In recognition of the Civil War Sesquicentennial, "Civil War-Era
Memories" features excerpts from The Memphis Daily Appeal of 150 years
ago. Perspective from our staff is in italics. The Appeal is publishing
from Grenada, Miss.
Sept. 3, 1862
The Affair at Rienzi, Miss. — The official report of Colonel
Faulkner, commanding partisan rangers, which has been received at
headquarters, puts his late skirmish at Rienzi in a more favorable light
for our cause ... Colonel Faulkner ordered a retreat, and was
surrounded and hotly pursued by a large body of the enemy, but succeeded
in making his escape with the loss of only one man. The loss of the
enemy is estimated at thirty. The affair was dashing and reckless in the
extreme, and it is marvelous how few men were lost. (Col. Faulkner, who
wrote "The White Rose of Memphis," was the great-grandfather of Nobel
author William Faulkner.)
Sept. 4, 1862 News and Reports from Memphis / Passengers who arrived here from
Memphis yesterday evening report that on the day previous some four
thousand of our prisoners passed down the river on their way to
Vicksburg (to be exchanged for federal prisoners). During their brief
stay at the Memphis landing, about four thousand dollars was subscribed
and collected up by the citizens, with which our gallant fellows were
plentifully supplied with fruit, tobacco and refreshments, generally.
Sept. 6, 1862 President Davis has issued his proclamation setting apart Thursday,
the 18th, as a day of prayer and thanksgiving to Almighty God for great
mercies vouchsafed to our people, and more especially for the triumph of
our arms at Richmond and Manassas. [Note: This is not a proclamation of Thanksgiving Day, which had been celebrated ever since George Washington's day on the fourth Thursday of November. It is more a day of prayer to give thanks for specific blessings.] Sept. 8, 1862 Latest by Telegraph. Glorious News! Covington (KY) & Newport Captured! Ohio Invaded! Cincinnati Surrendered!
On the reception of the news of the fall of Cincinnati at Memphis,
the whole city is said to have got drunk and broke loose in loud huzzahs
for Jeff. Davis.
The Union Appeal (the "bogus" newspaper that had taken over the Daily
Appeal property in Memphis) has been suppressed ... The Bulletin adds
that the office has been closed. We hope the authorities will keep the
premises in good order, as we confidently expect to resume our old
quarters in a short time. |
