231
[viii]Letter entitled, "Dear Commonwealth" dated May 3rd, 1861. Department of Alabama Archives. 4th Alabama Collection. Hudson. pg. 143. Cease Not to Think of Me. The Steele Family Letters. Edited by Patricia H. Ryan. Letter by Capt. Edward Tracy dated May 3 1861. pg 137
[ix]Article entitled"Reminiscences of the Fourth Alabama" dated Sept. 6th, 1866. Department of Alabama Archives. 4th Alabama Collection. Selma Times April 2 1909 Article by Paul T. Vaughan entitled "Memories of The Civil War." The unhappy Theodore Wren, to proud to enter the cars, deserted the regiment the next June. Official Muster Roll Company "C".
[x]Huntsville Democrat, Sept. 11th, 1861. Article entitled "Interesting Diary of a Young Soldier." Entry dated May 3rd.
[xi]Hudson. pg. 143. Robert Coles wrote they were "entrained in two sections." the second section leaving by 5 P.M. Coles. History. "Organization" pg. 6. Muster Roll Company "H" 4th Alabama [July/Aug 61]
[xii]Marion Commonwealth Newspaper Article entitled "Reminiscences of the Fourth Alabama" dated Sept. 6th, 1866. Department of Alabama Archives. 4th Alabama Collection. Tennessee passed Secession Ordinances and joined the Confederacy only three days later on the 6th of May becoming the 9th state to join the Confederacy. Eastern Tennessee strong pro-Union sentiments continued for the duration of the war.
[xiii]Robert A Moore. A life for the Confederacy. pg. 32. In the future known as Moore.
[xiv]Marion Commonwealth Newspaper Article entitled "Reminiscences of the Fourth Alabama" dated Sept. 6th, 1866. Department of Alabama Archives. 4th Alabama Collection. William G. "Parsons" Brownlow was a leading Tennessee Unionist, and was editor of the pro Union 'Knoxville Whig'. He had been a Methodist minister thus earning the title "Parson". The Confederate Government suppressed his newspaper and finally imprisoned him in the winter of 1861. After the war he became Gov. of Tenn and was elected US Senator. Boatner. The Civil War Dictionary pg. 93. Andrew Johnston, who was Lincolns Vice-President in the 1864 elections, was a pro-Union Democrat from Tennessee, and had held the posts Congressman, Governor and Senator from Tennessee. In 1862 he was appointed military Gov. of Tennessee by Lincoln . Boatner. pg 436.
[xv]Hudson. pg. 144. Coles. History, 'Organization' pg. 6. On May 7th, three days after the 4th Alabama passed through, a riot broke out in Knoxville between the pro-Union and secessionist faction, leaving one man mortally wounded. Robert Denney. The Civil War Years. A Day By Day Chronicle. see May 7th. pg 41. In the future known as Denney.
[xvi]Huntsville Democrat, Sept. 11th, 1861. Article entitled "Interesting Diary of a Young Soldier." Entry dated May 3rd. This article in the Huntsville Democrat is based on the diary of George Anderson a private from Huntsville who enlisted in Co. "I". He was killed at 1st Manassas and his diary was found by a Union soldier by the name of Cash, a member of th 71st NY Regiment. He took it back to NY and turned it over to the New York Herald, which printed it verbatim. Editor J. Withers Clay of the Huntsville Democrat happened to read the article and reprinted it in the Huntsville Democrat on Sept. 11 1861.
May 2, 1861. Thursday- Election Day. [Dalton Ga.]
Captain Lindsay and the "Larkinsville Guards" from Jackson County arrived on the early morning train and came on into camp. Candidates and their campaigners conspicuously mingled with the newcomers for some last minute electioneering.
At eleven o'clock, we were all called out to cast our votes anxiously gathering round to hear the results. After an expectant flurry of ballot counting , the results were announced. As expected all the Northern companies but for the exception of the "Canebrake Rifles" had voted for Captain Jones. At the last minute they had a change of heart and decided to throw in their support behind Syd Moore. Many of their boys knew him as he hailed from the next county and thought quite highly of him. He had served in the Mexican War and in the campaigns against the Cherokee Indians and for the last several years had been in the U.S. House of Representatives.https://civilwartalk.com/file:///C:...umb Drive/Chap 1 Final Proof Draft.docx#_edn1
Well, this really put a twist on it and with all the southern companies solidly behind Governor Winston, it seemed to assure the Governor the election. But, what do you know if the Marion company didn't go over to the North Alabamians and when the final vote was counted, Captain Jones was elected by an eleven vote majority.[ii] Capt. Evander Law unanimously won the office of Lt. Colonel and of course Charlie Scott was easily elected to the post of Major.[iii]
No sooner had we settled back into our quarters when a sudden commotion brought everyone outside. Quartermaster wagons had pulled into camp and word spread that we were to be issued Arms! Everyone was excited as we rushed the wagons. Thoroughly envious of the dashing figure cut by those already armed with their beautiful Mississippi rifles, we pushed eagerly into line to pick up our new weapons. A detail under Captain Tracy, with the "North Alabamian,s" kept everyone back as the lids were pried off the long wooden boxes and the Captain began passing out muskets to the first in line. To our utter astonishment, instead of the short, walnut stock and brass bound Mississippi rifles we had been expecting, we were handed a collection of old George Law muskets.[iv] They were merely discarded flint and steel smoothbore muskets left over from the Revolutionary and War of 1812 which had been worked over and converted with percussion locks. Rough and rusty, most of the springs were loose fitting or broken and the gun locks were so wood bound that they were impossible to even cock. If you could get the dern thing to fire, it seemed most probable that it would do more harm to the owner than to any enemy we might be aiming at. These antiquated, clumsy looking guns were clearly an offensive insult and we took it as such. Many of the boys bristled and became so indignant they positively refused to accept them and it took nearly an hour and every ounce of Captain Tracy's rather formidable patience and persuading influence, to ultimately appeal to our patriotism as soldiers of Alabama, before everyone reluctantly accepted the old muskets with mumbled complaints.[v]
Settling around the fires for the evening, we struggled to polish up the "rough" spots on our old muskets best we could, certain we were getting the small end of the horn on this no matter what Captain Tracy said. By and by, we passed over this complaint and the conversation turned to politics and we took up a great discussion on this morning's elections. Those that had supported Governor Winston were disappointed over the outcome, but those who knew Colonel Jones gave every assurances of his qualifications. Lieutenant Colonel Law seemed to all an accomplished officer and a thorough soldier, while Major Scott, perhaps unfamiliar with military life and the details of his new office, was well thought of and all agreed he would no doubt soon acquire the skills needed to properly perform his duties.[vi] Around nine o'clock, just as we were settling in for night, considerable excitement once again stirred through camp. Rushing outside to see what had set off the commotion we learned that orders for us had arrived. We were to leave for Lynchburg, Virginia tomorrow at eleven o'clock.[vii]
May 3, 1861, Friday. [Leaving Dalton]
After breakfast we took down our tents and began packing up clothing and equipment to the martial airs of "Grey Jackets over the Border." Everyone seemed to have brought along a trunk, augmented with various and sundry, grips, knapsacks and valises of the sort to see to our comforts. Before long, an immense pile of luggage was heaped up in the middle of camp. Passing to and fro through camp, Colonel Jones was busy giving instructions to the officers and
making sure everything was securely packed into a variety of hired wagons that would carry our equipment to the depot. By ten o'clock, everything was ready, and we marched back down Hamilton street and over to the station to meet the Lynchburg train.[viii]
Arriving at the depot were surprised to find a long line of rough, simple boxcars waiting patiently at the platform. Of course we had expected to be met by a passenger train, and upon discovering that this was indeed our train, it's safe to say we were a bit taken back by the situation. After a hasty discussion allowed as we'd signed on as soldiers and would have to get used to some rough use in our new life. Determining to make the best of it, we crowded onto the old boxcars. Everyone that is but Theodore Wren of Captain Dawson's company. He just absolutely refused to enter, declaring himself to be "no horse to be trundled about in a cattle car." He threatened to resign on the spot and vowed that he'd return home before boarding a common stock car. Now there wasn't any of us that didn't have sympathy for old Theodore's notion, but enough was enough. After a few minutes of polite and careful coaxing by some of the officers, Captain Dawson, Sgt. Boykin Goldsby and a few of the other large Selma boys picked him up and simply heaved him aboard.[ix]
Even though we were crammed in forty and more to a car, the officers soon concluded there wasn't enough room to fit the entire regiment onto the train and part of the regiment would have to await the arrival of another train.[x] With a few muttering grumbles a few of the boys got off, the doors closed and we pulled slowly out of the station, fondly waving a truly tearful goodbye to the wonderful citizens of Dalton.[xi]
It was nearly four hundred and fifty miles to Lynchburg and we made ourselves as comfortable as we could hunkered down on the rough wooden floor, quietly watching the red clay countryside of northern Georgia pass by through the open doorway. By noon, we rumbled into Tennessee at Red Clay. On the verge of voting for secession and joining the Confederacy, Tennessee by all accounts still fostered many pockets of pro-union sentiment, especially in the eastern portion of the state in which we were to pass through. Rumor had it that the lonely glens and ravines of Green and Jefferson county which lay ahead, were teeming with numerous guerrillas, bushwhackers and renegade Tennessee mountain boys lying in wait to attack the train.[xii]
The rumors grew as we rumbled north until everyone was edgy and anxious with anticipation. Winding our way north, we were received with great enthusiasms in some and rather marked coolness in others. In Cleveland, Union flags could plainly be seen flying over many of the buildings, and only a handful of brave ladies dared to wave and throw small bouquets to us as we passed, yet in Charleston, not twelve miles away, found the tracks lined with enthusiastic supporters.[xiii] At Athens we were told a large liberty pole had been erected, flying the National colors and that Andy Johnson and "Parson" Brownlow, editor of the Knoxville Whig, were addressing a large Union meeting there. With nerves on a raw edge, this was simply too much of an indignation to bear, and it became dangerous for anything from a sympathizing Yankee cow down to a non-partisan goose to be caught within pistol shot of the train. By the time we reached the Athens depot, we were mighty hot for a brawl, but as we passed the place, there stood the lone pole with nothing but a fragment of a lady's falmoral floating from the mast.[xiv]
We crossed the beautiful rolling Tennessee river at Loudon, finding the same mixed sentiment in each small town we passed. Still, we did our part for the cause, courting pretty Tennessee girls at every water tank and turnout, promising a triumphant return with Yankee trophies hanging from our belts. By the time we reached Knoxville we were spoiling for a fight and ready to tangle with anything remotely connected to any anti-secesh feelings. Finding an enthusiastic crowd gathered to meet us at the depot seemed to only deepen the tension and some of the boys left the train in a rage, intent on demolishing the office of the traitorous Knoxville Whig. Colonel Jones quickly sent a squad to round up the hotheads, who were soon brought back before any harm could be perpetrated.[xv]
Piling back up onto our cattle cars, we pushed on north, stopping near sunset to pick through a rick of hay near the tracks for bedding. Slept on the cars, such sleeping as it was.[xvi]
https://civilwartalk.com/file:///C:... Drive/Chap 1 Final Proof Draft.docx#_ednref1Sydenham Moore went on to become Colonel of the 11th Alabama. He died of wounds received in the battle of Seven Pines. Cutrer. Longstreet's Aide. pg. 89 & footnote No. 52 pg 210. Find Out More Info on HIM!
[ii]"Editorial Correspondence" dated May 2nd 1861 from Miss Alphine Sterrett Scrapbook. Department of Alabama Archives. 4th Alabama Collection.
[iii]Coles. History. Orginization" pg. 3. Hudson. pg. 143 Muster Rolls Company "F" 4th Alabama. Article entitled "Reminiscences of the Fourth Alabama" dated August 30th, 1866. Department of Alabama Archives. 4th Alabama Collection . Cease Not to Think of Me. The Steele Family Letters. Edited by Patricia H. Ryan. Letter by Capt. Edward Tracy dated May 3 1861. pg 137
[iv]George Law, a buisnessmen from New York had contracted to buy all the antiquated flint and steel lock muskets dating to the Revolutionary War from the United States Government. Converting them to percussion locks, he re-sold them back to the Government at a large profit. Many of these muskets found their way down South at the beginning of the war. CHECK DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY on George Law.
[v]Coles. History. Orginization" pg. 5. Newspaper Article from "Hunstsville Democrat." September 11, 1861. entitled "Interesting Diary of a Young Soldier." April 30th entry. Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the US Military Academy West Point. Vol. 1. Gen George W Cullum. pg 226.
[vi]"Editorial Correspondence" dated May 2nd 1861 from Miss Alphine Sterrett Scrapbook. Department of Alabama Archives. 4th Alabama Collection.
[vii]Hudson. pg. 143. Cease Not to Think of Me. The Steele Family Letters. Edited by Patricia H. Ryan. Letter by Capt. Edward Tracy dated May 3 1861. pg 137 On the 22nd of april, Secretary of War, LP Walker, had requested two regiments from Alabama to rendezvous at Lynchburg and on the 1st of May, Samuel Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector General, wrote that "three regiments from Tennessee, two from alabama, two from Mississippi and one from Arkansas, in all eight regiments to concentrate at Lynchburg,"OR 2 Cooper to Smith. pg 792. OR Series 4. Vol 1 Walker to Moore pg 231
[viii]Letter entitled, "Dear Commonwealth" dated May 3rd, 1861. Department of Alabama Archives. 4th Alabama Collection. Hudson. pg. 143. Cease Not to Think of Me. The Steele Family Letters. Edited by Patricia H. Ryan. Letter by Capt. Edward Tracy dated May 3 1861. pg 137
[ix]Article entitled"Reminiscences of the Fourth Alabama" dated Sept. 6th, 1866. Department of Alabama Archives. 4th Alabama Collection. Selma Times April 2 1909 Article by Paul T. Vaughan entitled "Memories of The Civil War." The unhappy Theodore Wren, to proud to enter the cars, deserted the regiment the next June. Official Muster Roll Company "C".
[x]Huntsville Democrat, Sept. 11th, 1861. Article entitled "Interesting Diary of a Young Soldier." Entry dated May 3rd.
[xi]Hudson. pg. 143. Robert Coles wrote they were "entrained in two sections." the second section leaving by 5 P.M. Coles. History. "Organization" pg. 6. Muster Roll Company "H" 4th Alabama [July/Aug 61]
[xii]Marion Commonwealth Newspaper Article entitled "Reminiscences of the Fourth Alabama" dated Sept. 6th, 1866. Department of Alabama Archives. 4th Alabama Collection. Tennessee passed Secession Ordinances and joined the Confederacy only three days later on the 6th of May becoming the 9th state to join the Confederacy. Eastern Tennessee strong pro-Union sentiments continued for the duration of the war.
[xiii]Robert A Moore. A life for the Confederacy. pg. 32. In the future known as Moore.
[xiv]Marion Commonwealth Newspaper Article entitled "Reminiscences of the Fourth Alabama" dated Sept. 6th, 1866. Department of Alabama Archives. 4th Alabama Collection. William G. "Parsons" Brownlow was a leading Tennessee Unionist, and was editor of the pro Union 'Knoxville Whig'. He had been a Methodist minister thus earning the title "Parson". The Confederate Government suppressed his newspaper and finally imprisoned him in the winter of 1861. After the war he became Gov. of Tenn and was elected US Senator. Boatner. The Civil War Dictionary pg. 93. Andrew Johnston, who was Lincolns Vice-President in the 1864 elections, was a pro-Union Democrat from Tennessee, and had held the posts Congressman, Governor and Senator from Tennessee. In 1862 he was appointed military Gov. of Tennessee by Lincoln . Boatner. pg 436.
[xv]Hudson. pg. 144. Coles. History, 'Organization' pg. 6. On May 7th, three days after the 4th Alabama passed through, a riot broke out in Knoxville between the pro-Union and secessionist faction, leaving one man mortally wounded. Robert Denney. The Civil War Years. A Day By Day Chronicle. see May 7th. pg 41. In the future known as Denney.
[xvi]Huntsville Democrat, Sept. 11th, 1861. Article entitled "Interesting Diary of a Young Soldier." Entry dated May 3rd. This article in the Huntsville Democrat is based on the diary of George Anderson a private from Huntsville who enlisted in Co. "I". He was killed at 1st Manassas and his diary was found by a Union soldier by the name of Cash, a member of th 71st NY Regiment. He took it back to NY and turned it over to the New York Herald, which printed it verbatim. Editor J. Withers Clay of the Huntsville Democrat happened to read the article and reprinted it in the Huntsville Democrat on Sept. 11 1861.