Columbus, Kentucky | Spared & Shared 23

*A soldier in Co. B, 3rd Mississippi Infantry (LOC)*

The following letter came to me for transcription, author unknown. It was signed by a soldier named “Charles” and addressed to his mother. We know that he arrived with his regiment at the confederate stronghold of Columbus, Kentucky, in early December 1861 and that they had traveled up the Mississippi river on the steamer Scotland—a slow journey that took them ten days.

In the Memphis Daily Appeal of 3 December 1861, I was able to find a letter published by Zanoni (undoubtedly a pen name) that read:

“On board the steamer Scotland
December 1, 1861

Here we are, bag and baggage, arms, men and all. The entire force and equipment of the 3d Mississippi regiment of volunteers, on our way to Columbus. We left New Orleans on Saturday night, November 24th, and making allowance for fogs, broken wheel, and requisite stoppages to provision the soldiers, have made fair progress. Our last landing below Memphis was on the Arkansas shore, at a place called Laconia, and while wooding the boat, and drilling the men, we had another instance of the womanly spirit of the South; Mrs. L. P. and C. H. Blackburn, Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Flournoy, with some other ladies, who names I did not learn, finding we had some few invalids, and needed fresh provisions, sent to the boat a variety of meats, vegetables and delicacies, and extended a hospitable welcome to all (men and officers) who visited their residences. That young lady who so deftly touched her piano to amuse a few “soldier boys” moistened more eyes than perhaps she was aware of, for roam where we may, the needle of memory will vibrate toward the home magnet, and a familiar tune conjures up the figures of those we love. May the performer live to strike triumphant strains over invaders. defeat. [sic] God bless the women! was the general exclamation as we swung from the shore...”

According to the regimental history, the 3rd Mississippi was only briefly stationed in Columbus, Kentucky. They were summoned by a request from Confederate General Leonidas Polk following the Battle of Belmont (7 November 1861). As this letter confirms, Polk anticipated a battle at Columbus that would be “larger than Manassas.” The defenses at Columbus were so formidable, however, that Union forces never intended to assault the “Gibraltar of the West” and it was ultimately abandoned by the Confederates in March 1862. The 3rd Mississippi returned to the coast near Biloxi in January 1862.

Unfortunately, with a name like “Charles” and few other clues, it would be a difficult task to identify the author. Perhaps additional correspondence will turn up.

*Belmont Battlefield. Lithograph by Thomas Hunter, Philadelphia. From The History of the Civil War in America by the Comte de Paris, 1876.*

Transcription

Columbus, Kentucky
December 6th 1861

Dear Mother,

After a long and tedious viyage of ten days we arrived here safely. We came on the steamer Scotland. She is a very slow craft. Our food was hard crackers and salt pork. Half the time we had no chance to cook the latter. This went on so for two or three days when Pat & I found our way to the kitchen where we messed until we landed. We stopped at all the principal towns on the river. While passing through Tennessee and Arkansas, the boat landed on the latter bank to wood and we all went ashore and found our way to a plantation which was situated near the river where we got pecans by the wholesale. They grow wild in that country. The proprietors of the plantation were very kind to us. They had coffee enough made to supply 500 made. There were several fine young ladies there.

We had very cold weather on our way but weather is very pleasant here. It was beautiful to see the river banks covered with snow and the fields white with cotton.

The battlefield of Belmont is visible from our camp. It is just opposite on the other side of the river. The graves where our men are buried is not 200 yards from us. We look for a larger battle than Manassas was to be fought here before long. Columbus is well fortified and a force of one hundred thousand men could not take it. I cannot give you a description of the fortifications as I have not visited them, which I will do in future time.

The celebrated Gen. [Meriwether] Jeff T[h]om[p]son came up part of the way with us—that is, he got on at New Madrid, Mo., and came here. We landed on the banks of Missouri and he made a speech in which he described how he fougfht the Yankees in Old Mo. He is a very brave man and is always on the go. He is an original character. He wanted us under his command but at the same time he said he did [not] want men who could not march 40 miles a day. His men always fights like Indians.

I had my likeness taken yesterday and will send it by express. It is not a very good one, but it is the best I could do. I am very well and can eat as many flour dodgers and fat pork as the next one. The cold climate agrees with all the boys. Remember me [to] the Noble family. I think as much of them as I do my own relations. I must close as we are going to drill. Love to all the children and a kiss for Roberta. Remember me to the servants.

Your affectionate son, — Charles

P. S. I will send my likeness by express.

*An unidentified Confederate Infantryman*

This letter was written by 25 year-old William T. Davis who entered the Confederate service as a 3rd Sergeant in Co. E, Capt. James H. Dean’s Company, of the 4th Regiment Tennessee Volunteers. Co. E. or the “Harris Guards” were recruited largely from Obion county in the northwestern area of Tennessee. The regiment mustered into service in mid-May 1861 at Germantown and organized at Fort Pillow in August 1861. He was promoted to 2nd Sergeant in December 1861. Sometime in the spring of 1862, William was transferred to the 9th Tennessee Volunteers (by exchange).

Given that the company was raised in Obion county, my educated guess is that the author of this letter is the William Davis who was enumerated as a son of Joseph Davis (b. 1804 in S. Carolina) and his wife Ann (b. 1805 in S. Carolina) who were farmers in District 5 of that county.

Transcription

Columbus, Kentucky
October 31, 1861

Dear Cousin,

After so long a silence I take the present opportunity to write you a few lines to inform you that I am well and doing well and hope that these few lines will find you and relations enjoying the same blessing. I have nothing of importance to write you. I saw Tom this morning and he said that they were all well in his company.

Cousin, tell Aunt I was very sorry that I did not get to see her when she was down. I did not hear that she was down until dark that night and I intended to go next morning but I had to go on guard and when I come off guard, I went down to Col. [Henry L.] Douglass’ [9th Tennessee Volunteers] Regiment and Aunt had went home on the night previous.

I wrote to you from Fort Pillow and heard nothing from you yet. I would be glad if I could get to see you all once more before we leave this place but I don’t reckon I can get off for the way things is going on now, I think that this—the 4th Regiment—will leave before many days though I may be mistaken. Some think that we will go to Cumberland Gap in the eastern part of this state. Others think we will go back to Missouri.

“Sometimes I think I had just as soon be dead as alive for our country is ruined anyhow and what is there on the earth that would make me want to live except my relations. Cousin, to think one man and his crew can ruin this once happy country!”
Sgt. William T. Davis, Co. E, 4th Tenn. Vols., 31 October 1861

As for my part, I don’t care much where I go nor where I am for I expect to be a soldier the balance of my days for I cannot see any happiness anywhere else. Sometimes I think I had just as soon be dead as alive for our country is ruined anyhow and what is there on the earth that would make me want to live except my relations. Cousin, to think one man and his crew can ruin this once happy country! ¹

We have hard times now but in my humble opinion, times is good to what they will be this time next year. But God forbid that they are for in going through the camps you hear a continual cry for blankets or something to keep them warm at night and the general says they cannot be had anywhere. Therefore, some of them is bound to suffer. As for my part, I have enough to make out with but here my fellow soldiers is suffering with cold this time a year. What in the name of God will they do when the weather gets cold?

You must excuse my foolish writing and bad spelling. Cousin Jennie, your old sweetheart Tom Huddleston ² is here and sends his respects to you. All the boys is enjoying good health now. All we have to do is work in the Battery and drill. I tried to get a permit to come home the other day but the captain would not let me off though if we take up winter quarters here, I will try and come up about Christmas. But we will not be here in my opinion.

Give my love to all enquiring friends and relations and receive a portion for yourself. So nothing more at preset but remain your affectionate cousin. — William T. Davis

P. S. Answer as soon as it comes to hand and tell me all the news. Yours truly, — W. T. Davis

Direct to care of Capt. Dean, 4th Regt. T. V.

¹ It takes little imagination to realize that William is referring to Abraham Lincoln and his abolitionist friends as the “one man and his crew” that was perceived by the South as ruining the “once happy country.”

² Thomas Z. Huddleston (1839-1888) enlisted at the age of 22 in Co. E, 4th Tennessee Volunteers in May 1861. Muster rolls indicated that he was slightly wounded in the head at the Battle of Shiloh but that he deserted near Bardstown, Kentucky, on 4 October 1862. He later reunited with the regiment but was sick and on light duty in Atlanta most of 1863. After the war he married Elizabeth K. Cobb (1842-1888) and resided in South Fulton, Obion county, Tennessee.