SCOUT

Abstract

In this letter to John Lellyett, Treasury Agent Benjamin Dufield reports that Federal troops have been confiscating cotton without orders from the Treasury Department even though the region they are working in is not pro-Confederate. Dufield also expresses his hope that higher officials will take action to correct the problem.

Abstract

Felix Kirk wrote this letter to his father, John Kirk, from Knoxville on November 14, 1861. In it, he discuses a recent illness, mentions "some old union devil who burned a bridge," and describes his unit's recent activities in Chattanooga and Knoxville. The reverse of the letter's final page bears a printed poem entitled "Dixie: Southrons, hear your Country Call You!"

Abstract

This collection consists of a letter from G. W. Harral, written in a Confederate camp near Bristol, Tennessee on April 6, 1864, to his friend James Looke. Harral discusses high morale among the troops, speculates as to where they will go, and expresses his desire to remain in touch with his friends.

Abstract

In this diary, Henry Warren describes his service with the 20th Tennessee Infantry Regiment (CSA) in Tennessee and Kentucky. A document signed by Governor Isham G. Harris inside the diary nominates Warren as a Drill Master and orders him to report for duty. Both of these items have been transcribed onto a CD housed with the collection.

Abstract

J. P. Hollowell wrote this letter to his sister, Sallie Hollowell, from camp in Bowling Green, Kentucky. In it, he mentions that his unit has been looking for a fight, but their location is too well fortified. Hollowell also apologizes for not being home for Christmas and says that he wants a new pair of pants.

Abstract

This collection contains a letter from Confederate soldier Jason Cooper, dated December 5, 1863 from Dalton, Georgia. Written "To his dear friend Farley," Cooper writes about the Confederate evacuation of Chattanooga.

Abstract The first document in this collection (signed by Captain Alfred A. Dysart and approved by Colonels James W. Starnes and William S. McLemore) indicates that L. J. Swiney has been honorably discharged from the 3rd Tennessee Cavalry Regiment (CSA) by reason of a substitute. Another paper (singed by Colonel John S. Scott) indicates how much pay Swiney is due and a letter (signed by William M. Robinson and approved by Colonels James W. Starnes and William S. McLemore) instates Richard H. Bryant...

Abstract

M. H. Owen wrote this letter to his sister from Fort Pillow on March 22, 1862. In it, he describes his trip from Columbus, Kentucky to Fort Pillow and mentions the other regiments stationed there with him.

Abstract In this diary, Pinckney Latham describes his service with Company A of the 4th Tennessee Infantry (CSA), nicknamed the Shelby Grays. Early entries mention troop movements, Latham's capture on February 12, 1865 near Memphis, Tennessee, and his parole at Vicksburg the following month. The diary goes on to describe his assignment to Meridian, Mississippi, including his journey to Meridian, the people he meets, the girls he sees, his activities when off duty, the weather, the progress of the...

Abstract This collection consists of documents relating to James Gettys McGready Ramsey, historian and physician of Knoxville, Tennessee, and his family. Included are correspondence, legal and financial papers, wills, newspaper and magazine clippings, scrapbooks, family Bibles, silhouettes, genealogical information, and other family and personal papers concerning Knoxville and Tennessee history. Also included are papers related to the East Tennessee and Georgia Railroad Company, the Confederate...

Abstract

T. J. Walker's handwritten, 98-page manuscript chronicles the time he spent with the 9th Tennessee Infantry between approximately 1861 and 1865. During his service, Walker was wounded five times and contracted dysentery and typhoid at Corinth, Mississippi.

Abstract

This collection consists of a letter from Samuel K. Carrigan, sent on May 25, 1862 from Camp Mag Hill near Chattanooga, to his brother William A. Carrigan in Society Hill, South Carolina. He discusses his discontent with his fellow solider's irreligiousness and his desire to transfer into another unit, as well as the fighting in which he was involved.

Abstract This certificate of disability for discharge from the Army of the Confederate States of America verifies that Thomas N. Skelton is unable to perform the duties of a soldier in the 27th Tennessee Infantry Regiment. He was examined by Army Surgeon A. Wright, who found that he had two separate wounds. The first was a break in his left arm inflicted on May 7, 1862 during the Battle of Shiloh. The second was an injury to his right shoulder (which fractured the shoulder blade) that he received...

Abstract

This collection consists of a brief letter from Wade Keyes dated Richmond, August 14, 1861, to J. L. Ramsey in Knoxville. Keyes confirms Ramsey's appointment as attorney for the District of Tennessee.

Abstract

This collection is a diary written by William A. Mayo of Monroe County, Tennessee between the years 1861 and 1866. The majority of the diary Mayo recounts daily life during his years as a captured captain in the Confederate Army as well as a list of fellow prisoners. Mayo was kept in a Union prison on Johnson's Island in Lake Erie. This item is a typescript.

Abstract

William J. Crook wrote this letter to his cousin, Hattie Crook, at Columbia Female College in Columbia, South Carolina on May 4, 1864. In it, he describes enemy reconnaissance, discusses the upcoming Northern Presidential election, relates news about family and friends, enumerates his thoughts on marriage, and mentions that the enemy is advancing on Cleveland road.

Abstract

William J. Crook wrote this letter to his cousin Hattie from Tullahoma, Tennessee on November 12, 1862. He discusses the failure of the Kentucky campaign, the hardships accompanying the retreat, Northern politics, and the future course of the war. He also asks for news of his other cousins.

Abstract This collection contains a letter dated November 14, 1861, by Lieutenant William R. Lacy of the 6th Tennessee Infantry (CSA) to his cousin, Amarila Lemons. Written from Columbus, Ky., he describes the rules and conditions placed on a soldier in the areas of Belmont, Missouri and Columbus. The letter includes an explanation of the treatment of prisoners. Lacy speaks of the wounded and the Union dead. He adds that a cousin, Thomas Lacy, resigned and became a Captain of a company at Union...

Abstract William T. Presley of Company A of the 1st Alabama Cavalry wrote these two letters to his wife, Henrietta (Ward) Presley, in Prattville, Alabama. In the first letter, dated September 30, 1862 from camp direction Chattanooga, Presley mentions his need for a new horse, arguing that "all men that are worthy property ought to help us poor creatures that have left our families to fight to protect them as well as our own families." In the second letter, dated April 7, 1863 from camp near...

Abstract William T. Presley wrote this letter to his wife, Henrietta (Ward) Presley, while he was serving with Company D of the 1st Alabama Cavalry during the American Civil War. In it, he discusses a pony that he had purchased to send home to his sons (Gus and Fate), describes selling his old horse (named Stonewall) and purchasing a new one that can better tolerate military life, recounts his unit's retreat from Tennessee after the fall of Vicksburg, sends news of family and friends serving in the...