11 November 1863: “I am slow to believe the evacuation of Corinth.”

Item Description: Diary entry, 11 November 1863. Samuel A. Agnew was a Presbyterian minister, teacher, farmer, and prominent local citizen in Mississippi. The diary entry details Agnew’s thoughts about the certain happenings of the war.

[Item transcription available below image]

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Item Citation: Folder 9, Samuel A. Agnew Diary #00923Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

 

Item Transcription:

November 11. Cold and frosty this morning. At Pa’s request rode this forenoon over to the Tishomingo Farm to see if anything was damaging the crop ungathered there. Walk through the fields, getting in the trip a good many “cuckleburs” on me. Rode around the entire farm, and found no hogs or cows in the field. Saw a good many wild turkeys on the route, and they seemed gentler than ordinary. I rode within 20 yards of some. They are using in the field and are fareing sumptuously. Saw Beaty and returned. He had seen 2 men with Blue Coats pass down the road this morning in charge of two other men with guns, and he supposed they were Yankee prisoners. The conjecture may be correct, but so many of our own men wear blue coats that there is no telling. Beaty did not speak to these men. The day throughout has been clear, after dinner walk up to the Fresh Field where they are sowing wheat and back. Rode over to Aunt Rilla’s, going by Brice’s. Saw Dr. Smythe at Brice’s. He was complaining. It is currently reported that the Yankees are evacuating Corinth, that they sent off 300 negroe families north in waggons last friday, that they are short of provisions and ammunition, the Railroads having been torn up on every hand: and that there are only 3 Black and 2 white Regiments there now. But these reports are to be received with some allowances. I am slow to believe the evacuation of Corinth. It is reported that Bragg has whipped Thomas badly capturing 12000 prisoners: also that Longstreet had crossed the River and got badly whipped. From the Mobile News I gather some items & they I think are more reliable than these flying reports. On the 1st the Yankees were on Raccoon Mountain fortifying. Their object is to dislodge our men from Lookout Mountain. There was sharp skirmishing on Lookout Creek, which runs through the narrow valley between Lookout, and Racoon Mountains. I think it is probable from this paper that Bragg will have to retreat. Such is the rumor in Atlanta and Macon, though it is not known that the retreat has commenced. This paper is dated the 7th and has not a single item from Bragg i. e. telegraphic. They are still booming away at Fort Sumter.  Notice an advertisement on Brice’s Store door stating that “Lily” will be at the Cross Roads on the 13th to assess the C. S. Tax. A Mrs. Owens & Baily were at Aunt Rilla’s tonight. They lived near Nolins Store (Tripoli) and have been to Okolona after salt.

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