1865: Alonzo Jenkins to his Brother

The following letter was written by Alonzo Jenkins who was most likely a civilian working in Nashville late in the Civil War and the immediate years that followed. The letter suggests he was employed in 1864-65 by the City Hotel, on the east side of the public square, as a steward (managing dining operations). The 1867-1869 Nashville City Directories reveal that he held a similar position at the St. Cloud Hotel.

Alonzo’s letter informs us that following the Battle of Nashville, the City Hotel was taken over by the military as a hospital but apparently not for long as he indicates that a meeting with Gen. Thomas resulted in the agreement to restore the building to public use. There is a List of Military Hospitals in Nashville used during the Civil War but the City Hotel is not among the buildings listed. This may be due to its brief use following the Battle of Nashville or because its use was not known until now.

“The City Hotel (far left) was built in 1827 on the site of the old Talbot’s Hotel, fronting the East side of the Nashville Public Square. The back of the hotel overlooked the Cumberland River and the Edgefield community that lay beyond. James R. Winbourn and his mother Mary B. Winbourn leased the City Hotel in December of 1861 from Enoch Ensley. The Winbourns had previously managed two other hotels in the city, the Broadway House and the Watson House. The amount of the rent for the year 1862 was $3000. The leased was renewed for the years 1862, 63 and 64 for the same amount. In 1865 the amount of the rent was raised to $8000 and that amount was charged in 1866. In February of 1866 the Winbourns sold their interests in the City Hotel including the furniture to Hare and Roberts. During their proprietorship at the City Hotel, Mary Winbourn managed the hotel while her son James took care of a farm the Winbourn’s had purchased in order to supply vegetables and milk for the hotel.” (Nashville History)

Transcription

Nashville [Tennessee]
January 6, 1865

Dear Brother,

I have not heard from you. for some time. Think I wrote you last but as the trains are frequently destroyed between here and Louisville, you may have not received it. I am quite well. Am still at City Hotel. Things are about as usual here.

We have had a great battle in front of this city which resulted in the defeat of the Rebel army which is now south of the Tennessee river. The Hotel was taken one week ago for a hospital by order of the Military. This House is the largest in the city and consequently the seizure of which would involve the proprietors in great loss of property. They wished me to go to the front and see Gen. Thomas now commanding this Department and get it released. I went. Rode on horseback some 200 miles alone through the country where both armies had been. Nothing but desolation marked their path. There was not an ear of corn nor a mouthful of anything to eat for man or beast. I paid twenty-five cents an ear for corn, 50 cents for a glass of milk, slept in barns to watch my horse, arrived at Headquarters of the General, transacted my business and returned all safe and sound having been gone 4 days.

We think now without doubt we shall get this house open in a few days.

I was on the battlefield every day of this fight. It was a great scene. The Simpson Boys are all here. John—the one that was in the Rebel army—deserted while their forces were here and is now here a citizen. George is running a mill. Ed Johnston from Haverhill is here. We have had no snow and no freeze of any account [but] considerable rain.

I understand Griffen is at Montpelier who works for you now. How is Metcalf and Meserve? Tell them to write me. How is business? Have you got your place fixed? How is Sarah’s health? Is Hellen there now? How is Hobart? How Clark & Bascom, Frary, and all the people? In short, write me all the news. Who did Albert Rogers of Pierpont marry? Did you ever build a monument for that man at Corinth Hollow for his son. What is Bixby doing?

In short, write me all the news and write soon. — Alonzo Jenkins