Tag Archives: Florida

11 March 1864: “Beauregard has whipped the Yankees at Mud Creek (where is Mud Creek?)”

Item Description: In this entry dated 11 March 1864, Samuel Agnew, a Presbyterian minister, teacher, farmer, and prominent local citizen in Tippah and Lee counties, Mississippi, reported on some local disputes and third hand news of the war. Confederate Generals Lee, … Continue reading

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30 May 1863: “The ‘Chattahoochee’ is no more! and I am truly thankful that I was not present to witness the horrible scene on board. But I am anticipating the ship exploded her boiler on the 27th, inst., 7 miles below Alum Bluff, causing the death of 16 persons instantly, and two more will not recover.”

Item description: Letter, 30 May 1863, from George Washington Gift to his fiancee Ellen Augusta Shackelford, concerning the explosion that destroyed the gunboat C.S.S. Chattahoochee on 27 May 1863. George Washington Gift (b. 1833) was raised in Tennessee, and went to California some … Continue reading

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26 March 1862: “Florida is hard pressed by the enemy both Fernandina and Jacksonville have been taken by the Lincolnites.”

Item Description: Rev. Overton Bernard discusses his son’s, Jesse Bernard, raising of volunteer troops in Florida. He sheds light on political maneuvering involved in securing military ranks.  Bernard’s entry also illuminates the impact of the war on Florida cities. Image:    Item Citation: From … Continue reading

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6 August 1861: “yesterday our town was in a very great state of excitement, early in the morning a few of us went to the top of Dr. Clay’s house to take a look at the blockading vessels which are seen almost every day…”

Item description: Photostat of a letter, dated 6 August 1861, from Norman Brownson, Fernandina, Fla., to Henry Summer, Newberry, S.C., giving news from Fernandina and describing military bustle and blockade running in Florida. [Item transcription available below images.] Item citation: … Continue reading

Posted in Southern Historical Collection | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 6 August 1861: “yesterday our town was in a very great state of excitement, early in the morning a few of us went to the top of Dr. Clay’s house to take a look at the blockading vessels which are seen almost every day…”