Category Archives: Tennessee

December 30, 1862: Hurlbut holding Memphis

Posted on December 30, 2012 by Allen Gathman

Gen. Hurlbut outlines the situation in Memphis to Grant. He’s got it under control, but is short of troops to stop smuggling. He also castigates Gen. Davies for abandoning Island No. 10 and general timidity. Lastly, he reports that his … Continue reading →

Posted in Stephen A. Hurlbut, Tennessee, Ulysses S. Grant | Leave a comment

December 28, 1862: McClernand looking for Grant

Posted on December 28, 2012 by Allen Gathman

McClernand finally left Illinois, where he had been raising troops, and headed down to Memphis to take command of his share of the Vicksburg expedition. When he got there, he found that Sherman had already taken the troops downriver to … Continue reading →

Posted in John A. McClernand, Mississippi, Tennessee, Ulysses S. Grant, Vicksburg | Leave a comment

December 28, 1862: Davies fortifies Fort Pillow

Posted on December 28, 2012 by Allen Gathman

General Davies, in the face of enemy attacks in Tennessee and Kentucky, abandoned Island No. 10 and withdrew to a strong point at Fort Pillow, north of the Hatchie river and about 50 miles north of Memphis on the Mississippi. … Continue reading →

Posted in Kentucky, Tennessee, Thomas A. Davies | Leave a comment

December 24, 1862: Columbus and Memphis threatened

Posted on December 24, 2012 by Allen Gathman

With communications disrupted by Van Dorn’s raid, all the Union positions in upper southwest are jeopardized. Rumors fly, and reinforcements are hard to come by. COLUMBUS, KY., Via Cairo, Ill., December 24, 1862-8 a. m. Major-General HALLECK, General-in-Chief: I am … Continue reading →

Posted in Henry Halleck, Kentucky, Samuel R. Curtis, Tennessee | Leave a comment

December 21, 1862: Aftermath of Van Dorn’s raid

Posted on December 21, 2012 by Allen Gathman

Earl Van Dorn **************************************************** Van Dorn and Forrest’s raiders captured the supply depot at Holly Springs, and broke up the railroad between Memphis and Columbus, KY. Halleck ordered reinforcements out to support them. Meanwhile, Grant relieved Mizner of his command … Continue reading →

Posted in Earl Van Dorn, Henry Halleck, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nathan Bedford Forrest, Tennessee | Leave a comment

December 2, 1862: Resisting the draft in Tennessee

Posted on December 2, 2012 by Allen Gathman

As noted recently, there was some resistance to the draft within the Confederacy. While the Georgia legislature lodged a pro forma protest, citizens in Lincoln County, TN (home of Jack Daniels, BTW) took more direct action. NASHVILLE, Tuesday, Dec. 2. … Continue reading →

Posted in Conscription, Draft, Southern Unionism, Tennessee | 1 Comment

November 23, 1862: Female smugglers in the west

Posted on November 23, 2012 by Allen Gathman

The New York Times published a letter from before the fall of Holly Springs, detailing the capture of a group of women who were smuggling military materials from Memphis southward. They also appear to have been carrying letters conveying military … Continue reading →

Posted in Mississippi, Smuggling, Tennessee, Women | Leave a comment

November 20, 1862: Memphis Unionism

Posted on November 20, 2012 by Allen Gathman

The New York Times reports that after a few months of occupation, the citizens of Memphis have found an unexpected well of Union sentiment. Considering that trade with the North had resumed for them, unlike places still under Confederate control, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cotton, Tennessee | Leave a comment

October 27, 1862: Halleck sends Grant reinforcements to move on Vicksburg

Posted on October 27, 2012 by Allen Gathman

On October 26, Grant cabled Halleck proposing a move on Vicksburg. (He also complains about leaking information from General Curtis across the river, and asks for a unified command). HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE, Jackson, Tenn., October 26, 1862. General … Continue reading →

Posted in Henry Halleck, Illinois, Mississippi, Samuel R. Curtis, Tennessee, Ulysses S. Grant, Vicksburg | Leave a comment

October 24, 1862: Confederates threaten Nashville

Posted on October 24, 2012 by Allen Gathman

The New York Times reprinted an editorial from Mississippi, rejoicing in Bragg’s advance northward, and predicting that he would soon retake Nashville. Buell is out of position, and Grant is threatened in Memphis, so the Grenada Appeal forecasts a siege … Continue reading →

Posted in Braxton Bragg, Don Carlos Buell, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, Ulysses S. Grant | Leave a comment