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 Atlanta. Perspective from our staff is in italics. Sept. 2, 1863 Memphis Items — On the 18th there was an arrival of six Confederate prisoners in Memphis, captured in the vicinity of Corinth. They were turned over to the mercies (!) of the keeper of the Irving military prison. The Irving Block is to undergo a thorough repairing ... Memphis seems to be infected with the canine species, as the bill for dog police, presented to the board and ordered to be paid was $200.25. Sept. 3, 1863 From North Mississippi — In many instances the people are greatly oppressed by the Yankee raiders, and some were actually plucking out the eyes of their mules, in order that they might be left in their possession. Sept. 5, 1863 From The New York Times — The “Memphis-Grenada-Jackson-Atlanta” APPEAL urges guerrilla operations on the Mississippi River, and says a systematic plan of operations on the banks will accomplish more than can otherwise be devised to cripple Grant. It wants to see travelers on the father of waters bushwhacked from every canebrake and bluff below Memphis. Sept. 8, 1863 Once More to the Breach — All our information from the front is indicative of active preparation for the approaching conflict of arms which must soon take place in (East) Tennessee ... With anxious and eager eyes the whole country will look for and await the result ... To a very considerable extent the fate of Georgia and Alabama will be determined by the issue of this fight. Telegraphic / Report from the Press Association — Andy Johnson recently addressed a Union meeting in Nashville, taking strong ground in favor of immediate emancipation. / According to the Troy Whig, the United States Government is engaged in manufacturing poisoned bullets. / The Governor of Minnesota has offered a bounty for Indian scalps./ A monument is to be erected to the memory of the late Sam Colt, of Hartford, the celebrated revolver manufacturer, at an expense of $25,000. / All is quiet on the Rappahannock. |
