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. More excerpts at
commercialappeal.com. June 26, 1862
GRENADA, Miss. — A Black List / As promised, the Avalanche publishes
lists of those who have taken the federal oath of allegiance since the
advent of the Federals in Memphis. Although the whole number is some
five hundred, we have scanned the names over very closely, and are
gratified at being able to announce that we recognized but few of
prominence in either the social, political or mercantile walks of the
city. Parties from the city inform us that many of the signers are
strangers, and most of them the scum of society.
Gen. Lew Wallace has assumed command of Memphis. His first official
act was to take possession of the Argus office, which has been outspoken
in its sympathies for the rebellion. June 27, 1862
From the Avalanche — The municipal election yesterday elicited but
little interest. Only those citizens who had taken the oath of
allegiance were allowed to vote ... There appears to have been about
seven hundred votes polled. The result seems to have been as was
generally anticipated, in the re-election of most of the Union ticket. June 30, 1862 General Grant's headquarters are at Col. W.R. Hunt's former residence
on Beale, about two miles out from town. The place is ideally located
and affords a fine suburban retreat from the dust and din of the city.
(The house which served as Grant's headquarters exists today as the Hunt-Phelan Home at 533 Beale.)
An Outrage in Memphis — The Federal officials in Memphis have so far
outraged our property rights as to have taken possession of the APPEAL
building, for a purpose which is explained by the following: Special
Order No. 1: It is hereby ordered that J.K. Davisson, of the 24th
Indiana Volunteers, take possession of the Appeal office, of this city
and have the general supervision of the same in conducting a Union
paper in the city of Memphis ... "To what base uses have we come at
last."
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