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After the fall of Atlanta in September 1864, Army of Tennessee commander General John Bell Hood, who had replaced Johnston in July, moved his army to the west and south of Atlanta, camping near the town of Palmetto. While visiting the army there on Sept. 26, Jefferson Davis exhorted the Tennessee troops.
“Be of good cheer, for within a short while your faces will be turned homeward and your feet pressing Tennessee soil.”
Source: web site
Gang of 25 Sea Island
COTTON AND RICE NEGROES,
By Louis D. DeSaussure
On Thursday the 25th, Sept., 1852 at, 11 o’clock, A.M.,
will be sold at RYAN’S MART, in Chalmers Street, in the City of Charleston,
A prime gang of 25 Negroes, accustomed
to the culture of Sea Island Cotton and
Rice.
Conditions. - One-half Cash, balance by Bond, bearing interest from dale of sale, payable in one and two years, to be secured by a mortgage of the negroes and approved personal security. Purchasers to pay for papers.
__________________________________________________
[Has two columns divided by a vertical line in the middle. List number, age and capacity of the slave.]
[Column one]
No. | Age | Capacity
1 Aleck | 33 | Carpenter
2 Mary Ann, |31 | Filed hand, prime.
3-3 Louisa, | 10
4 Abram, | 25 | Prime field hand
5 Judy, | 24 | Prime field hand
6 Carolina, | 5
7 Simon, | 1 1/2
5 - 8 Daphne, infant
9 Daniel, | 45 | Field hand, not prime.
10 Phyllis, | 32 | Field hand.
11 Will, | 9
12 Daniel, | 6
13 Margaret, | 4
14 Delia, | 2
7 - 15 Hannah, 2 months
[Second column]
16 Hannah, | 60 | Cook
17 Cudjoe, | 22 | Prime field hand
18 Nancy, | 20 | Prime field hand, sister of Cudjoe
19 Hannah, | 34 | Prime field hand
20 James, | 13 | Slight defect in knee
21 Richard, | 9
22 Thomas, | 6
5-23 John, | 3
1 - 24 Squash, | 40 | Prime field hand
1 - 25 Thomas, | 28 | Prime field hand
[Handwritten on this xeroxed copy is the number 43/0985]
Original: _________________________________________
Hargrett Rare Book & Manuscript Library ~ University of Georgia Libraries
320 South Jackson Street ~ Athens, GA 30602-1641
PHONE: (706) 542-7123 ~ FAX: (706) 542-0672
Hargrett Library Broadside Collection, 1850-1859
BRO 1852 G3 undersized
URL=http://www.libs.uga.edu/hargrett/rarebook/broadside/1850.html
Original:___________________________________________
Manuscripts Department
Library of the University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill
SOUTHERN HISTORICAL COLLECTION
#2874-z
MISCELLANEOUS BROADSIDES
Inventory
Announcement of auction of twenty-five slaves,by Louis D. De Saussure, auctioneer, Charleston, S.C., 1852.
“God has been very kind to us this day.”
- Jackson commenting (September 17, 1862) after the Battle of Antietam.
Surgeons and amputations during the Civil War
“At the time of the Civil War, ether or chloroform or a mixture of the two was administered by an assistant, who placed a loose cloth over the patient’s face and dripped some anesthetic onto it while the patient breathed deeply. When given this way, the initial effects are a loss of consciousness accompanied by a stage of excitement . . . . The Civil War surgeon went to work immediately, hoping to finish before the drug wore off. Although the excited patient was unaware of what was happening and felt no pain, he would be agitated, moaning or crying out, and thrashing about during the operation. He had to be held still by assistants so the surgeon could continue.” Bollet, (p. 32).
It is commonly believed that most Civil War surgeons were simply butchers, amputating arms and legs unnecessarily oftentimes. This popular misconception is partially due to movies and film depicting gross scenes of amputations performed by rogue surgeons against the screaming wishes of his patient as the doctor amputates a bleeding leg. Though grotesque scenes such as these make for good cinema, it was hardly the typical experience during the Civil War.
Dr. Alfred Bollet dispels several myths about surgery during the Civil War in his fine article (The Truth about Civil War Surgery) in the October 2004 issue of Civil War Times. Bollet explains how surgeons had other procedures they could use besides amputation, how surgery was almost always done with anesthesia, that most wounds were not just to arms and legs, and that not every surgeon had the authority to amputate. 
To be sure, there were some isolated incidences of surgery done without anesthesia (for example at Iuka, Mississippi on September 17, 1862) and/or cases where an amputation was not necessary. But medical scholars and historians attest that the surgical care provided by doctors to soldiers during the Civil War was very good for its time. This is all the more remarkable when we realize that little was known about germs, and the spread of infection, and drugs were nearly non-existent in the 1860s. Perhaps a major reason why it was commonly believed, especially by soldiers, is because of how little soldiers knew about anesthesia back then. Bollet writes:
“At the time of the Civil War, ether or chloroform or a mixture of the two was administered by an assistant, who placed a loose cloth over the patient’s face and dripped some anesthetic onto it while the patient breathed deeply. When given this way, the initial effects are a loss of consciousness accompanied by a stage of excitement . . . . The Civil War surgeon went to work imediately, hoping to finish before the drug wore off. Although the excited patient was unaware of what was happening and felt no pain, he would be agitated, moaning or crying out, and thrashing about during the operation. He had to be held still by assistants so the surgeon could continue.” Bollet, (p. 32).
Most amputations performed during the Civil War were necessary to save the life of the soldier. Wounds caused by bullets and artillery normally shattered the bone. The only recourse for most soldiers, if they wanted to live, would be to have the shattered bone or limb removed. The closer the amputation occurred to the trunk of the soldier the more likely it was for a soldier to not survive the operation. The fatality rate for soldiers who received an amputation was around 25% overall. Those who did die after amputation often did so because of infection, complications or because the wound was too severe to be able to survive.
Recommended reads:
Civil War Medicine: Triumphs and Challenges. Alfred J. Bollet.
Gangrene and Glory: Medical Care during the American Civil War. Frank R. Freemon.
Tiger Valley Virginia
Sept the 13th /61
Endicott writes shortly after a skirmish:
“were awaiting the enemy to attack them, they being camped on a creek and our boys of the 15th and the Ohio boys complained that they could not draw them into a fight so the 17th was sent out through the mountains to try our luck and about dark we arrived in the neighborhood of their pickets and camped for the night settling out all through the woods and faring as best we could. The next morning Captain Huffman sent out 12 men to drive in their pickets. They had been gone but a few minutes till we heard heavy firing, the boys all came back in about 2 hours all sound. They killed one of the rebels Wednesday when Co. ‘L’. went out and killed 5 of them and one Captain but we soon found out that it wasnt healthy to stay there any longer as they was getting round us and we had to to go double quick clear back to where those other Regt’s was entrenched through the mud and in 6 miles .we arrived at the brest works about 8 oclock and was called out in a line of battle just after dark.”
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George Endicott, from Darlington, Indiana) mustered into Company B on 12 June 1861, and was promoted to Corporal before being mustered out on 8 August 1865 at Macon, Georgia.
This regiment was organized at Camp Morton, Indianapolis, in May, 1861, and was mustered in on June 12. It left the state July 1, for Parkersburg W. Va., and on the 23rd reached Oakland, Md.
It was engaged in constructing fortifications at Camp Pendleton until Aug. 7, and was then ordered to Cheat Mountain, going into camp at Elk Water.
While in the service, Endicott and the 17th Indiana were engaged at Chickamauga, Knoxville, Kennesaw Mountain and Macon.
Source: Nate Sanders auction
David L. McNees was from Lawrence County, PA when he enlisted on 10/12/61, mustering in to Company H., 78th PA Infantry. He was discharged for disability on 7/11/64. He died August 21, 1864.
He wrote the following letter:
Head Quarters 2nd Div 4th Al
Walker County Georgia
September 12th 1863,
[composed just before the regiment's heavy engagement in the Battle of Chickamauga.]
Excerpt:
We are at the foot of a very large mountain. We came down here on the ninth and on the tenth we advanced five miles and run against the whole rebel army and then retreat from Chattanooga but there was to many for our division but we held our position until yesterday morning when the first Division of our corps came. by that time the rebs tried to flank us and we had to fall back. and skirmished with them and again the tried to flank us but we moved back again and formed a new line and held it all night, and this morning the third Division of our Corps came up but the Rebs is Retreating. we would have destroyed thair whole train of wagons and captured a good portion of them. I expect we will catch the most of them yet.
********
In Jan., 1863, the Army of the Cumberland, under Gen. Rosecrans, was divided into three corps, the 14th, 20th and 21st, and the 78th was assigned to the 3rd brigade (Col. Miller), 2nd division (Gen. Negley), 14th corps (Gen. Thomas). It was engaged in provost duty at Murfreesboro until April, and in June shared in Rosecrans, campaign from Murfreesboro to Tullahoma. It then encamped at Decherd until Aug. 15, when it moved with the army in pursuit of Bragg.
On Sept. 11, a part of the regiment was engaged at Dug gap, Ga., the whole regiment shared in the desperate fighting at Chickamauga and then retired with the army to Chattanooga. While here it was assigned to the 3rd brigade (Gen. Starkweather), 1st division (Gen. R. M. Johnson), 14th corps (Gen. John M. Palmer). In the decisive engagements at Orchard Knob, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, the 78th was engaged with small loss, and it participated in a reconnoissance to the summit of Lookout Mountain. In company with the 21st Wis., the regiment was assigned to duty on Lookout mountain until May, 1864, when it rejoined its brigade at Graysville and moved with Sherman’s army on the Atlanta campaign.
Source: The Union Army, vol. 1
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Source: Nate Sanders auction
Decatur Ga,
Sept. 11th 1864
Sept. 11th 1864
Dear Sister,
I received a letter from you a few days ago. It was an old letter & would have been received before but we have for two or three weeks cut loose from Mail communications in order to 
Capture Atlanta. We left our “Cracker” line too, but before this reaches you, you will have heard how we succeeded in taking the City we have so long been striving for and that now we have fallen back to Decatur 6 miles from Atlanta where the 23rd Corps will remain until we rest & get some drafted men to fill our Army & enable us to continue our foreward movement which we shall probably do in a month. I escaped all accidents though many bullets & shells flew around me and it was almost a miracle that I did escape. The N.Y. Independent you sent I received the day before we started the letter I did not get till we came back. This country is completely desolated where the army has been so long. We passed through some country on our late expedition which was the best I have seen in the south. Fine corn fields, sweet potatoe & bean or pea patches were about the only farming. It was hot dusty and hard marching. We have crossed all the railroad tracks and torn them up & destroyed those south of the city. Yet our corps has not yet been inside the city. During the expedition we were not in the hard fighting & our regiment has not lost any men for three weeks. Before that we lost over one man on an average per day & that too when the aggregate did not exceed three hundred for duty. We draw rations now for 275 men which includes those who are present, sick & detailed for duty at Headquarters & other places. I dont think there are over 200 who bear arms & are available in line of battle. Tell me if the draft comes off who are drafted. Will Old Abe be reelected? I hope so though there are many here especially in the Ky. Regt which belong to our brigade who will vote for McClellan. They would vote for him so much the more willingly I suppose because he suits Vallunsligham. Well I have not time to write much more, Am too tired and dirty & lazy after our severe campaign, & wish to rest awhile, to loll about in the shade is a luxery. Love to all, write the news, let them know I am well, unscratched.
Capture Atlanta. We left our “Cracker” line too, but before this reaches you, you will have heard how we succeeded in taking the City we have so long been striving for and that now we have fallen back to Decatur 6 miles from Atlanta where the 23rd Corps will remain until we rest & get some drafted men to fill our Army & enable us to continue our foreward movement which we shall probably do in a month. I escaped all accidents though many bullets & shells flew around me and it was almost a miracle that I did escape. The N.Y. Independent you sent I received the day before we started the letter I did not get till we came back. This country is completely desolated where the army has been so long. We passed through some country on our late expedition which was the best I have seen in the south. Fine corn fields, sweet potatoe & bean or pea patches were about the only farming. It was hot dusty and hard marching. We have crossed all the railroad tracks and torn them up & destroyed those south of the city. Yet our corps has not yet been inside the city. During the expedition we were not in the hard fighting & our regiment has not lost any men for three weeks. Before that we lost over one man on an average per day & that too when the aggregate did not exceed three hundred for duty. We draw rations now for 275 men which includes those who are present, sick & detailed for duty at Headquarters & other places. I dont think there are over 200 who bear arms & are available in line of battle. Tell me if the draft comes off who are drafted. Will Old Abe be reelected? I hope so though there are many here especially in the Ky. Regt which belong to our brigade who will vote for McClellan. They would vote for him so much the more willingly I suppose because he suits Vallunsligham. Well I have not time to write much more, Am too tired and dirty & lazy after our severe campaign, & wish to rest awhile, to loll about in the shade is a luxery. Love to all, write the news, let them know I am well, unscratched.
Your Bro. A.M.Weston
(Asa M. Weston enlisted on 8/11/62 as Sergeant in Company K, 50th Ohio Infantry, 3/4/65 promoted to Sgt Major, 4/22/65 promoted to 2nd Lt, 6/26/65 mustered out at Salisbury, NC)
Iuka, Miss. September 10th [18]62
Dear Sister,
It has been some time since I received your welcome letter but I received it at this place while on the march from Camp Clear Creek to Tuscumbia, AL. which is about 30 miles from here and we have been moving about nearly all the time since so I have not until now got about answering your letter.
The 18th of Aug[ust] we left Camp Clear Creek for Tuscumbia. The second night we campoed in this place and arrived at Tuscumbia the 22nd of Aug[ust]. The country between here [end first page] and Tuscumbia is very good and productive. I should judge from the number of negroes but there shurely [sic] is not as many through that country as there was for there are hundreds of them in this place. They are camped close by where am I writing and you ought to see them. I think you would call it as good as show you ever saw and to see them dance and perform is better yet. They are happy thinking that they are going to be free. I don’t know what in the world the government is going to do with them. I think there is more than a 1,000 within a few rods of me now. I think if it was not for hot weather and niggers I should like to live in this country. I like some parts of it very well. [end page two]
We were stationed in Tuscumbia nearly a week when we were ordered on 15 miles farther to guard a R.R. bridge. We started on that march a week ago last Sunday about noon and got through just dark. It rained nearly all the time at that. We stayed there until the next Sunday morning when we started back. I did not march through with the company either way; giving out. I stopped with two others when we were about half way and hired horses to take us through. A negro went with us t take them back. We were a good ways behind and I suppose were in danger of being taken prisoners as the country is full of guerillas. When we came from there I got a chance to ride with the cavalry. Last Monday I was sent with others [end page three] from Tuscumbia to this place in the [railroad] cars, Our forces all left there that night. They are evacuating Tuscumbia and some think they will evacuate this place and fall back to Corinth. It may be so as that appears to be the order of the day. All around it seems rather hard to have to fight the ground all over again that McClellan had been a whole year in gaining. I hope they will not be another year taking it back. It seems there must be mismanagement somewhere. I am now waiting for our regiment [8th WI] to come up which I hear has stopped 15 miles from here to guard cotton until they can come get it away. I am staying in a church which is used for the guards. Rollin [Burbank, his brother] and Tommy were well when I left them. I guess you have heard from Rollin before this time. I think I have scribbled enough for once so I will close.
Please write again soon.
From your Friend and Brother,
Arthur S. Burbank
Note: Original letter now in possession of Van Hedges in Corinth, MS; originally purchased from eBay in late February 2008. Text and images used with permission of Mr. Hedges. The CDV of the eagle, old Abe, was the mascot for the 8th Wisconsin.
Camp 41st Geo. Regiment
Near Jonesborough
September 10, 1864
Robert O. Douglass of Troup County, Georgia writes about the fall of Atlanta. Reading this letter, one cannot help but conjure up images in Gone With the Wind of Atlanta burning.
Note: At the time of this letter the 41st GA was with Barton’s/Gardner’s brigade, Stevenson’s division, Army of Tennessee
Douglass writes to his sister, in part:
“…I hope though that Old Sherman will allow us to rest for a little while so that we can recuperate our health. I supposed you have heard of Genl Sherman driving all the citizens away from Atlanta. It’s the most brutal and inhumane act I ever heard of. General Hood sends 500 wagons for them Monday… What do you all think of the fall of Atlanta? Are you whipped? I hope not. When you hear of the last Confederate soldier laying in his grave, then you may say that the South is conquered, but not until then. We will continue to fight them as long as we live… Our cause is a just one. God is a just God, therefore, we must win…”
Source: eBay June 2007
Residence Troup County GA; Enlisted on 3/4/1862 as a 3rd Sergt.
On 3/4/1862 he mustered into “E” Co. GA 41st Infantry
He was Surrendered on 4/26/1865 at Greensboro, NC
Promotions:
* 1st Lieut
* Sergt Major 4/8/1862 (Adjutant)
The recruit — our latest acquisition — was so interesting. His nice, clean clothes, new hat, new shoes, trimming on his shirt front, letters and cross guns on his hat, new knife for all the fellows to borrow, nice comb for general use, nice little glass to shave by, good smoking tobacco, money in his pocket to lend out; oh! what a great convenience he was. How many things he had that a fellow could borrow, and how willing he was to go on guard, and get wet, and give away his rations, and bring water, and cut wood, and ride horses to water; and he was so clean and sweet, and his cheeks so rosy, all the fellows wanted to bunk with him under his nice new blanket, and impart to him some of their numerous and energetic ‘tormentors.’
And then it was so interesting to hear him talk. He knew so much about war, arms, tents, knapsacks, ammunition, marching, fighting, camping, cooking, shooting, and everything a soldier is and does. It is remarkable how much a recruit and how little an old soldier knows about such things. After a while the recruit forgets all, and is as ignorant as any veteran. How good the fellows were to a really gentlemanly boy; how they loved him!
Harper’s Weekly, September 7, 1861
Southern Historical Society Papers.
Vol. I. Richmond, Virginia., February, 1876. No. 2
Camp Fires Of The Boys In Gray.
NASHVILLE, September 1, 1863–11 a.m.
General GARFIELD:
Dispatch of 31st received this morning. The Alexandria force was ready to move at a moment’s notice. I forwarded the order from Murfreesborough. On August 30 instructed Colonel Shelley to report his arrival at department headquarters. Have instructed Colonel Mizner to move his regiment, and keep the country in the vicinity of Franklin clear of guerrillas.
G. GRANGER,
Major-General
O.R.– SERIES I–VOLUME XXX/3 [S# 52]
CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY, SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA, TENNESSEE, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH ALABAMA, AND NORTH GEORGIA, FROM AUGUST 11, 1863, TO OCTOBER 19, 1863.–UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.(*)–#12
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