Frank M. Renshaw Papers
This 100 page diary was written by Frank M. Renshaw who served on the USS Judge Torrence of the United States Navy in 1862. All entries are of excellent quality, but the most interesting are those from March to November that tell of the Battles of Plum Run Bend and Memphis, as well as early bombardments of Fort Pillow, Vicksburg, and the capture of Confederate ships.
This collection also includes an 1871 photograph of seven unidentified men and an 1877 railroad pass.
Dates
- 1862-1877
Conditions Governing Access
Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Conditions Governing Use
The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Extent
0.1 Linear Feet
Abstract
The Frank M. Renshaw Papers contain a 100 page diary, an 1871 photograph of seven unidentified men, and an 1877 railroad pass. The diary contains entries from January to November, 1862, and tells of the Battles of Fort Pillow, Plum Run Bend, and Memphis, as well as the sailor's time spent on the USS Judge Torrence of the United States Navy.
Biographical/Historical Note
Frank M. Renshaw served the United States Navy on the USS Judge Torrence until November, 1862 when he was discharged and returned to Clinton, Pennsylvania.
The Battle of Plum Run Bend in Tennessee on May 10, 1862 was a Confederate victory that set the stage for the Battle of Memphis. Union ironclads were upset by Confederate forces, and those forces retired to Memphis and the surrounding area where they were later attacked by Union forces.
The Battle of Memphis, June 6, 1862 was a critical Union victory because it opened another portion of the Mississippi River to Union control. After one and one half hours of battle, Union forces sank or captured all but one Confederate vessel, more than making up for their defeat at Plum Run Bend.
Arrangement
This collection contains three items in one folder.
Acquisition Note
This collection was purchased by Special Collections in April 2006.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository