In recognition of the Civil War Sesquicentennial, "Civil War-Era
Memories" features excerpts from The Memphis Daily Appeal of 150 years
ago. The Appeal is publishing from Jackson, Miss. Jan. 7, 1863 (From the Memphis Bulletin) Highwaymen Arrested — Audacious robberies
on Wednesday afternoon, just beyond the city limits, on the new Raleigh
road ... The suburbs of the city are evidently very unsafe just now,
and persons approaching or leaving it should be on their guard, having
their revolvers ready and using them if necessary
Jan. 10, 1863
The Battle of Murfreesboro (an eyewitness account from the
Murfreesboro Rebel) — Yesterday the New Year dawned upon us with a
bright, smiling and propitious face. The previous night was intensely
cold, and must have seriously affected the condition of the wounded on
the field. The dead lay scattered in every direction — the Confederate
gray uniform and the Yankee blue in fearful proximity ... We saw
hundreds of the wounded on the field and in the hospitals and from not
one of them did we hear a word of complaint or repining. Many of their
wounds were ghastly, many requiring amputation and the severest surgical
treatment, but all of them bore up with the determined spirit of
heroes. (The Battle of Murfreesboro, also known as the Battle of Stones
River, was fought from Dec. 31, 1862 to Jan. 2, 1863. Of all major
battles of the Civil War, it had the highest percentage of casualties on
both sides. Read more at http://bit.ly/5F9ckJ) Jan. 12, 1863
More Tyranny in Memphis / An order by Command of the Major-General,
Headquarters District of Memphis — It is well known that many persons
residing in Memphis, and under the protection of the American flag, are
constantly plotting against the authorities ... It is further well known
that the same persons are in constant communication with the guerrilla
bands which infest the neighboring country. Many of these sympathizers
have expressed a determination that the Charleston and Memphis railroad
should not be used by the United States. For every raid or attempted
raid by guerrillas upon the railroad, ten families of the most noted
secessionists of Memphis will be sent South; and these will be selected
from those of greatest wealth and highest social position first.
Jan. 13, 1863
Latest from Memphis — The Confederate partisans recently occupied Collierville, burning three bridges over Wolf river.
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