Holly Springs Civil War Articles
from
The Daily Dispatch, Richmond VA


A Mississippi Rifle Company.
--The Jeff Davis Rifles, of Holly Springs, Miss., have gone to Pensacola. The company is composed as follows: Planters, 14; lawyers, 4; editors, 5; merchants, 9; printers, 6; a deputy sheriff, and the rest of carpenters, coachmakers, apothecaries, physicians, students, laborers, saddlers, jewellers, bricklayers, &c.
The Daily Dispatch: April 6, 1861


Holly Springs, Miss., June 10.--Mr. James Southern, from New Orleans, on his way to Richmond, is here a raving maniac.
The Daily Dispatch: June 11, 1861


--The Holly Springs (Miss.) Herald of the 30th ult., says:
A melancholy casualty, by which a brave soldier lost his life, occurred at Lamar Station, on the Central Road, on last Sunday morning. The trains which passed the depot at Holly Springs, about eight o'clock, had a large number of Louisiana troops on board, estined, we understand, for Virginia. Arriving at Lamar, where the Northern and Southern trains pass each other, the soldiers left the cars and walked about the depot, until the whistle sounded for them to get aboard.--While the cars were moving, one poor fellow tried to jump on the platform, but failed.--He fell between the cars and was instantly killed. The name of the unfortunate man was Wm. Lewis. He was a member of the 12th Louisiana Regiment.
The Daily Dispatch: September 18, 1861


--The Holly Springs Cotton Storm, of the 23d ult., says:
A heavy storm of and rain visited our county Tuesday night last. The residence of Mr. John W. Roberts, living about seven miles north of here on the road leading to Hudsonville was blown down, and one of his little sons killed. His wife and a negro woman were badly injured, and he himself narrowly escaped. The wind was very severe, and some of the bedding belonging in the family was found the next morning several miles off.
The Daily Dispatch: December 9, 1861


Partial list of killed and wounded at Shiloh.
The Memphis Avalanche of the 8th, publishes a partial list of our killed and wounded in the battle of Shiloh. We copy it for the information of a large number of our readers who had friends in the fight:
J. W. Thompson, 13th Tenn, wounded; J. B. Eclin, do; Sam Cole, killed; E O Chambers, co; Capt W D Bethel, 22d Tenn, wounded; Lt J T Hines, 5th Tenn, wounded; Gen Clark, do; K Maddin, 13th Tenn, do; Jno Gibson, 5th Tenn, do; W R. Matthews, Clark's Battalion, do; M Pointer, Holly Springs, do
Kirkpatrick, Marshall county, Miss., wounded
The Daily Dispatch: April 16, 1862


The capture of Holly Springs.
--The Jackson Mississippian, of the 18th, says: "A gentleman who came on the Northern train this morning, reports that the Federals entered Holly Springs on Monday night or Tuesday morning, and that the town was in their possession when he left. He also states that Gen. Bradford, his neighbor, and three others, were killed by the enemy."
The Daily Dispatch: June 24, 1862


From North Mississippi.
--The Jackson Mississippian, of the 18th, has received intelligence that Gen. Bradford was not killed at Holly Springs as reported, but captured and panoled by the enemy. On the 18th the enemy arrived in force at the Talla hatchie river, only thirteen miles from Oxford, Miss., and were there met by Col. Shelby with 600 infantry, when a sharp engagement took place across the river. The Federals were held in check for several hours, and it was thought our reinforcements would arrive at the scene of action in time to drive them back.
The Daily Dispatch: June 25, 1862


Holly Springs occupied — another Cavalry Exploit.
Grenada, Miss. July 2.
--Yesterday the Federals, seven thousand strong, advanced to and occupied Holly Springs. Jackson's cavalry ambuscaded them three miles from the city and poured into their ranks a heavy fire, killing and wounding one hundred. Jackson scampered off with the loss of one man wounded. The Federals are also in the neighborhood of Mintville.
The Daily Dispatch: July 5, 1862


Gen. Featherstone's brigade.
Gen. Featherstone was wounded on Monday evening. It was his third light with his brigade, comprising the 19th and 12th Mississippi and the 2d Mississippi battalion. He was struck by a grapeshot in the left shoulder, shattering his collar-bone. He remained on the field after he was wounded until the fortunes of the day were decided. Gen. Featherstone, we learn, is now at the Arlington House, improving slowly. As his deeds of gallantry have made him conspicuous in our late fights, we will give the following sketch of his life, which we know to be correct:
Winfield Scott Featherstone is a native of Virginia. He is about 12 or 13 years of age. When he left Virginia, he settled in Chickasaw county, Miss., for the practice of the law. He was elected to Congress in 1817, and served until 1851, when being an ardent Secessionist at that time, he was defeated, along with our present illustrious Chief Magistrate, who was in the same year candidate for Governor of Mississippi. Since that time he has been practicing law in Holly Springs, justly regarded as one of the brightest intellects, and as recent events have shown, one of the bravest and most daring of the gallant sons of the Magnolia State. His Adjutant General, Capt. Geo. P. Foote, a most estimable gentlemen, was killed in the fight of Friday evening.--The remainder of his staff, Major J. M. Partridge, (for the Vicksburg Whig.) Major W. R. Barksdale, Lieuts. Parker and Sykes, escaped unhurt. We hear that the mortality in this brigade was fearful. Every field officer except one is disabled, Major W. Sidney Wilson, of the 2d Mississippi battalion, who is now in command of the brigade, or what is left of it. There are but three captains left in the brigade, and but four lieutenants, and the enlisted men, all told, do not number five hundred. Truly has our gallant Southwestern sister nobly defended the Capital of the Confederacy. Among the killed, we regret to learn, is Col. John G. Taylor, of the 2d Mississippi battalion. He was a relative of "Old Zach," which name he answered to amongst his friends, and was one of the most gallant officers in the service.
The Daily Dispatch: July 5, 1862


War movements in Mississippi and Arkansas.
Mobile, July 4.
--A special dispatch to the Advertiser, dated Grenada, 3d, says:
Four thousand Federals advancing South, seven miles from Holly Springs, were attacked yesterday by Jackson's and Pierson's cavalry, fifteen hundred strong. After a sharp contest, the enemy was routed and driven back through Holly Springs, which Confederates occupied. Our loss was four killed, several wounded. Yankee loss seven (?)
Arkansas intelligence confirms the report of Curtis's (Federal) being hard pressed by Generals Hind man and Rains. His capture is considered certain.
Porter's Rangers attacked a guarded wagon train 12 miles east of Memphis, on Tuesday, and destroyed 21 wagons and captured 89 horses and mules.
The Daily Dispatch: July 7, 1862


Interesting from the Southwest--Grant's army Retreating.
After our force had gone to press Wednesday night a telegram from Mobile came to hand stating that Gen. Van. Dorn, with a large cavalry force, and capture. Holly Springs with fifteen hundred pickets and large quantity of small arms, and had also destroyed a millions of dollars worth of Yankee Gen. J. H. Margin was acting in order with Gen. Van Dorn. He reached Jackson at about the same time and Dorn got to Holly Springs. Yankee communication with Grant's army were entirely cutoff and at last accounts Grant was as fast as possible.
Another dispatched says that the enemy's gunboats assented the Yazte river on the 22d instant, and finally destroyed the residence and negro quarters in Johnson's place.
Later from the Southwest.
Mobile Dec. 25.
--A special dispatch to the Advertiser, dated Grenada, 24th instant, says:
Gen Van Dorn's attack upon Holly Springs was made at daylight on Monday last, and was a complete success, without the loss of more than fifteen man on our side. The enemy's killed and wounded, besides the prisoners already reported, is estimated at 400. Four trains and $1,500,000 worth of army stores were destroyed. General Grant, the Abolition commander, barely escaped capture.
The Daily Dispatch: December 27, 1862


Van-Dorn's Dash on Holly Springs
The New York Tribune's Holly Springs correspondent estimates the loss by Van-Dorn's raid upon that place at $6,000,000. Among the private property destroyed was $1,000,000 worth of cotton. The Masonic building, used as an ordnance store house, containing a million rounds of ammunition, with a large quantity of shells, was totally destroyed. Col. Murphy and all his men were captured.
The Daily Dispatch: January 9, 1863


Can't depend on the Illinois troops.
We have already announced the fact that the 109th regiment of Illinois volunteers has in good part deserted to the Confederates. The Cincinnati Commercial says of it:
The 109th Illinois regiment mutinied, a few days ago, at Holly Springs. This regiment was raised at Anna, a place in that portion of Illinois known as Egypt, where the Democracy cast an almost unanimous vote. The Lieutenant-Colonel went over to the enemy; the other officers and men, except the Colonel, who is a loyal man, are under arrest. This regiment, before it left Illinois, drove a farmer out of his house at midnight because he had hired two negroes. There are said to be one or two other Southern Illinois regiments who are not to be depended upon.

The Louisville Journal has a letter from Columbus, Ky., of the 11th inst., which says:
Among the officers taken [at the surprise and rout of the rebels at Knob Creek] was one P. H. Strickland, Second Lieutenant in company A, 1st Tennessee Partisan Rangers. Upon Lieut. Strickland, Capt. Moore found forty paroles of men belonging to the 109th Illinois. Major Strickland, of the 52d Indiana, being a relative of Lieut. Strickland, they at once entered into free and confidential conversation. Among other things, the Lieutenant informed the Major that every man in the 109th Illinois, from the Colonel down, belonged to the Knights of the Golden Circle, and that they (the rebels) were afraid we would find it out, because they were so bold and impudent about it — He also said that there were very many officers in our army belonging to that society, and that they rendered the Confederates more service than they did the Federals. Continuing, he added that we had no idea of the strength of that society in the North, and that through it they were apprised of all important army matters.
The Daily Dispatch: January 28, 1863


And the whole command is called upon to mourn the loss of our gallanted officer, Capt. Watson, of Gen. Armstrong's staff, who was instantly killed while leading a charge of one of his regiments. Capt W. is a son of Judge Watson, of Holly Springs, Miss., and leaves a bereaved wife to lament and deplore her loss. Parson Clouch, Chaplain of Jackson's brigade, was also killed while behaving most gallantly.
The Daily Dispatch: March 21, 1863


The recent engagement of General Chalmers in Mississippi.
A correspondent of the Atlanta Appeal, writing from Holly Springs, Miss., gives an account of the recent movements of Gen. Chalmers in that vicinity. He says:
Gen. Chalmers's whole force, having been reinforced by Richardson's command with six pieces of artillery, passed through Holly Springs Saturday last, en route (it was thought) for Colliersville, Tenn., on the Memphis and Charleston railroad. A portion of his forces encountered a column of the enemy at or near North Mount Pleasant, in Marshall county, and drove them back. Reaching Colliersville they surrounded it and Chalmers sent in a demand for the surrender of the place. The Federal refused, and Chalmers at once engaged them. The place was garrisoned by a portion of General Sherman's corps of infantry from Memphis and about one hundred cavalry. After a severe engagement he took the place, captured a train, which was burnt, about one hundred horses and mules, tore up the railroad track, destroyed all their commissary stores, captured one hundred and thirty prisoners, most of whom were cavalrymen, and fifteen wagons and teams. The number of Yankees killed and wounded could not be ascertained, but it was supposed to be heavy. One Yankee Colonel was known to have been killed, whose name I could not learn. Our loss was seven or eight killed and thirty or forty wounded. The Federal receiving reinforcements from Sherman's forces Chalmers fell back to Byhalia.

About three o'clock yesterday (Sunday) Gen. Philips, with 3,000 cavalry and eight pieces of artillery, passed through Holly Springs in a full gallop. They came in on the Salem road and went out on the same road that Chalmers and his troop did the day before. One mile north of this place Philips divided his forces--one column taking the Hudsonville road, and the other the road to North Mount Pleasant. It was at first supposed they were endeavoring to get in Chalmers's rear, but it is now generally believed both columns formed a junction at some point north of here, and are now engaging Chalmers at Byhalia or in that vicinity. Cannonading has been heard in that direction at intervals during the entire day, and much anxiety is felt as to the probable result. Gen. Hatch, with 500 cavalry, camped last night at Chism's place, only two and a half miles from town. They left early this morning, but it is not known where they have gone.
While here the Yankees captured one Confederate soldier, robbed several of the citizens of watches, money, and clothing, demolished two hand-cars on the Central road, and stole all the horses and mules they could find. The Rev. Mr. Johnson, an excellent man, was preaching a sermon to the negroes in the basement story of the Methodist Church when the Yankees came in. --They sent a negro in the Church, (one of their sweet-scented companions,) who told the minister that he was wanted at the door. The venerable minister was met at the door by a burley Yankee, with a drawn pistol, who commanded him to surrender. They carried him off, and thus broke up the meeting, when the negroes quietly dispersed. Just before the last squad left town they released him, after committing many indignities upon him.
They demanded of Gen. Thos. G. Polk, a venerable old man of this place, his fine gold watch, and upon refusing to deliver it up, he was shamefully abused and badly cut on the head with a sabre. In the vicinity of town they met a lady and her little daughter on their way home, in a buggy, and compelled them to get out, when two of the robbers got in and drove off, leaving them in the dusty lane to shift for themselves as best they could, and to be jeered at by every Yankee vagabond that saw fit to insult them.
About four miles from town they set fire to the residence of Mr. Branch, an old man, which was entirely consumed, together with everything he had, and his family left homeless in the road. --Their excuse for this diabolical act was that Chalmers had bivouacs on the premises the night previous. Several of the straggling Yankees were picked up by some of our furloughed soldiers after the main body had gone through and sent south.
Among the Yankees passing here last Sunday were a number of the notorious Kansas jayhawker, who scruple not at the commission of any crime, however hideous. They came in town in advance of the main force, yelling like so many fiends. Galloping up to a squad of old men and boys assembled on the corner of the square, they with drawn pistols, curses and threats, sought to intimidate and frighten them; but failing to do so, went forward.
Friday,October 13.--One of our cavalry arrived last night from the Tallahatchie, from whom I learned that no general engagement occurred at Byhalia, but simply an artillery running fight, as our forces were falling back. They reached the Tallahatchie river and crossed, dismounted, and formed a line of battle. The Yankees coming up, our troops engaged them, and finally drove them back, with a Yankee loss of twelve killed, left on the field, and one captain (a Kansas jayhawker) wounded and captured. Of the number of them wounded nothing could be ascertained. Our loss was four or six killed, and some ten or twelve wounded. The Yankees admit a defeat at the river. On their retreat, passing through Wyatt, they burned every house in the place, and would not permit any of the sufferers to save anything, not even wearing apparel. In the western portion of the county through which they retreated they burned all the residences and barns. They also destroyed the little town of Tallapoosa, six miles west of Holly Springs, as they passed through it. On yesterday, from the cupola of the court-house in Holly Springs, the smoke of as many as fifteen or twenty fires could plainly be seen all along the route of their retreat, and it is believed not a single residence or barn in that part of the country has escaped them.
On Wednesday last 25,000 infantry and cavalry, with ten pieces of artillery, passed through this place, taking the road to Wyatt, a mile south of us, and it was greatly feared they would return this way and destroy what is left of Holly Springs, but they did not do it.
It is said our soldiers, while at Colliersville, captured enough boots and shoes and other quartermasters' stores to last them through the winter.--It was also reported that Gen. Sherman was on the train captured at Colliersville, but made his escape.
The Daily Dispatch: November 5, 1863


Restoring the Union.
--The brutal Federal soldiers, and their more brutal officers, have a great way of "restoring the Union." Here is a sample of their deeds in Mississippi, committed during their late raid in the vicinity of Holly Springs:
On their retreat passing through Wyatt, they burned every house in the place, and would not permit any of the sufferers to save anything — not even wearing apparel. In the western portion of the country through which they retreated they burned all the residences and barns. They also destroyed the little town of Tallapoosa, six miles west of Holly Springs, as they passed through it. On yesterday, from the cupola of the court house in Holly Springs the smoke of as many as fifteen or twenty fires could plainly be seen all along the route of their retreat, and it is believed not a single residence or barn in that part of the country has escaped them.
The Daily Dispatch: November 16, 1863


Married.
On Wednesday, January 6th, at the residence of the bride's father, by the Rev H S Jacobs, assisted by the Rev George Jacobs, Mr Samuel Burnhrim, of Holly Springs, Miss, to Miss Rosa G, daughter of Jacob Ezekiel, of Richmond, Va.
The Daily Dispatch: January 19, 1864


Married,
On the 20th of January, at the First Baptist Church, by the Rev. Dr. Burrows, James Weaver, of Nashville, Tenn, and Usibia E, daughter of John B Brook, of this city.
At the same time, and by the same, L J Mims, of Holly Springs, Miss, and Annie S Atkinson, daughter of Col John S Atkinson, of this city.
The Daily Dispatch: January 27, 1864


Another Forrest.
--Captain William H Forrest a youngest brother of the General, and Capt Ford Rodgers, as chivalrous as Forrest, with sixty men, encountered about eighty of the enemy on Friday, the 24th instant, 13 miles west of Holly Springs. Forrest and Rodgers killed 12 and captured 5 of the enemy, without the loss of a man. These two during Captains have gone towards Memphis to destroy the railway from Memphis to Germantown. They will have finished their work before this can reach the Yankees.
The Daily Dispatch: June 6, 1864


The Captors of the Roanoke
--The following are the names and residence of the Confederate officers and crew who made the capture of the Roanoke.
Lieutenant John C. Braine, Holly Springs, Mississippi; H. A. Parr, first officer, Nashville, Tennessee; Thomas R. Little, second officer, Mobile, Alabama, Alexander Latrop, part of Kentucky, Robert Troth, first engineer, Kentucky; James Coalon, second engineer, Galveston, Robert Gage, seaman, Louisiana; H. J. Bruddock, seaman, Kentucky; J. Van Amburg, seaman, Virginia.
The Daily Dispatch: November 10, 1864


From Northern Mississippi.
[official Dispatch.]
Meridian, Miss., Oct.15, 1863. To Gen. S. Cooper.
The following dispatch has been received, dated Oxford, 14th:
Eleven regiments of cavalry, with nine pieces of artillery, pursued us. We skirmished with them all the way, fought them for four hours near Byhalia, and again at the river, when they were repulsed, and retired, after burning Wyatt. Our loss is considerable, but the number is not known on account of so much straggling. We saved our train and captured property.
(Signed,)
J. E. Johnston.
The Daily Dispatch: October 16, 1863


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