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RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI
AND MISSISSIPPIANS

3V07'/

REUBEN DAVIS

BOSTON AND NEW YORK

HOUGHTON. MIFFLIN AND COMPANY

etc njui^itK fnft, CsmhttBt

1890

AU righis re$erved.

Ikt Riversidi Prus, Oamhridgt, Mdu., U. 8. A,
BlaetroCjiMd ADd Printed by H. O. HonglitoD A Company.

AEB DISIOATBD TO TBI

LAWYERS OF MISSISSIPPI

BT ONB WHO IS NOT ONLT TUB OLDEST MISSISSIPPIAN NOW IN THB
FBOFBSSION, BUT WHO IS THB SOLE SURVIVOR OF THB
BAR OF FIFTY YEARS AGO.

CONTENTS.

I. Eably Yeabs 1

n. Hamilton People 12

ni. Medical Studies 17

IV. A Perilous Ride 24

y. The First Trial I ever heard .... 29

VI. Change of Profession, and Marriage . 43

yn. Elected District Attorney 51

yill. PUSHMATTAHAW 59

IX. A Canvass for Office 65

X. The Notable Towns of Mississippi ... 73
XI. Holly Springs and Pontotoc, and their Men of

Mark 86

XII. Columbus and its Citizens 97

XIII. Life in Mississippi from 1828 to 1845 . . 103

XrV. Financial Disorder 116

XV. A Memorabi^ Election for GtOVErnor, and a

Military Diversion 130

XVI. A Strange Experience 144

•

XVII. The Case of State vs. Forester .... 154

XVlU. My Associates in Ripley and Corinth 164

XIX. Tupelo, Okolona, and Houston .... 174

XX. The Presidential Election of 1844 • . . 186

XXI. My Defense of Scaogs 201

CONTENTS.

XXII.

xxni.

XXIV.

XXV.

XXVI.

XXVII.

XXVUI.

XXIX.

XXX.

XXXI.

xxxn.
xxxin.

XXXIV.
XXXV.
XXXVI.

xxxvn.

XXXVIII.

M188IB8IPF1 IN THE Mexican War
My Adventures in the War .
Mt Return from the War .
Removal to Aberdeen
The Early Settlers of Aberdeen
The Presidential Election of 1848
My Canvass for Congress in 1848-49.
Davis, Foote, and Quitman
*<The Chickasaw Rebellion"
Services as Railroad Attorney
Member of the Legislature .
Election to Congress
Experience at Washington .
The Contest for the Speakership
Was Mississippi to secede ? .
The Opening of the War
Military Preparations in Mississippi.
Conclusion

211
230
239
252
263
286
297
310
322
335
345
354
363
374
387
395
408
425

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL

CHAPTER I.

The life of every man of action is full of inci-
dent, more or less interesting to those who come
after him ; and especially is this the case when that
life includes the early scenes of a newly-settled
country, and the stirring events that led up to
and culminated in a civil war of vast proportions
and results. Perhaps some slight record of such
a life as this, and some brief sketches of the men
and manners of a period fast becoming historic,
may not be unacceptable to the Mississippian of to-
day. In writing a sketch of my own life, I mean
to make it a thread upon which to string some
memories of old friends and comrades, and of the
stirring times through which we passed together.
Many of them — most of thera, alas! — have
passed '' beyond the river," and the world has
changed since we were young together. If those
who come to take their places are as brave, honest,
kindly, and loyal, they also may hope to build up
and redeem the country bequeathed to them by
noble sires.

2 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

My father waa one of the earliest settlers in
this country. He was a man of limited means,
and though of strong and vigorous intellectj had
only the imperfect education of the pioneers of
that day. His chief study was the Bible and a
few volumes of history, which formed his only
library. Although a Baptist minister of high
standing, he occupied himself, during the week,
with ordinary farm labor, and could never be
induced to accept any compensation for his ser-
vices in the church : this would have been, accord-
ing to his belief, " serving the Lord for hire."
Both my parents were born in Virginia, and re-
mained there after marriage until ten children
were added to their family. They then removed
to Tennessee, and settled near Winchester, where
I, their twelfth and last child, was born. I can
remember that I was a feeble child, and consid-
ered very inferior to my brothers and sisters in
strength and endurance, yet 1 have outlived them
all, and am the last of that large household.

When I was about five years of age. my father
removed from Tennessee to North Alabama. The
land had been recently purchased from the Indians,
and many of them yet roamed the dense forests
of that section. I well remember how 1 hunted
with these wild companions, and was taught by
them to use the bow and arrow. Even now I can
recall something of the emotion excited in ray
youthfid breast by the wild yells of a party of

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 3

drunken savages passing near my father's house.
Occasional deeds of frightful atrocity were com-
mitted in the immediate neighborhood. Long
before I was competent to reason upon it, the
problem of race-hatred was forced upon my obser-
vation. The fierce antagonism of one race for
another and the frequent rising of the conquered
against the conqueror were met then as practical
questions, — as the fa-shion of the day was, — with-
out much speculation or moralizing. Later in life
I have encountered the same problem under new
phases, and I confess that I still see no way out of
the difficulties presented by it.

At that time the country was as wild and un-
settled as possible ; there were no laws, no schools,
and no libraries. Every man did what was right
in his own eyes, but in spite of general reckless-
ness and lawlessness, there was a rough code of
lionor and honesty which was rarely broken. The
settlers lived a life of great toil and many priva-
tions, but they were eminently social, kindly, and
friendly. They practised the most cordial and
unstinted hospitality; and in case of sorrow or
sickness, or need of any kind, there was no limit
to the ready service rendered by neighbors and
friends. In those days, people who lived many
miles apart counted themselves as neighbors, and
even strangers soon became friends. There was
this great advantage that, while none were very
wealthy, few were poor enough to suffer actual

4 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

want Ab an American poet has said of another
Arcadian country, " There the richest were poor,
and the poorest had all in abundance." The sim-
ple habits of the laboring man were not shamed
by the ostentation of his more prosperous neigh-
bor; and there was none of that silent, perpetual
contrast of luxury and penury, which now adds
bitterness to class-hatreds, and, perhaps, hes at the
root of the labor troubles of to-day.

At the sale of public lands, ordered by the gen-
eral government, my father purchased a section
of good land.

Clearing laud and opening a farm required con-
stant and severe labor, and I, with my five bro-
thers, performed our full share. Upon this farm
I remained until I was sixteen years old. By thia
time we had conquered the fir-st difficulties that
the settler encountered, and our home, though
plain, was one of comfort and great abundance.
My brothers and myself, assisted by six colored
hands, cultivated the land, and attended school
only about three months in the year. In this way
wo learned to read and write, as well as the rudi-
ments of arithmetic and a little Latin. Unfor-
timatcly, these schools were for the most part
taught by incompetent adventurers, who, having
failed at everything else, offered themselves as
ti'iichers. My father did not allow his children to
riiad the Bible, holding that it could be studied
Willi profit only by those whose minds were fully

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 6

matured and informed by experience. I was, how-
ever, taught that the world was exactly six thou-
sand years old, and I believed it to a day ; I was
told that Adam was created out of the dust of the
ground, and Eve out of a rib of Adam's side; I
believed this too. I was informed that, placed in
a delightful garden, they ate of the forbidden tree,
and thus came death and all our woe ! All this I
devoutly believed upon ray father's testimony;
and if, in later years, I have questioned many
things that I accepted then, I have never seen
reason to regret that my boyish mind was nour-
ished upon a religious system containing a few
simple beliefs and a rigid morality.

Having few books and no excitements in life,
my mind naturally exercised itself upon the life
around me and the wonders of nature. The his-
tories I read inSamed my imagination with hints
of the great world outside of the quiet valley
which was all I knew. I longed to learn ; to take
my part in active life, and to have some small share
in the brilliant rewards held out to honorable
ambition.

My mother died when I was about twelve years
old, and the grief which this loss occasioned shad-
owed my existence for years. She was a woman
of great tenderness and sweetness of character,
and I was passionately devoted to her. Through-
out my whole life, I have carried the most affec-
tionate memory of her in my heart. Although

6 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

naturally of a sanguine temperament, I had occa-
sional fits of deep despondency, induced, as I now
see, by the monotony of my life, and the apparent
lack of prospect for getting on in the world.

About this time, also, I was penetrated by what
I considered an undying passion for a little girl
who went to the same school with me. She was
in my eyes the most beautiful and amiable of
human creatures. What agonies of love and shy-
ness I suffered on account of her ! After some
time, which seems an eternity in my recollection,
her family removed to a distant part of the coun-
try ; and before I saw her again, we were both
grown and married. She has long been dead, — a
woman old and worn, — and is no doubt forgotten
except by one old man, to whom she remains the
innocent mite of a girl who charmed his boyish
fancy.

While still but a lad, I left home to begin a
new chapter in my preparation for life. My
father had decided, after much hesitation and
many misgivings, that I should be allowed to
study medicine. All ray own desires pointed even
then to the law, but my father held stubbornly to
his peculiar theories on that subject. It was very
clear to him, he said, that lawyers were wholly
given up to the Devil even in this world, and that
it was impossible for any one of them ever to
enter the kingdom of heaven. That being the
case, he could not, in conscience, allow a son of his

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 7

to enter the ranks of a profession foredoomed to
everlasting burnings. He also entertained strong
doubts as to the final welfare of medical men in
general, but admitted that some few might be
saved, provided they used their best endeavors not
to kill their patients, and resisted all temptation
to prolong illnesses with a view to pecuniary profit.
After solemn admonitions on these points, I left
home, with my father's consent and blessing, to
read medicine with my brother-in-law, Dr. George
Higgason, in Hamilton, Monroe County, Miss. It
was about sixty years ago that I thus became a
citizen of Monroe County, and cast in my lot with
a people with whom I have been identified for
more than half a century.

I was fortunate in being placed with Dr. Hig-
gason, who was not only an excellent physician,
but an elegant and accomplished gentleman ; he
was a man of extensive reading, and his informa-
tion was accurate. So great was bis popularity
that he was repeatedly elected to the legislature.
At that time Monroe County was composed of the
territory lying between the Alabama line and the
Tombigbee River. Hamilton was the county seat,
and was a delightful village of some five or six
hundred people. The country was for the most
part covered with forest, and very abundantly
watered. A malignant type of bilious fever pre-
vailed in those days, and was too often fatal. In
many of its symptoms it closely resembled yellow

8 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

fever, and at that early day the medical profession
had not learned to manage that class of diseases.
Owing to the great fertility of the soil, the people
were generally prosperous. I suppose there was
never a community more frank and genial in their
hospitality, or more liberal in their dealings with
both friend and stranger. It is not too much to
say that every house was opened to the traveller
— every hand outstretched to aid and welcome
him. It seemed impossible to pass a house without
stopping to eat and drink with the friendly owners,
or to spend the night. Instead of regarding it as
a trespass upon their hospitality, these good people
actually seemed hurt and offended if even a stran-
ger passed without breaking bread with them.
There were few ladies, comparatively, and among
such a chivalrous body of southrons those few had
everything their own way. Most of them were
lovely and elegant women, and, in spite of the
roughness of life in a newly-settled country, they
were treated like queens by every man who ap-
proached them. Some of those gracious and beau-
tiful women are still embalmed in my most grateful
and affectionate remembrance for their kindness
and attention to me. As I was still a mere boy,
shy and awkward, and wholly unaccustomed to soci-
ety, I don't know what would have become of me
without the advice and encouragement of these
kind friends. They have grown old long ago, and
passed away from this world, but in my memory

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 9

they live always, fair and young, and blessing all
around them with their sweet and gracious kind-
ness. May the earth lie lightly above them !

This journey to Hamilton being my first glimpse
of the world outside of my own neighborhood, I was
naturally much impressed by everything I saw
and heard, aud particularly by the people I met.
Dr. Higgason and I travelled on horseback, as was
the custom for men, women, and children in those
days. The coimtry between Eussellville and the
Btate line is full of natural beauty, and at that
time was much wilder and more impressive than
it is now. Most of our way lay through almost
unbroken wilds, and the bright streams and water-
courses flowed through a virgin land in all the
fresh beauty of a new creation. Soon after cross-
ing the Mississippi line, we came to the plantation
of Mr. Reagen, who was the first Mississippian I
became acquainted with, and whose cordial greet-
ing seemed to welcome me to the State as well as
to his own fireside. He had a valuable place in
the rich bottom lands of the Sipsey, and his family
lived most comfortably in a neat log-house, well
finished and well furnished. They were kind,
Christian people, and, as Dr. Higgason was their
family physician, received rae as a friend, and gave
me a standing invitation to their house. That
night we stopped at the house of Mr. Benjamin
Lann, and received all the kindness that could be
extended to the most honored guest. His good

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

wife smiled as she presided over her well-apread
table, and pressed each dish upon the travellers.
There were young people in the house, and some
of the youthful neighbors coming in, we had ai
merry evening. From there to Hamilton w«
stopped for a longer or shorter time at every
house. Iliggason knew everybody, and every-
body knew him, and I began to feel that it would
be my own fault i£ I did not soon feel at home
in such a genial atmosphere. Especially was this
conviction forced upon me when we spent one
night at the house of Colonel Willis, at that time
one of the most prominent citizens of the county.
He was originally from Georgia, a man of culti-
vated mind and polished manners, and of means
sufficient to enable him to live in much more style
than was at that time common in this country.
His plantation was large, and cultivated by many
negroes. It was adorned by a very handsome and
commodious dwelling, and was the happy home of
one of the most agreeable families I have ever
known. His wife was an accompliehed and charm-
ing woman, and she had the rare good sense to
adapt herself to the life her husband's interests
required, and to find happiness and contentment
in her cheerful domestic life. I shall never forget
the kindness of these good people both then and
during the many years during which they contin-
ued ray steadfast and faithful friends. They said
to me when I bade them good-by after that first

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL H

visits "You are young to be away from home.
When you get homesick, come out to us, and let
us try to make this another home for you/* Thus
began a friendship that was never broken until
death removed these generous souls.

CHAPTER n.

About this time a young man, T. M. Tucker,
came to Hamilton to study law under Daniel W.
Wright, a prominent lawyer of that place. Cir-
cumstances threw us together, and a certain simi-
larity of position and a strong mutual sympathy
under the embarrassments of our first social fail-
ures, combined to make us early and fast friends.
We passed all our leisure hours together, and both
of us studied hard, and avoided all dissipation.
Daniel W. Wright was very kind to us both, and
I have to record my gratitude to him for much
friendly notice and encouragement. He was pro-
foundly read as a lawyer and really a brilliant
speaker. I passed many hours at his house, which
was made charming by the gentleness of his wife.
Speaking of Wright naturally suggests his friend
and compeer, James L. Trotter, one of the noblest
and best of men. There are no words too strong
to express the veneration and admiration I felt
for him, and it was one of those rare instances
where the enthusiastic judgment of early days
was fully endorsed in the calmer period of later
life. He was a good scholar and a fine speaker,
kind and generous above measure ; incapable of

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

fear, treachery, or meanness, he was the ideal
Southerner of that day. He had a sister in all
respects worthy oi such a brother, and from both
of them I received great and considerate kindness.
Then there was General Stephen Cocke, a law-
yer of great ability, but destitute of any power
of oratory. While equal to the best in mere con-
versational ability, he appeared to lose all power
of expression as soon as he rose to speak. Like
" Blass," in " Flush Times," he knew all the law
there was, but could n't " norate it from the stump "
to save his life. I knew him intimately for many
years ; and if he had any failing which his friends
could not tenderly condone, loving him the better
for sharing our common frailty, I never found it
out. I suppose there never was a better man than
Stephen Cocke, and his generosity was proverbial.
His two nieces — the Misses Buckingham — lived
with him, and were great friends of mine. They
were lovely women, and no sisters could have been
kinder than I always found them, nor more pains-
taking in their efforts to improve me. The posi-
tion they occupied in society gave them frequent
opportunities of drawing out such young men as
Were so fortunate as to be noticed by them, and
they had the kindness and tact to smooth many
rough places for us. Some years older than my-
self, they have long since gone to those Elysian
fields for which their amiable lives here were a
fitting preparation.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

Small as the population of Hamilton was, it con-
tained many other ladies and gentlemen of excel'
lent gifts and attainment^, and was the scene o£
many festive occasions which we regarded as bril-
liant social events. One of these I remember
well, it being the first public ball I ever attended.
We had suffered from a long, hot summer, and
the prevailing malarial fever had been universally
severe and depressing in its effects. At last, fresh
breezes cooled the air, and heavy frosts dispelled
the poisonous emanations which had oppressed ua.
In the gladness of our hearts it was determined to
give a grand ball, and the finest beaux and gayest
belles of old Monroe were to be in attendance.
Any gentleman of fair social standing, who could
procure a decent suit of clothing and five dollars
for hia ticket, was welcome. Ah, what a night
that was, and with what a beating heart I donned
my best attire for the festival ! In those days
young fellows were more showy in their outfit
than they are now, and I put on with great satis-
faction a swallow-tailed coat of bright blue cloth
and brass buttons, buff doeskin trousers, white
waistcoat, ruffled shirt, silk stockings, and pumps.

The young ladies were gorgeous. They were
plainer in their every-day apparel than girls of this
day, but on great occasions they wore frocks of
rich silk stuffs and fine gay colors, and they had
all sorts of lace tuckers and frills, and wore their
hair curled and frizzed in a very artful manner.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

I won't go so far as to say that women are less
handsome nowadays, but I never see any of them
look as radiant as they did in the year eighteen
hundred and — never mind what. It is some-
times a mistake to be too particular about dates.
We danced reels in those days, and generally kept
it up all night. I remember how carefully I walked
through my firat atteinpt, and how proud I was
when my partner got through all right. It was,
no doubt, more owing to her skill than my own;
but I felt the triumph all the same, and a delicious
sense of escape from failure and disgrace. Poor
Tucker was more ambitious and less fortunate.
He tried to cut some flourishes, got his pumps tan-
gled up in the ladies' dresses, and was dreadfully
mortified by the confusion that ensued. I was
sorry for him, but not so sorry as I should have
been if I had felt less complacent over my own
escape.

There was a Misa Walker present, a niece of Gen-
eral Winfield Scott, with whom I danced a great
deal. I wanted to dance with the beautiful Misses
Walton, sisters of the late Mr. Joe Walton ; but they
had just come home from boarding-school, and were
said to be so tremendously accomplished that I
was afraid of them. They belonged to a remark-
ably handsome family, and I thought then, as I
think now, tliat there never lived more beautiful
creatures. Afterwards I knew them well, attended
the weddings of both sistere at Cotton Gin several

16 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

years later, and had the honor of dancing the first
reel with each fair bride after the marriage cere-
mony. Gone, alas, are the old familiar faces, but
out of the past they still shine upon me with the
old friendly lustre, and I feel how pleasant and
mournful to the soul are the memories of joys that
are gone.

In a short time I became well acquainted with
the people of Hamilton and its vicinity. Looking
back at this advanced period, I ask myself why
there was such a marked superiority in mental
and moral tone to that which now exists. In
many important respects our people are now far
in advance of those who preceded them. Espe-
cially is this the case in all the practical arts and
sciences, the inventions that facilitate labor, and
make life easy and comfortable. That is one
great drawback to our civilization. People get
too tender, and lack the courage to work, which is
the best sort of courage a man can have. In the
good old days we lived closer to mother Earth, and
drew etrengtb from her bosom.

At that time even the richest and most culti-
vated had few books compared to the ilood that
now pours into every household. The few pre-
cious volumes that could be obtained were studied
more carefully, and reflected upon with more
profit. It has been said '" Beware of the man
with only one book." and it is certain that the
men of that time, who were destitute of many of
the so-called advantages of the day, developed a

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

vigorous manhood rarely seen now. Trained to
prompt action in every emergency, they had all
their faculties keenly upon the alert, and met
intellectual questions with the same fearlessness
which they were accustomed to show in their con-
flict with the difficulties of a new society. It is
scarcely possible for young men in the habit of
regarding college-life as the only education to
estimate the sort of training which the exigencies
of daily life gave to those who were building a
civilized State out of a newly conquered wilderness.
It was to the moral fibre of these pioneers that
we chiefly owe the wonderful success they achieved.
I wish to state this very strongly because I am
aware that, upon this subject, much injustice has
been done us, both at home and abroad. Our first
settlers have too often been characterized as a set
of rufBans and desperadoes, whose courage de-
generated into ferocity, and whose freedom was
license and debauchery. The Mississippian has
been caricatured into a swaggering rowdy, always
drinking whiskey and flourishing revolvers and
bowie-knives. It is true that many of them drank
hard, swore freely, and were utterly reckless of
consequences when their passions were aroused.
But it is equally true that the great body of the
settlers were sober, iudustrious men, who met hard-
ships and toil with patient courage, and whose
hands were as ready to extend help as they were
to resist violence and oppression. They took life

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 19

jovially, and enjoyed such pleasures as they could
come by. Although a God-fearing people — for
infidelity was unknown — there was nothing etraitr
laced about their religion. They attended divine
worship in a reverent spirit, and endeavored to do
their duty to God and man, so fai' as they saw it.
Even the strictest of them made no scruple about
a social glass, or a lively dance, or a game of cards,
or even of an honest hand-to-hand fight under due
provocation. Minister as he was, my father never
doubted that it was part of his Christian duty to
knock down any rascal who happened to deserve
such discipline. People had not begun to write
about muscular Christianity in those days, but they
understood and practised it. Their creed was
generally simple. A man ought to fear God, and
mind his business. He should be respectful and
courteous to all women ; he should love his friends
and hate his enemies. He should eat when he was
hungry, drink when he was thirsty, dance when
he was merry, vote for the candidate he liked best,
and knock down any man who questioned his right
to these privileges. He was almost always an
ardent politician, and a strong partisan on which-
ever side he enlisted. But a man would have been
held in reprobation who should attempt to serve
his party by fraud and corruption. There was
no ballofc-box stuffing.

It is probable that the greater simplicity of
social habit brought people nearer together, and

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

inude man's common brotherhood more readily
felt. Certain it is that mutual help and encourage-
ment was the rule and not the exception, and
when adversity threatened, neighbors relied upon
each other as if they were members of one great
family. The world has of necessity grown colder
and more selfish as those primitive days recede
into the dim past, and in grasping all things, men
let happiness slip out of their hands.

People are less religious now th;m they us5d to
be, though they have so many more churches and
preachers to keep them in the right way. I do
not profess to be what is called orthodox myself,
nor to believe all that was taught in my father's
house; but the longer I live, the more clearly I see
that without religion and morality no nation or
individual can prosper. It is the youth who lives
an orderly and moral life, and who reverences all
Bacred teachings, who grows up into a prosperous
man and a good citizen.

During the first two years after I went to Ham-
ilton, little occurred worthy of detail here. I
studied h.ard, generally reading twelve hours a day.
This was too much, and I now see that I might
have made better progress with less application.
However, I was conscious of many deficiencies, and
felt that I must lose no time. Dr. Iliggason
seemed of the same opinion, and I injured my
health by too many hours' confinement. I at-
tempted too much, and failed to master completely

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL

any one branch of my subject. When I came to
the practice of medicine, I discovered that my
knowledge was superficial, and tried to remedy
this imperfection by careful study of one branch at
a time. At first I was too ignorant even to know
how best to employ such advantages as were
offered me. Once more I must refer to the great
kindness and encouragement I received from lead-
ing citizens of Hamilton, who in the midst of their
busy lives found tiuie to give friendly help and
counsel to the diffident and awkward boy who
sorely needed such assistance. Kind words and
deeds are good seed wlierever scattered, but no-
where is the harvest more abundant than when
sown in tlie heart of a struggling and self-distrust-
ful youth. To this day I can never think with-
out emotion of the people who were kind to me
then.

Among these friends I must particularly men-
tion William Bellington, to whom I am indebted
as much as to any other man, for such small
success as I have had in life. He was from Phila-
delphia, and had received the advantage of a classi-
cal education, and also of an early acquaintance
with an old and polished society. I have never
known a better heart. For some reason, he took
me in a manner under his protection, often talked
with me, and led me to read books outside of my
medical course. With him I first became familiar
with Shakespeare and other poets. His influence

22 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL

confirmed me in my determination to become a
lawyer.

Some of the young men of the village formed
themselves into a Debating Club. I attended one
of their meetings, and through the politeness of
some of the members, was induced to speak. My
remarks had the merit of brevity, and probably of
little else, but they were indulgently received, and
several gentlemen were kind enough to say that 1
had qualities that would lead to success as a de-
bater. These favorable comments sank deep in
my mind, and strengthened the aversion I already
felt for the life marked out for me. I felt that
I could never be happy or successful as a physi-
cian.

All this time I worked hard at my medical
studies. Tucker and myself were constantly to-
gether, but rarely joined in the amusements of the
other young men. Once we attended a ball at
Quincy, and that was made memorable to me by
being the occasion of my first personal encounter.
Engaged in the pleasures of the evening, some
question arose as to precedence of claim upon the
attention of one of the ladies. To my great sur-
prise I was grossly insulted by the gentleman
whose claims conflicted with mine. Justly out-
raged, I no sooner withdrew my adversary from
the presence of the ladies than I challenged him
to defend himself, and assaulted him with my
pocket-knife. In this I was sustained by all pre-

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL 23

sent, and the general sentiment was that I had
done well to maintain my honor against the assault
of an ill-mannered and violent bully. This action
I have never regretted, holding that a man has a
right to defend his honor whenever and by whom-
soever assailed. Had I submitted tamely to this
insult, my whole future career would have been
blighted by it, and I should have lost all claim
to the respect and good-opinion of my fellow-citi-
zens.

CHAPTER IV.

My two years of study ended^ I returned home
for a short visit, and had the satisfaction of being
commended by my family for what they con-
sidered an improvement in manly qualities. From
there, I went to Memphis, Tennessee, hoping to
find a good opening for future work in that new
place. After several days' journey on horseback, I
reached Memphis late one summer afternoon. It
was then a small town, ugly, dirty, and sickly.
While supper was being got for me at the tavern,
I walked through the miserable streets, and out
upon the banks of the river. I shall never forget
the dreariness of that night, nor the despondency
into which I fell when I tried to bring myself to

consider this as my future home. I passed much
of the night in reflection, and became convinced
that I could not maintain myself there. Every-
thing pointed to the certainty that in a short time
this squalid village must grow to be a great and
wealthy city, but I had no confidence in my des-
tiny as one of the builders of it. For many years
the population would be rough and lawless, and
the locality and sanitary condition of the town
promised that disease and death would hold high
carnival there.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

Even should I survive these perils, what pros-
pect hnd 1 for success? I was very young, had
studied medicine in do college, had only money
enough to support me for a few months ; and, with
all these disadvantages, would have to compete
with men fully equipped for tlie struggle. My
courage failed, and, after an early breakfast, I
turned my face homewards.

My brother William at that time lived in Soiner-
ville, Tennessee. He was a lawyer of considerable
standing in that place, and was making both money
and reputation. It was upon his suggestion, and
his promise o£ assistance, that the plan of location
in Memphis had been made. When he saw me
return, he was very much surprised and disgusted.
He was a man of unusual mental force, and had
such strong common-sense and knowledge of busi-
ness that hia judgment was almost imerring. He
was prudent in the management of his affairs,
but always just and generous in the highest de-
gree. In this place I may say that he afterwards
removed to Texas, where he was widely known
and honored. He accumulated a handsome for-
tune, and reared a large family, none of whom
survive him, except three sons who now reside at
El Paso.

I never knew a manlier man than my brother
William, and he continued the same until his
death, which took place in Texas some years ago,
he having reached a very advanced age. With

RECOLLECTIOSS OF MISSISSIPPI.

him perished the last link that connected me with
the scenes and associations of our earlier lives.

My brother had a just conSdence in his opin-
ions, and was somewhat absolute in maintaining
them. I bad great affection and respect for him*
and always hesitated to question the wisdom of his
advice. In this case I ventured to defend my own
opinion, and he finally agreed that I had perhaps
acted wisely. I remained with him a few days.
In returning home, my road lay through Bolivar,
and thence to the house of Mr. Chambers, on the
line between Tennessee and the Chickasaw Nation
of Indians.

My brother had collected thirty-six hundred
dollars for some merchants in Russellville. It was
not easy to transmit money safely at that time,
and lie proposed to send this by me. I do not
believe I had ever seen that much money at one
time before, and I was appalled at the responsibil-
ity of carrying such an immense sum through the
solitary region I must traverse. The possibility
of being robbed and perhaps murdered was bad
enough, but the fear of losing the money and
being suspected of conniving at its loss, in order to
purchase my own safety, made the blood run cold
in my veins. Protests were in vain. Brother
William was inflexible, and I departed with the
gold concealed about my person, and the burden
of it heavy upon my spirits. I had not even a
pocket-knife as a defensive weapon, and there had

RECOLLECTIONS OF MlSSfSSIPPl. 27

been recently reported several cases of robbery
and murder on the trail between Chambers's house
and Buzzard's Koost. If 1 could reach Buzzard's
I Roost, which was near the Alabama line, in safety,
I my way thenceforward lay through a thickly set-
tled country. I left Bolivar at dawn the second
day, hoping to reach Chambers's before sunset.
Barkness overtook me some four miles from that
' place, and I got very nervous. Seeing a fire by
I the roadside, I felt that my time was come, but it
proved to be only an emigrant camping out. The
next morning I wns delayed by a late breakfast,
and set forth with a profound conviction that ray
possession of a large sum of money was known all
along the road, and that I should surely be robbed
before nightfall. Before I had gone ten miles I
saw a man on horseback beside the road, appar-
ently waiting for some one. To my utter con-
i stemation he called out, " Come on, I have been
'■waiting for you all the morning." All my fears
now became certainties. This man was a rough,
iil-looking fellow. I thought I could behold a
" laughing devil " in his face.
k I examined his horse, and was somewhat re-
lassured by the certainty that I could beat him if
it came to a race. He wore a butcher-knife stuck
in his belt. I kept on his left side and watched
him narrowly. After we had traversed several
C3 in this way, I joyfully beheld a large open
fe lying by the roadside, and lost no time

28 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

in securing this treasure. About noon we came
to a creek, and the man insisted that I should
stop to eat and rest. As I refused, he kept on
with me, and I never halted until I reached Buz-
zard's Roost. Next morning I found him again
waitini' for me on the road, and he informed me
that an Indian had stolen his knife while he slept.
I parted with him at Russellville, giving him the
knife I had found. Ten years afterwards I met
him in the town of Houston, Mississippi. He re-
cognized me, and referred to the journey we had
taken through the woods together. I was at that
time acting district attorney for the Houston
court. The grand jury found several bills against
the man, who called himself Johnson, for com
stealing, and he fled from the country.

I have always believed that my finding that
knife by the wayside saved my money, and possi-
bly my life, from this rascal. How came it there ?
Was some good spirit watching over me, or did
chance befriend my inexperienced footsteps ?
These questions have come to me more than once
in my life, when I have been led safely through
perils which seemed about to overwhelm me.

CHAPTER V.

I NOW settled down in Russellville, and there
began the practice of medicine. My first patients
were the young men of my own age, who were, I
suppose, willing to risk their lives in the cause of
friendship, and who were probably too ignorant of
the deadly nature of the treatment then in uae to
be aware how great the risk really was. Calomel
and laudanum, drastic purgatives, blisters and
starvation, was the rule, and it is no wonder that
few survived to tell the tale. During the summer
and fall my practice steadily increased. For this
I was largely indebted to Drs. Gray and Holland,
who were the leading physicians of the place,
and widely known throughout that whole country
for skill and experience. Both these gentlemen
treated me most generously, giving me the benefit
of their advice and instruction, and recommending
me to the public as well-informed in the principles
of medicine, and prudent in practice.

It was in tlie fall of that year, 1828, that pneu-
monia prevailed as an epidemir, and the mortality
was frightful. Gray and Holland not only con-
trolled the practice, but dictated the treatment to
I practitioners of less note. I was perfectly familiar

30 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

with the system of treatment observed by these
two eminent men, and being called in by a Mr.
Harall to attend his son, I adopted the usual
remedies. In less than two days I was convinced
that my patient grew worse with every dose I ad-
ministered. He was rapidly approaching the verge
of death, when a little negro girl belonging to Mr.
Harall was taken ill, and she also was put under
my care. I saw in a few hours that her malady
was taking the same fatal course which had so
alarmed me in the case of her young master. In
this extremity I insisted that Dr. Gray should be
called in. He came, and after examination said
the treatment was his own, and continued to follow
it. In three days the girl died, and the boy was
scarcely alive. This was frightful, and I resolved
to take a bold step. In the meanwhile still an-
other boy had been stricken down, and my first
prescription had been equally unfortunate. I felt
certain that the whole theory of depletion was
wrong, and that all the symptoms of the disease
indicated a tonic treatment. It was necessary to
act quickly, so I went to the father and said, " Mr.
Harall, I have killed your little negro, and if you
hope to save your boys, you had better dismiss
both Dr. Gray and me at once." He was as-
tonished, and asked if he should send for Dr. Hol-
land. I told him all the practice was the same,
and his only safety was in dismissing all who fol-
lowed it, and striking out on a new plan. I

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 31

promised to come back as a friend and try the new
treatment. We abandoned all purgatives except
in alterative doses, and gave Peruvian bark and
whiskey freely. This plan was suggested by the
fact that all the victims of that disease craved
stimulants. Both boys recovered. Soon after
that time I removed to Fayette Court House, in
Fayette County, Alabama. There I found the
same epidemic of pneumonia, and was able to test
the merit of the new system. Out of forty-nine
cases, I had the good fortune not to lose one.

When I returned from Mississippi, I found httle
change in the population of Russellville, except
that some of the youngsters, hke myself, had
grown into the cares and business of manhood.
We were of the same generation, had enjoyed
about the same opportunities, and had been formed
by the same influences. Their fathers and mine
had felled the first forests and opened the first
fields. They owned few negroes, and it was the
industry of the white man which enriched the
country with abundant harvests of corn and cot-
ton. The woods abounded with fine natural
grasses, and great herds of cattle were fattened in
them. There was also abundance of game ; and
as every boy owned and could use a shot-gun,
we never lacked the best and most wholesome
food.

Russellville was in a beautiful valley, and the
lands were so fertile that immigration was invited,

32 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

and the growth of population unusually rapidil
Government soon offered these lands at publiel
auction, and the average price per acre was abouSj
one hundred and twenty dollars. The specuiatotl
showed no mercy to the actual occupants. One?
third cash, and the residue in one and two j-eara
These prices were so ruinous that Congress iinally
interfered. A law was passed remitting the second
and third payments, and allowing tlie cash paid i
first to be applied in full payment of the debt at fl
low rate fixed by law. In this way homes were
secured to the people at reasonable rates.

There is a great valley extending from Hunta-
ville west along the Tennessee River to the moull
of the Big Bear Creek, at its junction with th^
Tennessee, This whole valley seems to have been
at one time a river bed, six or seven miles broad.
On its south boundary there is a high, and, in
some places, a rocky bank. From this bank to
Russell's Valley there runs a plateau of poor lands,
of so little value as to be scarcely populated. The j
valley on the Tennessee River is unsurpassed for]
beauty, being like the " garden of the Lord, welll
watered and fertile." Such favored spots of U»«
earth are generally occupied by a superior popula<
tion. From every old country there issues a band
of its best and bravest, to seek for themselves nen
homes and a broader field of enterprise. Altnoi
always it is the young men of largest brain anq
most active energies who push out and secure itA

RECOLLECTIONS OP MISSISSIPPI.

themselves the desirable portions of new countries.
These adventurous spirits came in numbers from
Virginia and Kentucky, and bought up the rich
lands in the valley. Moat of them were men of
family and education, and many of them had what
was then considered a great fortune. The settlers
of Eussell's Valley were of the same order of men,
but had in proportion a smaller amount of prop-
erty. It was soon imderstood that no part of the
South could boast of better intellect or higher civil-
ization than this section. Such men as Kelly,
Clay, Hopkins, the Martins, Cooper, Waldridge,
and others would of themselves have given repu-
tation to any country. They were giants in the
land, and to see and hear them expanded my soul,
and filled it with aspiration and ambition.

The first trial I ever heard in a court-house was
held in Russellville during the summer of 1828.
Though I have taken part in so many since that
time, they have not effaced the smallest detail of
this suit, which still remains like a vivid picture in
my mind. It was a suit to recover damages for
libel, brought by Smith against Donaldson. The
parties resided near Florence, in Lauderdale County,
Ala. Smith was the son-in-law of James Jackson,
a wealthy planter, who belonged to a family of
considerable pretension. The charge was perjury.
Family pride was outraged, and Jackson would
willingly have poured out blood like water to wash
out the insult Smith, however, was a member

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

of the Methodist Church, and professed a desire
to use only lawful remedies. Donaldson, on the
other baud, was of the General Andrew Jackson
stock, and was ready at any moment to vindicate,
at his own peril, his family honor. He also was
a planter, and possessed a large property. Dam-
ages were laid at one hundred thousand dollars.
So numerous were the social, religious, and family
ties of each party to the suit that the whole county
was wrought up to the wildest excitement, and by
common consent the venue was changed to Russell-
ville. Smith had employed as counsel Hopkins
and Clay of Huntsville ; and Donaldson's lawyers
were Kelly, of Huntsville, and William Martin, of
Florence. The change of venue induced Smith to
employ Wooldridge, of Tuscurabia, and Donaldson
employed my brother, James Davis, of Riissell-
ville. There were more than a hundred witnesses
on each side. The ca.se was called, and the defence
plead not guilty and justifiable. These pleas were
antagonistic. With the plea of not guilty, the
burden of proof remained with the plaintiff. The
opening and concluding argument was with him.
The charge of perjury hud been openly made.
Being made, the plaintiff would stop, and thus
force the defendant to proceed with his justifica-
tion. There was too much ability with the attor-
neys for the defence not to perceive this blunder.
and they exerted their utmost skill to relieve their
client from the consequences. A motion to with-

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPFL

draw the plea of not guilty was made, and, after
hot discussion, was allowed. This was a triumph,
and the friends of the defendant shouted, Donald-
son opened with his testimony. He had the bur-
den of proving the perjury. His witnesses were
bold, and I think honest, because they never fal-
tered or became confused.

When the testimony for the defence closed, the
plaintiff brought forward numerous witnesses to
assail the character and veracity of the witnesses
for defence. The attack was feeble, and partic-
ularly injudicious when it assailed tlie testimony of
a young lady, a Miss Outlaw, who stood high in the
estimation of her neighbors. To attack a woman
was in that community always a daugerous exper-
iment, and woe to him who made .such a venture
and failed to sustain himself. When the testimony
for the plaintiff was ended, Mr. Outlaw was put
upon the stand to support his daughter. He was
an old man, of stately presence, and a fine, benev-
olent face. The other side objected to his being
allowed to appear, and this objection was sustained
by the court. Mr. Outlaw rose, and looking
sternly at the judge, said. "Sir, does this court
deny me the right to vindicate my child ? Does a
woman plead for justice before this bar, and meet
only tyranny and oppression ? God forbid ! " The
crowd broke into a perfect storm of sympathy and
indignation. Yells, curses, even tears attested the
fervor of their emotions. The court saw its dan-

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

ger, and hastily recalled Mr. Outlaw to the stand.
Impressive as was his testimony, it was not needed.
The work was already done.

William Martin made the opening speech. Ah,
but it was grand ! It was the first jury speech I
had ever heard, and my very soul was set on fire.
I could understand what St. Paul meant when he
said, " Whether in the body or out of it, I know
not." I look back now with envy at my own
sensations. To be young, to reverence, to be
thrilled with awe and admiration, what does life
hold that is comparable to that?

Clay followed for the plaintiff. It was Greek
meeting Greek. Wooldridge and Davis bore them-
•selves nobly, but the last great effort was reserved
for Hopkins and Kelly. They were grand. Kelly
had the conclusion, and exhausted his wonderful
powers of reason and oratory. On one point he
was merciless. Smith had declared that if dam-
ages were awarded him, he would endow the
church with the whole sum, and this laid him open
to a terrible attack. It was withering. It was
evening when the argiiraeut closed, and tlie jury
retired. I had gone back to my office, which was
near the court-house, when I heard a great com-
motion, crowds thronging the street, and many
voices shouting and exulting. The friends of
Donaldson were rejoicing over a verdict in his
favor. Smith was a disgraced man after that.
A few moments after the verdict was rendered,

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

Kelly and Martin came to my office, a servant
following with various juga and bottles. TLey
requested me to go to my brother's and spend the
night, as they wanted to use ray office, and boys
were better elsewhere. I afterwards heard that it
was a night long to be remembered by the jovial
crowd assembled there. Both Martin and Kelly
excelled in song and anecdote, and on this occa-
sion they surpassed themselves.

Many years after this, 1 took part in a case so
similar that I am tempted to give it in this place.
It was in the little town of Fulton, Itawamba
County, Miss., that ihese events took place, in the
year 1859. A Mr. Headen had come there a
short time before with his widowed sister-in-law,
and they had purchased a small hotel from Mr.
Reuben Wiggle. Mr. Wiggle was an honest man,
and both he and his wife were beloved and re-
spected by the whole community. Their tavern
had been a popular one, and they had many pa-
trons. Wiggle owned another building in the vil-
lage suitable for his purpose, and he opened a
public house there. His old friends followed him
with their custom, and Headen began to fear that
his own house would be a failure.

At midnight, one dark night, some one cliancing
to pass the house occupied by Wiggle discovered
a fire kindled against the side of it, and gave the
alarm in time to save the building. Everything
pointed to the certainty that some incendiary had

38 UECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

been at work. The whole population assembled
next day at a called meeting for investigation.
All the evidence was damaging to Headeu and his
sister, and they were invited to leave the country
instantly, or abide prosecution. They wisely con-
cluded that discretion was the better part of valor
in tliat case, and departed, not standing upon the
order of their going. They went to Kentucky,
and lost no time in bringing suit against every
responsible raan who took part in the investiga-
tion convention. Judge Sale, Judge Houston, and
Colonel Dowd, of Aberdeen, and General W. S.
Featherston, of Holly Springs, were employed to
bring the suit. The defence employed Hon. James
T. Harrison, of Columbus, and Judge Hugh K.
Miller, of Pontotoc. A stronger array of legal
ability could not hiive been gathered in the State.
Sale was profound in conception, powerful in
argument, and copious in diction. Houston was
weighty and learned, penetrating in his investiga-
tion, and fully armed by careful preparation and
stubborn resolution. Dowd, more versatile than
his great compeers, had perhaps more quickness
of resource and brighter repartee. Featherston
had a large head, and great skill in method and
arrangement. For James T. Harrison, what can
I say? He was my ideal of a man and a law-
yer. Intimately associated with him for many
years, my love and admiration never changed.
He was the master of every branch of law, and a

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.
host in himself. Miller was a good lawyer and
accomplished gentleman, worthy of a place in that
goodly company. It ia a matter of just pride to
every Mississippian that the annals of our State
have been illustrated by so many men whose abil.
itiea and achievements would do honor to any
country.

At the time these suits were brought, I was
representing this district in Congress. The de-
fendants had all been my friends for years. They
proposed to employ me to aid in this defence, but
1 declined, upon the plea that other duties pre-
occupied my time and demanded my whole atten-
tion. That was in December, and, for some reason,
tiie trial was postponed until the next term. This
was the following June, at which time I was at
home on vacation, and buainesa called me to Pon-
totoc. I found much excitement there, and the
deepest interest manifested by all classes of the
people. The best citizens of the town were in peril
of utter ruin.

They still urged that I should take part in the
defence, and I consented to act with their counsel
as a tribute of friendship, though ray sense of duty
made it impossible to accept a fee. Harrison and
Miller were fully equal to the management of any
case ; but such assistance as I could give would be
at their service heartily. The trial was set for the
next day.

That night a number of the defendants met

40 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI

their lawyers in consultation. It was not a cheer-
ful meeting. I inquired upon what groiinda the
defence was to be placed. Tlie reply was, "We
have none. These men are ruined." I replied
that I could not believe the case so hopeless, and
suggested that, instead of wasting the few precious
hours that remained to us, we sliould retire to our
own rooms, and study some plan of action. The
case was called next day, and both sides announced
themselves ready. Two days were consumed in
getting the case to the jury, and during that time
wc had elicited several facts which I hoped might
be worked to our advantage. Still the prospect
was gloomy, and Egyptian darkness fell upon us
during the magnificent opening speech made by
John B. Sale. I tried to rouae Harrison even
by taunts and reproaches, but so deep was his
despondency that his great powers were for the
moment paralyzed. After speaking about fifteen
minutes, he broke down completely and took his
seat. The case was so evidently lost that the de-
fendants sent a confidential friend at a gallop to
Fulton, with instructions to remove all personal
property into Alabama without delay. Dowd fol-
lowed Harrison, and made a grand speech. He
was positively exultant in word and manner, and
never made a more splendid effort.

It was my place to follow Dowd, and I bided my
time with great anxiety of mind, but stubbornly
bent upon desperately pursuing the one chance

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

open to lis. I thought I could see our way even
yet to a brilliant victory, feeling sure of our jury
if we could get a certain hold upon tliem ; but
iny great trouble was that Houston would reply
to me. I knew his power, and could estimate
the tremendous force of his attack. I began by
asserting that the investigating convention could
not be called an unlawful assembly ; that the
Constitution authorized such assemblies for the
redress of grievances, for the protection of citi-
zens from perils too imminent to await the slow
process of the law ; that these people had such
grievance, an incendiary in their midst, putting in
deadliest and most ghastly peril the life and prop-
erty of every citizen. At this point 1 could aee in
the eyes of the jurymen n kindling flash, showing
that I had struck the right chord. My enthusiasm
increased, and I went on to portray as vividly as I
could the fearful scenes of midnight conflagration
by which these people had been threatened — men
aroused from peaceful slumbers to see their wives
and children fleeing half naked from the flames.
When I closed, the excited emotion of both jury
and audience assured me that my friends were
safe. Houston rose to the occasion, and made one
of the most powerful speeches of his life, but it
was in vain, Tlic imaginations of the crowd had
been set on fire, and no power could change their
verdict. Miller followed the line of argument I
had marked out, and impressed it forcibly.

42 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

Court adjourned until next day. The defend-
ants and their friends met me at the door, and
seized upon me, saying, " We are safe now. Come
on and taste our mint-julep; we have got five
gallons mixed already." What followed need not
be recorded; but we were all ready when court
opened the next morning.

Judge S. J. Gholson, of Aberdeen, charged the
jury. He was just and liberal in his charge —
dwelt strongly on the constitutional right to assem-
ble for redress of grievance, and intimated that
there was confession of guilt in the election of
Headen to leave the country. The jury retired
just at night, and next morning I heard Harrison
calling to me, " Clear verdict for defendants ;
come and drink to the jury." The defendants,
lawyers, jurymen, and friends assembled; and if
that was not a festive day, Pontotoc never saw
one.

CHAPTER VI.

I HAVE wandered away from my brief expe-
rience as a doctor, and must return to cloae that
chapter. As I have stated, 1 removed about this
time to Fayette Court House, but I must not leave
Russeilville without mention o£ some friends who
won my gratitude there, William Cooper was a
leading lawyer at that time, a man of high char-
acter and most agreeable manners. He treated me
with great kindness, and our friendship remained
unbroken until his death, which took place several
years ago in Tuscumbia, Ala. I have still in my
possession a copy of Shakespeare which he gave
me as a parting gift when I left Russeilville, and
which at that time formed a large as well as valued
portion of my library.

There was also Peter Martin, himself a lawyer
of high repute. He was small in stature, but
had a fine mind and great force of logic. Although
of an irascible temper, he always treated me with
extreme politeness, and showed the kindest feeling
forme. I remember one amusing incident of my
professional intercourse with him. He owned a
favorite servant, so old that she had become en-
tirely toothless. This old woman gave a great

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

yawn one diiy, and dislocated her under jaw.
Martin brougLt, her to my office for treatment.
He asked me to show bim a book on the subject.
The author cautioned against the danger of being
badly bitten by the sudden closing of the patient's
jaw, Martin was anxious to play siu'geon, and
asked me to e^cplain how he could best avoid the
danger, forgetting that the old lady had not n
tooth left to cause any. He made one or tw«
attempts, but failed from nervousness. When
afterwards tried with better luck, he was loud
my praises, and never omitted an opportunity of
sounding my trumpet as loudly as possible. He
removed, some years later, to Tuscaloosa, and diei
there. Memory calls up other iudividuala cott
nected with thn;t period, but space forbids me i
dwell upon them.

I went to Fayette in company with two youni
men who were early friends of mine, B. W. WH
son and WiUiam Simonton. The most intimall
relations had existed between Wilson and myse
since the day on which we went to our first scho
together. Everything I recall of him shows wha
a noble nature and good disposition he manifesto
Although he and I were totiiUy unlike in charai
ter, there was always perfect harmony in our in
tercourse, and when he died, at a very advane
age, our friendship had never been broken for ni
hour. His father was a man of comfortable foi
tune, and had sent him to college in Knoxvilli

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 45

Tennessee. He married in Tuscaloosa, and spent a
happy and prosperous life as a lawyer at Fayette
Court House.

Simonton removed shortly to Tuscaloosa, and
became one of the largest merchants there. In
the flush times of 1837 and 1838, he failed for a
large sum. He then removed to Texas, where he
died many years ago.

We reached Fayette on the 24th of December,
and began our experience there on Christmas Day.
The village streets were thronged, many of the
country people having come in to celebrate the
holiday. I became acquainted with many of them.
In a short time I had the good fortune to receive
my full share of the practice both in town and
country. But the country was healthy, and wliile
my practice extended for miles, my income con-
tinued to be very small.

There was a young lawyer named Glover who
had come from Tuscaloosa to settle at Fayette. In
the month of June, Glover invited me to go with
him on a visit to his uncle, Mr. Joshua Halbert,
who lived about sixteen miles from Fayette. This
family had recently come there from Tuscaloosa,
and were known as refined and elegant people. It
was on a bright Sunday morning that Glover and
I started on our pleasant little journey, and I went
on with a light heart, without dreaming how event-
ful the visit was to be for me. The family were
ofi at church when we arrived, and we were

46 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

standing at the gate to receive them when they
drove up. There was a bevy of some eight or
ten young ladies, Miss Mary Halbert being the
central figure, and all engaged in lively conversa-
tion. I asked Glover who the girl was who wore
the white frock and big Leghorn hat with roses on.
it, and he told me it was his eldest cousin, Misft^
Halbert was about sixteen then, and I thought
her the most beautiful and fascinating girl I had
ever seen. In short, before I had fairly entered
the house I had determined that there wa3 my
future wife, if I could win her. She told me after-
wards that she confessed to her mother that same
day that if I ever asked her she would marry me.
After such a beginning, affairs went on smoothly*
and that same autumn we were married. I look
back now and wonder that we dared to begin life
on such an income as I could hope for then.
cannot say that we were comfortable — we were;
too poor for that, but we were as hitppy as the
birds, and had almost as little care for the future.

During the next year I continued my practice,
having plenty of patients, but getting little money.
All this while the strong inclination I had always
felt for the profession of law still held me, and
grew to be an absorbing passion. I felt that I
could never be content until I had at least tried
what I was capable of, and, in spite of obstacles,
resolved to begin the study without delay. I reaci
Blackslone and Chitty, and such other books t

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 47

could get. I tried to avoid the mistakes I had
made in reading medicine, and was very much in
earnest to learn thoroughly everything I studied.
It seemed to me that there was nothing in law,
or any other science, that could not be mastered
by patient study of its leading principles. I saw
that law is the science of human obligations to the
pursuits of men; tliat the first great principle re-
lated to meum and iuum — my right, your
right, as established and defined by law; that
these rights were dependent upon the facts of the
transaction, and that all else consisted of formulas
of proceeding, to determine the powers of facts.
I began by the study of business, then took up
the rights of meum and tuum as established by
law, and lastly the formulas, wherein consist the
obscurity and difficulty of the law. It soon be-
came apparent to me that the 6rst requisite of
a great practical lawyer was a certain ability to,
grasp and handle facts. To understand the sys-
tems of the law requires only memory, but to
methodize and place facts in their proper support-
ing relations demands the higher faculties of the
mind, and may be called genius.

Having obtained from Judge Lipscomb a license
to practise law, I determined to remove to Monroe
County in Mississippi.

After piyiiig tny debts, I left Fayette in Janu-
ary, 1832, with three dollars in my pocket, and no
immediate prospect of adding to my store. We

UECOLLECTlOys OF MISSISSIPPI.

went first to Riissellville, where I liail a small '
patrimony, my father having died some twelve
months before. This, however, waa not avnilnble
at that time, and as my brothers could advance I
only a small sum upon it, it was advised that Ii
should leave my wife at her father's house until li
could prepare a home for her in Mississippi. She I
was cheerful and resolute, and positively refusedl
to be left behind. She said that we had marriei
with the full knowledge that we had our own wayl
to make, and we must make it together. Wher--§
ever I went she would go, even if she had to walk,]
and she expressed the most perfect confidence thatj
a bright future awaited us, if we only showet
courage enough to be happy in the midst of Uia^
prlvatlona and hardships of our youth. In short,
she encouraged and cheered me as only a devoted
wife could do, and though we had some hard ex-
periences, I do not remember a single moment of
despondency on her part. If I were called upon
to advise a young wife, beginning the world with
the man of her choice, I should say, " Stand hy
your husband in dark days as well as bright, and
if there is any manhood in him you will bring it
out."

We procured a small vehicle drawn by one horse,
and, not having much luggage to transport, hoped
to traverse the eighty miles between Russellville
and Athens in two days. Never shall I forget
that journey. The weather became very cold, and

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 49

a light 8Q0W covered the ground. My wife was
one of the iraiiest and most delicate persons I ever
knew, and I suffered great anxiety lest she should
be made ill by such unusual exposure. Night
overtook us seven miles from our first resting-
place, and the road was so broken that I was forced
to walk by our horse to guard against accident.
Refreshed by food and sleep, we set out cour-
ageously next morning, in spite of a fierce north
wind which seemed to chill to our very bones.
Once our small vehicle capsized in the anow, and I
was unable to right it again, until assisted by a
strong man who came along opportunely. I re-
member well that ray wife never lost her cheerful
courage even then, although I was affected to
tears by the sight of her delicate fi'ame exposed
to the bitter wind on that snowy roadside. She
lived to bless my life for many years, and I hope
her after days in some degree atoned for these
early hardships, which she shared with such an un-
shrinking spirit.

That night we had the good fortune to arrive,
without further accident, at the house of my good
friend, Mr. Benjamin Lann, to whom I have al-
ready bad occasion to refer. From him and from
his excellent wife we received such a welcome,
and such a supper was spread for us, as might
well atone for the fatigues of the day. Nothing
could exceed the kindness of the whole family, and
I may add here that many times thereafter 1 en-

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

joyed their hospitality during our long friendship.
They were my friends as long as they lived, and
we often talked of the dark winter evening when
BUch a forlorn young couple drove up to their
door, and were warmed and refreshed at their fire-
side.

Next day, the weather continued so cold that I
had to atop at every house in order to keep my
wife from nearly freezing, and we got on so slowly
that it was necessary to spend the night at the
house of Mr. William Cocke, a Baptist minister,
who was an old friend of my father. We sent
our first conveyance back from there, and went on
mules to Athens,

It was a joyful moment when, from the top of a
little hill, we caught sight of our new home. Good
fortune seemed to us to mark our first beginning
there. Stopping at the tavern, I informed the
host of my exact condition, and asked if he was
willing to let us have board for a short time on
credit, until I could make other arrangements.
He replied that if I were willing to post his books
and make out his accounts for him, he should con-
sider himself paid in advance for three weeks'
board. This proposition 1 joyfully accepted, and
settled down to my life in Athens with a strong
conviction that our worst difficulties were ended.

CHAPTER Vn.

Athens was situated in what was then a very
unhealthy portion of Monroe County. Chills and
fever and a malignant type of bilious fever caused
great mortality during the summer season. Sev-
eral gentlemen who had known me when I was in
Dr. Higgason's office called on me and urged that
I should continue the practice of medicine. As an
inducement, they offered me one thousand dollars
a year to attend their families, and promised their
influence to extend my practice. Deatitute as I
was, and with a delicate young wife dependent
upon my doubtful success in a new profession, this
was a great temptation. But it was strongly im-
pressed upon my mind that if I faltered now I
should never be able to realize the dream of my
life, and I stood firm in my determination to de-
vote myself to the law. As if to uphold my des-
perate resolution, I was employed next day to
attend to a case before Justices Owen and Vernon,
at a fee of twenty-five dollars, I defended the suit
with success, and felt that now indeed ray life was
beginning. My client, Mr. Lynes, was a saddler,
and he had in his yard a small house, built of
plank and roughly floored. I proposed to Lynes

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPJ'T.

that I would take this building in lieu of the
twenty-five dollaitt, and remove it to a small lot I
owned in Athens.* He consented, and I took down
the lumber, carrying it to my place and putting
it up there with my own hands. At the end of
three weeks I had our tiny dwelling completed,
and we took po3session and began our modest
housekeeping with great contentment. I look
back with retrospective tenderncMs to the happy
days spent in that first home. Small and humble
as it was, it filled the measure of our simple needs
at that time, and we were young, and had such
boundteHS hope in the future.

My wife owned a negro girl, whom it had been
necessary for us to leave in Fayette. I went to
Mr. Daniel Ragsdale, who had money to lend, and
proposed to borrow enough to enable me to go
back and get this girl, telling liim he would have
to take the chances for my being able to pay it
back. He consented, but said, as it was rather a
gambling transaction, he would have to take my
note at five per cent, a month. I accepted these
terms, but soon after my return from Alabama
was fortunate enough to receive a fee which erj-
abled me to pay him much more promptly- than he
expected. This fee of one hundred and fifty dol-
lars was paid me by a gentleman for defending
his daughter against the charge of infanticide, and
very lucky I felt to get it. I must say at this
point that I was much indebted to the acUre

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 53

friendahip of General Stephen Cocke and Lucian
B. Moore, who took the most lively interest in my
success, and added very much to it hy their influ-
ence and commendations.

I attended my first circuit court the following
April. Suits were tried at the first term, and I
was employed to defend a note, the defence heing
failure of consideration. Books were scarce, and
I felt this disadvantage keenly, although I en-
deavored to make up for it by zeal and industry.

A Mr. John Hardy wanted to sue Mr. Foster for
removing a set of house logs, which he had cut
upon a piece of public land which Hardy had
entered before the logs were removed. He con-
sulted two or three resident lawyers, who thought
the suit could not be maintained. Davis and
Cooper, of Tuscumbia, upon being consulted, gave
the same opinion. Hardy then came to me, and
I advised the suit. My fee was to be half the
damages, and if I failed Hardy was to pay costs.

Both these cases were tried at that court, and I
had the good fortune to gain them both. At the
end of the term I found my affairs beginning to be
more prosperous, and felt that I had acquired some
little reputation in the county. To add to this
hope, I received a visit from Mr. Ambrose Rose, a
nephew of James Madison, who commended my
efforts as creditable to a beginner, and assured me
of success in my profession if I used diligence and
prudence.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

June carae, that year, with an atmosphere per-
fectly laden with malaria, and disease seemed to
rain down from the heavens. The first casec
were of a very malignant character, and most of
them died, as I may say, under the lancet, which
was used freely. Dr. Higgason had his hand^
full early in the season. In conversation with
me, he took pains to explain the character of
the disease elahorately, and we talked about the
treatment. I told him that I believed it to be con-
gestive fever, and gave it as my opinion that the
old practice of drastic purgation and exhaustive
bleeding must be abandoned. Whether or not he
would have tried a change of treatment I do not
know, because he had habits which at intervals
unfitted him for practice, and, unfortunately, such
an interval of two months' duration occurred at
this most critical juncture. There was only one
other physician in the place, and he was already
overworked. In this emergency, I had no choice
but to respond to the appeals of my friends, and
put auch small medical knowledge as I had at
their service during the sickly season. I tried the
tonic treatment, and had the satisfaction of seeing
most of my patients recover. It was late in the
fall before I got out of harness again. I had re-
fused from the first to make any charge for my
visits, us I was not regularly in practice, but I am
sure that ray hard work that summer was no loss
to me, even in a pecuniary point of view. My

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

friends considered that I had done my best for
them in a time of trouble, and they always stood
by me.

The fall courts opened prosperously for me. I
received my full proportion of legal business, and
my success was assured. By this time I was able
to give up the little shanty in which I hud set up
housekeeping, and remove into more comfortable
quarters. The ensuing year my business increased
80 much that I was able to live in comfort, and
still have ft handsome surplus. I also made some
land trades, from which I realized fifty-five hun-
dred dollars, and I then felt that my little canoe
was fairly aQoat, and that I need have no fears of
our future maintenance.

In the spring of the succeeding year, 1835, a
new judicial district was formed, composed of
seven counties included in the land purchased
from the Choctaw Indians, with Lowndes and
Monroe added. The election for district attorney
was appointed for the first Monday in March.
Samuel J. Gholson, Sandy Young, of Columbus, a
nephew of D. W. Wright, and myself were the
candidates. The Hon. James F. Trotter and Wil-
liam Bibb were candidates for circuit judge. We
had a canvass of about six weeks. None of the
candidates were able to visit all the counties. The
race was generally thought to be between Ghol-
son and Young. My extreme youth and utter
want of fortune when I came to the State were

66 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI,

proclaimed all over the district. Of this I took
no notice, assuming that my immediate quali6ca-
tions for the office were what most concerned the
people.

When the election was held, I received within
five votes of the combined vote of Gliolson and
Young. In Monroe County I received four hun-
dred out of the four hundred and sixty votes cast.
My election to tliis office was of course a great tri-
umph personally, as well as an important step in
taking some position in the district. I realized the
fact that, without arduous labor, I could not meet
the expectations of the friends whose active exer-
tions had brought about my success. ' Before this
period I had given little thought or study to
criminal law, nnd it was now necessary to devote
myself chiefly lo that branch of the profession,

I procured Archibald's Criminal IJaw, and such
other books as I needed, and shut myself up
in my own house for the summer. I even com-
mitted to memory large portions of these works.
The courts began in the fall. 1 had been told
that the friends of the defeated candidates — I do
not call them my enemies, because at that time I
had no enemies — were saving that while 1 lield
the office of district attorney there woidd be a
general jail-delivery of criminals. I therefore pre-
pared my bills for the grand jury with the most
painstaking care and accuracy. Motions to quash
and demurrers poured in, hut, after prolonged

ItECOLLECTWNS OF MISSJSSirPI. 57

argument, the court sustained my bills. My
friends were jubilant, and boasted that I showed
knowledge of the law as well as ability to handle
it With this came a, rapid increase of civil prac-
tice. At the spring term of the circuit court of
Monroe County I brought four hundred and eighty
suits. At the end of four years I had put by a
surplus of twenty thousand dollars, and had more
business offered me than I could possibly attend
to. This rapid success had one diMastrous effect
upon my subsequent life. Naturally indifferent to
money, I became, so soon as the pressure of actual
poverty was withdrawn, careless and extravagant
Having no children to carry my thoughts and cares
beyond the present, I began to regard money as
too easily made to be worth the trouble of saving.
Few men realize from a profession much, if any,
surplus income before twenty-eight or thirty years
of age. From that time to about forty-five or
fifty constitutes the active and successful period
of labor, and a man's accumulations are generally
made during those years. After that period a
man's mind is more matured, his information more
extensive, and his powers more concentrated, but
he lacks the dash, the individuality, the passion
and fire, of earlier life. My experience has taught
me that most men's lives would be very different
if they could realize in youth the changes that ad-
vancing years must surely bring. Old age may
be honorable, but it is very lonely, and the world

58 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

becomes a desert when one treads it alone. A
man's friends are the men of his own generation,
and from them alone can he expect the warm
sympathy and affection that make Hfe rich and
happy. Man commits many blunders because his
future is full of things unknowable. Very pos-
sibly this individual loss ia a gain to the world in
general. Take from youth its enthusiasm, its gen-
erosity, its boundless confidence, and what would
remain ? How poor life would become in the self-
ishness of its premature old age, and what a sor-
did scramble it would get to be for the mere
material acquisitions that might be made ! At
the time of which I write, however, no thought of
the future, or the changes it might bring, ever
troubled me. If it occurred to mo at all, it was
only that " to-morrow should be as this day and
more abundant." Life was a cup filled to the
brim, and I drank deeply of its sparkling, intoxi-
cating draught.

CHAPTER Vm.

At the end of twelve months my judicial dis-
trict was changed. By act of legislature, Monroe
was detached, and added to a new district formed
of the counties organized in the Chickasaw pur-
chase. Rather than leave Monroe, I resigned my
office. A number of interesting cases had oc-
curred during my short terra, one of which be-
longs BO entirely to a state of society now passed
away that I relate it here.

Pushmattahaw, a Choctaw chief, had killed one
of his subjects. In doing this, he acted under his
tribal authority, and was so far justifiable. But
under our law, which had been extended over all
the territory conveyed by the Indians to the gen-
eral government, the execution became murder.
Pushmattahaw exercised great control and influ-
ence over his tribe.

He had in some wfty incurred the hatred of the
land companies organized to purchase reservations.
It was important to them that he should be got
out of the way, and to this end they employed a
number of able attorneys to aid me in the prosecu-
tion. To avoid censure, it was determined that
.there should be only one speaker.

60 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

Tlie grand jury of Kemper County reported a
bill of indictment, and all the requisite prelimi-
narietj were performed by me, preparatory to an
early trial. I was notified that Mr. Samuel J.
Gholson would aid me In the ai-gument of the case
before the jury,

Tlie defence had secured the services of some
of the ablest lawyers in the State, from Vicksburg
and Jackson. A day for trial had been appointed,
and witnesses summoned. I had, soon after my
arrival in De Kalb, the county-seat of Kempei
been introduced to a young Virginian, who had
lately come there to practice law, and who made
from the first a marked impression on me. This
was Joseph G. Baldwin, afterwards so widely
known both as a lawyer and a literary man. Two
days before the trial he came to me, and requested
to be allowed to take part in the argument, as it
might lead to future success if he appeared in a
case of so much intere.<<t. This I consented to do,
and carried my point against great opposition from
my colleagues. The testimony was soon ended,
All the facts were against the defendant, and the,
corpus delicti was clearly shown. It was ne-
ces.sary to put the defence entirely upon tribal
authority.

The argument was opened for the State bjr
Gholson in a ctiaracteristic speech. When Mr. Joe
Baldwin arose, he was at first listened to with such
Blight curiosity and general indifference as might

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

I
I

be expected for a very young man, entirely un-
known to hia audience. In a few moments this
was changed to absorbing interest and attention.
His speech was marked by the clearest and most
convincing logic, rising at times into vivid oratory.
It was evident that this modest young man, though
yet to fortune and to fame unknown, was destined
to take no obscure place in his day and generation.

Other arguments were made, and the case was
submitted to the jury. After short deliberation a
verdict of guilty was rendered. The defendant
was informed of the result, and that he would be
hung. He was shocked at the mode of death, and
made pathetic appeals against such an indignity,
claiming his right to die like a warrior. The court
had no power to interfere, and sentence was pro-
•nounced according to the prescribed forms of our
law. When this was done, Pushmattahaw rose to
his full height, and gave vent to a wild war-whoop,
so full of rage and despair that it was terrible to
hear. As there were many Indians present, there
was for a time danger of attempted rescue.

Application for pardon was made to the gov-
ernor, and the chi^f had strong hope that it would
be granted. A few days before that appointed for
the execution, be was informed that the governor
had refused the pardon, and that he must die what
he con.sidered the death of a dog. This com-
munication was made to the unhappy chief in cold-
blooded and inhuman malice, and the result came

62 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

near proving fatal. Pushmattalitiw broke a bottle
which chanced to be in his cell, and with a piece
of the gla.43 severed an artery in his left arm. He
would have died in a short time from loss of blood,
if the sheriff had not made an accidental visit to
hia prisoner, A pardon was granted and sent to
the sheriff by an express, in time to save the life
of the Choctaw chief.

If I could have controlled this matter, this chief
should never have been prosecuted, nor so much as
indicted. Hia dominion as a chief was not at an
end. His tribal laws were still in force, and his
sovereifju power unquestioned by the wild people
who willingly submitted to his rule. The treaty
between the government of the United States and
the Choctaw nation was in reference to exchange
of territory. The political status of neither was*
involved, nor did the chiefs of the nation pretend
to give up their jurisdiction. Their peculiar sys-
tem of government, however obnoxious to our
ideas of justice, was regarded with reverence by
the lawless people of their tribes. Several tribes
had gone west to take posses-slon of their new
homes, and Piishmattahaw was preparing to follow.
After conviction, I signed a recommendation to the
governor for pardon, and was rejoiced wlien I heard
that the chief was restored to his people.

Before I left De Kalb, 1 had the pleasure of an-
other interview with Mr. Joe Baldwin. I took the
liberty of speaking of his future plana. Alter

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 63

congratulating him upon the great success of his
first appearance at our bar, and telling him I felt
Bure that a brilliant career awaited him, I urged
him not to remain longer in such a place as De
Kalb. His genius demanded a rich and growing
country for his field oT action, and the influences
to which he was at that time subject would be most
prejudicial, if not fatal, to him. He was evidently
gratified by the interest which he had, witbout any
effort, inspired, and said he would take my advice.
In a short time he removed to Sumter County,
Ala., and there formed a partnership with Colonel
Bliss — the Blass of one of Baldwin's inimitable
character sketches. There he soon became prom-
inent in bis profession, and also as the author of
" Flush Times of Alabama," a book replete with
the richest anecdote and unsurpassed humor. In
conversation he was the most entertaining man I
ever knew, and his personal fascination made him
the delight of every crowd he entered.

After the acquisition of California, be went to
that Itind of golden promise, and was soon after-
wards placed upon the bench of the Supreme
Court of that State. While still in the meridian
of his wonderful powers, he died suddenly from
lockjaw, induced by some slight surgical opera-
tion. I never saw him after the day we parted in
that dingy little office in De Kalb, so many years
ago.

I suppose few things could have appeared more

64 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

unlikely to either of wa than that we should one
day be connected by marriage, but so it happened.
Thirty years had passed, and he was in his grave,
when I became connected with his people through
my marriage with his niece, and the children of my
old age share the blood that flowed in his veins.

So strangely do lives touch each other in this
tangled skein that we call Life.

CHAPTER IX.

Mr. James Bell, then a member of the legis-
lature, and a friend of mine, wrote to me a most
urgent letter, insisting that I should announce my-
self a candidate for circuit judge. My first im-
pulse was to refuse as a matter of personal prefer-
ence, for I was well aware thut the more stirring
life of active practice suited my temperament and
habits better than the repose of judicial dignity.
Before announcing my decision, I determined to
ride over from Athens to Aberdeen, to consult some
of my friends tbere. I went to an office, where I
met Stephen Adams, a lawyer, who was associated in
the practice with me. Without preface, I told him
I was a candidate, wishing to draw out his feeling
on the subject. As I spoke, I observed that his
face tlusbed violently, though he made no remark.
I felt sure in a moment that he wanted to make
the race himself, and immediately told him that I
was not committed in any way, and would with-
draw in his favor. He said at first that I was mis-
taken in supposing him an aspirant, at which I
only shook my head, because he knew, and I knew,
that I was by nature and habit a reader of faces,
and few men could deceive me. He invited me to

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSiPPL

dine with liim^ and, on our way to his liouse, said
to me, " If you are in earnest about that matter,
and don't mind giving way, I would Uke to make
that race." I assured him of my sincerity, and
told liim I would run for district attorney, having
resigned that office in the district helow. Going
home that night, I prepared for the hardest can-
vass in which 1 ever took part.

Mr. Thomas J. Word, of Pontotoc, soon an-
nounced himself as my competitor. The district
was composed of six counties, — Chickasaw, Pon-
totoc, Tippah, Tishemingo, Itawamha, and Monroe.
Word had the advantage of extensive acquaint-
ance in the five new counties. He resided in Pon-
totoc, and all the settlers in the five counties had
purchased their lands at that place. He was a
remarkably fine-looking man, and his manner
was polished and agreeable. Added to this, he
had a fine, humorous way of telling anecdotes, and
could play well upon the violin.

He was a good lawyer and a most agreeable
stump-speaker. If I also add that he was a court-
eous and honorable gentleman, I do him no more
than justice.

Many of my friends thought that the extensive
acquaintance and many popular accompll.ihments of
Mr. Word made him too formidable to encounter
witli any hope of success, and seriously advised me
to withdraw. This, however, I was unwilling to do,
being, perhaps, largely influenced by an intense

I
I
I
I
I

UECOLLECT/ONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 67

delight in playing such a game for its own sake.
Tlie excitement of the race was all the more tlirlll-
ing when the result was more than donbtful, and
I suppose that most yonng candidates have felt as
the old gambler did when he said that " next to
playing and winning, he enjoyed playing and

My first encounter with Word was at Ripley. On
my way there, I stopped in Pontotoc, where I met
Colonel William L, Duncan, When quite a young
man, he had stayed at my father a house in Rus-sell's
Valley, and had known me as a small boy. With
my elder brothers he had long maintained an in-
timate friendship, although he had removed to
Hardeman County, Tenn., while they were all
young men. He was a man of great integrity
and loyalty, and had a heart as large as his head.
As Boon as he discovered who I was, he made him-
self known to me, and told me that numbers of
hia Tennessee friends had settled in Tippah County,
and he had no doubt of being able to control their
votes. Ilis relations with Word were friendly, and
he did not wish to he offensive to him in any way,
but would throw his whole weight for me in
Tippah. He instructed me to stop at the house of
Mr. Miller in Ripley, and to tell him that he, Dun-
can, was actively for me, and would be there to
see him in a few days.

I went on next day in company with Adams and
Word, and on arriving at Ripley I went to Miller's,

ftS SECOLLECT/OXS OP UISS/SSIPFI.

while the others stopped at a different hotel. This
vas in the month of June. The evening was
extremely warm, and I went out with Miller, and
sat on the shady pavement in front of his house.
As he did not know either my name or business, I
thought I might get some information as to public
opinion about tbe candidates. With this view I
referred to the public speaking to take place on the
morrow, and he asked me the names of tbe con-
testants. When I mentioned the name of Davis,
he said, " Davis may save himself tbe trouble of
coming; he won't get five votes in tbe county."
I asked bim what great public service Word had
performed to make his election so certain. " Well,"
he said, " no public service, but he is a good fellow,
tells ft capital story, and plays tlie fiddle. Besides,
he knows everybody, and has many relations, and
who knows anything about Davis?" At that mo-
ment I jumped up, and said, " My name is Davia,"
and made some very emphatic declarations about
getting more than five votes. The moment the
words passed my lips, something in tbe old gentle-
man's face recalled what I had previously forgot-
ten, that Duncan had told me be was a minister.
I immediately begged bis pardon, told him I was
not in the habit of so forgetting myself, and said
I was the more to blame because I was the son of a
godly Baptist preacher, and my wife a most devoted
Methodist I did not know to which church he
belonged, but felt sure it was either Baptist or

RECOLLECTIO.VS OF AflSSlSSIPPI. 69

Methodist. He at once becarae friendly, and told
me he was a minister of the Methodist church.
After some further talk, I gave him Colonel Dun-
can's message, and he said that with that influence
my prospect would be good, and that he would
himself do all he could for me. The uext morning
there was a large crowd at his tavern, most of them
members of his church. He introduced me to
them, dwelling upon the fact that I had married
an enthusiastic Methodist. To others he said that
Colonel Duncan supported me warmly, A -stand
had been erected in a grove near by, and there
was a considerable crowd around it when the
addresses began.

One of the most remarkable characteristics of
the Southern people before the war was their uni-
versal enjoyment of public speaking and their
intense appreciation of good popular oratory. In
consequence of this, the art of fluent speaking was
largely cultivated, and a man could hope for little
success in public life unless he possessed this fac-
ulty in some degree. Another consequence was
that there was never a people better educated on
political questions than the Southerners of that
day.

After a short address from Adams, Mr. Word
took the stand. It was a matter of courtesy for
him to lead off, as he had the double advantage of
being an experienced stumper, and of addressing,
as it were, his own people. He made a beautiful

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

flpeofh, delightful to hear, and full of anecdote,
mimicry, and humor. The crowd shrieked with
laughter and applause. Perhaps they laughed too
much. Men do not always follow the jester whom
they applaud.

I had prepared ray speech so carefully that I
may my it was almost committed to memory.
Thrnugliout the whole I was grave and serious,
tacitly oHSiiming that we had come to discuss impor-
tant interests in a dignified spirit befitting the occa-
■lon. When I closed, I felt satisfied that I had got-
ten through well, and that the impression made was
favonililc. As 1 sat down, an aged gentleman,
nami-il Childers, stood up, and requested me to say
whi'thor I was not the eon of a Baptist minister,
named John Davis, who had once lived near Win-
chester, Tenn. 1 answered that I was. He then
Hiiid lie had known my father well, had stayed at
his house and preached from the same pulpit, and
that a better or more honorable man never lived.
He addinl that he and his sons and sons-in-law
would all go for me, and the members of his church,
BO fur as ho had influence. It seemed that I waa
to Icarn on that occasion how large a part family
friendship can play in such cases. Mr. Solomon
Wagoner came to me, and asked if I had a sister
named Mrs. May, I had, and he at once began to
shake me by both hands, saying that I came of a
good stock, and that he and his family were with
mc, heart and hand. As the crowd began to die-

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

perse, Word invited Lis friends to go with him to
ji saloon and drink. About half tlie men present
followed him. I then said, " This is a warm day,
and we have given you the trouble of coming out
in the sun. I shall be glad if you will all go with
me to the saloon of Mr. Watson, and take some
wine or porter, or whatever drink }ou prefer."
We all went. That drink cost me a fifty-doilar
bill, but Watson worked for me manfully until the
election. In the end, I carried that box by twenty-
five majority, and the district by four hundred and
eighty. My game was won, and I had learned
much in the playing of it. I found out that it ia
a man's personal and family friends who stand by
him at such times, and also that if he has made
any enemies he may look out for stabs where it
will hurt him mo-st. Another lesson I learned
which might be wholesome, but was not pleasant.
I discovered that it was prudent to expect least
from those most indebted for past favors. To be
under any special weight of obligation generally
alienates a friend, and he is too apt to protect him-
self against expectation of return by throwing off
his friendship and gratitude together. It is so much
easier to quarrel with and denounce a former
friend than to confess yourself disloyal to him.
In this contest, very many upon whom I had no
claim warmly supported me ; many more who had
been and continued always my friends spent them-
aelves with generous fervor in my cause ; but there

72 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIFPL

were some who owed me cordial support who
failed to give it Adams even voted against me.
The result of this campaign was so gratifying to
my feelings, both of friendship and ambition, that
I could well meet some small disappointments with
indifference.

CHAPTER X

In looking back now, I see clearly, what I did
not then understand, that at this point I distinctly
left my more boyish life and self behind me, and
began the deeper experiences of manhood. Doubtr
less I should have felt all a lad's hot indignation
and injury if any one had hinted that I was crude,
unformed, and undeveloped in all respects, but
80 it was. I was in ray twenty-sixth year, —
it seemed a vaat age to me then, — and had been
married seven years. 1 had been immersed in all
the responsibilities and active affairs of life, but in
mind and sentiments and sensibilities I had been
still a boy. In the midst of my early struggles,
in spite of many hours of anxiety and almost de-
spair, I had been too inexperienced to realize the
full peril of my position. From the time of this
canvass I date the more matured period of my
manhood. Life began to wear new aspects, enmi-
ties had crept in to take away some of the sweet-
ness even of success, and some of the disenchant-
ment that awaits all mortals had begun to dim the
colors of my hopes and aspirations.

It is perhaps an experience inseparable from the
limitationa of our lot here that the first freshness

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

of young joy and activity must soon pasa. It is
the " youth of our youth," and like the very flush
of a summer morning, fadea even while it hroadens
into noon to the cold white light of common day.
A man's best work is still before him, but he no
longer sees the distant hilltops purple and golden
in the mists of fancy and imagination.

I settled down now into closer application to ray
profession than before, and enjoyed it as a man
enjoys the work in which euch power as he has
finds full play. Although not robust in appeaj-
ance — for being six feet and one inch in height I
weighed only one hundred and thirty pounds —
my health was good, and I possessed great powers
of endurance. These blessings have continued
with me up to my present advanced period of life,
and 1 would say to the boys who are growing up
now that I undoubtedly owe them to the rigid
simplicity and moral and physical hardihood of my
early training. It is the privilege of age to preach,
and my sermon is this. Beware, young man,
of enervating softness. No matter what advantage
of education and society you may possess, you lack
everything if you lose the moral force and vigor
which comes from a pure morality, and the bodily
health and strength which can he gained only by
industry and temperance.

In a short time I found that some embarrass-
ment attended the discharge of the duties of my
office. 1 had been warmly supported by all

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

classes of men, and it sometimes happened that my
duty as district attorney clashed with the regard
I felt for those who had earnestly promoted my
success. I endeavored to observe strict imparti-
ality of justice, and in the first round of courts no
very serious complication presented itself. All of
ray active friends and supporters were considerate
enough to keep out of the clutches of criminal
law. In the next term, however, they and I were
less fortunate. There were two eases to be tried,
in each of which the defendiint was a man for
whom I had both respect and friendship. I be-
lieved that both these men were justifiable under
the circumstances of the killing, and I was most
unwilHng to institute proceedings that would sub-
ject them to the humiliation of arrest and prosecu-
tion. The friends of the deceased in both cases
demanded prosecution, and public opinion sup-
ported them. I therefore prepared both bills and
had them reported to the court. In the trial of
the first case, I endeavored in my argument to
keep only the end of justice in view, and had the
gratification of hearing both sides say there was
no dissatisfaction with the manner of conducting
it. This was more than I had hoped for.

In the second case it had happened that I was a
witness of the whole tragedy, and had been stand-
ing near when the fatal gun was fired and the
victim fell. 1 knew that, according to the popular
code of our people, my friend was obliged to shoot.

RECOLLECTIOys OF MISSISSIPPI.

The frienda of the deceased at once began tbe
charge that I would use my office to screen thi
slayer, and in this aspersion such enemies as I had
made eagerly joined. As soon as coiut organized,
I went in with five hundred dollars in my hand. I
said to the court that I placed this sura subject to
the order of the court, that it might be applied by
the frienda of the deceased in procuring counsel
for prosecution. I added that I adopted this course
from a sense of duty, as personal feeling and obli-
gation would make it impossible for me to proceed
further in this case than to attend to its mere pre-
liminary formalities. The friends of the deceased
professed themselves satisfied, and the trial went
on. To my great joy, the defendant was acquit-
ted.

A few days after the close of this term, anotJier
friend of mine, a gentleman of very moderate
means, killed a man of great wealth in the town
of Aberdeen. The sons of the deceased immedi-
ately employed Gholson to aid in the trial before
the committing court. In a legal point of view
the case was one of great difficulty, but the killing
had been induced by vile and slanderous accusa-
tions. The defendant lacked means to employ
counsel. I sympathized deeply with my unfortu-
nate friend. Gholson came to me and suggested
a conference preparatory to trial. I asked for nn
hour's delay, wrote out and sent off my resigtia-
tioD, and then went to the defendant and tendered

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 77

my services in his defence. He had been com-
mitted to jail, and remained there five months
awaiting trial. After a hard fight, we came off
triumphant, and my friend was once more a free

' man. Since that day I have defended over two
hundred cases tried for murder, and never had the
misfortune to have my man hung, but I do not
think I ever heard the verdict for acquittal with

I more rapture than I felt on that occasion.

Immediately after my resignation I formed a
partnership under the firm name of Davis, Cocke
and Goodwin. I have already had occasion to
refer to the many excellent qualities of Cocke.
Goodwin was also admirable both as lawyer and
gentleman. He prepared his cases with great care
and was an able debater, but owing to the infirmity
of asthma, he rarely attempted a speech. In all
our practice the work of the court room fell to my
share.

Missis.'iippi had by this time begun to take a
high place among the States of the Union. The
government had at length, by treaty with the
Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes of Indians, extin-
guished their right of possession to all lands for-
merly held by them in the State. This included
more than half the territory of the State, and
without doubt the more desirable portion of it.
Within this portion was the delta of the Miaais-

I sippi, with its millions of teeming acres ; and the

. long line of rich prairie lands, lying parallel with

78 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

the Tombigbee River north and south. Also the
fertile valley lands made by the creek and river
beds in the ridge of high lands which divide the
Mississippi and the Tombigbee. This virgin coun-
try invited immigration and capital from all parts
of the older States. Millions of dollars were
brought here for investment, and thousands of
valuable citizens, merchants, planters, and profes-
sional men came to cast in their lot with those
who were building up a great empire on the land
recently rescued from savage tribes. These may
be called the golden days of Mississippi. It was
a time of fulness of life and activity, and bound-
less possibilities seemed to await the hand that was
adventurous enough to seize them. Cotton was
the great staple. Credit was universal, and where
that system prevails, the lawyer always finds a rich
harvest.

Even at this time our State could boast of some
towns remarkable for beauty, with a society of
noble and cultivated people. Our general pop-
ulation was largely made up from the best and
bravest of older communities, but a slight sketch
of some of the leading men who gave dignity to
our older towns may not be amiss here, I write
of them with pride and plensure : with pride, be-
cause I have known thera to be an honor to
their own generation and a lesson to those who
come after them ; and with pleasure, because they
are connected with a time to which I look back

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 79

with more and more fondness as the swift years
bear it further from me.

Let us begin with Natchez, a beautiful old place,
built upon a high bluif on the eastern bank of the
mighty Mississippi. Her people were cultivated,
polished, and hospitable, and possessed the wealth
which adds grace and gayety to life. They lived
luxuriously, in fine old Southern mansions, whose
wide doors stood always open with the boundless
hospitality of a wealthy, slave-holding people. In
these houses lived some of the first men of their
day — men of honor, courage, intellect, and learn-
ing. There was Joe Davis, elder brother of our
revered ex-President, and who was beloved by
all who knew him. He was the admitted arbiter
I of every question of honor, and his decision was
, always final. He was a great lawyer and debater,
' and his wealth was the honorable accumulation of
hia professional gains.

Natchez could also boast of General James A.

Quitman, not only a great lawyer, but a man of

heroic military instincts. Born to large wealth,

he was not content to sit down in inglorious ease,

but his quick spirit sprang forward in the paths of

all honorable ambition. He had the high courage

' of a born soldier, and the magnificent generosity

[ of a prince. When new,s reached Natchez, in

' 1833, that General Sam Houston was retreating

before Santa Anna in Texas, and that Santa Anna

r boasted that his march should cease only when his

80 RECOLLECTIONS OF MlSSlSSJPFf.

troops slept upon American soil and quartered in
the city of New Orleans, the fiery spirit of Quit-
man kindled into vivid enthusiasm. He threw
himself upon the highway and shouted for volun-
teers to the rescue. In three days he had a hun-
dred picked men, armed and equipped at his own
cost, and ready to follow him into the jaws of
death for fatherland. Waiting for no orders and
asking for no assistance, he hurried off with his
little band, and they had nearly reached Houston's
command when Santa Anna was routed and his
force scattered. They arrived at San Jacinto only
in time to rejoice with the heroes of that brilliant
achievement.

Again, when, in 1846, our government sent ont
its memorable appeal to the people for soldiers to
uphold the dignity of our flag in Mexico, Quitman
was one of the first to offer his sword. He was
appointed general, and was in command at Vera
Cruz. He fought at Cerro Gordo, led at Chapul-
tepec, and was the first at the gate of liela. He
saw Mexico lower her proud banner to American
valor.

Sleep on, Quitman, by the bank-s of your mighty
river ! Its waters shall cease their majestic flow
before they sing the lullaby of a more heroic
spirit !

To go on with the great men of Natchez:
there was Winchester, a text-book in pleading and
the law. There was Turner, the lifelong judge,

RECOLLECTIONS OF MlSSlSSIPI'l. 81

and Boyd, and Montgomery, and Thatcher. Out-
side of the legiil profession, there was Adam L.
Bingaman, one of the best and noblest of men,
and whose pure and beneficent life would adorn
any place; even such a society as Natchez could
boast of. I speak of Natchez as she was in the
days when war had not laid its desolating hand
upon her stately homes and her proud people.

Let ua turn to Vicksburg, a city set upon the
hills, and overlooking the yellow waves of the
ML^issippi. Except in these points, it is very un-
like Natchez. Less beautiful in situation, it could
vie with any city in the intellect and culture
and graceful hospitality of its citizens. Upon its
record are some of the brightest names in the
annals of Mississippi. Let us begin with S. S.
Prentiss. *

It was while I still resided in Athens that one
day in October, a day never to be forgotten by
me, I made the personal acquaintance of the great
S. S. Prentiss. He was making his celebrated race
against Claiborne and Gholson for Congress, and
I well remember the sort of thrill that passed
through his audience when his rich, sweet voice
rolled out the music of his opening words :
" Fellow-citizens, I have been beaten in a race I
never ran ; I have been vanquished in a fight I
never fought."

Those who heard him can never forget the
strange charm of this wonderful speaker. It was

HECOLLECTIOSS OF MISSISSIPPI.

like music and poetry, and flame and fire, and love
and liate, and memory and aspiration, all bearing
away in one swift torrent the souls given up to it*
enchantment. I do not know what effect such
oratory would produce upon the young men of to-
day. They are, as a rule, colder and more self-
contained than the men of that bygone genera-
tion, and perhaps can hardly understand the paft-
sionate, personal devotion felt for Prentiss during
his brief and brilliant career. It is not too much
to say that over the young educated and profes-
sional men of that time his influence was bound-
less. Among all his admirers, there was not one
more enthusiastic than myself, and yet, looking
back, I am compelled to admit, in all sober sad-
ness, that this tremendous power was not exerted
for good. All his splendid qualities — his brilliant
genius, liis dauntless courage, his chivalrous honor,
his princely generosity, the wonderful gentleness
and fascination of his manner — served only to
adorn the reckless dissipation and extravagance
by which his own life was wrecked, luring others
into the same fatal errors.

He was the handsomest man I ever saw, his face
and head being models of manly beauty. Unfor-
tunately, his right leg was withered by some disease
in childhood, and he was morbidly sensitive about
this defect, although, by means of a stick round
which he twisted the maimed foot, he was able io
walk with ease. His voice was beyond description.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MJSSrSSIFPL

and his fluency of utterance marvellous. I have
heard him say that he had committed so much
poetry to memory that he often spoke without
being conscious whether he uttered his own words
or those of some favorite poet.

He was no debater, had no element of a poli-
tician ; his gift was pure oratory. In conversa-
tion lie was irresistible. I have sat at tlio wine
table with him for hours, every one present so
captivated by his delightful table-talk that even
the wine, of which there was no stint, seemed leas
intoxicating than his presence.

What nights those were ! How brave and gen-
erous, how gay and jovial ; and what wit and hu-
mor sparkled with the wine ! And but for nights
like the,se, Prentiss might have been here now,
holding an honored white head high in the coun-
cils of his State, instead of laying a youthful one
down untimely, in a grave shadowed by debt and
despair.

Contemporary with Prentiss were Joseph Holt,
powerful in the law, and Smeed and Marshall,
who were both men of wide reputation and large
business. In the Terger family there were five
brothers, all lawyers, and each one eminent in
the profession. So many gifted sons rarely spring
from one cradle. They were Tennesseeans by
birth, but became Mississlppians in infancy.

Among the famous men of Vicksburg, one of the
most prominent was A. G. McNutt, the groat re-

RECOLLECTIOSS OF MISSISSIPPI.

piidiator, as he loved to call himself. He was by
birth and education a Virginian.

In some respects he was the most remarkable
man I ever knew. It was not because he could
debate with great force and speak with captivating
oratory. Many of his contemporaries could compete
with him on any rostrum, although he waa admit-
ted to he one of the best speakers of a time singiu
larly fertile in such talent. Two qualities marked
him out as an individual type entirely distinct
from the class of speakers and thinkers to which
he belonged. The first was a matchless ingenuity
in spinning a web of sophistry, more consistent,
more plausible, and more like truth than the honest
truth itself. He could take any question, and so
change and mould and adorn it that the most
subtle intellect should fail to detect the falsehood.

Still more individual was hia power of setting
aside in bis own favor those prejudices of the
popular mind which must have crushed any other
man who dared to outrage them.

To give one instance. He was a candidate for
United States Senator, and opposed by Quitman.
In a speech at Aberdeen, McNutt said, " Fellow-
citizens, I understand that General Quitman is
now in the eastern counties reviewing his militia,
and that he says when he meets me he intends to
whip me. Kow, I tell him, at this far^ff distance^
if he whips me it will be because he can outruD
me, for I have a great horror for the barbarouB

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 85

practice of personal violence." At that time, in
the South, personal courage was almost the most
popuhir quality ;i man could possess, and the bare
suspicion of a lack of it exposed him to universal
scorn and reprobation. Such a speech would have
disgraced any other man in Mississippi, but it was
McNutt, and people laughed and applauded, and
liked him tlie better for having the courage to
boast of his well-known cowardice. He was re-
garded as embodied intellect, with no animalism
to make him combative.

Many other leading men contributed to the
eminence of Vicksburg at that time. The place
was also noted as the famous duelling ground o£
the State. It seems that in these hand-to-hand
conflicts between individuals, the awful immor-
tality of the city was foreshadowed. Well was it
for those who dwelt at ease in those pleasant
places that no dream of the ghastly future came
to disturb their gay prosperity ; that none could
foresee the long anguish of their gallant struggle,
the humiliation of defeat, the bitterness of poverty
and change, and a city in ruins, with her best and
bravest offered up in vain. Already these things
were written in tlie hook of fate, but the vision
was sealed, and no prophet arose to open it. And
the sun shone, and the land rejoiced, and men
and women walked lightly along the way ap-
pointed them.

CHAPTER XI.

All the places already mentioned were in-
cluded in the older portions of the State, Passing
on to the towns which had begun to spring up in
the territory recently purchased from the Indians,
we come first to Holly Springs. It is situated
on the west side of the ridge which divides the
State from north to south, and is only fifty miles
southeast of Memphis, Tenn. It is the court-
house of Marshall County, and for many miles
around the country is both beautiful and fertile.
The soil is very much like that of the Mississippi
swamp lands, and if it could be fertilized by per-
colation from the bottom up to the surface, as the
bottom lands are, would be as productive and much
more valuable. Without care these lands will
become exhausted, while the perpetually renewed
swamp lands will remain the same so long as the
sun shines and the waters flow.

With such advantages of soil and location, Holly
Springs throve rapidly. This was so apparent that
she soon outstripped all other towns in the new
territory. In a short time the place was built up
by many of the best business men, planters, law-
yers, and physicians, brought by the stream of

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 87

iiumignition then flowing southward. Among my
suspended friendships, I may reckon proudly the
name of Roger Barton, who long resided in Holly
Springs. He was as great in mind as lie was good
in heart, and that goodness was as nearly perfect
as mortal can attain,

I never knew a man of more profound and con-
tinuous thought. It was said of him that he was
never a student, and that was true. He was one
of those men born to think out and formulate opin-
ions for others, instead of receiving them at second
hand. An oracle himself, he had less need to seek
inspiration from the books of the Sibyl. He
was a great lawyer, and in politics had the broad
views of a statesman. He was an ardent lover of
liberty, and too true a friend 6f the people to
encourage that liberty to degenerate into license.
Both in public and private life he was the soul of
truth and honor, and incapable of an unworthy
action.

He was not only one of the most generous of
mortals, but, imfortunately, also one of the most
improvident. No matter how much money came
into his hands, — and his practice was large and
lucrative, — it all slipped away in a little while, and
left nothing to show for it. When he left Tennes-
see, and came to Holly Springs, his brother gave
him two sections of the best land in Marshall
County. It seemed to take wings and fly away.
This was all the more remarkable as he was not

88 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

apparently a man of expensive tastes. On the
contrary, he was even negligent in bis dress, sim-
ple in life, and averse to anything like pomp or
parade.

He was the leading criminal lawyer of his sec-
tion, and no one who heard him on such occasions
can ever forget the fervor of his eloquence and
the power of his logic.

I waH a. mere hoy when I first became acquainted
with this noble gentleman, who had already reached
the zenith of his fame. He treated me with great
kindneBs, and our acquaintance soon ripened into
a warm and lasting friendship.

Barton has long since departed for the Great
Beyond, and I, standing on the verge, and looking
forward to the renewal of our intercourse there,
atill turn backward to recall the jovial days aod
nights we passed together here.

The Hon. Joe Chalmers was for many years the
partner of Barton, but was afterwards made chan-
cellor, which dissolved the partnership. They were
very unlike in many characteristics, but they were
devoted friends through life. Chalmers was of
Scotch descent, and had the analytical cast of mind
so often found in that race. He was well educated,
a good speaker, and a man of unquestioned honor
and generosity.

I come with pleasure to the mention of my old
friend, General Alexander Bradford, the chevalier
Bayard, the hero of With La Coucha. One of

RECOLLECTIONS OF AfTSSISSIPFL

the kindest-hearted men who ever breathed, his
extreme sensitiveness caused him to resemble the
old Scottish chief, whose motto was " Ready, aye
ready for the fray." He was a noble gentleman,
aa quick to respond to friendship as he was to
resent injuries. Eminent as a lawyer, he took a
large place in all the affairs of life. His enemies
accused him of inordinate vanity, and his friends
often repeated this charge, in order to amuse
themselves by the elaborate arguments he never
failed to make aj^ainst the possibility of his having
any vanity in his nature. An anecdote told of
Tom Benton reminds me of Bradford. Benton
one day said to a friend, " I am told that people
accuse me of egotism ; tell me if you think there
are grounds for the charge." His friend replied
that, if required to speak candidly, he must say
it was just. Benton straightened himself up
and threw back his head. " Sir," he said, " the
difference between these little fellows and myself
is just this: I have an Ego, and they have not."
Bradford might have said the same. He had an
Ego, big, broad, and affluent, and there was not a
drop of meanness or f.iintrbeartedness in it.

Living at Holly Springs at the same time was
Mr. John W. Watson, who maybe called a com-
plete contrast to Bradford. He was a native of
Virginia, and was deeply learned in the law, but
had little of the genial courtesy for which the sons
of the Old Dominion are generally distinguished.

90 RECOLLECTIOyS OF MISSISSIPPI.

Cold and haughty in manner, he was irritated to
furj' by any attempt at pleasantry or adverse as-
sumption. I had known him for many years,
when in conversation with him one day I hap-
pened to use the word " angeis,'" meaning departed
i^irits. He interposed quickly, saying, " Not
angels, Davis, but saints." Something iu bis man-
ner made me laugh and reply, " I like Uiat, Watson ;
just think of you and me in heaven, St. Watson
and St Davis!" He turned away indignant, and
said no more. At that time he was in Houston,
having for some cause gone there to bold court for
the judge of that circuit. By request of some
brother lawyers, I had gone to Houston to aid in
the defence of a man whose trial was set for the
next day. I was to represent General Tucker,
then dead, and thus prevent his family from losing
the fee. The testimony soon dosed, and it was
proved that the defendant liad approached the
deceased, and shot him through the heart without
a word. I never heard a more hopeless ease.
Colonel Robert Mcintosh, counsel for defence,
undertook to show tliat threats had been made
against the defendant, but the judge stopped him.
Mcintosh asked me if we should give up and sub-
mit the case without argument. I told liim I could
see no hope, but suggested that he ask two hours
for consultation. This was granted, but two years
would not have enabled us to pick a flaw in that
testimony. Knowing Watson's irritable temper,

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

and how harshly he expressed liimsclf when ex-
cited, I thought it might be possible to get up
such a quarrel as to array the jury on my side
against the judge, and get up a sympathy for the
prisoner. Colonel Mcintosh agreed that, although
rather a desperate chance, it was the only one left
to us.

1 opened the argument, charging error in the
decision of the court in ruling out testimony, and
suggesting prejudice and tyranny. The court
stopped me, but I began again upon partiality in
decision. I was ordered to stop, and threatened
with imprisonment for contempt. I then asked if
I was to be denied the privilege of making a de-
fence for a citizen whose life was put In jeopardy
by his Honor's erroneous decision. I appealed to
tlie people, and said that in a court governed by
such unheard-of tyranny my only hope was to
oak the court to write out my argument for me, so
that I might learn what could be said in that court
without offence. By this time Watson waa in a
great rage, and vehemently threatened me with
the jail. I told him I wa.^ not afraid of the jail,
and that he could not prevent the performance
of my duty to my client. The quarrel continued ■
forty minutes, the judge getting more and more
furious, and the crowd, including the jury, becom-
ing very much excited. In answer to some threat,
I said to the judge, " You know we are not angels,
if your Honor please ; only poor saints at your ser-

92 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

vice," and I thought he would choke with rage. I
spoke for three hours, doing all I could think of
to rouse and touch the emotion of the jury, and to
divert their minds from the evidence. Mclntoali
supported me ably, and the defendant was ac-
quitted.

When Watson went home, Judge Green asked
what had become of the case. " Defendant ac-
quitted," replied Watson angrily, " but he would
have been hung, as he deserved to be, if I could
only have sent Davis to jail, as he deserved."

Judge Alexander Clayton was for many years
judge of the Supreme Court of this State. He
was a very able man and successful lawyer; but
on account of the confirmed feebleness of hiB
health, he very early aspired to judicial office.
The comparative repose of that life suited him
better than the excitement of active practice.

The general population of Marshall County was '
made up largely of educated and refined people.
From a very early day until the present time, no
community in the Stiite has stood higher than that
of Holly Springs.

The town of Pontotoc was for a long while the ]
second in size and importance in North Mississippi.
It was the location of the land offices for the
Chickasaw Indians. In consequence, it became a
great field for trading and speculating, and wealth I
flowed in quickly. Men who had money, and knew ]
how to use it, were attracted from all quarters, J

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 93

enormous business tra'tisactions were made, paper
passed from hand to hand, and fortunes were lost
and won as in other gambling speculations. Liti-
gation was a necessary consequence, and the bar
soon numbered able men among its attorneys.
The most prominent for some time was William Y.
Gholson, from Virginia.

Like most of the young Virginians who came
south with the tide of emigration, then at its full
flow, he was a gentleman of polished manner, and
the highest sense of what was due to himself and
others. His knowledge of the law was profound,
and in spite of constant application to business he
kept up the habits of a student He afterwards
removed to Columbus, Ohio, and was elevated to
the Supreme Court bench of that State.

As I go on with my record, great names throng
upon my mind, and I say to myself, " There were
giants in those days."

About this time began the career of Hon. Jacob
Thompson, so well known for many years, and
whose death not long ago severed another link
between the old South and the new. Thompson
served in Congress for many terms, and was Sec-
retary of the Interior under Mr. Buchanan.

Mr. Charles Fontaine was a descendant of the
renowned Patrick Henry, and his friends boasted
that he inherited some of the vehement eloquence
of that great orator. He was a genial, enthusiastic
fellow, and, though not a great student, knew law

HECOLLECTIOyS OF MISSISSIPPI.

enough to serve his purpose, when supplemented
by his quick and inventive fancy.

I have already spoken of my old competitor for
the office of district attorney, Thomas J. Word, of
Pontotoc, but will not forego the pleasure of turn-
ing to my good friend once more. Between him
and myself there still exists an intimate relation
of friendship, and it gives me pleasure to set down
here the well-known fact that no man has ever
questioned his learning and ability aa a lawyer, or
his honor, courage, and 6delity to his friends, I
have known him well for the space of an ordinary
lifetime, and in all these years have never heard
one speech or action recorded against hira which,
"dying, he would wish to blot"

One more name must be dwelt on in connection
with the Pontotoc of that day. Judge R. Miller.
He was a South Carolina Whig. Although gifted
with a quick insight info the facts and principles
of a case, he applied himself to close investigation,
and always came into court armed at all points.
I met him shortly before the battle of Antietam,
in which he fell while gallantly leading his men in
a fearful charge. He seemed oppressed with some
presentiment or vogue foreboding, and after bid-
ding me farewell with unusual feeling he said,
" We may not meet again."

The general population of Pontotoc was much l
above average. There was a good deal of wealth
among the citizens, many families of education |

I
I

RECOLLECTIONS OF MJSSISSJPPL 95

and refinement having come there to seek better
fortune, and having found it in the increased value
of lands. People were wild about land specula-
tion, and though some lost, others won largely.
My two brothers, William and James, went there
for a time, and realized handsome estates, t Both
of them were importunate in their urgency for me
to join them, assuring me that I could quickly lay
up what would then have been a great fortune.
This offer, however, I could not bring myself to
accept I was naturally averse to the kind of life
they wanted me to take up, and could not for any
consideration give up the labors and excitements
and delights which belonged to the profession I
had entered against so many difficulties. " The
labor we delight in physics pain ; " and I was at
an age to find pure delight in congenial labor for
its own sake. This labor brought me as much
money as I wanted — a great deal more than I
ought to have spent — and I had no instinct for
accumulation as an end. My brothers, who were
men of great ability and solid judgment, depre-
cated my decision, and made many efforts to
change it. Perhaps they were right. When a
man has lived as long as I have, he at least learns
that there are two sides to every question, but he
also learns that each one of us must live his own
life in his own fashion. I have no doubt blundered
many times on the way, but 1 have never regretted
that I did not choose to stumble along a path that

96 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

somebody else chose for me. And I say this with
due deference and apology to my good and valued
friend, Dr. Greene, of this place, who the other
day gave me a friendly lecture on the subject of
Individuality. By the way, the doctor has plenty
of individuality himself.

CHAPTER XII.

I COME now to Columbus, one of our oldest
towns, and the county-seat of Lowndes. This
beautiful little city is on the east bank of the
Tombigbee, and I have never known a place of
its size more handsomely built up, or with a more
patrician and elegant society. No place can boast
of a population of better lineage and traditions
than Columbus is admitted to possess, and to this
day the elegance and grace of her social life attest
the power of these hereditary distinctions. Most
of the first settlers of Columbus were from the
best families of the older States — Virginia, South
Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
Many of them brought large estates with them,
and there was a considerable aristocracy of large
land and elave owners. All the refinement and
luxury possible were part of their daily lives, and
their splendid hospitality was a proverb. To
Natchez in the southwest and Columbus in the
northeast the palm was given.

Columbus had her orators, her thinkers, her
jurists, and her men of business, who would have
taken rank among the highest in any country.
William S. Barry was born and reared in Colum-

98 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

busj and completed his education at Harvard. He
studied law, but had neither taste nor patience for
the dry and ponderous details of that profession.
Like Prentiss and Holt, he was all orator, and
could not bring himself to the plodding prepara-
tion which must underlie the most brilliant legal
efforts. In the same way, no one was more effec-
tive in a canvass, but he abhorred the labors and
responsibilities of office. He loved to be free and
untrammelled, and could rarely be induced to work
in harness. In 1855 be was elected to the legis-
lature, and made speaker. He filled the office
with efficiency and credit to himself.

In writing of Columbus, my mind turns natu-
rally to the dear and honored friend of many years
— the good, the great, the beloved James T. Har-
rison. To give this man his simple due, it is need-
ful to exhaust commendation and rise into eulogy.

He was born in South Carolina, and graduated
with high honor before coming to Mississippi.
Having adopted the law as a profession, he studied
it with such success as to be complete in all it«
branches. As a pleader he had no superior, and
he debated with force and energy. He was the
ideal of a gentleman and man of honor, and the
object of universal love and admiration wherever
he was known. It was my privilege to know him
in the bonds of closest friendship for many years,
and it is my misfortune that death has for a time
broken the tie that bound us. Harrison, " let no

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 99

man think I do not love thee still." Wherever in
the great realm of nature you may be waiting
now, I know that you are unchanged, because your
soul was made up of love and truth and honor,
and these attributes are immortal. I shall find you
after a little while.

Worthy names crowd upon my pen : Henry
Dickerson, one of the wisest and best of men, and
Clayton, with his calm and disciphned mind and
his spotless integrity of character; William L.
Harris, another one of the giants. After establish-
ing at the bar his wide reputation as a great
thinker and debater, he was first judge of the
circuit court, and then removed to the Supreme
Court bench. He was a man for any place. Then
there was Adam T. Smith from the West, and
Butterworth from New York, great lawyers both,
and whose many noble qualities I had occasion to
see tested under various circumstances. Also
Stephen Nash, a scholar of many varied attain-
ments; Evans, unsurpassed as a chancery lawyer.
Henry S. Bennett had ability which brought him
success early in his practice. He became judge
of the circuit court, and was afterwards sent to
Congress.

I could never fail to mention Tilghman M.
Tucker, that friend of my boy days in Hamilton.
He had now become noted for his law learning and
his political sagacity. Few men controlled a better
practice, and he came to have a sort of life estate

100 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

in a seat in the legislature. In 1841 he was
elected governor of Mississippi, Many a talk we
had about the old days in Hamilton, and many
a laugh over the blunders we made at our first
balls. The last time I saw him we went all over
the occasion when neither of us could tell which
was sangaree and which was syllabub, and the
girls mortified him by laughing when he got the
wrong thing. It was a great joke with us when I
called on him at the Mansion in Jackson, but when
it happened we both thought it a very awful
matter.

At tliis time, when A. G, McNutt was governor,
Jackson was not only the seat of government, but
the abode of some of the best talent in the State.
There was Rolney E. Howard, a successful lawyer,
but etill more brilliant as an editor. Everybody
liked and admired Guion, whose intellect entitled
him to the highest rank as a lawyer, and who had
a noble and generous heart. I cannot refrain
from one instance of his benevolence. For many
years the house of Mrs. Dickerson was headquar-
ters for a certain class of men, chiefly lawyers and
members of the legislature, and for Mrs. Dickerson
herself we all felt great respect and regard. A
better woman never lived, nor a kinder friend. I
was staying at her house, when one day I heard a
commotion in the streets, and, hurrying in that
direction, got there just in time to see the building
enveloped in flames. In a few moments it was

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL

101

consumed, and, there being no insurance, the loss
was complete. As the crowd be^an to disperse,
Guion got upon some steps and began to speak.
After a short address, he headed a subscription
witli five hundred dollars. Stephen Cocke followed
with five hundred more, and others with generous
subscriptions, imtil the sum of four thousand dol-
lars was raised upon the spot. He was the same
active friend on all occasions, and, I believe, went
down to the grave without an enemy.

The Hon. Henry S. Foote was, in ray judg-
ment, one of the first men of his time. In person
he was small, with a large bald head. He had
been thoroughly educated at school, and after-
wards built upon this foundation by diligent study.
Although he gave much time to general reading,
he was particnlarly well versed in the history of
nations. I have never met any other man who
was so acquainted with the structure and theory
of different governments, and his knowledge of
our own was both extensive and accurate. He
had unusual command of language, and was espe-
cially gifted with a power of arranging historical
facts, and deducing from them political principles.
In conversation he was always charming. As a
speaker he was effective, and had great powers of
satire and ridicule. He was a thoroughly sound
hearted man, and even when severe was never
malicious. I was always fond of Foote. If it be
true that we know our friends in that other coun-

102 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

try, it will be one of my joys to renew there the
friendship which lasted so many years in this
world, and which was, 1 hope, only suspended by
his i-eraoval from it.

There was George Yerger, the most gifted of a
family of gifted men ; and May, and Chief Justice
Sharkey, who ranked in intellect and learning with
Chief Justice Marshall and other bright luminaries
of the Northern States. Associated with him were
two able colleagues, R. Pray and Pink Smith.

It was the boast of Mississippi that upon her roll
of honor were inscribed names that %vould add
lustre to any country, in any period of the world's
history. Up to this time my record has dealt
chiefly with men whose generation came a little
before my own. They were mostly in the ful-
ness of their fame, and were half through the voy-
age before my small craft was fairly launched. If
I relied more upon their kindness and generous
encouragement than upon any powers of ray own,
I was not disappointed, because I never failed to
receive more at their hands than I could possibly
have expected. Before turning to the men who
were properly of my day, I pause to lay this Bmatl
tribute of gratitude ou the tombs of those who
1 along just before me iii the journey of life.

CHAPTER Xni.

From the year 1828 to 1855, life in Mississippi,
was full and rich, and varied with much incident
find many strong passions. In a new country,
teeming with wealth and full of adventurous
spirits, there is no tanieness, no satiety.

Even in the routine of professional life there
were excitement and adventure, oftentimes rising
into passion and tragedy. My own practice was
of a nature to throw me into an existence of rest-
less activity. I had two partners, both unusually
competent in the business of the office, and both
greatly preferring that department. We prac-
tised in a large circuit, and I was thrown into the
excitement of a continual round of courts. Our
firm managed an extensive civil business, and, I
may say, almost monopolized the criminal cases.
If ever a man found his life filled with congenial
work and variety and intense excitement, I did
during alt that time. O friends of that day,
what glorious times we had together ! What
fierce combats we fought, and with what gay ca-
rouses we celebrated the victory ! The very recol-
lection makes me grow young again.

In the courts, at that period, all the technicali-

104

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

ties of the common law were rigidly observed.
Scarcely a case occurred in which the bill of in-
dictment could not be quashed on account of some
error in the organization of court or action of
grand jury. I remember quashing more than
eighty bills of indictment at one term of the court
in Tishemingo County, by one motion, The error
was in the organization of the grand jury, which
of course affected every class of cases alike. At
first, and before 1 had acquired confidence, I took
pains to search for some error, and held it in re-
serve, to be used if my man should be convicted.

Other lawyers all over the State availed them-
selves of the same advantage, to such an extent
that the legislature took the matter under consid-
eration. They adopted such a system of amending
that now a blank sheet of paper accomplishes as
much, when reported by the grand jury, as a bill
prepared in compliance with the strictest rules of
the common law. In other words, the legislature
has made the amplest provision for the possible
ignorance of district attorneys. When I am now
employed in a defence, I never consider the bill of
indictment further than to discover the offence
charged. The largest docket in our then circuit
was in my own county of Monroe, and it was the
last in the circuit.

Returning home after an absence of ten or
twelve weeks, I always found the civil business of
our firm in a state of perfect preparation, and,

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL

105

unless in some cases of unusual complication and
many fact**, I was seldom required to appear,
reserving my full powers of mind and body for
the criminal docket. This system was continued
for years.

The political condition of the nation was in a
most depressed situation, especially in regard to
financial matters. We had no currency. The
United States Bank had gone down before the
onslaught of the indomitable General Jackson.
All the state banks were buried in its ruins.
Commerce was suspended. Insolvency was tbe
rule, and judgments accumulated against nearly
all citizens. Such a time of rage and excitement
is rarely seen during a period of peace. By means
of executions, sheriffs were seizing real and per-
sonal estate all over the countryj and advertising
for immediate sale. On the days appointed for
such sales, the people assembled in angry mobs,
and the feeling was evidently so desperate that
sheriffs were compelled to postpone proceedings.
They dared not invoke the full fury of a storm
that, once let loose, would spend itself in irresistible
destruction.

Both national and state governments confessed
their inability to furnish anything which could be
used as a medium of exchange for the relief of
the people. Despair was in all faces, and enter-
prise was cut off. The government of the nation
admitted that the Constitution conferred upon

106 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL

Congress the right to coin money and to regu-
late the value thereof, but denied the existence of
any power to create money or ita representative.
Nevertheless, that very administration, seeing
that without money or its equivalent the func-
tions of government itself must cease, resorted to
the issue of treasury notes, now called greenbacks,
for its own use, and passed a law of Congress by
which these notes were made receivable as money,
in transactions of government. The States could
do nothing in the way of furnishing a circulating
medium for commercial purposes.

These sources of oppression of the people were
without precedent, and men of all parties and
opinions took part in an eager discussion as to
what measures of relief could be devised. In a
casual conversation which I held with a politician,
a very intellectual and well-informed gentleman
in the then newly settled town of Aberdeen, I
remarked that, while T had never studied or even
thought of the subject to any extent, it seemed
clear to me that for any people or country one of
the first necessities must be money for exchange
of commotlittes ; that the first and highest duty of
government was to furnish this circulating medium ;
and that this duty was an incumbent and para-
mount obligation which should in some form be
exercised. I also suggested that, as the United
States Bank had existed in a chartered form for
twenty years, whether constitutional or not. Con-

nECOLLECTIO^'S OF MISSISSIPPI. 107

CBS tjbould give it sixteen or twenty years for
liquidiition, its paper during that period to circu-
late as heretofore. The States could do notliing,
becanae the power to coin, and to regulate the
value of the piece when coined, was by the Consti-
tution vested in Congress aloue.

These remarks were so construed as to give me
the character of couservatism. I had no aspira-
tions for office, nor did 1 participate to any great
extent in the political excitements of the day.
My professional duties were greater than I could
well perform without engrossing my whole ardor,
and 1 was happy in my associations, and perfectly
contented with the field already open to my
energies.

The Supreme Court was held at Jackson, and
cases from this district were triable at the January
term. I had cases in that court, and I went to
Jackson as usual. During the first days of the
term, all the cases I had were submitted. I had
no conversation about politics with any man, either
Whig or Democrat, being much engrossed with
business, nor did I even know that a convention
of the Whig party would be held in Jackson on
the succeeding Monday, In that convention can-
didates were to be nominated for Congress and
other offices. At that time congressmen were
elected by the State at large.

The Whig convention met on Monday. I had
returned home befm-o it met, and was astonished

108

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

by the intelligence that they had nominated me in
conjunction with Adam L. Binguman, of Natchez.
I had never acted with the Whig party, and did
not understand why they should have taken the
liberty to use my niirae without ray knowledge or
consent, and without the slightest intimation that
such an honor was to be thrust upon me. I there-
fore announced that I could not accept the nomina-
tion, nor make the race. Many personal friends of
mine who were in the Whig party appealed to me
to withhold my decision for a few weeks. They
urged that the nomination was u high honor to a
man of my age, and that courtesy required me at
least to ehow some consideration for those who
conferred it ; that my conservative ideas upon
the currency question had induced my nomination,
and that 1 was to run as a Conservative, not as a
Whig. I yielded to these representations, and took
no immediate steps in the nuitter.

After a month had passed, the spring round of
circuit courts began in my district, and my friends
agreed that 1 should make two speeches presenting
the views 1 have expressed, and that I might thei
retire without complaint. Upon this agreement I
I made a speech at Pontotoc, and one at Ripley.
Going on to attend court at Fulton, ray attention ]
was called to a letter in the "' Pontotoc Democrat,"
written from Ripley, and making a severe attack I
upon my speech there. I suspected the editor of I
the paper as the author of the tetter, and going to 1

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 109

see him, we had an interview that was far from
peaceable. After thia collision, those of my friends
who had all along urged me to make the race
appealed to my personal pride, averring that to
retire from the canvass now would have the ap-
pearance of being driven from the field. I there-
fore went on, and was defeated, with only the con-
solation of having reduced the Democratic majority
from six thousand to two thousand.

This ill-treatment received from the Democratic
party seemed too great to be condoned while they
were still victorious. 1 therefore took the stump
for Harrison and Tyler early in the campaign of
1840, and devoted to the success of " Tippecanoe
and Tyler too" a concentrated energy and enthu-
siasm that I have rarely shown in any cause. We
carried the State against Martin Van Buren, the
vote in my district changing from six thousand
Democratic to six thousand Whig.

I returned to the Democratic party after this
interlude, and continued in close alliance with it
until 1878.

Now it will be seen that the cause of trouble
between the Democrats and myself in 1838 and
1839 was very slight. The difference involved no
fundamental question, but simply one of expe-
diency. The power o£ Congress to grant a char-
ter for a bank was not discussed. The question at
issue was solely the expediency of extending the
charter and its circulation for a given time, as a

110 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

proper remedy for existing flnaticial evila of a
destructive character. This being all, I was enti-
tled to expect more indulgence than I received.
I was not at that time able to draw the distinction
between fundamental and expedient, and was held
accountable aa having claimed constitutionality.
The Democrats now admit the constitutionality of
the power of Congress to charter, and would pur-
sue with bitterness any one who should doubt it.

I made the opening speech for Harrison in that
canvass, and it was received with some approbation
from foes as well as friends. Under the circum-
stances this was a matter of the deepest gratifica-
tion to me. My support of Harrison and Tyler
was not induced by any hope of reward. I had
lost all confidence in Van Buren and his policy,
which was without any proposed remedy for the
evils bringing ruin upon every industry of the
nation.

This canvass was, in every aspect, an extraor-
dinary one. From the beginning, there was not
only a wonderful enthusiasm, but it was sustained
throughout, and manifested itself in the energy
and variety of campaign expedients. For some
reason, the popular fancy waa stirred almost
beyond precedent, and that fancy delighted itself
with a thousand fantastic and exuberant devices.

There was in especial an outbreak of popular
campaign ditties, containing a cheerful medley of .
patriotic fervor and wild plantation melody. Men

RECOLLECTIONS OF MlSSiSSIPPL 111

and womea sang songs about Tippecanoe find
Tyler too, caring little for the sense, if the sen-
timent was all right and the tune stirring. (In
those early days nobody was ashamed to confess to
a liking for music with a good, honest tune in it.)
Every ragged boy on the village streets shouted
the same inspiring strains, and from every field
the mellow voices of the negroes softened the most
rollicking ditty into the pathetic cadences peculiar
to the Africim vocalist.

There were public speeches everywhere. Great
barbecues succeeded each other, and were attended
by multitudes, who thronged to the appointed
places in wagons and carriages, on foot and on
horseback ; travelling for miles to enjoy these
social and political festivals.

In these more sober and prosaic days, it may,
perhaps, be difficult for people even to imagine the
perfect abandonment of a whole population to
the escitementa and pleasures of .such a carnival.
The more rigid moralist may be even scandalized
by the spectacle of whole communities given up to
wild days o£ feasting, speech-making, music, dan-
cing, and drinking, with, perhaps, rough words now
and then, and an Imnest hand-to-hand fight when
debate was angry and the blood hot. To such a
critic I would say that having lived through those
days, finding the keenest and most vivid delight
in them too, and having also experience of the
widely different methods and habits of these later

112

ItECULLECTlONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

times, my deliberate judgment is that much may
be urged in favor of the past.

It is not to be denied that men drank more than
was good for them oftentimes, and auid and did
many wild and foolish things both in their cups
and out of them. But there was little trickery
and no corruption in the politics of those days, and
a man who had dared to tamper with a ballot-box,
or who had been detected in any fraud by the
people, would have been torn in pieces without
a moment's hesitation. The populace might be
ignorant of many things, careless and indifferent
about many more ; but where honor and honesty
were concerned, the great heart of the masses
beat true and fearless. Any man who aspired to
lead them must be above reproach, according to
their standards.

These standards were high enough and clean
enough to force aspirants for leadership to at least
outward conformity with the popidar ideal, and
the very existence of such an ideal kept the polit-
ical atmosphere in a measure pure.

I speak to the young men of this age of boasted
progress, and ask them wherein it consists, when
tried by the moral standards of fifty years ago.
I ask them to look back upon the past twenty I
years, and then tell what has been the ideal cher-
ished in their hearts and lived out in their political I
lives.

As the summer drew near its close, the excite- J

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 113

ment of the canvass waxed hotter and more ju-
bilant. It was proposed that a meeting of the
people of the West and South should be held at
Nashville, Tenn,, during the month of August.

This proposal was everywhere received with
approval. It was agreed that a hundred men
should be appointed as a committee to represent
Monroe County at thia meeting. I was one of the
hundred selected, and we went to work with zeal-
ous preparation for the journey.

A new wagon was chosen and gayly painted. It
was appropriately fitted up with a neatly built log-
cabin and the typical barrel of hard cider, not
forgetting sundry coon-skins among the adorning
banners. Six of the finest horses in market were
harnessed to this wagon, and the hundred dele-
gates formed a mounted escort for it. We had
tents and provisions with us, a band of music,
and a retinue of negro men and boys, who were
enchanted that their service made it neces-sary to
follow their masters on such an expedition.

Thus equipped, we started gayly forward on a
journey that was one long frolic. We travelled
about fifteen miles a day, stopping at every cross-
road to meet the people who came out to greet
us. Wherever we tarried, there was music and
speaking. The men brought out their best liq-
uors, and the women their choicest dainties, for our
refreshment.

Every house we passed was decorated with Sags

114 RECOLLECTIONS OF MlSSISSIPI'l.

and emblems. The women wore aprons and hand-
kerchiefs adorned with log-cabins and cider-barrels
in elaborate needle-work. These patriotic devices
attracted much attention, especially when the
wearers were young and pretty. The boya would
then be observed to examine the designs with iin-
coiiHiion minuteness, and to display much interest
in the specimens of handiwork.

It was a noteworthy fact that there were num-
bers of beautiful women all along that enchanted
road. Do wayfarers find that road brllUant with
beauty and delight nowadays, I wonder ? Or was
it only in the bright summers of fifty years ago
that pretty eyes sparkled, and pretty cheeks
blushed in the sunshine ?

When we came to the larger towns and villages,
committeea were ready to receive us, and prepara-
tions made for elaborate entertainment It was
many long summer days before we reached Nash-
ville, but they seemed too few and too short for all
the merriment crowded into them.

Thousands were in advance of us, and it was
estimated that more than a hundred thousand were
present on the appointed day. Many speakers, of
more or less celebrity, were ready to address the
people from various stands, chief among them
Henry Clay, and Thomas Corwin of Ohio. We
of the South were eager to hear all the prominent
Western men, but particularly Clay and Corwin,

Clay's speech was magnificent. It was worth

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 115

the journey only to hear him, but I remember
that many persons agreed with me in thinking that
Corwin on thia occasion even surpassed that great
speaker.

Corwin was at that time in the full vigor of ripe
manhood, and he spoke with dignity and power,
without losing any of his more youthful fire. He
had a charm of manner and expression very cap-
tivating to all hearers, and was a good as well as
great man. His pure patriotism was beyond all
question.

The great mass-meeting was a triumphant suc-
cess, and always remembered with satisfaction by
those who took part in its excitements.

It ia with a strange softening of the heart that
an old man recalls the gala-days of his youth.
The songs were all sung and the wine-cups emp-
tied years and years ago. The gay companions
have grown old and died. The triumphs and
joys of life's heyday are as withered as the ro.ses
which bloomed on the road we travelled with such
light hearts so many years since. Of all the hun-
dred young men who rode out of Aberdeen so
blithely that summer morning in the year of our
Lord 1840, there remains only he who in his old
age fondly recalls the idle story.

CHAPTER XIV.

My partner, Stephen Cocke, had been security
for one Mr. Boyd, receiver of public moneys at the
Columbus Land Office, Upon settlement, Boyd
was defaulter for about sixty. thousand dollars, and
he, with his securities, had been sued in the fed-
eral court of Mississippi for the amount. Judg-
ment was rendered against them for sixty thousand
dollars and coats. The case was appealed to the
Supreme Court at Washington, the firm of Davis,
Cocke, and Goodwin preparing the argument.

It was agreed that I should go to Wnshington
to file the brief and have the case properly sub-
mitted, and to reply to Mr. Gllpine. the attorney-
general, if he should make any point not included
in our brief.

Some account of the financial part of this jour-
ney may be useful to show what loss and annoy-
ance were suffered at every town on account of
our want of currency. I took with me five hun-
dred dollars for current expenses, some in Ala-
bama funds, some Georgia, some South Carolina.
I had also a hundred dollar bill on the Charleston
Bank, which had not suspended. That was con-
sidered what would now be called " gilt-edged,"

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

and I expected to get gold for it in Charleston.
The rest of my money was in Virginia funds. On
the Alabama money I lost one third in passing
through that State. My stage and tavern ex-
penses would have been something more than
fifty dollars. The discount added made the total
expense in Alabama money eighty dollars. The
same result occurred in passing through Georgia.
The hundred dollar bill I presented to the captain
of the ship which carried us by sea to Wilming-
ton, North Carolina. He declined to receive it, as
of doubtful value. I demanded evidence, and he
gave the age of the note. I asked if the bank
were not in existence at that date. He replied
that it was, but that the age of the note made
him hesitate to receive it, though he did not
question that it was held by me in good faith. I
then told him my name, and said that I would
postpone my trip and go back to Charleston and
settle the genuineness of the note. A gentleman
named M'Rath, from Knoxville, with whom I had
travelled several days, stepped up and insisted that
I should go on, and that he was so sure that the
bill was good as to be willing to give me gold for
it. This I refused, but accepted such exchange
for some Virginia money as would enable me to
pay the passage. We had not gone far before
a great storm arose, which drove us back to
port. I then went, accompanied by my acquaint-
ance M'Kath, to the bank, and instead of demand-

118 RECOLLECTIONS OF AJISSISSIPPI.

iiig cash told the cashier that it had been ques-
tioned, and requested hira to pronounce it genuine.
After prolonged examination, the cashier made a
pen stroke over it, but refused to say whether or
not it was good. While we were talking, a Mr.
Cohen, who had large business interests in Aber-
deen, and who had at that time many thousands of
dollars in claims in the hands of Davis, Cocke, and
Goodwin for collection, came into the bank. We
showed hira the bill, and he said, " Mr. Cashier, this
is perfectly good, and you know it." He then drew
a check and paid me gold for the note.

All this taught me a lesson which has aided me
frequently in the investigation of criminal cases
founded upon circumstantial testimony alone. I
could see how an innocent man, holding that bit
of paper in as good faith as I did, but differently
circumstanced, might have been arrested for try-
ing to pass counterfeit money, upon the presump-
tion which having such money in po&session would
create. In such a case, guilt would exist in crim-
inal knowledge, and possession unexplained would
have established the charge by aid of presumption.
This personal experience impressed me with the
unreliability of presumptions, and led me into a
line of thought which has enabled me to acquit
many persons in danger from complications of that
nature.

The little experience which I have given of this
journey may be useful in showing the dreadful

UECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPT. 119

pressure under which we lived at that time. It is
a matter of common observation that the practical
working of a system can be best learned from the
plain history of any individual case under its oper-
ation.

It seems monstrous that the moat extraordi-
nary financial and industrial prostration should
have existed in the most splendid agricultural
country in the world, that country having a labor
system perfectly adapted to bring all its industries
into harmonious operation.

What fatal cause could liave brought about such
results? Either party absolutism, or desperate
incompetence in the rulers of the nation. My
friends of that party will pardon me for saying
that there is one vital question in government
which has never been understood by the Demo-
cratic party. That question is finance. I recall
the desolation brought upon this country during
the disastrous years between 1836 and 1841, and
I am like an old mariner who, having passed
through many storms and witnessed the shipwreck
of many stately vessels bearing precious freight,
beholds with alarm similar signs of tempest dark-
ening the horizon. May God avert the storm !

At one o'clock of the same day of our bank
adventure, we again sailed for Wilmington. Gen-
eral Henry S. Foote arrived in time to take pas-
sage with us. The storm still continued, but the
captain thought we would have calm before mid-

120

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

night. Instead of that, when we were off Cape
Fear, it began to rage with increased fury. We
were awakened by the tLtrraoil, and going on deck
found the captain trying to put back for Charles-
ton. Next morning found us once more in safety.
but no further on our way. That evening, for the
third time, we set sail, and were fortunate enough
to arrive at Wilmington next day.

From Wilmington to Richmond the train was
crowded with passengers, and my friend General
Foote displayed a little eccentricity, which led to
a remark I have been reminded of many times in
after life. .Foote began to hum a little song, upon
which I suggested that be would make himself
conspicuous by doing so in a crowd. He replied,
" Davis, let me give you a lesson. Tou may make
it a matter of observation the rest of your life, and
you will see that ignorance and impudence will
succeed far better than intellect and modesty,"

General Foote had spent many years of his
younger life in Richmond, 1 think had studied law
there, and was famihar with its people and local-
ities. We went out together to breakfast at a
restaurant, having arrived too late to be served at
the hotel. On our way several gentlemen stopped
and greeted me cordially, addressing me as Mr.
Wise. It was the first knowledge I had of a
strong personal resemblance to the Hon. Henry
A. Wise, which was afterwards frequently brought
to my notice by similar incidents. Foote was de-

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 121

lighted, and amused himself by all sorts of absurd-
ities, making me a mock-heroic speech in which
be pointed out how honored an insignificant young
fellow like myself ought to feel in being thought to
resemble one of the greatest men of Virginia. He
even took time, in the course of showing me all
that was worth seeing, to go out of the way and
point out the office of the immortal Henry, as a
place of deep interest to me. Like all Virginians,
Foote had inordinate state pride, and really be-
lieved that to be born there was a distinction in
itself.

My first visit to Washington made a deep im-
pression upon me, because I then saw for the first
time some of those statesmen whose fame filled the
whole nation. After attending to my business in
the court-room, I went to the hall of the House
of Kepresentatives, and sent in my card to Mr.
Jacob Shannon. He came to the door and con-
ducted me to his seat, remarking as we went that
the gentleman then addressing the house was the
man who was enough like me in appearance to
be my twin-brother. It was Henry A. Wise, of
Virginia.

He had been a supporter of Harrison and Tyler,
but was tearing a large fraction from the Whig
party and arraying it against the party under
Henry Clay. One might have imagined that he
was gifted with a prescient knowledge of events
yet hidden in the future, but to be disclosed at no

122 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI

distant day. It is certain that, although he could
not have foreseen Harrison's early death, he was
preparing the way for Tyler and his pohcy, and
that in this speech he distinctly foreshadowed
events that were soon to startle the nation. He
made the most violent attacks upon certain of
Clay's friends, even sometimes daring to rush upon
that mighty lion among men with hia vehement
denunciation. I was appalled by his temerity, even
while carried on by the rich stream of his oratory.

Upon leaving the hall, I went to the rotunda,
where I found General Foote in search of me. I
told him that I had been entrusted with a letter
for Mr. Webster, and requested him to introduce
me, should a fitting opportunity occur. At that
moment, Mr. Webster entered the rotunda, and
Foote presented me, The dignity and grandeur
of the man overcame me for the first seconds of
our interview. His majestic person, his grand
head, and deep, dark, intellectual eyes, made him
mighty in my eyes.

In a recent article hy an eminent English writer,
he says that " the thrill of awe is the best and
highest of human sensations." If this be true, I
reached my best and highest sensation then and
there, as I stood before Mr. Webster for the first
time, and felt the deepest emotion of awe of which
my soul was capable. I had to pull myself to-
gether by main force before I had presence of
mind to present the letter which was my excuse
for approaching him.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 123

This letter was written by Mr. George Gayle,
of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, a very promising young
lawyer, and nephew to Hon. Jolui Gnyle, at that
time governor of Alabama. Mr. Gayle had pre-
sented for Mr. Webster's decision the great consti-
tutional question, whether the bills of the bank of
Alabama were, or were not, such bills of credit as
were alluded to in that clause of the Constitution
of the United States which prohibited to the State
any issue of bills of credit. Mr. Webster promptly
answered in the negative, referring to a case, de-
cided by the Supreme Court, in which the ques-
tion was adjudicated. He spoke slowly and with
much dignity, and every word deepened the im-
pression made on my mind, which, even after the
lapse of so many years, remains as fresh as any
event of yesterday.

The discussion which had occupied the Senate
for some weeks, and which was still in progress,
was probably the ablest which had ever taken
place on ttiat floor.

The subject was the independent treasury sys-
tem. On one side the champions were Clay, Web-
ster, and Mangham ; on the other, Benton, Cal-
houn, and others. Great crowds thronged the
House, and it was almost impossible to obtain seats
in the gallery. General Foote, who never ceased
his care of me, and who had friends at court, pro-
cured places for ua both.

The celebrated William Allan, of Ohio, had the

124

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

floor, but finished speaking in about half an hour.
He was followed by Mr. Webster, who delivered a
short argument of great power, preserving bis in-
variable attitude of statue-Uke repose.

While Mr. Webster was speaking, Foote pulled
me by the sleeve, and said iu a dehghted whisper :
" There now, he has made a mistake in the con-
struction of that sentence, and people say he is the
only living man who can speak for hours without
a mistake in grammar." It was amusing to see
Foote triumph in finding some flaw in the perfec-
tion which had overawed bi.'9 lighter spirit. For
ray part, I do not suppose I should ever have
noticed that special sentence, or, if I had, the
chances are that, with a well-founded distrust
of my own constructive ability, I should have
adopted the error without hesitation, as the most
approved mode of expression.

While Webster was speaking, Mr. Clay entered
by a side door. I observed a stir and movement
among the crowd when that noble and command-
ing form was seen to enter. As soon as Webster
concluded, Clay rose and made a short address.
By this time I had reached such a pitch of enthu-
siastic delight and admiration that it was almost
like intoxication, and I suppose I owe it to Foote.
or some other guardian angel, that I was able to
keep my seat and behave in a rational raanner.
I heard that grand TOJce pouring forth noble
thoughts and sublime images until the world

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 125

seemed fuH of grandeur. At one point, I remem-
ber, the applause was so great that the house
seemed shaken by the roar.

Mr. Clay was followed by Thomas H. Benton,
of Missouri, in ray opinion the weightiest man in
the Senate or nation. It wita his mind and will
that upheld the administration of General Jackson,
which could not have existed a week without him.
Every great measure of that administration was
formulated, if not conceived, by Benton ; and it
was his stubborn and indomitable will that bore
down all opposition. As a speaker he waa un-
gainly in bearing, and had a bad voice and defec-
tive style.

On tlie next day I heard Mangham address the
Senate. He was replied to with great bitterness
by Mr. Calhoun, who spoke willi a passion and
fire and keen analysis I could not have conceived
possible. All the while he stood erect, arms hang-
ing straight at his side, and never once lifted ; not
a gesture, not the slightest movement of his per-
son, and all the while this burning, flaming, with-
ering flow of rhetoric and invective. His body
seemed frozen Into one immovable posture, while
his mind was at white heat, pouring out a molten
torrent of irresistible fnry.

I came home feeling much expanded by all these
vivid experiences. It has been said that it is good
for a man's soul when his eyes dwell upon great
motintain ranges. He carries away noble thoughts

126 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL

and generous impresaions from them. Coming
home after this visit, I felt that I too had been on
the mountain- tops, had heard the echo of noble
words, had felt the stir of great thoughts, and had
seen face to face those who were as prophets in
the land.

In coming back to Mississippi, I took the route
through Wheelhig, Va., over the Cumberland road.
Travelling in that day was a very different expe-
rience from the easy transit of the present time.
I had to encounter the snows and storms of the
Alleghany Mountains; and though I had provided
myself with buffalo robes and Mackinaw blankets,
those bitter days in the stage-coaches nearly froze
the blood in my veins. The winds howled down
the sides of the mountain, and the snow and sleet
fell in perfect sheets, and the old stage-drivers
seemed to look upon it as indifferently as if it
were no more than spring sunshine. I shall never
see anything finer than the contemptuous sur-
prise of one of them, when I stopped to spend the
night at Hagerstown, acknowledging that I should
(lie of cold if I went another mile. To this I
am indebted for an experience which, though not
pleasant at the time, I have often recalled with
pleasure. The sun was shining brightly when we
started down the mountain on a road cut in the
mountain side, and so narrow that only a few
feet remained between our wheels and the edge
of the precipice. Suddenly we plunged right

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 127

into a snow cloud, tearing our way through its
very bosom, and emerging from it white with
snow which the coach liad gathered in ita progress.
When we reached the foot of the mountain we
found sunshine again.

Union Town was only a few miles further on,
and at that point we met the President-elect,
Harrison, with a large escort, en route to Wash-
ington.

All the country around had furnished crowds of
eager spectators, and the President was holding a
reception. I did not stay to attend it, though I
was invited with much courtesy, but pushed on to
Wheeling in order to catch the next boat. While
going down the Ohio River, we suffered still from
the intense cold. I was standing in a crowd about
the stove, when a stout, well-dressed man, with an
intellectual face and pleasing manners, addressed
me with some remark about politics, and we had a
most interesting conversation. After some time,
he informed me that his n.ame was Eev. Alexander
Campbell, and I knew that he was the man so
famous as the great reformer. We parted with
extreme friendliness at Cincinnati, and I have re-
called with pride my hours of companionship with
that man of lofty aims and noble soul.

From Memphis I came through the country to
Aberdeen. I fouml in my ofHce such an accumula-
tion of business as made that year, 1841, the most
laborious of my professional life. So many cases,

128

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

both civil and criminal, that required argument in
the court-room, and therefore belonged to my
department, were on docket, that I labored inces-
santly in preparation, or on the circuit, I had un-
usual success in these cases, and felt all the exhil-
aration of congenial and successful labor. Id spite
of the financial ilepression already spoken of, social
and political and business life in our section was
in a ferment of eager and restless vitality. Men
of this day would be appalled at the recklessness
with which business was transacted then. Espe-
cially in the matter of credit, this recklessness was
ruinous in its consequences. To put your name
on a friend's paper was as much a matter of course
as to sit up with him when he was ill, take care of
hira when he was merry, or fight for him if he got
into a row. I suppose I have myself paid about
eeventy-five thousand dollars of security money,
and my case was not exceptional. " A mad life,
my masters, but a merry one." If some of us
have since paid the piper, at least we had our
dance, and it was gay enough while it lasted.

About this time my friends began to press me
on the subject of politics. I answered truly that
both inclination and judgment prompted me to
stick to my profession. The law might be a jeal-
ous mistress, but she had been a kind one to me,
and 1 knew then, as I know now, that it was the
part of wisdom and prudence to divert no fraction
of lay energies from her service. But who is

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL 129

stronger than his destiny ? To whom is it given
never to see clearly and walk blindly? What
mortal lives who is not forced to acknowledge
sometimes that he has seen better things, and yet
has followed the worse? Should a young man
now consult me at such a point in his career, I
might be eloquent in my admonitions against leav-
ing the path of prudence and safety. Should he
ask if I regretted my own aberrations from that
path, I might say with honest Sancho Panza,
" Truly, there is much to be said on both sides."

elf *> if , --i ■*'.

CHAPTER XV.

In this year there was held a memorable elec-
tion for goverDor in the State of Mississippi. The
contestants were my old friend, T. M. Tucker, on
the one side, and Rev. Mr. Shattack, on the other.
The issue was the repudiation of the Union Bank
bonds. Tucker bore the Democratic, and Shattack
the Whig banner in this hardJought battle. The
facts were these : An association of gentlemen
obtained from the legi.slature a charter for a bank,
with a capital of five million dollars. The charter
provided that the State should indorse the bonds
of the corporation for five million dollars. The
bank at once organized, issued its bonds, and had
them indorsed in the manner prescribed in the
charter. They were then taken to Philadelphia,
and sold to Mr. Biddle, president of the extinct
bank of the United States. This was in direct
violation of the con.stitution of the State of Mis-
sissippi, and this fact was made known to Mr.
Biddle before he purchased the bonds. The com-
raissionera for the sale of these bonds assured Mr.
Biddle that they would induce the legislature to
ratify the sale. Now it will be remembered that
this money was borrowed solely for this private

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

131

corporation, and waa placed, when received, in the
vaults of the bank, not one dollar being received,
or in any way used, by the State.

Section 9, article 7, general provisions of the
Constitution, is in these words : " No liiw shall
ever be passed to raise a loan of money on the
credit of the State, or to pledge the faith of the
State for the payment, or redemption, of any loan
or debt, unless such law shall be proposed in the
Senate or House of Representatives, and be agreed
to by a majority of the members of each house,
and entered upon their journals with the ayes and
noes taken thereon, and be referred to the next
succeeding legislature, and published for three
months previous to the next regular election in
three newspapers of this State, and unless a major-
ity of each branch of the legislature so elected,
after such publication, shall agree to and pass such
laws ; and in such case the yeas and nays shall be
taken and entered upon the journal of each house,
and provided," etc. Now it is plain that all the
protective provisions and conditions imposed by
the constitution of the State were entirely dis-
regarded and set at naught. Wherefore it was
assumed that the law was absolutely null and void,
and that there was no power in the legislature to
vitalize it. Although the law was null and void,
the people of the State would have paid the loan
promptly, if the money had gone into the treasury
of the State, or been used for the beneQt of the

132

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

people of the State. It was received by the stock-
holders of a private corporatiou and for the use of
the banlt, and was used by the banlc, and therefore
no moral law, or no consideration of honor, re-
quired the people to pay this debt. Biddle knew
that he was purchasing paper which was void by
virtue of the constitution of the State, and that
he was making himself accessory to the fraud, and
therefore had no right to complain. As to both
legal and moral obligation, 1 agreed with the repu-
diating party, and supported it with such strength
as I could give it. Strictly speaking, it was the
Democratic party minus a small fraction composed
of men who refused to cooperate upon the idea
of maintaining credit abroad. Among that num-
ber was the Hon. S. J. Gholson, judge of the Fed-
eral court of Mississippi.

The Democrats held their usual convention, and
nominated for the legislature Joel M. Acker and
Jack Abbott. They came to my office the day
after their nomination to consult about the pro-
priety of making the race. They thought it might
be only running a losing race, especially as Gholson
was in favor of paying the bonds, and would take
the stump on that side. His influence, they, as
well as others, thought might dominate the result.
It seemed to me, on the contrary, that defeat was
by no means inevitable, and my counsel waa to
endeavor by vigorous and prudent action to make
the most of our chances, and perhaps in the end
come out triumphant.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

133

We drew up a Bhort article in which it was stated
that many voters desired to bear a discussion by
Samuel Gbolson and Reuben Davis upon the ques-
tion of the liability of the State at the various
voting precincts of the county. This was to ap-
pear in tbe next niorning's paper, and it was
agreed that my attention should be called to it
early in the morning, with a question as to what I
meant to do about it I was then to make a per-
emptory refusal. This refusal would of course be
lit once communicated to Gbolson, and he and his
friends would profess themselves anxious for the
discussion, and would begin to brag of their readi-
ness, and to taunt the Democrats with my being
afraid to meet their man in a fair field. All this
was carried out according to our programme ; and
when a point had been reached where Gbolson
could not retreat without discredit, I wrote him a
note in which I called attention to his former
exultations, and offered him the opportunities be
had so publicly longed for, in two discussions, —
one to be held at Aberdeen, and tbe other at
Athens, the then court-house of Monroe County.
This challenge was accepted, as it was bound to be,
our opponents knowing well that a refusal would
have been considered as disgraceful to their cliam-
pion, and to the men who put him forward. Gbol-
son and I were, at that time, on terms so far from
friendly that many of his friends came to me, and
anxiously insisted that I should withdraw the chal-

134 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

lenge, and abandon all idea of discussion. This I
refused, as I had set the trap, and had no fear of
being, like the wicked, caught in the snares my
own hand had devised.

Gholson had great reputation as a speaker, and
his supporters gathered in great feather, hoping
to witness such a victory as would justify the
opinion they had expressed in his favor.

Perhaps it may be permitted me to recall that I
also had some friends who rallied round me on
that occasion, gallant, loyal gentlemen, whose
trusty hands never failed me then or ever after.
As memory brings back each detail of the ardent
days long past, how the faces throng about me.
how the warm hands grasp mine once more, and
the cordial voices sound again in my ears ! There
was Charlie Weaver, truest and best of men. Man
and boy, I have known and loved him these
seventy years, and if ever there lived a more cour-
ageous, honorable, and stainless soul, I have yet to
find it. He still lives, preserving in his old age
the genial and friendly nature which endeared him
to BO many hearts in hia youth. Davis H, Morgan
was one of the warme.st friends I ever had, a brave,
true man, and one whose band promptly acted
upon the impulses of his heart.

There was Wilham Hardy. In storm or sun-
shine his heart was with his friends, and no sacri-
fice was too great to make for them. When in
some pressure of business calamity his friends had

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

135

to force assistance upon him in his fear lest he
should prejudice their interests, and when prds-
perity returned, how fully he repaid all kindness.
Also Sterling H. Buckingham, who was loved and
trusted by a large circle. He was a generous,
honorable, and successful business man, and had
great weight in his circle of friends. We were
together in many different scenes of life, and were
always united. Other names rise to my thoughts,
but the time would fail to mention all. Thus
gallantly supported, I went out to make what
stand I could, trusting to a good cause, and per-
haps also to certain weak spots which I fancied I
had discovered in Gholson's defensive armor. If
1 also confess that I thought I had observed some
bluntness in his weapons, and some special disin-
clination to enter the lists on this occasion, it may
he imagined that I did not consider our chances as
altogether desperate. When the day arrived, an
anxious and enthusiastic crowd assembled, and it
was evident that the question involved excited
deep interest. As Gholson had the affirmative of
the proposition under discussion, he was entitled
to the opening argument. He had artfully de-
layed the meeting until two o'clock in the after-
noon, which gave him this great advantage, that
when he closed the hour would be late and the
people anxious to start home, and naturally rest-
less and uneasy. Gholaon opened with an able
address. He was never rousing, but he debated

136 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI

with force and energy. It was evident that he
fully came up to the expectations of his friends in
this effort, and the crowd was impressed. Some
of the people rose and said that the lateness of the
hour would compel them to start home soon, but
if I would excuse them for leaving at the end
of an hour they would be glad to hear what
I had to aay. When I arose, my young friends
cheered with enthuaiasm, wishing to sustain my
confidence, I suppose, by this expression of their
own. My two hours were exhausted, and I bad
the gratification of seeing that not one of the
men from a distance availed themselves of their
privilege of leaving in the midst of my speech.
My friends expressed the most cordial satisfaction.
The nest day we went to Athens. My friends
were determined that the same trick should not be
played as to time, so at eleven o'clock we took the
stand and dared his people to bring him forward.
The discussion went on as appointed, and we tried
to make other appointments, but Gholson posi-
tively refused. The repudiators carried both
State and county by large majorities, and we
triumphed mightily.

During all this time the prosperity of the legal
profession was at its height. Speculation and
credit always produce much litigation, and law
business now came like a flood. Millions of dol-
lars were tied up In bills of exchange and prom-
issory notes, and all these passed through the

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

137

hands of lawyers. The profession was divided into
three classes: collecting, litigating, and criminal
lawyers. Bills of exchange and promissory notes
were taken charge of by my partners, while I was
in the court-room from the beginning of the year
to the end.

There was one class of cases in which I was
almost invariably retained on one side or the other
— suits growing out of the sale of unsound ne-
groes. I had read and practised medicine for a
short time, and this was supposed to give me some
advantage over my brother lawyers in the ex-
amination of physicians and experts, and in the
argument of questions based upon medical facts.
These suits, with criminal cases, and civil suits
where complication of facts brought them into
my department, occupied and filled my life at this
time. In the summer of 1842 I had a diversion
which I mny give here.

Some time before, I had been elected brigadier
of militia, and Major-General Jack Bradford sent
me an order to call out for review the militia in
the six counties which composed my brigade. At
that time there was some talk of a war with
Mexico, which increased our military ardor. I
issued the order, and in August we began our re-
view in the county of Tippah, four miles from the
court-house. The county had two regiments, and
the ground selected was common to both. Gen-
eral Bradford had provided himself with a uniform

138

RECOLLECTIONS OP MISSISSIPPI.

ao gorgeous as to smite the eyes of all beholders.
His glittering chapeau was crowned with long
white plumes, and the gilt scabbard of his sword
was girt about him with a maguificent yellow sash.
He was a tall and handsome man, and in his
dazzling array looked, and felt, every inch a hero.
He left Pontotoc two days before the review,
and being clad in full martial attire, with sword
dangling by his side, and mounted upon a gal-
lant charger, he rode on to Ripley, a joy to all be-
holders.

In the meanwhile, I, with my chief of staff,
Captain Joel M. Acker, left Aberdeen in a buggy,
drawn by two horses, which were to serve our
purposes on occasions of parade as well as by the
road. Although we travelled in the plain garb
of peaceful citizens, I promise you we were not
unprovided with the paraphernalia of magnifi-
cent regimentals. We might not carry it off as
grandly as the major-general, but our little trunk
contained accoutrements not to be sneezed at

We reached Pontotoc, where we expected to find
our chief and to proceed in company, but found
him already off for the field. When we got to
Ripley, we were greeted with immense enthusi-
asm, passed a merry night, and were roused all
too BooQ on the next morning by the strains of
martial music and all the preparations for a field
day. Captain Acker and 1 hud soon finished
breakfast, and started off, attended by a crowd, to

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 139

the parade ground, about three miles away. We
soon discovered that the people were disgusted by
our appearance in citizens' clothes, and considered
themselves defrauded of part of the show. We
hastened to repair this Injustice, and soon appeared
disguised in splendors that might have startled a
Comanche Indian. Tliis appeased the multitude,
and we were greeted with thunders of applause.

Still no sign of our commander. The crowd
grew weary, and I ordered the colonels to form
their regiments. Just as tliis was accomplished,
our superior appeared, gallant and glorious. There
was a cloud upon his manly brow. We had been
too precipitate. It would have been more seemly
to await his arrival, I made a deep obeisance and
asked pardon for my indiscretion. " It is granted,
sir ; but you will hereafter ob.serve a more deco-
rous delay." " Most certainly, sir ; but you wi!I
appreciate the ardor of a young officer, eager to
make his first display before an army panting for
action." The chief wa.s mollified, and as I ob-
served he had no aide, I tendered the services of
Captain Acker. This offer was graciously accepted.
The parade went on, and it was a sight to behold.
Our men acquitted themselves with so much credit
that our hearts swelled with pride, and a sweet
complacency stole into each bosom. Alas, it is in
moments of overweening security that our down-
fall awaits us ! Why, oh, why could not the major-
general have left well-enough alone ?

140

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

In an evil hour he directed me to advance and
inform the colonels that he would himself assume
command, and direct certain evolutions upon which
he prided himself. I ventured to intimate a doubt
as to the expediency of tempting fate by any new
manoeuvres, but was ordered to " obey orders
promptly or quit the field." I rushed ofi". " Colo-
nels, I am instructed, etc., — now obey orders or
quit the field."

My chief then ordered me to take my post,
promising that I should now witness some splendid
evolutions which could not fail to give me great
pleasure. He even turned back yet once more to
inform me that these evolutions had been much in
favor with the great Napoleon.

He then moved forward and gave the command,
" Battalions, prepare to form into columns of attack
by companies. Battalions, form columns of attack
on your rear — on your right — into line —
wheel ! "

Unfortunately the troops had not been faced to
the rear. They hesitated. The general shouted
again, and the evolutions began. In a few sec-
onds, each separate company seemed to march
straight into every other company. Some strug-
gled in one direction, some in another, and con-
fusion reigned supreme.

In this emergency the chief appealed to me, and
I could only suggest that he might send me to
make a short address of thanks and dismissal. He

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL 141

hastily ordered me to do so as quickly as possible.
Having called the troops into line, I said, as nearly
as I can recollect : " Soldiers, your performances
of to-day have exceeded all the expectations of
your general. He bids me thank you for the
manner in which you have performed your duty,
and for the soldierly bearing which you have dis-
played on this brilliant occasion. Should the
bloody banners of war be unfurled, and our sol-
diers called upon to march into Mexico, he can
point with pride to your regiments as fitted for
service on any field. Soldiers, you are dismissed
with three cheers for the gallant general." The
cheers made the woods ring, and we left the
troops well pleased. It may be mentioned, how-
ever, that in all our subsequent journey Captain
Acker and I carefully abstained from any refer-
ence tQ the favorite evolutions of the great
Napoleon !

Two days later, we reviewed the troops at
Jacinto, in Tishemingo County, with equal success.
We then proceeded to Fulton, Itawamba County.
On our way we were met by a crowd of about
five hundred citizens, men, women, and children,
who had assembled to see the officers, and more
particularly their uniforms. The mistress of the
house near which they had assembled was famous
for the beer and ginger-cakes which she sold to
wayfarers. She had, of course, provided ao im-

142

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

meiise supply of these dainties in anticipation of
such an unuaual occasion.

We mingled with the crowd as in duty bound.
and endeavored to make ourselves agreeable and
show our appreciation of the attention they had
paid us, but it was evident that something was
amias. Soon it was whispered in our eara that the
crowd were disappointed at the show we made ;
they had expected uniforms and plumes and
awords, and the ladies especially regarded the lack
of these adornments as personal. It was clear that
something spectacular must be managed, or we
would be voted failures.

I took the general aside, and represented to him
that my horses were in harness, and that besides,
he was the man to make the display. If, there-
fore, he would rig himself out without delay and
mount his horse, I would in the meanwhile amuse
the crowd by treating to cakes and beer. This
was agreed upon. I bought the good woman's
stock and invited the crowd to partake, stipulating
that all the children should first be supplied with
cakes, and the residue be .served to the elders with
their beer. This was accomplished and the crowd
was soon in high good humor. The children
especially seemed persuaded that I was a passable
officer, though not dressed up to my merits. But
when our chief appeared in all his splendor,
mounted on his war-horse and waving his sword,

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL 143

the grand finale was attained and the show ended.
The review in the four remaining counties was
something on the same order. When over, our
ambition for military glory was satiated, and we
returned to the shades of private life.

CHAPTER XYI.

Soon after these military exploits the courts
began in this circuit, and they were holden by

Judge Howry, an able jurist and most

accomplished gentleman, with whom Judge Adams
had interchanged circuits. During one of these
courts I passed through the most remarkable ex-
perience of my life, and I give it here as a matter
of some interest to those who are curious about
psychological problems. I do not attempt to give
any explanation, but simply relate the facts of
an occurrence which has always been a mystery
to me.

The court-house was then at Athens, but I had,
some time before this, removed to Aberdeen. My
relation with Judge Howry had always been of the
friendliest character. Not one word of discord bad
occurred between us in the three or four counties
in the circuit which preceded Monroe. I bad not
even taken an appeal from one of his decisions, or
reserved an exception. I was delighted with the
judge, and was most respectful and attentive to
him. As it happened that several days intervened
between the court of Itawamba and that of Mon-
roe, I induced the judge to come home with me

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 145

and Bpend the interval at my house. We went
together on the Monday morning to Athena, seven
miles distant, and the court was organized and
moved off in the most quiet and orderly manner.
The dignity of the judge and his prompt and im-
partial bearing inspired both bar and people with
the highest confidence. It happened that my
firm was on one side or the other of nearly every
case in court, especially litigated cases. Business
moved on rapidly and well. I left Athens late
one evening and drove over to Aberdeen to spend
the night at home. I remember that I found all
well in my family, that there were friends stay-
ing in the house, and that we passed a social even-
ing most plesvsantly and cheerfully. There could
have been nothing in my mental condition to
bring about what followed, for I fell asleep in gay
spirits and with no thought of any possible trouble
on my mind. About one o'clock I found myself
in this strange condition. I use the word con-
dition because I can think of no other more appro-
priate, but it does not fully express my meaning.
I was certainly awake and conscious. The room
was filled with a light as bright as sunshine. I
made several efforts to rise, but could not move
hand or foot, and I thought I was dead. I
asked myself the question, Can this be a man's
condition after death ? Is it possible that the
brain still thinks and the heart still feels, while the
body lies dead and motionless? At this moment

146 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

the light went out, and in the darkness that en-
sued life seemed to flow into my body, and I could
move and speak. 1 fell asleep almost immedi-
ately, and soon found myself again awakened by
the same overpowering light and the suspension
of bodily movement or sensation. Once more the
light faded. I roused myself to wonder, and in
wondering fell asleep as before. This time I was
aroused by still more dazzling light, and felt that
I was again in a state of bodily lethargy. I then
heard a voice distinctly ask, " Do you desire to
know more than is allotted to mortals?" I do not
think now, as I did not think then, that 1 heard
this voice with my bodily sense of hearing.
Rather it seemed to be communicated by some
inner voice, and received by me with some inner
sense of hearing. I answered with the same inner
consciousness, '■ I do." " Then ask and obtain
knowledge. Be watchful to-morrow." I saw no
image, not even a shadow, only the intolerable
light that seemed to shut me in. Before I heard
more, the whole paB.sed away and I was lying
quiet in the darkness of an autumn night.

Now whose was the voice, and from whence
came the vision that warned me of a coming peril
which I had no power to foresee ? I do not know,
never shall know in this world, but I do know that
it was a warning without which a life would have
been lost, perhaps mine, perhaps another's. Who
can tell how many mysteries surround us ail our

RECOLLECriONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 147

way from the cradle to the grave, only our eyes
lire holden so that we cannot see. I was so im-
pressed by these strange occurrences that I awoke
my wife, and after relating them said that I be-
lieved some danger threatened me at court nest
day. She insisted that I should remain at home ;
but I had duties which were imperative, and, be-
sides, if it were a prophecy, how could I frustrate
the decrees already written ?

I had just finished an early breakfast, when
Captain William P. Rogers drove up in the buggy
which was to take us both to Athens. On the
way, I mentioned what had transpired during the
night. I eaid to him that I was determined not
to fight that day, no matter what provocation I
might receive, and I asked him, if be saw me in
danger of forgetting this resolution, to remind me
of what I had told him and thus restrain me. He
promised that he would. We reached Athens, and
just as we drove by the court-house, the sheriff
made proclamation that the court was opened. As
one of my cases might be called at once, I jumped
out of the buggy and went rapidly into the court-
room.

A case had been called of The State v. Diek, on
a charge of larceny. Joel M. Acker was making
defence, and Francis M. Rogers in the prosecution.
As I entered the bar, Acker was seized with a
chill so violent as to disable him from proceeding
with the defence, and he requested me to defend

148

HKCOLLECTJONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

for him. To this I consented, of course. The
case proceeded. Under our statute the State
could challenge two jurors, and the defendant
four. Rogers had objected to two jurors, and his
challenges were exhausted. Another juror was
called, and Eogers said with some eagerness of
manner, " I accept." I knew that such a manner
was sometimes adopted to gain favor with the
juror, and I said, "Eogers, why do you say that?
you are bound to accept." He replied, " No, I
have four challenges." I insisted that he was
entitled to but two, and when the judge sustained
Rogers, I turned to the statute and read to the
court that it was but two, saying " You see, sir, I
am right." The judge at once ordered me to take
ray seat, which I did, though I felt both surprise
and chagrin. The court then ordered Rogers to
sit down. He replied that it was his right to
stand and he meant to do so. The court then
ordered the clerk to enter a fine of fifty dollars
against me. I was thunderstruck. Up to this
moment I had been so surprised by the unex-
pected attitude of the court, coming as it did after
weeks of the most pleasant and friendly inter-
course, and with no provocation that I was aware
of, that I had felt no emotion stronger than annoy-
ance. At this point, however, my patience gave
way, and 1 felt myself in a perfect blaze of sudden
fury. I had in my pocket a very fine knife with
a long thin blade.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 149

As I sprang to my feet, I drew out this knife,
opened it, and threw it point foremost into the bar,
looking steadily at the judge all the while. My
object was to induce the judge to order me to jail,
and then to attack him on the bench. The knife
vibrated, and the weight of the handle broke the
blade near the middle. General S. J. Gholson and
several others ran upon the bench beside the
judge, ordered the sheriff to adjourn the court
until one o'clock, and carried the judge out of
the court-room, while a number of persons seized
me. This was a most prudent and timely action
on the part of Gholson. The situation was full of
peril. Many would have felt it a duty to stand by
the judge and see that he received no harm, while
I had personal friends who would have stopped
at nothing in my defence. This danger could
have been averted only in one way, and Gholson
is entitled to great credit for his quickness in see-
ing the remedy and his promptness in applying it.
Judge Howry was a man of unquestioned courage
and firmness, and would undoubtedly have taken
the only step left to him by ordering me to jail, if
Gholson had not relieved him from the dilemma.
1 had taken the aggressive step, and could not
have hesitated to pursue it. My friends would
have sustained me, and the consequences might
have been most disastrous but for Gholson's dex-
terous management.

Judge Howry being withdrawn, prudent men

150 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

among my personal frientls condemned my action,
and appealed to me to let the matter stop. I
agreed to thia and went to my hotel, as the judge
had gone to his. One of my partners, Mr. Good-
win, was staying in the same house with Judge
Howry. I went to his room, and after an hour's
consultation with him about our cases, I stepped
out of his door, intending to pass straight to my
hotel. As I closed the door, I saw Judge Howry
enter the hall and come forward towards the place
where I was standing. I awaited his approach,
and when close to me, I asked him if he had in-
tended by his fine to insult me. He said, " No."
I then said that I had been guilty of no offence to
justify such an indignity, and requested some
explanation. He replied, '■ I do not, sir, explain
my official conduct to any man." In a moment I
had slapped him in the face with my open hand.

By some accident a claw-hammer had been left
upon the floor near by. He seized this and struck
at me violently, while I got from ray pocket the
broken knife and opened it. The blow of his
hammer fell upon my head, cutting through my
hat and several files of papers to the bone of my
head. The concussion produced exactly the same
condition I had been in the night before — the
same brilliant light and the sarae rigidity of body.
Instead of falling I stood like a statue. As the
condition flashed off, I made another stroke at hia
jugular with the corner of my knife-blade. This

hbcollections of Mississippi.

151

blow fell upon his jaw, and I seized htra with my
left hand by the collar of his coat, and pushed my
head into his face. He struck again with his
hammer, breaking and depressing the outer plate
of my skull-bone, without, however, invading the
inner plate. Again I fell into the condition of the
previous night, but not until I had inflicted three
more cuts upon his jaw. As we were pulled apart,
he gave me tlie third blow, producing again the
condition mentioned.

I went to my room, and sent the judge a mes-
sage, warning him not to leave his room unarmed,
as I should attack him upon sight. My friends
gathered round me, urging that the trouble was
useless and should now be stopped. This I could
not bring myself to consider, until after a while
Captain William P. Rogers came in and whispered
in my ear, " Remember what you told me this
morning."

In a moment the whole thing recurred to me,
although forgotten in the excitement of the past
few hours. I realized that this was the danger
against which I had been so singularly forewarned,
and at once gave myself up into the hands of ray
friends and allowed them to arrange it for me.

The court met again that evening. I had put on
a fur cap, with the back part before, to conceal
my wounds, and the judge wore his overcoat with
the collar well drawn up, to hide the tokens of
combat on his person. I proposed the argument

152

RECOLLECTIONS OF MfSSISSll'l'I.

of a demurrer. The j udge objected and said, " We
will go to the jiiry." That evening Judge Adams
returned, and relieved us from our unpleasant pre-
dicament by terminating the exchange and allow-
ing Judge Howry to leave next morning for Ox-
ford. I did not meet Judge Howry for seven
years after this affair. He resided in Oxford on
the western side of the Ridge, and as we had no
railroads, the communication between the two sec-
tions of the State was more tedious and difficult
than could now be thought possible. The federal
court for the Northern District of Mississippi was
held at Pontotoc. I had gone there to attend it,
and was sitting in a room with Roger Barton and
Chancellor ChalmerSj when Chalmers was sent
for from below. He soon returned and eaid to me :
" I suppose, Davis, you care nothing now about
that affair between you and Judge Howry." I
promptly replied that I thought nothing of it ;
that Howry was a gentleman, and that our diffi-
culty was casual and without malice. Although
it had been a death-struggle, it had been about
almost nothing. Chalmers then said that Howry-
was below, and would be glad to come up to Bar-
ton's room. He did so, and I met him at the door,
and we greeted each other in the most cordial
manner. Until his death, no two men could be
more sincerely friendly than we continued to be,
I retain for him the kindest recollections, and re-
member with pleasure many hours spent together

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL 153

both before and after our one hostile encounter.
I shall always believe that he went down to his
grave without finding out what led to our quarrel
that day, and I am perfectly certain that I shall
go down to mine in equal ignorance unless he
comes back to tell me.

Judge Adams continued that term of court. He
was not great as to legal learning, but was for jus-
tice and right, and his fine practical sense and good
judgment enabled him to give general satisfaction.
There was nothing of the tyrant about him, noth-
ing arbitrary or dictatorial.

CHAPTER XVn.

The foIlowiDg winter had its usual routine, the
Supreme Court at Jackson being a prominent fea-
ture. The ablest lawyers from all parts of the
State were in attendance. They came not to sub-
mit their cases, as is the custom now, but to discuss
them, and with those men discussion meant some-
thing. It meant a conflict of minds drilled and
disciplined, and charged with material to be used
in attack and defence. They were allowed all the
time that the elaboration of their cases required.

A rapid presentation and condensation of legal
principles and of facta induces obscurity. To
make any proposition clear and explicit, it is ne-
cessary to analyze, and then to examine each part
separately, and all the parts in their combined
relations as a whole. Unless time is allowed for
this process, the analysis is incomplete, and the
combinations must be confu.'^ed. In that case the
judge is left to speculation, and his decisions are
to a, great extent gue8.s-work.

Now the question is, Shall we sacrifice justice
and right under a false pretext of saving time ?
The effect of an established wrong is too often not
recovered from in the life of a man — 'perhaps not

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 155

even in the life of a nation. "Alas! time stays;
we go," is as pathetic in fact aa in poetry, and it
is the tendency of modern life to go so rapidly
that we are in danger of leaving truth, justice, and
mercy, and all the higher things of life out of our
thougiits altogether. Undue haste produces men-
tal confusion and revolutionary action. Haste is
not one of the objects of government or law.
Deliberate investigation is necessary to ascertain
truth, and no nation can prosper when truth is not
the end of all its forms and customs. The courts
of all nations are organized with the one object of
securing to all men exact and equal justice, and
any arbitrary rule of a judiciary which tends to
defeat this object is abhorrent to civilization.
Time should be considered only as a means to be
used for the great ends of right. Otherwise the
goddess Justice is not only blind, but stone-deaf,
and no better than a puppet.

The world has moved on since the days to which
I refer, and life swings in a wider circle, but in my
poor judgment there have been changes which
were not always improvements.

When I was in Jackson that winter, the legis-
lature was in session, and I cannot help recalling
how differently people thought of that body in
those days. The State could not have furnished
an abler body of men. Every citizen was at that
time proud of his State, and would leave Congress
to serve in her legislature. Proud of the name

156

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

of Mississippian, it was an object of honorable
ambition to occupy a seat in her halls. Corpora-
tioos and private influences had no place in that
BCBsion. Every measure introduced had for it«
Bole object the best interests of our agricultura!
industries, and in giving shape to such measures,
not only the learning of schools, but the far higher
wisdom of observation and experience was brought
to bear. In the then existing state of affairs, law-
yers, doctors, merchants, and often ministers of the
gospel were more or less connected with agricul-
tural pursuits. As soon as a man began to accumu-
late money, he bought a plantation and negroes
as a matter of course. After that, it was more
negroes to work more land to the end of the chap-
ter. I don't deny that the end was dark and dis-
mal enough, but the chapter was a gay one, full
of life and incident and the maddest merriment.
Men were men in that day and time, and could
both work and play. Their days were made hon-
orable by strenuous and successful kbor, but in
the intervals of that labor they took their pleasure
freely. I could tell of many a merry day and wild
night, but in the midst of gay recollections the
melancholy thought will come — of all the jovi.il
crowd whose wit and laughter and song come baok
to me so vividly now, scarcely one remains. Thus
it is that " Time encrusteth round with sad asso-
ciate thoughts" even the golden memories of
youth and pleasure.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 157

I have often laughed at the recollection of a
scene of which I was only a spectator that winter
in Jackson. It was far on in the depth of a win-
ter night when I was wakened by a confusion
of sounds in the street, music predominating. I
threw open a window, and beheld a long line of
well-dressed gentlemen proceeding in single file
down the middle of the street, and loudly singing
the then popular melody of " Buffalo Bull came
down the meadow." It waa the legislature of
Mississippi indulging in an airing, after having
spent an evening in the worship of Bacchus. The
chorus was given with a will, and the streets fairly
resounded with the lively ditty. It was a sight
long to be remembered,

Whatever else may be said of our institutions,
it is certain that they gave to the dominant race a
certain loftiness and independence. Something of
the old Roman idea of the rights and dignities of
free-born men and citizens attached to the poorest
of them. It would be a great injustice to suppose
that the men of that day were given up to en-
feebling self-indulgence and luxury. On the con-
trary, among all classes, and especially among
those of gentle birth, our young men were brought
np in habits of a free and fearless activity. It is
well known that a Southern lad generally learned
to slioot as soon as he could carry a gun, to ride
as soon as he could be held upon a horse, and to
swim as soon as he had left off petticoats. To

158 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

huut and fish, to ride and swim, were always the
favorite pastimes of our youth, and these manly
sports kept from effeminacy even those who were
boni to an inheritance that made labor a question
of choice, not necessity.

Our federal court was at that time held at Pon
totoc; and, although we had a heavy business
there, I rarely attended that court. The cases
were mostly suits for collection by non-residents,.
and Cocke and Goodwin always managed that
department. I recall an incident connected with
the first case I attended to in person in the fed-
eral court, which made it memorable. Judge
Gholson had adopted the rule of not allowing attoi>
neys to do more than read the papers of a case,
and introduce and examine witnesses. The judge
would then charge the jviry, not permitting any
privilege of speech or explanation. It will be
seen that this rule was fatal to any case involving
intricate points of law or evidence. Although the
subject was one of frequent and bitter complaint,
there had been no attempt to bring about a change,
It so happened that my firm had been employed
by Mr. Mark Prewitt, of Monroe County, in a suit
pending between him and a Mr. Caruthers, of
Mobile, Ala, The amount involved was ten thou-
sand dollars, and Mr. Prewitt and my partners had
determined that I should attend to the case in per-
son. At the spring term I went to Pontotoc, and
for two days watched the progress of some other

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 159

cases, and heard from lawyers engaged in them
stiong expressions as to the annoyance of the
arbitrary nilea enforced.

Now I flatter myself that I am a patient man
and disposed to peace, but to submit patiently
when my own rights and the interests of my client
are being trodden under foot has never been easy
to me.

The Prewitt case was called, and had not pro-
gressed beyond the preliminary steps, when some
question of law arose. Without even a moment
for deliberation, the judge decided hastily against
us, and ordered us to proceed. The point was a
vital one, and the whole case turned upon it. I
arose, and said in a re.«pectful tone tliat as the deci-
sion was important, I desired to address the court
before it was made. He ordered me to sit down,
but I replied that I was demanding only my own
rights, and was resolved to maintain them.

He then said I must sit down, or he would send
me to jail. I replied, " You have the power to make
that order, but execute it if you dare. Every man
in this room will sustain me in the assertion that I
am simply protesting against a monstrous tyranny
and injustice to my client ; and should you attempt
to carry out your threat, you know well that I will
hold you personally responsible."

At this point there was a perceptible stir in the
bar, and the crowd began to make audible move-
ments and suppressed remarks of an angry nature.

160

IlECOLLECriONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

Gholson had been stubborn iip to that moment,
but he saw the temper of the crowd, and knew
that he could not venture farther. He therefore
said hastily, " Proceed with your argument, sir.'*
I spoke about fifteen minutes, and the judge
reversed his decision. The jury decided for Pre-
witt, as I knew they must if the case eould only
be presented to them. In the presence of the
judge, the whole bar came up and congratulated
and thanked me, and the crowd made such demon-
strations that the court was satisfied the old rules
•must be done away.

During the next two years I was employed in a
number of murder cases, in all of which, with the
aid of home lawyers, I was successful. One case
was of such difficulty, and involved such unusual
questions, that I will give some brief sketch of it.
The case was the State r. Forester. Itawamba
County, Miss. Forester had killed a man, and fled
to Tuscaloosa, Ala.

After some six months had intervened, Judge
Orraand, who at the time was perhaps the most
brilliant lawyer in the State of Alabama, sent a
Mr. Whitfield to Aberdeen to consult me about
the case. Ormnnd had been for many years on
the supreme court bench of the State, was a most
powerful debater, and had great reputation as a
criminal lawyer. iVIr. Whitfield was sent to get
my opinion as to the possibility of an acquittal, and
to ask if I would advise Forester to give himself

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

161

Up and stiind trial. In that case it was proposed
that 1 should make the defence at a fee of one
thousand dollars. I declined to give any opinion
as to the probability of acquitt»I, and refused to
advise on the subject of surrender. It has hap-
pened frequently that the same questions have
been put to me. I always say that I can take no
responsibility of that uatiire. A man must decide
for himself whether he can afford to take the
chances. All that I can promise is to do my best
for him after he is in the hands of the law. Soon
afterwards I received a letter from Judge Ormand,
stating that Forester would surrender, and would
put himself in my hands on the terms agreed
upon. In a short time court met, and Forester
was arraigned.

It appeared from the testimony that he had been
on the most unfriendly terms with a certain Mr.
A. B. That he had gone to a justice's court one
day, being armed with a pi.stoI, and after some
altercation, had shot and killed A. B. It was
charged that Forester had gone to this place
armed against the life of A. B., and that he was
prompted by existing malice.

If it could be proved that he had expected to
meet A. B., and had armed himself before leaving
home with a view to conflict, then it would be
malice aforethought and murder. This was the
dangerous point in the case. If we could escape
that, there was nothing in the conflict itself so
very alarming.

162

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

The defence proposed to show that before For-
ester started from home on the morning of the kill-
ing, he had remarked that his pistol was out of
repair, and that h^ would take it to a blacksmith
to have it mended, and that he had no other object
in wearing the pistol that day. Neither Ormand
nor I felt any confidence that the court would
allow us to introduce us evidence this declaration
made by Forester to his family on the fatal day.
The question had never arisen in my practice
before, and Ormand informed me that he also
encountered it in this case for the first time. We
devoted much time and labor to research on this
point, and Onnand found one analogous case
decided by the supreme court of Alabama, and I
discovered one decided by the supreme court of
iVfissisaippi. Both of us knew well that if we held
our ground here, we should have to 6ght for it

Ormand and Forester had come to Aberdeen,
and we had gone to Fulton together. Colonel
Matthew Lindsay, of Aberdeen, was employed in
the prosecution. He was a man of considerable
ability and eloquence, and had a weight of char-
acter that gave him large personal influence. John
•W. Thompson was district attorney, very forcible
and energetic in debate, and skilled in the manage-
ment of his prosecutions. Judge Ormand and I had
much to fear from the combined ability and family
influence brought to bear against us. On Tuesday,
the second day of term, the court ordered a special

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSFSSIPPI. 163

venire, which was drawn. The State closed its
testimony with manifest and jubilant confidence.
Our first witness was to prove the declaration made
by Forester as to hia motive In carrying the pistol.
To this testimony the coimsel for the State objected,
and the question was discussed at great length.
Lindsay and Thompson both excelled themselve.s,
and Ormand's effort might have added even to his
great reputation. I do not know that I ever heard
it surpassed. Prentiss was a more fiery and pas-
sionate orator, and Yergcr perhaps a little more
powerful in debate, but for combined oratory and
power, I think Ormand surpassed either. The
court overruled the objection, and allowed the
testimony to pasa to the jury. Our great point
was gained. We had by the declaration of the
defendant answered the presumption of malice
successfully, and the residue was not so difficult.
The chances were well balanced ; but when we
went to the jury, I had a distinct sensation of feel-
ing the heart of the prisoner palpitating in their
hands. Ot'mand, in his argument before the jury,
was simply tremendous, and Thompson and Lind-
say showed themselves to be foemen wortliy of his
steel. I spared no arrow in my quiver and no
strength in my arm; and when the jury brought
in a verdict of acquittal, it was a proud moment
for us all.

CHAPTER XVin.

These excessive labors in the court-room occu-
pied m^' time so fully, that, although we had all
the excitement of an election for governor and for
state and county ofBcer-s that fall, 1 took little part
in politics. Tucker had been nominated for Con-
gress from the State at large by the Democracy,
and to supply his place as governor they had nomi-
nated General A. S, Brown.

Brown had served two terms in Coogress.
Although not, like Clay and Webster, preeminent
in genius, he was the best-balanced man I ever
knew, and the most successful in his life. Without
much apparent effort, he gained almost everything
to which he aspired. There seemed to be no con-
flict in his experience, no ungratified hopes or
ambitions. This was, possibly, largely due to his
temperament, which was placid and harmonious
to a wonderful degree, I knew him well, and nm
certain that I never heard him make an unkind
remark about any one in his life, and no person was
ever known to speak of him unkindly. He was a
remarkably handsome man, with fine, commanding
form, animated features, and a profusion of dark
curly hair and beard. Hia manner was pleasing,

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 165

without ostentation or vanity, and in speaking, his
Htyie was uniform and persuasive, and he carried
his audience with him always. In politics he had
strategy without corruption, and handled all his
opportunities with skill, but never descended to
intrigue. In addition to all his other good-for-
tune, he married one of the beat of women, hand-
some, elegant, and accomplished — the ornament of
Jackson during his gubernatorial term.

In this contest he was opposed by Clayton, of
Columbus, who had been nominated by the Whigs •
as the bond-paying candidate. Clayton was a
most excellent and accomplished gentleman, both
in character and intellect worthy of any office in
the State, Brown was elected by a handsome
majority.

It was in this canvass that the Hon. Jefferson
Davis first made his appearance in the active poli-
tics of the State. He had for ten years hcen
almost a recluse, living upon his estate known
as Briarfield. These years of seclusion had been
devoted to arduous study, and from them he
emerged, the ripe scholar, the profound thinker,
the polished speaker and writer, whose gifts and
graces have won the admiration of the world, both
friends and foes. At this time, only a few inti-
mate friends were aware of hia wonderful powers
and attiiinments. Regarding the question of the
Union Bank bonds as one of vital interest, forming
a criBis in oui state history, they conceived the

166 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

idea of bringing about a discussion upon the con-
stitutionality of tliese bonds, between Mr. Davis
and Mr. S. S. Prentiss. This joint discussion was
arranged to take place at Vioksburg, and to con-
tinue until the subject was exhausted. The dis-
cussion was continued for two days, the speakers
alternating every hour. The friends of Prentiss
anticipated for him an easy victory. Davis had
seldom spoken from tlie rostrum, but he was mas-
ter of the whole science of rhetoric, and had made
himself as familiar with the subject in hand aa it
was possible for a man to be. Less brilliant in ora-
tory tlian Prentiss, he was always fascinating and
charming, and had much more strength as a
debater. He was certainly more cautious and de-
liberate, and his friends claimed for him the advan-
tage in this whole discussion.

Since the great influx of wealth and population
consequent upon the purchase of the Choctaw and
Chickasaw lands, the prosperity of Mississippi had
been unbounded. New lands were continually
being opened, and great crops brought wealth and
progress. New towns and villages sprang up, and
hand.sorae country mansions were everywhere to
be seen. All the condition.? of a gay and lavish
social life existed, and it was a period of magnifi-
cent hospitality and merry-making. As a rule,
the best cultivated intellects among the young men
who thronged to this El Dorado were Whigs. The
solid, industrious, and progressive men were Demo-

llECOLLECriOSS OF MISSISSIPPI. 167

crats. I am not apeaking with any reference to
the merits of the two parties — only mentioning
facts with a view to indicating social conditionij and
characteristics. These young men soon became
leaders in the State, both socially and politically.
Most of them have grown old and died, leaving
their descendants to occupy prominent positions in
the society and politics and business of to-day. It
is with the people and places of the old South that
this record is chiefly concerned. If I seem to
dwell at too much length upon the generation that
has passed away, it is because they were worthy to
be held in remembrance for their virtues and high
qualities, and because there are few now living
who knew them well enough to portray them as
they were. In the general history of the nation,
individuals are merged and swallowed up, and in a
little while only a vague tradition will remain of
the strong men and noble women who found this
country a wilderness, and left it a fair and smiling
heritage. It well becomes those who have re-
ceived an inheritance so noble to treasure up
sacredly all that can be preserved of the history of
these benefactors, and if I can rescue from oblivion
any detail of their lives, ray task will not have
been in vain.

Of some of the older towns I have already
spoken. Ripley, the court-house of Tippah County,
was of more recent date, and as yet has only been
alluded to incidentally. At the time I first knew

168

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

it, there was a population of about three or four
hundred. Among these, however, there were
many fitrailies of refinement and cultivation, and
men whose reputation extended over the State.
Mr, John W. Thompson lived there, a lawyer of
brains and learning, and of unusual energy. When
1 resigned the office of district attorney, he wiis
elected to succeed me. He conducted his prosecu-
tions with great skill and vigor, and many a hard
and long contest I had with him during his eight
year-s of office. His keen eyes never overlooked a
blunder in the defence, and I had to be wary in-
deed to escape hira, especially as he had always the
concluding argument. I look back even from this
distance of time with some complacency upon the
fact that he never succeeded in hanging one of my
men, tiiough it is but justice to say that he pressed
me hard. He was repeatedly sent to the legis-
lature, and was finally elected to the circuit court
bench, which office he filled at the time our civil
war broke out.

Another resident of Ripley was Mr. Nathaniel
Price, a native of Virginia, and a most excellent
gentleman and successful lawyer. He was a lead-
ing Democrat in his county, and enjoyed great per-
sonal influence there to the end of his life.

Captain Jackson was another prominent Ripley
man. He was of Irish descent, and possessed in
large measure the ardent temperament, vivid
attachments, and fiery personal courage of his race.

llECOLLECriONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 169

lie was small and delicate in person, with a large
head and quick brain. In manner lie was gentle
and courteous, and his honor and honesty were
never questioned. In spite of his Irish blood, he
was no orator, but he delivered the facta and law
of his case compactly, and with a clearness that
could not be exceeded. He raised a company for
the Mexican war, and made a part of the Second
Kegiment of Mississippi Volunteers, which I had
tiie honor to command. In that relation my
knowledge of hira enlarged, and it is but justice to
say that a nobler or more loyal soul never Uved.
After that war was ended, he received at the hands
of Mr. Buchanan the appointment of chief justice
of New Mexico. This post he held until Missis-
sippi passed the ordinance of secession, upon which
iie resigned, and came home to tnke his part for
weal or woe with the State of his adoption. That
long agjny ended in humiliation and defeat, he
removed to Austin, Texas, where he still lives,
honored and useful, and in the enjoyment of a
liandsome fortune, the reward of his own energy
and prudence.

When Jackson formed his company for Mexico,
one of hi-s lieutenants was a young lawyer by the
name of Faulkner, who had already given promise
of the reputation he afterwards won. He was firm
and courageous, and performed his whole duty
while in service. In our civil war he raised and
commanded a regiment, and did his duty nobly

170

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

until the surrender. Since that time, Colonel
Faulkner has written several works of fiction
which have given him prominence as u writer.
He also conceived and carried out the idea of
building a railroad from Kipley to Middleton, Ten-
nei^see, intersecting the Memphis and Charleston
road at that point. Since then he has united this
road to the Mississippi City railroad, and com-
pleted his end of the road to Pontotoc, and all
by means of his personal influence, and skill as
a financier. Beginning life without pecuniary re-
sources, he has accomplished more than almost
any man I have ever known.

Judge Green, the father of Judge J. A. Green,
now of Corinth, resided in the immediate neigh-
borhood of Ripley, devoting his wiiole energies to
the management of a large planting interest. He
was a man of superior intellect, and of great moral
worth. I made his acquaintance on my^rst visit
to Ripley, and received his most cordial support in
my canvass for district attorney. The friendship
begun at that early day continued unbroken until
his death, which occurred since the close of our
civil war.

Judge J. A. Green was a mere boy when I first
knew him, and only began to take an active part
in life about the beginning of the war. 1 found
him at Houston, Mississippi, at the close of the
war, engaged in the practice of the law. We
formed a more intimate acquaintance -at that time,

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 171

and our kindly relations have continued ever
since. He rapidly advanced in professional repu-
tation, and was made circuit judge of the judicial
district including Corinth and Aberdeen, some time
in 1878 or 1879. He held that office for six
years, during which time he was certainly a most
competent and efficient officer. Under the present
administration — that of Mr. Cleveland — he was
for three years in the Indian department. His
home is now in Corinth.

Colonel William Inge also resides in Corinth.
He was born in Alabama, but, hie family coming
to Aberdeen, he spent his boyhood in this place.
Belonging to an old and wealthy family, Ms ances-
tors included men of intellect, and talent for ora-
tory. Colonel Inge himself has very high reputa-
tion as a speaker and debater, and is a man of
attractive social qualities. He has been speaker
of the house of representatives in Mississippi,
and in that position won golden opinions.

My old friend Russell O. Beane began the prac-
tice of law in Fulton, Mississippi, but afterwards
removed to Corinth. I hardly know how to de-
scribe this good and powerful man, who managed
to cover up under an indifferent and impassive
exterior all sort« of shining qualities. To look at
him and hear him talk upon ordinary matters, it
would never be supposed that he had the ponder-
ous intellect and great powers of an intellectual
giant. He has confined his study chiefly to law,

172

JiE COLLECTIONS OF MlSSlSSlPPf.

caring little for history, poetry, or science. A man
of keen practical sense and observation, the rou-
tine of business and the daily affairs of life are
in themselves a perpetual education to him. In
the management of a case, new and varied powers
seem to spring into life ; he has metliod, pathos,
and ardor, and in debate he follows Emerson's
great rule, " Always keep your foot upon a
fact."

I have already spoken of my friend William L.
Duncan, whom I knew first as a resident of Pon-
totoc. He afterwards removed to Corinth, where
he accnmulated a large fortune. Being a man of
fine intellect and untiring energy, he possessed a
wonderful influence in his county, and was known
to be warmly devoted to his personal friends. It
was said of him that he would go through fire and
water for a friend, and I found how true this
description of him was, during an ardent personal
friendship which existed between us to the day of
hia death.

I had in the county of Pontotoc another friend
as fearless and devoted as Duncan himself. Tliis
was William Bell, a most extraordinary man.
His nobility of nature as much as his great mind
gave him immense personal influence. No man
ever owed more to enthusiastic personal friend-
ship than I have, and among these friends none
were ever more devoted than these two. Duncan
is dead, and I well believe that in the "many

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL 173

mansions" up above, there has been found for
him a big, broad, shining habitation where his
lofty spirit finds space to expand itself, and his
generous instincts have no limit less wide than
eternity. Bell still lives in Pontotoc, as honored
and beloved in his old age as his best friends
could wish. May he long continue to lead his
useful and honorable life, a model for those who
come after him.

CHAPTER XIX.

In the small town of Booneville there is now
living one of the best men I know. Judge Boone
ia the son -of Colonel Reuben Boone of Tishemingo
County, and a direct descendant of the famous
Boone of Kentucky. Judge Boone was promoted
to the circuit court bench by Governor Alcorn, the
first governor of Mississippi after the State was
admitted to the Union after the war. He was
severely criticised by a class of our people for ac-
cepting office under Alcorn. I approved cordially
of his action, as it was far better for the country
that our judiciary should be filled with men of his
high qualifications. He possesses strong natural
powers of mind, which have been well cultivated,
and he made an admirable judge. His cliaracter
is founded in honor and integrity, and he has a
generosity and simplicity of nature that befits a.
descendant of the great pioneer. In the midst of
the cultivation and refinement of a later civiliza*
tion, it is possible to detect some strain of the
rugged honesty and strength of that man who, in
pure love of Nature, forsook the haunts of men
and followed her into the recesses of her wildest
solitudes.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 175

I come now to a gentleman with whom I have
had much pleasant personal intercourse, and for
whom I conceived upon our first meeting a strong
and lasting regard. This is Colonel J. A. Blair,
now of Tupelo.

I met him first at Jacinto, where he began the
practice of law a short time before our civil war.
The science of physiognomy made no part in my
early school education, but nature endowed me
with an acute perception of mind aud character as
expressed in form and countenance, and a habit of
close observation has confirmed what I may call a
power of mind-reading. Few men can deceive me
as to their mental or moral bias, if I have oppor-
tunity of observing them. In Colonel Blair's open
countenance, even a child might read the goodness
and honesty of his nature. In our fipst conversa-
tion, I was impressed by the clearness and vigor
of his thought, and the modesty and dignity of his
manner.

When I met liim again, he was at home on fur-
lough, having been severely wounded at the battle
of Bull Run, where he commanded a regiment of
infantry. In conversation with him he expressed
the sickening horror he had felt in seeing the dead
and wounded crushed and mangled under foot,
and crying out for assistance which could not be
rendered. His soul revolted at the sight of so
much suffering, and he said he would be glad to
know there would never be another battle. He

176

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

was, however, fully determined to cast in his lot
with bb comrades so long as the imnatural strife
between brother and brother continued, although
opposed to it upon principle. If he loved peace,
be did not fear war, and his heart was loyal to his
State, even while his intellect doubted the wisdom
of her action. In this equipoise of his mental and
moral nature lies his greatest strength. In all
things he seems to have the faculty of thinking
profoundly and feeling justly. There is nothing
visionary or speculative in his mode of thought,
or fanciful and ornate in his mode of expression.
He gives labor and care to the preparation of
his cascK, and delivers his arguments with force
and dignity. His style is fluent and lucid, and his
manner always pleasing.

Immediately after the restoration of Mississippi
to her national existence, Colonel Blair was elected
district attorney. He held this otEce with credit for
four years, and during that time I had abundant
opportunity to test the metal he was made of. I
always found it give out the true ring. Although
vigorous in his prosecutions, they never degen-
erated into persecutions. He recognized the great
truth that he was placed in office to defend the
peace and majesty of the State, and to deal out
justice to those who had outraged law and order.
At the same time he was too fair-minded to use
any tricks against a fellow-creature in jeopardy of
bifi life, and too magnanimous to strain law and

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 177

evidence to bring about a conviction for his own
aggrandizement. While he did his whole duty to
the State, he never forgot the far higher obliga-
tions which he owed to his own soul and to the
soul of the prisoner at the har. I have seen trials
for murder, where the prosecuting attorneys were
more like wild beasts thirsting for blood, than like
Christian men seekiug to carry out with fairness
and moderation tlie great ends of a court of jus-
tice.

Before leaving this part of the State, I must
mention another good man and true, that loyal
gentleman, Arthur E. Reynolds.

He was one of those wlio, beginning without
advantages of fortune or family, attain eminent
success by pure pluck and common-sense, united
to great fidelity of character. No man ever knew
Arthur Reynolds to desert a friend, and he had a
capacity for gratitude that showed the generosity
of hiB nature. Performing countless acts of kind-
ness himself, and forgetting them forthwith, the
smallest kindness extended to him struck deep root
in his memory, and excited the most fervent and
lasting good-will. As an illustration of his suscep-
tibility to grateful emotions, I give one incident of
our long friendship.

It had happened that, in his early life, when he
first settled in Jacinto, an opportunity occurred
when I was able to he of some small service to
him without his knowledge at the time. This he

178 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

afterwards discovered, and remembered with the
peculiar tenacity and what I may call magnifying
power of his memory on such occasions. Always
warmly my friend, he rendered me service after
service in after life, and was of the greatest
benefit to me in every possible way. He was a
Whig, and upon one occasion the Wliigs had a
majority of one vote in the senate of Mi.ssissippi.
This enabled them to elect all the officers of the
senate. A Democratic friend of mine, whose inter-
est I had much at heart, was a candidate for one
of these offices. Knowing that bis election was
impossible without one Whig vote, he came to me
to ask if I had any influence which would cnahle
him to obtain that vote. 1 wrote a note to Arthur
Reynolds with only these words: "I check upon

you for your vote in favor of my friend , and

I am sure my check will not be dishonored." The
voting began on Monday, and Reynolds had not
yet arrived in Jackson. All day, Monday, the
vote stood a tie. It was known that Reynolds
would reach the capital at ten o'clock next morn-
ing on the Vicksburg train. When the whistle
was heard, the Whigs felt all the confidence of an
assured success. Parties even went out to the gate
of the capitol grounds to hasten his coming. The
Whigs shouted as he entered, but my friend placed
a note in his hand before he could vote. Reynolds
read the paper, and, turning to my friend, said,
" A draft from that quarter will never be dishon-

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

179

ored at my hands," AH the influence of the party
was employed in vain, and to the dismay of the
Whigs their candidate was defeated.

Both Corinth and Tupelo were made memorable
during the civil war by the stirring scenes which
took place in their vicinity.

At Harrisburg near Tupelo, General Smith was
strongly intrenched, with fifteen thousand Federal
troops and some five pieces of cannon. Against
them General S. D. Lee and General Forest led
seven thousand badly equipped volunteers. It was
a superb charge, worthy of those gallant leaders,
and the shock of battle was appalling. For an
hour victory trembled in the balance, but the
strong position chosen by General Smith was well
defended by the gallant men under his command,
and the Confederates were repulsed with great
loss. Many a brave man who could ill be spared
by his country laid down his life that day.

Tupelo is now a thriving place, with great ex-
pectations of sharing tlie progress of this ago of
progression. She can boast of able men among
her citizens, besides those already mentioned.
There is Claj'ton, whose people I knew when he
was a small boy, honorable and agreeable people.
Clayton has been a hard student, and has worked
his way to an excellent place in his profession. He
is not brilliant as a speaker, but always able and
effective.

General Finley is a man of many remarkable

180

UEVOLLECriONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

qualities. His present high position is due solely
to his own efforts and talents, as he was not one
of those born with the silver spoon in hia mouth.
He is a most able and successful lawyer, and made
one of the best district attorneys I ever knew. I
was perhiipB wrong in saying that he owed it en-
tirely to himself that his life has been so prosper-
ous and successful. He had the good luck to
marry early in life a noble and refined woman,
and I do not doubt that his good wife added largely
to his advancement. She is the daughter of
Edward Thomas, a friend of my youth, and who,
like myself, has attained a great age.

It would be impossible to write of Tupelo without
mention of Private John Allan, who at this present
writing represents this district in Congress. He
is a man so well known and so faTuous for wit and
anecdote, as well as for ability, that description of
him is useless. His good qualities are numerous,
and he is perhaps the most entertaining man in
the State. He and I have had many a battle' in
one way and another, and have both given and
taken not a few hard blows in our time, I do
not think, however, that he feels resentment in
this case any more than I can do, or that there is
malice enough between us to make up one good
grudge.

Coming down the road, we find in Okolona men
who have taken prominent part in the affairs of
this section. Carlisle, from South Carolina, was a

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 181

man full of spirit and dash. He was a well-
informed lawyer wheu I knew him first, and by
constant labor added to his reputation. He debated
well, and his style of speaking was pleasing and
even elegant. Although hia manner was marked
by a studied courtesy, he was a man of violent
and aggressive temper, and his premature death
was the result of a shooting affray brought about
by his attack.

Okolona has been fruitful in tragedies. General
Tucker was a Virginian by birth. He settled at
Okolona at an early day, taking charge of a school,
and at the same time studying law. He was a
finely educated man, and had very cordial and
pleasing manners when not excited or out of
humor. In temper he was hot and impatient, and
disposed to be aggressive upon little provocation.
When he came to the bar, he rapidly acquired high
position. His powers of logic and analysis were
not great, but he presented facts forcibly, and
drew deductions clearly. He spoke well and flu-
ently, and his invective was severe. His reputa-
tion for honor and reliability was never questioned.
When civil war broke out, the tap of the first drum
called him into the field. He raised a company,
and went to the array. At the reconstruction of
the array in 1862 he was made colonel, and after-
wards was promoted to the rank of brigadier-
general for gallantry in action. He was severely
wounded on the line between Dalton and Atlanta,

182 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

and left one arm on the field. It was said that i
battle Ilia daring iimoinited to recklessness. Aft^
the war, he resumed hia profession as the
means of support for his large family, and in
diately went into a good practice. In the midi
of a gradually increasing prosperity, a tragic 1
overtook him suddenly and without warning,
ing borne one night tired, he lay down upon a 1
near an open window. Some base assassin crep.
up in the darkness outside and shot him deaj
No other person chanced to be in the room,
although his family were all in the bouse, and the
murderer escaped undiscovered. Great efforts..-
were made to unravel the mystery, hut up to i
time no clue has been found.

General Tucker was a man whose good qualitlei
I appreciated and admired, hut he was never on
of my friends.

For many years Okolona was the residence ■
A. S. Harper. lie wa.s educated at Oxford, Miss.,:^
and took the highest honors there. He debates
legal questions with great ability, and has the gift
of polished oratory. Always a hard student, he is
deeply learned in the law. He is a man of i
and impetuous nature, strongly attached to hia
friends, and very frank in his enmities. His honwg
is now in Birmingham, Ala.

8till another prominent citizen of Okolona hafltfl
been carried by the strong current of the |
boom to Birmingham, — Mr. Bobert Mclntoah, ;

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 183

native of Chickasaw County, His father was a
man of large fortune, and he received every advan-
tage of education. After leaving college, he read
law under favorable circumstances. His genial
and hearty manners have made friends for him
wherever he went, and he for a long time con-
trolled a large practice in Chickasaw. He married
into the family of Mr. Tom Buchanan, one of the
largest and wealthiest planters in Chickasaw.
Some years ago Mcintosh removed to Meridian,
and from thence to his present home in Alabama.

Houston, the county-seat of Chickasaw, was for
years the residence of three of the most prominent
men in the State, — Winfield Scott Featherston,
Cyrus B. Baldwin, and J. A. Orr. Featherston
and Baldwin settled in Houston at a very early
day, when both were quite young fellows, and just
beginning the practice of law. Both of these
men were close students, and had great powers of
debate.

Baldwin was a Virginian, brother to the author
of "Flush Times of Alabama and Mississippi."
He was not elegant in speech, lacked the voice
and manner of an orator, but he had great mental
gifts, and his reasoning was so clear that it might
be called luminous. No man was more effective
before a court, and his practice was large and lu-
crative. He had little ambition, and used no arts
to increase his popularity, whicli was immense.
Everybody loved Baldwin, everybody had bound-

184

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

leas confidence in him, and hi3 untimely death
the army was universally regretted. He wmi^
gifted with a nature so singularly sweet, and a
temper so placid, that he was able for years to
manage a large and varied practice without a
single conflict or animosity. In pohtics he
a consistent Whig, and his influence was extensivejl
though from his order of mind and quality of tenbd
per it was impossible for him to be a parti
Even politics, " that destroyer of friendships," could'
not ruffle the exquisite gentleness of his temper,
or destroy the equipoise of his well-balanced mind.
I had the honor of an unbroken friendship of many
years with this gentleman of many virtues and no
faults. He used often to remark that I was the
only Democrat for whom he had ever voted, and
I am glad to remember that from pure personal
friendship he always sustained me against any
opponent. His entering the army was the one
great mistake of his life, and it was a fatal one, as
he died a few months thereafter. He was himself
80 conscious of his unfitness for military life thafi
he would accept no office higher than lieutenant^
giving as a reason that he possessed no one quality
of a soldier except mere personal courage, aoflll
only went into the war because he had been prom-
inent in urging the right and duty of secessiotb.
His health, never strong, broke down at the finC
exposure, and he died before he could accompliah
his effort to be carried home.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSiSSWPL 185

General Featherston belonged to a Georgia
family of fortune and influence. He took a promi-
nent part in the war, and afterwards removed to
Holly Springs, where he enjoyed large practice,
and was always a leading man.

Judge Orr was quite a young man when I first
knew him. His father removed to Pontotoc
County at an early day, and accumulated large
property there. His brother, Hon. James L. Orr,
was first governor of South Carolina, then speaker
of the House of Representatives in Congress, and
afterwards sent to Russia as minister, where he
died. Judge Orr was colonel of a Mississippi regi-
ment during the war, and afterward.s elected to
the Confederate Congress. When peace was re-
stored, he settled in Columbus, where he still
resides engaged in the active practice of the law.
He has always been a man of great labor, and haa
added legal learning to his naturally fine ability.
He is an able debater and speaks forcibly. So-
cially, he is a man of pleasing address, and unusual
aptitude for adapting himself to any circle in
which he happens to be thrown. It may be said
of him that be has succeeded in many departmenta
of life.

Just at this period Judge Orr is much engrossed
with the scheme of a railroad from Tuscaloosa to
Memphis, via Columbu.'^. He has been the heart
and soul of this project, of which the success seems
row highly probable. If it is carried through, it
will be largely owing to his zeal and energy.

CHAPTER XX.

While these years were passing, agriculture,
under our organized system of labor, reached a
degree of prosperity never before known in any
country. The lands of the south were like the
valleys described by King David, when he boasted
that they were very plenteous, and so thick with
abundant harvests that they should " laugh and
sing." Farms were arranged in the most system-
atic way, and the cultivation was so complete that
the soil yielded to its full capacity.

Credit being universal, large transactions could be
undertaken, and fortunes quickly made by specula-
tion.

It cannot be denied that it is impossible for any
country to grow rapidly and become wealthy with-
out a generous system of credit. There must be
bold and adventurous business men to develop
the resources of a country, and such men must
be stimulated by the magnificence of large trans-
actions.

In times of unlimited credit, industries of every
kind flourish, and when industries flourish, profes-
sions increase in rank and opulence. A gentle-
man remarked to me a few days ago upon the fact

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL

187

that no lawyer grows rich In a purely agricultural
country. I replied no, nor in any commercial
country where the cash system prevails. I ven-
ture to say, in defiance of possible contradiction,
that no country ever rose to eminence where there
was not a national system of credit.

Soloman has made the wise remark that the
" destruction of the poor is their poverty." If
the patriarch had lived in the cotton States he
need not have been inspired to find that out. Job
lived in a pastoral country where great flocks and
herds supplied abundantly the simple wants of a
primitive people. He also dwelt under the burn-
ing skies of Syria, where the shepherd needed only
to wrap his mantle about him, and the blazing
stars of a Chaldean night watched his peaceful
slumbers. And yet even there we are told that
the poor were destroyed by their poverty ! With
us the laborer must provide a dwelling for his
family ; he must purchase from week to week
food for his household and for his domestic ani-
mals. Clothing must be provided, and fuel, and
often medicine and medical attendance. These
expenses recur from week to week, and from day
to day, and to produce cotton he must labor from
the first of January until the last of December. In
all these twelve months, only once does he realize
money from his cotton. If ho has means to sup-
port himself until harvest, all goes well. But very
many are not so provided. They must subsist

188

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

while the crop is being made. Having no credit,
they must mortgage and pay exorbitant interest.
Dragging on from year to year, all is swallowed up,
and the poor, in spite of hard work and scanty
food, of rising early and lying down late and eat-
ing the bread of sorrow, is at last destroyed by his
poverty.

Of what avail is our boasted civilization, if year
by year the struggle for existence among the
laboring classes gets harder, and the conditions of
their Uvea more bitter ? Their prosperity and con-
tentment lie at the root of all enduring national
life or Ktability of government. The schoolmaster
has been abroad too long for apathy or submission
under grinding evils. " He tliat plougheth must
plough ill hope," and woe betide that land where
the furrows are watered by the teara of a strong
man's despair !

To return to 1843, I must resume the narra-
tive of events which followed the election of Gen-
eral A. G. Brown to the office of governor. This
election settled the fate of the Union Bank bonds.
It destroyed the credit of the State in the money
markets of the world, and that proved a blessing to
us. Otherwise we should have found ourselves at
the end of the civil war, like all the other South-
ern States, burdened with a heavy debt which must
have crushed our impoverished people in their
efforts to pay it.

The winter of 1843 and 1844 was one of imex-

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL 189

ampled wealth and progress. Public and private
enterprisea flourished, and the whole State seemed
to bask in sunshine and cheerfulness. AU the
comforts of life abounded ; we had no poor, in the
sense of suffering want. The negroes were well
clothed and well fed, and were apparently the hap-
piest class of laborers in the world. They had no
cares and many pleasures, and the instincts of gen-
erations of servitude enabled them to find content
in a condition which would have been intolerable
to a race in whose veins ran the blood of freemen.
The legislature met in January, and Brown was
inaugurated. Many circumstances conspired to
render this an occasion of more than usual bril-
liancy. The ceremonies were made as imposing as
possible, and Jackson was thronged with visitors
from all parts of the State. Whig and Democrat
vied with each other in adding to the gayety and
splendor of the festivities in honor of the event,
and I never witnessed a season of more delightful
hospitality and enjoyment. The governor held a
great reception at the mansion, wiiich was con-
sidered the most elegant which had ever taken
place there. These rejoicings were like a truce
between two armies, during which the soldiers on
each side laid down their arms and mingled freely
in feast and dance. The truce ended, both great
parties sprang to arms and began to prepare for
conflict in the approaching presidential election of
the year 1844.

190 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL

Both Whigs and Democrats held their conven-
tions in Jackson. The best orators in the State
were present, and there were displays of genius
long to be remembered. The great Joseph Holt
led the Democrats, and Prentiss carried the banner
of the Whigs. Each party was proud of its cham-
pion, and boasted of success as if already achieved.
In addition to their leaders, each side mustered a
gallant array of speakers trained in many closely
contested elections.

The Democrats nominated James K. Polk, of
Tennessee. Henry Clay was the choice of the
Whigs.

Polk had been a member of Congress for many
years, and once governor of Tennessee. In his
second year he was opposed by James C. Jones,
one of the moat remarkable men this country has
ever known. Like all new men, he burst upon .
the public like a meteor, and before his transient
glory had time to pale he made the success of his
life, being elected by a hand-some majority. He
had no strength of argument, or even of imagi-
nation. His success was due wholly to a limpid
stream of prettily-sounding words, to high-flown
metaphor, and a happy faculty of telling amusing
anecdotes.

Polk had himself excelled in anecdote in hia '
former campaigns, but Jones proved so much more
successful in the art of tickling the fancy of a
crowd that Polk abandoned that line altogether,

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

191

and adopted the gravest and most serious style of
discussion.

He was now about to encounter the immortal
Harry of the West, and it seemed like a combat
between a giant and a pigmy. Clay's letter of
acceptance embodied his old American system,
without modification or enlargement. On the con-
trary, Polk's letter was simply a declaration of
hostility to the affirmative measures of the Whig 1
party, that is to say, opposition to the United \
States Bank ; opposition to the power of the
general government to carry on improvements of
any description within the limits of a State ; and
hostility to a protective tariff.

It will be seen from thia that the Whig party
had a policy as a basis of governmental action,
while the opposition party affirmed nothing what-
ever. It contented itself with simple negation.

The ablest men in the State were taking the
stump in support of one side or the other, and the
excitement of debate grew hotter and more hot.

Feeling, naturally, a fervid interest not only in
the result hut in the progress of this animating
contest, I was often present on the great field-
days when both sides brought out their strength.
On one of these occasions the debate waa between
General H. S. Foote and Judge Guion. Now, as I
have already said, we had more able debaters than
Foote, but as an entertaining and effective stump-
speaker he had no superior.

192

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

Guion was his opposite in all the qualities of
un orator. His mind was drilled to accurate and
powerful debate, full of information, deliberate and
cool, and always ready for attack or defence.
Knowing well that Foote's fiery torrent of fierce
invective and brilliant declamation could not be
responded to, he adopted the Socratic method, and
by his calm interrogation drove Foote to the wall.
For instance, he would say, " General Foote, how
do you propose to collect revenue for the support
of government? I await your reply." Foote
laughed and shrugged his shoulders, as he had a
habit of doing. " I demand an answer. General
Foote; you shall not evade me." "The tariff,
sir." "Ah, the tariff, General Foote; we agree,
sir. Now do you propose any protection to tlie
industries of your country?" "Yes." "Then
what, and in what manner?" "Incidental pro-
tection such as the tariff gives." " Ah, behold
we agree again. You are for protecting the in-
dustries of the nation, and so am I. Now what
can be the point of controversy which you have
elaborated with so much expenditure of unreason-
ing rhetoric?"

" Ah," said Foote, "it is true that we do s
to be together upon some questions, but I am in
favor of running this government upon principle!
of the most rigid economy." " Well," replied
Guion, '• so am I ; and this being the case, all your
beautiful display of oratory is pure buncomb^

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 193

Looking at the issues of a later date, I may be
forgiven if I suggest that nearly half a century
has not produced any material change in the op-
position of men as partisans while they agree as
individuals. Both parties now, in 1888, are in
favor of United States banks. Both are for inter-
nal improvement by the general government
within the limit of the States. Both are in favor
of a tariff for revenue and for protection. There-
fore the controversy must be for office and for
office only, and yet the people are stark mad
about party.

In this canvass of 1844, the Hon. Jefferson
Davis was one of the electors, and he won new
laurels wherever he appeared. He had been un-
known as either speaker or politician until the
discussion of the Union Bank bonds with Mr.
Prentiss in 1843, but from that time it was clearly
seen that he was destined to play no small part in
the history of his country. There had been a
meeting of the Democratic convention to appoint
electors. Davis was a delegate to that convention
and made an address. The address was so brilliant
and replete with information that upon its con-
clusion the convention rose to its feet and nomi-
nated him by acclamation for district elector.

General Foote had been nominated as elector
for the State at large, and when the canvass be-
gan in the summer, Davis and Foote travelled to-
gether and made joint speeches. Very often,

194

liECOLLECriONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

some Whig speaker demanded a joint discussion.
and wlien this happened, either one or the otber
accepted the chiillenge. Rarely has there been
heard such a plenitude of elaborate and ingenious
argument, and such an outpouring of the '■ golden
gift of words." The great audiences were in a
transport of delighted enthusiasm, and the only
danger was of being like the man spoken of b_v
the Greek poet, " always the possession of the last
ipeaker."

For the purpose of massing the people of a
county at a given point, great barbecues were had,
anil after Davis and Foote had spoken, local ora-
tors would harangue the crowd. These discussions
would include the very structure of our govern-
ment, and all important measures of policy which
hod been proposed by either party since the foun-
dation of our nationnl existence.

Tho main speakers were expected to be familiar
with tho history and facts of every subject
alluded to, and to furnish the people with full and
clear information. These discussions were, in
fact, a sort of political school, wherein lectiu-es
were delivered for the education of the masses. In
this way our people were informed of the prin-
ciples of government to a wonderful extent, and
fitted for the freedom they enjoyed, and taught
to watch with jealous scrutiny any infringement
of that Constitution which they regarded as tiie
stronghold of their liberties.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 195

Government is a complex science, and with many
complications difficult to understand. The schools
cannot teach its mysteries, or make plain its neces-
sities. A higher order of training is required —
the training arising from a combination of theory
and practice. Like a complicated piece of ma-
chinery, it is necessary either txj witness its opera-
tions, or to receive the instruction of one who has
witnessed it, and who has the ability to explain its
workings so simply and clearly that a practical
workingman can understand it. Forty years ago,
constant practice had made our public speakers so
skilful in debate that every question was made
clear even to men otherwise uneducated.

Per the last twenty years this practical union
between politicians and people has not existed.
Only one party is allowed to speak, and the leaders
of that party no longer debate, they simply de-
claim and denounce. Upon this crude and windy
diet, the once robust and sturdy political convic-
tions of our people have dwindled into leanness
and decay. In my judgment, this state of affairs
is fatally injurious to our institutions, and danger-
ous to our liberties. The people follow with confi-
dence the misleading and uncontradicted assertions
of their leaders, and act upon false impressions, to
their own prejudice and the injury of the common
good. The evil of mischievous assertion is greatly
lessened when free discussion is allowed, and error
exposed and combated by the unsparing vigor of

196 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

an opposing party. Free government becomes
an absurdity when all shades of opinion are not
allowed the fullest expression.

The first public meeting addressed by Davis and
Foote which I attended was at Holly Springs. A
big barbecue had been appointed at Davis' Mills,
immediately on the line dividing Tennessee and
Mississippi. Preparations were made for an im-
mense gathering, and the multitude exceeded ex-
pectation. This barbecue was gotten up in refer-
ence to an appointment Davis and Foote had made
to address the people at Holly Springs, the day
after. Many speakers from both Tennessee and
Mississippi, and prominent citizens on each side of
the line, were invited to attend. I had the honor
to be included among the invited guests. 1 reached
Holly Springs in time to bear the discussion, and
was then introduced to Mr. Davis, whom I there
met for the first time. General Foote made the
opening speech, and in nil respects sustained his
great reputation. When he concluded, Davis took
the stand. I remember thinking as he made his
salutation that there was nothing particularly im-
posing in his appearance or manner. But from
the moment he began to speak, with all the ease
and eloquence of which he was so consummately
master, he seemed to expand and etherealize into
the very spirit of oratory. It was a delight to
listen to his soft and mellow utterances, his lucid
argument, and poetic fancy. Dignified and com~

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIP/'I.

197

rnanding, soft and persuasive, his speech was from
beginning to end a finished piece of logic and ora-
tory. He sat down amid rapturous applause.

The next day, Holly Springs went en tnasse
to the barbecue at Davis' Mills — a distance of
about fifteen miles. The assemblage was very
great. General Foote opened with the most effec-
tive speech I ever heard him make. His peculiar
powers fitted him preeminently for such occa-
sions. His object was to depreciate the correctness
of the affirmative principles of the Whigs, and for
this purpose denunciation and ridicule were the
%veapons to be used before a large and excited
multitude. All the emotions of his auditors
.seemed to rouse at his touch, and applause rolled
up in great waves like a swelling sea. Davis fol-
lowed, every man present entranced by his words.
Many others made short addresses to amuse, not
to convince. Besides the fervor of political excite-
ment, these were occasions of great social enjoy-
ment and festivity. For miles around the ap-
pointed place, and for weeks before the appointed
time, the notable housekeepers of the land were
busy in preparing food for the multitude. The
long tables groaned under the weight of substan-
tial viands and tempting dainties, and the good
ladies heaped the plates for every guest. Lads
and lasses came out to enjoy the frolic, and even
children were brought to see the great men of the
day, and to add to the bustle and noise and merri-

198 llECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

ment of the grand holiday. There were negroes
iu abundance, of course, and perhaps even their
maatera failed to get more fun out of the occasion.
In every neighborhood there were always certain
old negro cooks who had special secrets in the
management of barbecued meats, and these were
always installed chiefs of that department. Besides
these there were coachmen with their horses,
maids in attendance upon " ole mistis " and the
young ladies, "boys" waiting on master, nurses
with the children, and pickaninnies by the score, to
see what was going on, and to be in everybody's
way as much as possible. Only those who can
remember the old South in its glory can have an
adequate idea of a big barbecue in 1844. Ar-
rangements had been made for a barbecue at
Aberdeen, to follow an appointment at Pontotoc.
I returned home to Aberdeen in company with
Mr. Davis and General Foote ; and, stopping at
Pontotoc, we enjoyed a discussion between Foote
and General Alexander Bradford. I don't think
I ever enjoyed anything more.

General Bradford was a man of generous per-
sonality, big, bold, and brave ; his vanity was ex-
cessive, but of a large and magnificent quality, and
he commanded the respect even of those who
sometimes laughed at his foibles. He spoke well
that day, but was entirely without humor, and in
his severe and incisive style dealt some heavy per-
sonal blows At General Foote. When Foote took

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 199

the stand, he assumed his mo-st courtly, kind, and
affable manner, but all the while the lash of his
satire descended, and every stroke was received
with perfect yells and shouts o£ laughter. Brad-
ford at last became furious. He could not use
Foote's weapons of satire and fun, but he knew
perfectly how to maintain his own dignity, and
could crush ridicule like the gallant gentleman he
always proved him,self. He rose calmly, and said
in a stately and determined manner, " General
Foote, you must make your choice this moment.
Either confine your remarks to the subject in dis-
cussion, or stop instantly." Foote appreciated the
situation. Everybody knew that Bradford meant
exactly what he said, and Foote, changing his
tone, made one grand flight of eloquence and
closed his address.

At Aberdeen both barbecue and discussion were
joint, and both parties endeavored to make the
occasion as grand as possible. My old friend Coop-
wood opened the discussion. He began by saying
that he was the little David coming out with his
sling to encounter the mighty Goliath. Unfor-
tunately for Coopwood the analogy did not hold
good to the end. David's little sling proved but a
paltry weapon, and the giants had it all their own
way.

They canvassed the entire State, and in all that
long campaign Foote met with but one disaster,
that of his encounter with Guion. Davis went

200 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

serenely on, far above attack or criticism, wherever
he appeared. It was largely due to this able can-
vass that the electoral vote of the State was cast
for James K. Polk of Tennessee. In the preceding
presidential contest, Mississippi had gone largely
for Tippecanoe and Tyler.

In this campaign it was known that the Demo-
crats could not succeed without the vote of Penn-
sylvania, and the vote of Pennsylvania could not
be carried without a platform of protection. Mr.
Polk therefore, in his letter of acceptance, gave
such a version to his policy of incidental protec-
tion as to make it out-Herod Herod, and by that
construction obtained the vote of that great State,
and was elected.

CHAPTER XXI.

In spite of the intense political excitement of
that year, in which I fully shared, my professional
duties so absorbed ray time that I took little part
in anything else. I had reason to believe that the
time was near at hand when the accumulations
from my past labor would enable me to quit the
profession as an engrossing pursuit, and I now
began to devote ray few hours of leisure to the
study of history and general literature. During
the years of 1845 and 1846, I withdrew myself
as much as possible from outside distractions to
accomplish this purpose.

The term of governor was at that time only two
years, so that it was necessary to elect again in
November, 1845.

The Democratic party held its convention in
January of that year, and Brown was renominated
as governor. Francis M. Rogers and several othera
became candidates for the office of circuit judge,
made vacant by the nomination of Adams for
Congress.

The election of governor and members of Con-
gress went pretty much by default, but the race
for circuit judge was exciting. Rogers was a Whig,

202 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

and his two opponents were Democrats. There
was a large Deniocrsitic majority in the district,
but politics never made any factor in judicial elec-
tions. It was very common to hear Democrats
say, " We have all the political offices, and the
Whigs ought to have something." As a general
rule, Wliiga filled the judicial department. There
were no individual prejudices on account o£ party.
I know that my best friends and daily associates
were Whigs. Personal relations always influenced
my vote in judicial elections. And for Frank
Rogers I would have gone to the world's end at
any time, and tliought nothing of it. Of my in-
timate friend Frank Rogers I can paint no picture
that would do him justice. He was a noble, large-
hearted generous fellow, and I loved him more
like a brother than a friend. The world has been
poorer to me since a Northern bullet cut the out-
ward link which bound that genial spirit to his
friends here below.

I remember one incident which made a great
impression both upon, Rogers and myself, and
which illustrates the tenderness of his nature,

In those days we travelled from court to court
in our buggies, and Rogers and I were so con-
stantly together in those journeys that if one
drove up to an accustomed stopping-place before
the other was in sight, the question was always
aeked what had become of the other.

One cold day in autumn we were on our way to

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 203

Fulton, Itawamba County. It was growing late,
and we were still some miles from Fulton, when I
saw Rogers, who was a little in advance, throw
the reins to his man and jump out of the buggy.
Before I could do the same, I heard him caUing
me in an excited manner. When I got to him, he
said, " Davi8, for God's sake, look at that," and
pointed to a young woman carrying a bundle
and holding a little boy by the hand. They
had apparently sunk exhausted by the roadside.
The woman was thinly clad and looked weak and
sickly, besides being bruised and marked as if from
severe beating.

Such sights were almost unknown in the South
then. I don't believe either Rogers or I had ever
before seen just such a sad spectacle in our own
country.

The woman said her husband had beaten her,
and turned her out of doors, and she was trying to
make her way to her own people in the northern
part of the State. She found it hard to walk, she
said, and opening her bundle, showed us a tiny baby
only a few days old. At this Rogers looked almost
wild, and I confess that my own sensations were
queer. Human emotion is often complex. To pity
the woman was to get into a rage against the brute
of a husband ; and if he had suddenly appeared at
that moment, it might have gone badly with him.

Lord, Lord, but it is a mystery how a man
carries the past in his memory ! Talk of the day

204

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSTPPI.

wlien the judgment books unfold! We carry the
books iQ our consciousness, and one flash of asso-
ciation can illuminate their records with the light
of long iigo,

If that baby is alive now, it is more than forty
years old, and yet I can see as if it happened yes-
terday: the red light of a cold sunset streaming
over the destitute creatures resting on the road-
side, and Rogers standing over them, his kind face
all aglow with pity and indignation.

Well, we picked them all up, and carried them
to Fulton as best we could. There the good land'
lady took charge of them until morning, when we
could send them on to their own people. We
never heard of them again, but many times after-
wards Rogers has said to me, " Davis, do you
remember that woman on the Fulton road ? That
brute of a husband ought surely to be damned in
the next world. I hope he will be damned, don't
you?"

In the contest for judge, Rogers was elected by
a handsome majority, and he made one of the best
judges we have ever had in Mississippi. lie was
not a very learned lawyer, but he had the strong-
est common sense, and such clear conceptions of
justice and fairness that he seldom failed to dis-
cover which side was in the right, and to make that
the basis of his decision. It may be said that he
decided as if by an instinct of honest judgment.
His decisions were rarely reversed. Even when^,

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 205

as occasionally happened, the technical rule of law
had not been observed, the supreme court ruled
that such exact justice had been administered that
it would be unwise to disturb the decision. I have
known many men of more varied and showy tal-
ents, but for wisdom and goodness and firmness,
and all the qualities of a well-balanced mind, I
have never known his superior.

Before I close these recollections of Prank
Eogers, I may permit myself the pleasure of add-
ing that he left two children, — one of them a
daughter, now Mrs. Eugene O. Sykes, of this
place. It seems to be a principle of heredity that
strong resemblances generally descend from the
father through a female line, and this dear young
lady is so much like her father in appearance and
voice and manner, that it gives me positive plea-
sure only to pass her on the street. Not long ago
I had the honor of an introduction to a young
gentleman still in petticoats, who bears his grand-
father's honored name ; and the best wish I can
make for this grandson of my old comrade is that
he may inherit the qualities which endeared that
name to a wide circle for many years,

In this same year, 1845, a murder was com-
mitted near Fulton, in which some singular facts
came out, and the trial excited an unusual degree
of interest.

I was retained to defend the man, whose name
was Scaggs. Like Uriah the Hittite, he was a very

206

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

poor man, and had a wife who was exceedingly
beautiful. He also resembled the unlucky Hittite
in having a rich and treacherous neighbor, who
wished to rob him of his one cherished possession.
It chanced that this wealthy libertine was candidate
for some small office, and Scaggs, who was warmly
his friend, exerted himself to forward his interests.
With this object he had promised to leave home
on the day of election, and remain at a certaiii
precinct for his benefit. At that time he had no
suspicion that his false friend wanted to get him
out of the way. Two days before the day ap-
pointed for the election, the man took advantage
of some opportunity to approach Mrs. Scaggs, and
was indignantly repulsed. Personal violence was
threatened — the woman became alarmed, and
when her husband returned home, told him all
about it.

On the morning of the election, instead of going
off, as agreed upon, Scaggs remained in a field
near his house. A warrant had been obtained
against the persecutor the day before, but was not
executed. At ten o'clock he went back to his little
dwelling, which was built with only one door. In
that door stood the man he dreaded, grasping the
door-frame on either hand, and thus elfectimlly
barring the only one way of egress from within.
Scaggs approached near enough to hear threati
against his wife if she continued her resistance,
when, seizing his axe, he drove it into the man't

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 207

back. Though badly wounded, the man got under
the bed and tried to save himself. There were
marka of a struggle, and of the bedding being
pulled away, and the axe driven into the head of
the miserable wretch beneath.

Scaggs then took his wife and two children, and
started for the house of his father-in-law, a dis-
tance of two miles and a half. On the road they
met a Mr. Bennett, who made some friendly greet-
ing. Scaggs told him he was not well, adding, " I
have just killed Mr. A. B." Bennett did not be-
lieve him, but Scaggs showed his bloody bands,
and said, " You will find him on the floor in my
house."

At that time, under the laws of Mississippi,
neither the defendant nor his wife could testify,
and at the trial the judge allowed but two facts to
get to the jury; to wit, that deceased was found
dead in the house of Scaggs, and that Scaggs was
seen leaving the house with bloody hands. I strug-
gled to get in as evidence the warrant issued by a
justice of the peace, which was founded upon the
oath of the wife, and which showed that Scaggs
had knowledge of dishonorable intentions and
threats of violence against his wife ; but the court
would not permit me to read the affidavit in pres-
ence of the jury. I then tried to get before the
jury what Scaggs had said to Bennett, as a part of
tlie res geslce, and this also was refused.

With this testimony, which was simply fatal, I

208

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

Wild forced to go to the jury. My argument waa
mainly supposition and iniplicationj with now and
then a dash, sweeping over the affidavit and war-
rant so rapidly that the court could not stop me.
The judge would threaten me with fine and im-
prisonment. I would defy him, and so the long
and severe controversy went on.

The jury brought into court a verdict of man-
slaughter, which was better than I had dared hope
for. The court showed his animus against the
prisoner by giving him a sentence of twenty years
in the penitentiary, and by sarcastically advising
him to come out of prison a better man.

I told him at the conclusion that he might have
spared himself the trouble of such mockery, as ray
client was then forty-five years old, and the sen-
tence waa practically for life. 1 appealed to the
supreme court, and in January, 1847, the courts
reversed the judgment, and remanded the case foi
further trial.

The reversal was what is called a scratch ; that
ia, the result of an oversight on the part of the
clerk of the court below in failing to enter upon
the records the fact of presence of prisoner in
court on one of the days of trial. The supreme
court sustained the ruling of the circuit judge
upon each of the points made on the trial, and
thus left my client apparently in a worse condition
than before. But when the case came on in the
autumn of 1847] I was not without some grains

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 209

of secret hope, based upon my knowledge of the
community from which my jury must be drawn.
Since the last hearing of the cause, a great sym-
pathy had grown up for the prisoner throughout
the country, and the belief strengthened that both
he and his wife had been hardly dealt with. It
began to be whispered that a poor man must no
longer dare to defend the honor of his family,
when the aggressor was a man of wealth and posi-
tion. Great crowds came to witness the trial, and
I soon felt satisfied that it would be my own fault
if I failed to carry the crowd with me.

After a long battle with the court, I was allowed
to read the affidavit of Mrs. Seaggs and the wat^
rant. We then introduced witnesses to prove that
relations of an unusually friendly character had
existed for a long while between the deceased and
the defendant, and had not been brolien until two
days before the killing. We then announced that
the testimony for the defence was closed. Colonel
Lindesay made an exhaustive argument in the pros-
ecution. In ray reply I argued that the tortured
mind of a man exposed to an injury so horrible
was incapable of deliberation ; that anger was a
brief madness, and under its influence violent deeds
might be committed without malice and almost
without consciousness. I appealed to the jury to
say what impulse would master them under like
circnmstances, and in short, played upon their
imaginations and sympathies to the best of my

210 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL

ability. The result showed that I had not been
mistaken in my estimate of the temper of the
people. In twenty minutes the jury returned
with a verdict of not guilty.

CHAPTER XXn.

The admission of Texas as a State of the Union
had been made a prominent question in the canvass
of 1844, and Polk's administration was committed
to it. This subject was brought forward in the Con-
gress of 1845 and 1846, and the indications of war
with Mexico became so threatening that General
Taylor, who had a small force in the neighborhood
of San Antonio, was ordered to the Rio Grande.
On reaching the Colorado River, he was confronted
with a Mexican force. Taylor did not hesitate,
but ordered his men forward. The river was more
than waist-deep, and the men lingered for a mo-
ment. A follower of the camp — a woman well
known under the sobriquet of the Great Western
— plunged into the water, and called the men to
follow where she led. They pressed forward with
great enthusiasm, and the enemy retired without
a shot.

A few days thereafter the battles of Palo Alto
and Resaca de la Palma were fought. Blood
was shed, and Congress passed a resolution rec-
ognizing the existence of war between the two
nations. That first report of a gun on the battle-
field of Palo Alto went echoing along over hill

212

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

and valley, mountain and river, until it resounded
through the republic, and the call to arms was
heard in every hamlet. No State was more prompt
to respond than Mississippi. Military appoint-
ments were asked for, and volunteer companies
tendered. John A. Quitman was made brigadier-
general, and a regiment was called for. It was
soon raised, and assembled at the appointed ren-
dezvous of Vicksburg.

Jefferson Bavis was then a member of Congress,
but bad promised to serve as colonel of a regiment
whenever elected. It was known that he had
graduated at West Point, and bad seen some ser-
vice in the West during the Black Hawk war.
At the same election that made bim colonel of the
First Mississippi Regiment, A. K. McCIung was
made lieutenant-colonel, and Alexander Bradford
major.

No new troops were better officered, and the
regiment went to the field as gayly as if they had
been called to a dance. The field-officers were
already widely known. The company officers and
privates were citizens drawn from the various
vocations of a prosperous people. They were
from every part of the State. It would be an
act of supererogation to say more of Ex-Presi-
dent Davis than I have already said. No eulogy
of mine could reach the exalted place he now
holds.

The peculiar personal qualities of General Brad-

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 213

ford hiive been already mentioned. These quali-
ties fitted him not only to shine in active service,
but to enjoy it with the keenest delight. All the
pomp and circumstance of war gave hira the pui^
est enjoyment, and he had the high personal cour-
age that caused him to love danger for its own
sake. One whimsical illustration of his peculiar
enthusiasm occurred at the battle of Buena Vista.

Colonel McClung had been wounded in the
memorable charge made by the First Mississippi
Regiment in storming the fortifications around
Monterey. Colonel Davis had already received a
wound at Buena Vista ; and Bradford, although
charging and encouraging his meif all along the
line with the most reckless bravery, was un-
wounded. It is the only case I ever heard of
where a man was absolutely heart-broken because
a bullet failed to hit him. Eye-witnesses reported
that he actually charged up and down the line,
waving his arms in the air, and exclaiming, " My
God, can't one bullet hit me?"

In all this he was perfectly honest, and it is an
actual fact that for the rest of his life his spirit
was wounded because his body was whole. He
always confessed that he never recovered from the
disappointment of that day.

Colonel McClung was a man whose fate it has
been to be much talked of and little known. It
has often amazed me to hear him spoken of in
terms that showed how little his real character has

214

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

been understood. His personal appearance was
siiijjularly noble and impressive. McClung was an
athlete, tall and symmetrical, perfectly and powei^
fully formed. His fine head was covered with a
profusion of curly auburn hair. He belonged to
the most intellectual families of Kentucky, the
Marshalls, Breckenridges, etc. His courage was
magnificent, but his general manner indicated only
gentleness and courtesy. That he could be ab-
solute upon occasion was well known. To his
friends, he was always the same — kind, generous,
and devoted. I knew him for twenty years, and
had, at intervals, much intercourse with him, and
he always showed attachment for me. I remem-
ber one instance of this, which at the time amused
me not a little.

It was in 1841, when I happened to be in Wash-
ington, McClung called to see me as soon as I
arrived, and asked me if I wanted office from
President Harrison, and if he could serve me. I
told him my business was in the supreme court,
and was already accomplished. He then invited
me to go with him to the theatre that night, and
see Booth in his favorite character of ■' Richard
the Third." We were, however, disappointed, as
Booth was so much under the influence of liquor
that he could not appear, and the audience was
dismissed. It had been agreed between us that
when the performance was over I should return
to the hotel without McClung, who had some en-

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 215

gagement elsewhere. When the audience was un-
expectedly dismissed, I left the theatre, and, taking
a hack, went back to the hotel.

Nest morning I met McClung, and he immedi-
ately reproached me with having treated him badly
— that I had left him in the theatre. I reminded
him of our agreement. *' Ah, yes," he said, " but
you know you are a little fellow; you might have
been hurt in the crowd, and I wanted to see you
safe in the hack." "Well, colonel," I said with aa
much gravity as I could manage, " did you think
I could not take care of myself?" "Something
might have happened," he said, looking at me
with the greatest gentleness, just as he might have
done if I had been one foot, six, instead of six
feet, one.

In all our long acquaintance he invariably
adopted that protecting manner. Even in the
last sad days, when his brave spirit was clouded,
and his iron nerves unstrung, so that people were
afraid to approach hira, he never said a rough word
to me.

Thia kindness was manifested in a singular man-
ner the very last time I ever saw him, a short while
before his death. I was in Jackson late in the winter,
and one day, while walking with Governor Alcorn
and Governor Clark, invited them to go with me to
a certain restaurant, well known na serving fine
oysters, and take lunch. This house, although on
the main street, was approached by a side entrance,

216

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

a long outside stairway, with a sort of platform at
the top, from which the door opened into a small
entry. When we got to the place, the colored
waiters were gathered upon the pavement, but that
passed unnoticed, as we all knew their habits of
idle curiosity as to what happened on the street.
Neither did we attach any importance to the fact
tliat one of them kept repeating, " Walk up, gentle-
men, walk up," but all the while waited for ua to
go on, instead of preceding and ushering us into
the room, as was his duty.

Whether it was fright, or a desire to get up
some excitement, I do not know, but none of the
servants warned us that Colonel McClung was in
the eating-room, and that he had driven every one
out of the house. He had been drinking heavily
for some days, and had reached a state of actual
insanity. The room was a very long one, and had
two narrow tables extending the length of it.
We were fairly within the room before we saw
McClung seated at the head of one of these tables,
and then it wonld have been instant death to
attempt a retreat. He had a large duelling- pistol
on either side of a bottle of wine that stood before
him, and a bowie-knife was disposed between them.
His face was deeply flushed, and his bloodshot eyes
gleamed angrily from beneath a mass of fawny
hair. It was like walking into a lion's den, but
we had no choice. Neither Alcorn nor Clark had
any weapon, and I had only a small pocket-pistol.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 217

Now McClung did not like Clark, and he hated
Alcorn with a singular intensity of hatred. We
went up to the end of the unoccupied table, and
after saluting McClung with elaborate courtesy, I
took the seat at the head with my friends on either
hand. Our eccentric neighbor spoke to me cor-
dially, but treated the others with marked cold-
ness. The waiter, whose black face was ashy with
terror, served us hastily with wine and oysters,
and disappeared without ceremony.

I whispered to Alcorn not to exasperate Mc-
Clung by seeming to ignore his presence, but to
ask him to take a glass of wine. He did so, and
McClung, after glaring at him for a moment,
replied with fierce emphasis, " Not with yoK, sir;
I drink my own wine," pouring out a tumbler full,
as he spoke.

I don't suppose three men ever despatched food
with more celerity than we did those unlucky oys-
ters, or with less appreciation of its flavor. Mc-
Clung had now begun to tell a story of how he
had that day been attacked by three assassins in
that very room, and got up to show just how he
drove them off. Brandishing his bowie-knife, he
rushed down between the two tables, just grazing
Clark's back as he passed him with a furious lunge.
When he sat down again, he began to flourish his
pistols, regardless of the fact that they were hair-
trigger, liable to go off at a touch. As soon as it
seemed prudent, our party rose to leave, not for-

218

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

getting to go through the most careful parting
salutations. Just as we reached the door, McClung
jumped up with a pistol in each hand, and ordered
us to stop. Our only hope being in instant com-
pliance, we stood stock still.

Coming closer, McClung addressed me first.
He said, " Now. Davis, you don't believe one word
I have said. You can't believe anything you don't
see, but I don't care — you are made so, and can't
help it. I like you, and won't try to make you say
you believe anything. You can go, but these gentle-
men are different, and they have got to say they
believe every word I have told them, or I will shoot
them on the spot." Wheeling round, he pointed
both pistols at Alcorn, and said, '* Do you believe
I told the truth ? " Alcorn immediately replied, as
blandly as possible, " Why, colonel, do you suppose
any gentleman ever questions what you assert?"

McClung scowled at him, and turned upon Clark,
who made the same reply. We were then permitted
to depart, which we did with more haste than cere-
mony. We did not even atop to chastise the ras-
cally waiter who had served us such a trick.

The hatred which McClung cherished for Alcorn
sprang from an incident which shows the eccentric
character of the man.

It happened that when both were young men,
they attended a ball in Jackson. A young lady, a
Miss McGuillie, was present, and she had for some
time been persecuted by the attentions of a young

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 219

fellow whose addresses she had repeatedly refused.
This youth was probubly excited with wine, but at
any rate he was drunk with jealous fury. Going
into the ball-roora, he approached the young lady,
and was so violent in manner that she became
alarmed, and running up to Colonel McClung, who
stood near, appealed to him for protection.

I suppose there was never a man more chival-
rous to all women than was McClung. He would
have gone to the world's end in answer to any
woman's cry of distress, and the wonder is that his
usual quick perception failed bim here. For some
cause, he did not catch what was being said and
done ; and, before he appreciated the situation,
Alcorn sprang forward, and seizing the offender by ■
the collar, dragged him out, and kicked him down
stairs. For this McClung never forgave him, and
he owned to me afterwards that he felt for him a
bitter dislike he had never experienced for any
other man. He said, " I never see Alcorn that I
have not a desire to fight him." Poor McClung!
His nature was too highly strung. The disappoint-
ments and difficulties of life maddened him, and
he died by his own hand.

During the Harrison canvass, McClung brought
out in Jackson a campaign paper, called " The
Crisis," and conducted it with much ability in the
interest of Harrison. Some of the numbers were
really brilliant.

Being selected to pronounce the funeral oration

BECOLLECTWNS OP MISSISSIPPI.

iu JacluoD upoa the death of Henrj Clay, he coid-
poitud a magnificent eulogy. I preserved a copy
which he sent me for a long while, bat it was un-
fortunately destroyed in the troublous days after-
wards.

The First Miasisstppi Regiment w&s composed of
the )je»trborn, best-educated, and wealtUttfSt young
men of the State. Space will not allow ine to
mention names among so many, but it was a gal-
lant body, going out to find glory upon the battle-
field, and tu do honor to the State of Misdssipju.

One distinguished private I may be permitted
to mention — James Z. George, now the able and
distinguished representative of Mississippi upon
the floor of the United States Senate.

He wae a young lawyer at the time he volon-
teered as private, making his way slowly but
Burely iu his profession. Although without family
influence, and having none of the youthful bril-
liancy of talent which challenges immediate sue
ceas, he was of solid parts, and possessed the firm
will and steady reason of the man who may have
to wait for his opportunities, but who never misses
them when they come. Of such a character, the
cool courage of a good soldier is rarely lacking,
and Gt'orgo was not only a brave, but in many
respects a most lovable man. When I first met
him, he lived in Carrollton.

After the Mexican War I saw him in Jackson,
where he was an applicant for the office of reporter

I
I

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 221

of the decisions of the supreme court, and I had
the pleasure of douig what I could to support his
claims.

Late in the fall of 1847, the government called
for a second regiment from IVIissiasippi. The war
spirit was more fully aroused than before, and the
necessary companies were quickly formed. They
were ordered to rendezvous at Vicksburg for
organization. There were six or seven candidates
for colonel.

While I was in Jackson, attending supreme
court, several companies passed through on the
way to Vicksburg.

These companies sent committees to me, offer-
ing the vote of the companies if I woidd agree to
accept the office. While sensible of the compli-
ment, I did not hesitate to decline positively. The
reasons were obvious. In spite of the charm of
novelty and adventure and excitement, which
appealed to me as to all the young men of the
country, and the contagion of the wild enthusiasm
which was sweeping over the State, I had sense
enough to see that such a step would be fatal to
me. I had just reached a point where the best
work of my life was before me ; my practice was
ample, my prosperity assured, and there was a rea-
sonable certainty that I should be chosen governor
at the next election. My affairs were progressing
in accordance with long-settled plans, and to jump
from law into the army and from the army into

222

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

politics must iuevitably change the current of my
life to my own ultimate disaster. I realized all
this as fully then as I know it by experience now ;
but when a man stands at the dividing of the
waysj it is not always given to him to choose the
path of prudence and wisdom,

it came about that some friends of mine were \
going to Vicksbnrg to witness the organization of
the regiment, and I was induced to go with them.
Overtures were again made by different companies,
and 1 was so bent upon resisting that I went to
my hotel, and prepared to leave on the next train.
Several of my friends came after me, and report- '
ing some combinations that were being made
against me, my indignation was so much aroused
that prudence gave way. I was mustered in the |
company of Captain Joe! M, Acker as private,
and elected colonel over Captain Buckley, of Mon- I
ticello. The defeat of Buckley gave him great
offence, which he cherished to the day of his death.
He had been warmly supported by Governor A. G.
Brown, who, some days before the election, pre- I
sented him with a handsome sword,

I was largely indebted to the untiring exertions I
of John A. Wilcox for my success, if success that [
can be called which cut my life in two, and |
changed its best hopes and aspirations. From that ]
one event I date all the mistakes, and most of the J
troubles, that have been mine throughout a longJ
and eventful life.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 223

I had always considered the position of colonel
peculiarly trying, as it places a man in such an
attitude both to his superior officers and to the men
under his command, as to make him the target for
complaint on both sides. It wsis not long before I
was more than ever impressed with this, and my
want of military training made matters much less
easy to me.

My election threw me immediately into camp,
where every moment some new question arose for
instant decision. I am confident that the first day
five hundred different emergencies arose, and it
seemed that each was more imperative than the
other. Never shall I forget the exasperation of
seeing the officers of the regiment sitting around
much at their ease, and evidently taking malicious
pleasure in answering every application with a
careless " Go to the colonel." I had no headquar-
ters. Everything was in a state of transition.
Boats had to be obtained to transport the regiment
to New Orleans. Rations must be supplied, tents
and all the impedimenta of a moving army were
to be purchased and arranged in a few hours. It
seemed that new requisitions and unforeseen ne-
cessities presented themselves at ever^* moment.
A move that would have been accomplished with
ease and precision by a troop of regulars with their
experienced officers was, in our unskilled bands,
a work of unheard-of difficulty and confusion.
How I got through the first day without resigning
my command has always been a mystery to me.

224

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

The regiment at last embarked for New Orleans.
It was composed of splendid material, and the
officers were men of talent and high position-
Lieutenant-Colonel Kilpatrick was a favorite with
the whole commiind, and proved himself in every
emergency well worthy of their confidence. He
was a good officer, brave, intellectual, and firm,
but he had an insuperable aversion to the routine
duties of his office.

When any active service was required, no man
was more prompt and efficient, but the humdrum
supervision of the troop was intolerable to him.

As if to make up for these deficiencies, the of-
ficer next in command, Major Price, was devoted
to the least detail of his department, and performed
every duty with punctual observance. He was a
Kentuckian by birth and education, a man of good
parts and culture, taciturn and serious manner,
and with an absolute and unyielding temper. As
an instance of the ardor of his temperament, I
may mention that, in order to take part in the
storming of Monterey, he walked thirty miles the
day before the battle.

There were ten captains, all of them men of
courage and mind and good social position.

One of the mo.st noteworthy men in the regi-
ment was Captain Charles Clarke. He had from
early life displjiyed a passion for anything like
military affairs, and always had the command of j
a company in whatever town he happened to J

liECOLLECTWNS OF MISSISSIPPI.

225

remain long enough. As a lawyer he had a good
reputation, and was a fluent and elegant speaker.
Being made brigadier-general in the Confederate
army, he was frightfully wounded at the battle of
Baton Rouge. His injuries were supposed mortal,
but he lived a cripple. Before he was able to
leave his bed, he was elected governor of Missis-
sippi, and at the surrender was seized by federal
authority, and kept in prison for some months.
Soon after his release, he died on hia plantation in
Bolivar County, Mississippi. He was a brave and
true-hearted man, and a born soldier.

The next company was commanded by my old
friend and fellow-townsman, Joel M. Acker. He
was an able and zealous officer, respected by his
men, and maintaining his position in all circum-
stances.

The Hon. J. M. Acker still holds the high posi-
tion in this State which he won many years ago.
He came here a boy, fresh from Harvard College,
and for some years gave himself up more to the
wild pleasures of a newly settled country than to
the labors of his profession. He would probably
look very stern now if his grandson played the
eame pranks, but the fact remains that in those
days the judge liked play better than work.

It was, however, evident that the same clear
intellect and shrewd common -sense that distin-
guishes him now would fi nally overcome the
effervescence of youthful spirits. Having set cer-

226 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

tain aims steadily before him, he has been em-
inently successful in their accomplishment. No
man better deserves the solid reputation and
weight of influence which he has won by his fine,
well-balanced mind, and fearless integrity of char-
acter.

Captain A. K. BIythe was a Tennesseean by
birth and education. With much talent for ora-
tory, he combined some literary power, and his
composition was pure and beautiful. He always
had the moat patrician bearing, but was singularly
careless in dress. That he was a perfectly coura-
geous man was never doubted, but it was also
known tliat he was as soft-hearted as a girl, and in
voice and manner he was ■' as mild as any maid."
He fell one of the heroes upon dark Shiloh's bloody
field.

Captain A. M. Jackson, of Ripley, has already
received such poor tribute as my pen can give
him.

Captain Estelle, from Panola, was a handsome
and gallant soldier. I never knew a more accom-
plished gentleman, and a brave, true heart beat in
his bosom. It was a strange fate that led htm
safely through the perils of two wars, only to fall
at last by the ignoble hiind of an assassin in the
peaceful streets of Jackson.

Captain Hymer, of Holly Springs, was a fair-
haired Saxon, and had the bold, careless intrepid-
ity of the Saxon race. He commanded the Mar- i

RECOLLECTiONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 227

shall Helief Guards, and it is said that when the
battle was hottest at Biiena Vista, the soldiers said
to each other, "If only the Marshall Keliefs would
come ! "

Captain Liddell was from Choctaw, and I must
record of him that he never failed to do his wiiole
duty and more. He not only obeyed every order
promptly and efficiently, but he took his full share
of responsibility, and was an unfailing support and
relief to his commanding officer. He was a grand
fellow, and died heroically on the field of Antie-
tam, leading a charge when he tell.

Captain McWillie was from Madison County.
What can I say of him, but that he seemed to
live in the highest regions of honor and devotion ?
His heart was soft and pure. It seemed almost
impossible for him to comprehend meanness or
vUlany, and he so naturally expected everything
good in persons he was thrown with that bad men
seemed shamed into better feeling by his mere
presence- There was a wonderful atmospiiere of
honor and virtue about the whole man. He had
seen much service, but never lost his tenderness of
nature. At the battle of Monterey he shot at a
Mexican, and saw him fall dead in the street. The
man was slain in full tide of battle, and it was the
duty of McWillie to shoot when he did. It was
also possible that other Mexicans had fallen by his
hand, but there was the relief of uncertainty in
nil cases except this one. Often afterwards, Mc-

228 RECOLLKCTiONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

Willie confided to me that the recollection of this
iiiaii was a torture to him, and that, with no sense
of guilt or responsibility, the picture of that poor
wretch rolling in the dust would remain, with him
as long as he lived. At the beginning of the civil
war he went into the Confederate array as cap-
tain. In the battle of Shiloh, when the seven-
teenth and eighteenth regiments were forced to
retreat, McWillie kept his ground until he fell,
killed by a bullet. He died knightlike, with his
sword in hand.

Captain Daniel was from Lauderdale. The men
used to Joke about hia habit of wearing hia sword
always behind, with the buckle in front, but we
all knew his heart and sword would always be
found in the right place when the time came.

Cnptain Buckley virtually retired from the regi-
ment from the first, and finally tendered his res-
ignation.

I had received the entire vote of Blythe'a com-
pany; and when a recommendation was sent in
for his first lieutenant, Beverly Matthews, to be
appointed adjutant, it seemed only fair that he
should receive it. In point of fact I had little
confidence in his fitness for the post, and I made
the appointment under the conviction that he
would feel himself in the wrong place, and vol-
untarily resign when we got to Mexico. This esti-
mate of his unfitness was fully realized, but he
disappointed my hopes by refusing to tender his

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

220

resignation. Finally it became necessary to tell
him frankly that the peculiar dnties of the office
required a capacity for detail and the rapid dis-
patch of business which he did not possess. When
requested his resignation, I authorized him to put
it upon the ground that he ■would no longer serve
under me.

There was one man in the regiment who was
eminently fitted for the post of adjutant. This
was my good friend John A. Wilcox, who was a
man of quick perception, decided action, and the
most untiring spirit. The men had unbounded
confidence in him, and he was the life of the camp
in seawong of discouragement. I have seen him,
when a long, hot march had wearied and depressed
them all, bring out drum and fife, start up the
liveliest music, and keep up such a bustle of cheer-
fulness and good humor that every man seemed to
have new spirit in him. To me he was like a right
hand, always ready for loyal service. Poor Wilcox!
I always think of him as strong and bright and
full of life, but he died of apoplexy while a mem-
ber of the Confederate Congress.

CHAPTER XXni.

The command reached New Orleans, and were
camped on the Geld where Packiugham lost his life.
It was in the month of January, with alternate
raina and frost, the groimd like a marsh, and the
most penetrating of all damp winds blowing
strongly from the lakes. New Orleans is a place
to dream about when the suu shines and soft
breezes blow, but in cold and rainy weather the
fair city turns shrewish. She ia a creature of
moods, only to be endured when the atmosphere is
soft and balmy. I think 1 never saw her so deadly
chill and bitter as she was that winter. Our new
troops had not even learned to take care of them-
selves in camp, and inevitable disease followed.
Something like the malady now called meningitis
broke out, and was often fatal.

Finally we sailed for the seat of war under mis-
taken orders. The general in command at Orleans
had been directed to send the regiment to General
Z. Taylor, then at Buena Vista. Unfortunatel3^
the commanding general was taken ill, and Colonel
Totton, who was unadvised as to our destination,
gave orders to rendezvous at the small island of
Lobos, seventy miles from Vera Cruz. We passed

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

out of the Mississippi into the Gulf late in the
evening. Orders were not to be opened until the
tow-boat had been discharged. My ship was in
advance when I opened my orders and found that
I was to touch at Tampico, report to General Scott
if convenient, and thence to Lobos. The captain
signalled to Colonel Kilpatrick and Price ; but
before the latter could come up, a storm struck
us and drove him in a contrary direction. We
had a rough passage, but Kilpatrick and 1 reached
Lobos, while Major Price reported to General
Scott at Tampico. His construction of his orders
thwarted my plan to avoid being put in command
at Tampico, or sent back to report to General
Taylor on the Rio Grande.

On the island of Lobos I met Colonel Butler of
South Carolina, a warm personal friend of General
Scott, and he proposed to me to make a brigade of
our regiments. To effect this, we made a joint
application to General Scott and sent it by Kil-
patrick. Scott was on the point of sailing for
Lobos when Kilpatrick reached him. He gave an
absolute refusal, on the ground that it was then
too late to make changes. As soon as ho got to
Lobos, he ordered me to report to General Taylor
at Monterey, supposing him to be still there.
Major Price had returned from Tampico to the
Rio Grande. My two divisions sailed next day,
and we reached the Brazos, at the mouth of the
river, the very day on which the battle of Buena

232 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL

Vista was fought. The next day we ascended the
Rio Grande to Matamoras, under orders from Gen-
eral Taylor, and took command of that place, supet^
seding Colonel Drake of Indiana, who was ordered
to advance upon my arrival.

The regiment was all present, and on the second
day I ordered dress parade. The adjutant reported
all ready for review except Captain Buckley's com-
pany, who refused to form. I ordered the captain
to be arrested, which was done, and the company
to be formed by Lieutenant Gouvener, but they
still refused to obey orders. I then ordered Cap-
tain Jackson and Captain Estelle to the front with
their companies, and gave the command to load
and aim. The alternative was then given, instant
obedience or the command to fire. There was no
hesitation, the companies fell into order, and the re-
view went on without more delay than was caused
by cheers from the line. After that one mutinous
moment, I never had any trouble with the com-
mand.

We found sraall-pox in Major Price's division
when we reached the Rio Grande. Captain Clarke
told me that it was not small-pox ; that cases had
been examined by some old army surgeons at
Tampico, and they had prouoimced it to be merely
a bad cutaneous disease, engendered by confine-
ment on shipboard.

This was competent authority, and it was sus-
tained by the opinion of my surgeou-iu'chief ; but

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL

233

I was satisfied that the disease could be nothing
iess than varioloid, I ordered a separate hospital
and suitable precautions, but these measures were
imperfectly cai-ried out. The men were not afraid
of a disease which had been pronounced upon
medical authority to be harmless, and it became
general through the command. No actual case of
virulent sraall-pos had then occurred.

The post of Matamoras was turned over to me,
and Drake was ordered forward to Monterey. Fort
Brown was directly across the river, opposite to
Matamoras. The fort was held by a captain of the
United States army with his company, and strength-
ened by one company of Indiana men furnished by
Colonel Drake. He withdrew his company, and 1
put one in its place. Fort Parades was one mile
above the city on the river bank, and I supplied
one company for that fort upon Drake's withdraw-
ing his. Drake expected to leave on the evening
of that day. About ten o'clock two men came
dashing into the Plaza, and announced that a
Mexican force of ten thousand men was rapidly
advancing upon the city. We had not then heard
the result of the battle of Buena Vista, but the
rumors were that 'Taylor's army had been cut to
pieces and captured. I took active steps for de-
fence against the attack which seemed to threaten
us. Colonel Taylor and some others climbed to
the tallest building as a post of observation, and
soon shouted to me that a heavy cloud o£ dust

234

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

was apparent in the direction of the enemy. This
proved to be a large drove of Mexican ponies
being driven to the city. The Mexicans in charge
stoutly denied the advance of any force upon ua.

As soon as the first intimation of danger reached
us, I advised the officer in command at Fort Brown
of the supposed advance. He replied that his
force was not strong enough to hold the fort
against any reasonable attacking force, and re-
quested that I should furnish him with another
company. I told him he had a strong wall, two
eighteen pieces well mounted, four twelves, and
six sixes. These defences with two hundred men
gave him more ability to hold the fort than I had
to defend the city. Ab he still insisted, I proposed
to him to turn the fort over to one of my cap-
tains, and bring his regulars into my camp. This
affronted him, and he made no more demands upon
us. Rumors still poured in to the effect that both
city and fort might at any moment he attacked.
Colonel Kilpatrick and I started over the river for
the purpose of examining the actual condition of
the fort, and to take such steps as might be need-
ful to add to its strength. Whilst we were waiting
on the bank of the river for the ferry-boat, we
heard the report of a cannon up the river in the
direction of Fort Parades, followed by four or five
rapid shots. We could see that the flashes were
from the guns of the fort and from a steamboat in
the river. I said to Kilpatrick, " That sounds like

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 235

&feu de joie. Taylor has won the fight. Gallop
up and get the news, while 1 get back to the Plaza
and have the regiment in order for salute." Uy
the time we were ready, Kilpatrick dashed in, his
horse covered with foam, and shouted, " Santa
Anna defeated ! ten thousand killed, and five thou-
sand prisoners ! " That was joyful news indeed.
The men were fairly wild with pride and delight.
They huzzaed themselves hoarse, and there were
a hundred salutes fired at the two forts and on the
Plaza,

Tliat was the hright side of the picture. The
shadow was in the spots where the trembling Mex-
ican men and women crouched and cried like chil-
dren. This victory settled the war in northern
Mexico, and active operations were transferred to
the line of advance from the city of Vent Cruz to
the city of Mexico. Santa Anna retreated from
Buena Vista to Cerro Gordo, the strongest position
in the whole republic, with, perhaps, the excep-
tion of Chapultepec and Churubuaco. The enemy
had overwhelming advantage in the great strength
of their position, and in the number of men in
action. Notwithstanding this, every point of
attack was stormed exactly at the time and in the
manner allowed by General Scott in his orders of
battle ; and our army moved forward to Ptiebtii,
and there remained for several months awaiting
reinforcement. My regiment was moved forward
to Monterey, and thence to Saltillo, and afterwards

236 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

Xo Buena Vista, where it remained until the war

ended.

During this journey by sea and land, I had
opportunity for making some observations upon
the nature of man, when separated from domestic
life and ordinary vocations, and undergoing that
temporary lapse into barbarism which it is the
tendency of cnmp-life to produce. First I made
the surprising discovery that the young men who
had grown up in towns and cities could stand
more hardsiiip, were less subject to sickness, and
could outwalk the country-bred boys.

This astonished me, as 1 had expected the reverse.
But my ne.\t discovery was still more amazing. 1
found that all alike acted upon the conviction that
when a man took his oath as a soldier, and was
mustered into service, he was from that moment
absolved from any obligation either to God or man,
and free to disregard every law of honor or hon-
esty, except fidelity to his flag and personal cour-
age. It was as if some outside mantle of religion
and civilization fell suddenly off. and the primitive
Man stood forth in his original savagery. I thought
I knew something of men before, but at this time
I saw them under new aspects. It not unfre-
quently happened that those who were most quiet,
relf -contained, and orderly as civilians, showed
themselves capable of the greatest excesses when
the restraints of ordinary life were withdrawn.
After long repression, the reaction set in, and they
let themselves go.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

237

They were a gallant set, and their disappoint-
ment when the enemy failed to ap|)ear was even
laughable. I remember one incident which oc-
curred when the drove of ponies raised our hopes to
such a high pitch. When the men were drawn up
in the Plaza, I observed a tall figure without coat
or vest, and with a very large sword buckled about
the waist. This proved to be Captain William
Barksdale, the quartermaster of the regiment. I
asked him how lie happened to be there in that
trim, when, as quartermaster, his duty did not call
him to the front. He said he thought there might
be Bome warm work presently, and it was a hot
day, and he thought he could do better without
his coat Although our small force would he out-
numbered, he counted on a glorious victory, and
could I expect him to lose his chance of being in
the thick of it ? I told him to fall in where he
pleased, and I hoped that he might find use for his
ponderous blade before the day was over. Poor
Barksdale! what a good fellow he was, and what
a noble, generous heart heat in that broad bosom !
If he had been gifted with second sight that day,
he might have had visions of himself on many f.
bloody battlefield in his own native land, and of
one hard-fought contest from which he was never
to return.

He was elected to Congress after coming home

from Mexico, and served for six years. When

f Miasiesippi seceded, he was elected colonel, and

238 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

promoted for gallantry on the field to the rank
of brigadier-general. He fell in the last deadly
charge made by Lee's army at Gettysburg. Go-
ing into the war with such high hopes and such
eager certainty as it was his nature to feel, it was
perhaps a happy destiny that awarded him the
heroic death he would have chosen, and spared
him the last sad scenes of defeat and humiliation.
He who lives to drain life's cup to the bottom must
expect to find the dregs bitter.

CHAPTER XXIV.

The day before the receipt of the intelligence
of Santa Anna's defeat at Buena Viata, Colonel
Taylor, a brother of General Taylor, and commis-
Bary-general at Matamoras, bad requested me to
assign the three North Carolina companies wbicb
had just arrived to themilitary post of Matamoras,
and to go forward with my regiment to join bis
brother.

The Mexicans had circulated reports that Gen-
eral Taylor was in danger of being forced to sur-
render, and even that he had ah-eady been
captured. Colonel Taylor paid my men the high
compliment that they were in bis judgment sure to
push their way forward, and he gave me a letter
to bis brother in which be stated that be bad urged
me to go on. My orders from General Scott were
to report to General Taylor in person. All arrange-
ments were completed when the news of the vic-
tory of Buena Vista reached ua Tins intelligence
did not change the urgency of Colonel Taylor, or
my own purpose, and on the next day we left for
Camargo, at the junction of the San Juan with the
Bio Grande.

On our way up the river, my surgeon informed

240 RECOLLECTIONS OP ifJSSlSSIPPI.

me that two of the men had brokun out with a
virulent form of small-pox, and recommended that
the bout t-hould be stopped and these two cases
put on shore. I reminded him that we were pass-
ing through an unsettled wilderness, and asked
him what provision he proposed to make for these
two helpleaa and suffering creatures after they
were put off. He replied that they should be
left to their fate, as it was better that two men
should perisli than the safety of the whole com-
mand be disregarded. This was horrible to me,
and I told him plainly that we had left home to
die together if necessary, and that not a man
should be abandoned to death by disease or any
other cause while I could prevent it. On the next
day, when we reached Camargo, the sick men
could be cared for and all proper precautions taken
to prevent the spread of the disease. In the mean
time we would take what was appointed for ub in
the path of our duty, as Christian men and not
savages. I alao reminded him that two weeks be-
fore he would not believe that there was varioloid
in the camp, and told him to see if there were any
men who had not been vaccinated, and if so, vac-
cinate them, and separate them from camp at Car-
margo.

Upon inquiry, it was aecertained that the two
men already ill with small-pox were the only ones
in the regiment who had not been vaccinated, and,
though there were some sixty cases of varioloid.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MlSSISSirfl. 241

these two were the only cases o£ genuine small-
pox. One of them died, and the other was deeply
marked, I mention this incident, because there
was afterwards an effort made at home to create a
prejudice against me, upon the charge that I had
imprudently Buhjected my command to risk of con-
tagion by refusing to abandon these two men to
the horrible fate of death by neglect and exposure.

We got to Carmargo next day, and in about an
hour a certain. Colonel Mitchell came to me and
gave an oral command to take charge of that po-st
and remain there for further orders. He com-
manded an Ohio regiment, which he met at Car-
margo on return from furlough. Now my men
were wild to get on where there might be some
chance of active service, and 1 was determined that
it should not be my fault if they were not gratified.

I therefore told him that I was en route for
Monterey and could not be detained. He told me
to consider myself under arrest, and to give him
my sword. I replied that I would return across
the San Juan to my headquarters, and that he
might send for my sword if he wanted it. I
advised him to send his whole regiment, as it
might not be prudent for a small party to come
on that errand.

When I got back to camp. I assembled my offi-
cers and informed them of what had taken place.
Also, that I intended to go on to Monterey as soon
as I could get transportation. That if they ap-

242 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

proved o£ this, very well ; otherwise I would re-
sign and return lioine. All the officers heartily
endorsed my action. About ten o'clock at night
I received from Colonel Mitchell a written order
to take commiind of the post. Next morning, I
called on him anfl said, " You have given me a ver-
bal order and told me I was under arrest After-
wards yoa Bend me a written order, which you
have no right to do if I am under arrest." He
replied that it was because I had persisted in
my disregard of his first order, and asked whether
I intended to obey the written order. I told him
that having given the order it was his duty to
await results, and not to expect me to submit to
be catechised as to my intentions. If I obeyed,
very well ; if not, he would then be called upon
to decide liis own proper course.

Colonel Mitchell left Camargo next morning,
with his regiment and a train of supply wagons
for Monterey. I ordered transportation for my
regiment at once, and would have moved the next
morning, only Colonel Humphrey Marshall, of Ken-
tucky, arrived the evening before, with his regi-
ment and a train of five hundred supply wagons.
At his request, I stopped another day, and became
in fact an escort of his train. We travelled a
new route, the colonel said by instruction of Gen-
eral Taylor. It was known as the Chena route,
but had not been used by our army before that
time.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

243

It was apprehended that we should be attacked
by General Kuria of the Mexiciin army before we
could reach Monterey. Wc had a sufficient force ;
Stoner with three pieces of artillery ; Marshall
with three hundred cavalry that had been in the
fight at Buena Vista; and my own force, which
could have put into action at least eight hundred
and fifty men.

The San Juan River, from its headwaters to the
Rio Grande, was covered with a thick and impene-
trable growth of chaparral bush, aad it was only
now and tlien vre could reach a point where water
was accessible. It was understood that on the
third day we should, after a march of thirteen
miles, reach good water at a place called " The
Wells." At eleven o'clock the cry wa.s echoed,
down the line — "The Wells." Every man who
had a remnant of water in his canteen threw it
out, expecting abundant supplies of fresh and
delicious water near at hand. It was a terrible
moment when the water proved to be m brackish
that neither man nor horse could drink it ! Not a
drop could be hoped for until fifteen miles were
inarched, and that over dusty roads and under a
tropical sun. There were two thousand horses and
mules, as well as more than that number of men,
all exhausted with intolerable heat and tliirst, and
with the fear of falling by the wayside before the
water could be reached.

It was a desperate situation, and Adjutant Wil-

244

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

COX rose to tie occasion. He brought out all his
drums and fifes, and filled the aii- witli the liveliest
music. He laughed and joked and praised the
men by turns. At laat he produced a small quan-
tity of brandy, and giving those men who were
flagging a spoonful, instructed them to hold it in
the mouth aa long as possible, as it would then
be impossible to faint from thirst. He said the
remedy had been often tried and never failed.

My command was in front. Very soon we dis-
covered a heavy cloud of dust on the opposite side
of the river, and moving on in a parallel line with
us. It was supposed to be a body of the enemy,
and it seemed probable that an attack would be
made when we got to the river. Precaution was
necessary, and, after some consultation, Colonel
Marshall put one hundred of his dragoons in
advance, and kept the remainder in the rear, I
reserved one company in front, and stationed one
company after every fiftieth wagon, and in this
order we made the march of fifteen miles. It was
an experience never to be forgotten, and the
suffering from thirst was frightful.

When we at last reached a promontory on the
river from which water was accessible, the troops
were ready to rush pell-mell into the water and
drink until they dropped dead. It was necessary
to stand with swords and keep them back until the
most trusty could serve out moderate quantities
and refresh the men by degrees. Ambulances and

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

245

men with led horses were sent back to gather up
those who had sunk down by the way, and we
were so fortunate as not to lose a single man. In
spite of our inarch of twenty-etght miles, and the
intense suffering from heat and thirst, the troops
were in marching order next day.

No incident occurred after this until we got
within twelve miles of Culderrita, a beautiful city,
twenty-five miles from Monterey. After we had
gone into camp, several spies of General Taylor's
informed us that the camp would be attacked next
morning about daylight by a force of five thou-
sand. The same information had been given Gen-
eral Taylor, and on the morning of that day he
had ordered Colonel Fauntleroy to move at once
with five hundred cavalry and reach our camp by
the dawn of day. He also sent forward Colonel
Drake's regiment of infantry. Colonel Marshall
parked his tliree pieces of artillery, concentrated
his wagons, and disposed my command in refer-
ence to the expected attack.

At very early dawn, every man was up and
ready for action, but, as liad happened bo often
before, our hopes mtlted away with the dew before
the morning sun. After waiting until the enemy
was despaired of, we moved on, and in about five
miles we met Colonel Fauntleroy and his troop.
They turned back and preceded us to Calderrita.
Two hours' march brought us in sight of the lovely
city, which lay like a fair garden just beneath a

246

SECOLLECTIONS OP MJSSISStPPl.

high hluff at the headiraters of the San Juan.
We were upon the verge of the hluS, and looking
down upon the fair city with its orange groves and
vineyards, and a clear and sparkling stream flow-
ing through the midst of it. Nothing could be
imagined to surpass the beauty of the vision, and
the troops broke into shouts of delight and sur-
prise. We camped along the water's edge for a
day and night of delicious rest and refreshoieot.

Although it was Sunday, the streets were gay
with amusements of all kinds^ Everywhere cock-
pits were open, and crowds of Mexicans watched
the different fights. Our troops behaved with
great propriety, and we left the city without dis-
order or outrage. The people said that when
Colonel Fauntleroy arrived on his way to our
camp, it had been determined that no attack
should be made upon us, lest he should destroy
the city.

The next day we marched twenty-five miles to
a camp three miles from General Taylor's head-
quarters at Monterey. Great numbers of soldiers
came out to greet us on the march. Some of them
spread a report among my men that General Tay-
lor meant to arrest me at once and send the regi-
ment back to Camargo.

I soon heard murmurs along the line, and was
told that the men were dissatisfied about what was
called my rashne.'*?.

Taking no notice of this excitement, when the

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 247

command halted I took two of ray officers and
rode across the river and reported my arrival to
General Taylor. I was introduced by Colonel
Jefferson Davis and Major Alexander Bradford.

General Taylor received me with great courtesy,
expressed his approval of my coming, and invited
me to drink a glass of good brandy with him. He
Bald he would instruct his adjutant to select the
best ground for the encampment of my regiment,
by the time we could reach the spring next day.
The spring was seven miles distant.

In this conversation, General Taylor expressed
bitter indignation against General Scott. He said
Scott had taken all his regulars and left him with
a feeble force of militia, with orders, if an enemy
should advance upon hlra at Buena Vista, to retire
from the mountain fastnesses to Monterey — a
point easily surrounded by a larger force, and
which could not be held for lack of supplies. This
order, he said, he had from the first intended to
disobey. It involved simply a surrender of his
army, and disgrace to himself. With the troops
left to him he could make a cordon across the
Pass, from the base of one mountain to the other.
In this strong position it was impossible for any
force, however large, to outflank him; and should
the enemy advance, he was determined to fight at
that point, if he did so with the halter around his
neck. If he had been defeated, he supposed he
might have been shot, unless Congress interfered

248

RECOLLECTIONS OF AflSSISSIPPL

in his behalf. Having been so lucky as to win a
great victory, no charges liad been made against
him. He spoke with great energy and spirit, and
manifested strong feeling in regard to the treat-
ment he had received, and the jealoua and un-
friendly attitude which General Scott had taken
throughout the war.

On our return to camp the officers reported our
gracious reception, and the troops were as much
delighted as they had before been chagrined. As
I passed, they gave loud cheers, which I suppose
were meant as an off-hand sort of apology for pre-
vious misconstruction.

The next morning every man put on his best
array, and awaited with impatience the order to
move forward. It was a gala day for all. They
were to march through a city of thirty thousand
inhabitants, and to be greeted by the conquerors
who had won laurels on the field of glorious vic-
tory. I must confess that I was not a little proud
of my gallant-looking regiment, marching along
gayly and in high spirits. Stopping before Gen-
eral Taylor's tent, they gave three hearty cheers.
The regiment was then advanced to the extreme
front. Poor fellows ! they remained in that camp
until the war ended.

While we were in our new quarters. General
Scott received reinforcements at Pueblo, and
moved upon the City of Mexico. After the bat-
tles of Churubusco and Chapultepec, the City of

RECOLLECTIONS OF MlSSISSIPPf. 249

Mexico was captured, and treaty entered into, by
which all the country north of the Eio Grande to
the Pacific was ceded to the United States. Thia
included California, with her wonderful climate,
her rich and fructifying soil, and her vast hidden
treasures of gold and silver. It is marvellous that
Buch rich and splendid results should have flowed
from such small expenditure of hlood and treasure.
No wonder the whole nation went wild witli de-
light and exultation.

White in camp at Buena Vista, our men suffered
grievously from that terrible scourge, Mexican
diarrhoea, a disease which prevails there all the
year, and is almost sure to attack persons unac-
customed to the climate. It is, perhoips, to avoid
this malady that the natives make red pepper so
large a portion of their daily food. Their bodies
become so saturated with pepper that neither
beast nor bird will molest the carcass of a dead
Mexican. Left lying in the sun, it will dry into a
mummy, subject to no danger of either decom-
position or depredation.

I was stricken with the dreaded disease, and
lay prostrate for many weeks. In a short time I
became so low that there seemed small chance of
seeing home again. At last I was reduced to a
mere skeleton, and was no longer able to stand
without as-sistance.

General Wool came to see me, and I told him I
thought I ought to go home, as I was no longer of

250

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL

any service, and there was no hope of improve-
ment. I asked him if he would furnish me, on
the 20th of July, an ambulance and a guard of
twenty dragoons, to take me to Monterey. He
readily promised, saying it was my only hope of
recovery. The nest day I was removed from
camp to a room in Saltillo, and my sergeant-major
went with me.

On the 19th I was much worse, but directed
the sergeant to pack up and be ready to start
next day. Perceiving that he had no inten-
tion of obeying my instructions, 1 spoke sharply to
him, and he retorted that such preparations were
useless, as it was impossible for me to rally from
my attack sufficiently to make a further journey.
He also said that General Wool was of the same
opinion, and had only promised to make arrange-
ments for my departure because he wanted to
keep me quiet.

This exasperated me to such an extent that I
seemed to gain new strength, and I swore that I
would go home if all the surgeons in the army pro-
nounced me dead. Sending for General Wool, I
refused to hear a word of expostulation, and de-
manded the fulhlment of his promise- He de-
clared I would die before I had gone five miles,
but I told him all I asked was to be allowed to die
in my own way.

Next day, an ambulance was partly filled with
straw, and a camp mattress spread on top of the

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

251

straw. 1 was laid upon it and my friends crowded
around to bid me, as they supposed, a last fare-
well. The surgeon wanted to provide me with a
basket full of medicine, but I had taken my caae
in my own hands, and would take only some bot-
tles of brandy. This was food, and drink, and
medicine for me all along those weary miles, but
somehow I kept alive upon it. The journey
seemed endless, and I was often tempted to give
up and die of sheer weariness. Human nature is
a curious compound. Perhaps it was the recollec-
tion of all the predictions my friends had made of
my death on the road that sometimes nerved me
up to still more obstinate efforts. However that
may be, I got home at last, and after weeks of
confinement, waa restored to health once more.

CHAPTER XXV.

Up to the time of my departure for Mexico, my
life had heen as tranquil and as free from enmities
as was possible for a man of impulsive tempera-
ment, actively engaged in professional life, and
with vivid political sympathies. I had enjoyed
the support of many warm personal friends, and
had made very few personal enemies. In taking
command of new troops, without previous military
training myself, I put myself in a position not only
to make blunders, hut to receive credit for blun-
ders made by other people. For instance, I had
no responsibility for the unfortunate selection of
the camp near Vicksburg, where the men were
exposed to mud and wet, and which produced
much suffering and disease, but it was considered
my fault. In the same way, our detention at New
Orleans, where the men were encamped in a
Bwamp, and the weather was frightful, and where
we waited three weeks for transportation, was
wholly beyond my power to prevent, but it was
somehow put down to my want of experience.

These criticisms were oftenest made by people
at home, my own men being generally loyal to me.
In my long absence I had suffered much, not only

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 253

from the interruption of my professional career
and the loss of political preferment, but from a
long and wasting illness, which returned at inter-
vals for years.

I had also gained much, in a more varied ex-
perience, wider knowledge of men, and the bring-
ing out of new powers and faculties. Hitherto,
my life had been given up chiefly to legal ques-
tions and expedients. During my military expe-
rience, I was thrown into contact with new diffi-
culties and emergencies, and forced to exercise a
different set of faculties altogether.

To change a man's occupation in life ia to lift
him out of one groove into another, and to develop
a new quality of mental aptitudes and metliods. I
ought to have gained something by my experience
in Mexico, for I paid a long price for it, besides
the bitter disappointment of missing all the bril-
liant opportunities and glorious excitements of
actual battle.

To have shared the glory of Buena Vista, or the
charge at Monterey, or the march into the capi-
tal, would have been a balm for every woe, and
an answer to each detractor.

I have purposely left any account of Aberdeen
and its people to be taken up at this point, be-
cause I wished to include men who were not in
Aberdeen when first I pitched my tent there.

It was in November, 1838, exactly fifty years
ago now, that I moved from Athens to Aberdeen.

254

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

At that time it boasted of a population of two
thousand seven hundred people. Of these some
ten or twelve were lawyers, and I say with pride
that most of them were men who would have
adorned any bar, in any age or country. A brief
mention of the most prominent of these is an in-
dulgence I must permit myself in this retrospect
of early days. They move before my mind's eye
like figures in a living procession, rather than like
shadows in a panorama.

Here passes the stately presence of Judge John
B. Sale, originally from north Alabama, but a
Mississippian by early adoption. It was conceded
by all that he was as able a lawyer as this State
ever produced. He was educated at La Grange,
near Tuscumbia, and had, during his college life,
the reputation of being too wild and headstrong to
do much with his admitted abilities. Those who
knew him in later life could scarcely credit such
tales of early recklessness, as the judge was dis-
tinguished by a dignified and somewhat austere
deportment. Although genial with his friends, to
whom he was steadily devoted, in general society
he was reserved almost to haughtiness, and stood
upon his dignity as firmly as any man I ever knew.

His mind, like his tall person, was of a massive,
ponderous order, and moved slowly but effectively.
A man of more immense application and labor
never existed. Although not quick to rally when
taken by surprise, when fully prepared his attack
was crushing.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

255

He possessed both courage and firainess in a
high degree, and made himself felt wherever he
turned. I counted him among my friends for
many years, and, although we differed upon al-
most every question, partly from natural differ-
ence of mind and temperament, and partly from
being generally opposed to each other in the
courts, our fiercest contests rarely brought any
bitterness into our private relations.

Looking back, I think we liked each other all
the better for each good blow given and taken
when the fight was up. His death, which oc-
curred some years ago, left a great gap in both the
social and professional life of Aberdeen. His
eldest son, Dr. G. P. Sale, has now for some years
held a prominent position as one of the leading
medical men of the State, but has recently given
up his extensive practice here to enter upon a
new field in the city of Memphis. Wherever he
goes, his eminent qualities will bring him a suc-
cessful career, worthy of the son of such a father.

Of Frank and William Rogers and tlie Hon.
Joel M. Acker, mention has already been made.

Colonel Matthew Lindsay, from Tuscaloosa, Ala-
bama, was an able lawyer and speaker.

James Phelan came here from Huntsville, Ala-
bama, but was Irish by descent, and had an Irish-
man's quick wit and winning manner and beguiling
tongue. He was a beautiful speaker, not much in
debate, but give him the floor and let him talk

256

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

long enough, and he would steal the heart out of
your bosom.

To bring up the rear of this noble procession,
who better fitted can be found than the Hon, Lock
E. Houston, a relation of the hero of San Jacinto,
General Samuel Houston.

When Lock E. Houston first came to Aberdeen,
he was still a young man, but the naturally great
powers of his mind had been trained and strength-
ened by a thorough law education. A profound
thinker, he is never satisfied with the preparation
of a case until master of every point, and his
speeches are always able and exhaustive. 1 have
seen many a man go into a fight with him confi-
dent of victory, but I never saw one come out
who was not either vanquished or badly damaged.

A gentleman of manner and countenance so
dignified and serious as to be almost severe, a
stranger woidd never suspect the fund of dry,
caustic humor hidden beneath that sedate aspect,
and which makes him at times the most delightful
and entertaining of companions. He still lives to
adorn the profession, and has recently been ap-
pointed judge of the circuit court of this district.
His life has been full of labor, and his heart of
kindness and loyalty to his friends, and of tendei^
ness and fidelity to his family.

That was a glorious time for old Monroe, before
the ranks of such a company were broken by time
and death.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 257

How many are dead ! When I think of them
all, 1 am like the ancient mariner, and believe
that I am myself a " blessed ghost."

When I returned home from Mexico, I had the
usual experience of being startled by changes
which seemed great in the aggregate, though
probably not much remarked by those who saw
their gradual progress. Some of the old citizens
were gone ; new names and faces had come in.

Among these, there was one name which has
been prominent, not only at the bar, but in all the
social and political life of Aberdeen, and of north
Mississippi, and without which ray record would
be incomplete. If I hesitate in beginning a brief
memorial of Colonel Reuben O. Reynolds, it is
not because I fear to do him less than justice, or
because I have no pleasure in giving him such
praise as all must believe his due; but rather
from a natural delicacy in approaching a name
which has been connected with mine in strife more
than once.

Colonel Reynolds was not my friend, and he ia
dead. For both these reasons I should hold it un-
worthy either to omit his name from among his
compeers, or to abate in any wise the honor to
which that name is entitled. Whether our differ-
ences were my fault or his, or whether they arose
from a wide dissimilarity of mind and character, it
would be idle to question now. If I cannot hon-
estly say that I was ever consciously wrong in our

258 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

long discord, I am at least willing to admit now
that, according to his standards, which were differ-
ent from mine, he may not have felt himself as
unfriendly in his conduct to me as 1 believed then,
and still believe him to have been. It is possible
that my opinion may be changed some day, but it
will be in the next world, not in this one, I am
8ure. In that case, I shall be glad to acknowledge
myself mistaken, as I should now if I could see it
in that way.

I made the acquaintance of Colonel R. 0. Rey-
nolds when he was a lad of some twelve or thir-
teen years. Between his father and myself the
most friendly relations existed, and I felt for him
a sincere attachment, and also for the mother, who
was a handsome woman, with agreeable and ele-
gant manner. Colonel Reynolds grew up at hia
father's home, near Aberdeen, and received every
advantage of education. With his natural quick-
ness and adaptability of intellect, he showed him-
self early in life one who was destined to take no
obscure place in the world.

He studied law, and in the year 1855 opened
an office in Aberdeen, in partnership with a Mr.
Henderson. In 1856, the Know -Nothing party
was in a state of thorough organization, and put
forward candidates for every office in the State.
Judge Lock E. Houston was candidate for Con-
gress on the Know-Nothing ticket in this district

Henry S. Bennett was the nominee of the Demo-

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 259

cratic party. The Democrats held two conven-
tions, at each of which they uominated candidates
for the legiglature. Each set declined the race,
because they said it was hopeless. Judge Houston
had great personal strength, besides being a most
able debater.

It was believed that out of twenty-two hundred
votes, he would receive fifteen or sixteen hundred,
thus leading the Democratic nominee some twelve
or fifteen hundred votes.

It so happened that some business called me
from home for a week. During my absence.
Judge Gholson and some others conceived a plan
of forcing me into the canvass for the legislature,
hoping to bring down Houston's overwhelming
majority in Monroe, and thus save Bennett. To
accomplish this purpose a petition was drawn up
and signed by four or five hundred of the oldest
and most responsible men of the county, appeal-
ing to me to make the race for the legislature.

In this petition it was frankly said, " We know
that you cannot be elected — the majority is too
great ; but your power of discussion and your
personal influence can hold down Houston's ma-
jority to such an extent that Bennett may suc-
ceed."

The opposition were advised of this plan, and
immediately upon my return home, I was called
upon by some of the leading Know-Nothing men,
and informed of what was proposed. They ap-

260

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

pealed to me not to make the race, assuring me
that I could not fail to be beaten by seven hun-
dred and fifty votes.

I replied, " Gentlemen, should that petition be
presented to me, I will certainly accept. You can
only beat me seven hundred votes, and wlint is
that? To satisfy the old citizens who have never
deserted me in any contest, I would make the race
if I knew I should not get a single vote outside of
their own. Beat me if you can!"

In the course of a few hours, the petition was
presented, and I took the stump from that day.
We made a lively canvaas, and I enjoyed it im-
mensely.

Towards the close of the canvass, young Mr.
K. 0. Reynolds announced that he would reply to
me at Quincy, as a friend of Judge Houston.
There was a young gentleman about the age of
Mr. Reynolds, equally well-educated, and pretty
well matched in most respecK I went to him and
told him that Mr, Reynolds meant to take the
stump for Houston, that he would thus bring him-
self before the public, and that this was an ex-
ample which he might follow with profit to himself.
I invited him to take the stump with me, as after
my speech was over the two young men could
have a joint discussion. To this my young friend
consented, and he went next day to Quincy. The
two youthful champions buckled on their armor,
and we had from them a most interesting, ani-

RECOLLECTIONS OF MlSSlSSfPFf. 261

mated, and able discussion. One more encounter
followed upon the ensuing day, and tlie young
men both retired from the canvass, after doing
themselves great credit, and introducing them-
selves most favorably to the public.

The canvass ended by giving me four hundred
and eighty -four votes majority, and my friend
Abbott, who ran with me, led his nearest opponent
two hundred and sixty votes. Houston was re-
duced to a majority of forty votes in this county,
and was beaten by Bennett one hundred and
eighty-two votes.

Abbott was one of the best of men, a substantial
farmer, of considerable wealth but no pretensions.
He had been reared in this country when there
were few advantages of education, but he had vig-
orous common sense, and great fairness of mind.
While in the legislature, he acquitted himself
with judgment and discretion. But he was a
very modest man, and when his friends tried to
draw him out upon his legislative experience,
he drawled out one unvarying reply, " Well,
I reckon me and Davis did as well as any of
them."

In November, 1857, 1 was elected to Congress,
which dis-folved a law-partnership which I had
formed with Houston in June of that year. The
firm of Houston & Reynolds, since so well-known,
was then formed, and became, perhaps, one o£
the strongest firms in the State.

262

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

When Misaissippi seceded in January, 1861,
Colonel Reynolds raised a company for the war,
which received the name of " Vandorns." The
Vandorns formed part of the Second Mississippi
regiment. It was sent to Virginia, and was en-
gaged in many battles — always in the front when
the call came for duty. Reynolds rose to the rank
of colonel, and in one of the last deadly days
around Richmond, he received a wound which cost
him his left arm.

A year before this, he had married the beautiful
and accomplished daughter of Colonel Young, of
Waverley, Lowndes Coimtj', Mississippi. Colonel
Young was a man of wealth and high social stand-
ing, and Ilia elegant home at Waverley was a cen-
tre of refined and extended hospitality.

When the war was over, Houston & Reynolds
resum&u the praCticS^ of law in Aberdeen, and the
firm occupied a comman'^Rg position in the State
until the death of Colonel Rejijo'ds in the fall of
1887. As a speaker, Reynolds" «'ii8 fluent, per-
suasive, and plausible. He prepared" Kis cases with
care, and managed them with ability, i" convex^
sation and manner he was always ag^^^^'^^®*
There was something in his address both blai^^^ *°^
sprightly, which made him a most pleasant N*™"
panion, and was one element of his popularitv^'
home and abroad. That he was exemplary \
bia private and domestic relations cannot b.\
doubted.

CHAPTER XXVL

In that period between the Mexican war and
the war of secession, Aberdeen grew rapidly in
population, business, and wealth. Situated at the
head of steamboat navigation on the Tombigbee
River, it was the commercial centre for a large
region of country in north Mississippi and west-
ern Alabama, All that country was purely agri-
cultural, its chief staple being cotton, and Aber-
deen was the sole exporting point.

The capacity of the river was equal to steam-
boats of large draught, and I have seen boats leave
the wharf at Aberdeen with a cargo of twenty-
five hundred bales of cotton. At that time we
were shipping forty thousand bales every season.
Our imports were necessarily heavy, as the mani-
fold wants of this large region were supplied
through the Tombigbee River. This made the
trade of Aberdeen immense, and caused a propor-
tionate increase of wealth and importance. Great
expectations were formed as to its future expan-
sion, but these hopes were disappointed by our
own ignorance and folly. The Mobile and Ohio
Railroad was then in progress, and the engineers
employed in locating it came to Aberdeen, and

264

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL

offered to come through thia place in consideration
of a bonus of one hundred thousand dollars. Our
people were entirely unacquainted with railroads
and their possibilities. With an unwise economy
they refused to pay the sum demanded, and the
road was carried eight miles west of us.

Thus we carelessly threw away the golden op-
portunity of securing the permanent prosperity of
our town. If the proposition made by the Mobile
and Ohio Company had been accepted, Aberdeen
would to-day be a city of not less than thirty
thousand people, and with large commercial pros-
perity.

Soon after we had committed this fatal blunder,
another scheme engaged our attention. This was
the project for connecting New Orleans with Nash-
ville, Tennessee, for which purpose a charter had
been obtained to construct the " New Orleans,
Jackson, and Great Northern Railroad," via Aber-
deen. The attention of our people having been
favorably directed to this project, a contract was
made between the Grand Northern and the Can-
ton and Tuscumbia, by which the franchise and
assets of the latter were made over to the former.
The town of Aberdeen and the county of Monroe
subscribed five hundred thousand dollars to the
Great Northern. By taking the proper course we
could still have induced the Mobile and Ohio to
pass through Aberdeen, but we were too ignorant
of its paramount importance to make the effort.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

266

The completion of the Great Northern was pre-
vented by the civil war, and we were thua left to
struggle for existence, instead of enjoying an im-
mediate and ample prosperity, and taking rank as
the moat important town in the State.

It was the good fortune of Aberdeen to include
among its early settlers many families of such qual-
ities and position as tended naturally to advance
the prosperity and social reputation of the place.
Of some of these citizens I have already spoken,
but there are many others equally identilied with
the early history of Monroe. In the course of na-
ture, most of them now rest from their labors, but
some few have outlived the old South, and are
still trying to adapt themselves to the new.

Among the latter number, Captain W. H. Vae-
ser holds a conspicuous place, as he well deserves
upon many accounts. Captain Vasser was a very
young man when his father removed from Virginia
first to Alabama and then to this State. While I
was in Mexico, and before I had ever known any
of the Vasser family, my firm had been employed
in a suit of some magnitude, pending between the
father and uncle of Captain Vasser. The suit had
been instituted by my partner in the chancery
court during my absence, and the deposition of
young Mr. Vasser had been taken in preparing for
the argument. On my return, it was decided that
I should make the argument, and I proceeded to
make myself familiar with the facts and law of the

266 HECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

case. In doing this, I was so much impressed by
the honesty, impartiality, and perfect fairness of
William H. Yasser's testimony that I asked my
partner, Mr. Goodwin, who he was. Goodwin re-
plied that he was a son of one party to the suit,
and nephew to the other. I said that he was be-
yond question the soul of justice and honor, and
that I should seek an early opportunity of be-
coming acquainted with a young man of such
noble qualities. From that time there began a
close and intimate friendship, which lasted un-
broken for forty years, and from the wreck of
which I have preserved unaltered respect for his
integrity, courage, and high standard of honor, as
well as unalterable desire for his success and pros-
perity. If he is at times impetuous in speech and
absolute in temper, there have, perhaps, been
those among his friends who have resented these
characteristics who have been not wholly free from
some small share in them. Captain Vasser is a
man of fine intellect, and liberal education. He is
descended from a good family in Virginia, and his
people have always maintained the credit of the
family wherever they have gone. His father died
shortly after moving here, leaving three sons and
several daughters, all of whom have occupied high
position in society. One of the daughters is now
Mrs. Joel M. Acker, and has always been con-
sidered one of the most elegant women of our
city. Another daughter married Mr. Sims, a

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

267

most estimable gentleman, and among their large
family I may refer to my young friend, Mr. B. C.
Sims, who has inherited many of the noble quali-
ties of his Virginian ancestors.

I must not omit to mention my friend Mrs.
Allan Cox, who, when she was Miss Kate Vasser,
contrived to give me as much entertainment as a
wild and wilful young lassie could possibly manage
to do, even in the course of a long journey. I
had the honor of taking charge of Miss Kate and
her sister, Miss Jeanie, on their way to school in
Maryland. From tliat journey dates an attach-
ment between those dear ladies and myself which
has never varied, although I am sure that my
friend Mrs. Cos will admit that only the gentle-
ness and serenity of my temper saved her from a
good scolding occasionally when she was more than
usually wilful. Captain Vasser married Miss Mary
Wade, of Columbus, a young lady of such remark-
able beauty that she was called the handsomest
girl in Lowndes County.

Dr. Robert Dalton came here from North Caro-
lina, and was for many years one of our most
esteemed citizens. Both as physician and gentle-
roan, he was recognized as beyond reproach. He
now lives in St. Louis, honored and beloved.

Any sketch of Monroe County would be incom-
plete without some reference to the three Sykes
brothers, who with their descendants have formed
80 large a part of the business and social life of

268

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

the county. The Rev. Simon B. Sykea was the
oldest brother. He was a man of great force of
character and moral excellence. His fortune was
large, and his business capacity made him prom-
inent in all the enterprises of the day. Several
of his children and grandchildren still represent
him in our community. One of his daughters is
the widow of ray lamented friend, Frank Rogers,
and she is widely known as one of the most de-
lightful and charming of her sex. His grandson,
Captain Dred Sykes, has a beautiful home in
Aberdeen, and is a popular and rising man.

Dr. William A, Sykes was the second of the orig-
inal three brothers. He was a man of energetic
habits and singularly sound judgment. I have
often heard the opinion expre.ssed that he was a
man of more quickness of intellect, and of broader
views, than any of the family. During the whole
of his long life, he was a prominent member of the
social and business circles of Aberdeen, and an
earnest supporter of the Methodist church. His
large fortune enabled him to give his family every
advantage of education and style of life, and he
left sons and daughters who have done credit to
his name. Of his surviving children, there are
now two sons and three daughters, living in Abei^
deen. Captain T. B. Syke.s, the eldest son, occupies
the large family mansion built by Dr. Sykes before
the war, when, like so many of our large planters,
he removed from his plantation to establish his
family in town.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 269

Mrs. J. E. Evans, the widow of Dr. Faulk Evans,
resides in a handsome home in Aberdeen, and is
much admired and esteemed for her many high
qualities. She inherits much of her father's clear
judgment and firmness of character, and is the
centre of a large circle of relatives and friends.

Dr. Sykes used to speak of his son E. 0. Sykes
as especially my boy, because I appointed him
cadet at West Point, and afterwards felt much
gratified by the stand he took there. He remained
at West Point until Mississippi seceded, and then
c»mc home to oflfer his services for the war. Hav-
ing obtained the rank of captain, he did true and
loyal service wherever stationed. Of one brilliant
exploit I must make some mention, although out
of the right order of time.

General Joe Johnston was forced to retreat from
the city of Jackson upon the advance of General
Grant's army. Captain Sykes, although but a boy
in years, was left with his company in command of
the guns which were to hold the victorious army
in check until Johnston could secure his retreat.
For more than an hour the position was held, and
the little band was almost completely surrounded.
Captain Sykes then spiked his guns, and with great
skill drew off his command without losing a man.
When he overtook the main army. General John-
ston expressed great surprise, and said, '■ I left you
to be sacrificed to the necessities of war. You
have accomphehed far more than I believed poa-
sible."

270

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

He was afterwards taken prisoner, and was sent
to Johnson's Island. From this place he effected
his escape, and in various disguises made hia way
to Tennessee, where he was concealed by the family
of his sister-in-law. After many remarkable and
romantic adventures, he at length succeeded in
getting within the Confederate lines. At the close
of the war he began the practice of law in Aber-
deen, where he has attained a high position in bia
profession. His younger brother. Dr. Granville
Sykes, is also an esteemed citizen of Aberdeen,
and occupies a high place in public respect and
regard.

Dr. Augustus Sykea was the youngest of the
three brothers who first settled in Aberdeen. He
possessed the same general characteristics, but was
perhaps of a more nrdent and active temperament,
and of a more social nature. He was possessed
of large fortune, which he lived to enjoy to an
advanced age. Although it was his misfortune to
survive most of his sons, he left two elegant and
accomplished daughters to represent him in his old
home : Mrs. A. G. Sykes, who now presides over the
family mansion in Aberdeen, and Mrs. E. P. Sale.
His son, Dr. Richard Sykes, has identified himself
with our neighboring city of Columbus, where he
holds a high position in his special practice of
treating diseases of the eye and ear.

Prominent in the history of Aberdeen .itantla
forth that great and good man, Bishop Bobert

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

271

Paine. He was a man of robust frame, with a
large head, showing fine development of the or-
gans of causality and comparison. His small dark
eyes were shrewd and piercing, and only soft-
ened into kindliness at those seasons when busi-
ness and cares were laid aside, and friendship and
affection ruled the hour, I used often to tell him
that he looked more like Napoleon Bonaparte than
like a great Methodist preacher. But he was a
great preacher, earnest, forcible, and eloquent, and
at times rising into sublimity. I remember hear-
ing him, one Sunday evening, address five thousand
people assembled at a camp - meeting. Sermon
after sermon had been preached during the pre-
ceding days of Thursday, Friday, and Saturday,
and still the great gathering remained dull and
unresponsive to each appeal. Some of the saints
began to fear that their great meeting was to be
a failure, and I am afraid the sinners were not ill-
pleased by their discomfiture. On Sunday morn-
ing there was a fervid address from some revival
preacher, whose name I have forgotten. Still no
response. Men smoked and laughed and amused
themselves on the outskirts of the crowd, where
the woods sheltered them from observation, and
the young women coquetted with their beaux, and
jested with each other as freely as if they were
attending a picnic or barbecue.

There was a call for Bishop Paine to exhort, but
he refused, saying that so many efforta bad been

272 RECOLLECTIONS OF MJSSlSSIPi'l.

made to move those stubborn hearts in vain that
it was useless to do more. The call was repeated,
and I remember the bishop's look when he rose,
and said, " I am the servant of the Lord of hosts,
jvnd woe unto me if I speak not his message when-
ever and wherever called upon."

He took no text, but plunged at once into a sort
of exhortation and pleading, and for an hour and
n half his words flowed in a vivid torrent. His
brain seemed vivified by a strange power, his
heart aflame with passionate appeal, and his tongue
touched by fresh inspiration. I thought I had
never beheld a man more exalted by his subject.
He was by turns an ambassador charged with the
commands of tlie King of kings, an evangelist
bringing promise of pardon from the Saviour of
sinners, and a messenger bringing words of love
from the universal Father. The crowd were at
first hushed into attentive silence, and then broke
into a storm of emotion. Men, women, and chil-
dren fell upon their knees, weeping and crying
for mercy. There was a great revival, and hun-
dreds of converts. The big camp-meeting was a
Buccess.

While this country was more sparsely settled,
with fewer places of worship than we now have,
these camp-meetings were held every fall, and were
occasions of much social enjoyment. Tents were
erected, and families would carry with them am-
ple supplies of provisions for the entertainment

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 273

of their friends. Many good people believed tliat
much service was rendered to the cause of religion
by these seasons of preaching and religious excite-
ment. There was generally a crowd of new con-
verts made ; and if most of them fell from grace
when the excitement was over, they were, per-
haps, none the worse for their temporary piety,
and there were some who remained true to their
professions.

Bishop Paine did not gain his great reputation
alone by his gifts as a popular preacher, lie was
admitted to be at the head of the conference as a
man of administrative ability, and in matters of
finance he had no equal. He would have made a
famous banker.

Bishop Paine lived to old age, and died some
years ago, universally beloved and respected.
His children and grandchildren occupy the old
homestead, still presided over by his venerable
widow.

My pen lingers over the old names so associated
with the early history of Monroe County, There
was that good man and most honorable gentleman,
Benjamin Bradford. The Bradford place was a
fine old brick mansion, surrounded by noble shade
trees, and embellished with beautiful gardens and
orchards. The poet might have been describing
this place when he wrote : —

" In thai

n used to be

Free-hearted hospltalitf ;

274

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

Those who were young in those days before war
and change and death broke up that happy house-
liold remember how it was the centre of a.11 that
was gay and bright in the social life of Aberdeen
for years. Mr. Bradford was a gentleman of great
culture and relinemeut, and a most genial and de-
lightful host. His wife was a lovely woman, and
they had a charming family of accomplished sons
and daughters. No people ever enjoyed the ease,
refinement, and luxury which wealth brings in a
more liberal and generous fashion.

All this belongs to tlie past now. The old home-
stead has fallen into other hands, the old people
sleep in their quiet graves, and their descendants
are scattered. The brave old days are like a
dream of the night, scarcely to be remembered in
the realities of to-day.

Among the earliest settlers here were the four
Prewitt brothers, — Abner, Dyer, Kirk, and Mark.
They were intelligent, worthy Christian men, who
possessed large estates, and lived useful and blame-
less lives. The bond of family affection and con-
fidence was strong between them, and they lived
together in unity as became brethren. I remem-
ber one exception to this harmony of action about
which Dyer Prewitt used to speak with a whim-
sical humor which gave some amusement to his
friends. Colonel Abner Prewitt's son-iu -law was

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL

275

candidate for sheriff, and Abner said to his three
brothers that it was their duty " to stand up for
the family" without regard to party or prejudice.
They did so, and their man was elected. After
the expiration of his term, the son-in-law of Kirk
was candidate for the same office. Again the
brothers " stood up," and brought success to the
family.

Then Dyer Prewitt's son-in-law was nominated
by the Whig and Know-Nothing parties for the
legislature. All the family were Democrats of the
General Jackson school, and were as resolute in
their convictions as Jackson himself. Abner, Kirk,
I and Mark all refused to vote for Mr. Barker, and
Dyer naturally felt aggrieved. He went to his
brothers, and demanded some explanation of their
peculiar theory of " standing up for the family."
He said, " When brother Abner's son-in-law was
candidate, it was brother Dyer stand up. When
brother Kirk's son-in-law was candidate, it was
brother Dyer stand up, but when brother Dyer's
son-in-law was candidate, nobody stood up but
brother Dyer himself." Abner replied that Mr.
Barker was candidate for a political office, and
their duty to the party was paramount to all fam-
ily ties. This may have been good rea.soning, but
Mr. Prewitt found little consolation in It, when his
Bon-in-law was defeated.

Many descendants of the Prewitts live in and
around Aberdeen. Mr. Dyer Prewitt had one

276 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPT.

daughter, who waa a noted beauty in her day.
She married Mr. James Ewing before she waa
sixteen, and was left a widow with two daughters
before she reached the age of nineteen. She after-
wards became the wife of Rev. Mr. Barker. Her
eldest daughter is now the wife of that jovial and
generous gentleman, Mr. William Love, whose pop-
ularity has been proved on more than one occasion
in our city elections.

There were three of the Ewing brothers who
came here at an early day from Huntsville, Ala.
Their father had been a man not only of wealth,
but of high social position, and of unusual talent
for business.

Charles and James Ewing were merchants.
Charles married Miss Lisle, a woman remarkable
for her piety and goodness, and their son, Dr.
Charles Ewing, now living in the family mansion
in Aberdeen, has inherited the sterling qualities of
his parents.

My old friend and neighbor. General Elisha
Strong, removed to this place from Georgia at an
early period, and lived to a very advanced age,
much respected and beloved. He was a man of
fine sense and discretion, prudent and successful
in business, and most exemplary in all the rela-
tions of life. His manners were eminently kind
and courteous, and to the very close of his long
life, he retained his active habits and hia interest
in all the affairs of the day. Although he owned

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. -277

large numbers of slaves, his property had been
managed so wisely that even the heavy losses of
the war crippled his resources less than in the case
of most of our large planters, and left him a fine
landed estate.

He married Miss Anne Scott, of Georgia, the
belle of the county in which she lived. Even in
extreme old age this gentle lady bore traces of the
delicate beauty for which she had been famous in
her youth, and she also preserved unimpaired the
strength of mind and loveliness of character which
made her a delightful companion when the bloom
of that beauty had long faded.

This worthy couple reared a large family, only
a few of whom survive them. The old home-
stead is now the residence of Mr. Thomas Strong,
the youngest son of the family.

Miss Georgia Strong, long the fiivorite song-bird
of Aberdeen, and beloved for ber many amiable
qualities, is now the wife of Dr. Richard Sykes, of
Columbus.

Colonel W. W. Troup came to this country while
still a mere boy, and still occupies a prominent
position among our wealthy and intelligent plant-
ers. He is conservative in politics, and a leader
in nil the agricultural movements of our State.
Better than all, he is a man with a noble and
fearless nature, and a heart that always beats in
truth and loyalty to his friends.

Until a few years ago, Dr. John M. Tindall stood

278

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

in tlie first rank of the medical men of Mississippi.
His fatlier moved here from Alabama soon after
Aberdeen began to be a village, and Dr. Tindall
began the practice of his profession in this place.
For some years he had to struggle against adverse
fortune, but once fairly launched, his prosperity
was assured. From that time until two years
before his death, when, broken by age and infirm-
ity, he laid down his practice, he was one of the
most eminent physicians of his day. I knew him
well, as he was for forty years my friend and fam-
ily physician. He was a man of powerful frame,
and large and massive head. His learning was
vast, and he seemed to possess the most wonderful
and accurate information upon a great variety of
subjects. He conversed with great fluency, and
was like Dr. Johnson, who said he loved " to fold
his legs and have his talk out."

John Tindall was a good man, honorable and
beloved in every relation of life, and an honor to
the community of which he was so long a prom-
inent member.

The Whitfiolds of Aberdeen were originally
from North Carolina. As a family they have been
conspicuous for wealth and great talent for busi-
ness of all kinds. Since the earliest settlement of
this country, they have held high rank as elegant
and hospitable people. Mr. Albert Whitfield, son
of Dr. Robert Whitfield, now of Grenada, was born
and reared in Aberdeen, and does credit to his

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

birthplace by bis brilliant talents as lawyer and
orator. Closely allied with the Whitfields are the
Hatch families. Dr. Hatch, the father of the fam-
ily, built a beautiful home in Aberdeen many years
ago. He was a man of fine education and exten-
sive reading. In liis yoiith, he enjoyed some years
of foreign travel, after which he settled down to
the busy life of a man with large property and
many interests. He died about a year ago, having
reached an advanced age.

Aberdeen lost another old and much respected
citizen about the same time, Mr. Columbus Love.
No man was ever more honored and beloved than
was this honorable gentleman and good Chri.^tian
man. Of his contemporary. Colonel Litcian B.
Moore, I have had occasion to speak elsewhere.

Colonel Moore's son-in-law, G. B. Buchanan, has
been long a popular member of the bar in Aber-
deen. He is an agreeable and courteous gentle-
man, and has much sprightliness of mind and
capacity as a lawyer.

Among the first inhabttante of Aberdeen was
Mr. Joseph Eckford, who brought a stock of
goods and began business as a merchant. He
came originally from North Carolina, and his wife
was also a native of that State. It h not too
much to say that this admirable lady was one of
the most remarkable among our early citizens.
Her fine mind had received the careful training of
the best schools of her day, and her character waa

280

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

Btrengthened and ennobled by the firmest Christian
principles. For many years a devoted member of
the Epiacopal church, she illustrated its teachings
by a life of modeat and consistent piety. So great
was the strength and resoiution of her character
that, although left a widow while her children were
still dependent upon her care, she reared them so
wisely that they have, without exception, grown
up to do honor to her training.

Her daughters are refined and accomplished
women, ornaments to society. Her sons take rank
among our most successful and progressive citi-
zens. The eldest. Dr. Joseph Eckford, stands
prominent as a progressive business man, and the
beautiful home which he has recently erected is
one of the most hospitable and delightful of which
our town can boast.

Mr. Oliver Eckford has also built a handsome
residence, placing it upon a portion of the large
lot which was the original Eckford homestead.
There is not, perhaps, to be found in the town of
Aberdeen, or in the county of Monroe, or in the
State of Mississippi, a young man more cordially
and universally respected and beloved than Oliver
Eckford. It is certain that a kinder heart, or
more cheerful .spirit, or more genial manners could
not be found in any age or country. The firm of
Eckford & Clifton is one of the most popular
and prosperous at this bar, both gentlemen being
clear-headed and well-read lawyers, with skill in

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 281

debate and a most pleasing style of oratory. Mr.
Clifton is a nephew of Mrs. Eckford, and seems to
share with her direct descendants the force of
character and mind which made her so remark-
able. Mr. Charles Eckford is a rising business
man.

Not many weeks before the actual outbreak of
war, a young friend of mine came to my office to
begin the study of the law. Captain Frank
Nabers waa the son of a prosperous farmer, and
had received a good preliminary education. The
elder Nabers was a man of influence in Monroe
County, and waa several times elected to the legis-
lature. He was of a generous nature and had fine
natural talent. Captain Frank Nabers inherited
these good qualities, as I have had opportunity to
know during a steady friendship which has existed
between us since he entered my office, a lad fresh
from school.

His legal studies were of short duration, being
broken in upon by the trumpet-call of war. He
Jinswered promptly, going out in the second com-
pany raised in this county, commanded by Captain
Rogers. Nabers made a good soldier, winning a
high character for courage and manhood.

Among my old and faithful friends, I am grati-
fied to reckon that worthy gentleman, James W.
Walker, whom I have known these thirty years, in
dark days and bright, but have never seen him
falter before an enemy or fail to stand by his

282 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

friend. He came here from Ireland, and has
shown always the Irishman's fearless heart and
generous hand. By sheer force of energy, char-
acter, and integrity of purpose, he has gained the
confidence of the community and much influence
with the people.

Many years ago, two brothers, Ulysees and
James McAllister, came to this county, and bought
large tracts of land near Aberdeen. They were
both men of fine qualifications, and most worthy
citizens — kind, upright, and hospitable, Ulysses
died, some years ogo, at his home in Aberdeen,
where his venerable widow still resides. Jaraes
McAllister, generally known as " Uncle Jimmy,"
still lives, in the enjoyment of a peaceful old age
and of many friends.

When I first established myself in Aberdeen, my
nearest neighbor was Mr. Herndon, who had re-
moved from Tennessee to make his home here. He
was an honorable and accomplished gentleman,
and generally beloved. His wife, formerly Miss
Holdon, of Franklin County, Tennessee, was a most
amiable and charming woman. Great intimacy
existed between the two families, and much pleas-
ant and friendly intercourse added to the bond as
the years went on. Mr. Herndon died early, and
some 3^ears thereafter his young widow married
Colonel McQuiston, of Pontotoc, a gentleman of
high and noble qualities. He was the father of
Mr. T. J. McQuiston and Mr. Dunbar McQuiston,

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPT. 283

now citizens of high standing in our town. Two
of his daughters also adorn our society, one tlie
wife of Mr. Oliver Eckford, the other Mrs. Dred
Sykea.

At the time I first knew the family Mrs. Hern-
don's home was brightened by the presence of her
younger sister, the fascinating and entertaining
Mias Fanny Holden, afterwards Mrs. Gabriel Rags-
dale.

It almost makes me young again to think of
gay-hearted Fanny Holden, as she was when I
first knew her.

Colonel Lafayette Haughton was for many years
a prominent member of the bar of Aberdeen, and
was, at the time of his death, chancellor of this
district. He had unusual vivacity of mind, and a
sweetness of temper th.it made liim always a most
delightful companion. In conversation his bril-
liant wit and pleasant humor never failed, and even
in those last years when oppressed by constant
pain and infirmity he rose superior to his maladies,
until his friends would forget them in the charm -
of his conversation. He had one merit not always
possessed by brilliant talkers — his humor was
kindly ; he rarely said anything bitter or unkind.
I don't doubt that he recalls that fact with pleas-
ure now, whenever he thinks of the days of his
earthly pilgrimage.

Among those who helped to build up the county
of Monroe must bo reckoned the large Evans

284 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

family. My old friend William G. Evans was one
of the largest planters here before the war. A
kinder, nobler, better man never lived. Our inti-
mate friendship began when we were both young,
and never varied during the years that followed
until his death at an advanced age, some five years
ago. I never met him that his face did not wear
its cordial smile and his lips utter friendly words.
He left a goodly family of sons and daughters to
represent him here.

James G. Randall also belongs to the early his-
tory of Aberdeen, tliough he still lives, in his vig-
orous old age, to take part in the present. He is
a man of warm heart and kindly nature. If his
temper is impetuous and his speech sometimes bit-
ter, those who have known him longest and best
can testify that beneath the bitter outside shell
the kernel is sweet and sound.

Aberdeen was still in its infancy when William
H. Clopton and his brother, Dr. John Clopton,
came here as young men, and began business as
merchants. They soon became popular and suc-
cessful business men, and identified with the in-
terests of the county. Dr. Clopton married the
daughter of my friend Jack Abbott, and practised
medicine in Aberdeen for many years. William
Clopton married a daughter of Colonel Brandon,
a man of great wealth and the father of five
beautiful daughters. For many year.'* Mr. Clopton
took an active part in all the affairs of Aberdeen,

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL 285

and his genial qualities made liiiu universally
popular.

The late Colonel John Holliday was a man of
great business capacity, and an exemplary citizen.
He married the daughter of General Jesse Spate,
of North Carolina, who became a citizen of Missis-
sippi about the year 1839, and was elected some
years afterwards to the United States Senate frora
this State. Mrs. HoIUday still lives at her home
in this place, respected and beloved for the virtues
which have adorned her long life in this commu-
nity. Many children have grown up around her
fireside, some of whom remain to comfort her old
age. One of these is the wife of oiu' esteemed
chancellor, Baxter McFarland, and another daugh-
ter is married to Mr. William Elkin, a prominent
banker and man of business in our town, and a
most excellent gentleman. Mrs. Holliday lost her
eldest son during the war. Acting as staff offi-
cer, he was sent at a critical moment to order
reinforcements, upon which the salvation of the
army depended. As he galloped across the field,
he waa mortally wounded by a bullet, but gal-
lantly upheld himself until he reached the gen-
eral in command. With one la^t effort he called
out '* Reinforce the right," and fell dead from his
horse. 1 cannot bring this long chapter to a more
fitting close than by this mention of this youthful
hero who laid down his life for love of home and
country.

CHAFTEB XXV IL

Air important election was pending when I
' reached home. Colonel Joseph W. Mathews, of

Marshall County, was Democratic nominee for
governor. He had great practical sense, bat was
neither brilliant nor oratorica!. He was peculiar,
and extremely pl&aftant. To hear him speak was
like listening to a well - told narrative, and you
could almost Huppose you were listening to his
perKotial Gxpcricncc of public events, and observa-
tioHH upon men aiitl things. In all this he had the
faculty of being tMimest and impressive.

In tliOHR days it was not difficult to conduct a
Democratic canvass ; because tbey had no particu-
lar anirmative principle. It was a party of oppo-
fiiti(m and negation, and had so been from the be-
ginning of the general government. The Consti-
tution of the United States having been adopted
by the HtntOH in convention, Congress met to
enact mich laws as were necessary to put its powers
in motiim, and to formulate the same. It then
l)ec(nin' needful to inquire into the grants made
by the C<m«tituti<)u, to determine the features of
the now born govununent. Consultation was held
over every measure proposed, and the inevitable

HECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 287

conflict of opinioD resulted in tlie formation of
opposing parties.

One portion of the membera of Congress insisted
upon a rigorous adaptation between the measure
proposed and the grant of power set forth in the
Constitution. Opposed to these were such mem-
bers as were in favor of such liberal construction
as would make the adaptation relate to the meas-
ure and common good of the whole nation.
Those parties took the names of RepubUcan and
Federal. The Democrats of to-day were the Fed-
eraUsts then. The Republicans took the affirma-
tive, and proposed measures founded upon the
liberal construction wliich they favored, while the
Federalists assumed the negative, and opposed with
zeal and ability every measure advocated by their
opponents. As soon as the various departments
of government were organized and set in motion,
the great question of currency naturally became
agitated.

The Republican theory that a currency of equal
eflSciency in every portion of the nation was indis-
pensable to its prosperity found its expression in
a measure proposing a United States Bank. The
Federalists denied that this was one of the objects
of the general government, and opposed the hank
upon constitutional objections. This first party
difference created an extraordinary bitterness,
which has never abated. The Republicans charged
that the Federalists composed a party destitute of

288

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

piinciplea. The Federalists replied that opposition
was in itself a principle.

The Federal, or Democratic party has had
comparatively an easy part to sustain, because he
who takes the affirmative side of any question
assumes the whole burden of proof. Complaint is
easily made, and obstinate assertion requires
neither knowledge of facts nor skill to reason upon
them. To give an illustration : As to tariff, men
say that the duty increases the value of the
commodity to the extent "of the duty. Suppose
the duty to be two cents upon a yard of calico.
This duty becomes revenue for the government,
which revenue must be had from some source. If
it is not obtained from duty, itmust be raised upon
some other system. What other system does any
one propose ? Those who oppose the tariff do not,
or will not, or cannot suggest any better method.

The question then resolves itself into thia,
Shall we pay the government expenses in a way
that can be understood by all, or trust to measures
of which we know nothing?

Colonel Mathews excelled in the art of scolding,
and was, therefore well adapted to the require-
ments of his party. He also referred with some
success to the triumph of the Polk administration
in war with Mexico, and to the magnificent do-
main he had added to our already vast territory.

In the district in which I lived, Colonel A. K.
McClung and W. S. Featherston were the rival

candidates for Congress, and I had the pleasure of
hearing them on two or three occasions in joint
diBcussioQ. They were both able stump speakers,
fluent, and well-informed upon the political history
of the country ; and each could point to a record
of brilliant service on the battle-field. Colonel
McClung had been side by side with Colonel Jeff
Davis in the splendid charge of the First Mis-
siesippi regiment at Monterey, and had been se-
verely wounded upon the walls of the fort This
wound had confined Iiim to his room for six
months, and he pointed to the crutches upon which
he leaned as being in themselves sufficient tokens
of his claims upon the popular vote, he feeling
himself in no wise inferior to Featherston in hon-
esty or intellect. It was manifest that a strong
sympathy was everywhere felt for the crippled
hero, but this was overcome by the paramount
consideration of individual loyalty to party, and
Featherston was elected. Very possibly it is from
this defeat, which he took much to heart, that we
may date the 6rst symptoms of that deep melan-
choly which afterward.s clouded the noble spirit of
McClung, and which culminated in the awful
tragedy ot his self-inflicted death.

Mississippi has never sent a more worthy repre-
sentative to Congress than was Featherston. He
was truly an honest man, and acted upon matured
and deliberate convictions of duty. Familiar with
practical life, his judgment of the effect of meas-
ures upon the affairs of the country was excellent.

290

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

Ill this campaign of 1847, there was a most ex-
ceptional absence of anything like bitterness in
party antagonism throughout Mississippi. Perhaps
the explanation may be found in the fact that
the whole State was intoxicated with pride and
joy over the glorious conclusion of the war with
Mexico. In this common exultation party animos-
ities were forgotten, and public feeling rose to a
flood-tide of joyous and boastful self-confidence. It
was, besides, a time of boundless prosperity. Agri-
culture flourished. Money was abundant and eas-
ily obtained, and food cheap and plentiful The
born of plenty seemed to have been emptied upon
the smiling land, and oratory and song and feast-
ing filled up the glad days of that beautiful uu-
tuum.

This unexampled prosperity was soon augmented
by the discovery of gold and silver mines in Cali-
fornia, and in other States formed out of territory
acquired from Mexico. All the prairie and bot-
tom lands in Mississippi rose at once to seventy-
five and eighty dollars per acre. At that time,
our people raised immense quantities of meat and
other provisions, and great nnmbers of horses and
mules. Not a pauper conld be found in all the
length and breadth of the country.

Our cup was filled to the brim with the sweet
and sparkling wine of success and prosperity, and
crowned with the roses of joy and hope. Alas,
there are some of us who have lived to see the

RECOLLECTIONS OF MtSSISSIPFL 291

cup cast down upon the ground, the bright vin-
tage wiistcd, and the roses trampled under foot!
It is the old story, as true of nations as of individ-
uals. Let a man live long and see good days, yet
the end comes, and behold vanity and vexation of
spirit! Our day at least was a bright one at its
meridian.

Eighteen hundred and forty-eight brought an-
other election for President. Early in the spring,
party spirit began to awaken into vivid action.
The Whig party had quickly announced that Gen-
eral Zachary Taylor, the hero of Monterey and
Buena Vista, was the man of their choice. As a
soldier, he was almost adored by the people, but
when ho became a politician, no one could say
what views he held in regard to the science of gov-
ernment or great national measures. He had,
while still in Mexico, written a letter in which he
expressed strong feeling for free soil. This letter
had produced some disgust in the Democratic
party, especially in the South, where the tie of
personal affection for him was strongest His
views upon this measure made him a great fa-
vorite with the Republicans, while admiration for
his military fame secured to him the vote of the
Whig party.

Taylor had spent his life in camp, and his soul
was absorbed in warlike pursuits. It was impos-
sible that he should lay aside in his old age tlie
absolute ideas of arbitrary rule fostered by bo

292

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

many years of military discipline, and become im-
bued with the conservative theories of civil admin-
istration. He was a soldier by nature and habit,
and those niceties of powers and limitations and
safeguards which form so subtle a part of states-
manship, and which are so necessary to preserve
the liberties of a free people, were both odious and
incomprehensible to him.

The intelligent voters of both parties understood
this, and yet either party would have taken hira
as a matter of expediency. It would have given
pleasure to almost every man in America to vote
for him, and thousands upon thousjinds deliberated
long between duty to country and affection for the
great chieftain, before casting their votes against
him. His virtues were of a kind that appealed
most vividly to the popular imagination, while his
faults were those most readily condoned by the
masses of the people.

The opposition might charge that he was both
hot-headed and obstinate, and that he wa.s totally
ignorant of the true sources of national prosperity.
In reply, the least-gifted speaker had only to rant
about Monterey, and to tell how at Bucna Vista
a minie-ball passed through Taylor's coat, and he
turned to his staff officers, saying impatiently,
"Why don't you get back under the hill? I told
you somebody would be hit pre,sently if you were
not more careful," How he gave the famous order,
"A little more grape, Captain Bragg;" and how

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

293

the great hosts of the enemy melted away before
the conqueror. Tales like these were received
with shouts of applause, and the colder appeals of
prudence and policy fell upon ears deafened by
these plaudits.

With the chances of such a candidate upon the
Republican ticket, it behooved the Democrats to
exercise great discretion in their choice of a stand-
ard-bearer. Mr, Cass was generally indicated as
the favorite of the party. In the spring of that
year both parties held their conventions. The
Republicans adopted the usual platform — United
States Bank, internal improvement of creeks and
rivers within the limits of the States, and tariff
for revenue and for protection of our industries.
They then nominated General Taylor for President.

The Democrats adopted a platform of opposition
to bank, to internal improvements, and to tariff
for revenue giving incidental protection. They
nominated Cass.

I remember that canvass well, and the stubborn
energy which characterized it to the end. There
has been no canvass since conducted M'itb more
zeal and fervor.

The Taylor banners were inscribed with the
names of battle-fields and flaming pictures of blood
and carnage, and fervent appeals were made to
the soldiers who had followed him to glorious vic-
tory. The Cass banners were full of civic honors
and the Tictories of peace; but these triumphs

294 liECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

showed dim and pale, contrasted with the lurid
glories of the battle-flags of Taylor. Everywhere
the canvass became stormy, and the storm soon
rose into a tempest. The people, out of their
abundance, supplied the materials for vast barbe-
cues, in which both parties united for joint discus-
sion, often continuing for days together.

1 remember most distinctly one barbecue at
Columbus, attended by a great multitude of peo-
ple and an unusual number of speakers. Among
others, there was William K. Murphy, of Eutaw,
Alabama, who had the reputation of being the
orator of the State, and a man of inGnite humor.
His fame had preceded him, and the audience
displayed much eagerness to hear him. Many
took their seats at an early hour so as to secure
places near the speaker. Murphy began at the
appointed time, and spoke handsomely for about
thirty minutes. Suddenly he faltered, became
panic-stricken, and sat down.

On the evening of the same day, he was taken
to Aberdeen, having promised to address the people
there. To our great vexation and disappointment,
he made exactly the same failure which had mor-
tified liim at Columbus. He returned to Colum-
bus; and, as the joint discussion was still in prog-
ress, another opportunity was offered him, which
he accepted, only to fail again.

In conversation with me afterwards, he referred
to these mortifying occurrences, and said, " 1 can

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

295

imagine no cause for such unusual embarrassment,
except the fact that I have been deeply impressed
by the reputation Mississippi has everywhere
gained for the ability and eloquence of her speak-
ers," This was a high compliment to our State,
especially when offered by such a practised
stumper, as Murphy undoubtedly was. But the
real cause of these unaccountable failures which
80 often overtake men of undoubted strength and
skill lies so deep in our nature that it eludes all
investigation.

That a man, ordinarily cool, hold, and ready,
should suddenly, without apparent cause, find him-
self stricken with a panic, clouding his faculties,
paralyzing his will, and leaving him dumb and
nerveless in presence of his audience, is one of
the mysteries of our being. It may be mental —
acme cloud passing over the mind, and darkening
its perceptions. It may be physical — some strange
numbness deadening the nerves, and freezing the
molten stream of eloquent thought that but a
moment before rushed from the ardent brain
through the nimble tongue. We cnn only con-
jecture upon the source of this vague tenor, which
overpowers both the strong and the weak, and
makes cowards of the bravest.

I sympathized profoundly with Murphy, because
this ordeal, which must occasionally he gone
through with by all men, carae to him in a mo-
ment of anticipated triumph, and when great

296 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

crowds of strangers were present to witness his
discomfiture. Many years after this he fell dead
in the city of Selina, immediately after making a
speecli of six hours in defence of a man charged
with murder.

The campaign proceeded with great spirit. Dis-
cussion was more than usually difficult throughout,
because no man dared to breathe a word against
the honor or purity of General Taylor; and the
private and public character of Cass was simply
above reproach. I do not think it was much the
custom of those days to indulge in the unseemly
abuse so common now. Men carried into politics
the same fair and honorable dealing which was
their practice in private business.

General Taylor was elected, and the change
from the active habits of a hardy soldier to the
luxurious inaction of the White House proved
fatal to the veteran. In a short time he sickened
and died, profoundly regretted by the nation.
The Vice-President succeeded him, and made a
satisfactory first magistrate.

CHAPTER XXVin.

All this time the ill-feeling between the sections
had been growing wider and deeper, and nowhere
more rapidly than in the State of Mississippi. A
spirit of disunion was becoming rampant, and soon
became vindictive, bo that opposition to it could
not be expressed with safety. This was the be-
ginning of that bitterness which intensified and
expanded until its culmination in 1861.

It was insisted that the States and the general
government were coordinate, and that the power
to judge, and the right to resent, infractions of
their mutual compact belonged alike to each. It
was charged that a combination had been made by
the free States to destroy the institution of slavery
in the slave States by means of powers to be exer-
cised through the general government. This was
held to be an infraction of that voluntary coiiipact
which alone held the .States together, and there-
fore the Southern States were released from bonds
already broken on the other side, and had the
right to withdraw peacefully from the Union.

From the first, I doubted the correctness of this
theory, and universally maintained that secession
would prove to be only another name for bloody

298 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSTPPI.

revolution. Nevertheless, whichever might be the
right interpretation of the Constitution, 1 was in
favor of war if necessary to secure our rights.
I do not desire that it shall anywhere be under-
stood that I waa not heart and soul with my own
State all the while ; that I was not for war, if the
disturbance of our domestic institutions justified
this final appeal. T waa, perhaps, as active as any
other man in fanning the flame of what I believed
to be righteous anger, but I suffered a profound
regret. I was proud of my citizenship of this
grand Republic, and sorrowed over the possibility
of disruption.

It has been said that great battles are won
before they are fought, nnd it was so in this case.
The tremendous result was brought about by no
single individual, and by no special act or resolu-
tion. Rather it was the inevitable consequence of
a great current of popular passion, resistless in
its force, and sweeping everything before it. Na-
tions, like individuals, seem to rush blindly along
the path they blindly choose, and Heaven itself
canBot save either from the calamities they bring
upon themselves.

During the session of Congress of 1848—49, the
Southern senators and representatives, under the
lead of Mr. John C. Calhoun, prepared, signed, and
distributed an address, suggesting the ntler aban-
donment of party in the South ; the establishing
of close union among her people against abolition

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 299

influences, and the selection of the most compe-
tent men for office.

Upon reading this document, I immediately
determined to avail myself of the opportunity to
make defence before the people in regard to some
insidious charges made against me as colonel of the
Second Mississippi regiment; and also to test the
sincerity of the recommendations made to the peo-
ple in the manifesto. For this purpose, I declared
myself, in the early spring, an independent candi-
date for Congress, and announced that I would
make a canvass before the usual time for holding
nominating conventions.

My professional business that year, especially
my criminal docket, was extremely heavy, but I
knew it could not be aflected by tliis rupture with
my party. Intended, as it was, to he of such short
duration. The attitude of independent candidate
is of necessity one of defiance and challenge, and
invites attack from all quarters. It is. perhaps,
for this renson chiefly that the position has its own
fascination. Deep in the recesses of man's nature
there lies hidden a certain love for antagonism,
and delight in conflict for its own sake. T pre-
pared myself with proof against the aspersions of
my enemies, and held the address in my hand to
warrant my political movement. Thus equipped,
I went forth, not without pleasure, to the battle.

The term of the federal court for the Northern
District of Mississippi was appointed for the first
Monday in June, 1849, at Pontotoc.

300 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

A fearfxil epidemic of cholera prevjiiled all along
the Mississippi Eiver from New Orleans to St.
Louis, and spread eastward as far as Pontotoc,
though the disease was of mitigated violence aa- it
penetrated the interior counties. At Pontotoc the
cases were generally called cholerine, but some
few persons developed the genuine Asiatic cholera.
There was, of course, much anxiety and alarm
throughout the country.

Our Congressional district extended from the
Tomhigbee River to the Mississippi, and included
two tiers of counties, beginning on the Tomhig-
bee with Monroe stnd Lowndes. My business in
the federal court would detain me one week, and
I determined to begin my canvass in Yalobusha
County, go west, and return through the southern
tier of counties to Columbus. Appointments were
sent out accordingly.

The federal court met at Pontotoc on the first
Monday, as provided by law, and most of the law-
yers, parties to suits, jurors, and witnesses assem-
bled at that place on Sunday night. It was a
miserable crowd, each one expecting to be attacked
by cholera before morning. A council was held
that night.

Without a dissenting voice, it wns agreed that
the court ought to adjourn on Monday morning
until court in course, and every one allowed to go
home as speedily as possible. Up to this point the
unanimity was remarkable, but no one was found

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 301

willing to make the motion. An absurd fear of
being thought afraid to face a danger which no
rational man ought to be willing to encounter
without good reason made each man shrink from
the duty. It so happened that circnmstances
relieved me from thia fear. My canvass made it
necessary for me to remain in the cholera region
for two weeks, and I therefore proposed to bell
the cat for them, if they so desired, and make the
necessary motion. This was agreed upon.

The next morning, as soon as court met, and
before the jury was organized, I made a motion to
adjourn until court in course, giving aa a reason
the great and unnecessary danger of remaining
longer in a place infected by cholera. Upon this,
almoat every lawyer present arose, and declared
that, in his opinion, the danger was imaginary, and
the alarm unnecessary. This unexpected conduct
naturally made me indignant, and 1 withdrew my
motion, stiting that I had no personal interest in
the matter, being pledged to remain in the district
whatever happened, and that I had merely acted
by what I had supposed to be the request of my
brother lawyers. In a moment consternation seized
upon all those brave gentlemen, who sprang to
their feet, and implored me not to withdraw the
motion, and confessed that they regarded the dan-
ger as most imminent, and believed that it would
be madness to hold court under the circumstances.
It was thereupon agreed that court should be ad-

302 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

jouraed as soon as pleadings could be made up,
and tbe chancery docket disposed of. The judge
dismissed all jurors, witnesses, and parties to suits,
who lost no time in departing. Chancery docket
was taken up, and the court adjourned until morn-
ing.

At midnight the judge was taken violently ill
with cholera, and before day his life was despaired
of. When the sun rose that morning, the judge
and my unworthy self alone remained to represent
the court of the preceding day, so that term
ended. Although so ill, the judge finally recov-
ered, and I had the good fortune to escape alto-
gether.

In n few dajts I set out upon ray canvass of
Yalobushu, Tallahatchie, Carroll, Choctaw, etc.,
and was gratified to find the people ready to ac-
cept tbe recommendations of the address, and me
as the man of their choice.

Upon reaching Choctaw, information was re-
ceived that the party leaders were unwilling to
accept the programme indicated in the address,
and were preparing to continue tbe old party war-
fare. For this purpose, tbe Democrats bad selected
General W. S. Featherston as the probable nominee
of their party, and the Whigs meant to put for-
ward William L. Harris, a lawyer of high reputa-
tion, and at that time a partner of my friend,
James T. Harrison, of Columbus.

This information induced me to send a note to

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 303

each of these gentlemen, inviting them to join me
in discussion when I should reach Columbus sev-
eral days thereafter. I continued to fill my ap-
pointments in the mean while.

When I got to Columbus, the friends of Feather-
Bton notified me that he, for party reasons, would
not discuss. Harris, accompanied by some of his
friends, called on me in person, and said he had
not exactly determined what he would do, but
would announce his action at the close of my
address. ,

The Democrats were uneasy about my ultimate
course, and awaited further development before
attacking me. The Whigs were most anxious to
keep me in the mce, and resorted to subterfuge to
induce me to continue.

When the hour for speaking came, I found an
immense audience assembled at the court-house-
Many ladies were present, and these were mostly
in sympathy with the Whigs, as, in fact, was also
the case with a majority of the male portion of the
audience. I observed in one corner a knot of the
most intelligent and influential Democrats of the
place, and it was not difficult to perceive that
they were far from cheerful or confident

I had made twelve or fifteen speeches, and had
gone over the ground of debate until my argu-
ment was methodized, and almost committed to
memory. My journey from fact to fnct was made
with the ease of one who travels upon a familiar

304

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

road, and my speech was received with flatteriog
applause often recurring. Near the close, I made
a vague intimation that this speech might close
my canvass. The Democrats received this hint
with enthusiastic approbation.

Mr. Harris announced that he would reply after
dinner. The Whigs made but feeble demonstra-
tion. It was settled that my rejoinder should be
made immediately after his reply. This produced
prolonged shouts from the Democrats, as they be-
lieved that it settled my position.

When I left the stand, I was honored by many
gracious smiles from the gallery, and not a few
cordial greetings from friends of both parties.
One of these I recall particularly. It was given
by Major Blewitt, a man well known at that time
throughout the State. He was the largest planter
in northeast Mississippi, and his home was famous
for its elegance and beauty. By birth a South
Carolinian, he had descended from an old and
wealthy family, and had received every advantage
of social and scholastic training. He was a noble
gentleman, and held in great esteem by all who
knew him. His son, General Thomas Blewitt,
Btill lives, and his daughter is the widow of James
T. Harrison.

Major Blewitt sought me out, and spoke very
handsomely of my speech and the impression it
had given him of my ability. He said he regretted
that his friend W. L. Harris had decided to reply,

I
I

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 305

as he thougbt be would do himself no credit in
the contest.

He added, " It is not my habit to drink any-
thing, but I should Hke upon this occasion to join
you in a glass of ginger pop." I acknowledged
my feelings of gratitude and pleasure for all the
kind opinions he had expressed for me, and
accepted without hesitation the beverage he
offered, though I am not sure that it was of a
kind I would myself have chosen. It must needs
have been a bitter draught indeed, not to have
been rendered delicious by such praise from such
a man. Exhilarated by this potent cordial, I re-
turned in good spirits to the court-house. The
crowd was immense, and included many more ladies
than had been there in the morning.

William L. Harris was a noted speaker, with
large information and great purity of diction.
He was admired and respected by all classes of
the people, and was the leader of the Whigs in
Columbus.

The Whigs turned out en masse, and the Demo-
crats, regarding this as a party fight, turned out
in full force, and stood ready to sustaiu me by
applause. T observed, as soon as I entered the
room, that Harris bad with him on the stand some
five or six volumes, from which he meant to read.
Seeing this, I turned to a friend, and said. " There
is nothing to fear. The audience will not li.sten
to a speech broken by extracts from big hooka"

306

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

Harris began, and it was soon evident that the
matter of his speech was crude and undigested,
that his argument was not well planned, and that
he was driving his mind forward by a sort of
physical force, rather than by coercive continuity.

He bore himself manfully, ever struggling to
bring order out of the wilderness of confused ideas
which he had evolved in endeavoring to make clear
to others that which was not clear to himself.
Sometimes the power of his oratory asserted itself
even against his want of knowledge of the sub-
jects discussed. Once in particular, a brilliant
metaphor Sashed upon his audience, fair as the
morning-star gleaming through the murky vapors
of a wintry dawn, and the Whigs shouted with
delight when they saw its beauty. I was irritated
by the triumph, which I hoped was premature, as
I was certain that his own metaphor could be
turned against him with overwhelming effect. It
was necessary to bide my time.

Great applause followed the conclusion of his
effort. In my reply, I passed rapidly over the
points at issue, until the moment came to throw
back upon him his own metaphor. I succeeded
beyond my hopes, and was rewarded by furious
and long-continued applause. Major Blewitt was
sitting by Harris, and he said, " Harris, he has got
you ! " Harris responded, " Yes, major, and very
badly."

My speech was concluded by the announcement

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

307

that I should make but one other speech, and then
retire from the race, which caused the Democrats
to throw up their hats, and shout their approba-
tion, I had vindicated myself against unjust as-
persions, and had also exposed the demagogery of
the famous address to the Southern people.

A few days later, I made in Houston, Chicka-
saw County, my concluding speech. The audience
was largo and enthusiastic. I closed my remarks
saying that it had been charged that " ray object
in this canvass was to defeat your favorite son,
W. S. Featherston. To show you that I have no
such intention, I promise to withdraw if only fifty
men in this large crowd will request me to do so
by holding up their hands." Ten hands only were
raised. I then asked if twelve men would sig-
nify their wish for me to withdraw, but they were
not found. Satisfied with this indorsement, I an-
nounced my predetermined withdrawal from the
race. Featherston was elected by a great majority.

In the year 1849, a governor and members of
Congress and of the legislature were to be elected.
The Democrats met in June, and nominated Gen-
eral John A. Quitman. His laurels won in Mexico
were then fresh and green. Men of all parties
were inclined to vote for a man so covered with
glory, and he was elected by a brilliant majority.
His inauguration was made as splendid as possi-
ble, and all that military pomp could do to add
grandeur to the occasion was added. Governor

308

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

Quitman waa dressed in the uniform be had worn
in Mexico, and mounted upon a white war-horse,
with gorgeous trappings. Maidens dressed in
white strewed flowers before him, and sang '• Hail
to the chief wlio in triumph advances ! " Gayly-
dressed ladies filled the sidewalks, crowds sliouted,
bands played, and a gallant procession followed
the governor to the Capitol. It was a gay and
happy scene, and our people delighted above
measure in such pageants. In those merry and
prosperous days, the Southern people gave them-
selves up joyously to any popular enthusiasm, and
anything bright and spectacular appealed most
pleasantly to their imaginations. Especially did
they delight in the excitement of crowds, the
fanfare of trumpet and drum, and the appeals of
popular oratory.

The contest between rival candidates for Con-
gress was in that year very hot and angry. In
this district Featheraton was again nominated by
the Democrats; and my old adjutant, John A.
Wilcox, was chosen both by Whigs and Indepen-
dents. Wilcox was a hand.some, jovial fellow, pop-
ular with men, women, and children, and famous
for his anecdotes. He had little political informa-
tion, but his perception was keen and clear, and
he caught up ideas as if by magic. The friends of
both candidates exerted their whole strength and
influence, and brought out a full vote. Wilcox
was triumphant, and Featheraton went back to bis

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL 309

profession, until called from it by the war. Wil-
cox was indebted to his wit, humor, and anecdote,
and to his personal magnetism, for his success.

All the other congressional districts in the State
were carried by the Democrats.

The year of 1850 was notable chiefly for the
gold fever which broke out iu consequence of re-
ports from California of immense wealth discov-
ered there.

Several companies were organized here, and
they marched overland to the mines, willing to en-
dure any hardship in prospect of such fabulous
rewards. Many of these adventurous spirits found
only a nameless grave as the price of all their toil
and suffering. Few of the survivors accumulated
any considerable fortune, and there was not per-
haps one of them who could not have prospered
more at home, while enjoying all the pleasures of
family ties and civilized life.

At this time my practice extended over ten or
twelve counties, and many complicated murder
cases made the labor extremely heavy. The most
interesting trial which occurred during this year
was the defence of a Mr. Toland, charged with
having, in connection with one Mr. McCanu, mui^
dered his own father, in the county of Lowndes,
some ten miles west of Columbus. The testimony
was entirely circumstantial.

It was charged that McCann had secured the

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 311

affections of Toland's mother, and that it was
jigreed between them that her husband, who was
much older thnn his wife, should be murdered, and
that McCann should then marry her, and thus
secure the old man's large estate.

Young Toland was only about seventeen years
of age. It was necessary to obtain his aid in the
matter, and to do this the allurements of gold
were spread before htm. ■ The father and husband
started for Columbus one morning, and was fol-
lowed by McCann and the son, who were seen at
various places during the day, under circumstances
which were afterwards considered suspicious. At
one time they were seen upon a bridge over the
Tombigbee River, apparently in secret conver.'<a-
tion, and having a gourd full of powder. Late in
the evening, the elder Toland left Columbus for
Ills home, and was soon followed by McCann and
young Toland, who overtook and passed the old
man by the way. After getting within a few
miles of Toland's house, McCann left the road,
upon a pretext of getting supper at a house near
by. Young Toland went on. The old man was
seen to pass half an hour later, and then McCann
followed. One mile and a half from this supper
house, a man on horseback was seen in pursuit of
old Toland, and a pistol siiot was soon heard.

Next morning the body was found, concealed
behind a log, with a bullet mark which showed it
was shot by a man on horseback. McCann and

312

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL

young Toland proved that they had reached their
places of abode before the hour when the pistol-
shot waa heard.

McCann, however, became alarmed and fled the
country. He was caught and brought back, and
tried, convicted, and executed. Young Toland
was committed to jail in Columbus, and his able
counsel, after continuing his case for seven years,
changed the venue to Monroe County,

At the next term of court, the case was set for
trial, and Mrs. Toland came to me and offered me
one thousand dollars to aid in the defence. I
agreed to this proposition, but her counsel already
employed objected to her action, and the matter
dropped. Toland stood his trialaiid was convicted.

Mrs. Toland then came to me in an agony of
despair, and implored me to take the fee and make
one last effort to save her son. I told her frankly
that all efforts would most likely prove unavailing,
but I would undertake to do my best, if she would
be satisfied with that.

Harrison and I went to work, and succeeded,
upon some technicality, in gaining a new trial.
Defendant was again returned to jail, which had
been his abode for so many weary years. At the
next term of court, he was again brought out for
trial. It was at that time the practice for the
court to order the clerk to issue a venire to sum-
mons fifty jurors to be in attendance upon the
court to try the case. This waa done.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 313

I was ioforined that one of the men summoned
had said, " Davis will not dare take me on his jury,
he knows I would hang his man," The case be-
gan, and soon thia man was called, and came up to
the stand. The prosecuting attorney had heard
of his remark, and accepted him instantly, I
promptly said that I would take him. He threw
up his hand and said, "For God's sake, Davis,
stop." I replied, " Sir, we have a good defence —
we are not guilty. We want honest men, with
large brain and clear powers of analysis, and know-
ing you to be such a man, I ask nothing but your
faithful services. Take your seat in the jury-box."
He was an intelligent man, and honest in his con-
victions, but his vanity was excessive and I deter-
mined to play upon that The trial was pro-
tracted, but throughout the whole of it this man
manifested the closest attention and interest. He
was exerting his newly-found powers of analysis.

In my argument 1 took this one man's facial
expression as the exponent of the average feeling
of the jury. I addressed their feelings of duty,
compassion, caution, and vanity, through what he
showed to be his. I endeavored to show them
how nice the distinction must be between actual
proof of guilt and that presumptive evidence
which might lead to the ghastly tragedy of ofB-
cial murder.

The defendant bore himself stolidly enough,
even when the jury retired, but when, after an in-

314

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

terval of fifteen minutes, they returned with a ver-
dict of " not guilty," he fainted and fell aa one
dead upon the floor. His mother screamed Ukc a
mad woman. She had taken care to provide for
her aon a handsome suit of clothes, I suppose with
a view of being ready for either emergency — an
execution or a deliverance. Dressed in tliis ap-
parel, he quitted the jail next morning, a free
man for the first time in eight years. He was a
small man, with regular features, and his long im-
prisonment had given him an almost feminine
delicacy of appearance.

In a short time, he and his mother quitted this
country and went to the great West, and to this day
I have never heard what became of them. How
far either, or both, of them were guilty I do not
know, as I avoid nil confidences from my clients
except such as may be useful in their defence. It
was enough that there could be found a doubt,
upon which a legitimate defence might be estab-
lished.

This year was especially noted for our prosper-
ous agricultural condition, and for the comfort and
cheerfulness which flowed from that prosperity. It
was, perhaps, because we had no other grievance,
that the slavery question became such an absorb-
ing one, and that the idea of secession took such
deep root, and grew and expanded until it pos-
sessed the State in 1851. In that year the banner
was flung upon the breeze, never again to be
furled until it went down in blood.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 315

Jefferson Davis and Henry S. Foote were our
senators, and during that winter in Washington
they had quarrelled over this question, and a blow
liad passed between them. From that moment,
party rancor had flamed into personal hatred,
which no after time or circumstance could mitigate.

The Democratic convention for the State met
at Jackson, in the month of June, 1851, to nomi-
nate a candidate for governor, and I was appointed
among the delegates from Monroe. This was the
first and only time I ever served as delegate to
any convention. State, county, or district, in the
State of Mississippi. At that day we travelled to
Jackson by the stage-coach.

I went with the delegates, and, to prepare my-
!^\l to execute my trust in accordance with the
wishes of the people, I passed no man on the
route without asking his preference between Jef- -
ferson Davis and General Quitman, the then gov-
ernor. I found that three out of four voters were
for Davis ; and many said that in a choice between
Foote — who it was certain would be the opposi-
tion candidate — and Quitman, they would vote
for Foote.

The convention met and organized, and a com-
mittee of eighteen were appointed to select a can-
didate and report to the convention, I was put
upon this committee, and at once declared for Jef-
ferson Davis, reporting the test observations I had
made in journeying to Jackson. This proposition

316 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

was met by the friends of Governor Quitman in
the most vehement manner, but I held firm, and
declared that I was not influenced by personal
feeling, but was simply faithful to my convictions
of duty to the party and the State,

Upon taking the vote of the committee, it was
developed that a decided majority was for Davia
This intelligence went out immediately, and Grov-
ernor Quitman, with several of his friends, came
into the committee-room, and made a direct ap-
peal to the committee. The Davis members re-
mained immovable. We were then asked to delay
our report for a short time, and this request was
granted. Davis was at this time at his hotel, con-
fined to his bed by severe illness. In spite of his
condition of bodily suffering, he was visited and
appealed to, and finally induced, most likely from
pure weariness, to say that he would not accept a
nomination.

When this was reported to the committee, I re-
plied that this was brought about by a sort of com-
pulsion, and that we should remember that here
was no contest as to one man or another, but a
question as to the interest of the party and the
common good of the people. Again the majority
sustained this view.

Quitman's friends then betook themselves once
more to the sick-room of Mr. Davia, and procured
from him a note, addressed to the committee, and
positively refusing to accept a nomination. This

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL 317

IB not the only time in my life that I have found
it easier to fight for a man against his enemiea
than against himself.

Quitman was reported to the convention, and
nominated by acclamation. The Whig party lost
no time in nominating for governor Henry S.
Foote, the best stump speaker then living. It
was moat unfortunate for Quitman, whose style
of speaking was poor and flat, that he was obhged
to encounter Foote, whose gorgeous imagery and
splendid diction carried everything before him.

Mississippi was in a blaze from east to west,
and from north to south. The issue involved the
exact relation of the States to the general gov-
ernment, and the right of seceaaion. Public feel-
ing was intensified by the danger of emancipation.
Both parties were pervaded by a spirit of intoler-
ance, and the presence of ten men at any one
point involved the possibility of serious trouble.

I had long been the intimate friend of General
H. S. Foote, and felt for him both respect and ad-
miration. It was therefore impossible for me to
engage in any personal denunciation of him. I
made many speeches during this heated canvass,
but always confined myself to what I conceived to
be the errors of his positions, or of the principles
of the platform upon which he made his race.
Our personal relations continued unbroken.

The canvass between Foote and Quitman began
at Jackson, and Foote opened by charging the

318 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

Democratic party with disunion proclivities. He
assailed Quitman and his friends in the most mer-
ciless manner.

His satire was so severe that Quitman, after
four or five speeches, made it personal, and a blow
passed between the candidates, which resulted in
closing the joint canvass. This would not have
prejudiced the Democratic party, if new appoint-
ments had been made by each, and new routes se-
lected, but Quitman and his friends allowed Foote
to take tlie old appointments. Quitman followed
two days behind Foote, who filled the original ap-
pointments, meeting large crowds composed of both
parties, and boasting that be had whipped Quitman
and driven him from the field. The Democrats
became disheartened, and their campaign was fee-
ble to the last degree.

On my way with my family to the Hardin Sul-
phur Springs in Tennessee, I chanced to meet with
Governor Quitman, and the friends who travelled
with him, at one of his appointments in Tishemingo
County. The aiidience was small, and the speeches
showed the depressing effect of such small encoui^
agement. After the regular addresses were over,
the crowd called upon me. Being in good speak-
ing condition, I made a great effort to arouse the
audience, and mu.st have succeeded pretty well, as
I received an unusual mark of approbation on the
spot, and one which caused a perfect uproar of
laughter and applause.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 319

It SO happened that a good many of the gentler
sex honored this occasion with their presence,
among others quite an old lady, who, from the
first, gave me a very flattering attention. In the
midst of my speech this good lady arose, astonish-
ing the audience and nearly taking my breath
away by asking me to stop a moment. My first
wild fear that she meant to discuss some question
of policy with me — in which case I should assur-
edly have knocked under without a protest — was
relieved when she calmly produced the biggest
and finest apple I have ever seen, and said, "Sir,
I want to give you this right now, because I like
you so well,"

Now I claim to be a modest man, especially
where the sex are concerned, hut I was encour-
aged by the placid smtle of my fair old friend.
Coming down from the stand, I accepted the big
apple gratefully, and taking the gentle old hands
in mine, thanked her with all the fervor I could
express, though not nearly all I felt. The crowd
roared and shouted, but the old lady looked as se-
rene as if she had no part or lot in the excitement.
Forty years have come and gone since that sum-
mer day, hut it comes back to me as freshly as the
roses that bloom to-day. The very fragrance of
that apple is present with me now, wafted across
how many weary days and changing scenes!

That night, I received an invitation to join
Quitman in his rounds, and an offer of fifteen hun-

320 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

dred dollars if I would make one speech a day for

two weeks. This, however, I refused to do, as I

had left home for a pleasure trip with ray family,

and had no wish to change my plans for tlie suiu-

mer.

Some three weeks later, a vote was taken
throughout the State as to whether a general con-
vention should be held to consider the question of
secession. This measure failed by a majority of
seven thousand votes.

Upon this result, Governor Quitman withdrew
from the field, and Jefferson Davis waa put for-
ward. He had but three weeks for canvass, and
after six or eight speeches, he was stricken down
with severe pneumonia, and was confined to bed
until after the election.

Foote was elected by a majority of nine hun-
dred and ninety votes. In my judgment, then and
now, if Davis had been nominated, as he should
have been, at the June convention, he would have
carried the State by a grand majority. He was
stronger in the State of Mississippi, not only than
any man, but than any principle. The people had
a confidence in his integrity and trustworthiness
that surpassed anything I have ever known, and
that continues imtil this day. His name was a
magic sound in the ears of all ranks. Much as the
people admired him, they loved him far more. In
the war of Mexico, Quitman had shown as much
heroism as Davis, but there was something about

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

321

Davia which captivated the imagination, and ex-
alted him into a hero, dearer tlian all others to the
popular heart. There were others who might even
equal him in majestic and persuasive utterance,
but when he spoke " the hearts of the people were
moved as the wind moves the trees of the wood."
In this contest many Democrats voted for Gen-
eral Foote, believing that the issue involved dis-
union of the States, and was the first step in that
direction. Time showed that they were not mis-
taken. The party was defeated, but strengthened
by defeat. From that defeat the party concen-
trated nil its energies in one direction, and became
despotic. Everywhere the cry was, " Obey, or quit
the camp."

CHAPTER XXX.

Genehal Foote, at the time he took this de-
parture, was a United States senator, and had still
five years to serve. His ability and learning fit-
ted him to adorn this high position, and he was
a favorite of the State Rights party. His action
was the result of misguided impulse. He could
not have considered the ulterior consequences
which must inevitably flow from this rash step. A
man of far less wisdom might have foreseen the
dangers about to arise from the fast gathering
passions of a people rendered arrogant and head-
strong by much prosperity. He might have read
in his Bible how Jeshurun no sooner waxed fat
than he began to kick, even against the commands
of the Most High.

But Foote was never known to deliberate. Full
of impulse, and relying upon his ability to mould
the thought of men, he believed he could accom-
plish any purpose. He pictured to himself always
an applauding multitude, ready to sustain him,
and he refused to let his judgment interpose be-
tween him and this pleasing vision. He made
the fight, succeeded by a small majority, and then
saw his laurels begin to fade. It was no passing

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

323

blight, but the beginning of a long and final de-
cny. He resigned his seat in the Senate, and from
that hour accomplished nothing.

Foote'fl resignation of his seat in the Senate
made it necessary that the State legislature should
supply the vacancy. The victorious party was
composed of Union Democrats and Whigs. The
Union Democrats had a majority on a joint ballot.
Stephen Adams, of Monroe County, among others,
became a candidate. He was a Union Democrat,
and had given efficient service to General Foote
in his campaign. He was also popular with that
wing of the Foote legislature, and was elected.
The Whigs, although they had furnished nine
tenths of the votes, got nothing.

The election of Adams was a surprise to the
State. At the expiration of his term of office, he
retired from public life. Very few of the Union
Democrats were ever heard of afterwards. The
only hope for Foote and his Union - Democrat
friends was to have made a close alliance with the
Whig party. If they had done so, they might
possibly have effected great good to the nation;
might even have averted the civil war. The pos-
session of the State was, at that time, everything.
Mississippi was to a great extent the revolutionary
centre. Her statesmen did more to bring about a
crisis than those of any other State in the Union-
IE they could have been kept out of place and
control, the impulse might have exhausted itself
by its own impatience.

324 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

The issue of the canvass of 1851 was allowed to
slumber in the year 1852. This oversight on the
part of Foote and the Whigs enabled the Dem-
ocrats to gather once more into the fold all the
stray sheep of 1851. A President was to he
elected this year, and the men of 1851 were to
take control.

The statesmen whom I had found here in 1835
were all either dead, or grown too old for active
service. The canvass of the preceding year had
brought to the front a new nice of men and
speakers, who were hereafter to be champions of
the State Rights, or democratic principles ; and
who were in no manner inferior to those who had
just left the stage.

Albert Gallatin Brown was a natural born party
leader, and was admitted to be so by all. He be-
came a great power in the Democratic party from
that day until the outbreak of war.

Jefferson Davis, even more popular than the
great Prentiss, and his superior in statesmanship
and historical information, was also pure and above
reproach in every detail of his life. His clear and
lucid logic carried conviction to all minds, and his
eloquence charmed all hearts.

William L. Barry, of Columbus, swooped down
upon his opponents like an eagle in his 6ight. In
some respects he was the equal of Davis, in some
the equal of Prentiss, but in the aggregate inferior
to both. In powerful and finished logic he fell fat

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 325

below Davis. It was sometimes said that he was
more sublime in his eloquence, but his style was
confused and turgid, and what is called eopbomor-
icai.

John J. McEae was a bright speaker, gay,
humorous, and fascinating. David Glenn was a
great lawyer and a trained thinker, powerful in
debate, and ready in expedient. Captain A. R.
Blythe, of Columbus, and Joel M. Acker and
James Phelan, of Aberdeen, took high rank in
the party.

These men made a new era in the history of
the State, and became actors in the grandest drama
of the times. They helped to cradle the revolu-
tion of 1861, and that lusty infant repaid them by
turning upon us, and trampling us all in the mire
under his feet.

Since I first came into the State, there has never
been greater exertion made, or more brilliant
oratory displayed, than was universal in this can-
vass. The Union Democrati to a great extent re-
turned to their party allegiance ; and many able
and influential Whigs, who were advocates of the
doctrine of State Rights, united their destiny with
the party forever.

My professional engagements were unusually
heavy at this time ; and as there were so many
abler and more influential men than myself to be
active in politics, I felt that my attention was not
I had several intricate cases of defence

326 RECOLLECTIONS OP MISSISSIPPL

upon charge of murder to concentrate my ener-
gies, and in that class of cases, if my fees were al-
ways heavy, the labor was not light.

There was one of these cases that year with
some circumstances peculiar enough to warrant
mention. It originated in Choctaw, but was trans-
ferred, by change of venue, to the county of Car-
roll.

When the facts were first related to me, there
seemed little use in attempting a defence. If the
defendant had exerted hia utmost ingenuity to
make as black a case as possible, and to defy all
human efforts to save him from the gallows, he
could not have .succeeded better.

Fortunately, a short time before the trial at
Carrollton, the supreme court at Jackson decided
a case involving exactly the facts of this case. I
was present at the time, and obtained a copy of
the opinion, certified by the clerk of the court.

A party had been indicted for murder, and con-
victed of manslaughter. After the verdict was
rendered into court, his counsel moved the court
in arrest of judgment, and that the bill of indict-
ment be quashed and the prisoner discharged, as
any other prosecution was barred by the statute
of limitation. The motion was overruled, and the
prisoner appealed to the high court of errors and
appeals.

After argument and consideration, that court re-
versed the judgment, quashed the bill of indict-
ment, and discharged the prisoner.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 327

As soon as I arrived at Carrollton, I examined
the bill against ray client, and discovered that the
cases were exactly similar, I had reason to be-
lieve that neither judge nor district attorney had
seen the decision, and 1 therefore resolved to bring
about, if possible, a conviction for manslaughter,
and then make the motion for dismissal to which
my client would be entitled under that ruling.

The case came on, the jury was drawn, and testi-
mony begun. Now the books say that the distinc-
tion between murder and manslaughter is difficult
to draw, and therefore the slightest circumstance
may create the distinction. Murder requires mal-
ice aforethought, while manslaughter is the result
of immediate provocation. Slight provocation is
not sufficient. Great provocation must be shown.
Now the distinction between slight and great is
the question to be settled. The books say that the
provocation must be something you can feel, and
it is here that the distinction is most difficult.

In maintaining this difference, I had one great
advantage, because I was staking the life of the
defendant upon the distinction, while the district
attorney thought only of a conviction for murder.

While I was supporting my distinctions with ap-
parently unimportant little circumstances, the pros-
ecution gave no attention to these things, as too
trivial to be worthy of notice. It is probable that
the marked deviation from my usual manner of
defence made my adversary over-confident. He

328 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

began to believe that I shared hia opinion of the
hopelessness of my case, and that my only object
was to let my client fall as lightly as might be.

The testimony ended, and the district attorney
opened his argument with much skill and force.
It is due to him to admit that he always han-
dled his cases with great ability. He confined his
argument solely to the question of murdei', and
explained the law, and applied the facts, with a
manner which became more and more triumph-
ant, until, in conclusion, it rose to defiance. I
bided my time without impatience, even when my
friend concluded his speech with a salutation to
me, in which the respectfulness was exaggerated
into something like mockery.

In my long and elaborate speech, the real object
was simply to convict the defendant of manslaugh-
ter. I combated the charge of murder, but by
admission as well as by implications, granted that
there was proof of slaughter under provocation.

When the district attorney made hia concluding
argument, he still pressed his charge of murder,
but admitted that a verdict of manslaughter might
be safer, and this question the jury must decide
for themselves. They had decided before he be-
gan his final appeal, and in a few minutes brought
in a verdict of manslaughter.

While the jury was out, the father of the de-
fendant came to me in a violent rage. He would
have struck me if he had dared, and could not

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 329

restrain his reproachea. He aaid, " I have paid
you a large fee to defend my son, and you have
been treacherous enough to prosecute him. You
have done him more harm than the district attor-
ney. By your means my son is disgraced forever,
and his parents brought to despair,"

I told him to give me a little time, and perhaps
something might yet be done. When the verdict
was reported, I immediately made a motion in
arrest of judgment — that the bill of indictment
be quashed, and the prisoner discharged. I took
out the opinion of the supreme court, and read it.
The judge said it waa too plain for argument, sus-
tained my motion, and discharged the prisoner.
My friend, the district attorney, looked at me
rather sourly ; and when I repeated his former
salutation, only smiled grimly and muttered, " Ah,
you old fox." Tiiat night I did a good stroke of
business, and purchased for myself freedom from
a lingering regret. Father and son were bent, in
their gratitude, upon taking me home to spend
the night. They owned a fine piece of land which
had been mortgaged for my fee. The mother was
a good woman, clean and tidy, but very poorly
clad. She also waa very grateful, too grateful,
for my heart began to grow heavy. Things were
going badly with them. They were evidently
very poor. There was no help for it. I could not
have that old woman looking at me with her sad
eyes all the rest of my life. So the farm waa

330

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

bought in with my mortgage, and settled upon the
mother, upon condition she should keep it as a
home. I never saw them afterwards, and don't
know what became of them.

Soon after this time, the presidential election
came off, and General Pierce waa elected. In
making up his cabinet, Pierce assigned Colonel
Jefferson Davis to the War Department.

Since the beginning of the Republic, no man
has ever shown himself more preeminently 6tted
for that high office, and no man has ever filled it
with more distinguished ability.

The census of 1850 had given to Mississippi one
additional member of Congress; and, because it
was too late to re-district the State for the elec-
tion of 1853, it was provided that he should be
elected by the State at large. Most of the news-
papers in the State suggested me as the proper
person for that place, and it was generally con-
ceded that I would be the recipient. My own
opinion was different, and was based upon serions
reflection upon the condition of parties in the
State, and the necessity of regaining the Demo-
crats who had deserted in the Foote campaign of
1851.

For this purpose, some position of importance
must be given to the discontented majority, and
the placP of "floater" was the only one which
could be used to accomplish the reconciliation. I
pointed this out to all my friends witli whom I bad

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 331

conversation on this subject, and insisted that I
should not be made the victim of a false idea. I
said everywhere that I desired my friends to avoid
any danger of having me defeated in convention,
as I was certain that to bring me forward at that
juncture could only result in humiliation.

People continued to assure me that my nomma-
tion was certain, as the State was for me, and all
the papers supported my claims. Still I insisted
that when the convention met they would see that
the Union Democrats demanded recognition and
office as a condition of return. I said, " We will
be compelled to yield and can do so gracefully
now, but if you go on, you subject me to defeat."

The evening when the convention was organ-
ized, many of the most intelUgent and influential
Democrats conversed with me upon this subject,
and, when I urged my views, tlie reply was, Your
nomination is assured, I believe they honestly
thought so then. It was agreed between us that
mine should be the first nomination, or they should
withdraw my name.

The convention met, and my name was proposed.
Many influential men appealed to my acting friends
not to urge this resolution, as I was to be nomi-
nated by acclamation when the contest was over.

The governor and all the state officers were to
be nominated. My friends, relying upon the good
faith of this assurance, yielded.

After all contested nominations were over, Colo-

332 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

nel David Glenn was nominated by acclamation

for attorney-general of the State.

My name and others were then proposed, and
on the first ballot I required a half vote. On the
second, the same, and on the third, I was defeated
by one vote. My friends ought not to have al-
lowed this. The convention ought not to have
allowed it. When I was informed of the result, I
denounced the convention for its treachery, and
declared 1 would contest the result before the
people.

I left for home next morning, and passing
through Kosciusko, I requested the gentleman who
was travelling with me to see Mr. Roy, the editor
at that place, and say I was not a candidate and
would not be. Unfortunately, he said in his pa-
per, " I feel authorized to say that Davis will not
oppose the nominee,"

Notwithstanding this, I was at once fiercely
assailed by many of the leading papers in the
State. All the way home, I met persons who in-
sisted that I should be a candidate. I reached
Aberdeen on Saturday, and found ray friends get-
ting up an indignation-meeting, which was pre-
vented at my earnest request. On Sunday I went
to Houston, Chickasaw County, to attend court on
the Monday. Many persons were assembled there,
lawyers, jurors, parties to suits, and witnesses, and
the action of the convention was freely discussed.
It was proposed that a meeting be held next day

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

at the court-house, and resolutions adoptecl, con-
demning the action of the party, and that a con-
vention of Choctaw and Chickasaw counties should
be called, to assemble one month later, and that
the object of said convention should be to con-
demn the action of the Jackson convention, and
to nominate a candidate who should be the choice
of north Mississippi.

I protested against this movement, telling my
friends that it would result in nothing, and that I
alone would be the sufferer. In spite of this, the
meeting was held, strong resolutions of condem-
nation were adopted, and a convention called. It
met at Pontotoc and I was nominated. I was not
present, but felt bound by the action of my friends,
and obliged to make the canvass, which I knew
must end in disaster. The Whigs held a conven-
tion at Jackson, and nominated candidates for gov-
ernor and other state officers, but refused to nom-
inate a floater.

General Alexander Bradford, however, an-
nounced himself a candidate, and mode an active
canvass of the State. I continued in the canvass
for some weeks, with the nominee of the State con-
vention, the discussion between us growing rather
sharp, and we becoming more or less unfriendly.
In the month of September, I became satisfied that
north Missl8.«Ippi was convinced that her action
had been hasty and ill-considered, and I withdrew
from the canvass. This campaign has since been
known as " the Chickasaw Rebellion."

334 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL

The nominee of the state convention^ Captain
William Barksdale, was elected. I did not see him
again for about eighteen months^ when we acci-
dentally met. Our temporary irritation had long
subsided, and we grasped hands in cordial greet-
ing, as though we had been long-parted brothers.
From that hour to the day of his death, the most
entire friendship existed between us, and no man
in the State cherished a more sincere regard for
him than I did, or more profoundly regretted his
death.

CHAPTER X2gCL

Veet soon after this canvass, I was appointed
attorney for the New Orleans, Jackson, and Great
Northern Railroad. It was stipulated that 1 ■
should canvass the country along the road-bed for
the right of way,.and.'for subscriptions for stock
in the road. My affairs were by this time in a
condition which justified ray withdrawal from the
unceasing labor I had for years performed in the
practice of the law. By accepting this appoint-
ment, I could more easily get out of the old groove,
and yet remain in sufficiently active employment.
The political outlook was stormy. We expected
trouble, but no thought of what was in store for
us ever dawned upon our minds. We boasted in
our hearts that we had much goods laid up for all
our days, and did not dream that the day was fast
coming when we should stand stripped of all our
accumulations, and be forced to begin the world
afresh, in a land ruined and desolate. If a prophet
had been raised up, his warning would have been
in vain.

I entered upon the duties of my new office, and
in the course of eighteen months succeeded in ob-
taining the right of way from Canton, Mississippi,

336 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

to a point on the Tennessee Eiver called Chicka-
saw. Subscriptions for about six hundred thou-
sand dollars of stock were secured.

At the Democratic convention in the spring of
1851, of which I have already spoken, John J.
McRae was nominated for governor. The Whigs
soon after nominated Hon. Francis M. Rogers.
These two gentlemen were well matched in debate.
McRae was, perhaps, more ingenious, and he in-
dulged with some success in anecdote, while Rogers
never attempted anything of the kind.

McRae was aided by the eloquence of David
Glenn, nominee for the office of attorney-general,
an office he had filled with great ability for several
years. Glenn was, without doubt, one of the most
effective men in the State at that time.

McRae was also assisted by Governor Brown.
Besides this, William S. Barry had been put
against Wilcox in the second congressional district,
and he had no superior in his own line. Barry
was an imposing-looking man, and admired whei^
ever he went. I remember that he made quite a
sensation by his first speech in this canvass. Wil-
cox lived in Aberdeen, and Barry in Columbus.
The ball was to open at Aberdeen, and Barry
made the opening speech. He began with a
flourish : " Fellow-citizens, I have come to brave
the Douglas in his hall — to beard the lion in his
den ;" and proceeded in a torrent of florid elo-
quence, immensely captivating to the people.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL 337

Wilcox was greatly his inferior, not only in de-
bate, but in all the arts of a popular speaker. He
was, however, matchless in his gift of amusing
the crowd with jest and anecdote, and oftentimes
hurled his light and fantastic weapons with deadly
aim. Barry was elected, as well as the whole
Democratic ticket of the State,

My relations with the Democratic party were
not disturbed, because I had been presented to the
public by the act of a convention which repre-
sented nearly half the State. The position thrust
upon me in this canvass was a most unpleasant
one. I could not appeal to the Whigs for support,
because I had opposed them with violence in the
Foote canvass, I adhered most uncompromisingly
to the Democratic State Rights party, while they
were in strenuous support of the Union,

I could not ask the support of the Union Demo-
crats, because they had gone over in a body to the
State Rights wing, and had been recognized by
the convention and rewarded by one of the best
offices in their gift. I could not appeal to that por-
tion of the State Rights wing which had refused to
join the rebellion, because their action had in-
duced the rebellion in the first instance. Envi-
roned by these adverse conditions, it was impossi-
ble to make a stand upon any platform. Anything
I could say must injure me as much as my oppo-
nent, and these embarrassing circumstances para-
lyzed anything like vigorous action or animated dis-
cussion.

338 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

While I could not say so, I was in truth not
unwilling to see Barkstlale elected. He had been
quartermaster of my regiment in Mexico, and I was
not only his friend, but had proved him to be u
most loyal and honorable gentleman. In the course
of his next election to Congress, which was a
stormy one, I had occasion to concern myself in
his vindication, and was glad to avail myself of
this chance of serving so good a man.

During the year 1854, I devoted most of ray
labor to the service of the New Orleans, Jackson,
and Great Northern Railroad. In order to do this,
I was steadily withdrawing from the practice of the
law, making exception of cases of defence against
the charge of murder. I had for twenty years
lived and breathed in court-houses. My mind had
given itself up almost wholly to investigations of
the subject-matter of important civil and criminal
cases. These cases I prepared, not so much by
studying previous decisions as by a careful analy-
sis of all the facts involved, afterwards replacing
them in the order that would create the greatest
amount of supporting force. To make this com-
bination, I determined first the legal principle or
right to be adjudicated, and next accumulated the
facts around the legal principle, so as to produce
demonstration.

It is easy enough to assert analogy, but to make
it clear to other minds, more or less perceptive, is
much more dif&cult. This system carried on for

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

339

twenty unbroken years was not only exhaustive
to all the forces of body and mind, but, of neces-
sity, shut out all time and opportunity for the ac-
quisition of general knowledge. It matured and
developed one class of faculties, and left the others
to perish upon such scanty nourishment as could
be picked up by the way. After years of success-
ful toil, I longed for fresh fountains of knowledge
and new fields of energy. Leisure has never had
charms for me, as my tempernment renders in-
action a torment to me; but it seemed that the
time had now come when I might lay aside some
of the trammels of professional engagements.

I had no children, and, so far as could be seen
then, old age was amply provided for already.
The duties connected with the attorneyship of the
railroad did not prevent other objects npon which
I had detennined, and the salary of $5,000 per an-
num was a sufBcient remuneration for the time
given. In looking back, I am astonished at the
heavy and continuous labor I performed during
this twenty years of active practice. I used to
travel from one court to another for months to-
gether, and those were wild days. Our relaxa-
tions were, perhaps, more exhaustive than our
work, and we took no more thought or care for
our lives than if we had been immortal

People often speak of me as a criminal lawyer
specially, but in my early days I thought I man-
aged my civil cases better than those on the crim-

340

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

iual docket, and I believe that was the general
opinion.

During these years there had grown into man-
hood a young gentleman, since widely known as
the Hon. E. C. Walthall. He had studied law in
the office of that great man, Koger Barton, of
Holly Springs, and afterwards established himself
at Grenada, Mississippi.

Nature had been prodigal in her gifts to young
Walthall, and education enabled him to use tliem
to the best advantage. He was fall and well-pro-
portioned, had a fine and courtly bearing, and con-
versed with ease and elegance. Without delay, he
took high rank at the bar, and a brilliant future
was predicted for him.

About the period of which I have been writing,
Walthall had been elected district attorney, and
had made not a little reputation while holding that
oflBce. It happened that I was sent for by a gentle-
man by the name of May, to defend his son, who
had killed a man in Calhoun County.

For one cause or another, this case was con-
tinued at several terms of the court, and upon first
one pretext and then another the eluer May paid
only a portion of the fee agreed upon. He was a
wealthy man, but had a most unconquerable aver-
sion to parting with any portion of his treasure.
That being the case, I was resolved to hold him up
to his contract.

The trial came up at the spring term of the cir-

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 341

cuit court. Walthall was prosecuting, and was
confident of succeea, the case being admitted to
be a bad one. He knew his own powers, and espe-
cially his skill in wringing out of the most unwil-
ling witness whatever could strengthen the attack
or weaken the defence.

Although alone in the defence, I did not despair.
I thought I could see in the tangled skein of facts
a tiny clue, which, if deftly handled, might guide
us out of the labyrinth, and I knew I had rarely
failed to hold such a thread, once in my grasp.
By the time the testimony closed, my spirits had
risen. In fact, I knew that victory was certain.
It was not, however, my purpose to appear confi-
dent.

Late in the evening, Walthall addressed the jury
with great force in a compact and solid argument.
He handled both law and facts with skill and com-
bination. At the conclusion of his speech, Judge
Cothran announced that the argument must be
concluded that night, and took a short recess for
supper,

I knew that the time had come for the execu-
tion of my plan to circumvent Mr. May. He came
to me as I left the court-room, and said, " The case
is more desperate than I knew." I shook my head
dolefully, and answered not a word. " Billy ia in
great danger ? " I sighed a mighty sigh, but said
nothing. He was evidently depressed by my si-
lence, and said, " Mr. Walthall made a powerful

342 RECOLLECTIoys OF MISSISSIPPI.

attack." " He did, Mr. May, he did." " Must Billy
be hung ? Is there no hope ? " I said, " 1 will tell
you bow it is. To answer that speech I must do
my best, and that depends upon you, Mr. May. I
have been speaking in these difficult cases now for
several months, and my mind is exhausted, and
my lungs nearly worn out, I must be roused up
and stimulated before 1 can make the requisite
effort to answer that powerful speech of Walthall's,
and you must give me the stimulant if you don't
want to see Billy bung. Just pay me the twelve
hundred dollars you owe me, and I will put it in
my pocket, and whenever I feel myself going
down, I will put my hand on it and be aroused to
renewed effort."

He evidently felt the fullest confidence in the
vivifying powers of ready money, but was anxious
to persuade me that a smaller sum would be suf-
ficient. He began to beg, offering at first three
hundred, then five hundred, and at last seven hun-
dred. I was inflexible, and went off to supper,
after telling him to have the whole sum ready for
me before I went into the court-room, or to pre-
pare himself for the worst.

When I came out from supper, there stood
Mr. May, who paid over the twelve hundred, and
groaned deeply. I told him I already felt much
encouraged, and was ready to do my best for his
son. Several times that night, when I paused for
a moment in my long speech, happening to see the

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 343

old man's eyes fixed earnestly upon me, I would
thrust my hand in my pocket, and go on witli re-
newed vehemence. I do not doubt that to the day
of his death May believed that it was the potent
effect of that roll of notes that enabled me to ac-
quit his son. The story got out somehow, and
excited a good deal of amusement. Many times
since I have heard it repeated with all sorts of
fantastic additions ; and it has become one of a
great stock of anecdotes which have been related
about me, some of which are so old now that they
have passed into tradition. Generally there is
some thread of truth to begin with in these narra^
tives, but that is frequently lost in the embellish-
ments of fiction.

It ia a singular fact that there are some men
about whom such anecdotes seem to gather spon-
taneously, and to pass current as true throughout
the country. This has never been explained, any
more than the corresponding fact that some pop-
ular nickname is sure to be found for such a man,
and stick to him always. Long before I was thirty-
years old, men old enough to be my father referred
to me habitually as " Old Reube," and I was rarely
spoken of by any other appellation.

Walthall did not, at that time, take any very
active part in politics, although his position as a
Democrat was well defined. His silent influence
was, however, very great. His acknowledged pu-
rity of character, his intellectual eminence, and his

344 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

devotion to his profession gave him great weight
of character, and his opinions high consideration.
Besides this, he was genial and generous in social
life, and his record in the Confederate army would
have done honor to any man.

CHAPTER XXXn.

During this year the country began to inquire
into certain facts which were startling, hecause no
man could explain them.

Men who were not even candidates were elected
to office against popular candidates whose race was
expected to be a walk-over.

What mysterious organization was at work to
produce these results could not be divined by the
uninitiated, but the fact of the existence of some
powerful and secret society could not be doubted.
Finally it was revealed that an organization ex-
isted under the name of the " Know - Nothing
Order," and that it was becoming formidable. It
already included the Whig party in solid mass,
and was rapidly absorbing the Democrats,

The professed object of the order was to prohibit
foreigners from voting, xmtil qualified by a resi-
dence of twenty-one years. All through the North-
em States the Know-Nothinga carried everything
with them, and controlled both state and munici-
pal elections. They received no check until they
reached Virginia.

Under the leadership of Henry A. Wise, the
Democrats of Virginia threw their whole weight

346 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

in opposition, and defeated the Know-Notbing can-
didate for governor. The same result followed in
all the Southern States.

The Democrata of Mississippi held their State
convention in the spring of 1855, and nominated
Governor J. J. McEae for reelection. Other State
officers were nominated, and a platform adopted,
holdly denouncing Know - Nothingism. The dis-
trict conventions followed in rapid succession, nom-
inating candidates for Congress, and indorsing the
platform of the state convention. During the win-
ter of 1855, the legislature had changed the con-
gressional districts so as to msike five districts in-
stead of four. This was done to provide a district
for the floater.

The second district included the counties of
Monroe, Itawamba, Pontotoc, Chickasaw, Calhoun,
Yalobusha, Tallahatchie, Sunflower, and Bolivar.
A convention was held, and after much balloting
Judge Bennett was nominated. I was not present
at this convention, and had no knowledge of ita
action until afterwards.

Able men were nominated from all the other
four districts, among others Captain William Barka-
daJe.

The Know-Nothing party held their convention,
as I have always understood, in the city of New
Orleans, and the nominations were kept secret for
some time thereafter.

Monroe had its county convention, and nomi-

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 347

Dated candidates for the legisliiture. They refused
to accept upon the plea that the Know-Nothings
were so strong in the county that defeat was in-
evitable. A second convention was held with a
similar result. In the mean time, it became
known that Mr. Charles Fontaine, of Pontotoc,
was the nominee for governor. Thia nomination
was admitted to be a very strong one.

Fontaine had settled in Pontotoc at a very early
day, and had begun his practice there. He was
an agreeable speaker, and his ability was every-
where recognized. His family connections were
numerous and influential, and his reputation as a
gentleman of Bcrupulous honor and honesty could
not be questioned.

Judge Lock E. Houston was the nominee for
Congress, and possessed a strength that promised
a majority of at least fifteen hundred. Party pros-
pects stood in thia attitude. McRae was able and
skilful, and fully a match for Fontaine. Candi-
dates for Congress in the different districts were
fairly well-matched intellectually.

A term of the circuit court was to be held at
Starksville, and it was decided to make the begin-
ning of the canvass at that place and time. On
Monday evening William L. Barry made the first
speech, a masterly effort, replete with eloquent
argument and fiery denunciation. He had refused
to accept a nomination for Congress, but his county
of Lowndes had forced upon him a nomination for

34S RECOLLECTIONS OP MISSISSIPPI.

the legislature. Barry's speech was followed by
one from Captain William Barksdale, oominee for
Congress,

He was not so gifted an orator as Barry, bat he
made a telling speech, fearless and strong.

Mr. Crusoe, of Columbus, announced tbat he
would reply after supper, and a voice from the
crowd then called out that Reuben Davis would
respond to Crusoe the next day when court ad-
journed for dinner.

Crusoe's speech tbat night was caustic and
severe, and he made the mistake of alluding to
the controversy of two years before between
Barksdale and myself. It was a mistake, because,
instead of renewing ill-feeling as intended, it pro-
duced the opposite effect. Barksdale and myself
had shaken bands in cordial restoration of friend-
ship that very morning. The fact was that the
hatchet had long ago been buried by both, and
now we bad smoked the pipe of peace, and more
than renewed all the old bonds of kindliness. As
I listened to Crusoe, my soul was stirred to ita
depths. Like David, I might have said, " My
heart is hot within me, and while I am musing,
the fire becomes kindled."

The moment Crusoe ceased, many voices began
calling for me, and I needed no second call. I
rose quickly, and poured out the words that were
burning upon my brain. If ever I put my whole
strength in a speech, it was tbat night; and as I

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 349

left the stand, Bome of my friends called to me,
" You can die now, Davis, for yon have done your
best." To tliia day, it gives me pleasure to remem-
ber that an opportunity was given me to celebrate
my reconciHation with my old friend by an honest
effort in his support.

Going home from Starksville, I was put upon a
forlorn hope race for the legislature, which race I
have already spoken of. This was the first and
only time I ever served in the legislature.

The session began on the first Monday in Janu-
ary, 1856. It was plain that the main business to
be considered was the adoption of a code of laws,
which was to be reported by three commissioners,
appointed, by an act of the preceding session, to
codify the statutes of the State. Anything else
was of a local or general character, and of no prac-
tical utility. I will not stop here for any lengthy
comment upon the unnecessary and expensive leg-
islation enacted every year by the different States
of our Union, but I think it could be made clear
that one session in five years would meet the prac-
tical requirements of any one of them.

In this instance, I could discover no state inter-
est which required legislation, outside of the pro-
posed code, and I urged upon the legislature the
propriety of ignoring every petty question, and
proceeding rapidly with the code. I found my-
self always in the minority. Most of the mem-
bers had gone there with a fixed idea of giving

350 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

evidence of their fitness to represent the people.
A speech upon economy must be made — a dec-
laration of miwillingnesa to impose needless tax-
ation upon the poor people -^ or at least some
denunciation of the rich must be poured out for
future use on the stump, and as a means of secui^
ing reelection.

In these heavy duties so much time was con-
sumed that we made little progress with the code,
and were forced to adjourn over until January,
1857- Again the same delays were interposed,
and at the end of six weeks, we had made little
progress.

Upon consultation, it was agreed to vote down
any project, whether in the shape of amendment
or original proposition, and confine our action to
the code, and in one month thereafter it was com-
pleted.

During these two winters, I became well ac-
quainted, not only with the members of both
houses, but with the resident population of Jack-
son. Many pleasant acquaintances were made
there, and some warm and lusting friendships.

Among these last, I may mention Mr. Patterson,
a man for whom I have ever since retained both
regard and admiration. He was from Claiborne
County, where he was well known as a lawyer,
and also as having a large planting interest. His
ability in debate, and his strength and originality
of thought, gave him consideration in the house.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL 351

while bis friends loved him for bis generous and
loyal nature.

The most important and interesting event of the
last session was the election of a United Statea
senator, to fill the place of the Hon. Stephen Ad-
ams, who was not a candidate for reelection. The
contest was between Jefferson Davis and Jacob
Thompson. 1 was for Davis.

The northern counties were very generally in
favor of Jacob Thompson. I had become con-
vinced that the contest would be very close, and
the result doubtful. As I now recollect, Barry, of
Columbus, and Green, of Holly Springs, were the
only men from tlie extreme north of the State
who were with me. If either should falter, Jef-
ferson Davis might be defeated, although he was
undoubtedly the first choice of the people. I had
been ill for some days, and was still confined to
my bed, when I was informed at noon that the
caucus would be held that evening at five o'clock.
Determined to be present, I got up in spite of
doctor and nurse, and drove to the capitol. As I
entered the door, I met a messenger with a note
advising me to remain in my room, and containing
a resolution authorizing Captain Abbott to cast my
vote for Davie in the caucus ; but I had made up
my mind to watch the course of affairs myself.

Discussion began, and resolutions were offered,
in all of which I took part, and finally, at eleven
o'clock, the vote was taken, with a majority of two

352 RECOLLECTIONS OF AflSSISSIPPI.

for Davis. The next day he was elected in joint
assembly.

Mr. Davis was in Washington at the time, and,
so far as I know, never knew the details of that
election.

While speaking of this period spent in Jackson,
I may add that nowhere could he found a more
agreeable social life, or more eminent and culti-
vated people. The hospitality of the city was de-
lightful, and 80 many strangers resorted there dur-
ing the winter that society lacked no attraction
that the State could afford. As to the legislative
body itself, my observation was that while it was
generally composed of men of position and intel-
lect, there was not sufficient care taken to select
men of experience and practical judgment. This
is important, because it is such men alone who
understand that much legislation is always preju-
dicial to a people.

" The Mississippian " was the leading newspaper
of the State at that time. It was in the house of
nearly every intelligent Democrat throughout the
country, whatever might be his calling, and exer-
cised an extraordinary influence in moulding pub-
lic opinion. The paper was owned by Mr. Ethel
Barksdale and Mr. J. L. Powers. Barksdale was
the chief editor, and Powers the publisher and
business manager. Barksdale was the ablest para-
graph writer the State has ever afforded. His
fault was that he was too caustic and severe.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 353

Some of his paragraphs were electric batteries,
which produced a shock from which only thoae
victims who were blessed with strong nerves and
great recuperative powers could recover. In per-
son he was small, and his manner was grave and
dignified. He rarely laughed, and there was some-
thing in his smile which indicated more of malice
than of mirth.

Mr. Powers differed widely from his coadjutor.
Tall and thin in person, he had a head which
showed large business capacity. His manner was
more genial, and gave the impression that he waa
one of those who loved his fellow-men. His style
was always logical and forcible.

After the war, " The Misaissippian " assumed the
name of " The Clarion," and is now published as
the " Clarion-Ledger."

About the first of April, 1857, 1 returned home,
and once more entered upon my duties as attorney
for the New Orleans, Jackson, and Great Northern
Railroad. Early in May, a mutual friend of Judge
Lock E. Houston and myself approached me with
a suggestion as to forming a law-partnership be-
tween us. As I had a great liking and admiration
for Judge Houston, the matter was speedily ar-
ranged. The new firm prospered, doing in the
first three months, even, a very large business.

CHAPTER XXXm.

Ik July the Democracy again met in convention
to nominate a candidate for Congress. The meet-
ing was appointed for Pittsborough, in Calhoun
County, It had always been the rule to give a
man a second term, which entitled Bennett to
expect a renomination. For some cause, how-
ever, Bennett was not popular in the four large
counties lying in the eastern division of the dis-
trict, and many persons urged me to seek the
nomination. To these friends I replied by pub-
lishing a letter of refusal.

Mr. Jehu A. Orr, of Houston, Chickasaw County,
allowed bis friends to present him to the district
as a candidate.

The delegates to tbe convention from Aberdeen
called on me after they were mounted for the
journey, and told me of their intention to use my
name, as had been done before, even against my
protest. After they left, I went to my house, and,
as soon as my buggy could be brought out, started
after the delegates, and soon overtook them. We
travelled together to Pittsborough, arriving there
on the Sunday evening. In a few minutes the
delegation from Itawamba County came to see us.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 355

and announced the intention o£ uniting with Monroe
in support of my claims to the last extremity.

It waa agreed that I should be allowed to control
my name after the first ballot. The next day the
first ballot showed this result : Orr 6, Davis 6, and
Bennett 7. I then withdrew absolutely, and went
to the hotel with a number of friends, with whom
I passed the day right merrily.

About eleven o'clock that night, no nomination
having been agreed upon, my friend, Mr. James
Randall, put my name up again, declaring it ehould
not be withdrawn, After three or four ballots,
Orr instructed his friends to coalesce with mine,
and I was nominated.

A committee was sent to bring me to the con-
vention, where I thanked them in as few words oa
possible, saying I wag not in speaking order just
then, but would promise them to begin the can-
vass in a few days, and make the beat race in my
power.

The Bennett men were deeply offended ; they
left next morning in a very sulky humor, and went
to Grenada. They there called a convention, and,
repudiating my nomination, put Betmett out as a
candidate. He accepted.

Immediately upon receiving intelligence of this
action, I sent out an appointment, and went to
Grenada to make a speech. Bennett was not at
home. I went on to Tallahatchie, and then re-
turned to Co£Eeeville, where I met Bennett. He

356

RECOLLECTIONS OF MlSSISStPPT.

was very hostile, and even talked of fight. The
hour for debate tirrived, and I had agreed to open
the discussion, and then allow Bennett one hour
and a half, taking the same time in reply.

The audience was large and utterly undemon-
atrative. They had evidently come for the pur-
pose of determining their future action in the con-
test. Under these circumstances, it was necessary
to be wary in my utterance, and to summon to my
aid such dexterity and skill as might be in my
power. I must watch the tokens of approbation
or dissent, and make my advances by these indica-
tions.

I began by reminding the audience that, two
years before, I had been basely deserted by this
gentleman, although he had been instructed by his
county to vote for me, first, last, and all the time.
Chickasaw had given me the one vote necessary to
bring me up to the two thirds required, and he,
Bennett, seeing that my nomination was thns
secured, had cast his vote for a stranger, and thus
brought about hia own nomination. Having thus
disobeyed his instructions, and proved faithless to
his trust, and also deserted one of bis best personal
friends to secure his own interest, it ill became him
to charge fraud upon me, or any one else.

At this point I was encouraged by prolonged
applause. I went on to say that upon two occa-
sions, when I could have received high office, I had
withdrawn at his request, and in his favor; and

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 357

that even after he had betrayed the trust confided
to him, greatly to my prejudice, 1 had thrown
myself into the canvasa to aid in his election. I
reminded him that I had withdrawn from the con-
vention after the first ballot, and spent the remain-
der of the day with some friends in a convivial
party at the hotel. That, in fact, I had been called
from this party, still engaged with wine and jollity,
when wanted to accept the nomination. Know-
ing all this, he had still felt no shame in making
charges of fraud which be knew I waa incapable
of by nature, and which circumstances showed to
have been impossible.

Here the applause became universal, and was
continued from time to time during my whole
speech. This assured me that I had struck the
right chord, and that the crowd was now in har-
mony with me.

When Bennett arose, he paused, expecting some
demonstration. Disappointed and oppressed by
the silence, he began his address without anima-
tion, and continued to become more and more life-
less, until he sat down without a single murmur
from tlie audience.

Again I took the stand, and the uproar showed
the people were with me. I told Bennett that I
had, two years before, when he waa nominated,
and nobody was for him, stood for five days upon
the streets of Aberdeen, urging people to vote for
him. I now expected him to return the obliga-

358

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

tioD. He arose, and said, "If yon will go along,
and say nothing about me, I will withdraw." I
replied, " Ah, Mr. Bennett, you would surely not
deny me the honor and pleasure of proclaiming
that you are my friend ! " He answered in a very
sulky tone, "No, you may say that." For some
reason, this conversation amused the crowd im-
mensely, and they roared and shouted and ap-
plauded until the meeting was over. Bennett's
career ended with it.

After this, some of Bennett's friends corre-
sponded with General Charles Clark, of Bolivar,
and pledged him their support, if he would, as a
Whig, contest the election with me. He con-
sented, although he had urged me to make an
effort for the nomination. He wrote to me, pro-
posing that our canvass should begin on a certain
day in the town of Aberdeen, and that I should
have posters struck off and circulated, making ap-
pointments throughout the whole district, and up
to the day of election. This was done.

At the appointed time, Clark came to Aberdeen,
and was my guest for the night. He had been
with me in Mexico, and we spent a pleasant even-
ing, recalling our old adventures and mishaps, and
laughing over old frolics.

In our discussion next day, Clark was unfortu-
nate enough to make a signal failure — the only
one of his canvass. He had come through Mem-
phis, and had there found a little book, called

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

359

" McCuaky's Political Text-Book," It had just been
published, and a few copies received in Memphis.

I had never seen it, nor had the slightest knowl-
edge of its contents. Clark would not let me look
at it, always locking it up carefully when our dis-
cussion was over.

We had four discussions before we reached Pon-
totoc, and on each occasion he would make certain
statements, and dare me to deny them, saying,
" Here it is in this Little Book."

This was exasperating. I wrote to a friend in
Memphis, requesting him to send me a copy by
mail to Pontotoc. We got to Pontotoc late in the
evening. Clark had been very bold in his asser-
tions that day, and dared contradiction.

I avoided controversy upon those points, and, as
soon as we reached Pontotoc, went to the post-
office. No package, but the postmaster said the
stage from Memphis was due about daylight; and
if the book carae, I should have it without delay.

At the dawn of day, I was aroused by a great
knocking at my door, and there was the postmas-
ter with my book. Before the sun was an hour
high. I had found all I wanted, and could show
how all Clark's statements were utter misrepresen-
tations. Every fact was exactly the reverse of
his version of it. I made my references, and felt
armed for the fray.

After an early breakfast, I saw two intimate
friends with whom I bad talked the night before,

360

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

and showed them how Clark had misrepresented
the facts in toto.

It was Clark's day to open the debate. We had
an immense audience, and Clark began to make
his charges boldly, and to challenge me as usual,
saying he was prepared to overwhelm me with his
Little Book, as he always called it He then said
in a tone of great exultation, " The gentleman is
silent. Now, fellow-citizens, I ask you if a man so
ignorant of the political history of the day ia 6t
to serve you in Congress."

Many persons looked at me as if they thought
I would, or ought to, resent these remarks j but
ray two friends who were in the secret smiled at
me in the most delighted manner. I took the
stand, and, after the usual preliminaries, I said :
" The gentleman .seeks to evade the real issues of
the canvass, by making one with me, rather per-
sonal, thus putting me on the defensive. This I
shall not nilow him to do, especially upon a set of
assertions, not true in fact, as I will show you at
once, by reference to the ' Little Book ' which he
holds in such high esteem, and which contradicts
every word he has uttered, if he has sense enough
to see it. Mr. Clark, get your book, and see if I
read correctly."

He showed trepidation, and looked to see if bis
book were in place. I read page after page, all in
direct contradiction of his statements, and then
said, " iVbuj, fellow-citizens, I charge that this gen-

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 361

tleman was either too ignorant to understand what
he read, or that he wilfully and deliberately mis-
stated the facta with the purpose to deceive you.
I ask you whether such a man is fit to represent
you in Congress?" The crowd responded with
loud shouts of no, no, while great applause fol-
lowed from every part of the house.

Clark bent before the tempest. He made one
feeble attempt to deny, but six hundred angry
voices roared him down. I had avenged myself,
but the blow fell so heavily that 1 was sorry to
have been forced to make it.

This box usually gave four hundred Whig votes
and two hundred Democratic; but when the elec-
tion was held, Clark received but seventy-five to
five hundred cast for me.

On the evening of that day, Clark sent me a
proposition to close the canvass, each to return
home, and leave the people to decide for them-
-••elvea without further discussion. To this I read-
ily consented, but Clark's friends forced him on,
and we went to several other places. Clark then
renewed the proposition, find the canvass ended.
I was elected by a majority of twenty-five hundred.
I should do great injustice to my own feelings if
I were to pass by this period without recalling one
evening of social pleasure, which was, for many
reasons, very gratifying to me. Upon my return
from the canvass, I received from my fellow-citi-
zens, without distinction of party, a splendid ban-
quet in token of their personal good-will.

362

BBCOLLBCTWys OP MISSISSIPPI.

The entertainment was given at the old Com-
mercial Hotel, — then occupying the site where the
Gordon House now stands, — and it was gotten up
in a style handsome and generoiLs enough to be
worthy o£ those who gave it. Under the superlnr
teodence of our noble ladies, the supper was spread
in lavish and delicate abundance. Wine flowed
freely, and toasts were given and responded to in
the fashion of the day. Many elegant women
graced the occasion,, and I have never seen a finer
body of men than were assembled that night.
Among those who proposed toasts were Frank
Rogers, Dr. Tinrliill and his father, Judge Sole and
Judge Houston, Dr. William Sykes and Dr. Au-
gustus Sykes, Jiimes Randall, Phelan, Vasser, Ad-
ams, General Strong, Bishop Paine, William Clop-
ton, Judge Acker, Hampton, Abner Prewitt, and
many others. Of all the long list, Houston, Acker,
Vftsser, and Randall alone survive.

That night was, perhaps, the brightest I have
spent in nil my long life. Looking back now, it
shines with unalloyed gratification, but I see it
through a mist of farewells and bereavements.
The echo of kind voices remains in my heart, but
the voices have long been stilled. Friendly eyes
look back upon me, but I see the shadow of the
grave in tlieir glances.

What avails our labor and our joy! "Man
walketh in a vain show, and disquieteth himself in
vain."

CHAPTER XXXIV. ■

The election was held in October, and it became
necesyury for me to prepare at once for my depar-
ture for Washington. I had very exalted ideaa as
to the quality of men usually selected to represent
the people at the national capital ; and if I confess
that it was with many misgivings that I looked
forward to measuring myself with men presuma-
bly so far my superiors in natural and acquired
ability, I suppose many others may have under-
gone the same apprehensions under the same cir-
cumstances. So great was my self-distrust that,
happening, when getting near Richmond, to make
acquaintance with a handsome lad with whom I
travelled, I was quite pleased when he 8poke of
having been a page on the floor of the House for
several winters, and I listened to all his chatter
about men and ways there with great interest,
picking up some hints which were afterwards use-
ful to me.

On leaving Richmond, I noticed on the train
four gentlemen, who were travelling together, and
who appeared, for some reason, to be regarding
me attentively. In getting on the boat at Aquia
Creek, we were thrown together more closely, and

364 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

the youngest man of the party approached me
very courteously, and asked if he might be per-
mitted the question whether I was not one of the
congressmen from the extreme South. I replied
that I was from Mississippi. He then told me
that his name was Roger A. Pryor, editor of the
•'Richmond Enquirer." We went into a long con-
versation, and from that day began an acquaint-
ance which ripened into intimate friendship. I
always had a great regard for Pryor, and there
was no man whose conversation 1 enjoyed more.
We readied Washington on Thursday ; and, al-
though I afterwards found it one of the brightest
and most cheerful of cities, I shidi never forget
the dreariness of my first impression of it A
bitter wind howled and moaned through the wide
streets, and from a leaden sky snow and sleet came
down in icy showers. I had left, but a few days
before, the warmth and verdure of summer, and
felt as if plunged into arctic winter. I found out
then that for creatures accustomed to a southern
climate, happiness, aa well aa comfort, is a matter
of temperature.

I was soon comfortably established at Brown's,
then the favorite hotel for Sontherners, and soon
received calls from numerous Mississippi ans resi-
dent there. My friend, William Barksdale, came
at once, announcing his intention of taking charge
of me until I got fairly in harness, and in a few
days I began to feel as if I had lived there always.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 366

On Monday morning we went together to the
House, where I was to take my seat for the first
time.

I smile now when I think of the trepidation
with which I mounted the steps of the Capitol, and
of the exaggerated expectations I had formed of
the manner of men to be met there. The two
houses organized in the old Senate hall and the
old Representative chamber. Members were all
standing, and the hall was full to overflowing.

There was a buzz of conversation and laughter,
but I noticed that new-comers, like myself, bad not
much to say. After a while I began to examine
different individuals more carefully, and my spirits
rose.

I said to Barksdale, " I came here nervous and
iU-iit-ease, expecting to be overpowered by a bril-
liant array of extraordinary people, and I see
nothing alarming. Aberdeen is but a small place,
and yet I can gather there any day groups of men
who will compare favorably with the best I see
here." And to this day I will maintain that I have
known many men of this county who were the
equals of any that I have known anywhere, though,
perhaps, not so prominent

I remember well what a shock I felt when the
great Stephens was first pointed out to rae. For
years I had thought of him as a sort of giant, and
beheld a mere pygmy in physical development,
with nothing in his face to indicate his really great
qualities.

366 RECOLLECTIONS OF MlSSISStPPL

There were, however, many men of unusual
ability in that House, and it was a time to bring
out whatever force was in a man. Without fully
realizing it, we were actors in a great draraa, of
which each scene became more tragic, till the end
came with tears and blood. We sowed the wind,
forgetting for the most part that the harvest must
be a tempest of fiery ruin and destruction.

We elected Orr, of South Carolina, for speaker —
and he was a most able and efficient one. I voted
for him with all the more pleasure because of his
brother, J. A. Orr, then of Chickasaw. He now
Uvea in Lowndes, but is represented in his old
home by his son, William Orr, one of the bright-
est and most promising of the young lawyers in
our district.

Committees were appointed, and I was placed
upon the committee for post-offices and post-roads.
Owing to some press of routine business the night
aession was prolonged, after appointment of com-
mittees, until nearly day, and as we left the House
day was already dawning. I had started to my
hotel, when I wns joined by a Mr. Campbell, from
Ohio, who had come to contest with Vallanding-
ham the seat for his district.

Campbell asked me to go with him to a certiun
shooting gallery, telling me that he expected to
challenge Vallandingham, and wanted me to act
for him. We stopped to get a glass of something
refreshing, and then went to the gallery and prao

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPJ. 3G7

tised until ten o'clock. This delay happened to
be of great service to me.

When I readied my rooms, I found Barksdale
waiting for rae. In conversation with him, 1 dis-
covered that I was wrong in supposing I had been
put upon an unimportant committee, as the one
for post-offices and post-roads was really very im-
portant. Instead of refusing to serve, aa I had
fully intended, I was glad to let matters alone.

Having called upon the President and heads of
departments, I soon settled down to work. I found
that to keep up with correspondence and other
business, it was necessary to work with both sys-
tem and diligence. We dined then at about five
o'clock, and I devoted most of the evening to read-
ing letters and preparing to have them answered
next day. Almost the only amusement I indulged
in was attending the theatre, for which I have al-
ways had great fondness.

I may say here that I avoided card parties
where betting was practised, and never went into
a gaming-house to play while I was in Washing-
ton. I very soon saw how dangerous these things
were to men in public life, and resolved to keep
away from them altogether.

I had been in Washington only two or three
weeks, when a certain gentleman came to rae with
an application to Congress set forth in a pamphlet,
for the establishment of a line of mail steamers,
starting from New York, to go to Liverpool, Eng-

368 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISS/PFI.

land, via some French ports. The government
was to pay a bonus of five millions. I examined
the pamphlet, and then invited the gentleman to
my room to give me further information. I
thought I could discover a solution of a question to
which my attention had been directed during my
canvass. I beheved that a conversation with this
gentleman might explain why direct trade could
not be established between New Orleans and Liv-
erpool, and confirm my convictions upon that sub-
ject. I had said that, in ray judgment, there were
political causes which led to this discrimination as
against Southern ports ; and I had promised to in-
vestigate the matter if possible.

We had a long conversation, which ended hy ray
refusal to support his project. I told him that, in
the first place, the subject was one to be considered
by the committee on post-offices and post-roads,
it properly belonging to that committee to deter-
mine the necessity of such route. In the second
place, it was clear that all these ocean post-routes
made New York their starting-point, and asked
for a bonus from Congress which paid all the ex-
penses of transit, thus making a clear profit of all
receipts, and easily driving from the sea any direct
trade line from any Soutliern port. In this man-
ner, New York received an overwhelming advan-
tage over all other ports of entry on the whole At-
lantic coast.

I will say here that this unjost discrimination

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 369

still exists, and until the West shall unite with the
South, and demand a uniform system upon this
subject, both sections must be at the mercy of New
York.

Congress had not been m session ihree weeks
before it had become manifest that the most ex-
treme men in both North and South had been se-
lected as representatives. Everything that was
said or done evinced a war spirit. For this I was
not prepared, I had always looked upon disunion
as only the last terrible resort, which must culmi-
nate in a most disastrous war. That secession
could be peaceable was not possible, but I still
clung to the hope that it was possible to bring
about a peaceful adjustment of the controversy
between the sections.

On one point there could be no reasonable
doubt. If we should appeal to arms and the Issue
be decided against us, emancipation must neces-
sarily follow. And no thoughtful man could shut
his eyes to the fact that an immense disproportion
of numbers, as well as the lack of the munitions of
war in the South, threw heavy odds against ua.

About this time, General Sidney Johnston, with
five thousand men, was ordered to advance upon
the Mormon territory at Salt Lake. I met Gen-
eral John A. Quitman near the Capitol, and he re-
marked to me upon this military movement, say-
ing that it was the first step towards war, and
there was no power in government to stop it from

370 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

that time. I told him that I was not in the coun-
sels of what were called the leaders of parties, and
asked him the direct question, " Have you any
definite policy?" He replied, " We have, and its
aim and end is disunion." I asked if he thought
the troubles between the sections had reached a
point beyond compromise. Ilis reply was that
there could be no doubt of it, and that he advised
me to make up my mind to that as the inevitable
result. We had a long conversation, during which
1 said to him, "If you are right in your conclu-
sions, you ought to wake up to the fact that every
hour of delay increases the disparity against us,
especially in the rapid extension of our railroad
system. You do not appear to take into your esti-
mate the certainty that railroads change the whole
science of war. With such facilities of transport
at her command. New York could send a hundred
thousand men in ten days to any point within our
borders, whereas without them four or five months
would be required." His reply was that I over-
estimated these advantages, and that it was im-
possible to move until the popular mind was better
prepared for the wrench.

As he turned to leave me, he laughed, and
added, " It will be all right in the next four years.
You must move up, Davis, or you will be left be-
hind." I said, " No, not left behind, because
wherever Mississippi goes she takes me with her."
We were serious enough, both of us, but we

HECOLIECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 371

laughed and made as light of our anxieties as we
could; just as the people did, no doubt, on that
day when the heavens grew dark above them, and
the great black drops began to fall, and the deluge
came.

After that talk with Quitman, I kept pace with
the rest, but I had the frankness to say everywhere
that war was in sight.

By the rules of the House, a committee of the
whole House is provided for, and, immediately after
the reading of the President's message, it had been
the custom for the House to resolve itself into a
committee of the whole to consider the state of
the Union. After this committee was resolved
that session, the discussions were almost exclu-
sively upon the subject of slavery.

In this committee, the Speaker has a right to
select the subject he will discuss. The discussions
were so bitter, and the members became no ex-
cited, that personal encounters were imminent at
any moment. Before the close of the session,
members of opposite parties scarcely spoke to each
other. I spent a laborious six months, observing
all the indications on both sides closely, and it was
plain that matters grew more hopeless every day.

Congress adjourned in June, 1858, and members
returned to their homes until December, A short
time previous to this adjournment, an unplensant
incident occurred one night about two o'clock, on
the floor of the House of Hepresentativea. Moat

372

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

of the members were sleepiog in their seats, when
Grow, a Republican memher from Pennsylvania,
crossed over from the Republican side of the
house to the side of the Democrats. Keitt, from
South Carolina, said to him, " What are you doing
on our side?" adding, as he came nearer, "D — n
you, go back to your own seat." Grow retorted,
" You can't crack your negro-whip over me, sir ! "
Keitt then struck at him violently. In dodging
this blow, Grow got completely to one side, and
Keitt fell forward beyond him. As he sprang up,
they found themselves back to back, and though
both turned quickly to renew the combat, there
was time for me to seize one of them, while some
one else got hold of the other.

There was a rush from every part of the house,
and as the tumult increased, blows were rapidly
passed until four or five different combats were in
progress. The sergeant -at -arms now rushed in
with his mace, bearing the American eagle, and
this symbol of authority quelled the disgraceful
riot, and restored a state of order more seemly
for the council chamber of a great nation. Many
articles were published in regard to this affair,
which led to great heat and disturbance, but re-
sulted in no serious trouble.

General Quitman's health had become greatly
impaired during that winter in Washington, and
before the next session, he died at his home near
Natchez. Hia disease and subsequent death were

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 373

attributed to the poisoned food served to President
James Buchanan^ at a banquet given him about
the time of his inauguration. Whether that was
the cause or not, he suffered grievously for many
weeks, and died too soon to take part in the great
struggle upon which his heart was set Wherever
he was translated, he must have been happy in-
deed, if his thoughts never reverted with longing
affection to the stormy scenes of his earthly exist-
ence.

CHAPTER XXXV.

Returning home, I found the country prosper-
ous, and the fields laden with abundant harvests.
The wealth of the people was increasing rapidly,
and the land seemed to be basking in the full sun-
shine of God'a benediction.

ISectional agitation had reached ita height, and
yet no one seemed to realize that it must result in
war and all ita calamities.^ There seemed to be in
every mind some vague expectation that, however
fiercely these fires might blaze and threaten, they
would in some way extinguish themselves in due
time harmlessly.

Throughout this district my renomination had
been settled upon. Early in July the district con-
vention was held at Houston, and nomination made
by acclamation. Soon afterwards the Whig party
held their convention at Pontotoc, and adopted a
resolution expressing satisfaction with my nomina-
tion, and then adjourned.

The same result occurred in all the districts in
the State, the Hon. J. J. McRae being returned
from the Quitman district.

This indicated that party passions were subsid-
ing, and that the whole people were being fused

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL 375

by the white heat of sectional strife into one
homogeneous mass. Although there was no op-
position, I made a thorough canvass of the districtj
telling the people frankly that war knocked at our
doors. My object was to bring the subject fairly
before them, and, if possible, to draw from them
some expression of their real feeling as to the wis-
dom of proceeding to extremity.

Some time in the early part of August, a ship
landed on the coast of South Carolina, bringing a
cargo of Africans, who were sent into the interior
of the Southern States. All the newspapers, both
North and South, published the facts of this case
with various comments. A gentleman of this dis-
trict, who was desirous to make a race with me for
Congress, conceived the idea of making the intro-
duction of fresh African slaves on this occasion a
pretext for taking issue with me. He therefore
induced a friend of his, Charles Williams, of
Okolona, to write a letter, in which he said,
" Many friends desire to know your views upon
this subject, and have requested me to ask you
whether you are in favor of, or against, the intro-
duction of new slaves,"

As soon as I read this, I saw the mischief in-
tended, and promptly replied that I had examined
the platform adopted by the Houston convention,
which had renominated me, and found nothing
upon that subject; that I was not authorized to
introduce a new plank into the platform, and must

376

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIFPL

decline to do so. Upon this the subject wbb
dropped, and I heard nothing more about it

My election took place without opposition.

Eeturaing home from this canvass, I found my
household in some bustle and excitement. Plans
and debates were in progress, but not in any wise
connected with politics or the fate of the nation.
Friends had arrived from a distant State, and pro-
jecfj to give them pleasure and do them honor
were in discussion.

It all came upon me in a burst. A grand party
was to be given, and all the womenfolk in the
house were planning who should be invited, and
what should be done.

I listened with dismay, and sat silently counting
up how many friends this one festival would prob-
ably cost me. Many of those who had supported
me with the greatest zeal and fervor of friendship
would surely be left out, and of course would be
affronted — justly offended. AH sorts of compli-
cations would surely arise. The more I thought
about it, the more my heart sank within me. But
what can a man do, when three or four dear women
all talk to him at once ; all bent upon having their
own sweet way 1

I think if he is wise, he will do as I did, — put
on my hat without a word, and walked down town
as fast as I could go, leaving the ladies to go on
with their plans.

I made my way straight to the printing-office,

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 377

and had an interview with my friend, the editor.
His paper was just going to press, but he was
good enough to insert a small paragraph for me.
This was in the form of a card of invitation, ad-
dressed to the people of Monroe Comity, and re-
questing them to honor me with their presence at
a reception to be given at my house on a certain
evening, when I should have much pleasure in
greeting all my friends.

This done, I went about my affairs with a tran-
quil spirit, and waited for the bombshell to explode
at home. Nest morning the papers came out, and
it was then my turn to behold consternation in the
family.

There was not much above a week for prepara-
tion, but in those days provisions were abundant,
and cooks numerous. I do not believe that there
could be found anywhere any better artists in that
line than the well-trained colored cooks of the
days before the war.

As for rae, spurred on by the reproaches of the
gentler sex, who held me accountable for their
dilemma, I performed prodigies in the way of send-
ing in supplies. Poultry by the wagon-load, ham-
pers of eggs and butter, young pigs and old hams,
game in quontities, and hundreds of dozens of
oysters from Mobile.

Cooks toiled, ladies and their maids decorated,
and the result was delightful order and harmony
after a week oi chaoB. The grounds were illu-

378 RECOLLECTIOyS OF MJSSISSIPPL

minated, long tables spread, the honse thrown
open, and our guests found all ready for their re-
ception. It was with both pride and pleasure that
I made thera welcome, and rejoiced with the good
friends who had been so kindly and loyal to me
alwa3'8. Also I had the satisfaction of knowing
that the festival was entirely upon my own plan
from beginning to end, and of believing it to be a

Many times since that day, when I have heard
of this or that one being offended because not
invited to certain entertainments, I have told my
story, and boasted that I was the only man in
Monroe County who ever managed to give a party
without offending anybody.

Throughout the State all the elections went the
same way. In fact, the Democratic strength was
very much increased, and the Whig organization
was feeble and broken. John J. Pettus was
elected governor, and he was a disunion man of
the most unmitigated order. Between us there
existed a very warm friendship ; and after the war
began we acted together with extraordinary har-
mony.

I returned to Washington the last of November,
prepared for the worst that could befall us as a
nation. In private conversation, I did not hesitate
to express my conviction that the chances for war
amounted almost to a certainty. Arriving a few
days in advance of the meeting of Congress, I

nECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 379

thought I could observe in the members with
whom I talked an ardent desire to precipitate the
conflict.

As soon as the members assembled, it was in
order to elect a speaker, and we prepared for a
vote. Bocock was put in nomination by the
Democrats ; John Sherman by the Republicans,
and John Davis by the three Douglas Demo-
crats.

A vote was taken, which developed the fact that
the three factions, Democrats, Whigs, and Douglas
Democrats, had a majority of one vote over the
Republicans. The House adjourned until next
morning. Everything was in commotion ; many
consultations were held, but nothing was effected
in the way of reconciling and harmonizing the dis-
cordant elements.

I was only a looker-on, not pretending to leader-
ship among so many wiser and more prominent
men, but I made careful observations upon men
and possibilities. Everywhere the same restless
and feverish spirit was displayed, — in the House,
at the hotels and club-rooms, and in groups upon
the streets. It was evident that the stability of
our republic was on trial, and that the last days of
the government, as it then existed, had come.

The conservative element in the House was ex-
tremely small, most of its members being of the
age whet) the fighting instinct is at its maximum,
and the instinct of discretion at its minimum.

380 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

Those who were, in their hearts, desirous of peace,
dared not say so. The words traitor and apostate
would have been hurled upon them from every
eide.

There were few men of ripe age upon the floor,
most of the members belonging to the generation
which came to the front between the years 1835
and 1855.

Among the veterans was the venerable Mr.
Giddings, who had been for many years the great
leader among the emancipation agitators. I never
saw a more remarkable man, nor one who was in-
spired by a spirit of more concentrated bitterness.
He waa very old and infirm, but his hatred for the
South and for slavery glowed like the hot fire of
youth in his veins, and seemed potent enough to
vivify with new energies his exhausted frame. The
hoarded hate of a lifetime gleamed in his sunken
eyes, and gave ferocity to a voice that was like the
growl of a tiger about to spring upon his prey. 1
used to watch him with the sort of fascinated intei^
eat which the display of strong and sustained pas-
sion is sure to create, and I remember how the alert-
ness of his attitude and the suppressed passion of
his face used to suggest to me the idea of some
fierce creature crouching for a spring. To this
day I believe that it would have given him pleas-
ure to behold the South desolated with the sword
and with famine and with pestilence until neither
man, woman, nor child remained. He had poured

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI, 381

out SO much tenderness upon the slaves that there
was not a drop of pity in his heart for even the
innocent babes of the slave-holders.

Owing to the infirmities of his great age, he
could not make a long speech without bringing on
convulsions, but he was always in his place, sug-
gesting and planning every movement, and the
soul of every aggressive measure. Instead of
moderating the stormy passions of younger men,
the glare of his furious eyes woke up responsive
fires in both friend and foe.

There could not have been a greater contrast
between two men than was exhibited by Mr. Gid-
dings and his contemporary, Mr. Corwin. He was
a grand man, had been a giant in hia prime, and
still spoke with unusual power and eloquence.
Whenever an opportunity offered, he sought to
pour oil upon the troubled waters, and would gladly
have saved the Union, and averted war by any pos-
sible concession. I have always had great admira-
tion for his candor and courage, and cherish sincere
respect for the memory of a man whose patriotism
embraced all sections, and whose philanthropy ex-
cluded neither bond nor free.

It may safely be said that there were few men
in the House tlie equal of either Giddings or Cor-
win in their best days, but there were many who
excelled them in .'subtlety of thought and quickness
of invention. Alexander Stephens had already
won a national reputation. His speeches were

382 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIFPL

beautiful, but not energetic or vivid. He was con-
servative by nature and by his intellectual bias,
but he made no effort to avert the atorra. His
great personal influence might have availed much
against secession, if he had thrown it that way,
but he lacked moral courage to oppose the current
of popular passion.

The House met according to adjournment next
day, and instead of voting, the ablest and most
eloquent members on either aide began what they
called discussion. In point of fact it was chiefly
invective and fierce recrimination. Intemperate
speech excited angry rejoinder, and so passion
lashed itself into fresh fury.

The speeches soon became personal, and all
reasonable discussion of principles ceased to be

It was, perhaps, not in the nature of men that
this should be otherwise. The controversy was
the outcome of a direct attack by the Abolition
party upon the property interests of the South.
Whatever abstract right or wrong there might
have been on either side, — a question altogether
beyond the scope of these pages. — the actual re-
sult was a contest for and against slavery and its
perpetuation and extension.

There was little moderation observed on either
side, and none could be expected. Men may fence
with courteous chivalry in mimic warfare ; but
when it comes to the death-struggle, it is the taty

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 383

age within a man's breast that grapples with his
foe.

All this time the House was not organized, and
the rules were not, and could not be, enforced until
a speaker was elected. The clerk was virtually the
presiding officer, but in that capacity his jurisdic-
tion extended over but one subject — the election
of speaker.

In the evening, a vote was taken, each of the
four candidates receiving his full party strength.
The House then adjourned.

This condition of things continued for nine
weeks, the Republicans steadily voting for Mr.
John Sherman. The Douglas men adhered to one
of their own number, while the Whigs and Demo-
crats often voted together, constantly making ef-
forts to create a union with the Douglas Demo-
crats, only three in number.

Every such effort was abortive. The Douglas
Democrats made the acceptance of one of their
number a sine qua non — while the Whigs abso-
lutely refused to vote for any of the three.

During those nine weeks some personal encoun-
ters occurred. It was whispered about that a ma-
jority of the members on both sides went con-
stantly armed in expectation of a general affray,
and such a calamity was no doubt apprehended.
It was asserted, with how much truth I do not
know, that parties were stationed in the galleries,
secretly armed with explosive missiles, to be cast

384 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

among the combatants m case of audden collision ;
I know that many of the members liad no doubt
that some such tragedy might be enacted at any
moment. It is not, perhaps, too much to say that
seeds of bitter discord were sown during those nine
weeks, the fruit of which haa been eaten in sorrow
by children then unborn. The fathers ate sour
grapes, and the children's teeth have been set on
edge.

I remember that it was on the tenth day of De-
cember, when some of our voters were absent and
could not be brought back immediately, that our
leaders discovered that a vote would be taken.
It was necessary to gain time, or Sherman would
be elected by the absence of our men.

In this emergency I was pressed into service,
because they said a long speech would be required
to consume the day, and it was thought that I
could speak longer without preparation than anv
man on our side. I was urged not to stop, upon
any account, until time to adjourn, and to make
my speech as fiery and uncompromising as possible.

With these instructions I began, and .spoke for
four mortal hours. I announced that war was in-
evitable, and tliat the South was prepared for it,
and would begin the fight whenever called upon.
That we admitted how greatly the North was bu-
perior in numbers, in the munitions of war, their
facilities of transit, their navy, and their treaty re-
lations with other powers. All these things were

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 385

against us, but we defied them all. They might
strip U3 of all we possessed, but their title-deeds
should be written in the best blood of the nation.
Great excitement was manifested during this
speech, and at its conclusion the House adjourned.

The next day, Mr. Thomas Corwin made a
special reply to my speech. Up to that time he
had not addressed the House. He was calm and
dignified, and spoke slowly but with power. He
went into an elaborate esammation of the causes'*
of trouble, showing great ability and candor, and
counselling moderation on both sides as the first
step to peaceful adjustment.

At this point he turned and addressed himself to
me. He said, " You, sir, have announced that the
South will fight. I do not doubt it. Alas, it is but
too certain. Neither can I doubt that the fiery
spirit of her sons will lead them on to a brief suc-
cess ; perhaps for one year, perhaps for two, they
may be victorious in every battle. But the old
Puritan blood will arouse itself at last, and then,
woe to the conquered ! You will never win an-
other battle ; you will be overpowered, broken,
and impoverished. In view of these things, the
South should take prudence among her counsellors,
and learn by moderation to avert destruction."

I was strongly impressed by these pacific admo-
nitions, and by the earnest solemnity of the good
man's manner. Many a time afterwards his
words came back to me like a prophecy, especially

386 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

in the dark days when defeat followed defeat, and
the destruction he had predicted was upon us.

However fully we might realize the magnitude
of our undertaking, it was too late to draw back.
The South must vindicate her honor, if she lost all
else. Our purpose grew and strengthened day by
day.

CHAPTER XXXVl

Wz had now wasted nine weeks. Nothing had
been accomplished, beyond adding fury to fury.
There had been no legislation — no steps for the
public good, and no one could foresee where this
deadlock would end. /.

Everybody was startled when Mr. Bams, a Dem-
ocratic member from the city of New York, rose in
his place and announced that on the morrow, at
two o'clock, he would vote for Mr. Pennington, a
Republican from New Jersey, unless the Demo-
crats, Whigs, and Douglas men should unite upon
some one by that hour. A committee from each
of these factions was selected to act in the mean-
time. This committee met at night, and continued
their negotiations until nearly morning, but with-
out effect. The Douglas Democrats offered one of
their own number, adhering with dogged perti-
nacity to this point. The Whigs refused it with
equal stubbornness.

The House met nest day and a vote was taken.
Burns refused to vote when his name was called.
When the roll was completed, he requested the
clerk not to announce the result for one hour, giv-
ing aa a reason that this delay was needed for

388

UECOLLECriONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

further consideration and effort. He would then,
by his vote, decide the contest.

The hour expired, and Burns voted for Mr. Pen-
nington. Instantly, every Republican changed his
vote to Pennington, and he waa declared elected.
After taking the oath of office, he was conducted
to the speaker's chair, and proceeded to call the
House to order. He had no sooner taken his seat,
than at least fifty men, on the Democratic side of
the House, jumped up and began to shout "Mr.
Speaker, Mr. Speaker." He brought down his
mace and commanded order, but with no effect.

This scene continued for some time. I was dis-
gusted with this gross disrespect shown to a man
who was conspicuous on all occasions for the aipi-
ability of hia character, and for the gentleness and
courtesy of his manners. In the midst of the up-
roar, I made my way quietly to the speaker's
stand, and whispered in his ear. I said, "Mr.
Speaker, this conduct is intended to annoy you.
Put down your mace, fold your arms, and lean
back quietly in your chair. When these fellows
have howled for a time unnoticed, they will be-
come ashamed of their own rudeness, and you will
have no more trouble." He thanked me, and
adopted the suggestion. Very soon the most re-
spectful silence ensued. I took advantage of this
to move the adjournment of the House until the
following day.

On the next day I had occasion to see Mr. Buf-

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 389

Bnton, of Mas^^achiisetts, in reference to a matter
in which I felt some interest. There were two
pages on the floor who were there by my appoiut-
raent, and I was anxious that they should retain
their places. Mr. Buffinton was very polite, but
said he must consult some of the Eepublican lead-
ers, and also the speaker. He came back in ten
minutes, saying it was all settled in my favor, add-
ing that he and his friends would be glad to serve
me in any matter consistent with their party obli-
gations. 1 will say here that I was always treated
personally with great courtesy by the Republican
memberi^, although classed as ultra in my views,
and belonging to what were called " fire-eaters."
CTo say that the nomination and election of Lin-
coln caused the war is to make a mistake, it was
the signal for battle, but the troops were mar-
shalled and war declared, long before. During
the long contest for speaker, passion on both sides
had been intensified, and the excitement and dan-
ger of collision continued to increase until the last
hour of the session.^

Lincoln's nomination took place about two
weeks before adjournment. The intelligence came
like a thunderbolt. Members from the South pur-
chased long-range guns to take home with them.
The unthinking among them rejoiced that the end
was in sight, but those who considered more deeply
were dismayed by the prospect.

It was regarded almost certain that Lincoln

390 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

would be elected, unless Breckenridge or Douglas
could be withdrawn from the field, and it was idle
to hope that this could be done.

The day before the delegates for the Republican
convention left Washington, Giddings made his last
speech upon the floor of Congress. He urged the
delegates to hold fast by the integrity of their con-
victions upon the subject of emancipation, and to
nominate only a pronounced abolitionist for Presi-
dent. Every moment he became more fiery and
vehement, until his words seemed charged with
hate and vengeance. So great was his passion
that he was thrown into strong convulsions, and
fell upon the floor in what seemed a lifeless con-
dition. His friends carried him home, and, so far
as I am informed, he waa never again in public.

The presidential campaign was, as was inevi-
table, one of extraordinary violence. In all my
speeches in Mississippi, I broadly asserted that war
was unavoidable. For this I was often blamed,
but I replied that it was our duty to deal frankly
with the people, who had confided such vast inter-
ests to our hands.

Governor John J. Pettua issued a proclamation,
by which he called upon the legislature to meet, in
extra session, upon the third Monday in Novem-
ber, 1860. He also invited the senators and rep-
resentatives to meet him in Jackson, some days
before the meeting of the legislature, in order that
he might counsel with them in regard to his mea-

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 391

sage and what he should say upon the subject of
secession.

We met there upon this invitation. Congress-
man John J. McRae was not present. There was
much discussion, in which divers opinions were
maintained. Some opposed separate state action
in secession. Some were opposed to secession, un-
less eight other States would consent to go out at
the same time.

As these discussions were prolonged without
seeming to lead to anything definite, I at last pro-
posed a resolution that the governor should recom-
mend the legislature to call a convention to secede
the State of Mississippi, by separate action, such
action to take effect eo instanti.

This resolution was voted for by Governor Pet-
tus, 0. R. Singleton, William Bitrksdale, and my-
self. It was practically a declaration of war.

Governor Pettus then showed us a telegram
which he had received from the governor of South
Carolina, requesting his opinion whether the South
Carolina secession convention, which was then
!iI)out to meet, should make their ordinance of
secession take effect instantly, or on the 4th of
March.

Being called upon for a resolution upon this
point, I offered one that the reply should advise
the ordinance to take effect instantly. The same
four votes adopted this resolution also, and our

392 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

work was done. If a convention was called, and
delegates in favor of secession elected, there would
be no pause or tarrying.

Hon. L. Q. C. Lamar and General Ethel Barks-
dale were invited by the people of Brandon to
make addresses at that place, the day after these
resolutions had been adopted.

Returning home, it was necessary for rae to pass
immediately through Brandon, and Lamar and
Barksdale, with their accustomed courtesy, sent me
an invitation to arrange my journey with refer-
ence to joining them. It was with great pleasure
that I accepted this invitation, knowing that I
should hear from both gentlemen speeches of un-
usual eloquence.

Mr. Lamar made the opening address, speaking
with even more than his wonted fluency and beauty.
It is useless to attempt to describe his peculiar
style. His fame is national, and he stands upon
a pedestal wrought out by his own great gift of
«'ords. It was remarked that in this speech he
made no reference to the possibilities of war, or
the horrors that must result from disunion.

As soon ns the applause which greeted the con-
clusion of Lamar's address had subsided, General
Barksdale invited me to speak. I had made no
preparation, but the subject to be handled had
occupied my mind exclusively for many weeks,
and had become so much a part of my conscious-

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 393

nesa that I had but to look at a crowd and open
my mouth, and speech flowed spontaneously. I
was, so to Bpeak, so saturated with the thoughts
and passions of the time, that the difficulty was not
so much how to speiik as how to leave off.

After stating the issues between the two sec-
tions, I informed the people how far, and in what
spirit, the struggle had been carried on, telling
thera frankly that we had reached a point where
to turn back would be tlislionor.

They listened with the gravity and profound
attention which the subject demanded.

General Barksdale concluded the discussion with
a very able and handsome address. He displayed
so much force of thought and energy of diction
that he carried his audience with him throughout.

As we came down from the stand, some of the
principal citizens in the crowd came to me, and
said, " Your boldness startled us. Is it your sober
judgment that we are in such perU as you have
described ? " I replied that by the first of Janu-
ary they would see for themselves.

A gentleman then said, '* I believe your opinions
are correct, but do you not doubt the propriety of
saying these things in public? Would it not be
wiser to preserve a discreet silence until every-
thing is ready ? " To this I made answer that it
was the people's right to know where they were
going, and our duty to give them fair warning.
Otherwise, they might justly utter the reproach

394 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

that they had been led blindfold to the very brink
of a precipice, and their representatives had given
them no warning. The gentleman looked at me
for a moment as if in doubt^ and then said, ^^ Well,
that 's honest, any way."

«.

CHAPTER XXXVn.

When Congress opened, the senators and rep-
resentatives from Mississippi were all in their
places. The South was dignified and composed.
All the turbulent passion which had been displayed
during the past session seemed to have been laid
aside, and replaced by the order and method of
men bent upon serious business. It was no longer
necessary on either aide to lash the popular feeling
into fury. The question now was how best to
steer our bark through the raging tempest.

It was plain that the South knew what was com-
ing, and awaited the shock with stern determina-
tion.

The North exhibited disquietude, and the appre-
hension of evils which she wished to avoid, but did
not fear. \ I spent much of my time in consulta-
tion with Mr. Floyd, secretary of war, who had
been for twelve months, and still was engaged in
sending to the Southern arsenals all available arms
under his control. He had put our forts in such
condition that it would be easy to capture them,
and prepare tliera for immediate occupation.

His estimate was that fully half of the muni-
tions of war in his department were in the South
on the 15th of December. I860.]

396

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

The danger o£ disunion by secession became bo
imminent that, on the 10th of December, Mr.
Boteler, of Virginia, moved that a committee of
thirty-three members be appointed, one from each
State, to consider the danger, and inquire into the
possibilities of adjustment. This resolution wa«
adopted, the committee being appointed by the
speaker, and announced a few days thereafter.

I was appointed for Mississippi. As soon as my
name was announced, two of the members from
my State came and asked me if I intended to
serve. I told them 1 would, from convictions of
duty. One of these gentlemen went directly to
the senate chamber, and in a short time Colonel
Jefferson Davis came to my chair,*and aaked me if
I had fully resolved upon my action.

1 replied that I had. He looked at me for a
moment, and saying, " Then it is useless to say
anything to you," turned and left the hall.

For a week I was treated with marked coldness
by the representatives from the whole South, and
disagreeable consequences were predicted. In a
few days letters poured in upon me from Missis-
sippi, condemning my action, and assuring me that
there was danger that I would not be allowed to
return to the State. I wrote a letter to Boyd
Brothers, Democratic editors in my town, and
stated the fact that such letters had been re-
ceived, and that I adopted tliis mode of reply.

I said, " The writers of these letters, the authors

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 397

of these threats, do not understand the magnitude
of the action they propose. They seem not to
realize that they are inviting the people of this
nation to a feast of blood. 1 hope they may find
the dishes to their minds. For myself I confess
that I have no relish for them. I know that it is
upon the masses of the people that these horrors
will chiefly fall, and I would gladly save them, but
I will never couaent to any step that could impair
the honor of Mississippi."

The committee held its first meeting, and organ-
ized by electing Hon. Thomas Corwin, of Ohio,
chairman.

We met again the nest day, and after some gen-
eral conversation, it was suggested that the South
should present a memorandum o£ her complaint
against government, and assign reason for her pro-
posed action of withdrawal from tlie Union.

No response was made. It was then said that
Mississippi was in the lead in the secession move-
ment, and that it was, perhaps, my duty to furnish
a list of grievances. I replied with some warmth
that I would furnish no list ; the causes of com-
plaint justly made by the South were well known,
and required no specification in writing. As, how-
ever, gentlemen seemed anxious to hear from us
on the subject, I would repeat what I was in the
habit of flaying to my people from the stump. I
went on at some length, and if I spoke bitterly
and with some angry vehemence, it was because 1

mtma*^

/#»-.':.*K.-:

vuuT'^^ jEmsif -sunn^ Tit?^. I ?nni i^at lauc tsie-

ici;:^^: "vir g5gTcin» a^ isciaaLj a» I tmEoai j

V> Hxr^iTT. zaA no cmiaaies to offer for
In^iTH tk^j^m. It vac abo boUh-asened &at not
<^i^ f <»t <ij ts tfiunf dioalfi erer dieredber b e c o uie

At tiM; ecmdfuioo of diis speedu I norvd that
tb^ ccrnimittee dioald adjoom, and report to tlie
1h/fi*M oar CfmvieiUnk that troubles between the

ti^/ri>. h^] reached a point where adjustment became
'uu\f*f*M\\t\fi. and no remedy remained but the final
ii\f\f^'/d\ to the God of battles. This was Toted
down,

MU'.v Home further agitation, Greneral Rust, of
Arkanna^y f>ecame alarmed by reports which he re-
ceiv^'d, which convinced him that the war spirit
throughout the South was becoming rampant, and
bijyoud c^mtrol. To quiet this he offered a resolu-
tion on the evening of the 13th of December, de-
ctlnring that the compromise committee was pro-
(rrw'HMJrig harmoniously, and would certainly agree
iMon some mensure which ought to satisfy the

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 399

South. In offering this resolution, he made the
remark that it was necessary to adopt it in order
to arrest secession. I said, " General Rust, you
must know that your resolution asserts what is en-
tirely false. Do you propose deliberately to de-
ceive your whole people ? "

He made no reply, and I went on to state that
when that resolution was adopted, I should report
to my Southern friendsj and that we should send
out a strong denial, saying to the South that argu-
ment was exhausted, and that the whole action of
the committee showed determination to go to the
extent of emancipation.

The resolution was adopted, and many Southern-
ers assembled at my rooms to con.sult upon our
next step. This was on the 14th of December.
We united in preparingamanifesto, which we tele-
graphed to all parts of the South. From tiiat dajt
there cfluld-he na hofie of. paane.

A recent writer upon the history of Lincoln has
made it appear that the resolution was in reply to
the telegram. This is a mistake. The telegram
would never have been thought of, if the resolu-
tion had not been adopted.

On the 15th of December, desiring stronger
proof of the absolute hopelessness of any agree-
ment, and to leave no opportunity for misrepre-
senting the truth of history, I prepared a resolu-
tion as follows: "Be it resolved, that the Consti-
tution of the United Statea of America recognizes

400 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

property in the slave, and that it is as much the
duty of the general government to give protection
to that species of property, both at sea and on
land, as to any other species of property known to
our institutions and laws."

This resolution was submitted to each of the
Southern members of the committee, and it was
endorsed by all. We agreed to submit it, on the
following day, to the committee as a final test. If
adopted, it should be reported to the House with a
I'ecommendation that it be adopted as a final set-
tlement of the slavery question. If rejected by
the committee, we would withdraw, and not meet
the committee again.

In accordance with this agreement, the resolu-
tion was offered next day, and voted on without
discussion. The vote was a tie — fifteen to fifteen.
Corwin, the chairman, gave a negative vote, and
defeated the resolution.

The defeat of this resolution was a negation of
the claim of property rights in the negro, and a
denial of the assertion that it was the duty of the
government to give protection, either by sea or
land, to any such claim. It was emancipatory.
Taking this view of the action of the committee,
Southern members held that those who had signed
the telegram were justified in asserting that " the
argument has been exhausted."

The alternative was now submission, or resistance
by force of arms.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

401

The Southern members of the committee, in ac-
cordance with previous agreement, withdrew from
the committee-room, and returned to their places
in the House. Being in advance of the others, I
was excused from the committee on my application.
The Republicans discovered, when too late, what
action had been taken, and resolutely resisted the
relief of any other member.

The committee in this form continued its exist-
ence until the adjournment of Congress.

After this time, I gave no further attention to
the business of Congress. A call had been made
for a convention in Mississippi, and delegates in
favor of seces-sion had been elected, and I, there'
fore, considered myself already out of the Union.
On the 5th of January, 1861, I left Washington
for home. The convention was then in session
It was on a brilliant winter morning that I crossed
the Potomac, and, looking back at the Capitol, saw
the Stars and Stripes drooping in the still, cold air.
Around that flag the whole South had rallied, not
many years before, with passionate pride and devo-
tion. Our proudest recollections were of the days
when our gallant youth had followed it to victory.
It was with a fierce pang of renunciation that we
left it, even to obey the call of the State we had
been taught to regard as sovereign as well as
mother.

At Corinth I met the tidings that the ordinance
of flecession had been adopted by the convention.

402

RECOLLECTIOXS OF MISSJSSWPL

Hiseissippi was now s aepuste oatioiuHty, and
expected soon to become a ooordtnate power in a

Southern repoblic.

Most of us knew that war would follow, but we
had all the confidence of stout hearts and small ex-
perience. Our state of preparation was, m some
respects, more complete than was generally known.

The regular army was very small, and I be-
lieved that our people would, at the b^inning,
make more efficient soldiers than those of the
North. As a rule, we were more accustomed to
the use of firearms, and also to a more active
and adventurous life. Familiar with exposure and
danger from early youth as our men were in their
habiU of fport and exercise, they were more like
veterans in all except drill and discipline than like
raw troops.

Revolution is the offspring of enthusiasm, and I
hoped that our enthusiasm would enable us to set-
tle the war within the first twelve months, and
before our inferiority in numbers and in supplies
of ail kinds could be greatly felt.

Passing from Corinth to Aberdeen the next day
on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, I was scarcely
out of the sound of cannon all the way. At those
stations where cannon could not be procured, an-
vils were brought into requisition, and were man-
aged with 80 much skill as to produce an equal
uproar.

Although it was past noon when I got home,

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 403

people were so excited and eager for fresh infor-
niiition that I was informed it would be expected
that I should address the citizens at the court-house
after supper. 1 spoke dehberately, and confined
myself to a conversational style, so as to relate, as
nearly as possible, such facts as 1 was acquainted
with. I told them that secession was accomplished,
but that we should now tind that peaceable seces-
sion waa an idle dream. That war was already
begun, and our only hope was in the wisdom of
our plans and the courage of our hearts.

Some of my friends came to me, and said, " Your
frankness will do you harm ; people will call you
an alarmist." To this I replied that I had always
found the straightest path the safest in the long
run, and that I had rather be accused falsely of
alarming the people, than to deserve the accusa-
tion of mfsleading them.

The convention at Jackson was still in session,
and I received a telegram inviting my attendance.
I went, and had much conversation with the differ-
ent members. Many of them said openly, This is
but a demonstration inviting concession, which con-
cession will be promptly made, and the disrupted
Union fully restored within the next twelve months.
These were the political demagogues — unthink-
ing leaders of the people, who had become promi-
nent on account of their brilliancy of speech, and
not by any power of logic or solidity of thought.

While this convention was in session, a gentle-

404 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

man by the name of Ayers came to Jackson, and
offered to sell to the State the finest machinery for
manufacturing small arms then in America. It
had been prepared under a contract with the United
States, but Mr. Ayers said he had ample time under
his contract to duplicate this, and he was willing
to do so, and to receive the bonds of the State as
purchase money. Incredible as it may appear,
this favorable offer was rejected upon the plea that
there would probably be no serious war. Imme-
diately upon my arrival in Jackson, I was informed
of this offer and its refusal, and I went to the gov-
ernor, and urged him to accept the proposition,
and have the machinery forwarded at once. This
advice was disregarded, and bitter was the regret
afterwards felt for such ill-timed economy.

The convention passed a bill creating what was
called a military board, to be composed of the gov-
ernor, one major-general, and four brigadiers. This
board was to have charge of all matters of war,
raising troops, etc. Colonel Jefferson Davis was
chosen major-general. The brigadiers were Alcorn,
Clark, Van Dorn, and A. M. West.

This board at once ordered to the field four or
five regiments. The people responded promptly
to every call made.

In a short time Jefferson Davis was elected pro-
visional president by the constitutional convention.
The governor filled his vacant place on the military
board by the promotion of General Van Dorn, ap-

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

405

pointing another brigadier to fill his place. Promo-
tions rapidly succeeded until Alcorn was next in
the line of preferment.

For Alcorn Governor Pettus entertained bitter
dislike, and he therefore refused to promote him.
Pettus telegraphed an order to me to come to
Jackson without delay, as he had use for me.
When I got there, he offered me the position of
major-general. I told him I could not accept that
place, because Alcorn was entitled to it ; but if it
would suit him to give that to Alcorn, I would
accept his place as brigadier. Governor Pettus
promptly refused this, and insisted that I must
take his first offer.

A meeting of the board had been appointed for
the following Monday, and I agreed to consider
the matter until then. He then said, "You may
as well accept now, for 1 will never promote
Alcorn." On Monday, Alcorn arrived in Jackson,
and I went to him, and told him of my interview
with the governor. I said to him, " You are enti-
tled to the place ; and if you are willing to accept
it under the circumstances, I will bring such pres-
sure to bear upon Pettus as will force him to make
the appointment." He thanked me, but said he
could not and would not take the place, and that
I must. He added that he would meet the board
that day, but would resign his position as soon as
the business of the meeting was ended. I begged
him not to do this, as there were views to be car-

406 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISS}SSIPPL

Tied out, and his services were necessary to their
accomplishmen t.

He asked me what these viewa were. I told
him in reply : " We are entering upon a most
gigantic war, and no preparations are being made
for the protection of this great valley, lying be-
tween this point and Cairo. You cannot fail to see
how important this valley is in a strategic point of
view, and the fact is that the enemy is even now
concentrating at a point from which their troops
can be thrown upon us early in the coming fall.
The government is doing nothing, and Mississippi
must provide for her own defence.

" Eighty companies have organized and ten-
dered their services to the governor. These must
be accepted and put into camp."

Alcorn reflected upon all this, and then said that
he agreed with me, and would retain his coramia-
sion in order to cooperate in bringing about requi-
site action. There were two vacancies on the
board, which were to be filled by the major-gen-
eral.

General A. M. West was then brigadier. Gen-
eral Alcorn employed a miitual friend to interview
General West, and discovered that he would act in
harmony with our movement. Governor Pettus
hesitated, but I persuaded him to adopt our meas-
ures. Assured that the board would harmonize,
I said to General Alcorn that I thought it would
be more prudent not to fill the vacancies until our

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

407

policy should be firmly established. The board
met, and we fully carried out the measures as
agreed upon. The meeting then adjourned.

As soon as the board adjourned, my authority
became absolute. The convention had made no
provisions for controlling my action. A proclama-
tiou was at once is.sued, accepting the eighty com-
panies already tendered, and ordering them into
camp, at points selected in diflerent parta of the
State. These companies were divided into four
brigades. Alcorn and West, with two newly ap-
pointed brigadiers, took command.

The military machinery adopted by the conven-
tion was simple and easily operated. It was the
work of men intellectually the ablest in the State.
I could say much of them all, hut the prescribed
limits of these pages will not admit. I must, how-
ever, mention one of these delegates, one of the
most extraordinary men this State has ever pro-
duced, Wiley P. Harris, of Jackson, That name
recalls at once to many in all portions of Missis-
sippi the image of a tall, slender figure, crowned
by a most intellectual head. Nature seems to have
endowed him with all the qualities requisite in a
great lawyer and a magnificent orator. He still
lives in the fulness of his fame, and, not many
months ago, being employed in a great murder
case, made an argument so powerful in logic, and
80 beautiful in diction, that a great name might be
built upon that e£fort alone.

No sooner were these brigades ordered into
camp, than the order was denounced as an act of
the most useless and wicked extravagance. Grov-
ernor Pettus and I were held responsible, and
cursed with great heartiness from one end of the
State to the other. Appeals were made to me in
person, and by letter, to revoke the order and dis-
band these troops. It was declared that by no
possibility could these men be required for service,
and that our sole object was display and to make
ourselves prominent.

There was nothing for us to do but to endeavor
to possess our souls in patience, and to trust to
coming events for our vindication, I said to those
who appealed to me, " Our people have invited
war, and it is onr duty to prepare for it. If I had
the power, I would call out one hundred thousand
men, instead of the eight thousand to which the
convention has limited rae. I have a military duty
to perform, and it is better for two men to ren-
der themselves odious to the people than that no
preparation be made to resist the invasion of the
enemy. Time will show which of us has judged
correctly, and in the mean while no power or per-

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 409

suasion can influence our action." Everything was
pushed forward with as much alacrity as if our
plans were endorsed by the whole State.

The troops concentrated at the given points with
the greatest zenl find dispatch, and I gave special
attention to the duty of furnishing supplies without
delay. There was not, in a single instance, a fail-
ure to have full rations. I heard of no dissatisfac-
tion or complaint among the troops, except on one
occasion.

General O'Farrell had command of the brigade
near Enterprise, and discord arose between the two
regiments to such an extent as to threaten actual
conflict. I had been at Jackson, and returning
home, met General O'Farrell at Meridian. He
told me of the trouble, and said it had gone be-
yond his control without my aid. The train for
Mobile had gone, but an engineer was found, who
fired up an engine, and took us to Enterprise
promptly. It was early dawn when we got there,
and we obtained a buggy at once and drove out to
camp.

It was well known that a certain captain was the
instigator and leader in all this disturbance. As
we drove into camp, I was recognized by the drill-
master, who came to me and said we had come in
good time, as the danger of immediate collision
was great.

I directed hira to go to Captain Armstrong, who
was my friend, and whose men were well armed,

410

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

and tell him to form his company at once, with
fixed biiyonetsj and throw them out upon the pa-
rade ground. This was promptly done.

Orders were then sent to each company to form
their regiment at once, and this also was obeyed.
In the mean time the belligerent captain appeared
with a large knife in his hand. As he approached
us, I suddenly reached out and took possession of
the knife. He began to say something, but I or-
dered him not to dare speak to me when he stood
there a shameless leader in disorder and mutiny.
He was sent to his tent under arrest Captain
Armsti'ong wheeled hia company in front of the
two regiments, and I then made a speech to offi-
cers and soldiers, and dismissed them. A court-
martial was held, and the recusant captain was
tried and convicted of disorderly and unsoldierly
conduct. He was sentenced to be drummed out
of camp, which decree was promptly executed, and
the trouble ended. This was the only difficulty we
had during the summer with those fresh troops.
Their spirit and conduct were most admirable.

Before these troops were organized, the governor
convened the legislature in extra session. This was
in July, I went to Jackson, and was soon invited
by the military committees of the two houses to
meet them in consultation. They very soon sug-
gested the propriety of disbanding these troops,
giving as a reason that the last battle of the war
— meaning the battle of Bull Run — had beeD

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 411

fought, and that no possible necessity for these
troops now existed, or could exist thereafter. In
reply, I maintained that it was evident that they
had not considered the subject well, and had not
made themselves acquainted with the movements
of the enemy. Otherwise, they could not advise
the dispersal of the only force we had raised in
defence of our great valley. I asked them to ex-
plain why a vast army was then being assembled
at Cairo, if not with the purpose of invading the
valley of the Mississippi in the fall of the year.
And I told them they knew very little of the
Yankee character and energy, if they believed
we should find our work so easy. My only re-
gret was that I had not the power to call out a
hundred thousand men, knowing that even that
number would be inadequate for the struggle now
upon U9. The whole committee pounced upon me
with fury. They said they must introduce a bill
into the legislature to coerce me.

I replied that the ordinance of the convention
authorized me to put these men in the field, either
for drill or for the defence of the State. That they
might pass a bill to prevent me from retaining
them for drill, but I would tell thera frankly that
if they attempted to introduce a bill denying me
the right to keep them for the defence of the
State, I should regard them as traitors, and bring
a regiment to disperse, and perhaps hang them.
Having deliberately chosen war, they should not
trifle with the safety of the people.

412

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL

The next day, a bill was introduced into the
House of Representatives, declaring that if these
troops were in camp for drill merely, it was ill-
advised, and they should be disbanded and sent to
their homes. Very little consideration was given
to the bill, nor was it discussed. It passed the
House without opposition, and was sent to the
Senate for concurrence on Friday.

The Senate invited me to discuss the merits of
the measure, and to give my views upon the neces-
Mty of retaining these troops in camp, and upon
the progress of the war ; and for this purpose ten-
dered me the use of the senate chamber, on the
night after.

The senate chamber was filled to overflowing,
the people thus manifesting their deep concern in
the questions to be discussed. I spoke for two
hours, supporting to the best of my ability the
position that the war would be protracted and
desolating, and that emancipation would inevitably
follow our defeat I urged upon them the neces-
sity of calling out a hundred thousand additional
men, and assured them that under no circum-
stances could I be induced to disband the handful
of brave men already in arms for the defence of
the State.

When I sat down, approbation was testified by
universal applause, which was all the more gratify-
ing to me because I had been so long the target
for public reprobation.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 413

On Monday, the house bill was called up in the
Senate, and, upon motion, indefinitely postponed.
A few days before this, a state convention had
been held, and Governor Pettus renominated.
This convention had shown a good deal of dissatis-
faction with Pettus because he had consented to
this call for troops, but it did not amount to actual
opposition at the time. Ultimately, this dissatis-
faction deepened into direct and positive hostihty,
and the hostile element put McAfee forward in op-
position.

The storm darkened rapidly, and seemed to por-
tend disaster. Pettus and I met for consultation,
and he suggested the propriety of his withdrawal
from tbe contest. I was shocked by this propo-
sal, and told him that it would be a fatal blunder,
as to yield at that crisis would forever crush him.
The most overwhelming defeat would be better
for him than such a course, as the wisdom of his
action must soon be vindicated, I hoped this vin-
dication might come even before the election, but
come what would, we must make a bold stand.

We agreed that he should telegraph the mili-
tary authorities at Richmond, asking whether the
troops would be required for actual service by the
first of October. Should the reply be favorable,
it must be published, and McAfee would be forced
to retire from the race.

On the other hand, should the reply be unfa-
vorable, he could pocket it and we would keep our

414

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

own counsel, Pettus telegraphed, and received a
reply, condemning the whole thing, and snying
these troops would never be needed in the field.

This was a blow, hut we resolved to die hard.
I said to Governor Pettus that I was far more
odious to the people than he was, hut I would an-
nounce myself a candidate for Congress in the
district embracing the northeastern corner of the
State, and would speak somewhere every day in
his vindication. This I did, though I am confident
I would not have received five hundred votes if
the election had heen held the next day.

The brigade at luka was not yet organized, and
I went there to aid in completing the organization.
The elections for field-officers were held the day
after my arrival, and next day there was a review.
General Alcorn and I were riding about the
grounds, when a telegram was brought me. It
was from Governor Pettus, requiring me to take
the first train and report to him at Jackson with-
out delay.

As soon as I entered the governor's room, he
handed me a telegram from the war department,
requesting that he should at once turn over our
troops to the Confederacy, as an unexpected emer-
gency called for them.

The transfer was made, and my responsibility, of
course, was ended. Scarcely a battle was fought
in the valley of the Mississippi in which these
troops were not engaged, and their heroism and

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 415

gallantry were unflinching. Many of them fell
nobly on the field of battle, and many of those who
survived were scarred by honorable wounds. I
watched their career through all the dreadful days
that came after, with pride in their achievements
and sorrow for their sufferings.

Our vindication had come at last, and McAfee
had no choice but to withdraw from the canvass.
Pettus was reelected without a dissenting vote,
and I received a majority of twenty-seven hun-
dred votes. It was impossible that our action
should receive a more complete endorsement than
the people now gave on all sides. The soldiers,
almost to a man, had from the first been with us
heart and soul. To this day when, as occaeionaliy
happens, I have the pleasure of meeting one of
those brave men, I never fail to receive a greeting
full of cordial and affectionate kindness. Most of
them were light-hearted boys when I first knew
them, and now they are gray%eaded men ; but I
always think of them as the gallant young fellows
who endured hardships with unconquerable pa-
tience, and braved death with unshrinking cour-
age. May they live long and prosper !

Soon after this election, the Mississippi legisla-
ture met in regular session. Having nothing of
importance to engage their attention, they deter-
mined that they would amuse themselves by re-
modelling the whole system provided by the con-
Tention for furnishing generals for state service.

416

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

They therefore repealed the whole machinery put
ill motion by the convention, and enacted a law
requiring all generals for the state service to be
elected by the people at stated periods.

The wisdom of this enactment was in accord-
ance with the general policy of delay so con-
spicuous in all our military operations. It needed
but a moment's consideration to perceive the
mischievous and fatal complications which must
arise from such random legislation. Let a general
be killed in battle, or die by the visitation of Prov-
idence, and the army must be left without a com-
mander until the people were called together by
the slow processes of the law, to elect some good-
natured gentleman, whose popularity was toler-
ably certain to be based upon the very qualities
which rendered him unfit for the position.

This admirable piece of folly was about on a par
with another enactment, which required the gov-
ernor to call out t^ thousand men for sixty days'
service in the State of Kentucky. They were to
be called out in the depth of winter, and to be
armed with double-barrelled shot-guns. Many of
these guns, when handled with skill and care, shoot-
ing about once in ten snaps.

This legislature began its session, as I recollect,
early in the month of November, 1861. I was in
Jackson when it met, having gone there to settle
my accounts with the State, and to show what use
bad been made of the money — something over

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 41"

one hundred thousand dollars — which had been fur-
nished for the use of the eight thousand troops,
before they were turned over to the Confederacy.
Some of the most prominent merabera of the leg-
islature came to me to consult about the propri-
ety of both the measures mentioned above, and I
strongly advised against them. I endeavored to
open their eyes to the obvious fact that military
necessities must be met promptly, and that the
election of military officers was obstructive and
disastrous.

The reply was that all this was true, but that,
on the other hand, the governor was apt to have
his favorites, and often set aside very competent
men because prejudiced against them. They ar-
gued that the people would generally choose the
sort of demagogues who were often found to be of
the best material for military success ; and wound
up by asserting that Alexander the Great was a
successful soldier because he began by being a suc-
cessful demagogue.

This last overpowering illustration ought to have
reassured mo, but, as it happened, I knew Missis-
sippi as well as most men, and could not be per-
suaded that there were countless Alexanders hid-
den within her hamlets, awaiting the voice of the
populace to call them from their inglorious repose.

The other measure was so egregiously wrong
that I could not believe it possible for any body of
sensible men to adopt it. It was, however, carried

418

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL

in the legislature, and the bill sent to the governor
for his approval.

lo this bill it was provided that the officers to
coiamand the troops to be called out for sixty days
should be appointed by the governor. Why this
clause was introduced, so at variance with the last
measure passed by the same body, was not known,
but it was surmised that there were some military
spirits, among the legislators, who hoped thus to
gain promotion. The governor signed the bill,
but, before reporting it back to the legislature, he
announced his design of appointing me as major-
general, Alcorn as brigadier, and designated Gre-
nada and Corinth as the points of rendezvous.

Having taken these steps, he sent for me and
informed me of his action in the matter. I ap-
pealed to him, as a matter of personal friendship,
not to let it go any further. He replied, " In my
judgment, you can perform the duty better than
any man I can get hold of. I shall appoint you,
and you -will have the alternative of accepting or
refusing."

I pointed out to him that by so doing he placed
me in a dreadful position. Do what I could, I
must be exposed to censure. If I refused to take
the command, my reputation would be hopelessly
impaired. If I accepted and went into battle with
troops so badly armed, there was nothing for me
but disgrace or death. We had no bayonets, and
at the flrst charge by the enemy must give way.

RECOLLECTJOSS OF MISSISSIPPI.

419

and might possibly be held responsible for the de-
feat of a whole army, to our eternal shame and
disgrace. Added to this, our men would be ex-
posed to severe weather with insufficient cloth-
ing, and most of them never had been exposed to
measles, a disease which had given much trouble
in all the Southern camps. Three or four thousand
cases of measles in the heart of winter must oc-
casion much fatal suffering, and I would, of course,
be held accouutable for it all. I had already suf-
fered much in consequence of that sort of un-
reason, and begged to be excused from making
myself again a target.

These representations had no effect, the gov-
ernor saying bluntly that somebody must shoulder
these annoyances and difficulties, and it might as
well be one as another. He had selected me be-
cause he believed I would do better by the troops
than any one else he could command, and it could
not be regarded as a personal matter. Our first
duty was to the State.

Not being able to refuse without disgrace, there
was no alternative but to accept, which I did with
a f uU conviction that my path would be a thorny
one.

Governor Pettua remarked to me that he had
been advised to be prompt in his appointments, as
many applications would be made for the positions.

The governor at once issued his proclamation,
calling for troops to rendezvous at Grenada and

420

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

Corinth. Before I left Jackfion for headquarters
at Corinth, I obtained a promise from the gov-
ernor that he would, within five days, send a full
stock of siipplies for the troops, including tents,
and fifty thousand dollars for the use of the quar-
termaster. I alao informed him that Colonel
William Duncan would be the quartermaster. To
my great surprise and chagrin, when I arrived at
Corinth, there were tents for two companies only,
and not one morsel of provision, or one dollar for
use. Two companies were on the train with me.

1 saw Colonel Duncan, and obtained a loan of five
thousand dollars for immediate use. Duncan was
a most active and efficient officer. 1 never knew
his superior. He procured wagons, hauled straw,
and purchased provisions, with so much energy
that before the sun went down the troops present
were fairly well provided for. Poor fellows ! Be-
fore two years went over their heads, they looked
back upon this as luxurious plenty.

By telegraphing to Memphis, we received tents
on the next train, and a hundred thousand rations.
I also sent Governor Pettus a scolding by tele-
graph, hecause he had failed to send supplies and
money. In response, the money came promptly,
and thus provided Colonel Duncan was able to
meet every emergency. His indomitable energy
and fine executive ability proved invaluable.
Every provision was made for the health and com-
fort of the men, and the different companies as

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 421

they arrived found suitable preparations for them.
The colonel worked Hke a beaver, and made every-
body else work when he was in sight. ■

Before I left Jackson, I had a visit from Judge
Smith, who expressed a wish to go with me and
take part in the fight which was supposed to be
impending. Upon this, 1 offered him a place upon
my staff, which he accepted. I considered this a
very great honor to me, as he was a gentleman of
sixty-five years of age, of unusual dignity of char-
acter, a ripe scholar, and the ablest jurist in the
State, excepting Judge W. L. Sharkey. In a few
days after my arrival at Corinth, Judge Smith came
in company with Captain , of Natchez.

This youthful captain brought with him a fine
body of young men, taken from the wealthiest
and most cultivated families of Natchez. The
company was welt-drilled, and eager for service.

About twenty-five hundred volunteers had re-
ported to me in the first two weeks, while the same
number had reported to General Alcorn at Gre-
nada. General Polk was in command at Colum-
bus, Kentucky, and General Sidney Johnston at
Bowhng Green.

General Polk was very uneasy for his rear. He
knew it was possible for General Grant to ascend
the Tennessee River and march out to Union City,
thus cutting off all supplies, and all communication
with the South. This proper anxiety caused him
to urge forward these sixty-day Mississippi volun-

422 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

teers. General Johnsix)n was also threatened wiih
an attack by General Buell, then in camp on the
Green River, and only forty miles away.

General Johnston directed that the troops should
be sent to him £rom Corinth, and those at Grenada
to General Polk. General Alcorn took his twenty-
five hundred men, and was stationed at Union
City, Kentucky, a handsome town on the Mobile
and Ohio Railroad.

I went directly to Bowling Green, Kentucky.
An advance by General Buell was expected every
day. This was prevented, as was supposed, by the
severity of the winter, which exceeded anything
I had ever known. My men, accustomed to a
milder climate, and unused to privation, suffered
terribly. The snow lay on the ground for weeks,
everything was frozen, and bitter winds howled
and tore throughout the camp. Most of the men
were poorly shod — shoes were hard to come by
in the Confederacy — and their feet were wretch-
edly frost-bitten.

As might have been expected, measles now
broke out among them, and in a few days there
were fifteen hundred Cases. Many of these cases
terminated in pneumonia, which was too often
fatal. After the first three weeks, if called to bat-
tle I could not have mustered more than seven or
eight hundred men fit for duty, and these would
have been armed with double - barrel guns, war-
ranted to snap on the trigger more than half the
time.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL

423

It was almost impossible to get medicine, or
needful comforts for the sick. The surgeons de-
clared that whiskey must be hud for those ill with
measles, and no whiskey was to be found. I made
requisition for a barrel of Kentucky shuck whis-
key, and in my requisition said that I would not
receive any inferior article, but would take my
men home if proper remedies were not supplied.
The shuck whiskey was supplied, and my poor
fellows foimd great benefit from it.

Friends from other commands occasionally took
consolation from a glass of the exhilarating fluid-
General Breckenridge, with whom I had become
intimate at Washington, was my neighbor at this
time, his brigade having been thrown thirteen
miles in advance, to watch Buell's movements.
Breckenridge came over to Bowling Green every
few days, and his handsome face and person was a
familiar object at my headquarters. He was a
goodly sight, sitting on stool or table, with a glass
of old shuck in his hand, and that grand voice of
his vibrating through the tent like a deep-toned
bell. When he went away, he generally pro-
duced a small demijohn, artfully concealed some-
where, and, as he said, " loaded up for emergen-
cies."

He once asked me how I happened to have the
good fortune of getting such a barrel. I told him
it was because the general in charge felt a peculiar
tenderness for my Misaissippiana, as it was upon

424 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL

our fine double-barrels he relied to save his whole
army when the hour of danger came. Therefore
he feasted us.

Breckenridge laughed heartily, and said the
chief was right. Men armed with those guns
ought to have everything possible to support their
spirits, even genuine old Kentucky shuck. Poor
Breckenridge ! He is dead now, but I fancy I can
see him laughing and merry. He was not only
a most elegant gentleman, but genial and full of
spirit, and ready to meet the worst of days with a
sort of gay courage that sat well upon his stalwart
manhood.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

There is an old proverb that " As the day length-
ens, the cold strengthens," and it was fully veri-
fied that unlucky winter. Day by day the cold
became more bitter, the storms grew darker and
wilder, and the roads became more desperately
bad. Our men bore their sufferings heroically,
but it was a fearful time, and one that tried a
man's courage more than a pitched battle. I can-
not speak too highly of the patience and cheerful-
ness with which these brave fellows endured dread-
ful trials.

General Johnston received information of a move-
ment of the enemy of which he determined to take
advantage. A force nearly equal to Johnston's bad
been thrown up the Green River to a point where
it was crossed by a macadamized road leading to
Nashville.

The object of this movement was to get in John-
ston's rear, Buell having determined to attack him
in a few days. Should the attack prove success-
ful, this division would outmarch General Johnston,
and reach Nashville in advance of bim, thus for-
cing him down on the Cumberland River with
General Grant in his front

426 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPL

General Johnston determined not to wait for this
movement, but to anticipate it by attacking this
threatening force, and dispersing it, if possible.
He prepared to march the next morning. It was
necessary to hold General Buell's force in check,
and I was put in command of the forts at Bowling
Green, with six thousand troops in addition to my
own.

My orders were to hold out to the last extrem-
ity. That night a terrific rain and hailstorm passed
over us, and the downpour lasted for hours. It
might have been said of the Confederacy that, like
Sisera, the very "stars in their courses fought
against her."

Next morning, the ice-bound roads were found
completely thawed, and in consequence well-nigh
impassable even for a foot-passenger. All efforts
to move either cannon or wagon proved unavail-
ing. The project was of necessity abandoned, and
General Johnston was obliged to remain inactive
at that point until the fall of Fort Donelson.

When the sixty days for which my troops had
been furnished expired, I was ordered home by
the governor. On my return home, I had no time
to lose in preparing to leave again for Richmond,
which had by this time become the capital of the
young Confederacy.

The convention which adopted the constitution
of the Southern Republic resolved itself into a
provisional Congress, which proceeded to put all

RECOLLECTIONS OF MTSSISSIPPL 427

the departments of the new government in motion.
After locating the seat of government at Rich-
mond, and providing for the election of president
and vice-president, members of Congress, etc., it had
provided that the president-elect should be installed
on the 22d day of February, 1862, and that the
first session of Congress should be organized on
the same day.

I was fortunate enough to make the journey as
far as Bristol without delay, but at that point failed
to make connection, and had to remain over until
the next evening. All day the weather was cold
and uncertain, and snow fell at intervals. It was
on this day that the battle of Fort Donelson was
fought, and at night the surrender made. Well
might a leaden sky hang over the Confederacy
like a pall, and the bitter wind wail as if it whis-
pered tidings of this beginning of the end.

At dark the train came, and passengers could

I again take up the journey. We were far on our
way to Lynchburg, when, being delayed for a

I short time at a station, we were furnished with a

' copy of a telegram to the war office at Richmond.
It purported to be from General Pillow, and an-

l nounced that a great battle had been fought, and
glorious victory won, and that the enemy had
been driven into the river.

This was great news, if true, and the cars be-
came the scene of the wildest and most thrilling
excitement. Every one who had a bottle of any-

428

RECOLLECTIONS OP MISSISSIPPI.

thing stronger than milk produced it, and joy and
good fellowship ruled the hour.

About daylight we arrived in Lynchburg, and
the conspicuous absence of any demonstrations of
rejoicing rather damped our spirits. The city had
the aspect of gloom and depression, and the peo-
ple whom we saw on the streets and in the hotels
■wore an expression of despondency that chilled
our hopes. No news of a battle had been received
from any quarter.

This was depressing, and- we went on to Rich-
mond, fearing the gloomiest contradiction to that
misleading telegram. It was almost dusk when
the train reached Richmond. Everything seemed
dismal and dreary. OflBcials came and went rap-
idly upon the streets, and citizens went about their
business silently as if uneasy and depressed. I
was soon informed by certain members of Con-
gress who had arrived before me that our forces
at Fort Donelson had met with repulse, if not
disaster, and the silence of the officials warned us
to expect the worst. No intelligence could be ob-
tained, and apprehension merged into certainty.

Tuesday morning revealed the awful story of
complete rout at Fort Donelson, and the further
fact that grave apprehensions were felt as to the
fate of Stonewall Jackson and his command in the
valley of the Shenandoah. It was rumored that
Jackson had thrown himself, without orders, be-
tween the forces of Banks and Fremont, and that
there could be no hope of his escape.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 429

Two such overwhelming disasters, coming in
quick succession, could not fail to discourage the
stoutest heart, and it was openly said upon the
streets that all hope of Southern independence was
crushed forever. This feeling of despair might
have led to still greater mischief, but in the even-
ing better tidings came to raise public spirit.
General Banks had been disastrously defeated, and
was in full retreat in the direction of Washington.
• On the nest day we learned that General Fremont
was also badly beaten, and in full retreat.

This good news dispelled some of the gloom
which had overshadowed the city, and our people,
with the mercurial temperament which is our birth-
right, began to indulge once more in airy visions,
I not the less pleasing because buUt upon " the
baseless fabric of a dream."
Thus dawned upon Richmond and the South
the morning of the 22d of February, appointed
for the ceremonial of inauguration and the meet-
ing of the two houses of Congress. After the
houses were organized, the representative mem-
bers repaired to the senate chamber, where the
President and Vice-president, and the Chief Jus-
tice of the supreme court had already taken their
I places. Mr. Bocock, Speaker of the House, took
his station on the stand with them, and the oath
of office was solemnly administered. All this time
a cold rain fell in torrents, and people whispered
to each other what an evil omen it was, and how

430 RECOLLECTIONS OP MISSIS SI PPL

everything conspired to make the day dismal and
wretched.

An immense canvas awning had been hastily
spread in front of the State House, and beneath
its shelter a great crowd gathered to hear the in-
augural address. Hundreds of ladies braved the
storm, and stood for hours in the cold and wet,
listening to the President with the greatest enthu-
siasm. Indeed, it may be said that throughout
the Confederacy, the women everjrwhere mani-
fested the most unswerving courage and devo-
tion, and met countless privations, sacrifices, griefs
even, with wonderful patience and spirit.

When the President begem to speak, he did not
appear to notice that his stand was so placed that
the rain beat pitilessly upon his uncovered head.
Some one caught up an umbrella and held it
over him.

At the conclusion of his speech, the crowd dis-
persed, and the new government was finally
launched upon its fatal voyage.

I was in the senate chamber, and did not hear
the President's address, but I knew that he spoke
brave words in that noble voice, which might trem-
ble with generous emotion, but was never known
to falter with craven fear. He stood there in his
perilous preeminence with the future more black
before him than the storm clouds which darkened
above his head, and the princely bearing of the
man well became the chief of a great people.

RECOLLECTIONS OF MlSSISSIPi'I.

431

From that day of evil omen, he trod firmly and
steadily the path that led him to his cell in For-
tress Monroe, where in his dauntless captivity, he
was crowned with the passionate love and rever-
ence o£ millions who had followed him to ruin and
defeat

I have been often spoken of as a man of an
over-sanguine temperament, prone to see things
through the medium of ray hopes rather than of
my fears, but I will confess that at this time I
could not be accused of any undue cheerfulness
of spirit. Every step taken up to that time had
been, as I thought, defeated by tardiness of move-
ment and inadequate preparation, and I could dis-
cover no indications of an improved system for the
future.

In a conversation which I had about this time
with Mr. Benjamin, the secretary of war, he said
to me, " There is no doubt that the Southern Con-
federacy will be recognized by England in ninety
days, and that ends the war." I asked him if he
would not, in the mean time, make vigorous prep-
arations, and endeavor to drive the enemy out of
Tennessee.

He replied that it was wholly unnecessary. I
then said that even if recognition by England was
certain, and that it would certainly end the war,
there might be grave questions to be considered,
and grave consequences to be provided for. As
for example, if the peace should be declared, each

432 RECOLLECTIONS OP MISSISSIPPL

party would, of course, claim all the territory held
when the war closed. Was Mr. Benjamin prepared
to give up Tennessee cmd Kentucky ?

BUs answer was, '' We shall hold from the Mem-
phis and Charleston Road south, and the Northern
States can keep what is north of that line/' I
was astonished by this reply, and told him plainly
that if we could hope for no better result than he
promised, I, for one, would rather go back in the
Union without further bloodshed.

Speaker Bocock was prompt in reporting com-
mittees, and I was put upon the military committee,
of which Mr. P. Miles, of Charleston, was chair-
man. After a few days, I discovered, with sincere
regret, that I could not honestly declare myself in
harmony with the other members of the committee
or with the administration. There was a radical
and irreconcilable difference in our views upon all
the questions and measures of the war. This
sprang from the fact that I was for a bold, ag-
gressive policy, while they advocated caution and
delay.

I believed that our only hope was to concentrate
all the forces we could raise into two great invad-
ing columns, and then boldly carry the war into
the enemy's country. I argued that it depended
largely upon which side took the initiative steps,
which section should be invaded, wasted, and de-
stroyed.

Other members of the committee were confident

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 433

that the war would be ended in ninety days, and
they were opposed to what they considered use-
less expense. The cry of the demagogue rang
long and loud, " The poor people must not be
taxed." This is a favorite watchword for those
who court popularity, and I have heard it used
with some success both before and since that time.

Realizing this condition of affairs, I made appli-
cation to the House to be relieved from further
connection with the committee, upon the ground
that I was an obstacle to its progress. I was
excused, and had not afterwards any connection
with any committee. A short time thereafter a
new committee was created by the House, and
Bocock sent a note to me in my chair in which he
asked if I wanted to be chairman of it. To this I
replied No, though I would have said Yes, if he
had simply asked me to accept the place.

It is needless now to discuss the efficiency of the
general legislation of that period. I can only say
that I sustained very little of it. In the fall of
1863 a bill was introduced into the House, exempt-
ing from military service any man who owned
twenty negroes. It was referred to a committee,
and reported back favorably, and a speech of half
an hour in length made in support of the bill.

I replied in a speech of the same length in
opposition.

I then called for the ayes and noes. The call
was granted aa a favor to me, and, perhaps, in

434 RECOLLECTIONS OP laSSISSIPPL

flome derision of the f^xeseen resoH. I was very
earnest in my opposition to the billy and warned
the House that to pass such a measure would be
to disband the army. My yote was the only one
cast against it, the House voting for it with some
clamor and vociferation. There was some laughter
over my isolated stand-point, but I said, '^ Laugh
on, my merry gentlemen, in a short time you will
laugh on the wrong side of your faces ! "

A few members afterwards changed their votes
to " No.'* The effect of the bill was just what
might have been anticipated. No sooner was the
news carried to the army them the soldiers became
infuriated. The officers had great difficulty in
keeping the army together until Congress could
meet and repeal the obnoxious law.

I remember well what a scene we had when
Congress met, and the Speaker announced the
House ready for business. Fifty members sprang
to their feet, and offered resolutions to repeal this
law, each eager to be before all others in his re-
cantation. The Speaker recognized Mr. Dowdle,
of Alabama, sent from somC'^point on the Coosa
River. The rules were suspended, and the resolu-
tion hastily passed.

It was my turn to laugh then. Years after-
wards it was basely charged by personal and polit-
ical enemies of mine, that I had voted for what
was called the " Twenty Nigger Bill," in spite of
the well-known fact that my opposition had been

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 485

made conspicuous, not alone by the only speech
made against it, but by the single vote cast in op-
position.

After the fall of Fort Donelson, and the surren-
der of the troops under command of General
Floyd, General Sidney Johnston fell back from
Bowling Green to Nashville, pursued by the large
force under General Buell.

General Johnston reached Nashville succcHsfuUy,
but was so overmatched that he continued bin re-
treat to Murfreesboro. The TenneHsee d<jl(;ga-
tions, at this intelligence, became so wild with rage
that they demanded the instant removal of Gen-
eral Johnston. They were frantic with grief and
rage, and would listen to no reason.

The President stood firm. He declared that if
General Johnston was not an able general, not one
could be found in the Confederacy. The rnmi
violent attacks and savage denunciations were
made against him.

Now I had been at Bowling Green for two
months, and had learned there not only t/i fe^^I
confidence in General Johniston's ability and devr^*
tion to the cause, but to undenrtand ^/rri^rtliin^ t4
the difficulties of his pofrition. I knew bow irrriAll
hk army was. and how unwilling the war d^rpartr
ment had be^n to allow him Thinforf'^ffu^fntM, H^.
had Ftood for jfifjnilui witli a m^e handftjl rA fi$^n$^
badly armed and equipped, arid » poor!;/ fed tfea<
the HKfD were Lardlj fit for duty, befr>re a kr;fe

436 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

force^ splendidly appointed and furnished with
abundant supplies.

Knowing all this, I felt bound to defend General
Johnston to the extent of my ability. In my
speech I denounced the whole policy of the war,
and the stupendous folly of the provisional Con-
gress in entering upon a gigantic conflict with such
puerile and inadequate preparation.

This speech gave great offence to the adminis-
tration, so that I had afterwards no influence, nor
indeed much personal intercourse, with heads of
government. I felt from that time that I was a
mere spectator in the final acts of our tragedy.

In May, 1864, 1 became satisfied that the im-
mense augmentation of the enemy*s military re-
sources, already so disproportioned to our own,
took away almost every hope of success still re-
maining in our hearts.

The only hope I could see — and it was born of
desperation — was in concentrating our entire
forces into two invading columns ; one under Gen-
eral R. E. Lee in Virginia, and the other at TuUa-
horaa in Tennessee. I went to the adjutant-gen-
eral's department, and was informed that it would
be possible to supply General Lee with two hun-
dred and fifty thousand efficient soldiers. This
would necessitate the abandonment of every de-
fensive point in Georgia, South Carolina, North
Carolina, and Virginia, and the calling in of quar-
termasters, commissioners, and their laborers. It

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

437

was also stated that a force o£ equal magnitude
could be furnished General Johnston at TuIIahoma,
This would require the abandonment of Vicksburg,
Fort Hudson, Mobile, and other points in Misais-
sippi and elsewhere.

For this purpose I prepared a bill, providing
that these measures should be carried out, and that
General Lee should move, as soon as the result was
accomplished, upon some point on the Potomac,
and carry out the scheme of invasion. Also that
General Johnston should advance upon General
Buell, then near Nashville, driving him, if possible,
across the Ohio River, and making every efEort to
invade the enemy's country. I endeavored to
show that this movement by General Johnston
would force General Grant to abandon Vicksburg
and the whole South, and put himself upon his
own territory to repel invasion. Two such armies
on the Potomac and Ohio rivers would have
driven the enemy fo divide their forces into sev-
eral grand divisions to defend important points,
and left Lee and Johnson to choose their points of
attack, or to remain in camp until some adjustment
of difficulties could be negotiated. I urged these
measures with what little force of argument I pos-
sessed, though with small hope of success. The
bill received but two votes besides my own.

Upon the announcement of this result, I sat
down at my desk and wrote out my resignation,
and sent a copy to the speaker, and one to the
governor.

438 RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI.

If this active policy had been adopted, we might
have been spared the slaughter at Gettysburg, the
surrender of Vicksburg and Port Hudson, and the
bloodshed at Chattanooga. Atlanta might not have
been laid in ruins, and the march to the sea might
not have won immortality for Sherman. Hood
might not have been left to work out his follies,
and the end might have come in a less ignoble
manner. Such speculations are worse than useless
now.

The end came, bringing woful and bitter days
to our people. Even now the recollection of that
anguish and humiliation smites upon the hearts of
those who endured it.

With what courage and heroic patience the
South took up her changed existence belongs to
the story of Mississippi as she is now. The old
Mississippian ends his rambling tale here.

In a little while, all those who were actors in
the great war will have passed away. Let us hope
that with them all the evil passions it engendered
may be buried out of mind. All nature points to
healing and renewal.

A few years ago, and countless battle-fields still
presented ghastly tokens of the time when broth-
ers, speaking the same dear mother tongue, lifted
up vengeful hands in fratricidal strife. Day by
day the sun has shone upon these fields ; the gen-
tle stars have looked down upon them through
long summer nights. In winter the snow has

RECOLLECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 439

fallen lightly above the trenches ploughed by
deadly missiles, and the summer dew has softly
blessed the sod where many a crushed body lay,
and from whence many a brave soul went up to
God.

Swiftly, with noiseless touches, the scarred bosom
of mother earth has been covered with flowers and
verdure ; and when spring returns " to deck the
hallowed mould," the waste places smile under
Heaven's own benediction of peace and tran-
quillity.

INDEX.

Abbott, Jack, 1^3, SSI, 38*.
Aberdeen, «S, 84, 137, 133, 138, 145,

160, 16a, 171, I9B, 193. 353-3S8,

362-265, 270. 374, 275, iSO.
Ack«r, Joal M., 132, 139, 139, 147,

222, 22&, 25&, 3->a. SSS.
Acker, Mn..Iiie1 M.,see.
Adams, Judge, 144, 152, 153.
Adams, Stephen,6S, 67, 69, 73, 301,

323,351,362.
Alcorn, GoTenior, 174, 215-319,

404-107,418,431.432.
Allan, Ptirate John, 180.
Allan, William, 133.
Antietani, 227.

Armstrong, Captain, 409, 410.
Athens, 4S, 50-aS, 65, 81, 133, 13S,

144,145, 147.
Ajer, Mr., 404.

IJaldi«iD,C;nisB., 183, 184.

Baldwin, Joseph G., 60, 63, 63.

Banks, General, 439.

Barker, Mr., 375.

Barker, Rev, Mr., 276.

Barksdole, Captain William, 237,

338, 334, 338, 346, 343, 364, 365,

367, -191.
Barksdale, Ethel, 353, 393, 393.
Barton. Roeer, 87, 89, 152, 340.
Itarrj, William L., 97, 324, 336, 337,

347,351, 354.
Baton Kouge, battle, 325.
Beane, Rimsell O., 171, 173.
Bell, Jatnes, 65.
Bell, William. 172,173.
Bellington, William, 31.
Benjamin, Jodah P.,431.
Bennett, Henry 8., 99, 35B, 959, 361,

346,354-358.
BeotoQ, Thomas H., 89, 133, 135.
Bibb, WillUm, SS.

Big Bear Creek, 3>.

Bingaman, Adam L., 81. 108.

Birmingham, Misa, 181.

Blair, Colonel J. A., I7S, 177.

Blewitt, General Thomas, 301.

BleviCC, Major, 304, 305.

BIjthe. Captain A. R., 236, 335.

Bocock, Congceasman, 379; Speak-
er, 439, 433, 433.

Bolivar, 36, 27.

Bolivar Conntr, 346.

Boone, Colonel Reuben, 174.

Boone, Jndge, 174.

Boonville, 174.

Booth, Jonins Brntui, m Richud
IIL, 214.

Boteler, CongreismnB, 396.

Bowling Green, Ky., 431-433, 4Sfl,
435.

Bojd Brothers, 396.

Bond's caae, 116.

Bradford, Benjamin, S73, 974.

Bradford, General Alexander, SS,
137-143, 198, S13, 313. 247, 333.

Brandon, 393.

Brandon, Colonel, 384.

Breckinridge, General, 423, 4S4.

Brown, Fort, 233, 334.

Brown, General A. Q., 164,188,189,
201,323,334.336.

Buchanan, G. B., 379.

BnchanoD, President, 373.

Boclianan, Tom, 183.

Buckingham, Misses, 13.

Bnckingham, Sterling H., 136.

Bnckler, Captain. 322, 338.

BneU, General, 422, 42S, 435, 437.

BDenayiita,3l3, 337, 330, 333,133,
235, 336, 347, 349, 353.

BnfflnCon, Congrenman, 388, 389.

Ball Rnn, battle, ITS, 410.

Burst, Congreatmao, 387, 38S.

442

INDEX.

Butler, Colonel, of Soath Carolina,

231.
Buzzard's Roost, 27.

Calderritta, 243.

Calhoun County, 346.

Calhoun, John C, 123, 125, 298.

California, 249, 310.

Camargo, 239, 242, 246.

Campbell, Mr., from Ohio, 366.

Campbell, Rev. Alexander, 127.

Carlisle, of Okolona, 180.

Carrullton, 326, 327.

Carruthers, of Mobile, 158.

Cass, Lewis, 293, 296.

Cerro Gordo. 80, 325.

Chalmers, Chancellor, 152.

Chalmers, Hon. Joe, 88.

Chapultepec, 80.

Chickasaw County, 66, 346, 356.

" Chickasaw Rebellion," the, 333.

'* Clarion," The, 353.

" Clarion-Ledeer," The, 353.

Clark, GeneriU, 404.

Clark, Governor, 215-218.

Clarke, Captain Charles^ 224, 225,

232, 358-361.
Clay, Henry, 114, 115, 123-125, 190,

191.
Clay, of Hnntsville, 34, 36.
Clayton, Jnd^ Alexander, 92.
Clayton, of Columbus, 165.
Clayton, of Tupelo, 179.
Clo'pton, Dr. John, 284.
Clopton, William H., 284, 286.
Cocke, General Stephen, 13, 53, 101,

116.
Cocke, William, 50.
Coffeeville, 355.
Columbus, 97, 98, 294.
Columbus, Ky., 421.
Columbus Land Office, defalcation

in, 116.
Commercial Hotel, 362.
Cooper, William, 43, 53.
Coopwood, Mr., 199.
Corinth, 171, 172, 418-421.
Corwin, Thomas, 114, 115, 381, 385,

397, 400.
Cotton Gin, 15.
Cox, Mrs. Allan, 267.
Crusoe, Mr., 348.
Cumberland River, 425.

Dal ton, Dr. Robert, 267.
Daniel, Captain, 228.

Davis, Cocke & Goodrich, 77, 116,

118.
Davis, James, 34, 95.
Davis, Jefferson, 115, 166, 193, 194,

196-199, 212, 213, 247, 289, 315,

316, 320, 321, 324, 330, 351, 396,

404.
Davis, Joe, 79.
Davis, John, 379.
Davis' Mills, 196, 197.
Davis, Rev. John, 2, 4, 6, 70.
Davis, William, 25, 26, 95.
Debating Club at Hamilton, 22.
De Kalb, 60, 62, 63.
Dickerson, Henry, 99.
Dickerson, Mrs., 100.
Donelson, Fort, 426-428.
Dowd, Colonel, 38, 40.
Dowdle, Mr., of Alabama, 434.
Drake, Colonel, 233.
Dnncan, Colonel William L., 67-69,

172, 420.

Eckford & Clifton, 280.
Eckford, Charles, 281.
Eckford, Dr. Joseph, 280.
Eckford, Joseph, 279.
Eckford, Mrs. Oliver, 283.
Eckford, Oliver, 280.
Elkin, William, 285.
El Pnso, Texas, 25.
Enterprise, 409.
Estelle, Captain, 226, 232.
Euriuf General, 243.
Evans, Dr. Frank, 269.
Evans, Mrs. J. E., 269.
Evans, William, 284.
Ewing, Charles, 276.
Ewing, James, 276.

Faulkner, Colonel, 169, 170.
Fauntleroy, Colonel, 245, 246.
Favette Court House, 31,43, 45, 47.
Fcatherston, General W. S., 38, 183,

185,288, 289,302,303.
Finley,GenerHl, 180.
First Mississippi Regiment, 212, 213.

220, 289, 299.
Flovd, John B., 395, 435.
Fontaine, Charles, 93, 347.
Foote, General Henrv S., 101, 119,

120, 122-124, 191-194, 196-199,

315,317, 318,321-324.
Forrest, General, 179.
Frc'mont, General, 428.
Fulton, 37, 141, 162, 171, 203, 205.

INDEX.

443

Gajle, Geoige, 1 23.

Gayle, John, 123.

George, James Z., 220.

Gettyabarg, 238.

GhoIsoD, Judge Samuel J., 42, 55,
60, 76, 132-136, 149, 158, 160, 259.

Gholson, William Y., 93.

Giddings, Joshaa R., 380, 381, 390.

Gilpine, Attorney General, 116.

Glenn, David, 325, 332.

Glover, Mr.. 45, 46.

Goodwin, Mr., 150, 266.

Gonvener, Lieutenant, 232.

Grant, General, 421, 425, 437.

Gray, Dr., 29, 30.

Green, Judge, 92, 170, 351.

Green, Judge Jehu A., 170, 171.

Greene, Dr., 96.

Green River, 424.

Grenada, 355,418,419.

Grow, Galusha A., 372.

Gubernatorial elections: of 1841,
130-136; of 1845, 201; of 1849,
307 ; of 1851, 315-321, 336-318; of
1852,324,330-334; of 1855,346,
347.

Guion, Judge,. 100..451*. 151^192,
199. ^ ^

Hagerstown, Md., 126.

Halbert, Joshua, 45.

Halbcrt, Marv, 46.

Hamilton, 7,' 9, 10, 14, 17, 20-22,

100.
Harall, Mr., 30.
Hardin Sulphur Springs, 318.
Hardy, John, 53.
Hardy, William, 134.
Harper, A. S., 182.
Harris, Wilev P., 407.
Harris, William L., 99, 302-306.
Harrison, James T., 38, 39, 40, 42,

98, 302, 304.
Harrison, President, 127.
Hatch, Dr., 279.

Haughton, Colonel Lafayette, 283.
Headen, Mr., 37, 38.
Henderson, Mr.; 258.
Herndon, Mr., 282.
Higt^ason, Dr. George, 7, 9, 10, 20,

54.
Holden, Miss, 282.
Holdcn, Miss Fannv, 283.
Holland, Dr.. 29, 30.
Holliday, Colonel John, 285.
Holliday, Mrs., 285.

Holly Springs, 86, 87, 89, 92, 196,

197.
Holt, Joseph, 83, 190.
Hood, General, 438.
Hopkins, of Huntsville, 34, 36.
Houston, 28, 170, 183, 306, 332.
Houston & Reynolds, 261, 262.
Houston, General Sam, 79, 256.
Houston, Judge Lock E., 38, 41,

256, 258-261, 347, 353, 362.
Howard, Rolney E., 100.
Howry, Judge, 144, 149, 150, 152.
Hymer, Captain, 226.

Inge, Colonel William, 171.
Itawamba County, 66, 346, 354.

Jacinto, 141, 175.

Jackson, 154-157, 189, 190,215,403-

405,416.
Jackson, Captain A. M., 168, 169,

226, 232.
Jackson, James. 33.
Jackson, Stonewall, 428.
Jones, James C, 190.
Johnson's Island, 270.
Johnston, General Joe, 269.
Johnston, General Sidney, 369, 421,

422, 425, 435, 436.

Keitt, Congressman, S72.

Kelly, of Huntsville, 34, 36, 37.

Kemper County, 60.

Kilpatrick, Colonel, 224, 231, 234,

235.
Know-Nothing Party, 258, 259, 344-

347.

La Grange, 254.

Lamar, L. Q. C, 392.

Lann, Benjamin, 9, 49.

Lee, General R. E., 436, 437.

Lee, General S. D., 179.

Liddell, Captain, 227.

Lindsay, Colonel Matthew, 162, 163,

255.
Lisle, Miss, 276.
Lobos, island, 230, 231.
Love, Colnmbus, 279.
Love, William, 276.
Lynchburg, Va., 427.
Lynes, Mr., 51.

McAfee, 413, 415.
McAllister, James, 282.
McAUister, Ulya<;es, 282.

444

INDEX.

McCluDg, Colonel James K., 212-

219 288 289.

"McCusk/s Political Text-Book,"
359.

McFarland, Baxter, 285.

McGuillie, Miss, 218.

Mcintosh, Colonel Robert, 90-92,
182 183*

McNiitt, A. a, 83-85. 100.

McQuillie, Captain, 227, 228.

McQuiston, Colonel, 282.

McQuiston, Dunbar, 282.

McQuiston, T. J., 282.

McKae, John J., 325, 336, 346, 347,
374, 391.

Manghnm, Senator, 123, 125.

Marshall, Colonel Humphrey, 242-
245.

Marshall County, 86, 92.

Marshall Relief Guards, 227.

Marshall, T. A., 83.

Martin, Peter, 43. 44.

Martin, William, 34, 36, 37.

Matamoras, 232, 233, 239.

Matthews, Beverly, 228.

Matthews, Colonel Joseph W., 286,
288.

May's case, 340-343.

Memphis, 24.

Meridian, 183.

Mexico, city, 235, 248, 249.

Mexico, war with, 211 ; reminis-
cences, 211-251 ; raising^ troops,
212; First Mississippi Reg^iment,
212, 220; General Bradford at
Biiena Vista, 213; the second
regiment, 221 ; its officers, 224-
229 ; mistaken orders, 230 ; island
of Lobos, 231 ; mutiny, 232 ; Mat-
amoras, 233 ; Captain William
Barksdale, 237; small-pox, 240,
241 ; a hard march, 243, 244; Cal-
derritta, 245, 246 ; the second regi-
ment joins Taylor at Monterev,
246-248.

Miles, P., 432.

Miller, Mr., 67, 68.

Miller, Judge Hugh R., 38, 39.

Miller, Judge R., 94.

Mississippi, golden days of, 78 ; roll
of honor, 102; life in, between
1828 and 1855, 103 ; a memorable
election, 130; state pride, 155;
prosperity, 166, 290, 314; part in
Mexican War, 212, 221 ; growth
of sectional feeling, 297, 298 ; gold

fever, 310 ; a revolutionary centre,
323; increase in congressmen,
330; Know-Nothingism in, 345,
346; secession discussions, 391-
394 ; convention called, 401 ; ordi-
nance of secession adopted, 401 ;
the state a separate nationality,
402 ; a military board created,
404; other military preparations,
406-422; troops turned over to
the Confederacy, 414 ; part in the
war, 414, 415.

" Mis^issippian," The, 352, 353.

Mitchell, Colonel, 241, 242.

Mobile and Ohio Railroad, 263, 264.

Monroe County, 7, 47, 56, 59, 66,
273, 281, 283, 315, 346, 378.

Monterey, 213, 227, 231, 233, 235,
241, 243, 247, 250, 253, 289.

Moore, Colonel Lucian B., 53, 279.

Morgan, Davis H., 134.

Murfreesborough, 435.

Murphy, William K., 294-296.

Nabers, Captain Frank, 281.

Nash, Stephen, 99.

Nashville, 113,425,435.

Natchez, 79 ; great men of, 80, 81.

New Orleans, 230, 252.

New Orleans, Jackson, and Great

Northern Railroad, 264, 265, 335,

338, 353.

O'Farrell, General, 409.

Okolona, 180-182.

Ormand, Judge, 160-163.

Orr, James L., 185, 355, 356.

Orr, Judffe J. A., 183, 185,354, 366.

Orr, William, 366.

Outlaw, Miss, 35.

Outlaw, Mr., 35, 36.

Owen, Justice, 51.

Oxford, 152, 182.

Paine, Bishop Robert, 270-273, 362.

Palo Alto, battle, 211.

Parades, Fort, 233, 234.

Pattison, Mr., 350.

Pennington, Congressman, 387, 388.

Pettus, Governor John J., 378, 390, -^

391,405,406,408,41.3-41.5.
Phelan, James. 255, 325, 362.
Pierce, President, 330.
Pillow, General. 427.
Pittsborough, 354.
Polk, James K., 190, 191, 200.

INDEX.

445

Polk, General, 421. !

FoDtotoc, 66, 67, 92, 94, 108, 138, !

152, 158, 170, 172, 173. 198, 299, j

SCO, 333, 359, 374.
Pontotoc Coanty, 346.
Powers, J. L.,352, 353.
Pray, R., 102.

Prentiss, S. S., 81-83, 166, 190, 193.
Presidential canvass of 1840, 109- j

115; of 1844. 190-200; of 1848, I

291-509; of 1860,390.
Prewitt case, 158-160.
Prewitt, Colonel Abner, 274, 275,

362.
Prewitt, Dyer, 274, 275.
Prewitt, Kirk. 274, 275.
Prewitt, Mark, 158, 274, 275.
Price, Major, 224, 231, 232.
Price, Nathaniel, 168.
Pryor, Roger A., 364.
Pnebla, 235, 248.
Pushmattahaw, Indian chief, 59, 62.

Quincy, 22.

Quitman, Greneral John A., 79, 80,
212, 307, 308, 315, 369-572.

Ragsdale, Daniel, 52.

Ragsdale, Mrs. Gabriel, 283.

Randall, James G., 284, 355, 362.

Reagen, Mr., 9.

Resaca de Pal ma, battle, 211.

Reynolds, Arthur E., 177, 178.

Reynolds, Colonel Reuben O., 257,

258 260 262.
Richmond,' Va., 120, 363, 426-428.
Rio Grande, 231,232.
Ripley, 67, 108, 138, 167, 168, 170.
Rogers, Captain William P., 147,

151, 2.55.
Roerers, Francis M., 147, 148, 201-

205, 255, 268, 336, 362.
Rose, Ambrose, 53.
Russell's Vallev, 32, 33, 67.
Russell ville, 9, *26, 29, 31, 33, 34, 43,

48.
Rust, General. 398, 399.

Sale, Dr. G. P., 255.

Sale, Judge John B., 38, 40, 254,

255, 362.
Sale, Mrs. E. P., 270.
Saltillo, 235, 250.
San Jacinto, 80.
San Juan River, 243.
Santa Anna, 79, 80, 235, 239.

Scagg's case, 205-210.

Scott. General, 15, 231, 235, 239,

247, 248.
Scott, Miss Annie, 277.
Second Mississippi Regiment, 262.
Secession Convention, 401.
Shannon, Jacob, 121.
Sharkey, Judge W. L., 102, 421.
Shattack, Rev. Mr., 130.
Sherman, General, 438.
Sherman, John. 379, 383.
Simonton, William, 44, 45.
Sims, B. C, 267.
Singleton, O. R., 391.
Sipsey Creek, 9.
Smedes, W. C, 83.
Smith, Adam T., 99.
Smith, General, 1 79.
Smith, Judge, 421.
Smith, Pink, 102.
Smith 17. Donaldson, 33-37.
Somerville, Tenn., 25.
Spate, General Jesse, 285.
Starksville, 347.
State V, Dick, 147.
State V. Forester, 160-163.
Stephens, Alexander H., 381.
Strong, General Elisha, 276, 362.
Strong, Miss Georgia, 277.
Strong, Thomas, 277.
Sunflower County, 846.
Sykes, Captain Dred, 268.
Sykes, Captain E. O., 269, 270.
Sykes, Captain T. B., 268.
Sykes, Dr. Augustus, 270, 362.
Sykes, Dr. Granville, 270.
Sykes, Dr. Richard, 270, 277.
Sykes, Dr. William A., 268, 269,

362.
Sykes. Mrs. A. G., 270.
Sykes, Mrs. Dred, 283.
Sykes, Mrs. Eugene A., 205.
Sykes. Rev. Simon B., 268.

Tallahatchie. 346, 355.

Tampico,231,232.

Taylor, Colonel, 232.

Taylor, General Zacharr, 21 1, 230-

232, 239, 242, 246, 247, 291-294,

296.
Tennessee River, 32.
Thomas, Edward, 180.
Thompson. Jacob, 93, 351.
Thompson, John W., 162, 163, 168.
Tindafl, Dr. John M., 277» 278,

362.

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