Family Diary

[BumpusTN]

With thanks to Elizabeth Clark’s advice, I would like to begin, from time to time, posting excerpts from the diary of my great-great grandfather. I think that you may enjoy his accounts of life on the home front during the war and into reconstruction. Williamson Younger lived in McLemoresville and Atwood in West Tennessee. Though a tailor by trade, he also owned and operated a large family farm that lay in both Gibson and Carroll counties. He was a Cumberland Presbyterian, a life-long democrat, and a slave owner, although when reading the diary, it would seem that he detested the institution. Quite conflicted was he. He and his wife Louisa had ten children, three of the daughters marrying Presbyterian ministers. Two of their sons, William A, and James W, were enlisted in Co. G, “The Carroll Invincibles”, 22nd Tennessee Infantry, later becoming Company G of the 12th Consolidated Tennessee Infantry. William A was captured at Missionary Ridge and died at Rock Island prison. While being a diary, the record also served as Williamson’s will. His accounts of raids upon his home by both sides, his political views, and his plans for the division of his estate have proven fascinating to me. I hope you will indulge me in sharing some of my family history with you. Please let me know if I seem to have “overstayed” my welcome. I will post portions of it as time allows, and it is with great thanks to as well as the permission of the West Tennessee Historical Society that I am able to share.


1861- The burdens of war bear heavily on me having cost me much in fitting out my two sons besides lots of time in preparing clothes for them and for other soldiers. The government has not furnished my sons with anything in the way of clothing, except to J.W; a roundabout and one pair of coarse jean pants, and to each one, a coarse white blanket. Both caught measles while in the army and William A. came home with the measles and took typhoid fever and was confined 8 weeks. James W. had the measles in camp. Wm. A. left for camp October 13, 1861, after he recovered. I have never been a Secessionist. I never voted the Secession ticket. When the last vote was taken on whether Tennessee would secede, I did not vote at al for the reason I did not think I knew what was best. I believe our representatives in Congress and our Southern delegates in the Charleston convention, together with outsiders and the never-to-be-forgotten great national Democratic Party, have been the cause and will be held accountable for the blood shed in this unholy war. I have ever believed the great political questions that were made a pretense to divide this government could have been settled, if the southern leaders had been willing. Perhaps it is all right. We need chastising for our wickedness. No people of which modern history gives account, have so abused privileges and liberties. I mean both North and South. God is now chastising us. I believe we will never have a government of any permanency, North or South, unless we train our children better from the cradle. The voters of these once United States are in my humble judgment are incompetent of self-government. The present demonstrates the fact. No rotten-hearted person prospers, even in this world, long at a time. As with individuals so with the nations. God, help us to purge ourselves.


Scott Bumpus

[DJCasey]

That was great, thanks for posting. He certainly had some interesting views on the war and the nation. I look forward to reading more,

[BumpusTN]

If you'd like, here's some more.

February 23, 1862-The war has been fully commenced in our own state. My desire is that the south may succeed. If she does not, I fear she will be almost wiped out as part of a once great nation. I have never felt in my heart that I desired a dissolution of these United States, though I wish the south to be victorious.

April 25, 1862-I will write down one thing while it is on my mind. My servant boy, Jack, seems to be disposed to be hard to manage. If he continues to be so, I think it best for him not to be kept at home with the little children. Better for B. Watts, my son-in-law to have him if he and Mary (daughter) should be living and Jack should live. We know not what a day may bring forth.

September 7, 1862-While myself and family were at Pisgah Church in Carroll County, there came to my house 10 Federal soldiers and pressed two fine 3-year old mares and took also 1 saddle and 1 halter for which I have a receipt from Col. Bryant. But the worst they stole several things for which they made no report. They inquired of Caroline, a colored woman, if I had any money and if it was hid out. The inquiry was made by Capt. Stevens of Wisconsin. I was informed by one of the Wisconsin soldiers that this Capt. Stevens was of Company B, Wisconsin Volunteers.

September 14, 1862-One week after the above robbery, there came to my house six Federal soldiers, Tennesseans, and robbed me of another fine horse worth $200, and a good new leather halter, and threatened to burn my house. One Lieut. N. Cott of Carroll Co. Tenn, commanded the squad and was the man that threatened to burn my house. L. Barnhart was with Cott but he made no threats. Up to this time, Sept. 15, the Federals have robbed me of about $600 worth of property. One item I have left out: this Lieut. Cott tried to persuade my black man Moses to go with him to Humbolt, telling him I was a dam’d rascal. That is the way Tennesseans are doing.


Hope you enjoy.

Scott Bumpus

[Rev]

Thank you for posting these quotes. They are fascinating.

[Emmanuel Dabney]

Finally, a return to DOCUMENTABLE sources of the period! They have been absent too long on all sections of our forum.

Thank you. Interesting the change of heart from 1861 to 1862.

[cstaples]

I just have to say, very interesting writing. Please keep sharing and thank you for letting us all have a peek at some of your family history.

I also have a diary, well really part of it penned by a relative of mine whom served.
Most of his entries just lement about missing his beloved wife and children.

[BumpusTN]

December 14, 1862-Notified to attend at Trenton, Tenn; on a charge of writing a letter to be sent to my sons in the Southern army. Bill Warner arrested with letter. A few days ago the Confederates took Trenton and Humbolt, Tennessee.

February 23rd, 1863-Fourteen Federals came to my house while I was at Mr. Cunningham’s 2 and a half miles east of home, robbed me of a good mule, saddle, rug, curb bridle bit, and a new curry comb. They got dinner and fed off me and left me with an old mare that was nearly dead. My man Moses came home from the Feds. sometime back in December. He was gone about 9 or 10 weeks and came back sick. Jack came home sick about the 24th of Jan, 1863, and remained home 4 weeks did nothing but eat, got fat and sassy, and left Feb 23rd, 1863. J. Harwood took him up in Trenton and returned him home on Tuesday, the next day. On the following Thursday night, he left again. On Saturday night, April 10, some thief stole my saddle out of my lumber room.

I believe this wicked war was an uncalled for calamity. It might have been avoided had it not been for mean men, north and south. I thought we of the south should have waited, and if we were not interrupted in our sovereign as states by Mr. Lincoln and the party in power, then of course no cause for rebelling. If we had been, I think there would have been a sufficient party in the United States to have put down any such encroachment on states rights. I believe the north has aggravated the south by her liberty bills and insults in the federal congress to do what she has done. I have never been able to see sufficient grounds for secession and war. Both were brought on without my aid of voice at the ballot box. Now that both are upon us, my sympathies are entirely with my country and my people. I was opposed to secession and voted against secession. By the June vote, it seemed the mass of the people had become drunk with rage and prejudiced against the proceedings of the old government. I then thought I saw clearly where we were drifting. I was silent and did not vote at all. The fire was started and is burning to the consummation of our liberties, for the subjugation of the south is an end of our liberties. The treatment we have received from the old government has been calculated to drive us out of the Union. The officers of the Federal army have acted on the testimony of bad men and Negroes to seize the property of conservative men of the south. What was of no use to them, they have destroyed. This has strengthened the rebellion.
I'm going to be out for a few days. When I return, there's more if anyone's interested.

Scott Bumpus

[Pat.Lewis]

I'll go ahead and join the chorus. What a resource you've got there!

This is exactly what we need more of: the war as experienced by everyone, not just the soldiers. Though it must be pointed out that events like this on the home front could have a profound effect on soldiers in the field. I wonder if the sons in the army knew about this and how it affected their morale, etc.

[Emily Burns]

This question may be a little late, but I'm interested in the physical appearance of a typical diary. Size, covering, binding, kind of paper, etc.? Any and all descriptions would be most appreciated.

Kind regards,

[BumpusTN]

Right now, all I have is the transcription of the original. My father and I are working on locating the original. We've traced it to a distant cousin now living in Texas. Perhaps either she or one of her children have it. If I can get my hands (or eyes) on it, I will post pictures and discriptions of the actual book.

And, by the way, I so glad you're enjoying the entries. I was afraid that it would be kind of like showing you pictures of our family vacation. Lot's of fun for me, but...!

It really is an interesting piece.

Scott Bumpus

[Trish Hasenmueller]

I'm enjoying it a lot! My grandmother's grandmother was living in the same area of West Tennessee at the time of the war and might have been a neighbor of your diarist. They lived between Trenton and Humboldt and eventually my grandmother's father owned Gibson Springs around the turn of the century. Their name was Glenn.

The only stories I have came verbally through my grandmother from her grandmother. One was that the Union army took all their good horses and left broken down ones. The other story is that when the Union army came through, she hid all the cash money in the bee hive. Short stories, huh?

Trish Hasenmueller

[Rev]

My maternal family is from the same area. They would hang food in the chimneys during the Fed's 'callings' if they had time and throw lighter or punky wood on the fire to make looking in there impossible.

[Rmhisteach]

Scott,

Thanks for sharing. Going to join us in the spring?????

Your Pard

Rod

[BumpusTN]

Rodney my boy!

I'd love to say that I am, but we'll see how things are panning out. I'll get in touch soon.

Scott Bumpus

[BumpusTN]

Here's a few more entries.

September 15, 1863- Heard from my two sons near Chattanooga, Tenn. Thank God I hear they are well. I feel quite relieved.

Nov. 23, 1863-Since the above was written the war and other things have made many changes.

Nov. 30, 1863-The Confederate Soldiers have been eating and feeding on me this week. Furnished two bread rations for 40 men and about 50 pounds of bacon. Pressed one horse this evening for the Confederate service and left receipt for $150 at this time only worth half in Tenn. currency.

Dec. 20, 1863-Up to this time the Confederates have foraged off me the amount of 16 barrels of corn and bread baked for 80 men and fed on me the number of between 75 and 100 men and horses. I have not received one cent of pay from the Confederate authorities. The horse pressed of me Nov. 30 was sent back in about two weeks. The next day, after being sent back, one Capt. Bray of Henderson Co. Tenn., passed by and took the horse and left an old bay horse worth about $50.
I will now put on record the conduct of six men, calling themselves Confederate soldiers. There names as I have been able to learn them are as follows: Capt. White from about St. Joe, Mo., James Cribs, son of Reverend Cullen Cribs, Billy Cribs, son of widow Cribs; Brown Flippen, Giles Billew, son of Jo. Billew. These four are all of Gibson County, Tenn. Thomas Lewis of Carroll County, grandson of Annabella Dickson, a near neighbor. These six men came to my house in the night and tried to rob me of my fine gray horse Pete. They could not catch him. I out generaled them! Names of more of the desperate men are Harve Smith, son of Owen Smith of Skullbone. I have been told that there were one or two others by the names of Smith, all of Skullbone notoriety. Cal Lusk, son of Byrd Lusk, is no doubt one of the ring leaders of the gang. Old Byrd Lusk’s is there stopping place in this neighborhood. James Smith, John Smith, John Hitchcock and Pat Mathis. Old Lem Stout’s is one of there stopping places.


Jan. 1864-Last night the Federal robbers visited me, nine of the worst class of men. However four of them did nothing very bad, compared to what the other five did. The four best behaved are Tobe Wilson, captain of the squad, Miles Baird, son of James Baird of Gibson county, -----------Sloan, and -----------Smith, brother of Doctor Smith and son and law of the before named Baird. I don’t know by two of the bad five, Corny Wicker and Ike Mathis. If I can get the names of the others I will put them on record. Only part of the gang came to my house, got supper and horses fed, the cursed and abused me, threatened to shoot me, to cut my throat and to beat me over the head with a pistol. One of them picked up a gun and threatened to shoot my wife because she was trying to take some stolen clothes from him. They plundered the house, took a repeater worth $50, one pair of gloves, a head net worth $3 and a shawl, cost $7.50. Miles Baird gave little Mattie to whom the shawl belonged $5 in Tennessee money. We snatched several little articles from them.


Scott Bumpus

[Pat.Lewis]

September 15, 1863- Heard from my two sons near Chattanooga, Tenn. Thank God I hear they are well. I feel quite relieved.

They ain't gonna be well in about 3 days.

Nov. 23, 1863-Since the above was written the war and other things have made many changes.


You ain't lying, and it's only going to get worse...quick.

On a more serious note, I still think this is absolutely fascinating. I was thinking about some things I've noticed elsewhere while reading this last entry. Scanning through the census you occasionally find a man who has little or no land but a very specific small amount of property. That is to say, he claims exactly $43 or exactly $67. It always struck me as a bit odd. How did he know that his goods added up to that exact amount? Why didn't he just give an approximate value? $45 or $70 instead of the precise amount.

But I guess when you're a small farmer, barely scraping by from year to year, keeping up with such minutia is important. That same $2 or $3 dollars can be make or break at some point -- literally life or death. That this gentleman's records of the various armies taking and consuming all of his resources read like a ledger book, and that he attempts to get everyone's names recorded speaks to how devastating this war has become.

You can almost feel the growing anxiety in his head. Add to that the fear of being helpless at the hands of the troops and the worry over his sons in the army and we've got a test case for civilian hardship during the war. At the same time fantastic to have as a historian and heart-wrenching for the human.

Can't wait for the next installment. I'm addicted.

[Abrams]

I too find these words from the past fascinating. It does not seem to matter where your sympathies were. If soldiers came across your farm, they re-stocked on your belongings. North or South.

I am also curious to read the fate of the sons.

[BumpusTN]

At This point of the Diary, Williamson Younger began to intersperse his entries with biographical sketches of his children.

Jan. 1864: I sent by P. Goodloe, my son-in-law, to Mr. John Hassell of Trenton, Tenn $35 for Mr. Hassell to take to my son Wm. A. Younger who was then a prisoner at Rock Island, Ill. Wm. A. has been some little prodigal in his boy days but in the general course of later years, good, kind, friendly, and sturdy. I hope God will spare him for and turn his mind to some great and good way and noble purpose that his mark may be bright in this world.

James Williamson Younger was born January 15, 1842. James Williamson Younger my son is a good obedient boy. I hope he will, through the mercy of God, go through this dreadful war, safe and untarnished in character and make a good pious man. On Dec. 1, James W returned home from Hood’s army having been gone 3 years and 4 months.

1864 James W has been compelled to be in the services again as a soldier. What he has received from me is not to be accounted for in a division of anything I may have left of the goods and chattels of this world. The Federals carried off a fine young mare and saddle which I had designed for James W. Younger.

February 2, 1864- Twelve of Capt Holt & Smith’s robbers here again today. Drew sabre on me. Drew it over my head several times and swore to kill me. I told him to kill, that I was as well prepared to die as I ever would be. Took off with my bay mare worth about $150. Haltered my old Daniel mule but let me have him back by paying them $10. Some more names: George Nevel, Loss Quinn, one of the Connell’s, Harve Smith and a brother Dr. Smith, and one of Capt. Holt’s companies robbers. They will not tell me their names when I asked them.

Feb. 13, 1864-The same robbers visited me again last night. Drew pistols on me to make me tell them where my mules were. I did not tell. They made Allen, Negro boys tell. Bursted the door open and took the last two work mules I had. Took Allen off too. I learned other names: Bill Nevel (old Rueben Nevel’s son), G.C. Smith and George Nevel. Cal Lusk and Old Byrd Lusk are the ringleaders of the gang that visit this section.

February 29, 1864-Just returned home from Paducah, Kentucky. I am satisfied that there is a regular organized band of robbers from here into Illinois. It is clear in my mind that they get Federal protection. On the 26th instant, I laid the case before Col. J. A. Hawkins at Union City. He gave me no satisfaction. Let us bear patiently the spoiling of our goods.


Scott Bumpus