vV r-. "-^ ^ ■\^- ^ '^^'"^'"^■^ A i^N ~4#i:' X '°/^i4''. V c^''*' -^^rJ? 1 O H ^> 0' c .3 -n^. ri .■^^ / co^^./:^. .'-^^ .0 0^. ^^V "^^ ' f s^''^/. ^^C' X^' ^."^ A^ '^r. ^ V "^ '---^ ^^' -'fm^:. 1 ^ ^ y^ ^-^ ^^ -^^ < o^\^' = !R I V % 9 .' ^ . -.% ' V-" •:>\^-= ^:v- -^°/!^ "", %^* ■ -"o^ '^ , X ^ ^^^ A ■ ^ -p . ^o "' ^^ v"*"' %'' "V,. C^^ ,^-^ •% "* '•".'',',•'' '«■' "« •V- ' 8 1 ^ "N, s ■> « 7- >V::;';>C°' ">v^r ^^^ - -:/!-::••'' ^ -fi ,.). *5) C3i A o 0^ ERRATA. I Page 113— Should read " Gen. Enoch Parsons" instead of "Persons." I Page 141—" Town property in 1860 was 130,931,309," should not be repeated. Page 226— 3rd. line from top should read "31st. instead of " 13th." I Page 301— 3rd. line from top should read " May" instead of "April." I Page 301— 4th. line tine print should read " $550,000," instead of $450,000. Page 332—" Russell ville" should be put down as county seat of Franklin, in- iiad of " Belgren." The latter is said to be the county seat On page 83 of " Alabama, st'',( tiesources, etc," published by the State Commissioner of Agriculture in 1807, the It( hest work on the table of the author. *^' All the foregoing Errata will be corrected in the new edition which will contain 'e new constitution, the pictures of Gen. Pettus and Ex-Gov. Johnston which were thft out by oversight of the printer, and a number of additional illustrations. le HISTORY OF ALABAMA ADAPTED TO THE USE OF SCHOOLS c^Xl> FOR GEIN^ERAI. READIKO St'' It lat th Hy l. d. MILI^ER, l^'OKMERLY COITXTV SliPERIXTENI>K: OF EDt'CATlOX, CAt,HOL^X OOL-NTV 1J)()1. <'"■ .v superior numbers they accepted their paroles in good faith, and after the close of war, by the exercise of industry, economy, persever- ance, hope and patience, under most distressing conditions, they were the main instruments in rehabilitating our beloved Alabama to her former proud position as a free and prosperous State of the greatest nation on earth. The children should also be taught to admire the LTnion soldiers for their brave and patriotic tight in saving the Union. A spirit of national patriotism should be inculcated by the revival of tie Fourth of July celebrations of ante bellum days and by erecting a national flag over every school-house, in accordance with the sugges- tion of a joint resolution of the Alabama Legislature in 1898. The author hereby expresses his sincere thanks to the many County Superintendents of Education who replied to his inquiry as to the leading schools in the respective counties last Spring. He is also profoundly grateful for the use of many books, reports, papers ana old maps — some of them out of print and not on sale — which were kindly loaned him by various friends. All the works (except one or two) in Appendix ISTo. 8, which rdate to Alabama, were on the author's desk while preparing this book. Jaclsonvillc, Ajyvil 2, 1901. CONTEINTS. State Capitol of Alal)ama Frontispiece Preface. page I. De Soto's Expedition, A. D. loiO 11 II. De Soto in Alabama, 1540 15 III. De Soto in Alabama 18 IV. De Soto in iVlabama and the Close of the Expedition, A. D. 1540-4 21 V. Indians of Alabama, Villages and Towns, Dress, Weapons, Implements 25 VI. Indians of Alabama, Games, Dwellings. . . . 27 VII. Modern Indians of Alabama 29 VIII. Alabama nnder the French 34 IX. Alabama under the French, 1712 to 1752. . . 38 X. Change from French to English Rule 45 XL Alabama Partly in the United States, and Claimed by Georgia. Mississippi Terri- tory Created 51 XII. Alabama a part of Mississippi Territory, A. D. 1799 to 1808 ". . . . 56 XIII. Alabama a part of Mississippi Territory. Mobile Seized by the Americans in 1813. . Gl XIV. The Creek War, A. D. 1813. Fort Minis' Massacre G5 XV. Creek War, Battle of Talladega, A.D. 1813. 72 XVI. Creek War, 1813-1814. Canoe Fight 77 XVII. Creek War, 1814. Treaty of Ff. Jackson. . . 82 XVIII. Close of the Creek War 87 XIX. Alabama Territory Organized 92 XX. First State Election .' 97 XXI. Administrations of Governors Bibb, Pickens and Murphy 102 XXII. -Administrations of Governors Gabriel Moore, S. B. Moore and Gayle 107 XXIII. Governor Clav's Administration. Financial Crash of 1837 113 XXIV. Eemoval of the Creeks. Mexican War 118 XXV. Administrations of Governors Chapman and Collier 125 XXVI. Governor Winston's Administration 131 XXVII. Governor Moore's Administration 137 XXVIII. Xegro Slavery in Alabama 142 XXIX. Organization of Confederate States 147 XXX. The Beginning of the War 154 XXXI. Confederate War, July, 'Q2, to J^n. 1, ^63. . 162 XXXII. Confederate War, Jan. 1, '63, to May, '63. . 170 XXXIII. Confederate War, May -^c August, '63 179 XXXIV. Confederate War, Aug., '63, to Jan., '64. . 185 XXXV. Confederate War, Jan., '64, to April, '64. 191 XXXVI. Confederate War, April, '64, to July, '64... 197 XXXAai. Confederate War, Aug. and Sept., '64.... 205 XXXVIII. Confederate War, Oct., '64, to March, '65. 211 XXXIX. Confederate War, March and April, '65. . . 217 XL. Confederate War, April and May, '65 224 XLI. Beginning of Eeconstruction Period 233 XLII. Eeconstruction Period 239 XLIII. Eeconstruction Period, 1866-68 246 XLIV. Eeconstruction Period, 1868 to 1870 252 XLV. Eeconstruction, Gov. Houston Elected.... 258 XLVI. Houston's Administration 266 XLVII. Administrations of Govs. Cobb and O'Neal. 271 XLVIII. Administration of Governor Seay 279 XLIX. Administration of Gov. Joiies 285 L. Admrs. of Govs. Oates and Johns. on 292 APPENDIX. I. Alabama as It Is 305 II. County Notes 314 III. Military Organization in the Confederate War. . . 359 IV. Officers from Alabama During the Con. War. . . . 375 V. Ala. Officers and Organizations in Spanish War. . 375 VI. Weather Notes. . . . '. 376 VII. Churches of Alabama 384 VIII. Authors of Alabauia 388 IX. State Officers 393 Index 401 -3 Longitude C 0. Cha^„, o ProTid, 3lum b^tfs I— I t\ tarrqJItSn" ? Macoi Houston iWeSpr3.^o Cullman OregouiaQ PrattfC i -"Reuijen Oorrisl^priy^jiiejf^ ^ Bessemer! ibirminKhai I Oxmoor C^olUonN Ironaton ?°T«iloer \ •V,.^ 'i£S-^i&.^x)>Airi- !e Helena ^. J^^hiUllersburj^ o S a^edowel. . >>^oJV y i^"^ Ashland \ oHockMilli lliJi fajetteXi Good water -,V ,>_J oBkJco vGreensboro^ _ rorSls:nf^^C...aolrs&oJ: ^;.o.. J.J. DesotoviUe m^^r°°-- ' .i.V^^^^'^S^Mi /Butle? ^GVB Landing / Mji^ /Pleasant ^11/ AdaV ineBUl/- _ jiy-^>^ I ^■»/^\ T» Willing /iLetohatcl „ BuHalo] „LaFayettei Alexander (_ . , ClanSn " ■'''^'-''^ G^p^^" '"■'"•"=> fera^ot^kloiiJ DadeCvill^'vTuckersJ *"' '^CaLp HilfS^--' 5elmraurns.iUePV»i^L^^ )JSX1I0M] , . Coffeewillelli ^G lajrnesboro l\ ) pHealing Sprs.lK v\^ I St. Stephens a jState Line Thomas M E 11° Lo„gitui4 B HANDY MAP OF ALABAMA ENGRAVED FOR Miller's History of Alabama. 1, BY THE MATTHEWS-NORTHRUP CO., BUFFALO, N SCALE OF STATUTE MILES. 20 30 40 60 60 70 80 SO 100 Q Wiuhingt MAP FOR BLACKBOARD EXERCISE, From 1540 to 1702 Spain claimed the territory of the present state of Alabama as a part of Florida. 1702 to 1763 it was claimed by France as part of the Louisi- ana Province, north of 31 degrees being also claimed by Great Britain. In 1763 all was ceded "to Great Britain and lati- tude 32 degrees 28 minutes, became line between Illinois and West Florida. In 1780 Spain got possession of Mobile and two years later all south of 32 degrees 23 minutes. In 1782 the U. S. got that part north of 32 degrees 28 minutes and it beloneed to Georgia which had long claimed all north of 31 degrees In 1796 Spain ceded to the U. S. the disputed territory between 31 degrees and 32 de- grees 28 minutes, extending from the Mississii)pi river to the ( hattahoochee, and it was organized three years later as Mississippi Territory. In 1802 Georgia sold that part no th of 32 degreps 28 minutes to "the U. S. and it was added to the Mississippi Teriitory. In 1813 the U. S. army captured Mobile, and thu» the whole of the soil of the present State was freed from Euroiiean domination. In 1817 the Territory of Alabama was organized (with boundaries of the present State), out of eastern half of the Mississippi Territory, and in 1819 Alabama was admitted to the Union as a State. South Carolina had an old claim 15 miles wide across the extreme northern part of the State. 2 HISTOEY OF ALABAMA. • CHAPTER I. DE SOTO's EXPEDITION^ A. D. 1540. About the first of Jul}^ 1540 — less than half a century after the discovery of America by Columbus — so far as is known from authentic history, the soil of Alabama was tracked for the first time by European footsteps. Hernando De Soto, with his army of 1,000 Spaniards and Portuguese and several hundred Indian burden bearers, entered the town of Costa, in the present county of Cherokee, on the 2nd of July, 1540. During the previous week, by easy stages, the army had marched down the west side of the Coosa river from Chiaha. an Indian capital town of importance on the site of that part of the present city of Rome, Ga., which lies between the Etowah and Oustanaula rivers, immediately above their junc- tion. More than one year before — on the 30th of May, 1539 — De Soto had landed on the shores of Tampa Bay, Fla., with 1,000 men, splendidly equipped for discovery and conquest, and with bright anticipations of wealth and renown. In his young manhood, De Soto and some of his men had served under Pizarro in the conquest of Peru, and had thereby attained great riches and much glory. As an officer of Pizarro, he had proved himself a man of great daring, energy, and brains, and a born leader. of men. When he (De Soto) returned to Spain from South America, his display of wealth and pleasant address, enabled him to obtain the appointment of "Governor of Cuba" and "Adelantado of Florida." Author- ity to make discoveries and conquests of unknown regions seems to have been conferred by the title "Adelantado" in addition to the right to exercise the usual executive duties of a "Governor." 12 HISTORY OF ALABAMA In preparing for his Florida expedition, De Soto was joined by GOO young men of the first faimlies of Spain and Portugal, who eagerly sold their possessions and used the proceeds in fitting out the expedition. When he reached Cuba, the adelatado was joined by an additional force of four hundred, and subsequently landed in Florida, as has been stated, with 1,000 men. The acquirement of gold for himself and followers, and the acquisition of undiscovered territory for his royal master, the King of Spain, were the primary objects of the expedition. He also carried a dozen priests to convert the natives to the Eoman Catholic Church, besides wine and flour, and all the paraphernalia necessary for celebrating the rites of said church. Experience in Peru had taught De Soto the needs of an army in a savage country — trinkets for bartering — the arms and armor required when meeting hostile natives — the value of horses, mules, cattle and swine to help an army through large stretches of unbroken forests where no eatables were obtainable, and the necessity for said domestic animals should a colony be established. In the list below it will be noticed that the expedition carried almost everything that human forethought and unstinted money could provide for an army that v/ould be cut off for years from communication with the civilized world : "His troops were provided with helmets, breastplates, shields, and coats of steel to repel arrows of the Indians — and with swords, Bis- cayan lances, rude guns called arquebuses, cross-bows and one piece of artillery, 213 horses, greyhounds and blood hounds to hunt retreat- ing savages ; handcufTs, chains, etc., for binding Indian captives; work- men of every trade with their various tools, men of science with their philosophical instruments and crucibles for refining gold ; tons of iron and steel and much other metal, various merchandise, and provisions to last two years, a large drove of hogs, which strangely multipplied on tne route; also cattle and mules." (Pickett's History of Alabama.) On account of the cruelty to the natives practiced by Narvaez, another vSpaniard, who had led an expedition into Florida a few years pievious, De Soto found the Indians of the peninsula very hostile. Many of them were killed or captured by his army as it journeyed north to the site of the DE SOTO S EXPEDITION A. 1). 1 54O 1 3 present city of Tallahassee^ where he spent the winter of 1539-40. The captives were kept in chains and used as slaves to carry baggage on the march, and to do the rougher work of the camps. Having heard of gold to the northeast, the adelantado marched his army in that direction until he reached the Savannah river, opposite modern Silver Bluff in Barnwell county. South Carolina. Here he found a large Indian town ruled by a beautiful queen, young and unmar- ried. After resting two or three weeks, he marched up the river until he reached an Indian town in the present Habersham county, Georgia, where he remained for several days. During the month of May, 1540, he marched westward through North Georgia, passing a large town near the head- waters of the Coosa, and reaching Chiaha (site of Rome, Ga.) the latter part of said month. Just one year had been con- sumed in the journey through Florida and Georgia. While traversing what is now called the State of Florida, the expedition was continually harassed by the hostile natives who had suffered, as we have seen, at the hands of the white man. After reaching the soil of the present State of Georgia, the army of De Soto was received with kindness and hospi- tality along the whole route— up the Savannah — across to the headwaters of the Coosa, and at Chiaha (Eome, Ga.). The last named place was well supplied with corn, beans, honey, bear's oil and walnut oil, so that the army rested and feasted for a month before marching down the Coosa. Two hundred years after- wards it was the capital of the modern Cherokees, who had received from their ancestors a tradition of De Soto's sojourn at their capital town. According to Pickett, the said tradition made mention of par- ticulars, such as the crossing places of the Oustanaula. when De Soto entered and departed from Chiaha town. The kindness shown De Soto by friendly disposed Indians, of course, was mixed with much fear, and great curiosity on the part of the latter, none of whom had ever seen a white man, a horse, a mule, or fire arms of any kind. They regarded a man on horseback as we would a fabled centaur — should one come to life and appear before us. The explosion of powder when a gun was discharged, and the pene- trating, deadly effects of a bullet were especially terrifjMng to them, 14 HISTORY OF ALABAMA and were supposed to be thunder and lightning in the hands of the white man. Had the latter not been armed by these supposed super- natural agencies, the Indians would never for a moment, have sub- mitted to the exactions of the adelantado. By crafty means ne seized their kings and held them as hostages until he passed into other do- minions, when they were glad to get off with their lives ana a few simple presents. In this way he extorted men for burden bearers, and the most beautiful women as slaves — for the Indians have ever reverenced the peprsons of their chiefs, and would make almost any sacrifice to shield them from harm. Having discerned this trait early in his march, De Soto soon learneu that he could get slaves, provisions, pearls, and all other valued possessions of the Indians — and also keep them at peace — by making prisoners of the chiefs. Before reaching Chiaha, the adelantado had collected a quantity of beautiful fresh-water mussel pearls, and here he was presented with a string of pearls two yards in length. The shoals of the near-hy rivers were searched by the Indians for more, when they found that he valued them highly, with the result that his store of such treasures was considerably increased. However, he had found scarcely any gold, and no metal in use among the Indians except a few silver trinkets and some small copper utensils. Doubtless he felt sore and disappointed at his comparatively fruitless search for treas- ure, but he gave no expression of such feeling to his devoted and really heroic followers. With unabated thirst for gold, and probably, at the same time, with his heart strings unconsciously pulling him towards Ochus (Pensacola) in order that he might sail for home, he recrossed the Ostanaula from Chiaha on the 25th of June, 1540 — as has already been related — and arrived at the town of Costa, in present Cherokee county, Alabama, on the 3nd of July. t QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER I. (1) When was Alabama first entered by Europeans? (2) From where had they marched during: the previous week? (3) Where did the expedition land one year before? How many men and how equipped? What appointment did De Soto receive? By what num- ber was he joined before starting? and on the way to Florida? (4) What were the three objects of the expedition? (5) Did De Soto find the natives of Florida hostile or friendly, and from what cause? Whither did he march? What did he find on the banks of the Sa- vannah? In just one year from starting-, what town did he reach? (6) How was he treated by the Indians of Georgia? What did he find at Chiaha? How long did he remain there? (7) Was the kindr ness shown De Soto unselfish? How did the Indians regard a man DE SOTO IN ALABAMA A. D. I54O. 1 5 on horseback? (S> What treasures had the adelantado collected be- fore reaching Chiaha, and at that place? Did the pearls compensate him for the cost of the expedition? Whither did he now march? CHAPTER II. DE SOTO I^T ALABAMA, A. D. lo-tO. The 1,500 warriors of the town of Costa were more war- like than an}' the expedition had met since leaving the present State of Florida — and at one time a serious battle seemed to be inevitable. This was prevented by the presence of mind of the adelantado, who seized a club and joined the Indians in beating some of his men who had robbed their houses upon arrival. This pleased the Indians, and when the unsuspecting chief came forward he was surrounded by a guard and held as a hostage. His subjects were greatly enraged thereby, but from fear of liarm to the king were restrained from making an attack. After remaining nine days, the army crossed the river on the march south, and encamped the first night ; t the Indian village Talle. It had now entered the "far-famed proviiK-o of Coosa,'' an_d marched down the beautiful Coosa river valley, through the present counties of Cherokee, Etowah, Calhoun, and Talladega. Along the route many towns, villages and fields of corn were found in this Coosa country. On the 26th of July, 1540, De Soto's army approached the capital town Coosa, on river of the same name, between the mouths of the Kiamulgee and Talladega creeks, in the southern part of the present Talladegd county. Every day for a week past ambassadors had been met who bore hearty invitations from the king to visit the royal town. Just outside of the town, the adelantado was received with a royal welcome by the king. The latter was seated in a sort of sedan chair borne on the shoulders of four head chiefs, and attended by 1,000 gaudily attired warriors engaged in singing a song of welcome, and making music on their crude instruments. After an address by the king, and a suitable reply Ijy De Soto, who rode on a beautifully caparisoned horse — the l6 HISTORY OF ALABAMA. adelantado was conducted to a royal Ijouse set apart for his use. One half of the town was voluntariW surrendered for the use of the soldiers. The natives everywhere were struck with awe^ followed bv wonder and admiration, upon seeing the horses, arms and equipments of the whites. A steel-clad mounted horseman produced as great a sensation as would be aroused by a big airship from the planet Mars among the people of this country to-day. The Indians of Coosa seem to have been noble and generous in disposition. The king proposed to give land for the estab- lishment of a Spanish colony, and besought De Soto to accept it, and at one time he almost decided to. While the latter was delighted with the beauty and fertility of the country, he could not down his feverish longing for some hoped-for gold re- gion, like he had seen in Peru. Notwithstanding the kindness of his host, the adelantado made him an hostage and kept him near his person in order to extort slaves — and also provisions, after his welcome was worn out. Many of the Indians of both sexes, who did not tamely submit, were placed in chains and used as baggage carriers to the end of the expedition, while some of the chiefs were released at the entreaty of the king. After twenty-five days, the army marched towards the Tallapoosa river, passing during the first day's march the town of Tallemuchasa, from which the inhabitants had fled. The next day the town of Utaua was reached, but the creek near by (probably the Kiamulgee) having been swollen by heavy rains, could not be crossed for several days. At Ullabahalle, a fortified town on Hatchett creek, the inhabi- tants were drawn up in line of battle for the purpose of rescuing their beloved king, who was still held a prisoner. He, however, persuaded his devoted subjects to desist from making the attempt, assuriiig them that he was kindly treated, and doubtless he had promises of early release, with presents. De Soto's line of march carried him through the present counties of Coosa and Elmore, passing Toase and a number of other towns, he reached Tallasse on the 18th of September, 1540. This was a large fortified town on the Tallapoosa DE SOTO IN ALABAMA A. D. 154O. 1 7 river, and was on the site of the more modern town of Tookabatcha, and near the site of the present thriving town of Tallassee. A modern Indian town of the same name was on the opposite side of the river. Even in De Soto's day there were other towns np and down the river, on both sides, and many fine fields of ripening corn. x\fter a few days the adelantado was visited by a son of Tuscaloosa, the king of the Maubilians, or Mobilians, with a cordial invitation from his father to visit his capital many miles down the river. The army did not hasten away from the land of plenty about Tallasse, but remained for twenty days, enjoying the best that the country afforded, although the natives were not very friendly. When the march was resumed the king of Coosa was dismissed with some simple presents, and parted from the whites on apparently good terms. The poor fellow was doubtless glad to get off body whole and with his life. The expedition crossed the river from Tallasse early in October, probably the second day of the month, and marched down the river to the town of Calista, and encamped for the night. The next day a large town was passed, and the borders of another was reached when camp was made at nightfall. The army had now entered upon, or was about to advance into the territory of the great King Tuscaloosa, and was within six miles of his temporary abode in the present county of Montgomery. QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER II. (1) What, at one time, seemed inevitable at Costa? How was it pre- vented and peace kept? What province was next entered? (2) When was the capital reached, and what was its name and loca- tion? Describe the reception of De Soto? (3) What proposition was made by the king, and why did not the adelantado accept of it? How was the kindness of the natives repaid? (4) How long did the army remain at Coosa, and whither did it proceed? What incident occurred at Hatchett Creek? (5) What town on the Tallapoosa, and what time did the expedition arrive there? (6) What invitation was re- ceived? Who was released? (7) When did the army leave Tallasse? In what direction? In whose territory did it now advance? What present county? 1 8 • HISTORY OF ALABAMA CHAPTER III. DE SOTO IN ALABAMA. A. I). 1540. Moscoso, the camp-master, witli fifteen horsemen of im- posing appearance, were sent forward to notify the kina- of the approach of the adelantado. Tuscaloosa was a man of great size — a head taller than any of his subjects — with immense limbs, but graceful and well proportioned. He was surrounded by a numerous retinue of chiefs and warriors arrayed in their best apparel. His throne was two cushions upon an eminence covered with beautiful matting. AVhen De Soto arrived the king preserved his usual haughty de- meanor, but condescended to advance a few steps to meet him and deliver a stiff address of welcome', and express thanks for presents that had been sent him. The utmost endeavor to excite curiosity or astonishment in the bosom of the chief were met with smiles of contempt or passed unnoticed. After two days the giant king was seated on the largest pack-horse of the anny, and with his feet almost touching the ground — riding by the side of De Soto — the march was resumed. The route lay south of the Alabama river, through the present counties of Montgomery, Lowndes and Dallas, to Piache, a town in the latter county, on tlie river not far below the junction of the Cahaba. Pickett believed that Piache was in Wilcox county lower doAvn the river than is stated above. Colonel Brewer, Dr. Wyman, and other writers of a later date than Pickett, think it was in Dallas. (See Vol. II., Alabama Historical Transactions, 1897-8, p. 32.) Here they crossed the river on rafts, and marched down the northern or western side through Wilcox county, and into Clarke — as at present organized. For several days — probably since first being placed on horseback — the king had evidently regarded himself as a prisoner, though treated with great urbanity. He sent many runners forward to his capital town, Maubila, with private messages. The suspicions of the adehintado were aroused, but he gave no expression to them and kept his eyes open. He came nearer meeting his match DE SOTO IN AI^ABAMA A. D. 1 54O 1 9 for bravery and cunning in the great Tuscaloosa tlian in any other Indian of the Western hemisphere. He kept the king close by his side, although two able and discreet cavaliers — who had been sent forward for the purpose — had failed to discover any sign of a conspiracy on foot at the capital. The expedition passed through many towns well stored with corn, beans, pumpkins and other provisions on the third day's march down the west side of the Alabama river. On the morning of the ever-memorable 18th of October, 1540, De Soto, with the king by his side, and a bodyguard of 100 horsemen and 100 footmen, marched rapidly towards the capital, Maubila. The camp-master, Moscoso, was left to bring up the main body of the army. Pickett says Maubihi was "on the north bank of the Alabama river, at a place now called Choctaw Bluff, in the county of Clarke, about 25 miles above the confluence of the Alabama and Tombigbec rivers." The town had eight houses, large enough to hold 1,000 men each, and all fronted on a public square in the center. The high wall around the town was made of large tree trunks set closely together, deep in the ground, and interwoven with vines. The whole was plastered with mud so as to resemble a solid wall of handsome masonry. There were numerous port-holes, also towers at intervals of fifty feet, capable of holding eight men each, and two large gates opened into the town — one on the east and the other on the west. De Soto and the king, side by side at the head of 200 mail-clad warriors, rode into the town, and were received with great demonstrations of apparent joy. There were songs, music on Indian flutes, and dancing by a host of beautiful brown girls. When seated under a canopy of state, the king turned to the adelantado, and demanded that he (the king) be released. There being hesitancy in the reply, Tuscaloosa arose and walked off, with lofty bearing, among his warriors. When sent for to come to breakfast — for they had entered tbe town at 8 o'clock a. m. — he replied to the messenger: "If your chief knows what is best for him, he will immediately take his troops out of my territory." 20 HISTORY OF ALABAMA Ten thousand Indian warriors, (see note given in this chapter), who had heen concealed in the houses, soon attacked the 200 whites in the town, and then ensued the most blood}^ Indian battle recorded in history that ever occurred on the soil of America north of Mexico. De Soto's troops, fighting des]?erately, retreated slowly to the eastern gate, and then outside into the open ground of the plain. Here he held his ground, being re-enforced from time to time by small bodies of mounted men as they arrived from the march on the field of action, and charged upon the enemy without waiting for orders. About the middle of the afternoon the last of the army came up, and led by the brave adelantado, forced the Indians back within the walls. The gates were beaten down with battle- axes — the footmen rushed in and, protected with coats-of-mail and with bucklers, from the arrows and spears of the savages, inflicted terrible slaughter on the latter, not one of whom asked for quarter. The houses were burnt in order to dis- lodge the Indians, but nearly all the camp equipage and baggage were destroyed with them, including clothes, medi- cines, books, instruments, and many other things a wilderness could not supply. The pearls, the only treasure of value collected on the long march from Tampa Bay, were all ruined by fire. Although victorious, the battle was gained with great loss to the whites. Eighty-five were killed, and nearly all the rest were wounded — many severely in a dozen places each. A powerful arrow struck so deep into the thigh of De Soto that he could not extract it at the time, or sit on his saddle, and he therefore stood in his stirrups until the end of the battle. One witness of the conflict says the brave Indians left 2,500 of their number dead within the enclosure of the town, while another says their loss in killed was eleven thousand, or about all engaged. The reader should remember that the number of Indians reported above as engaged or killed in the battle of Maubila, was originally taken from accounts given by men who served under De Soto, and they, doubtless, exaggerated greatly the forces and losses of their enemies elsewhere on the journey. Tlie first work after the battle was to dress the seventeen DE SOTO IN ALABAMA A. D. 1540-4 2 1 luindred dangerous wounds on the persons of about half that number of surviving whites. This occupied several days — the slightly wounded having to attend to those pierced deepest. Maubila was in ruins, and its brave defenders almost totally annihilated, while on the other hand, the white army was so crippled that it could not resume the march for several weeks. It was a dearly bought victory for the adelantado's army. QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER III. (1) Who was sent forward, and for what purpose? Describe Tusca- loosa? His retinue? His reception of De Soto? (2) When was the march resumed? The route? The next town? (3) Through what present counties after crossing the river? How did the king regard himself? Tell of the suspicions of De Soto? The third day's march? (4) When was Maubila entered? Number of the advance guard. LO' cation of the town. Describe the town. The wall. The reception (5) What did the king demand? The result. The message. How did the battle open? De Soto's tactics. By whom re-enforced? (6) When did the last of the troops arrive? What was the result? What ad- vantage did the whites have? For what purpose was fire used? liOss of the enemy thereby? How many whites were killed? Wound ed? What was the loss of the Indians? (7) What was the first work after the battle? Which side gained the victory? CHAPTER ly. DE SOTO IN ALABAMA, AND CLOSE OF THE EXPEDITION. A. D. 1540-4. While waiting for the wounded to recover, foraging parties were sent out, who found plenty of provision in the sur- rounding countr3^ They also captured a number of women, many of them very beautiful, who had hastened out of Maubila, with the old men and children, before the Spaniards arrived. From them De Soto learned the deep-laid schemes of Tuscaloosa to destroy or capture his army. The Tallasses had complained to the king that their chief had been forcea to furnish a number of slaves to the whites as they passed through the first named town. He re- plied: "I will send the Spaniards back from my country to Tallasse in chains." Is it strange that the hostility of race hatred was aroused in he bosom of the proud Tuscaloosa and his brave warriors, when it is re- memebered that De Soto held in chains several himdrcd Indians whom 22 HISTORY OF AI^ABAMA he used as slaves, besides many beautiful female Indians who were forced to accompany his army? It has always been a noble charac- teristic of the North American Indian that he prefer the risk of death in fighting for freedom rather than tamely submit as a slave. The question arises in the mind of the thoughtful student, how was De Soto's army able to overcome such great odds in the number of Indians as at Maubila — after making due allowance for exagger- ations of the chroniclers of the battle. — while in latter wars witli Americans, the Indians were usually able to hold their own, against an equal number in battle? It may be said in answer, first, De Soto's men were clad in mailed armor of steel, and when the savage warrior saw his well aimed arrow glance off without inflicting a wound, he doubtless felt that he was contending against a superhuman foe. Second, we have already,, on a previous page, alluded to the awe aroused in the Indian's bosom by his first view of a man on horseback, and by firearms. Third, the foregoing terror w^as made complete by the imposing appearance of well drilled men in uniform, with steel arms and armor gleaming in the sunshine. The Indians did not feel sure whether they were On the 18th of November, 1540, just one month after tlie battle, the expedition started again on the march. Not to Ochns (Pensacola), only eighty-five miles distant, where there were ships laden with supplies — ^but to the north. Two years previous, De Soto had made arrangements for these ships to meet him at this time, when he doubtless ex- pected to re-embark loaded down with gold. The determina- tion to move north was a crazy freak on the part of the adelantado, who had become, of late, a gloomy and morose man. He was ashamed to return home with nothing to show for his long and costly expedition except the wounds of his battle-scarred veterans. His officers and men were anxious to return to civilization by way of the ships at Oehus, for which purpose many of them entered a secret conspiracy. This was discovered and thwarted by his master will, and only hastened the departure northward. The army journeyed for five days through a fertile but uninhabited country, now embraced in the counties of Clarke, Marengo, and Hale. This was the longest stretch of country Avithout population that had been traversed in the present State of Alabama. It was called Pafallaya, and the Indians of that name may have been the ancestors of the modern DK SOTO IN ALABAMA A. D. 154O-4 23 Ohoctaws, as the latter had claimed this same country of West x\labama for several hundred years, according to their traditions. On the sixth day of the march from Maubila the army passed through the town of Talepataua and reached the town of Cabusto, near the Black Warrior river. This town was east of the present capital of Greene county, and on the opposite side of the river. The inhabitants boldly avowed their intention to avenge the blood of their friends who had been slain at Maubila. They were quickly driven across the river, and' on the other side were joined by 8,000 more Indians, who were ranged along the bank for six miles, to oppose the passage of the whites. One hundred men were set to work to build two large rafts — each capable of carrying forty infantry and ten mounted men. Thus 100 picked men were first carried over, and they were able to beat off the Indians until the whole army could cross. The Indians retreated to their entrenched position, from which they frequently sallied during the night, attacking the camp of the invader. Marching north, through a beautiful country with numerous villages well supplied with corn and beans, the army passed over the soil of the present counties of Greene and Pickens. Five days after crossing the Black Warrior, as related above, the expedition reached the Little Tom- bigbee, in the present Lowndes county, Mississippi, and thus passed out of Alabama, the latter part of November, 1540, having entered the State on the first of the preceding July. The army passed the winter in the country of the Chickasaw Indians in Mississippi, and had a desperate battle with them in March, 1541, when the latter attacked and burnt the cabins of the Spaniards, and much of their clothing and arms. The cabins had been built for winter quarters. In April, 1541, De Soto marched to the to^vn of the Alibamos, on the Yazoo river, and had a fierce battle with them. Wo will see more of the Alibamo Indians in future chapters. De Soto, with his army, arrived upon the banks of the Missis- sippi river in May, 1541, and were the first white men tliat had ever gazed upon the "Father of Waters." 24 HISTORY OF ALABAMA After wandering a year over the present State of Arkansas, the ex- pedition returned the last of May, 1542, to the Mississippi, where it receives the waters of the Arkansas river. Here De Soto set his carpenters at work to construct two vessels to be used for communi- cating with Cuba. Before they were completed he sickened and died, and was buried in the Mississippi river. Previous to his death, the adelantado appointed Moscoso to succeed him as commander. The latter built seven vessels, and with the army sailed down the Missis- sippi on the second of July, 1543, and reached the Gulf of Mexico on the eighteenth of the same month. The expedition had consumed more than four years, wandering through the territory that now em- braces the five great States of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Arkansas, and down the Mississippi through Louisiana. The whole was then knoAvn as the Florida territory of Spain. It may, therefore, be said truly, that the soil of Alabama once formed a part of the Spanish dominion of North America, and for many years was called Florida by the civilized world. Moscoso reached a Spanish settlement at the mouth of the Panaco river, in Mexico, on the tenth of September, 1543, with the remnant of the thousand that had followed De Soto into Florida. They now numbered only three hundred — half starved and dressed in skins, and looking little like human beings. The vessels at Ochus, in the fall of 1540, waited in vain for De Soto for months, and then returned to Cuba. During each of the three subsequent years an expedition sailed along the coast in search of him. The last one entered the harbor of Vera Cruz a month after the arrival of Moscoso and his companions in Mexico, and there learned the sad fate of De Soto, and conveyed the news to Havana, QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER IV. (1) What steps were taken to procure food? What did they flnd^ Capture? (2) When was the march resumed? Whither? Arrange- ments two years before? Why not go to Ochus? What conspiracy was discovered? (3) Through what counties did the army move? Name of the country? Modern Indians? (4) What town and river next reached? Where located? Disposition of the Indian? What force on other side of river? How did the army cross? (5) Describe the country now reached? Present counties? What State entered? When? How long in Alabama? (6) Where did the army winter? Battle? What tribe on the Yazoo river? What river discovered? When? INDIANS OF ALABAMA 25 CHAPTEE V. To THE Teacher : Chapters V. and VI. may be omitted if your pupils have studied the interesting facts given con- cerning the Indians in some good United States history. INDIANS OF ALABAMA VILLAGES AND TOWNS, DRESS, WEAPONS, IMPLEMENTS. From the time he entered the present State of Alabama until he left it, De Soto found an almost continuous chain of Indian villages and to\Yns. Rarely did he march a day without finding granaries suf- ficient to furnish food for his army. Nowhere was he forced by hun- ger to kill his own or the natives' dogs as food for his men. as he had been compelled to do, in order to avoid starvation, more than once before reaching Alabama, or else butcher his entire stock of cat- tle and hogs. The soil of this k^tate doubtless had a larger popula- tion than any other section of the great territory of Florida that he visited. The expedition inflicted great evil upon the Indians by the contagious diseases it left in its wake, which according to tradiiion almost depopulated some sections. The only good done resulted from a few cattle and hogs that were left in exchange for probably one hun- dred times their worth in corn, and which were the origin of the stock found among the Indians of a later day. More than one hundred and sixty years elapsed between the visit of De Soto and the French settlement near Mobile. During that pe- riod there was no wmte man in Alabama of whom we have arty record except two priests who visited Coosa in 1559. (See note in Chapter VIII.) Let us, therefore, turn our attention to the interesting ab- origines who had occupied the country from time immemorial, and for many years after the above-mentioned gap. The dress, manners, customs, weapons, implements, etc., of the In- dians during the time of De Soto, were much like those of the early part of the Eighteenth century, when a French colony landed on the shores of Mobile river and for one hundred years afterwards there Avas little change. The apparel of a man consisted of a breech clout, com- mon to savages of all lands; and a mantle or blanket woven out of the inner bark of the trees, or out of a species of hemp, or made of the skins of wild animals. All clothing except the clout was dis- pensed with in battle, in the chase, and while engaged in athletic games. The better classes during the whole year, and all others in extremely cold weather, wore leggins and moccasins of dressed deer skins. The dress of the woman was about the same with the addi- tion of askirt from the waist to the knees. Both sexes were extreme- ly devoted to shining trinkets, and adorned themselves with beauti- ful little shells from the sea shore, and with gleaming pearls from 26 HISTORY OF ALABAMA fresli water mussels. Some of the mantles were interwoven with in- numerable bird feathers of many colors, which made them very warm and beautiful. The warriors wore laroe eagle feathers in their hair, the number and arrangement of which often denoted the standing of a chief. When at war the men painted themselves to look as terrible as pos- sible, and on their heads they perched the dried heads of ferocious wild beasts, when they could procure them. Their principal weapons were tne bow for shooting arrows, the spear, the battle ax or tomahawk, and two kinds of war clubs. The bow Avas strong and elastic, with a string made of the sinews of the deer. The arrows were of strong young cane hardened before the fire, or of some tough wood, and were tipped with diamond shaped flints, or with buckhorn or fish bone sharpened like a dagger. The fiints had been laboriously quarried ana wrought into proper shape at some bed of flint probably hundred of miles distant. Even now these arrow heads are occasionally picked up in every section of the State. The rear part of the arrow was winged with feathers on each side to give the right poise and carry it a long distance with great force. An arrow from a bow in the hands of an Indian has been known to pierce through the body of a large buflfalo on the plains of the West. The spear also was tipped with sharp bone or flint. One kind of club was the shape of those now used by policemen. The other above the handle had two sharp edges, and was made of very hard wood. When dextrously wielded by a strong arm, it could cleave a man's head to his trunk, or sever it from the body at one blow. The toma- hawk and knife blades were of flint or some other hard stone, or of bone tied with raw hide to handles of wood. Hoes ana mattocks for agricultural purposes were of the same materials. To cut dov/n tne largest trees of the forest and hew out and fashion it into a big canoe with only such edged tools as the tomahawk and knives just described above, must have been a hard job, indeed! The Indians however used fire largely to help them in such work. During the Eighteenth century many guns, using powder and ball, were sold to the Indians by French and English traders. QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER V. (1) Villages and towns? Granaries? Population? Evil inflicted by the expedition? Good done? (2) Next 160 years? Aborig-ines? (3) Dress, manners, etc? Apparel of a male Indian? Footwear? Dress of a woman? Trinkets? Eagle feathers? Heads of wild beasts? (4) Principal weapons? Describe the bow? Arrows? How tipped? Flints? Power of bow? (5) Describe the spear? Two kinds of clubs? Tomahawk? Hoes and mattocks? Hard job? Help used? When did the Indians of Alabama first become possessed of fire arms? INDIANS OF ALABAMA 2'] CHAPTER VI. INDIANS OF ALABAMA OFFICIALS AND THEIR DUTIES — GREEN CORX DANCE GAMES DWELLINGS AND CUSTOMS. In some of their religious ceremonials, when preparing for a feast, and before starting on the war path, the warriors drank a decoc- tion from a certain herb which was called the " black drink," which served as a thorough emetic, and thus put their systems in good order for feasting, or for long marches and hard fighting on short rations. The three most important officials among the Indians seem to have been the chief, the prophet, usually a very old man, and the medicine man. The abode of the chief was in the center ot the town on a high mound, and near the council house. He was not an absolute ruler in civil affairs, but on the march, in time of war, and in battle, his word was supreme and his person was regarded with reverence, and defended with great care. When he fell in battle his followers usuall}^ became discouraged, and victory perched upon tlie banners of the enemy. The prophet and the chief together conducted elaborate religious incantations upon the declaration of war, predicting the result. After peace was made, these two ofhcials — when the warriors arriv-d at home — celebrated other rites, varied of course, by victory or defeat. The medicine man's name describes his profession. The scalp was always taken from a slain enemy — unless it was impossible to do so under stress of battle — when it was the first duty performed by the victors after the vanquished began a retreat and had left any dead or wounded on the field. It was considered a great trophy, and was carefully dried and worn as a personal orna- ment on public occasions, and was a special badge of honor to its proud possessor, even if it had been cut from the head of a wounded, helpless foe. In battle no quarter was asked or given on citlier side. If a ])r'-- oner escaped immediate death when disabled ana captured he was subsequently tortured to death in a most horrible manner — his ene- mies — men, women and children, took great delight in making liis sufferings as agonizing as possible. The green corn dance was celebrated by all the Indians of tlic South. It was an occasion of thanksgiving to the Great Spirit and of feasting and amusement. It occurred during the months of July and August, at a time when the new corn had reached its most pala- table state either roasted on the ear or shelled, beaten and boiled. Everybody attended and in the more important toAvns it lasted for eight days, with a set program for each day repeated from year to year. In the smaller villages it lasted only four days. My young readers would doubtless have preferred to remain away 28 HISTORY OF ALABAMA the first day — the program of which was the black drink emetic here- tofore mentioned. The principal amusements of the Indians were the ball play, danc- ing, shooting arrows at a mark, foot racing, and gambling on all athletic contests. Hunting and fishing were means of livelihood, as also of amusement, and constituted the only work — if it may be called work — by the men toward replenishing the larder. All the hard labor was performed by the females. The ball play was more like the modern foot ball than base ball — but even rougher. There were sometimes one hundred Indians engaged on each side, and always great crowds in attendance as spectators, and much betting as to the result. As has been intimated above, the women worked the fields, pre- pared fuel for fires, dressed and cured the meats and fish, beat up the corn into grist and hominy, and cooked the food. The men were adepts in hunting and fishing, and there was an abundance of game in the forests, and fine fish in the streams. Deer, bears, buffaloes, panthers, wolves, wild cats, catamounts, wild turkeys, geese and ducks abounded in sufficient numbers to make it a hunter's paradise. Pre- vious 1x) the introduction of fire arms, all animals and birds were much gentler and more easily approached than afterwards. The winter dwellings of the Indians were of logs with the chinks filled with mud to keep out the cold air, but the summer abodes were more open. At the time of De Soto's visit, (1540), many of tne houses were superior — at least in size — to any found by the French or English settlers 150 to 250 years later. The Indians, as a rule, were tall and straight, with fine figures, small hands, feet and waists, and tapering limbs. The early Indians were handsomer and had more pleasing counten- ances than those of later date, whose faces had become more or less marred by the grossness and deeper lines resulting from vices and unhappiness, caused by intercourse with the whites. They possessed some of the virtues of enlightened Christian nations, while their faults differed from the blemishes of the savage races of the Eastern hemisphere, as did the color of their skin. They were "good haters," never forgiving an injurj^ — but they never forgot a kindness. Although of a highly nervous organization, they had wonderful control over their nerves, and they would suffer the tortures of death without a moan. While they liked idleness and ease, they would easily accomplish wonderful feats of physical exertion when they thought circumstances demanded it. They kept their physical wants and feelmgs under such control that their stoi- cal character has become proverbial. They would drink an emetic all day long that the enjoyment of successive days' feasts might be the keener, or that their systems might be in better order for a long and arduous march in war. While on the war path they would en- dure hunger, thirst, cold, heat and fatigue without a murmur. While at home they would lie in the shade and let their wives work in tne MODERN INDIANS OF ALABAMA 29 field all day, and then bring in wood and water at night, without a thought of helping them. The Indians were patriotic and would fight courageously for their country and homes. In Alabama as in the Atlantic States, they proved valueless as slaves when captured in battle or otherwise, and in bondage had to be treated and watched like convicts. They preferred death to slavery. Further on we will see how the French made an effort to enslave them. Many intelligent traders and travelers among the Indians imbibed the idea — unknown to each other — that they (the Indians) were the descendants of the "Ten Lost Tribes of Israel." Abraham Mordecai, an educated Jew who lived with the Muscogees of Ala- bama for many years, says that in their religious incantations he recognized the sound of Hebrew expressions such as " Jehovah." Some of the natives of this State had an ancient tradition that their ancestors came across the ocean from Asia first to South America, and subsequently their descendants migrated to Mexico, and many years later to the United States. Joe Smith, the author of the Book of Mormon, had doubtless heard a like tradition among the Indians of x^ew York. Unfortunately the aborigines of the United States had no letters, books or written language, and their origin may always remain a mystery. The only hope for its solution in the future rests upon archaelogical explorations of the ancient ruins of Mexico and Central America. QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER VI. (1) When was the Black Drink used? (2) Three most important of- ficials? Duties of chief? Prophet? The Medicine Man? (3) The scalp? What was it considered? How was a captured enemy treated? (4) What was the green corn dance? During what months celebrated? Why at that time? How long did it last? (5) What were the amusements 0/ the Indians? The ball play? (6) Work of the women? Men? What game found? (7) Indian dwellings? (8) De- scribe the Indians physically? Difference between the earlier Indians and those of a later date? Cause? (9) What did they never for- g'ive? Never forget? Their stoicism? What would they endure? Their wives' work? (10) Their patriotism? Were they good slaves? What did they prefer to slavery? (11) What did many traders be- lieve? Traditions of some of the Indians of Alabama? Did the In- dians have a written history? What is said of their origin. Its solu- tion? CHAPTER VII. MODERN INDIANS OF ALABAMA LARGE NUMBER LOCATION AND TRADITIONS LEGEND OF THE ALABAMA CHIEF. As a large number of Indians occupied Alabama at the time of the French settlement in 1702, it may be well, before 30 HISTORY OF AI^ABAMA proceeding further, to learn something of the different tribes or nations, and of their respective locations or territories. We have seen that De Soto found the Chiahas or Chalaques, the ancestors of the modern Cherokees, in Northwest Georgia^ and they probably extended into Northeast Alabama — the Coosas down the Coosa river from Cherokee county to near the Tallapoosa river; the Tallasses on the Tallapoosa; the Maubilians from near the present city of Montgomery to Mobile Bay; the Pafallayas- — supposed to be the modern Choctaws — north of the Maubilians in West Alabama. Of course but little is known of the Indians living in the Tennessee river valley or in the southeastern part of the State, in the time of De Soto, as he did not visit those sec- tions. The Alabamas and Chickasaws were then in the present State of Mississippi. The former were called Alibamos by the chroniclers of the expedition. They had migrated to the Alabama river and given it their name pre- vious to the French settlement of Mobile. The Chickasaws were still mainly in Mississippi, but had extended their bounds into Northwestern Alabama. The other Indians on the soil of the present State of Alabama, when the French came, were as follows : The Chatots about the river and bay of Mobile, a small tril)e: north of Mobile on same river, were the Thomez, and the Tensas on the Tensas river — both small tribes. Further north, near the confluence of the Alabama and Tombigbee rivers, there was a remnant of the Mobilians, whose capital town, Maubila, had been destroyed by De Soto — from Avhich, however, the city, bay and river of Mobile derived their name. By the time of the British occupancy in 1763, the foregoing small tribes had been absorbed by the Choctaws and Chickasaws — the former occupying Southwest Alabama, and the other extreme Northwest Alabama, and both extend- ing into Mississippi. East of the Choctaws and south of the Cherokees was the country of the great Creek, or Muscogee^ confederation, embracing more than half of this State, besides extending through Middle and Southwest Georgia to the Savannah river, and at one time reaching into South Carolina. The Cherokees extended from Northeast Alabama MODERN INDIANS OF ALABAMA 3 1 through Xorth Georgia and Tennessee into South Carolina. Hereafter, in this book, the great Muscogee or Creek confed- eration and its inhabitants will usually be spoken of by the shorter name, Creeks, which was given to them by the whites ■on account of the many towns they had located on the beautiful creeks in their country. The term Muscogee will, as a rule, be reserved for the tribe of that name which, according to tradi- tion, migrated into Alabama soon after the time of De Soto, and subsequently conquered and assimilated the other tribes of the aforesaid confederacy. We give below a short narrative of the said tradition of the Muscogees, which is given more fully by Pickett, and which bears some evidences of truth which will be noticed at the end of the chapter : When Cortez entered INJexico, the ]\Iuscogees had an independent republic in the northwestern part of that country, but aided :Monte- 7Auna in his efforts to repel the Spaniards. Fearing that they might be forced to accept the Spanish yoke, they left their homes, crossed the Rio Urancle in the year 1520, and marchea toward the northeast. While in the present State of Arkansas, some of their warriors out on a hunt, were killed by the x\libamos, another tribe on the move to the east from Mexico. ^ The latter were attacked and driven with relentless fury from time to time — when they had stopped and raised a few crops and built homes— until they reached the country north of the Ohio river. That country was entered by the Muscogees about the year 1535, when they again expelled the Alibamos from their homes and seized -their crops. The latter fled south until they reached tne Yazoo river, in the present State of Mississippi, where we have seen De Soto at- tack their fortress in 1541. The Muscogees later followed the Alabamas to the \azoo. and thence to the Alabama river, which the former reached about .ne year 1620. 1 he Alibamos fled in all directions, anci sought asylum among the Choetaws and other tribes. Early after the settlement made near Mobile, the French governor being desirous of cultivating a good feeling with, and among the Indians, caused a lasting peace to be made'between the INIuscogees and the Alibamos. Then the latter returned to their old hoines on the Alabama river, which extended along its banks for forty miles below the junction of the Coosa and Tallapoosa. They were subsequently absorbed into the great Creek confeclera- tion, but not until thev had given their name to the Alabama river. There is an old and beautiful legend that the chief, when he readied the banKS of the river, struck his spear into the ground under a big oak tree with the exclamation. '"Alabama!" which is said to mean ^'Here we rest." Let us not dismiss the legend as a myth without 32 HISTORY OF ALABAMA foundation — for Alibamo may have been the name of their first home in Arkansas after the long migration from Mexico, and this may have given the name to tlie tribe by which it was known to its ancient enemies, and which it had fully assumed at the time of De Soto's visit. Whether the Alabamas as now called, first assumed the name for their old home in Mexico, or their next home in Ari^ansas, their later home on the banks of the Alabama — matters little, as their last long rest of more than a century of undisturbed repose was on the soil of Alabama. Afterwards, with the balance of the Creeks, they were forced by the whites to retire to the west of the Missis- sippi. Early in the Ei^'liteentli century, the Tookabatehas wan- dered down from the north, after being conquered by the Hurons and Iroquois. They were permitted to settle in the old town. Tallasse, which they rebuilt and named Tookabatcha, and in later time became the capital of the Creek confed- eration. The Tuskegees, who w^andered down into East Alabama, were received with open arms by the Creeks, as were also the Ozailles and some of the Shawnees. Likewise the Uchees, from the banks of the Savannah, were induced to settle in East Alabama, and became members of the con- federation. There were doubtless other ancient tribes thus absorbed by the Creek nation, notably a small band of the ^N'atchez, who, after the dispersion of their nation by the French in 1730 from the banks of the Mississipni, settled in the Coosa valley and built two towns, Natche and Araba- coochee. The Muscogee tongue was the national language of the Creek nation, although in some towns, the Uchee, Alabama, Natchez and Shawnee tongues prevailed for many years. The Hillabees, Autaugas, Cusetas, Cowetas, Eufaulas, Ocfuskees. lichees, etc., were local names which were attached to the Creeks living in certain towns and locations. The Cherokee nation had a language of its own, while the Choctaw and Chickasaw tongues were very similar to each other. The Indians, it is believed, built the innumerable smaller mounds scattered over Alabama. On some of these were perched the houses of the chiefs, while beneath others were deposited the bones of the dead, although this disposition of the dead was by no means universal. It is not known when. MODERN INDIANS OF ALABAMA 33 or by Avhom, the larger mounds in the United States were constructed. Many were of exact and beautiful geometrical designs. Some of the mounds in the States of the Mississippi valley further north represent the output of a vast amount of labor — a strong reason for believing they were the work of a race different from the Indians. Some distinguished writers of Alabama do not believe the Mus- cogee tradition of the migration from Mexico, briefly outlined in this chapter, and more fully given in Pickett's History. The tradition was first published in 1802, by Le Clerc Mitford, an educated French- man, who, in 1770, came from France and settled at j. tt'e Tallasse. four miles above Wetumpka, and lived there for twenty years among the Indians, having married a Creek princess soon after his arrival. He was made grand war chief, his wife being a sister of Gen. Alex- ander McGillivray, who was the king of the nation through inheri- tance by his royal Indian mother. During the year 1796 Mitford car- ried his wife to Europe and was appointed general of a brigade in Napoleon's army which position he held until his death in 1814. His Avife died in Europe at extreme old age many years afterwards. General McGillivray confirmed Mitford's published story of the tradition in every particular, as did the minor full blooded Muscogee chiefs in other parts of the nation. Some of the incredulous writers mentioned first above, think the Muscogees were descendants of the Coosas, which seems improbable when we compare the fiercer warlike character of the former with the gentle Coosas of De Soto's time. The aforesaid tradition says that death from contagious diseases stalked in the track of De Soto's army until large sections of the present State were almost depopulated, which agrees perfectly with the sad exjjerience of some of the islanls of tlie Pacific ocean during the present century, and with the history of many of the once pow- erful tribes of the north, which have disappeared from the face of the earth after contact with the whites. Even in this Stite, the Tallasses — once so numerous — and yet so docile as to yield to the Spaniards a number of slaves without a fight, evidently almost dis- appeared a cerwards by death, migration, or absorption, so tliat w find their deserted capital in the hands of an alien race — the Took- abatchas — and its name changed. The Coosas probably weakened by disease and death may have fled upon the approach of the fierce Mus- cogees to the Cherokees or some other friendly tribe by whom they were absorbed in the course of time. The seal of this State bearing the words, "Here We Rest," was adopted in 1868. Bernay's Hand Dook ox Alabama, page 1, says: "The old seal of the State, (a skeleton nui]) of Alabama suspended on a tree), was evidently designed to perpetuate this supposed incident" — the legend related in this chapter. When the old seal was adopted there were hundreds of white men in this State, who from years of 34 HISTORY OF ALABAMA daily intercourse with the Indians Ivnew more of the various tongues- spoken in Alabama than t.ie most learned Indianologist oi the State at the present time. QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER VII. (1) Where were the Chiahas in time of De Soto? Modern name? Coosas? Tallases? Maubilans? (2) What is said of the Tennessee Valley and S. E. Alabama? Which tribe had migrated to this State? (3) What three tribes near Mobile and Tensas river? How did Mo- bile get its name? What nation absorbed these small tribes? De- scribe the territory of the Creeks? Cherokees? How will the terms Creeks and Muscogee be used in this book? What tribe conquered and assimilated the tribes of the Creek confederation? (4) When and by whom was old Tallasse rebuilt? What other tribes came into Alabama? (5) What was the national language of the Creek confed- eration? How many Indian tongues spoken in this State? Answer, Eight at least. (6) Who built the smaller mounds? CHAPTER VIII. ALABAMA UNDER THE FRENCH IBERVILLE SAILS FRO]\r FRANCE IN 1698 SETTLEMENT NEAR MOBILE IN 1702 UN- DER GOVERNOR BIENVILLE MOBILE SETTLED IN 1711 CON- TRACT WITH CROZAT, 1712. For more than a century and a half after De Soto's expedition, there was no white man on the soil of Alabama, except perhaps some bold priest or adventurous trader, and no white settlement until 1702. (See note in this chapter). The Spaniards claimed all of the Gulf coast country back for an indefinite distance. After the exploration of the Mississippi river by La Salle in 1682, the French claimed the Mississippi valley and coast east end west of the river likewise for ..n indefinite distance. The name Louisiana was applied to the vast territory. Canada at that time also belonged to France, and a chain of forts were built from the great lakes to the mouth of the Mississippi to establish French authority and to secure the trade of the Indians. In December, 1698, the Spanish built a fort at Pensacola, on the finest bay of the whole coast. Thus the Perdido river was made the bonndary between Louisiana and the Spanish territory of Florida, and thus New Orleans and Mo- bile for a lono- ])eriod of their history were French towns and the- emporiums of the French settlements. ALABAMA UNDER THE FRENCH 35 Charles Lemoine, a Frencli-Canadiaii, liad three sons who had distinguished themselves for gallantry in the war against England, and after the close of the war they became leaders in estahlishing colonies in the Louisiana territory. Their names were ]berYille, SauvoUe and Bienville. The first named, Iberville, sailed from Eochelle with four vessels and 200 colonists under authority of the French Oovernment, during the latter part of 1698. The expedition reached Pensacola Bay in January, 1699, and found it in possession of the Spaniards, who landed a month before, as we have seen above. Iberville then sailed on to coveted pos- sessions further west, and landed his colonists at Biloxi, in present State of Mississippi. His two brothers accompanied him, Sauvolle with the commission of governor, and Bienville as lieutenant-governor of the colony. The latter became governor on the death of his brother in 1700. In the spring of 1702, Governor Bienville removed his colony from Biloxi to the vicinity of the present city of Mobile, and erected Fort St. Louis de la Mobile. This was the first white settlement of Alabama. Pickett and Meek thought the site of the first settlement and fort in Alabama was on Mobile bay, at the mouth of Dog river. Later writers say it was on Mobile river, a few miles above the present city. He also erected a stockade on Dauphin's Island. Bienville was a worthy man in every respect, and with the aid of his brother Iberville exerted himself to plant a successful colony. Iberville died in 1706, of yellow fever, while in command of a French fleet on the way to attack the British in Jamaica. In April, 1704, according to an official dispatch, the colony consisted of 180 men. two families with three .ffirls and seveu boys, six young Indian boys held as slaves, eighty wooden houses covered with palmetto leaves and straw, nine oxen, fourteen cows, four bulls, six calves, 100 hogs, three kids and 400 chickens. A little of the soil had been cultivated, but the products for years were insufficient for food. When a ship loaded with provisions from the mother country was delayed for any cause, the colonists would have to scatter out and seek for fish and oysters for subsistence. Many were mere 36 HISTORY OF ALABAMA adventurers, imaccustomed to work, and spent their time in idleness, or in doing more evil among the Indians than the priests conld do good. Most of the latter were God- fearing men and true missionaries of the Cross. Pickett says there was at least one exception to the above rule — Father La Vente, the rector of Mobile, who gave much tro -ble by sow- ing- seeds of discontent among the people, and by writing letters to the court in Paris, alleging corruption in Bienville's administration. After reading the ancient register still preserved in the Cathedral at Mobile, Hon. T. H. Clark says, in "Memorial Record of Alabama," page 237, Vol. II., that Uie censure by Pickett of Mobile's first parish priest, mentioned above, "seems to be undeserved." The same writer, (Clark), mentions several missions established among ciie Indians by the Catholics in the early part of the Eighteenth century, and one at Coosa, on the Coosa river, in 1559, by two priests from Pen- sacola. The latter was abandoned in a year. This is the only record of white men on Alabama soil from 1540 to 1702. For several j^ears the colony was in danger of extermination by the Indians, who were being shamefully treated by a lot of Canadian adventurers. English traders from South Carolina exerted themselves to get the trade and friendship of the Indians of the territory which Bienville claimed, which was another source of trouble to the good governor. In the midst of a famine in August, 1704, a ship arrived witli provisions, and also brougt twenty-three young women, sent by the French court, for wives for the colonists. In a few days they all found husbands, and theirs were the first marriages solemnized by Christian rites on the soil of Alabama. During the same year was made the first entry in the baptismal register of Mobile, the baptism being that of an Appalachee Indian girl into the Catholic Church, September (), 1?()4. In 1708 the colony reported the possession of eighty Indian slaves, but like the English colonists on the Atlantic coast, they soon discovered that the Indians were worthless as slaves, for on the least coercion they would escape to the woods, unless kept in chains. Bienville and other leading men urged the court of France to import negro slaves, believing that the low rich lands reeking with exhalations of decaying vegetable matter, in a hot moist atmosiohere so fatal to the constitution of the white ALABAMA UNDER THE FRENCH 37 man, could never be brought into cultivation without African labor. During a famine in 1710 the men had to be distributed among the Indian towns to be fed. Having found that the settlement made around Fort St. Louis was subject to overflow, in March, 1711, Bienville began the erection of Fort Conde, on the Mobile river, near the ba}^, and established the colony there. Thus was founded the beautiful and historic City of Mobile. Up to this time the colony had been a source of trouble and expense to the mother country, yielding but little recompense. In 1712 a contract was made by the court with Crozat, a wealthy merchant of Paris, with the following provisions: Crozat was to have all of the commerce of the country now embracing the States of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, and the Mississippi valley up to the Illinois river, for a period of fifteen years. All of this country was then known as Louisiana, and was named for King Louis XIV. of France. To Crozat was ceded all the lands he could establish himself upon, all houses and factories he should erect. He was to pay one-fourth of all precious metals mined, and to forfeit improvements he might abandon at any time — he was to send a vessel annually to Africa for slaves — he was to send two ship loarlF? of white emigrants everv year from France, and after the expiration of nine years he was to pay salaries of the king's officers in the colony. From the foregoing contract we see that it was the policy of the French Government to introduce half as many ne2:ro slaves as white emigrants into the territory, and that France shared with other states of Europe the responsibility for negro slavery in North America. QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER VIII. (1) What time elapsed between De Soto's march through Alabama and the first white settlement? Answer. 160 years. What did the Spaniards claim? Upon what exploration did the French found their claim? For what territory? Name? What did they build? What did the Spaniards build? Where? (2) Name the three sons of Lemolne who had distinguished themselves in war? When did Iberville sail? What bay did he reach? When? Who were in possession? Where did he land? Who became second Governor? How? (3) Who removed the colony? When? Where to? (4) Give census of Colony in 1704? What about the products? What is said of missions established? (5) What danger threatened? What other trouble? What arrived in 1704? First marriages? First baptism? (6) What was reported in 1708? (7) 38 HISTORY OF ALABAMA What was the settlement subject to? What fort was built? When? Where? What city founded? (8) W^hen, and between whom was a contract entered? What did France then share? CHAPTER IX. (two lessons.) alabama still under the french 1712 to 1752. The population of Louisiana, now turned over to Crozat (in 1712), numbered 324 souls, including 100 soldiers and 20 negro slaves. There were six miserable forts built of logs, stakes and banks of earth. They were widely scattered, as follows: One on the banks of the Mississippi river, one on Ship Island, one on Dauphin Island, one at Biloxi, one at the old, and one at the new settlement of Mobile. The good and wise Bienville had a rough set to contend with in his own ranks, and of course, made a number of enemies who continually sought to oust him from his position as .aovernor. He managed to keep on good terms with the Indians in the vicinity of Mobile, the most powerful being the Choctaws, who gradually absorbed the smaller tribes on the Mobile, Tensas and lower Tombigbee rivers. He made a treaty of peace aud trade with the fierce Creeks, wlio v/ere always thereafter, as a rule, "friends of the French. In 1713, Crozat, yielding to the clamor of Bienville's enemies appointed Cadillac to supercede him as governor, with Bienville as lieutenant-governor and commander of the expedition up the river. It consisted of Canadians, friendly Mo])ilians and Choctaws. Above the site of Selma, the voy- agers passed the towns of Autauga, Towacte, Eucunchate (the site of Montgomery), and Coosawda. All of these were towns of the Alabama tribe which now belonged to the great Creek nation, a peace having been effected between them and the Creeks through the instrumentality of Bienville several years previous. Many of these people joined the fleet on the passage up the river through their country, for they, like most other tribes, loved Bienville. Four miles above the junc- tion of the Coosa and Tallapoosa, the commander built and garrisoned Fort Toulose on a narrow neck of land between ALABAMA STILL UNDER THE FRENCH — I 7 I 2- 1 752 39 the two rivers. The wisdom of building this fort appears from the fact that Enoiish traders from Carolina and Virginia had frequently penetrated the Creek nation nearly to the Warrior river. They also kept up a regular trade with the Chickasaws, still further to the west, which nation continued always to manifest a friendly disposition toward the English. In 1716 Bienville conducted a successful expedition up the Mississippi from New Orleans against the Natchez Indians, and built a fort on the great river in their country. During the same year Cadillac was removed and L'Epinay appointed governor in his stead. Six months later Crozat surrendered his charter, and the French Government again placed Bien- ville in authority as governor of the Louisiana Territory, under Law's Mississippi Company. The said company at that time (1717) was creating a great stir in the financial world. Speculation was rife everywhere, and unprecedented prosperity seemed to abound in both liemi spheres. Xegro slaves from Africa were brought to Mobile by shiploads, and soon large crops of rice, tobacco and indigo were produced from year to year on the rich bottom lands of the Mobile, Tensas, and the lower Alabama and Tombigbee rivers. The population of about 700 in 1717, when Crozat sur- rendered his charter, increased rapidly during the succeeding five years under Law's Company. The reader must not forget that 700 embraced all the soldiers, white men, women and children and negro slaves in the whole Louisiana territory. The price of young negro men and women was 660 livres, or about one hundred and twenty-two ($122.00) dollars. Negro boys and girls ten years old were sold for half of that sum, the price being set by legal enactment. From time to time white women were brought over from France for wives for the colonists. All were not so successful in finding hus- bands as the first cargo of twenty mentioned on a preceding page. One batch of twelve were reported by the authorities of the colony to be "so ugly and deformed" that the men would not marry any of them, and preferred Indian squaws. Another cargo of women, it was said, were from the slums of Paris. 40 HISTORY OF ALABAMA Increasing prosperity of the colon}^, especially after the introduction of ne^ro slavery, soon attracted a better class of men and women, whose descendants have no superiors in the culture and refinement for which the best society in the cities of Mobile and New Orleans has long been notable. In April, 1719, news arrived that war had been declared between France and Spain. Bienville therefore assembled some Canadians and 400 Indians and marched eastward to attack the Spanish town, Pensacola. He sent his brother, Serigny, with three vessels of war to attack the place Ly water. The Governor of Pensacola surrendered in May, 1719, without a struggle, when he found that he was attacked by land and sea. According to the terms of capitulation, two of the vessels carried the garrison to their friends at Havana. Here the vessels and French crew were shamefully seized and the latter imprisoned by the Spanish Governor of Cuba. The latter also sent several war vessels to recapture Pensacola, which Bienville had left with a small force under command of his brother Chateaugne. The latter was forced to surrender, and the Spanish commander, with two brigantines loaded with troops, sailed to the mouth of Mobile bay. Serigny refused to surrender Dauphin's Island and a French ship near by. That night the Spanish vessel sailed into the bay and landed a force of thirty-five men to burn and ]}lunder the settlement. While destroying the improvements of a settler the Spaniards were furiously attacked by a force of Canadians and were driven off to their ships. The next day, August 19, 1719, the main Spanish squadron from Pensacola appeared before the fort on Dauphin Island and bombarded it for four days, when three French vessels arrived upon the scene. Serigny. with 160 soldiers and 200 Indians, had gallantly defended the fort. When the Spaniards perceived the French fleet they sailed immediately for Pensacola. Bienville then began a second expedition against Pensacola by land and sea, the French fleet being commanded by Champmeslin. The place was captured on the 17th of September, 1719, after a hard-fought land and naval battle. The Spaniards also surrendered ten ships, besides their crew MAP FOR BLACKBOARD EXERCISE. MAR 2. snowiflQ indioo mm aod Botiies 1 .—Fort Deposit (on Tenn. river). 2.— Fort Strother. 3 — Tallasehatchie (Battle) . 4.— Talladega [Battle]. 5.— Fort Williams. 6.— Enitachopeo [Battle]. 7.— Emuckfau [Battle] 8.— Fort Jackson, old Fort Toulose. -Tohopeka, Horse Shoe Bend [Battle] 20. 10.— Autose[ Battle]. 21 11 —Calabee [Battle]. 22. 3 OF 1813-1814. -Fort Mitchell. —Fort Mims (Battle). —Burnt Corn Creek (Battle). —Fort Claiborne. —Canoe Fi<;ht on Ala. river. -Fort Stoddard. -Eoonachaca, Holy Ground [Battle]! -Fort Deposite [in present Butler Co.] -Fort Sinquefield [Skirmish]. -Old FortTombeckbee. -Ecunchate and Alabama town, on site of Montgomery. 42 HISTORY OF ALABAMA and the garrison of the fort. Bienville sent 360 Spanish prisoners to Havana and exchanged them for his brother Chateangne and the French captured with him at Pensacola, and for the two crews which had been seized by perfidy of the Spanish Governor of Cuba. By the terms of the treaty of peace subsequently made between the two contending powers^ Pensacola was returned to Spain^ and the French withdre^v. From the foregoing narrative of the battle with Spam, we see that Bienville had two gallant young brothers, Serigny and Chateaugne, besides his two elder brothers mentioned in Chapter VIII., who had now been dead for several years. In 1730 the seat of government was removed from Mobile to Biloxi, in the present State of Mississippi. Law's Company failed in 1721 — Bienville continuing to be governor, but three commissioners were sent over to look after the colony. During the month of March, 1721, three shiploads, a total of over 700 negro slaves, arrived at Mobile from Africa, all on French vessels' and by connivance of the French Government. The arrival of a ship load of slaves occasioned on more remark, for scores of years, than the coming into port of vessels laden with merchandise of any other kind. It seems that the only thought or care that entered the minds of the authorities was that the slaves should not exceed the whites in number — for fear of success- ful insurrections. During the spring of 1723 the seat of government was again removed, this time from Biloxi to Xew Orleans. The latter had then only 200 inhabitants. In February, 1724. Governor Bienville was ordered to sail for France, and there answer the charges that had been brought against him by his enemies. A majority of the best people were sincerely at- tached to him, and he had been indefatigable in his efforts to establish a successful colony. Before leaving for France, Bienville sullied his fair nam? by issuing the "Black Code," as it has since been known. Among other things, it declared that the slaves should i,e instructed in the Roman Catholic religion, and that no other religion would be tolerated in the colony, and that the slaves ALABAMA STILI. UNDER THE FRENCH — 17 I 2- 1 752 43 of all but "true Catholics should be confiscated." Some other parts of the "code" were more in accordance with the dictates of wisdom. One section wisely prohibited marriages between whites and negroes. It is doubtful whether Bienville was entirely responsible for the "Black Code/' for in 1721 "three commissioners" appointed by the King of France, had been located in the colony and still held office. In 1725 we find also that a council appointed by the king held monthly meet- ings in New Orleans. In spite of the efforts of Bienville and his friends, he was removed from office, and Perrier appointed Governor of Louisiana in 1726. During Perriers administration the Xatchez Indians, on the Mississippi, in 1729, massacred the garrison of the fort in their midst, which had been established by Bienville. The next 3'ear the offending nation was conquered and dispersed by a force sent by Governor Perrier. Some were driven to Arkansas, others were sent in chains to Cuba, and a remnant escaped to other Indian nations. Some of the latter fled to the Creeks on the Coosa river, and were kindly received by them. As has been heretofore recorded, these fugitives built two towns — Xatchee and Arabacoochee. The Natchez nation w^orshipped the sun, and one peculiarity of their government was that it was an absolute monarchy, and the will of the king was supreme. Each of the other Indian nations con- nected with this histojy had a king or head chief, whose rule was limited by, or subject to a council of chiefs from the -different tribes or towns composing the nation. Bienville was re-appointed governor in 1733. Two years afterwards he built a fort on the Tombigbee river, near the present Jones Bluff, in Sumter county — to use as a base of operation against the Chickasaws. During the year 1836 he attacked said Indians near the site of the present Cottin Gin Port in Mississippi, and was repulsed after a bloody battle. In 1735 the British from Southeast Georgia, then a colony of Great Britain, built a stockade at Ocfuskee, on the Talla- poosa river, in the present county of Tallapoosa. Four years later, in 1739, Governor Oglethorpe, of the 44 HISTORY OF ALABAMA Georgia colony (English), visited the Creeks and made a treaty with the "Lower Creeks/' or those further southeast of Coweta, in the present Enssell county. The Upper Creek& refused to participate and remained true to France. By his own request, Governor Bienville was relieved of office in 1743, and returned to France. With the exception of a few years he had been ruler of the country embraced in the present State of Alabama since its first settlement in 1702. He had to deal with several of the powerful Indian nations east of the Mississippi, by whom his weak colony was sur- rounded, and a single mistake would have been fatal to the colony in the early years. As a neace-mMker with and between Indians he has never been excelled, and he deserves to rank with Penn in dealing justice to the "Bed men.'' By this time the colony had become prosperous, and a large trade was carried on between Mobile and New Orleans with Europe, and with the French settlements up the Mississippi river. War having broken out between France and England, the- Marquis de Vaudreville, who succeeded Bienville, organized an army to proceed against the Chickasaws, who were allies of the English. During the year 175.2 he embarked his army in boats at Mobile, ascended the Mobile and Tombigbee rivers into Mississippi and met the Indians in battle. He was beaten and compelled to retreat after losing many of his men in battle. Thus the brave Chickasaws protected their homes for the third time against determined and well organized invasions, the first being that of De Soto, 200 years previous- — a proud record indeed ! (Under her Royal Charter, Georgia claimed Alabama and Mississippi south to latitude 31 degrees, hence the erection of Fort Ockfuskee mentioned in this chapter). QUESTIONS ON CHArTEIl IX. (1) Population in 1712? What is said of Bienville? Indians? Treaty- with Creeks? (2) Next Governor? Expedition? What towns passed? Where was a fort built? Its wisdom? (3) Where was a fort built in 1716? New Governor? Six months later? Who was re-appointed? Under what company? (4) What was brought in? Produced? (5) To- tal population in 1717? Increase? Price of negro slaves? What is said of wives? (6) Prosperity of colony? (7) What news of war? When? CHANGE FROM FRENCH TO ENGLISH RULE — 1780 45 Describe night landing- of the Spaniards. What fort was attacked? garrison? The French crews and their vessels? What expedition did the Spaniards send' Result? Whither did the Spaniards next sail? Describe night landing of the Spaniards? What fort was attacked? By whom defended? (9) Describe Bienville's second expedition? What place captured? When? Exchange of prisoners? (10) Seat of gov- ernment removed? When? Failure of company? "Who continued in office? Impertation of slaves; number; date? (11) Next removal of seat of government? Why was Bienville ordered to France? (12) Black Code? Two of its provisions? (13) Next Governor? When? Expedition against the Natchez? Their government compared with those of other Indians? (14) Next Governor? Fort built? Battle? Fort on the Tallapoosa? Treaty made? (15) What became of Bien- ville? Work accomplished by him? (16) What war broke out? Who had succeeded Bienville? Expedition against the Chickasaws? CHAPTER X. CHANGE FROM FUKXCH TO EXCU.ISII KlU:; ALABAMA UXDKK' THE LATTER FRENCH GOVERNORS I)E VArDREUIL AND KEK- LERAC CEDED TO ENGLAND IN 1763 — GOVERNORS JOHNS- TON^ ELLIOTT AND CHESTER MOBILE CAPTURED BY SPANISH AND AMERICANS IN 1780. Before proceeding further we would impress upon our readers the fact that at the time the last chapter ended, about the middle of the Eighteenth century, and for more than half a century afterwards, the State of ALahama had not been organized, or even dreamed of. Eor IfiO years previous to 1702 the territory of the present State was a part of Floridti, and Spain had the best claim on it by virtue of De Soto's expedition. Since the French settlement of Mobile, which was made by virtue of LaSalle's exploration of the ^lississippi, the soil of Alabama was a part of the Province of Louisiana. The English also claimed the greater part of the State durins; the later years of which we have written. Hence the fort built by Oglethorpe on the Tallapoosa, but probably the English alone considered it a part of Georgia. The only land in real possession of the whites did not amount to one per cent, of the area of the State. It consisted of a little strip about Mobile Bay and close along the river for thirty miles north of the city, and probably a few acres around the forts, one on the Coosa and the other on the Tombigbee, and about the British fort on the Tallapoosa. All the rest of the land in the present State belonged to the Indians. 46 HISTORY OF ALABAMA The country was still covered by primeval forests, with the exception of the small clearings around occasional Indian towns in widely separated communities. "There were many curious characters roving over the territory of Alabama and Mississippi at this ])eriod. Traders from South Carolina and Georgia were found i nalmost every Indian village; while the French from Mobile and New Orleans and the Spaniards from Florida continued to swell the number of these singular merchants. They encountered all kinds of danger and suf- fered all kinds of privations to l)ecome successful in their exciting traffic.^' — Pic'kett. Adair, one of the traders, says that the latter went of (en in companies (probably meaning on the Idng main routes), and each company carried a canoe of tanned leather, with gun- wales, keel and ribs made of stout saplings. One canoe could carry ten pack-horse loads across a stream. The horses and men would swim across, the latter guiding the boat across with one hand. When the band was small a raft was made of dry pine poles tied together with grape-vines. The goods were placed thereon and the men, swimming on either side, guided it across the stream. As there were no roads but paths, no kind of vehicles were used and all merchandise was carried on pack-horses. Governor Kerlerac, who succeeded Marquis de Vaudreuil several years previous, was in office in 1763, when peace was ratified between France, Spain and England. It was during the war just ended that Braddock's defeat occurred, when George Washington, a young Colonel, first distinguished him- self, and is mentioned here not as part of Alabama history, but as contemporary with it. By said treaty of peace France ceded all her Canadian possessions to Great Britain, and also all her territory in the present United States, which lay east of the Mississippi river and nortli of Bavou Manchac. France also ceded to Great Britain the nort and I'iver of Mobile, and to Spain the rest of Louisiana territory. Great Britain then organized East Florida and West Florida and Illinois. West Florida embraced the country MAP FOR BLACKBOARD EXERCISE. MAP Of U. S. LAND SURVEY. De Soto's Route - The names given below are leadinp, Indian towns on De Soto's route in this state. 1. -Costa. 5.-Maubila. if _rno«»a 6.— Cabusto. ^ . , , T T^iiflse 7.-Chiaha (Rome, Ga.) from which place 4.-Piache.' lie marched into Alabama. 48 HISTORY OF ALABAMA between the Mississippi and the Chattahoochee^ as far north as latitude 32 degrees 28 minutes, which line crosses the Tombigbee, a short distance below Demopolis, passes iust north of Montgomery and Selma, and crosses the Chatta- hoochee at Columbus, Ga. That part of the present State of Alabama north of said line was part of Illinois Territory, but no white inhabitants except traders and hunters. The capital of West Florida, of which all Alabama south of the above line formed a part, was Pensacola. The first governor of West Florida was Capt. George Johnston, and he was succeeded by Governor Elliott. The latter soon died in office, and Lieutenant-Governor Montefort Brown acted as governor until the new appointee. Gov. Peter Chester, arrived in 1772. Governor Chester was an estimable man, and re- mained in office as long as the country was under British dominion. During the British occupancy there was a consid- erable emigration of English (Americans) from the eastern colonies down the Ohio and Mississippi to the old Natchez country on the Mississippi river, where also many French settlers had established themselves. The dispersion of the Natchez by the French in 1730 had left a large and fertile territory open to white settlement long before any Alabama soil had been secured from the Indians, except the narrow strips about Mobile, mentioned in first part of this chapter. By treaty the English governor obtained from the Indians — the Choctaws doubtless — the first cession of territory of which we have any account in Alabama. The date of the treaty is not known, but it ceded the territory, "which is embraced between the Pascagoula and Chickasaha, on the west, the coast on the south and the Tombigbee and Mobile rivers and Mobile bay on the east, and south of a line beginning on the Chickasaha river, and running thence in an easterly direction to the right bank of the Tombigbee river, terminating on the same at a bluff well Known as Hatchee-tikibee." The cession embraced all of the present county of Mobile and the southern part of the present Washington count}^ and also extended into Mississippi. When the British took possession of Mobile after the peace of 1763, they placed a garrison in Fort Conde, and renamed it Fort Charlotte. After CHANGE FROM FRENCH TO ENGLLSH RULE— 1780 49 the cession mentioned above, or ratlicr during tlie British occupancy of West Florida, a number of English settled in Mobile and the adjacent conntry nortli and west of the town. Some came by water direct from Great Britain and from the English colonies on the Atlantic coast of America; others came across the country of the Creeks from the Carolinas and Georgia by way of Indian and traders' trails, on pack-horses. During the j-ear 1765 many of the inhabitants of Mobile died of a disease brought from the West Indies by the British troops. How- ever there were some wonderful, well-attested eases of longevity even after that time amon<>' the French, Mhose custom it was to retire to their plastations during the sickly seasons. M. Francois resided five miles from the bay whither he walked almost every day to fish, return- ing "with a mule's load of fish" on his back. He was 83 years old, and the active old lady in the kitchen who cooked his food and kept house with cheerfulness and bright steps, was his mother! From the thirtieth of August to 8eptem])er third, 1772, ]\Iobile was visited by awful storms; boats and logs were driven into the heart of the town. All the houses were fiiied with water several feet deep, and one dwelling house was run through by a schooner, 'jiae garden vegetables were destroyed by the salt water. "The articles exported from ^Mobile and Pensacola in 1772 were indigo, raAvhide, corn, cattle, rice, pitch, bear's oil, tobacco, tar, squared timber, indigo seed, myrtle wax, cedar posts and planks, salted Avild beef, pecans, cypress, and ]une l>oards, planks of various woods, shingles, dried salt fish, scantling, sassafras, canes, staves and heading, hoops, oranges and peltry." (Pickett.) Probably the last named, peltry, was by far the most valuable of the articles enumerated in the above list. While tne variety of ex- ports was great and the total value was large for two small towns, it was insignificant compared with the value of annual exports of cither place at the present time, and of ^lobilc for seventy-five years past. Mobile, at tlie beginning of tlie licNolutioiiaiy War, in 1775, was but a small town, and tlie whole white population of Alabama, ontside of the town, numbered but a few hundred, mostly planters along the Afobile river and traders of different nationalities in the interior. One of the latter class was Lachlan ]\IcGillivra3', a shrewd Scotchman, who was married to Sehoy Marchand, a half-breed (*reek princess. His son Alexander was connnissioned a colonel in tlu' British army, and with his command of Indians and Tories 50 HISTORY OF ALABAMA made frequent raids against the Wliigs of Georgia during the war. During the early years of the war, when the patriots of South Carolina and Georgia made it hot for the Tories, a number of the latter took refuge among the Indians, on the soil now embraced in Alabama. Spain having declared war against Great Britain in 1779, Galvez, the Spanish Governor of Louisiana, prepared to march against the British posts of West Florida. (Which at that time included the present South Alabama, as we have recorded in this chapter). With a force of 1,-100 regulars, re-enforced by American patriots, he captured Baton Rouge and Manchac. and then proceeded against Mobile. He landed his army and planted his ])atteries, and after severe cannon- ade, opened a breach in Fort Charlotte (old Fort Conde). The British commander surrendered the forts and city on the 14th of March, 1780. Having received re-enforcements from Cuba, Galvez captured Pensacola on the 9th of May, 1781, with its 900 defenders, consisting of British soldiers and Creek warriors. Thus the whole of West Florida passed into the hands of the Spanish, and the victories of the gallant Galvez over the British was a direct benefit to the American colonies in their long struggle against the mother country. At the time of the war for American independence, and for many years afterwards, the white population on the soil of Alabama was proljably less than that of any of the other Southern States east of the Mississippi river. This may 1)e partly accounted for Ijy the fact evident to the mind of the author, which historians have failed to specially note, that the Indians of Alabama during the same period were more numerous than in any other Southern State. We have on a former page, called attention to the large Indian population on our soil when De Soto marched over Alabama in 1540, compared with the number found elsewhere. The same pre- ponderance was evident at the time of the first French settle- ment. Further on we will find that the Indians held to Alabama to the last, as their most choice possession east of the Mississippi. ALABAMA PARTI.Y IN THE UNITED STATES 51 QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER X. (1) What should be kept in mind? What was the Spanish claim to the country founded on? What exploration gave the French a claim on Alabama? What other power manifested a disposition to claim this section of country? How? (2) AVith what was the country cov- ered? What exception? What is said of traders? (3) When was Gov. Kerlerac in office? Was he the last French Governor? Answer. Yes. What was France forced to cede to England? To Spain? (4) How did companies or caravans of traders cross the rivers? Smaller bands? (5) What provinces were organized by Great Britain? De- scribe West Florida? What part of present State of Alabama was in Illinois? Inhabitants of Northern Alabama? Draw a map of Ala- bama, showing that part of the State in Illinois and that part in West Florida. (6) Capital of West Florida? First British Governor? Succeeded by whom? Who died in office? W^ho acted in his stead? When did the last British Governor arrive? His name? What emi- gration was there? What had been opened in 1730? What soil did the whites have in Alabama? What did the British obtain by treaty? (7) What did the cession embrace? What settlements? How did they come? (8) Mobile in 1775? White population of Alabama at that time? (9) What started Galvez on the war path? What war was then raging on the Atlantic coast? Answer. The wai- of the Amer- icans for independence, or the RevolutionaT'v War. Describe Galvez's expedition against and capture of Mobile? Date of surrender? Pen- sacola captured when? What result as to West Florida? Benefit? (10) White population at that time? How is the paucity accounted for? CHAPTER XI. ALABAMA PARTLY IN THE UNITED STATES AND CLAI:MED BY GEORGIA, AND PARTLY UNDER THE SPANISH MISSISSIPPI TERPJTORY CREATED A. D. 1782 TO 1798. By treaty of peace signed November 30, 1782, and by final treaty of tlie following September, Great Britain acknowl- edged the independence of the United States, ceding all the territory east of the Mississippi and sonth of the great lakes, with the following sontliern boundary : A line beginning on the Mississippi river at 31 degrees north lati- tude and extending due east to the Chattahoocliee river, thence down that river to the mouth of the Flint river, thence due east to St. Mary's river, and down that river to the Atlantic. In January, 1783, C4reat Britain ceded East and West Florida to Spain. The northern boundary of West Florida being 32 degrees 28 minutes north latitude from the^Mississippi to the Chattahoochee there immediately arose a disi)ute iM^ween the United States and Spain as to iiie pos- session of the fine country between tlie two parallels 31 degrees and 52 HISTORY OF ALABAMA 32 degrees 28 miniiies, and extending across the present State of Ala- bama and Mississippi. Spain held the disputed territory for fifteen years^ and kept a garrison at Fort Tombigbee. By examining the map it will be seen that extreme Southwest Alabama, including Mobile, is south of latitude 31 degrees, and therefore, was undisputed Spanish territory. Georgia claimed, under her Royal Charter, all the present States of Alabama and Mississippi south to latitude 31 de- grees, and in 1785 attempted to organize the county of Houstoun, north of the Tennessee river. Eighty men were sent with commissioners to establish and occupy the county, but fear of the Chickasaw Indians caused them to leave and return home, after two weeks' stay. It has been related that Col. Alexander INreGillivray held the commission of colonel in the British army during the Revolutionary War. He was the son of Lachlan McGillivray, a Scotchman, and his Avife, Sehoy Marchand, a Creek Princess of the royal blood; her mother being a full blooded Indian, and daughter of the King, while her father was a Frenchman. Alexander McGillivray, when a youth, was carried to Charleston, S. C, and well educated. Just as he reached manhood, in 1775. he returned to tne scenes of his childhood on the lower Coosa, and was cordially hailed by the Creeks as head chief of the confederacy by virtue of his mother's royal descent. Soon afterwards he was called to preside over the grand council at Coweta. Under his rule the Creek confederacy became more cohesive and pow- erful than ever before. After the war closed he lived in the disputed territory of South Alabama and received the commission and pay of a colonel in tiie Spanish army. He managed to keep on good terms with the British and Spaniards, but he evidently hated the Ameri- cans, even after the war closed. They had confiscated a large part of his father's property when the latter had sailed with the British from Savannah for his native land. Colouol ]\IcGillivray gave the Georgians much trouble con- cerning some land ceded to them by other chiefs. His corres])on donee as lioad officer of the Creek nation Avill com- pare faA'orably with the state papers of the leading powers of the eartli to-day. In diplomacy and intrigue he easily held Ills own against tlie slirewdest white agents or commissioners, wliether Spanish, Britisli or American. Colonel Pickett calls him "'the Alabama 'rallevrand.'' ALABAMA PARTLY IN THE UNITED STATES 53 While he had no good feelings for the Americans he was induced hy Washing-ton to visit him in New York. Whik^ there he had the good sense to confirm the cession of a large territory in Georgia, made by sub-chiefs years before. He tliereby doubtless averted war with the United States, which would have destroyed his beloved Creek people. However, he came home with a brigadier general's commission in his pocket, and with a secret treaty, promising him and his lead- ing chiefs large annual stipends. In return for these favors he entered a treat}^ with the Americans, promising that all the trade of the Creeks should go through the former's hands. Although he had little thought of trying to get his people to abide by said treaty; nevertheless, it alarmed the Spaniards, and they got him to come to Pensacola on a visit, and his salary was doubled by them. Thus he continued an officer of both white powers and at the same time was head chief of the Creeks. Sucli duplicity, of course, gave him more or less trouble, and kept the Creek nation in a stir. Never having been of a strong physical constitution, he died in Pen- sacola, February 17, 1793. In this brief sketch of McGillivray. we have gotten several years ahead of important events that should be recorded, but we will, there- by be enabled to better understand the subsequent history of the Creek nation. (McGillivray was an uncle of the celebrated Weather- ford, of a later period.) On the 3rd of Januaiy, 1786, a treaty was made between ihe United States Government and the Choctaws, which con- firmed the cession of the district obtained by the British, the boundaries of which are given on a preceding page. For several years after the settlement of the whites on the Cumberland river in Tennessee, they were continually harassed by the Upper Creeks and the Cherokees. The In- dians were supplied with arms and ammunition by French traders from the AA^abash, who had illicit trading posts on the Tennessee river in JSTorth Alabama. During the month of June, 1787, Colonel Eobertson. witli a band of Tennesseeans. made a raid upon one of tliese trading posts, near the mouth of Cold Water creek, on the Tennessee river, and killed twenty-six Indians and three traders, and captured several, and dispersed the others. He also captured several boat- loads of merchandise. During the same year some of the 54 HISTORY OF ALABAMA Indians began a fierce warfare against the whites of Tennes- see. Captain Shannon, with a force of mounted men, pur- sued a party of Creek warriors from the Cumberland river into the present Lauderdale county, and after a severe fight^, routed them and thus ended their depredations. We have seen that Georgia claimed all the territory of the present fStates of Alabama and Mississippi south to latitude ol degrees, nnd for years that between .31 degrees and 32 de- grees 28 minutes was claimed by Spain. In 1789 Georgia sold two large tracts of land in the present State of Mississippi — one in the northern part to the "Virginia Yazoo Company/^ containing 700,000 acres, and the other containing 5,000,000 acres reached down into territory claimed by Spain, was sold to the "South Carolina Yazoo Company.'^ At the same time Georgia sold to the "Tennessee Land Company'^ 3,500,000 acres, now embracing the northern counties of Alabama. None of these lands had been acquired by treaty from the Indians, and when an attempt was made to place settlers on the different tracts the Spaniards, Creeks, Cherokees and Chickasaws all strenuously resisted. President Washington foreseeing that a collision would ensue, issued a proclamation against the whole enterprise and the efforts to colonize said tracts were defeated by the opposition of the Indians — the rightful owners — and the Federal government. This brought about much abuse on the head of Washington from the whites who wanted to settle on the coveted territory. The three com- ])anies, in the mean time, failed to make the first payment on the land — and what has been since known as the "First Yazo) Fraud" was thus ended after much bad feeling had been en- gendered. The Georgians felt much aggrieved against the U. S. Gov- ernment for letting the S])aniards occupy what the former be- lieved to be Georgia soil, (that portion of Alabama and Missis- sippi between 31 degrees and 32 degrees 28 minutes), and suffering them to instigate the Creeks in killing and plunder- ing their frontier population. Colonel ^IcGillivray, bead chief of the Creeks, was the active and vindictive instrument used by Governor Miro of Florida, to ferment hostilities against the Georgians and against all white citizens loyal to the ALBBAMA PARTLY IN THE UNITED STATES 55 Vnited States. On the other liaiid, Georo^ia did not rccoo-nize the right of tlie Federal government to make treaties with the Indians on Georgia territory. In 1T95 the Legislature of Georgia passed an act conveying to four companies of different titles, a total of 2,150,000 acres. I'mhracing the northern half of Alabama and a large part of Mississippi, as those States are at present constituted, the con- sideration being only half a million dollars, or less than twen- ty-five cents per. acre. By the succeeding Legislature the act was expunged from the journal and the bill publicly burnt. Thus was ended the second "Yazoo Fraud.'' During the year 1795 Thomas Pinckney, envov extraordi- nary of the United States to Spain, concluded a treaty confirm- ing the title of the United States to the disputed stri]) between 31 degrees and 32 degrees 28 minutes. In 1797 ferries were established across the Alabama and Tombigbee rivers, the route running across Nannahubla Is- land. During the year 1798 Congress created the Mississippi ter- ritorv, its northern boundary being 32 degrees 28 minutes, and its southern boundary 31 degrees north latitude. The Missis- sippi river was its western and the Chattahoochee its eastern boundary. President Adams appointed Winthrop Sargent, of Massachusetts, first Governor of the new territory. The next year Fort St. Stephens was relieved of its Spanish garrison by a detachment of U. S. troopl; from Xatchez, and Fort Stod- dard was constructed bv the Federal government below the junction of the Alabama and Tombigl)ee, at the present Mt. Vernon Landing. It was a few miles above the line of 31 de- grees north latitude : and as a frontier post it was destined to assume considera])le importance. QUESTIONS ON CIIAPTER XI. (1) When were treaties of peace signed? Between what two na- tions? What was ceded? Southern boundary? What was ceded to Spain? What dispute arose? Point out disputed territory on map. (Pupils should draw a map of Alabama on black board.) (2) How long did Spain hold disputed territory? What part of Alabama still belonged to Spain? What did Georgia claim? What attempt was made? Result? (3) What trouble did Col. Mc(4illivray give? Whom did he visit in New York? What did he confirm? What did he bring home? What promise did he make? (4) What treaty was made with 56 HISTORY OF ALABAMA the Choctaws in 17S6? What is said of settlers in Tennessee? Give jin account of Col. Robertson? That of Capt. Shannon? (5) Point out on the black board map the claim of Georgia. What tracts were sold to the Virginia Company? To the South Carolina Company? (6) Had these lands been acquired from the Indians? Who resisted the attempt to settle them? What was done by Washington? What ended the matter? What was it called? (7) What caused the Geor- gians to feel aggrieved? Who was the agent of Gov. Miro. in fo- menting strife? What did Georgia deny? (8) Give an account of the second Yazoo Fraud. (9) What treaty was concluded in 1795? First ferries established? (10) What was created in 1798? Boundaries? First Governor? What is said of Fort St. Stephens? Fort Stoddard? Why was the latter of importance? An account of the opposition of Spaniards, Indians and Tories who had settled in Alabama, to American occupancy and settlement of the disputed territory, mentioned in this chapter, \Yould require more space than we can devote to it. It was three years after the treaty was signed before the survey was made of what is known as "Elliott's line,"' the southern boundary of Mississippi territory. CHAPTER XII. A. D. 1799 TO 1808. ALABAMxV, SOUTH OF LATITUDE 32 DEGREES 28 MIXUTES, A PART OF MISSISSIPPI TERRITORY^ EXCEPT SPAXISII DOMIX"- lOX" OF MOBILE AXD VICIXITY XORTII OF 32 DEGREES 28 MINUTES CLAIMED BY GEORGIA UNTIL SOLD TO THE UNITED STATES INDIAN CESSIONS OF 1805 OF SMALL TER- RITORY IN S. W. ALABAMA AND IN NORTH ALABAMA. During the year 1799 John Pearce. who eanie from Mas>a- chusetts, opened and taught the first American seliool on Ala- hama soiL On June 4, 1800, Governor Sargent, hy 23rodama- tion created the county of Washington, which embraced all the territory from the Pearl river, in present State of Mississippi^ to the Chattahoochee. Out of its domain twenty-nine counties in Alabama and sixteen in ]Mississippi have been created in whole or in part.) The population of Washington county, according to the cen- sus of 1800, was 733 whites and 494 negroes. The whole white population within the boundary of the present State of Alabama probably did not exceed 2,000 in 1800, including ^Mobile and Baldwin counties, then under Spanish rule. North of the county of Washino-ton the onlv whites were traders. ALABAMA A PART OF MISSISSIPPI TERRITORY 57 hunters and an occasional famil)^ of refugee Tories or tlicir descendants. The wliites who lived among the Indians, es])('- cially those who had Indian wives, were called "Indian coun- trymen." Governor Sargent was not popular, and in 1801 he was re- moved by President Jefferson, and William C. Claiborne, of Tennessee was appointed Governor of Mississippi Territory. The new Governor was a Virginian by birth and removed to Tennessee when a youth. He had been a member of the con- stitutional convention, a supreme court judge of Tennessee an 1 also a member of Congress from that State. In 1803 the first cotton gin on Alabama soil was established by Abraham Mordecai, a Jew and Indian countryman, in the Creek country below the junction of the Coosa and Tallapoosa. A few months later a cotton gin was established on Lake Tensas. For the sum of $1,250,000.00 Georgia ceded to the Federal government during the year 1802 her claim to all the territory embraced in the present States of Alabama and Mississippi north of latitude 31 degrees. The Mississippi Territory was enlarged to cover all this new area ; but the Indians still held all the land of Alabama, except the extreme southwestern part of the State. Tlie exception, all that belonged to the whites, consisted of territory embraced in the present counties of Washington, Mobile and Baldwin, the two latter south of lati- tude 31 degrees being under Spain. During the month of April, 1803, the celebrated Lorenzo Dow, on one of his Southern tours, came by way of Georgia and on through the Creek nation to the Tensas and Bigbee set- tlements, where he held religious meetings. So far as is known, he was the first Protestant minister to preach on Ala- bama soil. He found many adult men and women who had never seen a preacher before. The first county court of Wash- ington county was held in 1804, at Mcintosh's Bluff, on the Tombigbee. During the same year, 1804, Judge Harry Toul- min was appointed superior court judge to hold court for the benefit of the Bigbee and Tensas settlers, it being a long dis- tance to the ca])ital of the Territory, at or near Xatchez, on the Mississippi river. Previous to the estal)lislnnent of courts 58 HISTORY OF ALABAMA the above settlers lived without laws and the rites of matri- mony. The following extract from Pickett's History gives an account of a marriage in the year 1800. "The house of Samuel Mims, a wealthy Indian countryman, was the most wealthy and spacious in the coun- try and whither the young and the gay flocked to parties and danced to the music furnished by the Creoles of Mobile and others, for the country abounded in fiddlers of high and low degree. Daniel John- son and Miss Elizabeth Linder had for some time loved each other. She was rich and he was poor, and, of course, the parents of the for- mer objected to a pairing. On Christmas night a large party was assembled at "Old Sam Mims," and the very forests resounded with music and merry peals of laughter. In the midst of the enjoyment the lovers, in company with several young people of both sexes, se- cretly left the house, entered some canoes, paddled down Lake Ten- sas, into the Alabama, and arrived at Fort Stoddart an hour before daylight. Captain Shaumberg, who had risen early to make his eggnog, was implored to join the lovers in the bonds of matrimony. The proposition astounded the good natured old German, who pro- tested his ignorance of all such matters, and assured them that he was ■only a military commandant, having no authority, whatever, to make people man and wife. They entreated, telling him with truth, that the Federal government had placed him there as a general protector and regulator of affairs, and laid the case before him, demanded his sanction and adjustment. After the eggnog had circulated pretty freely the commandant placed the lovers before him, and in a sten- torious voice pronounced the following marital speech: "I, Captain Shaumberg, of the Second Regiment of the U. S. Army and command- ant of Fort Stoddart, do hereby pronounce you man and wife. Go home — behave j'oiirselves — multiply and replenish the Tensas county." The happy pair entered their boats, rowed back to the boat yard and were pronounced by the whole party the best married people they had known in a long time." Louisiana was sold by Spain to France in 1801, and by the latter power to the United States in 1803. The United States claimed that Louisiana embraced Mobile and other territory owned by the French up to 17 62, but this was denied by Spain. The United States having made a port of entry of Fort Stoddart when it was established, and Mobile being a Spanish port of entry, the double tariff worked a great hard- ship on the Alabama i3eople. The narrow strip of Spanish territory south of latitude 31 degrees, extending from Pearl river west to the Mississippi river, had been organized by the Spaniards under the name of the "Baton Eouge District." ALABAMA A PART OF MISSISSIPPI TERRITORY 59 The Spaiiisli Mobile district embraced the country between the Pearl and Perdido rivers south to the gulf. These two dis- tricts made a long narrow strip south of and jutting into American territory, which was destined to give trouble, as we will see further on. Eobert Williams, of North Carolina, in 1805, succeeded Governor Claiborne as Governor of Mississippi Territory — en- larged — as we have recorded in this chapter, in 1802. The Indians made the first cession of land in the beautiful Tennessee valley of North Alabama in 1805. The Chicka- saws sold to the United States a large tract, mostly in Ten- nessee. About 500 square miles of it extended, in a triangular shape, into North Alabama, and was three years afterwards organized into the county of Madison, which had about 300 square miles less than the present county of the same name. A few months later, (in 1805), the Cherokees sold their inter- est in said tract and also sold to the United States other ter- ritory north of the Tennessee river, in this State. At Mt. Dex- ter, November, 1805, the Choctaws ceded to the United States 5,000,000 acres of land, most of which is embraced in the pres- ent State of Mississippi, but it also included that part of tbe present county of Clark, west of a line running south from Choctaw corner down the comb of the water shed of the Ala- bama and Tombigbee to their junction. This was the second Choctaw cession. In this and preceding chapters we have ^een that the Indians ceded large portions of Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee to the whites, but were loath to surrender but a small part of their beloved homes and lands in this State. More than nine-tenths of Alabama soil remained in possession of the Indians up to the Creek War. Several years before this more than half of Mississippi, as at present organized, a State further wTst, was secured by the whites, the ceded lands everywhere were rapidly settled up by the whites, and none were more rapidly settled than those in ^ladison county, which county was created by proclamation of Governor Williams, in 1808. Before proceeding? further it may be well to briefly inspect the work performed by the U. 8. land surveyors in this State under an act passed by C'onpjress, in 1795. Said act required that all public lands should be surveyed into townships, sections, quarter sections. 6o HISTORY OF ALABAMA etc.. with certain designated lines and corner marks. The surveyor general of the U. S. had charge of the work, which gave employment for many years to numerous surveyors, chain carriers and axemen. A section under said act contains 640 acres, and is one mile square. A township is six miles square and contains 36 square miles or sec- tions. The sixteenth section of each township was given to the State, which was to use the proceeds of sale or rent of same for public edu- cation in the township. The first tier of sections in a township are numbered from the N. E. corner to the west and the next tier from west to east, and so on — the 36th section being in the S. W. corner of the township, and the sixteenth being one of the four in the center. The division of sections into quarters of 160 acres each, and of the latter into quarters of 40 acres each, is so well understood by intel- ligent readers that it will not need to be explained here. Every land deed in Alabama contains a hint of interesting history in its designation of the great "land district," township and range to which it belongs. There are four great "land districts" in the State, one east and the other west of the St. Stephen's Meridian, and two others similarly divided by Huntsville Meridian as their mutual base. The two first named extend from the southern limits of the State to a line running east and west about the center of the State, said line being the southern boundary of the two other "districts" which extends north to the Tennessee line. The first U. S. survey of lands in this State was made in the first Choctaw cession in S. W. Alabama, of which St. Stephens was at that time the principal point of interest. Hence it was used as the start- ing point, and a line running north and south through it. was made a base or meridian. From St. Stephens, the survey in Southwest Ala- bama proceeded in all directions as tracts were ceded by the Indians. From Huntsville, the center of the first Chickasaw-Cherokee cession, in North Alabama, the survey exteiided over all the lands ceded by the Indians from time to time in the northern half of the State. Thus the process of surveying lands as soon as ceded continued until it embraced the last cession made by the Indians, just before they re- moved to the West, in 1837. Therefore, we find as intimated above, that every land deed in Alabama is fraught with a suggestion of inter- esting history. QUESTIONS ON" CHAPTER XII. (1) First American school in Alabama? County of Washington, when and how created? What did it embrace? Population in 1800? (2) Any other whites in Alabama? (3) By whom was Gov. Sargent succeeded? When? Of what was he Governor? Answer. The Missis- sippi Territory, which embraced that part of the present State of Alabama, between latitude 31, 32 degrees, 28 minutes. (4) First cotton gin? What did Georgia cede? What was embraced? What was held by the Indians? (5) First protestant sermon? First county court? (6) What was bought by the Ignited States? When and from what pow- er? What was denied and withheld by Spain? What worked a hard- ship on the people? Describe the two Spanish districts. (7) Who sue- AI,ABAMA A PART OF MISSISSIPPI TERRITORY 6 1 needed Gov. Claiborne? When? When was the first cession of land in North Alabama? Describe it. What other Indians made a cea- .^ion north of the Tennessee? What land did the Choctaws cede in this State? (8) What were the Indians loathe to surrender? What jiroportion of land in Alabama and Mississippi still held by the In- - soph T. Kennedy to Iniry the dead at Fort INlinis. They found in- numerable dogs and buz/ards feeding on the bodies, and buried all in two big pits, dug for the purpose, whites. Indians, women and chil- in supporting distance, for they had been ordered to scour the woods between Ten Islands and the battle ground. With the Americans was a company composed of friendly Creeks and Cherokees, who wore badges of white feathers and deer tails to distinguish them from the Red Sticks, or hostiles. One hundred and eighty-six dead bodies of the latter were counted on the field, besides a number of women killed una- voidably, and eighty-four women and children were captured, many other warriors prol)al)ly died from wounds in the forests near by, and some doubtlessly escaped uninjured or slightly wounded. The total number engaged is unknown, but doubt- less much less than half of the one thousand of the Americans who were in the expedition across the Coosa. The loss of the whites was five killed and eighteen wounded. Amono- the captured children was a babe, both of whose parents were killed, which was found on its dead mother's breast. When the captive women were asked to take care of the infant they refused, saying, "All his relatives are killed; kill him, too." General Jacks THE CREEK WAR — A. I). 1S13 75 had him taken to his own lioine wlieie lie was reared and educated, but died wlien a younfj man. His name was Lincoyer. Havino- buried his live soldiers who were killed in the battle. Gen- eral Coffee marched back to the Coosa, recrossed the river late in tlie evening of the same day and reached headquarters. Jn the afteinoou after General Cofl'ee had left the battle ground, General White ap- l>roached the destroyed village of Tallasehatchie to attack it with his command of Tennesseeans and friendly Cherokees. He knew nothing of the battle of the morning until he reached the place. He gathered up twenty wounded Indians and returned to his camp at Turkey Town. He acted independent of Jackson. On the 7tli of November news was brought to the headquar- ters of General Jackson, at Ft. Strother, that a number of friendly Indians in Lashley's Fort in the Talladega town, wer(3 besieged by a large force of hostiles, who were- preparing to storm the fort and massacre its inmates. Jackson detailed a guard to protect his camp, sick and wounded, at Ft. Strother, and with his main arm}-, forded the Coosa before daylight on the morning of the 8th of >fovember, and camped that night within six miles of Talla- dega. Early the next morning, by making a wide circuit, he surrounded the enemy, with his force of 800 cavalry and 1,200 infantry. For a while the Ked Sticks fought with great bravery, against odds of two to one, and their losses were terrible. They inflicted considerable casualties on the whites, and at one time caused the lines of General Eobert's militia to give way, but the latter quickly rallied when they saw the firmness of Colonel Dyer's reserves, by whom they were supported. When the Indians found they were surrounded by superior numbers they began to retreat through a gap left between the columns of Colonel Alcorn and Colonel Bailey, by a misconception of orders. Being hard-pressed by Colonel Carroll, in front, the retreat soon became a rout, and the flying Indians were pur- sued through the woods for several miles. The loss of the Americans was fifteen killed and eighty-five wounded. The bodies of 229 dead Indians were found, but their total loss in killed and wounded is not known. Among the wounded whites were General Pillow, Colonel Lauderdale, Major Boyd and Lieutenant Barton, the last named mortally. y6 HISTORY OF ALABAMA The hostile hesiegers had appointed that day to capture the Indians in the stockades and put them to the sword, which, as we have seen, was prevented hy the prompt and rapid march of Jackson. After the hattle, the army marched back to Ft. Strother, carrying the wounded on stretchers made of raw-hides. Three of the latter died soon after leaving Talladega, and were car- ried back and buried there, making eighteen the American mortality in the battle. Readers living in Talladega will find an interesting account of the battle of Nov. 0, 1813, written by Otis Nickles, on nages 447-8, in Smith & Deland's ''Northern Alabama. ' He gives the exact pos-vion of the different columns engaged and location of the fort, so that they may be readily recognized by the local readers. While writing this chapter, May, 1900, the newspapers contain the welcome intelligence that through the ell'oits of Senator John T. Morgan, the U. S. Con- gress passed an act appropriating $10,000.00 for the erection of a monument over the graves of the eighteen soldiers buried at Talla- dega, who fell in the battle ubove mentioned. In the same article mentioned above, Mr, Nickles says that General Jackson on his return march to Fort Strother, had the road cut which has since been known as "Jackson ±race.'*' This may be correct, but Pickett says, "Jackson marched back to Fort Strother as rapidly as possible, for he was out of provisions. "The said "Trace" was probably first used lOr wheeled vehicles during Jackson's second expedition from Fort Strother, two weeks later, when he carried a battery of artillery and went by way of Talladega to fignt the Indians in the present counties of Clay and Tallapoosa, He must have carried a company of pioneers, or the necessary implements to open the road from Talladega onward, and the work on the ''Trace" probab'y began at Fort Strother with that second expedition. On the 18th of November, General White, with his com- mand of East Tennesseeans. attacked a Hillabee town, in the present county of Clay, and killed sixty warriors and capture 1 250 prisoners, including women and children. This was a deplorable occurrence, for these Indians had sent a messenger to General Jackson, agreeing to his terms of surrender, some of them having been in the battle of Talladega. General White, acting independent of Jackson, knew nothing of the pending negotiations. It is said the Indians made no tiglit whatever, thinking they were safe from attack. The other Hillabee towns, believing that General Jackson had violated THE CRKEK WAR — A. D. 1813 77 his promises, were thereby aroused to bitter resistance to the end of the war. Xot a white man was killed or wounded in the above attack. QUESTIOXS ON CHAPTER XV. (1) Where did Francis operate? What massacre on the 1st of Sep- tember? (2) What occurred on the 3d of September? AVhat attack was made? Heaton's brave act? What letters reached Nashville? What was raised? By whom? When was Huntsville reached? Com- mander and number of the army? Fort established? Marched whith- er? (4) Where was the second base established? What raid had been made by Gen. Coffee? Result? (5) Describe the battle of Tallase- hatchie. Date? (6), Who approached the village the same afternoon? Who accompanied the Americans? I^oss of the hostiles? American loss? (7) News brought to Jackson, at Ft. Strother? What did he do? Where did he camp on the night of the Sth of November? How was the enemy surrounded? (8) Describe the battle of Talladega. American loss? Red Sticks, killed. Who were rejoiced and why? (9) Whither did the army march? How were the wounded carried? (10) W^hat attack on the 18th of November? Why deplorable? Loss of the Indians? White loss? Its effect on the Hillabees? CHAPTER XYT. CREEK WAK. 1813-1-1 BATTLES OF ATITOSE, EMUCKFAU AND EXITACirOPCO, AND THE CANOE FIGHT. The Georgians, like the Tennesseeans, quickly mobilized an army for the relief of their white brethren of the Mississippi Territory when they heard of the massacre of Ft. Mims. General Floyd, with a force of 950 whites and 400 friendly Indians, advanced across the Ocmulgee, Flint and Chattahoo- chee, and arrived near the Tallapoosa on the 28th of ISTovember. 1813 — having marched 120 miles in six days. Before sunrise on the morning of Xovember 29, he attacked a large force of the Creeks in the town of Autose, on the east bank of the Tallapoosa, at the mouth of the Calebee creek, in the present county of Macon. After a desperate battle with a somewhat inferior force of Eed Sticks, the latter were driven to the swamps, and the town burned. Their loss was about 200 killed, including the chiefs of Autose and Tallasse. Some of the friendly Indians acted cowardly, and kept in rear of the 78 HIvSTORY OF ALABAMA whites, but the Cowetas and Tookabatchas, friendly Creeks, led respectively by Mcintosh and Mad Dragon's Son, fought with great braver}', and lost several killed and wounded. The loss of the whites was 11 killed and 54 wounded. Being in the heart of the enemy's country, sixty miles from his depot of supplies, with rations almost exhausted. General Floyd began a retrograde movement towards Ft. Mitchell, on the Chattahoochee, as soon as his dead were buried. A mile from the battlefield, the Indians rallied and attacked his army, but were driven off quickly, and the Chattahoochee was reached without further molestation. During the fall and winter of 1813-14, a guerilla warfare of great fierceness was waged by the hostiles against the whites and their friends, on the lower Alabama and Tombigbee rivers. There were no large battles, but many desperate skirmishes. The leaders of the Americans were Colonel McCrew and Cap- tain Bradberr}^, killed; Colonels Russell and Carson, Major Hinds, Captains Creaugh, James, Foster, Dale, Austill, John Smith and Tandy Walker. Gen. F. L. Claiborne, with head- quarters at St. Stephens, had command of the whole, being- subject to the orders of General Flournoy, commander of the Army of the Southwest. Capt. Sam Dale, Jere Austill and John Smith especially distinguished themselves in a canoe fight on the Alabama river, when the three killed nine Indian warriors in a fair fight in the middle of the river. This occurred on the 12th of November, 1813, fifteen miles below Claiborne, near the mouth of Eandon's creek. During the month of November, General Claiborne ad- vanced up the river and erected Ft. Claiborne, on the site of the present town of the same name. He then determined to attack the Indian stronghold, Econachaca, or Holy Ground, on the southern bank of the Alabama river, in the present county of Lowndes. He marched from Ft. Claiborne to the northeast for eiglity miles, to the northern part of the ])rescnt Butler county, where he established Ft. Deposite, as a base, thirty miles south of his destination. His command consisted of the Third Regiment, U. S. Army, under Colonel Russell; a cavalry battalion under Major Cassell, a regiment THE CRKEK WAR— A. U. 1813-14 79 and a battalion nnder Colonel Carson and Major Smoot, being volunteers and militia, and 150 Choetaws^ under Pushmataha. Econachaea (Holy Ground) was under command of Weath- erford, who had erected the fortifications there, and was given its name from the claim of the propliets, that no white man could approach it without instant death. Much plunder had been stored there, and it was used as a refuge after liattles, and there the prisoners were burnt. General Claiborne's force attacked the place on the 23rd of December, 1813. The Indians fought bravely for a short time, under the leadership of Weatherford, but soon fled when they saw the whites tread- ing, with impunity, on the Holy Ground. The women and children had been sent across the river when the Americans approached. Seeino- that the 1)attle was lost Weatherford hastened to the bank of the river on tlie hack of his fine ^ray liorse and forced the horse to plunge in from a bank ten to fifteen feet above the water. Hold- ing tightly to the mane he retained his seat until the horse swam across the river and climbed the bank and carried him swiftly into the recesses of the forest. The leap was not made from a very high bliiflf in the vicinity, as has been stated by some historians. This feat of Weatherford conld have been made by any good rider. The height of the bank where tli plunge was made has be^n greatly exaggerated. Owing to a misconception of orders, the cavalry failed to get into position so as to completely surround the Indians, and through the gap thus left open most of the Indians escaped to the woods, while many that could swim plunged into the river. Thirty dead hostile warriors were counted on the field. The loss of the whites was one killed and eleven wounded. By the end of the year 1813, or just four months after th3 Ft. Mims massacre, the Eed Sticks found themselves beaten and pressed on all sides. In addition to the defeats by Jackson,. in their northern territory ; by Floyd, in the east, and by Clai- borne, in the south, a force of Chickasaws and Choctaws had pierced their western borders as far as Tuscaloosa, on the Warrior river, and found it deserted, l)ut they still stood ready to pounce upon the Creeks on that side. After the battle of Talladega (November 9th, 1813), Gen- 8o HISTORY OF ALABAMA eral Jackson was greatly liarassed by lack of food for his army, as supplies had to l^e brought across a rough country, from the Tennessee, to the Coosa. Another trouble was that the sixty days for which his men enlisted had expired, and they ■were mustered out, until his force was reduced to one hundred men at Ft. Strother. He made several trips during December to the Tennessee river, to hasten supplies for the new volun- teers, whom the patriotic Governor Blount of Tennessee, was raising for him. Two regiments of sixty days volunteers, amounting to 850 men, under command of Colonels Higgins and Perkins, reached Ft. Strother about the middle of Jan- uary, 1814. Jackson started immediately (January l-lth) with most of this force for the Tallapoosa country, by way of Talladega, where he was re-enforced by 200 friendly Indians. Although Jackson had learned from experience in the preceding short campaign, the importance of moving with great haste, in order to get any service from sixty days men ; yet it required eight days to reach the vicinity of Emuckfau, in the northern part of Tallapoosa county, on afternoon of the 21st of January. The necessity of opening a road for his artillery doubtless caused much delay, for he traversed the same route back to Ft. Strother in a little over half that time. ^he Indians of Emuckfau did not wait for an attack, but 500 brave Eed Sticks, equal in number to about half of the army of Jackson, fiercely assailed the latter at 6 o'clock on the morning of tlie 22nd of January. After the first repulse of the hostiles. General Coffee was ordered to attack their encampment, with 400 whites and 200 friendly Indians, but the artillery had to be used against the fortified camp before it was taken. At one time the Eed Sticks were driven two miles, but rallied and attacked Jackson's right flank. Again they were driven into a swamp, but charged against the left flank of the whites. After hours of hard fighting. Coffee succeeded in driving the enemy for three miles, and this ended the battle for the day. The afternoon was spent in burying the dead, dressing the wounds, fortifying the camp, to be i^eacly for a niffht attack, and Dreparing for the return march. General THE CREEK WAR — A. D. 1813-I4 8 I Jackson realized that his force would be overwhelmed if the Indians received re-enforcements, and he resolved to get back to Ft. Strother as fast as possible. Litters for bearing the wounded, among whom was General Coffee, were constructed of the hides of the slain horses, and at 10 o'clock a. m., January 23, the retrograde march begau. The army that night occupied a quickly fortified camp at Enitachopco, a village of the Hillabces, in the present Clay county. The next morning, January 24, while crossing the creek near bv, in line of battle, the savages made a fierce attack on the rear guard, commanded by Captain Russell. The battle soon became general, with the whole force engaged, when the hostiles were driven off, after a desperate fight. At one time the left wing, under Colonel Strother, was seized with a panic that threatened the safety of the whole army. General Jackson and other heroic officers soon found plenty of brave spirits to rally in a charge, which routed the enemy. One hundred and eighty-nine Eed Sticks were left dead on the two battle fields of the 22d and 24th of January — Emuckfau and Enitachopco. The American loss was 20 killed and 75 wounded. Major Donaldson and Captain Hamilton were killed, and General Coffee and several other gallant officers were wounded. The army arrived at Ft. Strother on the 28th of January, without further adventure. A few days afterwards General Jackson sent the greater part of the army to Iluntsville, to ))e honorably discharged, with his thanks, for their gallant ser- vices. With the remainder of the men, Jackson constructed flat-boats for descending the Coosa, on his third expedition into the enemy's country, as soon as another army could be collected at Ft. Strother. (Tbe Indians always claimed that they gained the last two battles above descri])ed). QUESTIONS ON CirAPTER XVI. (1) "What was clone by the Georgians? What was the force? De- scribe the advance. When did the battle of Autose occur? Describe it.^ (2) Why did Gen. Floyd return to Ft. Mitchell? Describe the at- tack by the Indians. (?,) What was waged on the lower Alabama? AVhat three Americans were engaged in the canoe fight? (4) What fort was erected by Gen. Claiborne? Where and what was Econ- achaca? Meaning? (5) Why so called? Describe the attack on it. <6) Result of battle. (7) What was the condition of Red Sticks, at 82 HISTORY OF ALABAMA end of the year 1813? (S) What were the two vexations of Gen. Jack- son? When did volunteers reach, him? (9) Whence and whither did he move? What re-enforcements? When did he reach the vicinity of Emuckfau? Cause of the delay? (10) Describe the battle Emuck- fau. Why was Jackson uneasy? (11) When did the return march be- g-in? Describe the battle of Enitachopco. When did the army arrive at Ft. Strother? What was done by Gen. Jackson? AN'liat were con- structed and for what purpose? CHAPTER XVII. CREEK WAR, 1814 — BATTLES OF CALABEE, HORSE-SHOE BEND AND TREATY OF FT. JACKSON. In the preceding- chapters it was stated that General Floyd retired to Ft. Mitchell, on the Chattahoochee, after the hard- fought hattle of Antose. Here he waited six weeks for addi- tional volunteers, for suoplies, and for his wound to heal, which he had received in hattle. At the end of that time he again marched west with an army of nearly 1,300 whites and 400 friendly Indians. The former were organized into four battalions of infantry, under Colonel Newman and Majors Booth, Cleveland, Watson and Freeman; a company of cavalry under Captain Hamiltou, and artillery commanded by Captain Thomas. He expected to penetrate the enemy's country to Tooka- batclia, and therefore, establish several posts as he proceeded, to protect his rear and as depots of supplies. When he reached Calabee creek, in the present Macon county, his camp was attacked early in the morning of January 27th, 1814, by a large force of Indians. The hostiles at one time pressed u]) within thirty yards of the artillery, and were driven back witli heavy loss; but the whites also suffered severely in repulsing the attack. The friendly Indians, with the exception of the lichees, w^ere much frightened, and were of little service, ex- cept in pursuing the Red Sticks, after the hard fighting. The friendly Uchees fought valiantly from beginning to end of the battle. When a general and galhint cliarge was made along the whole line of the whites, tlie hostiles gave way, and were pursued for some distance into the swamps. The loss of the whites an^T friendlv Indians was 22 killed and 147 wounded. THE CREEK WAR — A. D. 1814 83 Colonel Xewman, a leading officer, was severely wounded early in the contest. The loss of the enemy was much heavier than that of the Americans, but the number is unknown. Ow- ing to a large number of wounded on his hands, and the proximity of the enemy, who showed a disposition to renew the attack, General Floyd thought best to relinquish his design to advance further, and tlierefore retreated to Ft. Mitchell. We left General Jackson engaged in building flat-boats on the Coosa. Having been re-enforced by two small brigades of Tenneesseeans and the Thirty-ninth Regiment of United States troops, and having received needed supplies, he was now ready to proceed on his third expedition against the hos- tiles. Four companies from ]\Iadison county, commanded respectively by Captains Gray, ]\[osely, Eldredge and Hamil- ton, served in one of the Tennessee regiments, in Jackson's expeditions against the Creeks, and two of them went with him later to Mobile and Pensacola. On the 15th of March, 1814, General Jackson embarked his baggage and supplies on flat-boats at Ft. Strother, which were guarded down the Coosa by the Thirty-ninth Regiment, IJ. S. A. Having left a garrison of 450 men at said fort, under Colonel Steele, he marched down the river with the rest of the army to the mouth of Cedar creek, in the southern part of the present Talladega county. Here he erected Ft. Williams, and garrisoned it as a new depot of supplies. It was named in honor of the colonel of the Thirty-ninth regiment. Jackson had learned that a large number of hostiles had gathered in Cholocco Titabixie (Horse-Shoe Bend), of Tallapoosa river, in present county of same name as said river, and fortified it for a desperate stand. With 2,000 men, on the 24th of March, he started across the country for the Tallai)oosa, and in three days reached the immediate vicinity of the enemy in the "'Bend.'' Tlie latter embraced about 100 acres of land, and across the neck the Indians liad erected strong breastworks of logs. The houses of the village stood on some low land at the point of the bend, where hundreds of canoes were tied at the bank of the river. On tlie morning of tlie 2rth, (ieueral Coffee, with the cav- 84 HISTORY OF ALABAMA airy of the army, crossed tlic river two miles below, and then circled his men around the bend so as to cut off retreat by the river. When Coifee signaled that bis men were in position, Jackson moved up two pieces of artillery within eio'hiy yards of the breastworks mentioned above, and at 10 o'clock a. m. opened upon the enemy. Some of tbe friendly Indians who were with Coffee swam the river and secured the canoes and carried them to the opposite side of the river, at the tiine that the hostiles were diverted by Jackson's attack. The canoes were filled with Americans and friendly Indi?ins, a part of Coffee's force, who rapidly paddled over and set fire to the village, and then attacked the rear of the hostile?, who liad been trying to hold the l)reastworks against Jackson. By that time the latter's men had, with heavy loss, mounted the works, and were pushing the Indians back on the open ground. Attacked in front an-d rear, the Red Sticks fought under great disadvantage, and their losses were tremendous. None, how- ever, begged for quarter. When they realized that all would soon be killed, unless they could get away, many attempted to swim the river, but their heads above the water furnished good practice for the rifles of the whites. Jackson sent a messenger to those still in arms to assure them of clemency if they would surrender. This proposition was met w^ith shouts of defiance and undiminished firing upon the allies. The Americans then set fire to piles of lumber and brush, under which the hostiles had taken refuge, and soon forced them to flee, and as they ran great slaughter ensued. It was late in the day before the last armed and defiant foe was killed, or had disappeared from the field. Five hundred and fifty-seven dead bodies of the enemy were counted on the peninsula, and it was believed that 200 more perished in the river. Others escaped into the woods and died of their wounds, so that probably not more than 200 of the 1,000 brave Red Sticks in the battle escaped with their lives. The loss of the Americans, including friendly Indians — Creeks and Choctaws — was 45 killed and 146 wounded. Among the killed was Maj. L. P. Montgomery, of the Thirty-ninth U. S. Regiment, for Avhom the county in which THE CREEK WAR — A. D. Ih Walker and Tuscaloosa, west of Perry and Dallas, on to the Alabama river. All the ternbory south and east of the above line from Wetumpka to Eufaula, and l several small expeditions against the latter, to force them to rctirt- to their reservation. During the year 1816 three important treaties were made by the United States with the other Indians Avho held terri- tory in the present State of Alabama. The first, made on the 14th of September, and ratified October 4th, was between the Cherokees and three United States commissioners, with Gen- eral Jackson at their head. By this treaty the Cherokees ^^relinquished all claims to the country south of the Tennessea river, and west of a line near the western l)oundary of the present county of Marshall, for the sum of $05,000." On the 20th of September, 1810, the Chickasaws sold to the United States, through the same commissioners, '^all their lands east of a line commencing at Caney creek (now in Colbert county), running up said creek to its source, thence a due course to the ridge path commonly called Gaines' road, along said road southwest to a point on the Tombigbee, well known as Cotton Gin Port, and down the western bank of the Tombigbee to the Choctaw l)oundary. at the moutli of the Oktibboha i-ivei-, for the sum of $124,5()0." (Brewer.) 92 HISTORY OF ALABAMA This left only a small strip of Chickasaw land in Alabama, which was subsequently ceded in 1833. The third treaty of the year 1816 was made by the Choctaws and United States commissioners, headed by General Coffee. The former "sold" all their title and claim to lands lying east of the following boundaries : Beginning at the mouth of Oktibbaha river, the Chickasaw boundaries, and running thence down the Tom- bigbee until it intersects the northern boundary of the cession made the United States by the Choctaws, on the 16th of November, 1805." The consideration was $130,000. Three- quarters of the soil of Alabama was now subject to the whites, the greater part acquired from the Indians in a little over two vears, beginning with the treatv of Ft. Jackson, August ^th, 1814. QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER XVIII. (1) Relatfc the expedition of Col. McKee. Of Col Russell. (2) Whith- ■er were most of the troops removed? (3) Who harbored the Red Sticks? What was 'permitted? Was Spain at war with the United States? (4) Whither did Jackson go? (5) Describe the attack on Ft. Bowyer. (6) Who arrived from Tennessee? What fort was erected? What became of the Red Sticks? (7) What great battle was won in January, 1815? Whither did the British retreat? Why did they land? What fort surrendered? (8) When was the treaty of peace signed? When did Jackson hear of it? When did the British sail for home? Causes of the delay? (9) What was ceded to the United States? What was thus established? What territory began to be settled? From what States? (10) What three treaties in 1816? What was now subject to the whites? CHAPTER XIX. ALABA:\IA TERllITORY ORGANIZED — FRENCH COLONY ON THE TOMBIGBEE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION ALABAMA BE- COMES A STATE OF THE UNION 1817 TO 1819. B_y Act of Congress, March 1st, 1817, Mississippi Territory was divided, and two days afterwards another act was passed, which organized the eastern portion into "Alabama Territory,'^ with boundaries of the present State. "During the same year Mississippi, with its present boundaries, was admitted into the Union. AI.ABAMA TERRITORY ORGANIZED 93 The act of March the ord provided that St, Stephens slioidd be the temporary capital of the Alabama Territory, find that the President of the United States should appoint a governor, with authority to convene a legislature, composed of those members of the council (Senate) and House of Rep- resentatives of Mississippi Territory who lived in the new Territorv of x\labama. President Monroe appointed William AYyatt Bibb governor. He entered office in the spring of 181T. and was the first and only governor of the Territory. riovernor Bibb Avas a physician by profession, bad l)een electod to "Congress from Georgia when only twenty-five years old, ;ind ^ras a member of the United States senate when he was appointed governor of Alabama. The first territorial legislature met at St. Stephens on January 19, 1818. James Titus, of Madison, was the only member of the council, or senate. It was his duty to preside over the council, composed of himself alone, to decide upon the acts of the lower house, and to meet and adjourn from time to time, with due formality. The house consisted of thirteen members, representing the seven counties of Mobile, Clark, Madison, Limestone and Lauderdale, all that had been organized up to that time. Governor Bibb presented an able message to the legislature on January 20th, 1818, in which he recommended the ad- vancement of education, the establishment of roads, ferries find bridges, the change of the boundaries of some of the counties, the organization of new counties, and he ably opposed the project of Mississippi to cut off a part of the territory of Alabama and to add it to Mississippi, by making the lower Tombigbee the boundary. The legislature created thirteen new counties, and altered tlie boundaries of four besides Mad- ison, which, heretofore in the shape of a triangle, was enlarged and changed to the present shape. (See list of connties in the appendix for information as to dati^s of their formation, and from what Indian cession). Acts were passed creating three jndicial circuits, and incorporat- ing the St. Stephens Steaml>oat Company. Before the division of the Mississippi Territory, a stock bank had been established at illnntsville. A resolution adopted at the session of St. Stephens, 94 HISTORY OF ALABAMA changed its name to that of "Planters and ^Merchants Bank of Huntsville.'"' Tlie Tombigbee stock bank at St. Stephens Avas also now established, with a capital of $500,000, During the early spring and fall of 1818 prowling bands of Eed Sticks kept up their outrages and murders by pouncing* upon unprotected white inhabitants and then fleeing to the swamps. By the vigilance of Governor Bibb, Colonel Dale and Colonel Saunders, with bands of volunteers, acting in con- cert with the United States troops, all the savages were at length forced to remain on the Creek reservation. (See note at end of chapter). In 1818 a French colony arrived upon the banks of the Tombigbee, from Philadelphia, by way of Mobile. After the fall of Napoleon Bonaparte they left France to escape Bour- bon persecution, and among them were several officers who had held high positions under the French Emperor. They w^ere people of education and refinement, and had come South to raise olives and grapes, the products of their beloved country, which they knew how to cultivate. The olives they planted were nipped to the ground every winter by the frost. Their grapevines were not suitable for the climate of Alabama, and the colonists themselves were not suited to the wild woods of this country. Some of them returned to France, others adopted American modes, of farming and were able to make a living thereby, while some engaged in business at Mobile and other towns. All who remained in Alabama made good citizens, and their descendants are numbered among the best people of the State to-day. The coimty of Marengo and the town of Linden were named in honor of great battles gained by Napoleon's army, and as a compliment to these French colonists. The second and last session of the Alabama territorial legislature was held at St. Stephens in the fall of 1818. By act of that body. Governor Bibb was appointed sole commis- sioner to lay off a town for the seat of State government, at the confluence of the Cahaba and Alabama rivers. Thus the town of Cahaba was made the supposed permanent capital of Alabama. Huntsville was designated temporary capital, until ALABAMA TERRITORY ORGANIZKD 95 suitable buildings could be erected at Caliaba. At the same session, the Bank of Mobile was established, with a capital stock of $500,000, and with a charter extending to 1839. The banks of St. Stephens and Huntsville were empowered to in- crease their capital stock by selling shares at auction. The profits in excess of ten per cent, were to be applied to the support of Green Academy, in Madison county, and to St. Stephens Academy. On the 2nd of March, 1819, Congress passed an act author- izing the people of Alabama Territory to form a state con- stitution, with the provision "that said territory, when formed into a state, shall be admitted into the Union upon the same footing as the original States.^' The same act donated to the prospective State the sixteenth section of every township of the public lands, for the support of schools. All the salt springs of the territory were to belong to the State; also five per cent, of the net proceeds of the public lands, to be appplied to internal improvements, three-fifths of same to bo under the direction of the State, and two-fifths under direc- tion of Congress. Seventy-two sections of land were donated to the State for "the use of a seminary of learning," and 1.620 acres to the State's seat of government. The constitutional convention, composed of forty-four members, met at Huntsville on July the 5th, 1819, and elected John W. "Walker, of Madison county, president. Twenty-two <:'Ounties, all in existence at that time, were represented in said convention. ^Madison, eight members; Monroe, four; Blount, three; Limestone, lliree; Shelby, two; Montgomery, two; Washington, two; Tusca- loosa, two; Lawrence, two; Franklin, two; Catoco, two; Clark, two; Cahaba, one; Conecuh, one; Dallas, one; Marengo, one; ^farion. one; Lauderdale, one; Mobile, one. The convention remained in session until the 2nd of August, less than a month, and framed a splendid, brand-new constitution. Just think of it ! It is not unusual nowadays for a State constitutional convention to remain in session six months. Upon adjournment of the convention the constitution was 96 HISTORY OF ALABAMA forAvarded to Washington Cit}^, for the approval of Congress when it should meet in December. Quite a number of the members of the convention were able men, and later some of them became governors of the State; others were elected to the United States house of representatives and senate, and one, William K. King, became vice-president of the United States. Most of the provisions of said constitution remain in force to-day, the principal exceptions being as follows: Many of the sections of the Bill of Eights did not apply to negro slaves, negro slavery was recognized and protected, judicial officers were elected by the legislature, the term of State senator was fixed at three years, and of representative one year; judges of the circuit court, collectively, constituted the supreme court tribunal. There was no requirement for an annual appropriation of $100,000 or more for public schools, and the other provision's for a public school system were defi- cient, compared with those now in force. Authority was given the lesislature to establish one principal State bank, and as many branch banks as seemed expedient. One of the most important omissions, compared with the present consti- tution, was that it contained no section forbidding the State, counties or municipalities from issuing bonds for, or granting- money to railroads and other corporations. There is such a prohibition in present constitution. Xotwithstanding its recognition of slavery, the constitution of 1819 was in full accord with the constitution of the United States. as interpreted for three-quarters of a century by the Supreme Court of the United States. Its slavery provisions were similar to those in force at that time in all of the Southern States, in some of the Northern States and in some of the colonies of the most enlightened nations of Europe. For three centuries England, France, Spain and Portugal had sent many shiploads of negro slaves every year to their colonies in the Western hemisphere. England was just beginning to learn that as a matter of ])olitical economy, it was better to people her possessions more largely Avith a part of her crowded poor white population, rather than with more negro slaves — for as laboiers the former could not compete successfully with the latter. Fiance hai learned the lesson earlier, in her experience with Hayti. When Congress met, in December, not a word was said RESULT OF FIRST STATE ELECTION 97 -against the constitution ])rcsented by the people of Alabama, and the State was admitted into the Union, by act approved by President Monroe, December 14, 1819. In March, 1818, William Ogle, Mrs, Stroud and five children were killed by Indians near where Ft. Dale was afterwards built, in Butler county. Capt. William Butler, for whom the county was named; William Gardener and David Shaw were killed near Butler Springs. QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER XIX. (1) When was Mississippi Territory divided? Act two days later? <2) Capital of Alabama Territory? Legislature? Governor? (3) First I>egislature met? What is said of Titus? Members of the House? (4) What did the Governor's message recommend? What county leg- islation? (5) Give an account of Red Sticks. Their suppression. (6) Tell of the French Colony. Why a failure? (7) Second session of Legislature? Seat of government? New banks? Profits of the banks? (5) What act passed by Congress? What was donated to the pros- pective State? (9) Constitutional Convention met where? When? Why in Huntsville? How many counties? (10) How long in session? Able men? (11) Mention some provisions of the first constitution not in force now. (12) When was Alabama admitted into the Union? CHAPTER XX. RESULT OF FIRST STATE ELECTION EMIGRATION HOW THE PEOPLE LIVED CROPS RAISED CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS- POPULATION ACCORDING TO CENSUS OF 1820. The last chapter closed with the admission of Alabama into the Union by Act of Congress, approved December 14, 1811). In anticipation of this action of Congress, an election had been held for governor, one representative in the lower house of Congress (the number the State was entitled to previous to the census of 1820), and members of the general assembly or State legislature. The last named, consisting of twenty- two senators and forty-five representatives, met in Huntsville, on the 19th of October, 1819, the State buildings at Cahaba not being completed. Territorial Governor William C. Bibb, who had been elected first governor of the State, was inaugurated on the 9th of November, 1819. John W. Walker, of Madison, and William K. King, of Dallas, were elected to the United States senate by the general assembly, thus becoming the first two senators from this State. 98 HISTORY OF ALABAMA John ^V. Walker was a native of Virginia, but grew to manhood in Georgia, and came to Huntsville in 1810, to practice law. He was a member of the Territorial legislature of Mississippi, and later of similar body of Alabama. When the State constitutional conven- tion met, he was made president of that body. He was a graduate of Princeton. N. J. William R. King was a native of North- Carolina, and was educated in the North Carolina University. He had represented his native State in the United States Congress and served a year or two as secretary of legation to Russia. He came to this State in the winter of 1818-19, and was a member of the con- stitutional convention. J&hn Crowell, of Washington county, was elected to the lower house of Congress in the general election referred to above, and was the first representative of the State in that body. The suppression of Indian outrages in the ceded lands^ the better observance of law and order among the whites, result- ing from the holding of courts in the new counties, and the admission of the State into the Union, gave a fresh impetus to the great wave of emigration which had begun to roll into the State at the close of the Creek war. Eeal estate, to use a modern expression, was on a "boom." Town lots and agri- cultural lands in the more thickly settled communities sold at most extravagant prices. In 1819 one hundred and one town lots in Cahaba brought $96,000, and town lots in Florence were sold for $326,600 in 1818. Good farm lands in Madison county brought readily from $20 to $40 per acre. Uncleared bottom lands on the Tennessee river broug o $50 to $70 per acre, and one fina tract of bottom land in Limestone county sold for $100 per acre. Good bottom land in the vicinity of Montgomery, then a little village, sold for $70 per acre. This was at a time when the population of Alabama, outside of Indians, was only one-fifteenth of its present number of inhabitants, and at same period there were hundreds of thousands of acres of good land out- side the more thickly settled districts, which still belonged to the government. The larger towns in the State were Huntsville, Mobile. Florence, St. Stephens, Claiborne, Cahaba, Montgomery, Tus- caloosa, and a few years later Blakeley, but none of them had more than 2,000 inhabitants. Each had a newspaper, which speaks volumes for the intelligence of the people. The towns, villages and more thickly settled farming communities established churches and schools as soon as there was a sufli- RESULT OF FIRST STATE ELECTION 99 cient population within reach to support tliom. Of course at that time, and for many years afterwards, tliere was a considerable proportion of the population, who, by preference or through necessity, fixed their habitations where they had no near neighbors, and were thus denied the blessings which flow from churches and schools. Some of the settlers came by flat-boats on the Tennessee, others by ships to Mobile^ thence up the Alabama and Tom- bigbee in fiat-boats : but the vast majority came in covered wagons, or on pack-horses, either across or from Georgia and Tennessee, and camped out on the way. When home sites had been selected, log cabins were built for first dwellings, even by the wealthy, and axes were heard in every direction, making clearings in the forests. Outside of the swamps there was but little undergrowth in the woods, so that a running deer could be seen at a distance of several hundred yards. The ground was covered with a luxuriant growth of grass several feet high on the richer soils, which afforded fine grazing for the abundant wild game, and for the stock of the settlers. The rich virgin soil yielded splendid crops of all the products of the temperate zone, ex- cept some parts of South Alabama, which did not grow wheat well — which parts were supplied with flour boated down the rivers from the fine fields of Middle and North Alabama. Corn grew well all over the State, and every farmer raised the pork and bacon needed for the year. Cotton was the great money crop after the invention of the cotton gin, near the close of the eighteenth century. Dui'ing the previous hundred years, tobacco, indigo and rice had been the money crops of the settled portion of the Cotton States east of the Mississippi. One metliod of carrying tobacco a long distance to market, was to pack it into a large stout hogshead, witli an axle through the center, projecting at the middle of each end. A light frame work with shafts was attached to the end of the axle, in which the latter revolved. Two sets of felloes were tacked around the hogshead for it to roll upon. The horse harnessed in the shafts, could then pull a heavy load of tobacco, and at the same time carry .strapped to his back the bedding and simple cooking utensils of the •driver, who walked. At the ])eriod covered by this chapter, 1819-20. cotton gins >f n lOO HISTORY OF AI.ABAMA were being established in every settlement, many of them using horse and mule power, while others were built in con- nection with grist, flour and saw mills, which utilized with small cost some of the water power of the beautiful shoals and cataracts along the streams. Many of the more isolated families for years, however, ground their meal in hand-mills, and used split or hewn puncheons for floors, tables, etc. Manv small tan-yards were established at an early date, because very few "store" shoes were worn in those days. Every farm had spinning wheels and a hand loom, which supplied cloth for coarser articles of clothing. But little fine goods were used, except by the wealthy. The hardware stock of a merchant consisted, in a large degree, of iron and steel bars, for there were good blacksmiths and wood- workers in every community, who manufactured wagons, plow stocks, plows, horseshoes and nails, axes and almost all other tools and implements of steel and iron in common use. There were hatters who made hats of wool, and tailors who did a large business, so that very few hats, and no ready-made clothes were sold in the stores. Many backwoodsmen wore raccon-skin caps, with buckskin vests and pants. Prices of all imported groceries and all other "store" goods were much higher than they are now, but cotton brought good prices, and the people had need to buy but little of anything. Consequently, after the first hardships of establishing new liomes were over, they lived roughly, but comfortably, and the more energetic rapidly accumulated large property. However, they had none of the luxuries and conveniences of the present day. There were no railroads, telegraph or telephones, no good roads and few bridges or ferries. Doctors and preachers, on their rounds; judges, lawyers, jurors, litigants and witnesses attending court; in fact, all who traveled even a short distance, often had to swim their horses across swollen streams. The St. Stephens Steamboat Company was organized in 1818. Two more companies were incorporated in 1820, and a few little steamboats began to appear on the larger rivers of the State. They were a great deal better than flat-boats, and could run up stream five times as fast, but with that speed wonderful for those days, it required two weeks for the steamboat of 1820 to sail from Mobile to Montgomery. They appeared odd and insignificant compared with the fine float- ing palaces that came into use twenty or thirty years later. RESULT OF FIRST STATE ELECTION lOI The early steamboat had no whistle, and would discharge a heavily loaded gun when nearing a landing, in order to notify the people of the boat's approach. The census of 1820 showed a total population of 127,901 (exclusive of Indians), of which 85,451 were whites and 42,450 were negroes. This was about twelve times the popu- lation of 1810." The wonder of this increase is augmented by the consideration that one-fourth of the area of the State still belonged to the Indians, and was not open to settlement by whites, and furthermore, by the fact that the tide of emigra- tion did not begin until the middle of the decade, or after the war had ended. The Indian possessions at that time, 1S20, wliich were later embraced in their hist cession, just before removal to the West, were as follows: The Choctaws owned the district west of the Tombigbee, embracing- a large part of Choctaw county, all of Sumter, part of Pickens, not less than l.-lOO square miles. The Creeks owned the country east of the Coosa (except a few hundred square miles in extreme northern part, Avhich belonged to the Cherokees), south to a line from Wetumpka to Eufaula— about 7,500 to 8,000 square miles. The Clierokees owned the above corner between the Coosa and the Georgia line, and thence north to the Tennessee river, between 2,000 and 2.500 square miles. The Chickasaws still held a small strij) in Northwest Alabama, making a total of about 12,000 square miles still in possession of the four nations, according to the estimate of the author. The reader will notice that the larger part of the above possessions lay in East Alabama — about 10,500 square miles. QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER XX. (1) When was Alabama admitted into the Union? What election had been held? (2) First Governor of the State? Two United States Senators? First Representative in the United States Congress? (3) What had given an impetus to emigration? Give instances of "boom" prices of town lots? Uplands? Bottoms? (4) Name the larger towns? What is said of newspapers? Churches and schools? (5) How did the immigrants travel? Homes? (6) What is said of the forests? Crops? Money crops? Previous money crops? (7) What is said of cotton gins, grist and saw mills? Previous makeshifts? (8) What is said of the First three steamboat companies? What was used instead of a whistle? (9) Population of Alabama in 1820? How did it compare with population of 1810? What is said of the increase? I02 HISTORY OF ALABAMA CHAPTER XXI. Al):\IIXI8TKATI0X OF GOVERXORS THOMAS BIBB, PICKENS, AND MURPHY— 1820-1828. The seat of government was removed to Cahaba in 1820, and the second general assembly held its session there. Gov. \Y. W. Bibb died in July, 1820. Up to this writing (1900) not one of his successors has died while holding office as governor. His brother Thomas Bibb, of Limestone, president of the senate and ex officio lieutenant governor, became gov- ernor of the State under a constitutional provision. Gov. Thomas Bibb was a native of Virginia, but removed to Georgia when quite young. He came to Alabama in 1811, and was a member of tlie convention of 1819, from Limestone county. Tlie two Bibbs together fixed for the office of chief executive of Alabama a. high standard of ability, energy, patriotism and integrity, which has rarely been unobserved in tlie selection of any of the long line of their distinguished successors. On the 18th of December, 1820, an act was passed provid- ing for the establishment of the University of Alabama, but it was not opened until eleven years afterwards. The same session of the legislature chose three electors to cast the first electoral vote of Alabama. The three votes were cast for James Monroe, of Virginia, for President of the United States, and Daniel Tompkins, of Xew York, for Vice-Presi- dent, who were elected. In 1821 Israel Pickens, of Greene, was elected Governor of this State, receiving 9.114 votes, to 7.129 cast for Dr. Henry Chambers, of Madison. Governor Pickens was born in Mecklenburg county, Nortxi Carolina, January .30th, 1780, and was educated in Washington College, Pennsylvania, where he graduated. He represented his native county in the North Carolina State senate, and was a member of (^ongress, 1811 to 1817. During the latter year he came to Alabama as the register of the land office at 8t. Stephens, and set- tled in that part of Greene, which now belongs to Hale county. Before moving to Greene county, he had represented Washington county in the convention of 1819. At this period there were no great national or state issues which GOVERNORS BIBB, PICKENS AND MURPHY 1 03 caused any stir in the politics of Alabama, althongli the first miit- t^rings of the agitation against slavery had begun in Congress. The matter was compromised by the admission of Missorri as a slave State, and at the same time of Maine as a free State, an.l by the passage of an act, evidently unconstitutional, which forbade tne admission in future of slave States which lay north of a line running Avest from the southern boundary of Missouri. Notwithstanding the foregoing ripple of sectional discord, the eight years of jMonroe's administration — 1817 to 1825 — is memorable in the history of the T7nited States as the "era of good feeling." An excellent class of emigrants continued to flow into Alabama by thousands every year. We have seen that land "got on a boom" in prices during the years immediately pro- ceding 1820. At one sale in Huntsville lands were sold for $3,000,000, and within a very few years other sales were made there, and at St. Stephens, until a total ol $12,000,000 was due the United States Government for lands at high prices by the people of Alabama. They had paid down one- fourth of the price in cash, but could not meet the balance. Governor Pickens was re-elected in 1823, again defeating Dr. Chambers, by a vote of 6,942 to 4,604. When the legislature met in the fall of 1823, Senator King, who in 1819 had been elected for the short term of four years, was re-elected to the United States senate, this time for six years. (See list of senators in appendix). The legislature having forwarded to the United States Congress a memorial setting forth the depression and grievances of the land pur- chases, and asking for some measure of relief, Senators King and Walker proved equal to the occasion by getting an act through Congress which authorized purchasers to relinquish to the government a portion of the land bought, and apply the amount paid to the remainder. Thus many good citizens were saved from bankruptcy. Under the census of 1820, Alabama was entitled to three representatives in the lower house of Congress, and to five electoral votes for president and vice-president of the United States. The young reader should bear in mind that a State, no matter how small or how large in area or population, is entitled to two United States senators; also that the vote of a State in the electoral college always equals the number of its I04 GOVERNORS BIBB, PICKENS AND MURPHY rein-esentatives in the lower house of Congress^ added to the two senators. In 1824 Alabama cast her five votes for Andrew Jackson, of Tennessee, for president. As a vast ma- jority' of the people of this State favored his election, through gratitude for his services during the late war, and through admiration for his political principles, there was no excitement during the campaign in Alabama. John Quincy Adams was elected president bv the United States house of representa- tives, no candidate having received a majority of votes in the electoral college. During the year 1824, the venerable General LaFayette visited Alabama, coming by way of Georgia and through the Creek country to Cahaba, the capital of the State, passing also through Montgomery. He was met on the Chattahoochee bv a large delegation of whites and Indians, and treated with great honor and many demonstrations of affection everywhere on his journev through the State. From Cahaba he went down the river to Mobile, and thence to New Orleans. N'early half a century had elapsed since he had joined Washington's army, and although a foreigner, had devoted his sword and his fortune to American independence. To the school children of the United States, during the closino- years of the nineteenth century, belong the honor of erecting, with their contributions, a splendid monument over LaFayette's grave, in Paris, France. While writing this chapter, early in tne summer of 1900. the current cablegrams from Europe report Lhe completion of the statue, which crowns the work and its unveiling, with appro- priate exercises, in the presence of a vast concourse of people. The second term of Governor Pickens expired in 1825. when he was succeeded by John Murphy, of Monroe county, who had been chosen fourth governor of the State without opposition. (lovernor Murphy was a native of North Carolina, but removed to South Carolina when quite young. He graduated at the South Carolina College in 1808, and was secretary of the State senate from 1810 to 1818, when he came to Alabama, and was admitted to the bar, but devoted himself to planting. He represented Monroi^ county in the convention of l8]9, and was elected to the house of representatives in 1820, and to the State senate in 1822. CtOVERNORS bibb, PICKENS AND MURPHY IO5 For several years after Cahaba was made capital of the Stale, tlie population iiureascd rapidly. As it was located on the Alabama river, at the mouth of the Cahaba, not far from the geographical center of the three-fourths of the territory of the State which was no longer in possession of the Indians. it was more accessible than any other point to the counties that had been organized. Cahaba, therefore, had for two or three years bright prospects of soon becoming the largest city of Middle Alabama. There was one drawback fatal to its success. During the year 1821, when there was much sick- ness along all the rivers of the State, caused by heavy over- flows late in the spring, the citizens of the newly created capital, in order to show their coniidence in the healthfulness of the nlace, refused to leave town for a few weeks while the malarial epidemic was at its worst. The result was "the mor- tality was not less than 12 per cent, of the entire population of the town,'' according to the Medical History of Alabama, by Dr. Lew^is. From the same authority we learn that Ft. Claiborne and St. Stephens suffered so much from malarial fevers for several years during the early twenties, both towns began to decline rapidly before the end of the third decade of the present century. From 1820 to 1825 there were a number of rapidly growing young towns in Ala])ama. and none more so than Tusca- loosa, beautifully situated on the Black Warrior, at the head of navigation. In 1826 it was near the center of the white population of the State, for North Alabama was more thickly settled than any other section, and the Indians held 10,000 square miles of East Alabama. The people of the town were of a high order of intelligence, and the town had already become noted as an educational center, by the establishment within its bounds several years previous, of a large male school and the Alabama Female Institute. The site had proved healthy, and possessino- the other advantages just men- tioned, it is not strange that the general assembly removed the seat of government to Tuscaloosa in 1826. Governor Murphy was elected to succeed himself in 1827,. without opposition. During his administration the most im- 5 I06 HISTORY OF ALABAMA « portant question before the people was the disposition of the lands donated by Congress for the purpose of establishing a State University^ and to open a canal around Muscle Shoals in the Tennessee river. The five electoral votes of this States were cast for Jackson and Calhoun in 1828, and they were elected president and vice-jDresident of the United States. About tliis time the Whig party was formed, the old Federal party having become unpopular, had ceased to exist. The great Whig leader for many years was Henry Clay, of Kentucky, although he never reached the goal of his ambition, the presidency of the Ignited States. This party favored a protective tariff and a system of internal improvements by the government, which together formed what they proudly called "the American system." The party founded by Jefferson, which had been called the "Republican" party, now assumed the name Democratic-Republican, and a few years after- wards "Democratic," its permanent name, which will be used in this book, beginning with the present chapter. The Democratic party, as a rule, favored a tariff for revenue only, with incidental protection, especially to infant industries. It held that the only powers of the Federal government were those expressly delegated to it by the States, in the national constitution, and consequently that said powers are more limited than they were be- lieved to be by the old Federal party, the Whig party and the Republican party of to-day. The Democratic leaders, following the teachings of Jefferson, have always been noted for their strict con- struction of the constitution, while the expounders of the opposition parties w^ere more expansive in their interpretation of said instrument. QUESTIONS ON" CHAPTER XXI. (1) Where did the second Legislature hold its session? Who suc- ceeded Gov. W. W. Bibb? How? What act was passed Dec. 18, 1820? For whom was the Mrst electoral vote cast? (2) Third Governor? (o) What is said of immigrants. Indebtedness of tiie people for land ^ What had they paid? (4) Who was elected Governor in 1823? Me- morial to Congress? How was relief granted by Congress? (5) How many electoral votes under the census of 1820? What does the elec- toral vote of a State equal? For whom did Alabama cast her electoral vote in 1824? (tJ) Who visited this State in 1S24? (7) Who succeeded Gov. Pickens? (S) Tell the story of Cahaba. (9) What is said of Tuscaloosa? When was the State Capital located there? (10) Who was re-elected Governor in 1827? For whom were the tive electoral votes cast for Alabama in 1828? Were they elected? GOVERNORS MOORE, MOORE AND GAYLE lOJ CliAPTER XXI 1. ADMINISTRATIONS OF GOVS. GABRIEL IMOORE, S. B. MOORE AND GAYLE. 1820 TO 1834 STATE T'NIVERSITY OPENED IN 1831. IMPORTANT INDIAN CESSIONS — FIRST RAILROAD BUILT IN ALABAMA. Before the end of the third decade of the pret^ent century, the X'orth and the South he^an to hold diverse views regardin.o- the tariff. The former, especially the northeastern States. were largely engaged in manufacture, and a tax or tariff on foreign "goods enahled them to get hetter prices for the products of their mills and factories. On the other hand, the people of the South hought most of the manufactured articles in use, and of course a tariff increased the price of them. The neople were willino- to pay a tariff necessary to meet the expense of the Federal government, which is known as a tariff for revenue, and which they helieved afforded reasonahle and sufficient i)rotection incidentally. A majority of the people of the South were, however, hitterly opposed to a tariff hringing a surplus of revenue beyond that needed for actual expenses of the government economically administered. They claimed that such a tariff was, in effect, a bounty to enrich the manufacturer at the expense of the consumers, who constitute the masses of the people. At the session of 1827-8, Congress enacted a tariff law, which imposed such high tariff duties that it ^ave offense to many people in the South, and was the cause of the first bitter sectional feeling against the North, which found expres- sion a few years later in the nullification ordinance of South C^arolina. People of Alabama, in some localities, were begin- ning to take sides with one or the other great political parties, Whig or Democrat, but the former was not yet sufficiently strong to put up a candidate for governor, with any hope of success. Gabriel Moore, of Madison county, an avowed friend of General Jackson, and therefore a Democrat, was elected fifth governor, witbout opjiosition, in 1829. Gov. Gabriel Mooro was born in 1785. in North Carolina, antl <-ame to Ihnitsvillc in ISIO to i)ra(lieo law. He was speaker of tlie I08 HISTORY OF ALABAMA only territorial legislature, and was a member of the constitutional convention of 1819. He was a member of Congress from 1822 until elected governor. Exclusive of Indians, the population in 1830 was 309,527, more than double that of 1820. Of this number 190,400 were whites, 117,527 were negro slaves and 1,572 were free negroes. Twelve new counties had been organized, making thirty-six in all. At most of the county seats a newspaper was estab- lished, while the churches and schools increased more rapidly in ratio than the population. A vast majority of the people were engaged in farming, but each court house, and every trading ])oint, was a nucleus about which gathered bright lawyers, intelligent physicians, educated teachers, able and devout ministers of the gospel, enterprising merchants and skillful representatives of the various trades, besides wealthy planters, whose fertile plantations, conducted by overseers, enabled them to give their families the advantages of churches and schools as well as good society. But all the good society was not confined to the towns. There were innumerable settlements of neighbors or kinsmen, who had moved in a body from the older States, and each of these small colonies of half a dozen to a dozen intelligent and compara- tively wealthy families, by uniting with other new-comers, would readily establish and easily sustain a church, a school and good societ}^, in some fair valley in the midst of the wilderness. By the treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek, September 27th. 1830, the Choctaws ceded all their lands in x\labama and Mississippi in exchange for land in the Indian Territory. The treaty was signed by General Eaton, secretary of war, and General Coffee, on the part of the United States, and by 170 chiefs and head men for the Indians. The portion of the ceded district that lay in Alabama, is now embraced in the counties of Sumter, Choctaw and Pickens. It comprised the lands reserved by the Choctaws in the treaty of 1816, described in chapter 20, and lay west of the Tombigbee. The Choctaws were soon removed to the Indian Territory. Governor Moore resigned on the 3rd of ^larch, 1831, to GOVERNORS MOORK, MOORE AND GAYLE I09 accept a seat in the United States senate, to which he had been elected by the o;eneral assembly. During his term the constrnction of the Muscle Shoals canal was begun, the object of which was to carry boats around said shoals in the Tennes- see river, which was navigable both aljove and below the shoals. Samuel B. Moore, president of the ^^onate, became sixtli governor on March 3rd, 1831, holding office during the rest of the term for which Gabriel Moore had been chosen — about nine months. Gov. S. B. :\Iooie was a native of Tennessee, born in 1789, and removed to Jackson county, Alabama, when qnite young. Had limited education, was elected to the lower jiouse of the legislature and then to the senate, of which he was elected president. At the close of his term as governor, he removed to Pickens county, which he represented in the State senate, 1834 to 1838. He was :i bachelor. The State University was opened in Tuscaloosa on the 14tli of April. 1831, Rev. Alva Woods, D. D., being the first president. John Gayle, democrat, of Greene county, was elected seventh governor in the fall of 1831, over Nicholas Davis, whig, and S. B. Moore, democrat. Governor Gayle was a native of South Carolina, but came to Alabama when ^ quite young, to practice law. He was, in turn, solicitor, circuit judge,"^ member of the lower house of the Alabama legislature, and speaker of the house one term. He was a man of superior ability and was devoted to the interests of Alabama. All three of the candidates for governor professed to be opposed to the nullification doctrine, which was beginning to be advocated by the more extreme opponents of the high tariff enacted by Congress in 1828. The Bell cotton factory, the first in the State, was erected in Madison county in 1832. During the same year a railroad was built from Tuscumbia to the landing on the Tennessee, river, about two miles in length. Jt was subsequently merged into a railroad from Tuscumbia to Decatur, at the head of Muscle Shoals, a distance of forty-four miles. This was built no HISTORY OF AI^ABAMA in 1834, and was the first railroad west of the Allegheny mountains. In the winter of 1 832 the Supreme Court of Alabama was established, with Abner S. Lipscomb as chief justice, and two associate justices — John M. Taylor and Eeuben Saffold. During- the nearly seventy years that haA^e intervened since the establishment of the supreme court, the decisions it has rendered have ranked with the best from any similar body in the United States; while the many distinguished gentlemen ^^'ho have served as chief or associate justices, almost witlumt exception, have been noted fo)' high personal character, learning and ability. Previous to 1832 the circuit judges, in a body, performed the duties which afterwards devolved upon the supreme court. In 1834 the Montgomerj^ railroad was organized. It was afterwards known as the Montgomery and West Point railroad of Alabama — but was not completed for many years to West Point, Ga. During the early thirties, Daniel Pratt began the manufacture of cotton gins in Autauga county, and founded the town of Prattville i;i 1840 for that purpose. Andrew Jackson, democrat, was re-elected president of the United States in the fall of 1832, receiving the electoral vote of Alabama. His opponent was Henry Clay, of Kentucky. ■Governor Gayle was re-elected in 1833, without opposition, notwithstanding party feeling had manifested itself in the spirited campaign of some of the congressional districts. The most important events during the administration of Governor Gayle were the treaty with Creek Indians and the grave controversy ])etween the Federal and State governments, which grew out of said treaty. During March, 1832, the treaty was agreed upon at Cusseta, in the present county of Chambers, and subsequently was formally signed in Wash- ington, D. C, by Lewis Cass, secretary of state, on the part of the United States, and by five leading chiefs on the part of the Indians. Under the first article of the treaty the Creeks ceded all their lands east of the jMississippi, for which they were to receive annuities amounting to $210,000, besides lands in the Indian Territory. Other articles provided that the Indians were not to leave the ceded country, except when they chose to do so; the whites in the country were to leave it as soon GOVERNORS MOORE, MOORE AND GAYLE 1 1 I as their crops were gathered, and all whites were to he kept out until the country was surveyed. (See note at end of chapter). This treaty contained more than one hlunder, for the whites ATry naturally refused to remove, and others rushed into the newly acquired territory. Furthermore, the masses of the people understood the Indian character sufficiently well to know that the Indians never would move until forced to do so. In the fall of 1832 the legislature divided the ceded terri- tor}^ into nine counties, and established State authority over it. (See names of said counties in list given in the Appendix). A United States deputy marshal was sustained by the ]~)resident in an attempt to expel the settlers by force, and thereby carry out the stipulations of the treaty. Governor Gayle remonstrated warmly in a correspondence with the Federal government. jMr. Cass, the secretary of state, replied that the stijuilations of the treaty would be ^^faithfully observed,'^ which meant enforced, or at least a threat to that effect. Governor Gayle, in messages to diiferent sessions of the legislature, communicated the facts, with able comments and suggestions. It does not appear clearly how the cause of the complaint was removed, probably by a promise of early removal of the Indians to the west by the Federal government, and by no interference with settlers, who had bought land from the Indians. The last quarrel of Georgia with the Federal gov- ernment concerning the Indians, beginning in 1825^ was much longer and fiercer than that of Alabama just given. Other matters of national importance were occurring in the early thirties, which gave an unpleasant flavor to the disputes with the Federal government, and though conii)romised at the timr. all bitterness was not thoroughly eradicated from the hearts of many good people all over the South. A tariff act was passed by Congress in 1832 which imposed additional duties on imported goods. The people of South Carolina were so angered thereby, a convention was called In- order of the legislature, and when it met it declared said tariff act unconstitutional, and tln'refoi-e null and v(ud. 1 1 2 HISTORY OF ALABAMA "While a large majority of tlie people of Alabama were opposed to the nullification proceedings of South Carolina, there were many who endorsed them, and hence at that early day there was a considerable element of "states rights'^ men in the Democratic party of this State. The growing hostility to slavery in the meantime began to manifest itself by the establishment of anti-slavery news- paners and societies in the States of the northeast, as the SoLilh became more prosperous and powerful. In 1831, William Loyd Garrison began printing-, in Boston, an abolition paper called "The Liberator." He condemned slavery in a violent way that provoked much comment. He would not consent to the purchase of the slaves for freedom or to their gradual eman- cipation. He said slavery was a crime, and the slave holders criminals. He demanded the immediate and unconditional abolition of slavery. Abolitionists asserted that the constitution was a covenant with death and an agreement Avith hell! and were anxious that the slave-holding States should be cast out of the Union. (History of Our Country.) Some of the abolitionists Avere doubtless actuated by pure motives, and desired the extermination of slavery on high moral grounds; others, doubtless, engaged in the crusade in order to divert attention from the high tariff, by which they were being enriched. The larger number had the political acumen to foresee that the slogan, "down with slave competition Avith white labor," would eventually gain a predominance in national affairs for the free States. The territory ceded by the Creeks, in 1832, was the same that Avas reserved by them in the Ft. Jackson treaty of 1814. Its northern line ran east from the mouth of Will's creek, below Gadsden, through the northern parts of Calhoun and Claiborne counties, that being the southern boundary of the Cherokees. Its northwestern boundary was the Coosa river, as far south as a point near We- tumpka. Its southern boundary was a line from said point near Wetumpka to a point near Eufaula. It embraced contiguous terri- tory in Georgia. , QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER XXII. (1) V^'hy did the Northeastern States favor a high tariff? Why did the South oppose it? (2) What is said of the tariff of 1S27-2S? Who was elected fifth Governor of Alabama? Wlien? (31 Population of 1830? What is said of newspapers, churches and schools? Majority of the people? County seats and trading- posts? Colonies in the country? (4) What was ceded in 1830? District embraced? (5) When and why did Gov. Gabriel Moore resign? What was begun Quring his term? Who succeeded him? What was opened during 1831? (6) Who was seventh Governor? What did the candidates profess? (7> GOVERNOR clay's ADMINISTRATION II3 First cotton factory, when and where? Railroads built? Supreme court organized when? Who were re-elected in 1b32 and 1S33? (8) Most important events during Gov. Gayle's administration? Term of first article of the treaty" Other articles? (9) How were the blunders shown? What did a United States Marshal attempt? Who remon- strated? (10) What promise and non-action probably removed the friction? (11) Tell of the tariff of 1832. the action of !=5outh Carolina. (12) How was hostility to slavery manifested? CHAPTER XXIIT. GOVERNOR CLAY^S ADMINISTRATION LAST CHEROKEE CESSION. SECOND CREEK WAR FINANCIAL CRASH OF 1837 NO STATE TAXES FOR SEVERAL YEARS GOVERNOR m'vAY' AND GOV- ERNOR BAGBY' IN OFFICE A. D. 18o5 TO 1837. In 1835 Clement Coiner Clay, a Jackson democrat, of Mad- ison count}', was elected eighth governor, over Gen. Enoch Persons, of Monroe county, the vote being 23,279 to 12,209. (rovernor Clay was born in Viro-inia in 1780. and grew to manhood in Tennessee. He came to Huntsville to praetive law in 1811. He was adjutant of a battalion during the Creek war, which acted as a corps of observation, which would now be called home guards. Their services were needed in tnat capacity where the Indians still held the country, east, west and south of Madison county. He was a member of the territorial legislature, and of the convention of 1819. In 1828 he was elected to Congress, over Capt. Nick Davis, and twice re-elected. He was elected to the LTnited States senate before the end of his term as governor, his son. Clement Claiborne Clay, was L'nited States senator at beginning of the Confederate war, of whom we will see more further on. By the treaty of Xew Echota, signed December 29th, 1835, the Cherokees ceded all their lands in this State and Georgia, the consideration being $5,000,()()(), and 7,000,000 acres of land in the Indian Territory. At that time many of the natives had become civilized and Christianized, and a number of them were well educated. Some owned negro slaves, resided in good dwellings and enjoyed many of the comforts of civilized life. A large part of the tribe was averse to moving West. According to the terms of the treaty the Indians were to move within two years. It was signed by Gen. AVilliam Carroll and S. F. Schermerhorn, commissioners, 114 HISTORY OF ALABAMA representing the United States, and by Stand Watie, Major Eidge, Elias Bondinot, John Eidge, Andrew Eoss and nineteen other chiefs, on the part of the Indians. (Stand Watie, a chief of the Indian Territor}^ who was born at Turkey Town, in Etowah county, Alabama, was a gallant brigadier-general in the Confederate army. He was probably the signer, or a son of the signer, of the treaty of Echotaj. A bitter feud arose among the Cherokees of this State and Georgia, between those who favored and those who were averse to removal, and one or more murders were perpetrated in the latter State. The general assembly created the coun- ties of DeKalb and Cherokee out of the part of the ceded district which lay in Alabama, and it is now embraced in those two counties and parts of the five other counties which bound them on the south and west. In 1836 Martin Van Buren, of New York, and E. M. Johnson, of Kentucky, who were strongly supported by General Jackson, received the seven electoral votes of Ala- bama, and were elected president and vice-president of the United States. During the year 1837, Hon. John McKinley, of Lauderdale county, was appointed a justice of the United States Supreme Court by President Van Buren. He had previously represented this State in both houses of Congress. The Creek Indians were loath to give up their lands ceded in 1832, and move to the west. Some of the border inhab- itants of Georgia were massacred, and a body of Indians on this side of the Chattahoochee murdered a party of emigrants and committed a series of other outrages. The liostiles were attacked by General Wellborn, of Barbour county, about four miles above Hobdy's bridge, on Pea river, in the summer of 1836. The Indians, both men and Avomen, fought desperately, the latter even thrusting their knives into the horses of the M^hites. The Creeks were routed after several had been killed. Captain Justice, of Dale county, with a squadron of volun- teers, pursued a number of same band, killed several, and drove the remainder into Florida. hi tlie meantime tlie Seminoles, in Florida, re-enforced by GOVERNOR clay's ADMINISTRATION II5 renegades from (Jeorgia and Alal)ania, were waging a des- perate Avar against the whites. Their principal chief was Osceola, a native of Macon county, A]al)ama. Tike Weather- ford, Erancis and some otlier leaders of the previous Creek Avar, he Avas of mixed hreed, being more tlian half Avhite. It Avas feared for a time that another bloody war Avith the Avhole Creek nation Avas on hand. There Avas much excitement all o\eY the State, and Governor Clay moved his headquarters to Montgomery, in order to be nearer the seat of Avar. He issued a requisition on the United States commandant of the arsenal at ]\It. Vernon .and soon had a large quantity of arms, ammunition and tents brought up the river to Mont- gomery. He ordered General Patterson to hasten doAvn Avith the militia of ^''orth Alabama, and General Moore, of Mobile, Avas ordered to Eufaula Avith his command. Thus a large force from different sections of the State Avas soon collected in the vicinity of Tuskegee and Eufaula. Governor Clay also exerted himself to gain the friendship of the prominent Creeks, and invited them to Montgomery to meet him. Opothleoholo and eleven other chiefs responded to the invitation, and after the Governor made an ingenious talk to them, they offered to him the services of themselves and their Avarriors. By the time General Jessup arrived from the City of Washington to take command of the operations against the hostile Creeks, Governor Clay had an army of 3,000 Ala- bamians ready for him in East Alabama. With part of this force. General Jessup moved to the vicinity of the CoAvikee Creeks, in Russell and Barbour counties, to find the enemy. He Avas re-enforced by 1,()<)0 friendly Indians under Opothleoholo, and just "as a l)attle seemed imminent, Gen. Winfield Scott arrived at Columbus, Ga., and ordered General Jessup to suspend operations and report to him ]3ersonally at that place. Judge John A. Campbell Avas deputed to visit the hostiles across the creek, and got them to surrender by promises of food and clothing and through their fear of the large force Avhich threatened them. "The hostile Indians surrendered Avere about seven hundred all told. The tribes Il6 HISTORY OF ALABAMA (Creeks) removed (to the west), commencing in the autumn of the year 1836, and without serious opposition." A few hostiles fled to Florida. (See Volume III. Transactions of Alabama Historical Society, 1898-9, for further infor!nation concerning the so-called Creek War of 1836). The year 1837 will ever be memorable in the history of the United States, because of the financial disasters which ex- tended into every section of the country during that year. Owing to large issues of the State banks, money had become plentiful, and all kinds of property was selling for much more than their true value. Farmers bought lands and slaves on a credit at big prices, thinking they could easily meet the payments, as farm products were selling high. Merchants laid in heavy stocks of goods to meet the large trade which had sprung up from the seeming prosperity of their cus- tomers. Speculation was rife on all sides, the fertile soil yielded bountiful crops, cheaply produced with slave labor, and everybody was apparently on an easy road to prosperity and wealth. When the crash arrived the farmers were not able to pay the retail merchants, the latter could not pay the wholesale merchants, and neither farmer nor merchant could pay the money they had borrowed from the banks. Had the banks been on a more solid basis they might have weathered the storm, but when the panic came and a run Avas made on them they were all forced to suspend specie payment for months. In business transactions people refused paper money and demanded specie for what they had to sell, and of course anything that could be sold at all for cash brought greatly reduced prices. ]\Iany persons were reduced to poverty by the depreciation of property. The State baiik and its braiuhes liad 1)een estal)lished to fur- nisli money to the ])e()])lo, and its apparent profits were used to meet the expenses of the State government. The old State bank bad been inc()r])orated in 1823, and its capital had been composed of the university funds, the funds from the sales of the school lands, the three per cent, fund, and all other ])iiblic funds of the State. Its operation for years had been simple and cautious, the loans small and well secured, and GOVERNOR CLAYS ADMINISTRATION II7 llie bank had greatly eiideai-cd itself to the people. From 1833 to 183G branebes were establiBlied at Montgomery, Mobile, Decatur and PInntsville, and bonds of the State were issued and sold to establish their capital and to increase the capital of the main (jr central 1)ank. There were reports of such large profits that in the year ISol: all State taxes were abolished, and the civil government was carried on by what was called "bank profits.'' In order to relieve the financial stress of 1837, spoken of in this chapter. Governor Clay convened a special session of the legislature, and it authori>:ed the issue of $5,000,000 addi- tional bonds for the relief of the bank and benefit of the people. The depression in this State was thus partially relieved, but we will see m* rp of the State bank and its branches further on. Governor Clay was elected tf^ the Ignited States senate in 1837, and Hugh McTay, of Lauderdale, president of the senate, became ninth governor and filled out the remaining four months of the term. Governor MeVay was a native of South Carolina, born in 1778. In 1807 he came to Madison county to engajie in planting-. He was a member of the convention of 1810. from Lauderdale county, whither he had removed in 1818. He was a member of the legislature from 1820 to 1844, remaining seventeen years in the senate. During the same year, IS.'m. Arthur P. Bagby, democrat, of Monroe, was elected tenth (lovernor, receiving 21,000 votes. His whig opponent, S. W. Oliver, of Conecuh, received 17,663 votes. Governor Bagby was born in Virginia in 1700, and came to Clai- borne, IVIonroe county, to practice laAv, in 1812. He was elected to the legislature in 1821, and the next year, when only twenty-six years old, was elected speaker of the house. He was a member either of the house or senate of the .State legislature until his elec- tion as governor. He was afterwards a member of the United States senate and United States minister to Russia. QUESTIONS OX ( irAPTHR XXIII. (1) Who was the eighth Governor of Alabama? (2) Treaty of New Echota? What is said of the Cherokees? (3) What counties were created? (4) Who received the seven electoral votes of Alabama in Il8 HISTORY OF ALABAMA 1836? What is said of the Creeks and outrages perpetrated by some of them? Battle on Pea river? (5) What was feared for a time? What steps were talcen by Gov. Clay? (6) Who were invited to Mont- gomery? Result? (7) What was ready for Gen. Jessup? Give an ac- count of the order of Gen. Scott, and surrender? (8) For what is the vear 1837 memorable? Tell of the large issues of money and the re- sults? (9) Tell of the crash? What was refused? (10) Why was the State bank established? Capital? What was established in 1832 to 1836? How was the State government run without taxes? (11) What was done by the Legislature? (12) Who became ninth Governor, when and how? Who was elected tenth Governor the same year? CBAPTEB XXiy. REMOVAL OF THE CPEEKS GOVERNOR BAGBY RE-ELECTED. GOVERNOR FITZPATRICK^S TWO TERMS STATE BANK AND ITS BRANCHES PLACED IN LKJUIDATION CAPITAL REMOVED TO MONTGOMERY— GOVERNOR MARTIN ELECTED MEXICAN WAR— A. D. 1838 TO 1845. During- the first term of (U)vernor Bagby, in 1838^ tiie Cherokees, who had ceded tliv^ir lands in 1835, were removed to the Indian Territory. FiftGen hundred volunteers, under General Patterson, of Madis rn county, and General Philpot. of Morgan county, were placed on guard in the vicinity of the Indians, to see thai they were all gatherd up and removed without the outbreak threatened by a strong minoritv, who were opposed to leaving the land of their ancestors. In addition to the Alabama volunteers mentioned above, another large force of whites gathered up the Indians and escorted, or rather guarded, them alons: the whole route west. The removal has proved a blessing to both whites and Indians, for they could not live in peace and amity as near neighbors min- gled in the same district. Although the Cherokees were more civil- ized than other tribes, they would never have developed the resources of the lands they occupied, as has been done by the whites. At this writing the Cherokees. Choctaws and Chickasaws of the Indian Territory are much more wealthy than the white people of the South, the money for the Indian lands having been honestly cared for by the Ignited States Covernment. We have recorded that a snuiU portion of the hostile Creek Indians escaped to Florida when the main body of their tribe was removed to the west, in 183G-7. Durins^ the vear 1838 REMOVAL OF THE CREEKS II9 siiiall rovino- 1)an(ls of tliese renegade Indians, probably pressed by hunger, began to commit depredations upon the citizens of Dale and Geneva. They were driven out by com- panies of volunteers, led by Col. William Pouncy and Capt. Arch Justice. ^'The administration of Governor Bagby began at a time of great pecuniary distress among the people, which continued for several years, notwithstanding the best practical minds of the country had sought in vain for a remedy in legislation. The Governor possessed the confidence of the people, and was re-elected in 1839 with small opposition. That he exerted himself to the utmost of his power to afford all relief prac- ticable consistent with his public duties, admits of no ques- tion." (Garrett's Public Men of Alabama). In 1839 chancery courts were established, the State being divided first into two chancery divisions, and a year later into three divisions, each with a chancellor. During the same year (1839) the penitentiary system was adopted by the legislature, and Wetumpka selected as the site of the buildings, which were completed two years later, at a €Ost of $85,000. The boundary line dispute between this State and Georgia was adjusted in 1839, the commissioner? on the part of Alabama being Messrs. W. B. Martin, Alex Bowie and John M. Moore. Xotwitlistanding the financial depression which had begun in 1837, the year 1840 found the State greatly increased in ])opulation and wealth since 1830. The census now, 1840, f^howed a population of 590,750, of which 335,185 were whites, 253,532 negro slaves, and 2,039 free colored. The removal of the Indian tribes during the decade had opened w]) a ■s])lendid country for wliitc settlement of about 10,000 square miles in the eastern part of the State, besides enough for two fine counties bordering on the line of Missis- sippi. The whole number of counties was now forty-nine, of which thirteen had been carved out of new territory. The militia system, which had been kept up with much interest l)y the proximity of the Indians, now began to wane, leaving, however, almost every prominent man with a military title, which all were proud to bear. The banking system, which I20 HISTORY OF AI^ABAMA had been the pride of the people, was fast gaining their ill- will from various causes, which will be given hereafter. There was no State tax from 1836 to 1842, but so little revenue was required for years before and after that time, the people had not asked for the abatement of said tax, nor did they murmur when it was again imposed. In 1840 the seven electoral votes of the State were again cast for Van Buren and Johnson, the democratic candidates, but they were defeated by Harrison and Tyler, the whig, nominees. The whigs had made energetic efforts to elect a majority of the legislature in 1839, and to carry the State for Harrison in 1840, and these campaigns were thereby more spirited than any that had hitherto occurred. "There were giants in those days" on both sides, in the State and also in the national campaigns and halls of legislation. Though stronger in the State, the democrats had not been able to carry all the congressional districts for several terms past. In order to send a solid delegation to Congress in 1840, the session of tlie general assembly, amid much excitement, very unwisely adopted what was called "The General Ticket System," by which the five members of Congress were all voted for throughout the State, and the congressional districts were abolished. This system was very unpopular and was repealed a year later. In 1841 Benjamin Fitzpatrick, of iiutauga, at present Elmore county, the democratic nominee for eleventh governor, received 27,974 votes, defeating James McClung, of Madison, who got 21,219 votes. Governor Fitzpatrick was born in Georgia in 1800, and came to Montgomery in 1818, where he read law. He was solicitor for several year,s, and then abandoned his profession on account of ill health, and settled on his farm in present Elmore county. He was ])residential elector in 1840, and canvassed the State thoroughly and carried it for Van Buren. After being twice governor, he was <'lected to the United States senate, from which body he retired at the. opening of the Confederate war. He was president of the con- stitutional convention in 18G5, under Johnson's reconstruction. We have recorded that the State bank, with its branches, was growing unpopular, notwitlistanding it luid paid thft REMOVAL OF THE CREEKS 12 1 expenses of the State ^-overnment for several years with its apparent or supposed profits. On the other hand, the bonded indebtedness of the State had reached the sum of $14,000,000, which was represented by the assets of these banks. •'By investigation of legislative committees, it was found that the demands for bank credit liad become universal, and that several millions had been loaned to the people, who were unable to meet their obligations. The office of bank director was regarded as the most lucrative office of the State, and their number, up to 1837, was fourteen each for the State bank and for its four branches, making a total of seventy, which number Avas reduced to thirty, or six each, of course the legislature was besieged by many greedy adventurers desiring the office of director, and this had more or less a demor- alizing effect on some of the members. From 1837 to 1842 the State bank currency was depreciated to fifty cents on the dollar, when ofiered in exchange for specie. The interest on the State debt was paid by purchase of cotton, which was resold at .leavy loss. ( Garrett. ) Small wonder that the people had become as thoroughly disgusted with the State bank as they were formerly delighted with it. Governor Fitzpatrick and the members of the general assembly of 1842-43 were elected upon promises that some radical measure should be immediately enforced to correct the pernicioui State bank system. John A. Campbell, a mem- ber from Mobile (afterwards a distinguished justice of the United States supreme court) was made chairman of the committee on banking and currency. After making a thorough investigation of the affairs of the banks, he made a luminous report, showing up their rottenness to the general assembly. The result was that the four branch banks were placed in liquidation in 1842, and a year later this measure was supple- mented by the same disposition of the mother or main bank in Tuscaloosa. "The State was honor bound to issue necessary bonds for the redemption of the currency that had been issued and other outstanding liabilities of the bank. This was the corner-stone of the present debt of Alabama.'^ — Brewer. The sad experience of Alabama in loaning money to her ])eople, good and bad, is a warning to all good citizens that a government should not be subjected to the mercy of the avaricious, by investing it with the combined attributes of a banking institution and a produce factor. Messrs. F. S. 122 HISTORY OF ALABAMA Lyons, C. C. Clay, Sr., and William Cooper, were constituted a commission to adjust the affairs of the banks, and over one year later the first named Ayas made the sole commissioner, for^ it was a work of years. Until 1853, when Mr. Lyons finished his labors, he performed his duties honestly and satisfactorily, on the lines laid out by the original commissioners. In 1843 Governor Fitzpatrick was re-elected without serious opposition. The nine electoral votes of the State, in 1844, were cast for James K. Polk, of Tennessee, and George M. Dallas, of Pennsylvania, who composed the democratic ticket for president and vice-president, and were elected. Henry Clay was the whig candidate _f or president, but James Birney, the abolition candidate, received enough votes in the ISTorth to defeat Mr. Clay. During the 3^ear 1845 an amendment to the constitution, which changed the session of the general assembly from annual to biennial, was ado])ted by a large majority of the popular vote. At same election a smaller majority of the popular vote decided that the legislature should select a place for the future seat of government. At its next session, in December, 1845, after a warm contest, Montgomery was selected as the capital of the State, on the sixteenth ballot, over Tuscaloosa, \Yetum]ika and otlier contestants. The rapid white settlement of the last Creek and Cherokee cession in East Alabama had placed the center of population much nearer to Montgomery than any other place of importance, except Wetumpka. The last named had been outgrown in population by its successful rival for a number of years. At the general election in 1845, mentioned above, Joshua L. Martin, of Tuscaloosa, independent democrat, but sup- ported by the whigs, was elected twelfth governor, over ]N'athaniel Terry, of Limestone, the democratic nominee. (Toveinor ]Martin was a native of Tennessee, born in 179J. He had a limited education, but improved himself by teachino^. He practiced law in Limestone county, and was a mem^ver of the legisla- ture or solicitor from 1822 to 1884, when he was elected circuit judge In 1835 he was elected to Congress, and re-elected two years later. REMOVAL OF THE CREEKS I 23 He then removed to Tuscaloosa, and in 1841 was elected chancellor, wliich oflice he held until he was elected Governor. From the beginning of the State bank, Mr. Martin, like -others of both parties, had been opposed to it, and Mr. Terry had always favored it, as had a large majority of the people up to a few years previous. At this time the State bank had become verv unpopular, hence Mr. Martin's election. This was the first and only victory of the whigs in a gubernatorial contest in Alabama, althougli that party had a large and most respectable following, embracing many of the best men of the State, and was usually able to elect about one-third of the representation in Congress and the same proportion of the legislatures. Its strength lav principallv among the large planters in the black belt of Middle Alabama, although its great leader for years. Judge Hopkins, resided in Madison county. To this "day the old whig party is always spoken of with resepct, and there are no bitter memories against it in the South. In the spring of 184G war war^ declared against the Eepublic of Mexico by the United States, and it was reported that General Taylor's small force on the Eio Grande was in danger of being crushed by the lar^e army of the enemy in the vicinity. Three companies of patriotic Alabamians hastened to the "seat of war before the State was called upon for troops hv the Federal government. Subsequently a regiment, com- manded bv Colonel Coffee, and a battalion under Colonel Seibels, responded to the call of the ITnited States Governmenl. In INIay a requisition was made by the ]u-esident for one reoiment from this State. The First Alabama Reoiment of volunteers was therefore organized and mustered into service, in June, 1846. with officers as follows: John Coffee, of Jackson, colonel: R. G. Earle. of Benton, lieutenant-colonel, and Goode Bryon, of Tallapoosa, major. Another rejjiment and several companies were orfjanized upon suj;- oestion of General Gaines. United States commander at :^[obile, but were disbanded, as a year elapsed before another call was made. The last requisition, for one company of cavalry and five of infantry, was responded to, and John J. Seibels was chosen lieutenant-colonel of the latter, the only field officer of the battalion. The losses of the Alabama troops in :Mexico were light, as they were used mostly ioY garrison duty or as reserves. In addition to the foregoing troops from this State, there was a company from Limestone county, in the 124 HISTORY OF ALABAMA Thirteentli United States Infantry, and several officers of that regi- ment were Alabamians. In 1845 the Baptists of the South organized the Southern Baptist convention, in Augusta, Ga. Many of their brethren North had begun a crusade against slavery in pulpit and religious press, hence the withdrawal of the Southern Bap- tists from the national orgaj-ization. The Alabama Baptist convention unanimously resolved to cast its lot witli the Southern body. In 1845 the Southern Methodists withdrew from the gen- eral conference of the Methodists of the United States, and organized the Southern Methodist Church. The immediate cause was the marriage of Bishop Andrew to a lady who owned slaves, to which the abolition preachers of the North objected. Before the withdrr-w^'l of the Southern Methodists there had been much bitter wrangling on the subject of slavery in the church papers. All the quarterly conferences of Alabama passed resolutions in favor of withdrawal, and sent delegates to the first conference of the Southern church. QFESTIONS O.H CHAPTER XXIV. (1) What Indians removed, where? How? (2) What is said of the escape of some of the Creeks, and their depredations? (3) Gov. Bag- by's administration? When re-elected? (4) Chancery courts? Peni- tentiary? (5) Increase of population and wealth? Population of 1840? White? Colored? Number of counties? (See appendix No. 2 for list of counties.) (6) State tax? Electoral votes of 1840? What is said of whig efforts? What measure was adopted by the Democrats? When was it repealed? (7) Eleventh Governor? (8) Indebtedness of the State? (9) Radical measure? Report of committee? Result? (10) W^hat warning have good citizens? Commissioner was appointed for what purpose? (11) Who was re-elected in 1843?' Electoral votes of 1844, number cast for whom? (12) What two amendments to consti- tution in 1845? Capital selected? How had Montgomery become near- er the centre of population? (13) Twelfth Governor? By whom sup- ported? (14) Victory of what party? AVhere did its strength lie? (15) What was declared in 1846? GOVERNORS CHAPMAN AND COLLI KR I 25 CHAPTER XXY. 1849 TO 1853 — GOVERNORS CHAPMAN AND COLLIER NEW CAPITAL CENSUS OE 1850 CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS. SLAVERY AGITATION RAILROADS^ ETC. The thirteent]i governor was Reuben Chapman, democrat, of Madison, elected in 1847, over Nickolas Davis, of Lime- stone, the whig candidate, by a vote of 29,722 to 23,467. Governor Chapman was born in Virginia in 1802, and came to Himtsville in 1824, to practice law. He had served one term in tne State senate and four terms in Congress. He was nominated for governor without solicitation on his part, ana was again elected to Congress in 1855. "Governor Chapman entered fully into a task of relieving the State from her financial embarrassment, and at the close of his term (as governor) saw wun pleasure the result of his prudent and economical administration. During the Confederate war, the Federal troops burned his residence, desolated his posses- sions, imnrisoned and harassed him, and finally forced him out of their lines." (Brewer.) The legislature met on the Gih of December, 1847, in the new capitol, which was built by the city of Montgomery. It had been completed about a month previous, and the archives had been transferred there from Tuscaloosa by the time the legislature met. The novelty of the occasion and the better facilities for reaching the seat of government brought together an immense concourse of people at the opening of the session. A few days afterwards, on the 11th of December, another vast <:-rowd assembled to welcome General Shields, of New York, on his way home from the Mexican war, where he had commanded the l)rigade of which the First Alabama formed a part. He was accorded a public reception by the legislature, with a grand military pageant. The same courtesies were extended to General Quitman, of ^Nlissis- «ippi, another hero of the same war, who arrived one week later. The enthusiasm of these receptions, and of that given LaFayette, was an outburst of the deep spirit of national patriotism which pervaded every bosom in Alabama. In those days, and up to 18(10, it was the custom for all the people, in town and in country, to join in cele- brating the Fourth of July, the anniversary of American independonce, AN'ith the opening of the twentieth century the custom should be revived with its speeches, music, fireworks exhibitions, and barbe- 126 HISTORY OF ALABAMA cues, for two reasons: First, the ancestors of Alabamians in the Southern States further east performed a glorious part in securing- independence for the United States. Second, a better feeling towards us prevails in the North than for years after the collapse of the Confederacy, and our State is no longer treated as a conquered province. In 184(S the nine electoral votes of the State were cast for Gen. Lewis Cass, of Michigan, and William 0. Butler, of Kentncky, democratic nominees for president and vice- president. They were defeated l)y the whig candidates, Tay- lor and Filmore. General Cass carried the State by less than 1.000 majority. ]\Iany Democrats voted for General Taylor, who was a Southern man, and had been the gallant leader of the xlmerican army during the first year of the Mexican war. The extreme states rights men. under th ■ leadership of Mr. William L. Yancey, took no part in the election. (Garrett.) During March, 1849, just after retiring from office. Ex-President James K. Polk passed through Alabama, and was honored with splendid receptions at Opelika, Montgomery and Mobile. During the same year Henry W. Collier, of Tuscaloosa, was elected fourteenth governor, without opposi- tion, and not being extreme in his views, he gave satisfaction to all parties. Governor Chapman had been defeated in the democratic convention for nomination for a second term, by the two-thirds rule, a majority of the delegates having voted for him. Governor Collier was born in Virginia in 1801; was educated in South Carolina, whither his father had moved, under the famous Dr. ]Moses Waddell. He settled in Huntsville, and began the prac- tice of law in 1822. He removed soon after to Tuscaloosa, and was elected to the legislature from that county. He was subsequently circuit judge, and supreme court justice, and was chief justice of the State for twelve years before being elected governor. His decis- ions are spread through thirty-five volumes of reports. An amendment, in 1849, of the State constitution, trans- ferred the election of judges from the legislature to the popular vote of the ])eople. On the 14th of December, 1849. the new oa]utol was burner!, but nearly all the records and GOVERNORS CHAPMAN AND COLLIKR 1 27 books wore saved. The present imposing and liistoric build- ing was erected within the next two years. According to the census of 1850 the popuhition of Alabama was 771,623; whites, 4"2r),511; negro slaves 33-l,844; free negroes, 2,265. Two additional counties, Choctaw and Coffee, had been organized during the decade, making the whole number fifty-one. Churches and schools continued to be established as country neighborhoods became more thickly settled, and as new villages sprang un. If the sixteenth section of a town- ship was valuable land and had been sold or rented for a good price, the interest or rent was sufficient to pay the tuition of the schools in the township. On the other hand, the school iunds of the township in the poor hills and pine barrens were least wdiere the people were poor and needed the schools most. ^'^The township having the largest school endowments were found chiefly in the Tennessee valley and in the central por- tion of the State, known as the black belt.'^ ((ien. W. F. Perr}", in "Transactions of Alabama Historical Society,^' Vol. IT., page 16). A separate account with each township was kept by the comp- troller, at the State Capital, and the sixteenth section money was kept in the office of the State treasurer. The former annually certified the amount of interest to the probate judges and trustees, said respective counties and townships. The tea(*her drew his share from the tax collector, upon order of the township trustees, said order liaving" been approved by the probate judge. The township fund was not consolidated until several years after the ]:)eriod covered by this chapter, an account of which Avill be given in the next chapter. In hundreds of townships where the land was poor, the sixteenth section remaiued un- sold and unrented, while in many others the amount realized by sales was vso small that no organization of school districts was kept up, except at intervals of several years. There were, however, many good schools scattered through the State, especially in the rich agricultural counties. At an earlv period ii'reater interest was luanifested in higher thau in imiversal education. Besides the State University, -which contiiiued in the good work Avliich had characterized it from the beginning, some of llic other 128 HISTORY OF ALABAMA first-class institutions established previous to 1850 and open at that time, are as follows: Lagrange College ( jNIethodist) . founded in the twenties, and continued to flourish up to the time the college build- ing was burned by the Federals, during the Confederate war, because" of the military character of the institution after the war opened. It was never rebuilt. Spring Hill College (Catholic), near Mobile, 1831; Huntsville Female College, established in 1843; Marion Female Seminary, Marion, 1836; Judson Female Institute, Marion (Baptist), is;]}): I-joward College (Baptist), 1844; Female College (Methodist), 1831; '!\i^( aiccsa, Alabama, Female College (Baptist), in old State capitol, Tuscaloosa; Green Spring Academy, in Hale county. Professor Tutwiler's famous school, 1847; Athens Female College (Methodist), originally Athens Female Seminary, established during the thirties; Synodical Female College (Presbyterian), 1845, Florence; Synodical Female College (Presbyterian), 1849, Talladega,, now calle.- Isbell College. The Presbyterians had a prosperous manual labor school near Marion during the third and fourth decades. The Baptist State convention established a similar school at Greensboro in 1834, which lasted a few years. Although each succeeding decade showed a great improve- ment in religion, morality and education, still in 1850 churches and schools were not near so numerous as now, com- pared to population. All denominations at an early period had good and noble preachers in the State. In the country districts many of the preachers were unlearned, but good men, and accomplished much good. There were some i^plendid teachers, bur school- masters, as a class, were not so- well educated as the teachers of the present day, although there is srill rcom for iinprovement in some of them. In those days there were instances of teachers who would get drunk occasionally, and this was condoned in some districts, if the offender was well educated and always showed up sober in the school-room. Of course this was not permitted in the more intelligent communities. However the masses of the people were rougher and more ignorant than at present. More than one-fifth of the whites over twenty-one years of age could not read and write. Drinking, fist-a-cuif fighting and gambling were much more common among the whites than at the present time, while the reverse of these conditions mark the experience of the negroes of Alabama. No United States revenues w^re collected on alcoholic ]i(liiors, and eitlier distilleries or "groceries" al)ouiuled in GOVERNORS CHAPMAN AND COIJJER 1 29 overy direction. Good whisky and l)raTKly sold for twcnty- ii\e cents per gallon. Pistols were seldom carried or used, for the rough chivalry or sense of fair play even of a maudlin crowd, usually prevented a "hully" from imposing on a small weak man. However, as a sequence of much drinking, liomicides were probahly more frequent among the whites than at present, while the negroes w^re kept at home at work, and one w^as rarely seen in the prisoner's dock at court. Ill the school -100111. frequent and severe use of the rod was con- sidered requisite for tlie rapid advancement of the pupil. School hours in many schools lasted from soon after sunrise until just Tjefore sunset, with a short recess for dinner. Towards uie close of Ihe session the scholars had revenge, when tliev would barricade themselves m the schol-room and shut out the teacher, or give him A ducking in the nearest pond. The latter penalty could be escaped on the part of the teacher by "treating'' the pupils bountifulh* with candy and lemonade. During the period covered by this chapter, a man of energy ■could rapidly accumulate a competency, and all obtained a g'ood living with little effort. Better houses of all kinds were being erected to take the places of the rough cabins of earlier •days, and every year brick were more largely used as building material. • During the term of Governor Collier, 1849-53, the impor- tant railroads given below were projected. Some of them w^ere rapidly built, while others required a number of years for their completion : Memphis & Charleston, Mobile & Ohio. Selma & Rome, Alabama & Mississippi Eiver (Selma west- vrard). Mobile & Girard, Montgomery & Pensacola, Alabaiuj & Ohatcaiiooga, Columbus branch of the Montgomery & We/' Point Railroad, and South & North Railroad. The railroad mileage on the 1st of January, 1852, was: Tuscumbia & Decatur, 44 miles; Montgomery & West Point, 88 miles; Mobile & Ohio, 33 miles; total, 155 miles. Many stage lines were in existence, and all the towns and villages of the State wxre accustomed to hear regularly the blasts of the stage driver's bugle. This, however, was still the ^'era of the steamboat," and many fine vessels, for a quarter of a centur}', had daily coursed the larger rivers of the State. 130 HISTORY OF ALABAMA Governor Collier was re-elected governor in 1851, without f^erions oposition, notwithstanding the great political agita- tion of the previous year. When California asked to be admitted into the Union, in 1850, there was a fierce discussion in Congress concerning the extension of slavery into the large territory of the southwest, acquired from Mexico. The spirit of secession was growing throughout the South, in pro- portion as abolitionism, with its disregard of the national constitution, was growing in the North. The unionists at that time, in this State, and for several years afterwards, were much stronger in number than the "states rights" men, or secessionists. For this reason Mr. Yancey, the great leader of the latter, who had been elected to the Congress of 1844-46, had retired from politics, after serving one term. The nine electoral votes of Alabama were cast, in 1852, for Franklin Pierce, of New Hampshire, for president, and William R. King, of Alabama, for vice-president. They were the democratic nominees, and defeated the whig ticket, with Gen. Winfield Scott at the head, by a tremendous ma- jority. Up to this time no otlier Alabamiaii has been so laghly honore i as Mr. King, he being the only vice-president from this State. He had served continuously as United States senator since 1819, except, from 1844 to 1848, when he was the United States minister to France, for nearly three years. He took the oath of office as vice- president on the 4th of March, 1853, in Cuba, whither he had gone on account of ill health. Unfortunately he died on the 18th of the following month. In 1853, John A. Winston, democratic nominee, of Sumter county, was elected fifteenth Governor without organized op- position. Governor Winston was ths first governor who was a native of this State, having been born in Madison county in 1812. He was educated at Lagrange College, and Nashville University. In 1834 he removed to Sumter county and engaged in planting'. He repre- sented that county in the house and senate of the State legislature for fourteen years, being president of the senate for eight years. He was re-elected governor in 1855, and was colonel of the Eighth Alabama in the Confederate arm}- for one year, when rheumatism GONERNOR WINSTON S ADMINISTRATION 131 I'oniDellod him to resign. He was a member of the con.stitiu.onal <'onventiou of 18G5, and was elected to the United States senate a Yi'ixr or two later, but was refused his seat by a radical Congress. He died in 1871. During the year 1853 Hon, John A. Camphell, of ^Mobile, was appointed a justice of the supreme court of the United States by President Pierce, which position he lield until the 1st of May, 1861^ when he resigned and came South. The uiost eminent democrats of Alabama previous to 1861 and since, will be found in the list of Governors and United States or Confederate States senators. Many talented members of the whig party failed to reach high positions because theirs Avas always a minority party in this State. Hon. A. F. Hopkins, of Madison, and H. W. Hilliard, of Montgomery, were the two great .whig leaders before the (Confederate war. Hon. T. H. Watts and other younger whigs Ijecame distin- guished after the demise of the party. QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER XXV. (1) Who was the thirteenth Governor? When elected? (2) When was the new Capitol first used? (3)' Electoral vote of 184S? (4) Who visited Alabama in 1849? Who was elected Governor that year? (5) Amendment to State Constitution in 1849? What was burned? Saved? Present Capitol? Population? (6) Number of counties? What of churches and schools? Rich and poor sixteenth sections? (7) When was township fund consolidated? Good schools? Higher education? (8) What is said of the preachers? School masters? (9) What pro- portion could not read and write? Drinking, gambling-, etc.. among the whites? Among- the negroes? (10) What wa's the reward of en- ergy? Projected in 1849-53? (11) What was sold everywhere? Why was the price low? Homicides? (12) Railroad mileage Jan. 1, 1852? Stage lines? Steamboats? (13) Re-elected Governor in 1851? What had occurred in 1850, when California asked to enter the Union? Spirit of secession? Unionists in this State? (14) For whom were the nine electoral votes cast in 1852? What is said in note of honor bestowed upon Mr. King? (15) Who was elected Governor in 1853? Native State? (See note.) CHAPTER XXVI. 185.') TO 1858 GOVERNOR WINSTON^S ADMINISTRATIOX. GOVERXOR j\tOORE ELECTED PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTK:^!. SLAVERY AGITATTOX — MINERAL WEALTH. As the legislature of 1853-4 enacted wise and much-needed >;chool legislation, it may be well to briefly review ])revious attempts to establish a system of public schools in this State. 132 HISTORY OF ALABAMA Eecorded in one or two chapters, they will be better nnder- stod than if they had been merely mentioned at the time of their occurrence. Section 6 of the Enabling Act of Congress, for admission of Alabama into the Union, approved March the 2nd, 1819, provided that the proceeds of the sixteenth section of each township should be devoted to common schools in the township. (In a former chapter we explained the plan of the United States survey of townships, sections, etc.) The sift was to the township, and not to the State, and if the sixteenth section was fertile and would sell or rent for a high price, the proceeds were sufficient to furnish common school free education to the children of the township. On the other hand, if the sixteenth section happened to embrace thin ridge or pine barren lands, the township had no school fund. Early in the history of the State, it was provided by statute that three trustees should be elected in each township, whose duties were similar to those of the present township trustees. In the last chapter we explained how the tax collector paid teachers on order from the township trustees, approved by the probate judge, who had been furnished by the State auditor with a statement of interest due each township. (See Laws of Alabama, published in 1823, and Genesis of Public Education, by Gen. Perry, YoL II. Alabama Historical Society). In the general assembly of 1837, Eev. D. P. Bestor, repre- sentative of Hale county, made an unsuccessful attempt to get through a bill in behalf of common schools. In 1841: a bill providing for the consolidation of the sixteenth section fund, and for establishing a system of common school education, failed to be enacted by the legislature. In his message of 1849 and 1851, Governor Collier urged the importance of legislation needed for the improvement of the common schools of the State, and a bill was introduced in response thereto, but failed of passage. However, the public mind was becom- ing awakened on the subject. The general assembly of 1853-1: had some able men on its educational committees, among whom was R. M. Patton, of the senate, afterwards governor of this State; J. L. M. Curry, GOVERNOR WINSTON S ADMINISTRATION 1 33 of the house, afterwards United States minister to Spain, and agent of the Peabody Fund, and A. B. ^Icek, of the house, the distinguished writer and poet. Mr. Meek, the chairman of the house committee on education, reported a bill "To establish and maintain a system of free public schools in x\labama." It was carefully prepared, with the help of his distinguished associates, and quickly passed both houses, and was approved by the governor. "To sustain this system, it appropriated $100,000 to be paid annually from the treas- ury, besides the interest of the sixteenth section fund, which then amounted to about $G0.000 per annum, together with- some few other sources of revenue. It provided for the elec- tion, by the general assembly, of an officer, styled the superintendent of education, and clearly defined his duties. The county administration of public schools was imposed upon the judges of probate, who were required to perform their duties without compensation. The township officers consisted of a board of three trustees." (Gen. Perry, first Supt. of Education of Alabama., in A^ol. II., Transactions of Alabama Historical Society). In February, 1854, a few days after the act was passed. William F. Perry, of Macon county, was elected State super- intendent of education by the legislature. Just previous to his election, Mr. Perry had removed to Tus- kegee, to attend a law class taught by Judge Chilton. For several years he had successfully conducted a large school in Talladega. He held the office of State superintenaent until 1858, being twice re- elected. He entered the Confederate army as major in 18G1, and rapidly received promotion to brigadier-general, by gallantry. He now (1900) lives in Kentucky. One ol* th(^ first duties of the State superintendent was to "consolidate'' the sixteenth section fund. This was done by adding the total annual interest to the State appropriation and then apportioning the sum among all the townships according to the number of children in each. This gave every white child in the State an equal share in the school fund and took nothing from the richer townships' funds. It has been said that there were a few other sources of school revenue. Hi 1830 Congress made another grant of lands to 134 HISTORY OF ALABAMA Alabama for use of schools, equal to one-thirty-sixth part of tlie lands ceded by Chickasaw Indians within this State. In 1841 Congress donated 500,000 acres of land for internal improvement i. •Subsequently, by act of 1848, the State was authorized to apply these lands to the use of schools in those townships in which the sixteenth section was comparatively valueless. In 1836 Congress declared that the surplus in the United Statese treasury in excess of $5,000,000 snould be apportioned among the different States, accord- ing to their representation in Congress. The amount received by Alabama and appropriated by the legislature as a part of the school fund, was $609,080." (From Berney's Hand Book of Alabama, 1878.) We will here advance ahead of the regular order of events as they occurred, by recording that Supt. Perry successfully and satisfactorily launched the. new public school system of this State, and was twice re-elected to office, retiring in 1858. In his report of December, 1855, he pointed out the defects in the practical working of the law, and "it was , entirely remodeled and greatly' simplified and improved ^' by act of February 14, 1856. E. M. Patton, of Limestone county, was chairman of the senate committee on education, and Thomas H. Hobbs, of Limestone, was at the head of the house com- mittee. The said act created the office of county superinten- dent, wdiich w^as a change of vital importance, and would of itself have marked an epoch in the history of the system. The appropriation was so increased as to raise the pro rata to $1.50 per child of school age, and thus Alabama was placed at the fore front of public education in the South at that time. In 1853, Gogernor Winston was re-elected Governor as the democratic nominee, bv a largo majority over George I). Shortridge, the candidate of the American or Know-nothing party. The vote was 43,238 to 30,639. The party which nominated Colonel Shortridge had taken the place of the whig party, but held secret meetings and advocated a restric- tion of foreign innnigration. The custom of holding secret meetings, together with rapidly occurring events, which cul- minated in secession, rendered to the American or Know-- nothing party a shorter life than is usual with great political parties. GOVERNOR WINSTON S ADMINISTRATION 135 x\t the time of wliicli we Avrite, 1855, tlie 'know-nothing" party embraced a large and respectable element of our people and "the canvass was marked by uimsiial activity and bitter- ness/' Part of the determined but unavailing opposition to (governor Winston in said cam])aign was caused by his firmness in opposing State pecuniary aid to railroads. His foresight and wisdom in this matter have been vindicated by the adoption of Article XI. in the present constitution. In 185G the nine electoral votes of the State were cast for James Buchanan, of Pennsylvania, for president, and J. C. Breckinridge, for vice-president. They were the democratic nominees, and carried the State by a large majority, and were elected. Millard Fillmore was the candidate of the whig and American party, and John C Fremont was the candidate of the republican, or "free soil" party. Many of the whigs of the north had joined the last-named party ; many Southern whigs voted the democratic ticket. The vote for General Fremont showed the steady growth of the abolition party in the Xorth. At the time of Buchanan's election a hiioe majority of tlie Northern people were in favor ol, or cared nothing aoout slavery in the South, and the abolitionists in some instances fared badly at the hands of mobs in the North, and wire denounced as fanatical agitators. However, each successive census showed that a larfje majority of emigrants from Europe were settling in the North. Hence the people there knew that it was but a matter of time when a great preponderance of population in the free States woula enable them to scctle the slavery question as they might desire. The admis- sion of new States, as free or slave States, for nearly thirty years, had been a source of bitter dispute, growing more serious all tlie while, imtil there was an a])peal to arms in the so-called "border war" of Kansas, during Buchanan's administration. The anti- slavery party was linally successful in Kansas, by the introduction of a large abolition population, by means of societies organized for the purpose in the northeastern States. While the ''border war" was in progress, the United Slates supreme court rendered its aeci- sion in the celebrated "Dred Scott" case, declaring, in effect, that a slave was personal property, and could be carried from State to State without the loss of ownership on the part of the master. The abolitionists denounced the supreme court and proclaimed the con- stitution of the United States "a leagiie with death and a covenant with hell.'' Some of the Northern States openly repudiated this 136 HISTORY OF ALABAMA decision, and the laws of Congress, by enacting laws refvismg to give up fugitive slaves. In 1857, A. B. Moore, of Perry county, a democrat of the "States rights" school, though not an extremist, was elected sixteenth Governor of x\lahama, without opposition. Governor Moore was a native of Spartanburg district. South .arolina, born in 1807, and came to Perry county in 1826. He taught schoDl ^wo years, and was admitted to the bar in 1833. .i^e was elected to the legislature first in 1839, and ser\<„a for ten years. Toeing speaker of the house for six years. He was presidential elector in 1852, and was elected circuit judge the same year, and held that office until nominated for governor. He did good service as aid lo Governor Shorter during the war. From 1854 to 1858 the great mineral wealth of this State began to be appreciated by the people of Alabama, and to attract the attention of the world. In 1847 "the first systematic examination into the geological structure of the State'^ was begun by Professor Michael Tuomey, of the State University. This he continued from year to year during his vacations, part of the time as State geologist, but paid by the university. In 1854 an act was passed appropriating $10,000 "for a geological and agricultural survey of the State" by Prof. Tuomey. The second report under this act was made the next year, but owing to the deith of Prof. Tuomey, the report and accomnanying map, which he had prepared, was published in 1858, by Prof. Mallet. The splendid work done since the war by Dr. Eugene Smitn, present State geologist, y\'U\ be noticed in a later chapter of this l>ook. QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER XXVI. (1) V\'hat was enacted in 1853-4? Origin of the 16th section fund? (2) Early school officers? How were teachers paid? (3) W^hat three attempts had been made? (4) Able men and action of general as- sembly of 1S53-4? Amount appropriated? Officers provided for? (5) First State superintendent? (6) How was the 16th section fund con- solidated? (7) Administration of Supt. Perry? (S) Re-election in 1855? American party? (9) What caused part of the opposition to Gov. Winston? How had he been vindicated? What does Article XI of the Constitution prohibit? Answer. The granting of State and municipal pecuniary aid to railroads and other corporations. (10) Who was elected President in 1856? What was shown by the vote of G<-n. Fremont? (11) Who was elected sixteenth Governor? When? His politics? (12) What is said of the mineral wealth of Alabama? Who was first State geologist? GOVERNOR MOORE S ADMINISTRATION 1 37 CHAPTER XXVII. A. D. 1859 TO 1860 — GOVERNOR moore's administration. HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE AND DEAF AND DUMB INSTITUTE ESTABLISHED SECESSION AGITATION. In 1859 Governor Moore was re-elected governor, over William F. Samford, of Lee county, who was also a democrat, and according to Brewer's "Alabama/^ made no effort to be elected. Said W. F. Samford was father of the present distinguished governor. W. J. Samford. During the first term of Governor IVfoore, through the influence, principally, of Eobert Jemison, senator from Tus- caloosa county, the legislature made a generous appropriation for establishing, at Tuscaloosa, a "Hospital for the Insane."' A large and suitable buikling was erected under the plans furnished by Dr. Lopez, of Molnle, who had been sent north to procure up-to-date designs. Upon the opening of the hospital, in I860, Dr. Peter Bryce was elected superintendent, a position he continued to hold for more than forty years, until his death a few years ago. Large additions were made to the buildings under the incumbency of Dr. Bryce, including an annex for negroes. It is now called the Alabama Bryce Hospital for the hisane. After the death of Dr. Brvce, the trustees selected Dr. J. 'I\ Searcv for superintendent, who has proved himself worthy of the mantle of his distinguished predecessor. On the 1st of October, 1858, the State "Institute for the Deaf and Dumb" was established at Talladega, under the presidency of Dr. J. H. Johnson, and two years later the splendid building, which it still occupies, was bought for its use by a commissioner appointed by the legislature. Since the Confdeerate war other fine buildings have been erected, and the scope of the institution has been enlarged to embrace departments for the white blind and for the colored deaf, dumb and blind. Dr. Johnson, like Dr. Bryce, devoted his whole life to the work assigned him by the State and which he had chosen. He died in 1890, after having attained national renown for the institute, and was succeeded by his son, J. H. 6 138 HISTORY OF ALABAMA Johnson, Jr., who has filled his father's place probably better than any one else conld have done. In the last chapter we mentioned the political excitement resulting from the anti-slavery agitation in the North. The open disregard of the constitution and contempt for the supreme court decisions were proclaimed publicly from pulpit and stump and press by the leaders of the rapidly growing abolition, or republican party, and by acts of several Northern State legislatures. Armed men had met in mortal conflict more than once in Kansas. To cap the climax, John Brown, of Kansas, came 1,000 miles east, though never having suffered an injury from a Virginian, and in October, 1859, he marched with an armed band upon the soil of the "Mother of Presidents" and called on the slaves to rise and kill out the white people of the State, without regard to age or sex. Strange to relate, this deed of this either miserable maniac or hellish assassin, was applauded by some of the men and women of the North, who claimed to be Christians. Is it strange, after such occurrences, that the "general assembly of 1859-60 adopted a resolution, February 24, 1860, requiring the governor, in the event of the election of a "black republican" to the presidency of the United States in the November following, to order an election to be held for delegates to a constitutional convention of the State." The reader should go back to those davs and remember that years before the above resolution was passed by the legislature, that the two larger religious denominations of this State and of the South, had decided they could not live in peace and brotherly love in the same house with their brethren of the North. The Baptists had withdrawn in 1845, with their accustomed independent way of proceeding, while the Southern Methodists, though bound by stronger organic ties, had established a general conference of their own the same In 1860 the total population of Alabama was 964,201, of which 526,271 were whites, 435,080 were negro slaves, and 2,690 were free negroes. We have now reached the half-wav post in point of time in the history of the State. Forty years have, elapsed since 1860, which was about forty years after GOVERNOR MOORE'S ADMINISTRATION 139 the State was admitted into the Union. Never in the history of the world had there been a happier, a better contented or a, more prosperous people than were the white people of Alabama previous to 1860. Honesty was the rule in business, and there were no millionaires; few people suffered from ]ioverty, and there were no paupers, except from disease ois drunkenness. In every bin was wheat; bacon was in every smoke-house, and in every crib was corn enough for use until the next crop, and in many to spare. It was considered dishonorable to hold corn or other products, except cotton, for a higher price if a neighl)or needed them and liad the cash to buy, which was rarely lacking. Neighbor, as used iibove, meant any one within hauling distance by wagons. As their wealtli increased the people availed themselves of the comforts and luxuries of life, while education and the Christian religion, with other refining influences, had grad- ually led the people of Alabama to a higher degree of enlightenment than was enjoyed by any Northern State of equal age. In 1860 it was claimed that Alabama had more institutions for higher education, attended by a larger number of stu- dents, than had any agricultural State of the North of equal white population. In addition to colleges previous to 1850. mentioned in Chapter XXV., the following were established in the decade ending in 1860: Southern University, Greens- boro (Methodist), male; Female Institute (Methodist), Huntsville ; Union Springs Female College ; Alabama Central Female (Methodist), Tuskegee ; Female College (Methodist), ■Greensboro; East x4.1al)ama Male College, Auburn (Meth- odist). Buildings of the last named, after the war, were donated or sold to the State for the Agricultural & ]\recha.nical College. The Masonic Female College was established at Talladega, but proved a failure, and the building was sold to the State for the Deaf and Dumb Institute. Hamner Hall (Episcopal) Female, Montgomery. Different religious denominations had entered the field <3arly, and had dojie a grand work in propagatino- the religion of Jesus Christ among wliites, negroes and Indians. X** right-thinking man will deny that the religion taught bv 140 HISTORY OF ALABAMA the Man of Galilee and his followers is the foundation of the present civilization of the world. Nor can it be denied that the most enlightened and i^rogressive nations are those which have rulers, and citizens or subjects, who observe more closely in their conduct through life the principles taught in Holy Writ than do people of less favored countries. The leading churches in the State, arranged in order of supposed numbers, were as follows: Baptists, Methodist Episcopal, (these two having each a much larger number than any other), Presbyterian, Primitive Baptist, Cumberland Presby- terian, Protestant Episcopal, Protestant Methodist, Christian (or Campbellite), and Eoman Catholic. The Methodist Episcopal church in 1860 had 30,000 negro connnunicants in this State. We have 1)een unable to obtain statistics from other churches, but there were doubtless 30,000 Baptist negroes, and a total of at least 15,000 belonging to the other churches, for we know that all the sects, with the possible exception of a part of one denomination, made long continued and zealous efforts to Christianize the slaves. Therefore a total of 75,000 we consider a moderate estimate of negro communicants in Alabama in 1860, out of a negro population of a little over 400,000. The combined foreign missionary work of Christendom had not accomplished so much at that time on the continent of Africa as had been done for the slaves in Alabama alone. It also speaks well for our Christian fathers of this State and of the whole South, that the four great Indian nations which had each partly occupied this State, the Cherokees, Chickasaws and Creeks and Choctaws, are more civilized, and a larger proportion Christianized, than any other Indians of the United States. The agricultural wealth of the State in 1860 was great, the total value of farms and all farm property, including live stock. A^as probably greater than will be shown Dy the census of 1900 for the present time. In a chapter reviewing the census of 1870 will be found statistics of the two decades, which will enable the reader to better understand the figures bv comparing the wealth of 1860. A few iron furnaces were successfully operated, as were several cotton mills and other factories in different parts of GOVERNOR MOORE'S ^ADMINISTRATION 141 the State. Coal was being mined at Montevallo by a Mont- gomery company. The estimated mileage of railroads in 1861, or a few months after the war had begnn, is based upon the statement of Benicy, that 1,819 miles of railroad had been completed np to 1878, about 1,000 miles of which, he says, Avas constructed after the close of the war. This would leave 819 miles as the total completed early in the war, when railroad construction was suspended for several vears. After miicli correspondence we have been unable to obtain tlie assessed value of railroads in 1800. The assessed value of 1,502 miles of railroads in 1871 (total mileage of main and side-tracks), was $25,043,052, or about $21,000,000 in gold. Xo one will dispute that the 819 mileage of 1800 was worth fully aK nuich as the total 1,502 of 1870, but we estimate it lower in the table below. According to Auditor's ^ceport, the assessed value of lands in Alabama in 1860 was $127,616,033 " " '' town property " " " 30,03 1',30!» " " " personal " " " " 75,881,561 " town property '* " " 30,031,300 Supposed assessed value of R. R's. " " " 12^000^000 Total assessed value of property in 1860 $256,428,803 The true value we estimate at $640,000,000— counting the assessed value at 40 per cent, of the true value. We have sought in vain for the assessed, or other valuation of slaves, but estimate it at $200,000,000 — about $500 each — making the value of all property in Alabama in 1860 more than $800,000,000. QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER XXVII. (1) Who was re-elected in 1859? (2) What appropriation was made y?u^T5^^^^.^';"i ^^ ^°^- Moore? What i.s said of the Superintendent of the Hospital for the Insane? Additional buildings? Present super- intendent? (3) AVhen was the Deaf and Dumb Institute established? Buildings erected? Its presidents? (4) AVhat political agitation? Tell ot John Brown. What was his fate? Answer. The slaves refusec? to respond to his call to arms and he was captured and hung. (5^ What resolutions were passed by the Alabama General As.sembly in February, 1860? (6) Population in 1860? White? Colored? What have we now reached? What is said of the happiness and prosperity of the people? (7) What came with increased wealth? What was claim- ed? Mention some of the colleges? (8) What grand work had been done? (9) What is the estimate of the number of colored church members in 1860? (10) What is said of the value of farms *> (11) Furn- aces and cotton mills? Mileage of Railroads? 142 HISTORY OF ALABAMA CHAPTER XXYIII. NEGRO SLAVERY IX ALABAMA TPIIS CHAPTER SHOULD BE CAREFULLY READ, BUT IT IS XOT INTENDED FOR A LESSON, HENCE THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS. A large proportion of the inhabitants 01 the Xorth have ever been a noble, generons. enterprising, patriotic, enlightened Christian people, and a majority of them are of the same blood as the white people of the South. Many of the old-time abolition. sts doubtless possessed good qualities, but some of them evidently perniU(yed hate for the Southern slave owners to become the dominant passion of their lives, and reduce them to a moral, or rather immoral, level, lower than that of the meanest and most cruel slave trader. Thousands of the Southern people have doubtless wondered why many abolitionists so hated the Southern slave owners as to use every effort in their power to excite the slaves to insurrection, and to murder of Southern men, women and children; and why John Brown invaded Southern territory to arm the slaves for purposes of rapine and murder. The theory of the writer, as has been stated before, is that there were some rabid abolitionists for political effect, to rouse and unite free labor against slavery, and tuey got to believe that every slave owner was an enemy of the free laboring men of the North. But there were conscientious abolitionists who were made so by hearing and believing the outrageous stories told by fugitive slaves, of horrors which never occurred. Every old negro will bear me out in the assertion, that only the worst negroes ever ran away, and they were rarely captured, but usually after two or three months came home of their own accord. While out they were well fed, aiiu never betra^^ed by their companions at home or on neighboring farms. But the runaway soon grew tired of the lonesome stillness of the woods, or of being hidden in some unsuspected cabin, with the distant songs and laughter of other negroes in the fields, heard all the day long, pulling iiim back to his accustomed labors. One more venturesome anu enterprising than ordinary, reached the North, he was quick to discover that the more horrible the abuses he could relate the more he was petted and pampered and shown around by designing politicians. Thus many otherwise good people were influenced to conceive an unuymg hatred for slave o\Aaiers. Never was any class of people more unjustly misrepresented and maligned than were the slave owners of the South by a large portion of the outside Christian world Nevertheless they were used as in- struments by an Allwise Providence to raise four millions of human beings from the lowest cannibalistic savagery to a knowledge of the gospel of Christ, and thus did a greater visiuie work tor Christianitv than all the foreign missionaries together for one 3iun- NEGRO SLAVERY IN ALABAMA 1 43 dreonds of the State for the amount of $2,000,000, the proceeds to be used for the military defense of the State, with full instructions as to how said funds should be applied. It also passeu an act to appro- priate $500,000, which sum is to be placed at the disposal of the Southern Congress, as a loan to the provisional government of the Confederacy, which said Congress may establish. Another act au- thorized the Governor to issue $1,000,000 which snould be received as taxes. Other acts passed as follows: An act providing for efficient military organization of the State of Alabama. An act to legalize the suspension of specie payment by the banks." On the 25th of January, 18(n, Governor Moore sent 4'honias J. Judge, of Montgomer}^ as a commissioner of tlie State to the TTnited States government at Washington, to negotiate in reference to the forts, arsenals and custom houses in Alabama; also as to the future relations of the State with tlie Federal government. When he arrived in Washington^ President Buchanan refused to receive him officially, and sa his mission was fruitless. Hon. C. C. Clay was in Washington at the time the Alabama com- missioner, Mr. Judge, arrived there, having resigned his seat in the Senate, as has been recorded, a few weeks previous. The following^ are extracts from ex-Senator Clay's letter to President Buchanan con- cerning the mission of Mr. Judge. "Certainly the lands of . orts Mor- gan and Gaines and the Mt. Vernon arsenal were ceded to the United States for the erection of 'such needful buildings' for the defense and ])rotection of the people of Alabama. For what other ])\u-pose should the govenimetween them for more than a quarter of a century. They differ so widely in principles and sentiments, as well as social institutions and habits, that the world knows they are different jind unconoenial types of civilization. '' ^ " The foregoing extracts express well the ft-elings of a large majority of the i)eople of Alabama at that time, about the first of February, 18G1, for the spirit of secession was growing daily. The provision for annual, instead of biennial session, of the general assembly was the only change of importance in the constitution made by the convention, besides those already noted. After taking a recess, the convention met again in March, 1861, and ratified the constitution of the Confederacy and adjourned sine die March 21st. In the meantime dele- gates from the seceded States met in Montgomery on the 4th of February, 1861, thus making that city the first capital of the Confederacy, and organized a provisional congress. The said congress was composed of one body, but eacli State's representation was equal to its electoral vote. It organized the government of the Confederate States of America by the adoption of a provisional constitution to remain in force one year, and elected Jefferson Davis president and Alexander H. Stephens vice-president. It also adopted a '^nermanent constitution," to be submitted for ratification to the States composing the Confederacy, which we have seen was ratified by the second session of the Alabama convention. President Davis was inaugurated on the 18th of March, and delivercfl liis address to an immense crowd from the porch of the capitol, the exact spot where he stood beiiiir now marked by a brass tablet. This was the most memorable day in the history of Montgomery, the first capital of the new-born Confederacy. Hon. L. P. Walker, of Alabama, was made first secretary of war in the cabinet of President Davis. In addition to seizing Ft. Gaines and Ft. INlorgan, Governor ^Moore had sent State troops to Pensaoola, Fla., under Colonels Lomax and John H. Forney. Colonel Joseph Wheeler was also on duty at Pensa- 154 HISTORY OF ALABAMA cola for a while in the sprin^u' of 1861. Colonels Hardee and Page were in command of the forts at Mobile. Ex-U. S. Senator and Major General Jere Clemens seems to have been the highest officer of the State troops during the winter of 1860-61. He entered the Federal lines in 1862, where he remained until the war ended. In the next chapter we will give an account of the opening of the most terrible war of modern times. By the United States government it is officially named "War of the Eebel- lion." It has been called also "Civile War/' "War Between the States," and "War of Secession.'' In this book it will be called "Confederate War." QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER XXIX. (1) What convention assembled in December, 1859? Name sohne of the delegates to the National C-onvention? (2) Give the substance of Resolution (V.) (VIII.) What instructions in (X)? (3) Was the sub- stance of the propositions embraced in the National platform? Who delivered a momentous speech? To those present what appeared to be the probable results of withdrawal? What two conventions in Baltimore? Nominees of each? Nominees of the Republicans? Na- tional Union? (4) Who was elected President? For whom was the electoral vote of Alabama cast? How interpreted? (5) What were understood by the people? What is said of Yancey? (6) What elec- tion was ordered by Gov. Moore? Forts seized? Commissioners ap- pointed and received? (To teachers: Uet first lesson of the chapter end here.) (7) Constitutional Convention met where? What had been discussed before the people? What is said of minute men? (8) Tv-Iany people believed what? Made no estimate of what? What did they fail to foresee? (9). What ordinance was passed? When? (10) What delegates were elected? Who resig-ned? (11) Who was sent to Wash- ington? For what purpose? (12) What change was made as to ses- sion of the Legislature? What was ratified? What body met in Montgomery? (13) What government was organized? President and Vice President? When and where inaugurated? First Confederate Secretary of War? (14) What war will begin in the next chapter? CHAPTEE XXX. A. U. 18()l-2 — CLOSE OF GOVERNOR MOORE's TERM BEGIXXING OF WAR GOVERNOR SHORTER ELECTED WAR LEGISLATION. BOAT RAID TO FLORENCE CAPTURE OF NORTH ALABAMA TOWNS BY FEDERALS SKIRMISHES. After Mr. Lincoln, in his inaugural address, had virtually announced his intention to coerce the seceded States back into the Union, more active preparations for war became manifest on all side. Many leading men of this State showed their patriotism by volunteering as private soldiers. One company CLOSE OF GOVERNOR MOORE'S TERM 155 of State troops, the Eufaula Eifles, afterwards furnished fifty commissioned officers to the Confederate army. There was no holding back or ''political pulls" or "log-rolling"' used by bright youno: men anywhere to secure .good positions. ' Grad- uates of military schools, students of same, and militiamen who had been well drilled, were in great demand to drill the raw volunteers. The village cominons and the old muster grounds which the militia used previous to the removal of the Indians, were alive every week with squads or compauies of volunteers being drilled in military evolutions and manual of arms under Hardee's tactics. However, in some parts of North Alabama, the Union spirit was still strong, and an effort was made to ors-anize a new State out of the northern part of Alabama, which was to be called Nickaiack. The proclamation of President Lincoln, on the 15th of April, 1861, calling for troops from each State to be used to coerce the South, put an end to the movement to dismember the State, and forced Virsfinia, Tennessee and ^N'orth Carolina into the secession column. N'early all of the twenty-four men who, through love for the Union, refused to sign the ordinance of secession, now espoused the cause of the new Confederacy, with a large majority of their con- stituents. While the South was surprised at the patriotic Union spirit in the North the latter was more greatly sur- ])rised by the unanimity with which the people of the greater portion of the South determined to defend their constitutional rights. Having received authentic information that a United States fleet was on the way to re-enforce Ft. Sumter, the Confederate Secretary of War, L. P. Walker, ordered General Beauregard to reduce the fort. After a heavy bom- bardment, beginning the day before, the fort surrendered on the 13th of Anril, 1861. The capture of Ft. Sumter aroused the North, just as Lincoln's proclamation mentioned above affected the South. The general assembly held called sessions in January, March and October, 1861, for the purpose of rendering all possible aid to the Confederate government in its efforts to repel the armies of the North from Southern soil. After all efforts on the part of the Confederate authorities for peace had 156 HISTORY OF AI.ABAMA failed, President Davis called on the State to furnish volun- teers for the length of the war. It was soon discovered that the first great army of invasion would enter the State of Virginia, and on the 24th of May, 1861, the capital was removed to Eichmond, in order to l)e nearer the seat of war. The call for troops to serve in the Confederate armies during the war was responded to in Alabama with great enthusiasm, which only true patriotism arouses in the breasts of men. Eegiment after regiment of infantry and cavalry, and numer- ous batteries of artiller}', were organized and hastened to the front, wherever ordered by the Confederate authorities. According to the message of Governor Moore, this State had furnished fully 37,000 of her men to the armies of the Confederacy by the 7th of October, 1861. Several Alabama regiments participated in the battles in Virginia during the year. The eleven electoral votes of the State in 1861 were cast for Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, for president, and Alexander H. Stephens, of Georgia, for vice-president of the Confederate States, who were elected for six years, under the constitution that had l)een ratified 1)y the eleven Con- federate States. The following Alabama troops entered the service of the Confederate States during the year 1801 and all. with the exception of one or two legiments of twelve months' volunteers, remained in the army until the end of the war: Twenty-seven infantry regiments, numbering First to Twenty-seventh ; two infantry battalions, niimbered Fifth and Ninth. The Ninth battalion was afterwards reorganized and called the Fifty-eighth Alabama Regiment; First Alabama Cavalry Regiment, Brewer's Cavalry Battalion, two companies of Jeff Davis T^egion, and several other com])anies of cavalry embraced in regiments organized the next year. First Alabama Battalion of Artillery and the following artillery batteries: Ketchum's-Garrity's. Jeff Davis, Hardaway's. Water's Cage's, Sengstak's-Barrett's. Haynie's, Charpen- tier's, Lumsden's and ])art of Jolm Pelham's Battery. A number of the alM)ve commands entered service after Oct. 7th, the date of Covernor Moorcs message claiming 27,000 Alabamians had volunteered. (See more of the above organizations and officers in Appendices li and 4. ) louring the same year, Jolm (Jill Shorter, of Barbour, was elected seventeentli governor, over 'Fhomas IT. Watts, of Montgomery. CLOSE OF GOVERNOR MOORE'S TERM 157 Governor Shorter was born in (Jcor^ia, April 24, 1818, and was i^radiiated at Franklin Collejie, Athens, Ga., in 1838. The same year he came to Eiifaula and was admitted to the bar. In 1845 and again in 1857 he was a member of the Alabania Legislature. He was circuit judge from 1852 to 1861, wiien lie was elected to the Confederate Con- gress and was serving in that body when he was elected governor. Tie was one of the three gieat war Governors of Alabama and his name will recur frequently in the succeeding chapters of the Confed- ■erate war period. The first annual session of the oeneral assembly (after the change from biennial to annual session, recorded in the last chapter), convened on the second Monday in November, 1861, a called session having l)een held during the two preceding weeks. Much important legislation was enacted during the two sessions to meet the exigencies and necessities in the midst of war. The following are the titles of the most important acts passed : To encourage the manufacture of salt at the State reservation of salt springs and wells in Clark county; to encourage the manufacture of cotton and wool cards by giving a bonus of 6 cents to 10 cents per pair from State funds; to 'ai)propriate $250,000 to be given as a loan to any individual who would engage in the manufacture of fire arms imder contract with the government ; to provide a hospital and hos- pital stores for the Alabama troops in Virginia and other points where troops are located: to exempt from taxation, property of vol- unteers and deceased volunteers to the amount of $500; to require <-ounty commissioners to appropriate money for relief of indigent families of Confederate soldiers: to appropriate money for Soldiers' Homes at Montgomery and other places: to ai)propriate $150,000 t<> build an iron-clad gunboat for ])rotecting the bay and harbor of Mo- bile: to api)ropriate $0,000 to buy 1.000 bowie knife-shaped ])ikes and 1,000 bowie knives for the use of the Forty-eighth regiment of Ala- Lama militia in defense of l\iobile. The first three acts of the list show that the i)eoplc were already beginning to feel the etl'ects of the bloekade of Southern ])orts. estab- lished bv proclamation of President Lincoln in April, 1801, only ♦'ight months i)revious. The last act in the list, like the third, shows how dilTicult it was to provide suitable arms for the volunteers. Many of the cavalrv regiments went to the front armed only with -arrison, under Lieut. Harwood, made a gallant fight against part of Arm- strong's force, and notwithstanding half of the Federals were killed or wounded, they saved the bridge. The garrison of the bridges still further east got on a passimr train and fled to Decatur upon the approach of the rest of the (.Confederates, the third of the three columns of attack, and those bridges were burned with the two stockades and the supplies in them. These breaks in the railroad forced the Federal arniv from 1 62 HISTORY OF ALABAMA Corinth, to cross the river at Florence, and proceed eastward on the north side of the river. On the 26th of Jnl}^ a force of Federals, consisting of three companies nnder Major Mover, were sent out to attack the Confederates, who were operating against the railroad. They were met hv 200 of Armstrong's men at Jonesboro, Ala., and after a sharp fight were driven hack to Decatur, with a los& of twenty-five killed, wounded and prisoners. QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER XXX. (1) What was virtually announced by Mr. Lincoln? How was pa- triotism shown? Weekly drills? (2) What effort was started? What put an end to it? (3) Sessions of General Assembly? For what pur- pose? Removal of Capital? What response was made to the call for troops? Number furnished by October, 1861? Who received the elec- toral vote of 1861? (4) Who was elected seventeenth Governor? (5) What legislation in the fall of 1861? (6) The surrender of whkt fort opened the Tennessee river to the Federals? Relate the expedition of Phelps? Why did it alarm the people? (7) What requisition was made by the Confederate government in February, 1862? Despatch of Secretary Benjamin? What was left open by the retreat of Johns- ton? (8) Relate the capture of Huntsville? Relate the skirmishes of Col. Scott, on the 1st and 2d of May? (9) Capt. Roddy's skirmish at Russellville? (10) Who joined the Union army in July, 1862? Relate the- expedition of Capt. Streight? How many Union recruits did he get? What did they form? (11) For what purpo'se was Capt. Arm- strong sent into the valley? Relate the skirmishes of July 29th? (12> Skirmish at Jonesboro? CHAPTER XXXI. CONFEDERATE WAR PERIOD, JULY, '62, TO JAN. IST., "63. From 2rth to 30th of July, 1862, Major Paramor, Federal, with a regiment of infantry, battalion of cavalry and battery of artillery, went by train on railroad from Huntsville to Woodville, and marched thence to the river in the vicinity of Guntersville. The object of the expedition was to destroy boats of all kinds on the river. While attempting to cross a force at Guntersville to destrov the ferry boats at that place, he was fired upon by scouts from the south bank of the river. He therefore shelled the town with his artillerv, and therebv burned a number of houses, women and children being ex- posed to his missiles of death. In his report he says : "But I was hardly satisfied with our operations at Guntersville. CONFEDERATE WAR PERIOD 1 63 I think tliat nest of guerrillas and bushwhackers should be entirely destroyed and purified by fire.'" On the 28th of July a party of Federals, a few miles from Bridge- ])ort, Avere attacked by Confederate scouts and run back to the town, with the loss of several killed, wounded and prisoners. On the 4th to the 7th of August several pickets of an expedition from Woodville to Guntersville, while encamped on the way were fired upon and killed or wounded. Four Southern citizens who were found one and a half miles from the scene, were arrested and imprisoned and threatened with death. The commanding Federal officer reported that he could scarcely restrain his men from killing them. On the 5th of August,, 1862, Gen. K. L. McCook, with his staff and escort, while riding some distance ahead of his brigade along the road near Xew^ Market, were attacked by Confederate scouts, under Captain Gurley. The Federal reports in the Official Eecords charge that the general was sick in an ambulance, which the driver succeedel in turning around, when he heard firing just ahead, and while the horses through fright were running at full speed back towards the brigade. General McCook was killed and a Federal captain, the staff officer riding with him, was captured when the ambulance was brought to a stop. In some of said reports Cantain Gurley is charged with the "murder"' of General J\TcCook, and his company is spoken of as a band of guer- illas. However, the leading Federal officers knew better, for the captured staff officer wrote to them they were in fact Confederate soldiers, and desired to exchange him for a Confederate captain who was a prisoner. Some excuse was needed by the Federal officers for burning the houses of innocent citizens in the vicinity, even that of the family who ministered to General McCook in his dying moments, and for de- stroying the other property of said citizens' and for killing a Confed- erate officer who was sick at home on furlough, and further excuse was needed for arresting all the old men and boys residing for miles in every direction around. On the 13th of August, Y)2, Captain Roddy attacked a column of Federals marching from Tuscumbia to Decatur, and near the latter, he killed and wounded seveial with small loss to his own command, and captured 124 prisoners. This feat was the subject of a congratulatory general order 1 64 HISTORY OF ALABAMA of General Bragg, dated August 21st, 1862, at Chattanooga. On the lOth o. Augiist, 1862, Captain Lemuel G. Meade, with his company of partisan ranoers, were assigned to duty in North Ala- bama. The Federal division of General Dodge, Avhile marching from Big Bear creek to Tuscumbia, committed many depredations just south of the river and it was supposed for a short time by the Con- federates that it was his intention to continue his raid to the east, south of the river. For this reason, by request of Governor Shorter, the newly-organized Fifty-first Alabama regiment, commanded »y Col. John T. Morgan, wa^ hastened from Oxford to the Tennessee river valley, where it remained a short time, when it was developed that General Dodge was moving east on the north side of the river to re-enforce General Buel. On the 2rth of August, 1862, the Twenty-third Alabama regiment, under Colonel McKinstry, and Captain Eea's com- pany of Alabama and Georgia cavalry, under the brigade com- mander Gen. S. B. Maxey, crossed the Tennessee river by ford- ing near Bridgeport. Their object was to hasten the evacua- tion of the fort at the mouth of Battle creek, which was beings shelled by General Maxey's artillery from the south side of the river. After getting across the Confederates were at- tacked by a large force of Federals, whose charges were re- peatedly repulsed, and the garrison hastily left without taking time to destroy all the supplies in the fort, much of which was captured by the Confederates. During the last days of Au- gust, 1862, all the Federal garrisons retired from Xorth Ala- bama, being flanked by the advance of Bragg^s army into Ten- nessee on the way to Kentucky. Just as the forces of Colonel Turchin evacuated Athens, they set fire to and burnt a large part of the town. When General Buel heard of it he ordered General Rosseau to ascertain the ring-leaders, arrest them and report particulars. Colonel Turchin was relegated from command of a brigade to his regiment, but was soon after- wards promoted to brigadier general by the authorities at Washington. It liad been the cruel custom of General Mitchell to hold citizens along the railroad responsible for damages to bridges, trestles and trains, which had been caused by Confederate scouts, or any one else. Gen. J. D. ^Morgan of the U. S. army, who had command of Tuscum- bia in August, continued this outrage, judging by the following dis- patch from him: ''Fifty wagons were sent out this afternoon to the CONFEDERATE WAR PERIOD 1 65 plantations near where the track was torn up yesterday, for cotton. I want it to pay damages." Early in tlio sprino- of 1862 the Confederate Cono-ress passed an act conscri]3tin^ all white men for army service who were physically able to bear arms, between the ages of 18 and 35, except certain classes, such as masters or overseers of slaves engaged in agriculture, preachers, doctors, millers, etc. The age was soon afterwards extended to 45. Rather than enter the Confederate service a number of Union men entered the Federal lines and volunteered in the First Alabama Union cavalry, which we have mentioned. Two very prominent men entered the Union lines during the year 1863. One was ex-United States Senator Jere Clemens, who was a major general in the State militia when the forts at Mobile were seized, and the other, W. H. Smith, lacked but a few votes of being elected to the Confederate Congress, and was afterwards Governor of the State during the reconstruc- tion era. The Union men who sided with the North during the war were de- nounced as "Tories" by a vast majority of the citizens of the State, and were as mucli hated as were me tories in the Revolutionary war by the American patriots of the Atlantic States. They and' their families doubtless suffered mucu from guerillas and deserters, who preyed upon both Union and Confederate families, but never by orders of a Confederate officer of authority was war made upon cheir women and children. The withdrawal of the Federal troops during Bragg's inva- sion of Kentucky in the fall of 1862 was a joyous relief to the people of North Alabama, but great fear that Bragg might be defeated and that the Union army would again occupy their beautiful valley hung like a dark cloud over the spirits and hopes of the people. From Florence the citizens of the val- ley addressed a letter to the. Confederate Secretary of War, iji the fall of 1862, and we give extracts as follows: "The citizens have been greatly oppressed by the ravages of tin- Federal army during the past year. Their property destroyed wan- tonly and vindictively, the privacy of houses invadetl, citizens carried off, illtreated and imprisoned, their slaves abducted in verv large numbers and declared free, and refused the liberty of returning to 1 66 HISTORY OF ALABAMA their masters, when in niuny instances they desired to do so. These and many other outrages have reduced to poverty many of our citi- zens who before abounded in wealth. We believe that should the Confederate army, now in Middle Tennessee, be obliged to fall back, this country will be again overrun by marauding parties of the Fed- eral army more incensed against the local population than before, and nothing will save the people from ill treatment but a general exodu, to some remote district, there to suffer by starvation. Tlie late con- scription has left us without men except the aged and infirm." The letter goes on to ask that a brigade of cavalry be sent to pro- tect the Tennessee valley, and is signed by C. H. Fort, Jas. Irvin, R. W. Walker, and numerous other leading citizens. It was in response to their request and the existing necessities, that Roddy's command was raised to a regiment in the fall of 1862, and to a brigade in the spring of 1863. Roddy's brigade in 1868 consisted of the Fourth Alabama, Roddy's old regiment. Col. W. A. Johnson; Fifth Alabama cavalry. Col. Josiah Patterson, Hon. J. L. M. Curry was lieutenant colonel of the Fifth; Fifty-third mounted xllabama. Col. M. W. Hannon ; Moreland's Mis- sissippi battalion and Ferrill'r Georgia battery of artillery. Later there was also Burtwell's Eleventh Alabama cavalry, first commanded by Col. Jeffrey Forest, and Pickett's Tenth Alabama cavalry. Colonel Hannon's regiment was transferred to another command. On the 22d of December, 1862, Geneial Bragg telegraphed President Davis from Murfreesboro, Tenn., that Roddy "had whipped the enemy handsomely back from near Tnscumbia." This dispatch related to the repulse of raids from Corinth on the 4th and the 20th of December, at Barton Station, and Little Bear creek. The city of New Orleans had been cap- tured by the Federal fleet, which fought its way up the Mis- sissippi from the gulf in February, 1862, and great fears were entertained by the people of Alabama that Mobile would be attacked by the victorious fleet on water, and by a large force by land from New Orleans or Pensacola. Every effort was made to thoroughly fortify the city by its commanders. Generals Withers and Bragg, during the winter of 1861, and by Gen. John H. Forney, who commanded the district em- bracing the city, (the District of the Gulf, consisting of Soutli Alabama and West Florida), from April to December, 1862, and by Gen. S. B. Buckner who succeeded him, who in turn was succeeded bv General Maurv, as we shall see further on. CONFEDERATE WAR PERIOD 1 67 Military Department Xo. 2 of the Confederate States was estab- lished in July, 1802, and from that time on to the close of the war, embraced the States of Alabama, Mississippi, East Louisiana and Florida west of the Apalaehicola river. At the time of its organi- zation it was combined Avith Department No. 1. Avhich extended^cast to Atlanta, Chattanooga and West Point. Cwcneral Brairg commanded the combined departments from July, 1862, until November. 1862, when he Avas succeeded by Gen. J. E. Johnston, as commander or Department No. 2. The district of the Gulf was a subdivision of this department. During the year many articles of prime necessity were be- coming scarcer and dearer every day, as is shown in the follow- ing extracts from a letter written bv Governor Shorter to Gen- eral Bragg, in September, 18G2, while the latter's command was on the march towards Kentucky : ^ "1 propose to send Major Joseph H. Bradford into Tennessee and Kentucky for the purpose of buying for Alabama soldiers and their families blankets, shoes, woolen clothing, hickory shirting, salt, etc., if our armies should occupy Nashville and other places in Tennessee and Kentucky which have been within the enemv's lines, and Avhere such things can probably be bought. There is not a blanket factory in the Confederacy. "- * -- For three weeks I have used the ut- most endeavors to get 60,000 pairs of shoes for our soldiers and have failed to get a thousand pairs, and have fallen far short of gettin^r salt that was in actual demand." ^ On the 22d of September, 1862, Governor Shorter wrote to the Secretary of War concerning the importance of stationing a few hundred troops on that part of the Florida coast which is south of Alabama to protect the citizens of Alabama who were there making salt, by boiling down sea water. During the fall the Governor wrote another letter to the Confederate authorities at Eichmond, asking for transportation for a large quantity of salt from Saltville, Va., which he had bought for the citizens of Alabama. He was willing and anxious to meet the freight charges with State funds set aside for the purpose, but was delayed for Aveeks in getting the use of cars, so crowded were the railroads in moving troops and supplies for the Confederate armies. The following acts M'ere passed by the general assembly in the win- ter of 1862: "An Act to authorize the county commissioners to levy a tax not exceeding 100 per cent, upon the State tax for the purpose I 68 HISTORY OF ALABAMA of supporting, maintaining and providing for indigent families and widows of Confederate soldiers/' An Act to appropriate $2,000,000 for the same purpose, the said sum " to be apportioned by the Stale Comptroller to the several counties according to the ascertained number of indigent families in each county, which shall be aii^tributed under the direction of the court of county commissioners by the pur- chase and distribution of supplies in a just and equitable manner, the probate judge to keep an account of the articles and the money paid each family." An Act to authorize the Governor to issue bonds drawing 6 per cent, interest and running twenty years, to get money to repair the State treasury. An act to "issue treasury notes bear- ing 5 per cent, which shall be received in payment oi taxes." An Act to authorize the Governor "to impress slaves, teams, etc., to pro- vide for the public safety," (to work on fortifications and transport troops in case of invasion) "but he should assess just compensation for same." An "act to prevent the distillation of grain, except under and by authority of the Governor." This was not intended as a tem- perance measure, but the purpose was to save all the grain lor food. An Act to appropriate $150,000 to buy shoes for the Confederate soldiers from Alabama. ^ n Act to buy cotton and wool cards in any market they may be found. An Act to appoint a salt commis- sioner to manufacture salt at the salt wells and springs in Clark county or to buy salt for the people. Not more than 25 pounds of salt was to be sold or given to each member of a family, and $100,000 was appropriated for establishing salt works, or to buy salt. An Act to appropriate $75,000 to establish an Alabama hospital for soldiers in Virginia, and for soldiers' homes at Mobile, Selma and Greenville. Act incorporating a number of iron works. An Act appropriating $500,000 for defense of Mobile. Joint Resolution ap- proving payment by the Governor of the Confederate war tax of $2,000,000 as the quota assessed in 1861, upon certain property of the citizens of the State and ])ayable in 1862. Joint Eesolution that the city of Mobile shall never be surrendered; that it should be de- fended from street to street, from house to house, and inch by inch, until if taken, the victors' spoils should be alone a heap of ashes." From the foregoing legii^lation mitcli may he learned of tlie state of feeling and general condition of things in Alabama at the middle of the war period. The splendid heroism of the people shines in every act mentioned above. The enormous appropriations to keep the soldiers' families in comfort, and to repel invasions, and the Mobile resolution all ])reathe a si)irit of patriotism which has never been surpassed. In his message to the general assembly, November lOtb, 18()-2, Governor Shorter said that u}) to tbat time Alal.)aina had rurnished over CONFEDERATE WAR PERIOD 1 69 COjOOO soldiers to the Confederate armies. In each of the great battles east of the Mississippi a large number of Ala- bama troops were engaged. The following Alabama coinDiands entered the Confederate service ■durino- the year 1862: Alabama regiments numbering Twenty-eighth to Fifty-fifth, all infantry except the Fifty-first and Fifty-third. Ifilliard's Legion of about 3.000, afterwards organized into the Fifty- ninth and Sixtieth Alabama regiments of infantry; Slaughter's bat- lalion of cavalry and Barbour's or Kolb's artillery. The First Con- federate regiment, made up mostly from the Second Alabama when latter's time expired, and the Eighteenth Alabama battalion, both Infantry', entered service in 18G2. Cavalry as follows, organized in 1802: Fifty-first and Fifiy-thir.i mentioned above; Second, Third, Roddy's Fourth, Kussell's Fourth. Fifth and Twelfth -..abama cavalry regiments: also, Third Confeder- ate, Tenth Confederate regiments, and Fourth Alabama battalion of Phillip's I^egion. Part of Russell's Fourth had served under Forrest for a 3'ear. The Tenth Confederate was made up of Slaughter's and Ooodes' battalions. The Twelfth Alabama cavalry had entered ser- A'ice as Hundley's battalion. Artillery batteries: Waddell's. afterwards divided and called Em- ory's and Bellamy's; Selden's-Lovelaces'; Eufaula, six guns; Fow- ler's-Phelan's, Andrew's-Lee's. and Kolb's. Ferrill's. Dent's and Thrall's batteries each had a number of men from this State. ( See A])pendices 3 and 4 for further information <'oncerning the foregoing organizations and officers.) QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER XXXI. (1) Relate the expedition of Maj. Paramore? Object of expedition? 'What town was shelled? (2) Relate circumstances attending- the death of Gen. McCook. according- to the otlicial records? What ex- cuse was needed for calling Capt. Gurley's company a "band of guer- rillas?" (3) What column was attacked by Roddy on the loth of August? (4) Relate the skirmish near Bridgeport? What was cap- tured? Why and when did the P'ederals retire from North Alabama? AVho burnt Athens? (5) When was the Conscript Act passed? Ex- ceptions? Who volunteered in the Union service? (6) What was a joyous relief? What great fear? (7) What victory gained near the end of the year? What city had been captured in February? What were the fears respecting Mobile? (S) What is said of articles of necessity? (9) What efforts were made by the Governor to obtain salt? What two acts were passed for the benelit of soldiers' families? <]0) What may be learned from the legislation? lyo HISTORY OF ALABAMA CHAPTER XXXII. (two lessons.) coxfederate war period, january 1, 1863, to may, 1863. streight's raid. The retreat of Bragg's army to Middle Tennessee in the winter of 1862-63 left North Alabama exposed to raids b}^ the Federals. After the further retreat to Chattanooga, the country north of the Tennessee river was permanently occu- pied by the Federals until the end of the war, except during a short time in the latter part of 1864, when Hood invaded Tennessee. During the last days of December, 1862, news of a i^'ederal raid from the seacoast of Florida to Geneva, Ala., was reported to the Con- federate commander at Mobile, who sent General Clanton to repel it. (The author has written several letters for further information con- cerning said raid without effect.) Early in January, 1863, the A. & I. General of Alabama telegraphed to Col. H. W. B. Price, congratu- lating him on his successful operations against some Unionists in extreme Southeast Alabama, near the Florida line. The latter were probably deserters in the pine barrens, who had been emboldened to^ commit depredations by the Federal raid mentioned above. It was,^ doubtless, the same band, somewhat enlarged, that preyed upon un- protected families later in the war under the leadership of Joseph Sanders, and whom the citizens of Newton, in Dale county, gallantly defeated one night during a raid on their tow^i, killing several of the marauders. (See Brewer's History of Alabama, page 205.) On the 22d of February, 1863, Tuscumbia was captured by the Federals under Colonel Cornyn, just after the rear guard of a large force of Confederates under Van Dorn had crossed the river to the north on the way to Tennessee. Cornyn re- ported the capture of some prisoners, mules and army stores. On the 28th of March, Colonel Roddy, who had been with Bragg's army for two or three months, was ordered with his regiment to North Alabama. On the 6th of April there was a skirmisli at Town creek. (No report of same in the Offi- cial Eeeord.) On the 11th of April, Gen. S. A. M. Wood, and Colonel Dibrell, after a spirited fight, repulsed three Fed- eral gun})oats at Florence and forced them to retreat down the river. CONFEDKRATK WAR PERIOD I71 About the middle of Ai)ril, 18G3, Gen. Grenville .AI. Dodoe with a force of 7,500 Federals from Corinth, Miss., entered Franklin (now Colbert) county, south of the Tennessee river and proceeded eastward up the valley. The only Confederates withm reach to meet this formidable invasion were the newlv organized brigade of General Tloddv, consisting of 1,200 men Koddy's little force met the Federals at Little Bear creek, on the ITth of April, and made a stout fight and after this from day to day continued to stubbornlv resist their advance. Ten days elapsed before Dodge reached Town creek, near Court- land, ill l^awrenee county. On the 19th of April, Col. Abel D. Streiglit. a gallant officer of the I nion army, with 2,000 picked troops well mounted, dis- ombarked at Eastport, and marched up the river on the south bank and reached Tuscumbia on the 25th of iVpril. General Bragg, whose headquarters were at Tullahoma, Tenn., having learned of Dodge's advance into Alabama, ordered General Forrest south to meet him. With several regiments the "Wiz- ard of the Saddle'' crossed the river at Brown's Ferry on the 26th of April, and hurried on with part of his command to join Roddy at Town creek. Here on the 28th occurred an ar- tillery duel between eight guns of the Confederate and eighteen Federal guns, with continuous firing of sharp shooters on both sides, which lasted until night. Dodge's further ad- vance eastward was then arrested by the obstinate resistance in his front, and by hearing the guns of Dibrell booming in the direction of South Florence, whither he had been sent to make ii demonstration towards the rear of General Dodge. Just at dark and soon after the battle of Town creek had closed a courier came to General Forrest with the startling in- telligence that a body of 2,000 Federals, mounted on mules, had passed through :\rt. Hope on the 2Tth, and were then probably at Moulton. (Mr. James Moon, of Tuscumbia, was the courier.) The wonderful brain of Forrest intuitivelv compassed the object of this movement, which was to cut thV railroad in Georgia, south of Chattanooga, which was Bragg's main dependence for supplies and to destroy the Confederate stores at Rome and other places. Leaving Dibrell to divert the attention of Dodge, to his rear, and another small force 1^2 HISTORY OF ALABAMA in front of Dodge, General Forrest with 1,200 men worn with a forced march south from Tennessee and a hard day's fight, after a rest or rather preparation of six hours, started in pur- suit of Colonel Streight's force of 1,500 picked men and twa companies of Alabama Union cavalry. The latter knew the country and for this reason their services were valuable, but Colonel Streight made a mistake in mounting his men on mules, thinking they could travel over the rough hills and mountains of North Alabama better than horses. ^''At 1 o'clock on the morning of the 39th of April, as Colonel Streight and his bold raiders were riding out of Moulton in the direction of Blountsville, Forrest, sixteen miles distant, at the head of his pursuing column, marched out of Courtland.*^ (Dr. Wyeth, in Harper s Magazine of xVugust, 1899.) It was now evident tliat General Dodge's expedition was un- dertaken to cover the movements of Streight, who started from Nashville with 2,000 men selected from Rosecrans' army^ which after a careful examination by surgeons of men and ani- mals, was reduced to the force mentioned above. During the same night when Forrest was getting ready for, and starting upon his pursuit of Streight, Dodge retreated from his posi- tion on Town creek, and with "atrocious vandalism lit up the valley of the Tennessee from Town creek to Tuscumbia on the memorable night of April 28th, 1863, with the flames of burn- ing dwellings, granaries, stables, etc." (Brewer.) Further on we shall see what General Dodge himself re- ported concerning the night's destruction. On the night of the 29th, Streight camped at the foot of Day's Gap, in Sand mountain, and Forrest bivouaeed from midnight until day only four miles behind. Early next morn- ing Streight was astonished upon being attacked by the Con- federates and in a little while he was so hard pressed he se- lected a good position and arranged an ambuscade and gave battle to the impetuous riders of Forrest's command. The Federal loss in this skirmish was light, but a number of Con- federates were killed and wounded by a galling fire, which caused a retreat of those in front and enabled the Federals to capture two pieces of artillery before the main force of Forrest CONFEDERATE WAR PERIOD 1 73 could dismount and advance in line of battle. Wlien all his command arrived, Forrest gave orders to tie the horses to the bushes, as his force was too small for a detail to be spared to hold horses, as is usual when cavahy dismount to fight; the line then moved forward but no enemy was seen except the extreme rear, all being in full retreat towards Blountsvillc. It was now 11 o'clock a. m., x\pril 30th. In this fight Streight admitted a loss of thirt}^ killed and wounded, but the loss of the Confederates was evidently more, for they were the assailants and the Federals were better protected bv their po- sition. That night at dark a few miles further east, on Hog moun- tain, the Confederates pressed the raiders and the latter were obliged to stop and fight. The night was dark and this battle on the mountain side, which lasted until 10 p. m., presented a grand spectacle. The Federals were driven off with the loss of the two guns they had captured in the morning. General Forrest led charge after charge, in person, before the Federals were dislodged, and had one horse killed under him and two others wounded. But the raiders were soon pressed so hard by the pursuing Confederates, the former arranged an am- Imscade in a thick growth of small pines, and fired a heavy volley in the darkness upon their pursuers. Forrest, ever on the alert, had two guns broup-ht up without noise, in the sandy road witliin two hundred yards of the thicket from which the Union troops were firing, and the latter were soon driven off by a few discharges of schrapnel into their midst from said guns. That same night another ambuscade was arransfed by the Fed- erals between tw^o and three o'clock a. m. which resulted like the others, and after the enemy were driven on Forrest ordered hij men to lie down for a few hours' rest. At day light the pursuit was resumed. According to the "Campaigns of Forrest,'' publislied soon after tlic war, two brave young maidens of Blount county delivered to General Forrest, as he passed, three Federal soldier* and their guns, which the two girls had captured. Dr. Wyeth says nothing of the incident in his splendid work, "'Life of Forrest," recently published, or in his article giving an account of Streight's raid, inRarpcr's Magazine of August, 1899. In answer to an inquiry, the county superintendent of education of Blount writes as follows to the author, under date of 174 HISTORY OF ALABAMA June 10th, 1900: "I have tried to learn who the two brave maidens were, and it is thought they were the Misses Murphree, but nothing definite can be learned. Most sincerely yours, W. M. SELF. The Federals reached Blountsville at 10 a. m. May 1st, and there rested long enough to feed their stock and seize all the fresh horses and mules in the vicinity, the latter being their practice all along the route which gave them a great advantage over the Confederates, who could obtain no fresh mounts. Colonel Streight also set fire to his wagons and the stores car- ried in them, which could not be transferred to pack-horses, but Forrest arrived in time to prevent the entire destruction of the surplus provisions, which were a welcome addition to the haversacks of his men. The Confederates charged upon the rear o-uard of the Federals and hastened their departure from Blountsville. Ten miles east Streight was again com- pelled to turn on his pursuers, in order to secure a crossing of the swift and dangerous ford of Black Warrior river, which he had reached. Here a short fight ensued and several Federal ]>risoners were captured, when Streight hastened on. It was late in the afternoon and the Confederates rested their horses three hours in preparation for the night's march. The next morning, May 1st, Streight reached the bridge of Black creek, a few miles from Gadsden^ rushed his men across, set fire to the bridge and posted his artillery on the opposite side. The banks were high and steep and the stream deep and swollen, and hope of escape doubtless ran high for a while in the bosoms of the Federal forces. When Forrest at the head of his column reached a dwelling within sight of the burning bridge, he turned to the Widow Sanson and her two daughters, who resided there and were standing at the gate, and asked if there was no other way to cross the stream. The younger daughter. Miss Emma Sanson, replied that down in the field two hundred yards al)ove the bridge, was a blind ford, which she had seen the cows wade when the creek was very low, and that she believed he eould get his men across there. She was a true Confederate, her only brother was in the Southern army, and an hour previous the Federals had taken the only horse the family possessed. She proposed to show General CONFEDERATE WAR PERIOD 175 Forrest the way to the ford, l)iit there was no time to saddle a horse for her. so she jumped up behind General Forrest from a clay bank on the road side. She says in a letter to Dr. Wyetii, wliich he published in Harper's' Maqazine of Auffust 1899: ^ "We rode out into a field tlnouoli wliidi ran a braiieli or small ravine, and along Avliieh there was a thick nndergrowth that protected us for a while from being seen by the Yankees at the bridge or on the other side of the creek. When we got close to the creek I said, Gen- eral Forrest, I think we had better get down off the horse, as we are now where we might be seen. We both got down and crept through the bushes and when we were right at the ford I happened to be in front and the Yankees began firing. He stepped quickly between me and the Yankees, saying, "I am glad to have you for a pilot, but I am not going to make breast works of j-ou."' The cannon and other guns Avere firing fast by this time, as I pointed out to him where to go into the water and out on the other side." The brave woman is too modest to tell what k testified to by other eye-witnesses, that when she pointed out the ford to General Forrest, the bullets were flying thick around her and that she waved her bonnet in defiance towards the Federals, elicitinc^ from them a hearty cheer of huzzas for her courage^ or that her dress was pierced by a bullet before they knew thev were firing at a woman. The Legislature of November. 1863, voted a gold medal and a sec- tion of land to Miss Sanson. The latter was sold for Confederate money and lost. The Legislature, at its session of 189S-99, again voted the noble heroine, who is now Mrs. C. B. Johnson, of Calloway, Texas, another section of land, and it is the earnest desire of every admirer of tr\ie heroism that our lawmakers will not let the matter rest until she gets the land or its value in money. Within a few minutes after finding the ford, tlie artillery of Forrest arrived and the Federals were soon driven from the opposite bank. The Confederates crossed the ford without loss of men or guns ; the latter were drawn through the deep water and up the steep, miry side of the stream by double teams hitched to long ropes which were tied to the poles of the gun carriages. The advance guard hurried on and hustled the Federals out of Gadsden before they had time to destroy much of the commissary stores at that place. From Gadsden, 176 HISTORY OF ALABAMA on for fifteen miles to Blount's plantation, the skirmishing was incessant, and at the latter place Streight planned a dan- gerous amhuseade to destroy the Confederates, but the wily Forrest did not take the bait. In the fight there the brave Colonel Hathaway fell mortally wounded, which produced a most depressing effect upon the whole Federal command. With his command now reduced to 600 men by the horses giving out along the route without being able to replenish them, Forrest realized that he could not risk running into another ambuscade by riding at night. He, therefore, sent an advance guard to follow the Federals, who pushed on all night long, while the bulk of the Confederates .^'ot the first night^s rest since leaving Courtland. Streight in the meanwhile also sent forward 230 of his best mounted men, under Colonel Russell, for the purpose of seiz- ing the bridge at Eome, that it might be used for the passage of the whole force upon arrival and then burned. However, Forrest had foreseen this move and had sent Colonel J. H. Wisdom, a trusted officer from Gadsden, who made a wonder- fully quick ride to Komc, along a parallel road and had g^iven the alarm to the citizens. They placed a strong company of home guards at the bridge, and thereby Eusscll was balked of the plan to seize the bridoe and retreated towards the main column of brigade. When Streight reached the Chatooga river, the ferry boat used l)y Russell a few hours previous, had disappeared, for the latter had failed to secure it with a guard and some citizens had hidden the boat. The Federals were, therefore, compelled to follow a rough road several miles up the river to a bridge, which they crossed and burnt. All night long he had traveled an unknown country, much of the time off the direct route to the bridge at Rome — men and horses so weary that every step was painful, but buoyed with the hope of safety after reaching Rome. Near Lawrence, in Cherokee county, thirty-one miles from Gadsden, (and certainly not many miles from Costa, the Indian town of Alabama that first saw the white man), at 9 a. m., May 3d, the Federals, completely fagged out — after an all night's march, stopped to feed and rest. Most of the men were soon asleep, and it was almost impossible to arouse many of them to give battle to CONFEDERATE WAR PERIOD 1 77 Forrest, who soon appeared upon the scene with men and horses oreatly refreshed by a good night's sleep. At his call the ferry boat at Chatooga river had quickly appeared and his command Avas hurriedly crossed over and hastened on, hence the tired Federals had rested but a little while when they were called to arms. Forrest halted within sight of the Federals, and after a skillful disposition of his men and guns so as to make a big show, he sent a flag of truce demanding the immediate sur- render of Streighf s command. The TTnion commander re- turned with the officer to Forrest, and the latter urged the hopelessness of a further struggle on the part of the Federals, and at the same time he was dispatching orders to imaginary bodies of men. Colonel Streight was a brave man and was personally opposed to giving up, but when left to a vote of his officers, they unanimously voted to surrender. The Federals under the agreement, stacked their arms and marched away into an open field, but it was not until Forrest got his small force between the prisoners and their arms that he felt secure. Tn a little over four davs, starting with 1,200 men, Forrest had by turns pursued and fought a superior force of picked men under gallant officers, traversed a distance of 150 miles, with no chance to get fresh mounts for his men, who dropped out of the ranks as their horses broke down, until he had less than 600 men at the time when he captured a force of 1,4GG rank and file. "The curses of the Federal soldiers, when they discovered the meager force to whicli tliey had surrendered, were deep and long." The next day the 230 Federals, under Colonel Ixussell, who had been sent in advance to try to capture Eome, were met by Forrest, soon after entering Georgia, and they, too, sur- rendered, making a total of 1,090 captured during the two days. When Forrest staricd on the 29th of April from Court- land, he had with him Ceneral l^oddv and part of his com- mand, having sent Starnes and Uillk^s to liead off Streiglit by another rout(\ ITaving failed in tliis |)ur])0se, these two regi- ments joined him before reaching Hlountsville. when lioddy with his men were sent back lo watch (iencM-al Dodge. The 178 HISTORY OF ALABAMA other forces, besides the two regiments iiientioned, which were carried in tlie pursuit, were Morton's and FerrilFs bat- teries of artillery, fonr guns each, eight in all, Capt. Jesse For- rest's company of scouts, and the General's escort. The pur- suit and capture of Streight's raiders by General Forrest and the men with him, is the most wonderful feat of arms recorded in all history. The Official Eecords show that the raid had been the subject of correspondence between Generals Rose- crans, Garfield and Dodge for nearly a month before General Dodge marched from Corinth into Alabama. The said Rec- ords also show that the energy and time of General Dodge and 7,500 men, and of Colonel Streight and 2,000, a total of more than 9,500 men were devoted for two weeks to getting the raid launched. Forrest had the half of one night to prepare for the pursuit, and the Confederate forces from which he could draw for the pursuit, the combined forces of Roddy and himself, numbered only half as many as the force of Dodge, which confronted them, and the intention of the latter was not In a previous page we quoted from Brewer, eonceruing "tlie fires that lit up the valley" on the night of the 28th of April, and which marked the return march of Dodge and his subaltern. Cornyn. Two days afterwards, when he got back to Corinth, General Dodge reported as follows: ''Streight has two days the start of Forrest, and will not be caught." He also reported that his army destroyed or carried ofT west of Town creek the following property of citizens: "'1,500,000 bushels of corn, 500,000 pounds of bacon, quantities of wheat, oats, rye and fodder; captured and Inought out 1,000 horses and mules, and an equal number of cattle, sheep and hogs, besides what the army consumed during three weeks; we also brought out 1.500 negroes, de- stroyed five tanyards and six flour mills, and we left the country in such a devastated condition that no crop can be raised during the year." (Official Records.) QUESTIONS ON CirAl'TKR XXXII. (1) To what was North Alabama exposed in the early part of 1863? (2) What town was captured by Col. Cornyn? Who was ordered to North Alabama? (3) Relate the invasion bv Gen. Dodge, and the re- sistance of Roddy? (4) Who disembarked at East Port? Who was sent to meet Dodge? Where did an artillery duel occiu-? How- was Dodge's advance arrested? (5) What startling intellisenee reach- ed Forrest? Who saw the object and what was it? What time did the raiders start? (6) What was now evident? Next movement of CONFEDERATE WAR PERIOD 1 79 Dodge? (7) Camp of both parties the first night out? Relate the skirmish? (8) Relate the three skirmishes of the nisht of April the 30th? (9) Happenings at Blountsville? At the Black Warrior? (End of first lesson in this chapter.) (10) At Black Creek? Tell of Miss Sanson and the ford? (11) Her hert>ism under fire? Legislature of 1863? 1898? (12) How were the cannons gotten across? ^Yhat hap- pened at Gadsden? Blount's Plantation? Mortally wounded? (13> How was Forrest's command reduced? How did he secure a night's re-st for his men? (14) Who did Streight send forward and for what purpose? How was it frustrated by Forrest? Relate the trials of Streight during the day? What buoyed him up? (Streight had not heard of Russell's failure to seize the bridge at Rome.) (15) Relate the steps taken by Forrest to induce Streight to surrender? Num- ber of captors and prisoners? (IG) Who surrendered next day? What do the oflJicial records show? Give all the reasons you can adduce why the capture of Streight was wonderful? For answer read care- fully the latter parts of th,is chapter. Trace the route traversed by versed by Forrest from Courtland .in Bawrence county, through Mor- gan, Cullman, Blount, Etowah to l^^awrence in Cherokt-e county. CHAPTER XXXITL COXFEDERATK WAK PERIOD, ]\[AY TO AUGUST, 1863 DEVASTA- TION BY THE FEDERALS IX NORTH ALABAYCA INDUSTRIAL PLANTS LETTER OF GENERAL SHERMAN. From the 2Gth of May to Juno JiJd, 1863, a Federal brigade, under Colonel Cornyn, made a raid from Corinth to Florence, by way of Hamburg. In his report he boasts of having de- stroyed "cotton factories, lanyards, all the corn cribs in sight, searched every house in Florence, burned several residences, and carried off 200 horses and muk^s." On the 28th of May, General Roddy crossed the river, and in lialf an hour struck the rear of Cornyn's superior force, and attacked same from day to day, until the Federals recrossed the river at Hamburg. June 13th to 22d, General Stanley, with a force of Federals, made a raid from Winchester, Tenn., to Tluntsville, and cap- tured several hundred head of cattle and some other supplies from citizens, but he made no boast of devastating the coun- try nor did he pursue the ))olicy of savage warfare adopted by some other Federal commanders. On the 3d of May, 1863, Governor Shorter wrote to the Confederate Secretary of War, asking that ClantonV brigade, recently raised in this State, be sent to N"orth Alabama "to give protection to that i-egion from Federal raids and to ar- l8o HISTORY OF ALABAMA rest deserters and strao-olers, which have conoregated in the mountains in large numbers.'^ A few months previous, in January. 18(53. General Dodge, tlie Fed- eral commander at Corinth, wrote to his superior, that the persecu- tion of "Southern Chivalry"' had driven from their homes in Alabama one hundred old men, women and children, who had refugeed in Cor- inth, and some others he claimed, "had been killed, and a number of their houses burnt." In recounting this persecution of Unionists, which occurred in the fall of 1862, after the Federals had retired for a few months from Alabama, he fails to mention the suft'erings of thousands of Confederates who had been driven from their homes, nor does he state the fact that much of the "persecution" of the Unionists was the result of private retaliation and vengeance in the backwoods districts, for wrongs inflicted by neighbors upon neighbors during the Federal occupancy. In all the Official Records, the writer finds no inhuman order from a Confederate officer. He tinds, how- ever, that a Confederate captain in Alabama was dismissed from ser- vice for his cruelty to the Unionists, and later we find an order from the Governor to the State troops "to break up che band of robbers anu murderers" which said ex-captain had raised to prey upon the ITnionists. We also find that the Union Governor of Kentucky com- I)lained to General Buel, that the depredations of Union soldiers of all classes, even upon "loyal" people were much worse than depreda- tions of General Bragg's men. In his reply, General huel acknowl- edged the truth of the charge, and says: "'I have been mortified and worried at the depredation of some of our troops." The "stragglers and deserters" whom Governor Shorter desired to arrest, and not Confederate soldiers or "Southern Chivalry," committed depredation on Unionists and Confederate alike in isolated localities. Below we give extracts from the aforementioned letter of Governor Shorter, that show the importance to the Confed- eracy of the industries of Alabama in 1863, many of which had been established since the war began. The reader may ])e surprised to learn that there were big plants for manufac- turing cars, armor plate for war vessels, cannon shot, shells and Enfield rifles. "Coming over the mountain, you visit Tuscaloosa, where are lo- cated a large cotton factory, tannery, shoe establishment, iron foun- dry and our State University. * * '' Proceeding south you come to the Bibb Cotton Factory, one of the largest in the State. In a western and southwestern direction are Gainesville and Demopolis, both witli railroad connection to Meridian, Miss. At Gainesville the Confederate government has a hospital, work shops and valuable stores and at Demopolis is a large quantity of ordnance and other CONFKDERATE WAR PERIOD l8r jiovoiTHiiont proi)orly. Dt'inopolis is eoniioctod by railroad witli Solma. Here tlie novcninioiit interests are immense. Besides tlio Alabama arsenal " there is an extensive naval foundry. Avhere soon will he east the heaviest ordnance. Quantities of shot and shell are already turned out there, and before a great while it IS expected to roll there heavy plating for our men-of-war. The 8tate is now establishing a manufactory of cotton and woolen spin- ning cards and there are various private shops and enterprises. "^' * '-^ At ]\rontgomery are arsenal and military stores, extensive hospitals, depots of medical, quartermaster's commissary and ordnance stores, * * ■' the iVlabama Arms Manufacturing Co.. with ma- ■ehinery unexcelled in the Confederacy for the manufacturing of En- field rifles. Here and in Selnia are machine shops for numufacturing cars and repairing engines. ""' "" '"' West of JNIontgomery are tlie villages of Prattville and Autaugaville, with extensive cotton and Avoolen mills. East of :M<)ntgomery, on the M. & W. P. R. R., is Tal- hisse, another numufacturing town, from which the Confederacy is getting tent cloth and the State material for clothing her troops in the Confederate service. Along the line of the Alabama and Tennessee River Railroad, from Selma to Blue Mountain, (present site of An- iiiston), are some of the most valuable iron establishments in the Confederacy. They are in the counties of Bibb, Shelby and Calhoun. They supply the workshops of .Selma, IMontgomery and INfobile. Now. Avith the most of Alabama laid before you. you are ready to appreciate the anxiety I feel to secure protection against raids from North Mis- sissippi." It may hv well to roinind Young readers that there was no railroad running south beyond the Tennessee river valley at that time. Hence no hirge Federal armies invaded this State far south of said valley until near the close of the war, when ihere was a raid rather than an invasion. On the 4th of June, ISGr,, Hon. T. J. Foster, member of the Confederate Congress from Xorth Alabama, wrote from Courtland, to President Davis, that he had been to see General Eragg to get arms for the old men to repel the destructive Fed- <^ral raids, but had failed to get the needed arms and ammuni- tion. He then says : "This district continues to be the theater of the most wanton and violent raids of our liendish enemy, who disregard all Christian and civilized usages in his manner of conducting this war. Our women and children are forced from their dwellings, and the torch applied to tlieir houses. Our grain and provisions, which were very abundant, are nearly all destroyed, thus leaving the citizens houseless and des- titute. (Juns and pistols have been presented against our women, and 1 82 HISTORY OF ALABAMA llieir jewels, their money, and their clothing, in some instances^ demanded. "^ ''' '"' Their degraded officers designate their differ- ent commands as "Destroying Angels," "Prowling Brigades,'" etc., thus inciting the darkest and most brutal passions of the men. * * «- During the last raid they destroyed with fire six of our largest and most valuable cotton factories. They now threaten a speedy return to destroy the crops of wheat now being harvested. We must hav3, if possible, an infantry force to support Colonel Roddy s cavalry, and to this end we are now endeavoring to arm our citizens." ^^> have seen how Mitchell and Turchin acted towards the help- less veople of North Alabama in 1862, and fortunately when their act* reached the ears of General Buel, they were condemned by him. But his conciliatory policy towards the Southern people evidently was not approved by Secretary of War Stanton, who with the beginning of th? war had become a South hater, either for self-advancement, or from mistaken patriotic motives. On the other hand, it is now evident from the light of history, that President Lincoln was a kind-hearted man, and a statesman of great ability, who acted upon a conscien- tious conception of his duty as a patriot, in his efforts which saved the Union. The worst charge that can be brought against him is- that he appointed and retained Stanton in his Cabinet as Secretary of War, notwithstanding the latter's vindictive policy which rendered the South desperate, and thereby prolonged the war for several months, each of which added to the cost yi blood and treasure. The cruel persecution of the Confederate non-combatants of North Alabama begun in 1S62, under the caprice and vindic- tiveness of Federal local commanders, was renewed with greater vigor and malignity in 1863 by General Cornyn and others, who doubtless got their cue from a letter written by General Sherman to Major Sawyer, at Huntsville, and dated at Vicks- l)urg, January 1st. 1863. The department which General Sherman commanded at that time embraced in the Tennessee river valley, which section remained under his command until the end of the war. The letter is directed t» Major Sawyer, A. A. Gen. of the Army of Tennessee, at Huntsville. The whole letter is published in Garrett's Public Men of Alabama,"" and in the "Official Records." It was promulgated as an official doc- ument by one of the leading generals of a great nation during the era of slavery and of General Sherman. The people it threatens were not Filipinos or Hawaiians, but Anglo-Saxons. Tliey, the people of the South, had contributed to the independence and glory of the United States by furnishing more than their quota of troops and the leading generals in the three great wars — Washington, in the Revo- lution: Jackson, in the second war with Great Britain, and Taylor, CONFEDERATE WAR PERIOD 1 83 111 the ]Vrexican war. Wo ^ive extracts as follows: "In my former letter I have answered all your questions save one, and that relates to the treatment of inhabitants, known or supposed to be hostile or 'seeesh,' "" "" " In Europe, where we derive our principles of war jis develoj)ed hy their histories, wars are between kings and rulers through hired armies, and not between ])eoples. These remain as it AvcMC neutral, and sell their produce to whoever is in possession. -Napoleon when at ^\ar with Prussia, Austria and Russia, bought forage and provisions of the inhabitants, and consequently had an interest to protect farms and factories which ministered to his wants. In like manner the allied armies in France could buy of the French "whatever they needed, the produce of the soil or the manufacture of the country. Therefore, the rule was and is, that wars are confined to the armies and should not visit the homes of families or private interests. But in other examples a different rule obtained the sanc- tion of historical authority. I will only instance that when in the reign of William and ^Nlary, the English army occupied Ireland, then in a state 01 revolt, the inhabitants were actually driven into foreign lands, and were actually dispossessed of their property and a new population introduced. To this day a part of the north of Ire- land is held by the descendants sent there by William's order an,' an act of parliament. " * '"' When men take arms to resist our rightful authority we are compelled to use force, because all reason and argument ceases when arms are resorted to. When the provis- ions, forage, horses, mules, wagons, etc.. are used by our enemy, it is flearly our duty and right to take them, because otherwise they might be used against us. * " '"' The government of the United States has in North Alabama any and all rights which they choose to en- force in war, to take their lives, their horses, their lands, their every- thing, because they cannot deny that war exists there, and war is vsimpl}' power unrestrained by constitution or compact. If they want eternal warfare, well and good. We will accept the issue and dis- possess them and put our friends in possession. "■ * * You may not hear from me again, and if you think it will do any good, call some of the people together and explain these, iny views. You may even read this letter to them and let them use it so as to ]u-epare for my coming. To those who submit to the rightful law and authority all gentleness and forbearance, but to the petulant and persistent secessionists, why death is mercy and the quicker he or she is disposed of the better. Satan and the rebellious saints of heaven ^vere allowed a continuance of existence in hell merely to swell their just punishment. ' W. T. SHERMAN. '']Major General Commanding." In the days of King Janies I., about the year 1G05, the vast landed estate of a Catholic earl in the north of Ireland, with few inhabi- tants, was confiscated and Protestants from Scotland were settled upon the lands. Admitting, however, as General .shernnm claims. 1 84 HISTORY OF ALABAMA that 100 years later other Irish inhabitants were disp^^ssessed of their lands, nevertheless, he is unfortunate in the precedent he cites. He goes bacK 150 years to the dark ages of religious persecutions and counter persecutions, not a civil war or rebellion, to find a parallel for the policy he announces in his letter. He puts himself ana others like him beloAv Napoleon Bonaparte, whom he says, *'paid for his for- age and provisions while in an enemy's country." Every reader of history knows tliat more than half the able bodied men of France and England, during the wars of Napoleon, laid down their lives on what they believed was the altar of patriotism and liberty, and not a& "hired solu.ers" of "kings and rulers." If General Sherman's war ethics are correct, the British would liave heen justifiahle in exercising the greatest inhu- manity in their efforts to conquer the ^^rehel" Washington^ and the "rebel" American patriots of the l^evolution. This chapter has been written in no spirit of disloyalty, for the writer is proud to be a citizen of this now great and glorious union. The one thing that the Southern people now never entertain for a moment in their thoughts, is disloyalty to the Union. They feel that secession was forever settled by the Confederate war. They believe that it is the destiny of this republic to continue to lead all other nations in m-omoting- liberty, virtue and true happiness among mankind. On the 2d and 8d of July, 1863, the terrible battle of Get- tysburg, Pa., was fouglit, and on the 4th of July Yicksburg- surrendered. Alabama, according to the Official Eeports^ had fifteen regiments and one battalion of infantry and one battery of artillery and several companies of cavalry in the army of Virginia on the 1st of July, 1803^ — twenty-five regi- ments infantry and cavalry, six batteries of artillery i nBragg's army, one regiment, four battalions, infantry and cav- alry, and one battery of artillery in Buckner's army, in East Tennessee, six regiments in Johnston's- army in Mississippi, eight regiments at Yicksburg, a large part of Maury's force of 5,000 men at Mobile and Pollard, several detached companies as garrisons or scouts elsewhere in this State, and Roddy's brigade in North Alabama or temporarily in Mississippi. A history of the o])erations of the different Alabama regiments, l)attalions and batteries during the year on the soil of other States would require several large volumes. CONFEDERATE WAR PERIOD 185 During August and September, 1863, the Official Records merely mention the skirmishes below in this State. They were mostly small fights between the scouts of Wheeler and Roddy, against scouts and foraging parties of the corps of Stanley and McCook, as they moved through Xortheast Akibama to re-onfort-e Rosecrans at Chattanooga, .xugust 21st. Mavsville; August 24th, hunter's Landing; August 20tli, Caperton's Ferry; August 31st, Will's valley; September 1st, Will's creek. Davis's Gap and Neal's Gap: September oth, Lebanon: September 7th, Stevenson. We give the names and dates of the af- fairs or skirmishes, hoping that those of importance wiil be written up by some local writer, and sent to the author, for use in a future edition. QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER XXXIII. (1) Relate the raid of Cornyn. Of what did he boast? What raid was made in June? What is said of Stanley's humanity? (2) Why did Gov. Shorter desire Clanton's brigade in North Alabama? (3) What did Gov. Shorter's letter show? What surprise? Point out on the map the places mentioned in the letter. (4) What is said about railroads? Practical question, why does a large army usually follow a railroad or river? (5) Why did Mr. Foster visit Gen. Bragg? (6) What is said of persecution in North Alabama? AYhat letter en- couraged them? (7) What is said of Sherman's war ethics? A\ hat is said of the Southern people? What do they believe? (9) How many regiments etc., had Alabama in the Confederate States Army July. ISb-l —whole number? Answer. At least sixty regiments and half a dozen battalions of infantry and cavalry, besides a number of companies. Also about a dozen batteries of artillery. CHAPTER XXXIY. CONFEDERATE WAR PERIOD, AUGUST, 1803, TO JANUARY 1, 18()4. ACTS OF THE LEGISLATURE OF AUGUST AND NOVEMBER, 1863. GEN. S. D. lee's stubborn AND SUCCESSFUL RESISTANCE OF Sherman's advance south of the river — skirmishes OF RODDY's COMMAND. There was a called session of the legislature in August, 1863, which passed some acts of importance as follows : An act to reorganize the militia of the State by having enrolled all Avhite males between the ages of 16 and 60, not actually in the army or navy of the Confederate States. Class one to be composed of those under 17 and over 16, and those from 45 to 60 years of age to be organized into county militia, to he subject to military duty in the county in which they resided when called out by the Governor. As the class two provided 1 86 HISTORY OF ALABAMA for. were mostly embraced by an act of the Confederate Con- gress a few months later, in Febrnary, 1 864, before they saw any service, we give a synopsis of the latter. Under the said Congressional act "State Reserves'^ were to be organized of boys 17 years old and men from 45 to 50. and certain others between 18 and 45 who had been exempted in the original Confederate conscript act of 1862. The State "Reserves were snbject to six months service in the bounds of the State, upon the call of the President of the Confederate States. Other acts of the called session of August, 1803. were: Aii act appropriating $1,000,000 to the support of the soldiers' families during the months of October, Xovember, December. Already $2,000.- 000 appropriated for the same purpose by the ])reeeding legislature had been consumed, or would be by the 1st of October. (The addi- tional appropriation was necessary on account of the depreciation of the currency.) An act appropriating twenty-five pounds of salt to each member of soldiers' families. An act authorizing probate judges to impress provisions for soldiers' families and pay for same out of the fund for support of said families. Joint patriotic resolutions Avere passed pledging all the resources of the State for the defense of the Confederacy. From the foregoing acts and resolutions we see how thor- oughly aroused were the people of Alabama against the efforts of the United States government to coerce tlie State back into the Union. On the 7th and 8th of October, Eoddy, with part of his command, crossed the Tennessee river at Larkin's Landing and Guntersville, for the purpo.^e of making a raid against the Federal communications in Tennessee. After a short skir- mish, lie captured the small garrison of the tunnel near Ste- venson, and partially wrecked the mouth of the tunnel, not having a sufficiency of powder to spare to destroy the latter. Having heard that General Wheeler with many wagons, mule< and horses with the stores that he had captured on a raid into Tennessee was hard pressed by a superior force of the enemy, Roddy determined to aid him in his efforts to get across the river in safety. He, therefore, turned his course towards Xew Market, and on the afternoon of the 12th of October, he met a superior force of Federals, and by a stubborn engage- CONFEDKRATE WAR PKRIOI) 1 87 ment, with some loss on both sides, held them in check until niglit. Knowing tliat lie would 1)0 unable to cope with the force in his front next day, and having heard that night that Wheeler liad crossed the river, lioddy silently, in the darkness, withdrew from his position. He then retreated rapidly to Athens, where he captured the Federal cantonment, and then on to Rogersville, where he expected to rest for a few days and recuperate his command. While tliere he sent two squad- rons into Tennessee to cut off, if possible, the railroads which were of great importance to the Federals. In the meantime Gen. S. D. ]jee, with his cavalry from Mis- sissippi, had entered Northwest Alabama for the purpose of joining General Wheeler in another raid into Tennessee as soon as the latter's horses had recruited sufficiently for the move. Finding the crossings of the river heavily guarded on the north side, and learning that a large force of Federals were rapidly repairing the M. & C. railroad eastward from Tuka, and had reached Big Bear creek, General Lee tore up the railroad in the vicinity of Tuscumbia. General Bragg dis- patched to him to delay the advance of the Federals as much as possible. The object of the latter was to re-enforce Eose- crans^ army at Chattanooga, by first repairing the ^L & C. rail- road and then using the Avhole length from Memphis to Bridgeport in transporting troops who had captured Vicks- burg, rapidly from the Mississippi river to Chattanooga. On the 21st of October, 1863, Lee attacked two regiments of Fed- eral cavalry ten miles east of Tuscumbia, and after a sharit fight forced them back with considoral)le loss (the Confederate casualties being light) to the heavy column of infantry. The latter consisted of two divisions of Gen. F. P. Blair's corps and amounted to over 8,000 men, besides the cavalry. Gen- eral Lee sent orders to Roddy at Jiogei-sville, to come to his aid, and he continued to fight the Federals from day to day from advantageous positions, so that the Federals did not reach Tuscumbia until the 27th of October. Eoddy joined Lee that night, when their combined forces amounted to about one-third the number of the Federals. The latter found the railroad so thoroughly torn up and their advance was so stiffly contested that General Sherman. 1 88 HISTORY OF ALABAMA who was directing their movements with headqnarters at Iiika, ordered the whole force hack to Eastport. On their return the Federals were attacked frequently ]jy the Confederates, ^ear Barton Station Eoddy had a stiff fight with the Federal cavalry and chased them hack to the infantry supports and captured two pieces of artillery, one of which the re-enforced Federals afterwards recaptured. In the various skirmishes quite a number of Federals were killed and wounded, among the former a colonel. While the . Confederate losses were some, less, the gallant Col. Jeffry Forest was severely wounded and captured. After this Sherman crossed two corps at East Port, and marched in great haste, by way of Florence and Athens to the railroad at Huntsville, and thence by rail to Bridgeport to re-enforce the army at Chattanooga. On the 25th of October General Lee heard that the First Alabama Union cavalry, 500 strong-, was making a raid into ]Marion county, and he sent General Ferguson, with the same number, composed of the Second Alabama, under Colonel Earle, and a Tennessee regiment, under Colonel Morton, to head off the raiders. The Official Records show that the Union cavalry had started to Selma to burn the valua- ble shops and stores at that place. For some reasons they turned back and were met by General Ferguson's force near Bay Springs, in Mississippi, and were completely routed, with the loss of forty pris- oners, besides a number in killed and wounded, and fifty-six hoist.-. October 28th, 18G3, General Sherman issued general orders, from which the following is quoted: "Every citizen (in the Department of Tennessee, of which North Alabama was at that time a part), is liable to be called upon for military service, and if so called upon must render it." (Official Records.) As we have no knowledge of said order being executed, we trust that it was repudiated by the government at Washington. There was a skirmish at ]Maysville. November 3d, 1803, merely mentioned in Offi- cial Records, From December 11th to 17th, Colonel Rowlett, Federal, made a raid on Florence and Rogersville. Ts^ear the latter place Major Murphree joined him with 100 Union Home guards. The Federals wei-e harassed on their return as far as Hamburg by Colonel Moreland's connnand. On the 17th of December, 1863, General Sherman, witli lieadquarters at Chat- tanooga, issued an order that "all the forage and provisions" in the country about Bridgeport and Bell Fonte "be collected and stored and no compensation be allowed rebel owners." CONFEDERATE WAR PERIOD 1 89 In the fall of 18r>3, Thos. H. Watts, of ^Montgomery, was elected eighteenth Governor, defeating the inciinil)ent. Gov- ernor Shorter, hy a considerable majority. Alabama has every reason to be proud of her three war governors, Moore, Shorter and Watts, who were all able, conscientious, patriotic" men. Governor Watts was a native of Butler eoiuity. born in 1810. He was oraduated at the University of Virginia, and opened a law- office in Greenville. He represented his native county in the legis- lature, and removed to Montgomery, to practice law. He was elected to the house from Montgomery, in 1840. and to the senate in 185-3. Governor Watts as a whig ])revious to 1861, and was for many years the leader of his party in this State. He was a candidate for election on the Bell and Everett Union party ticket in 1860, but voted for secession in the convention of 1861, of which he was a mem- ber from Montgomery. Shortly afterwards he entered the army as colonel of the Seventeenth Alabama regiment. In the fall of 1861 be was defeated in his candidacy for governor by Governor Shorter. While in the army at Corinth, in the spring of 1862, he was appointel attorney general in the cabinet of President Davis, which position he held luitil elected Governor. His term as Governor was shortened about seven months by the collapse of the Confederacy, when existing State governments of the South were overthrown by the power of the sword. The general assembly which met in November, 18G3, passed the following acts of interest : An act appropriating $3,000,- 000 for support of soldiers" families during the year ISG-t ; an act requiring probate judge of the counties held l)y the enemy to pay to soldiers' families in said counties their sliarc of the above anpropriation, ('where no commissioners' court could be held) ; an act appropriating $1,500,000 for military defense of the State. Acts authorizing a number of counties to collect taxes in kind on crops and all other articles and com- modities produced, to support soldiers' families. Joint reso- lution donating a section of land and a gold medal to Miss Emma Sanson in consideration of ])ublic service rendered by her, (conducting Gen. Forrest to a ford of Black creek under fire during Streight's raid) ; joint resolution asking Congress to exempt Confederate soldiers from the tax in kind whose sup- port is derived from white labor. The aforesaid tax levied by the Confederate government was a tithe, one-tenth of every- 190 HISTORY OF ALABAMA thing raised on the farm, and of all other articles and com- modities produced. The heavy taxes in kind mentioned above, with other taxes, both State and Confederate, besides the im- pressment of slaves and teams, live stock and grain, to be paid for in depreciated currency, altogether amounted to a total five to ten fold greater than the taxes assessed before the war. Never were taxes more willingly paid by the masses of the people, for they felt it was a patriotic duty. On the 23d of December, 186.3. Gen. Leonidas Polk was appointed commander of the Department of Ahibama, Mississippi and East Lou- isiana. He succeeded Gen. J. E. Jolinston, and was succeeded by Gen. S. D. Lee on the 19th of May. 1864. General Lee was succeeded by G^n. Dick Taylor in September, 1864, who surrendered the Depart- ment in May, 1865. Gen. D. H, Maury commanded temporarily for a month previous to General Taylor, General Frank Gardner com- manding at Mobile during that time. With the exception of said month. General Maury commanded the District of the Gulf from the date of his appointment, heretofore given, to the enu of the war. We have now reached the end of the year 1863, which taken as a whole had been disastrous to the Confederate cause. The Southern armies in Virginia had gained several great victories, but the failure to drive the Federals from the heights of Gettysburg, practically amounted to a defeat. In all the great battles the Alabama troops gained imperishable glory. A great Confederate victory was gained at Chickamauga, fought in September, 1863, but it was more than offset by later Federal successes in the vicinity of v^hattanooga. There were thirty regiments, three or four battalions, and several ar- tillery batteries of Alabama troops in the battle of Chickamauga. The 1st of January, 1864, found probably one-third of the territory of the Confederacy, including several counties of Nortn Alabama, in possession of the Federals. The Southern armies had been greatly depleted by the surrender of Vicksburg, by tiie losses in battle, and by diseases caused from exposure in hard campaigns. Confederate money was worth only one-fifth its face value in specie, and no other money was in circulation. There were no recruits for the army, ex- cept men and boys over or under the usual military age. Although many of the seaports had been captured and the others more closely blockaded, so that it was very dilficult to get many badly needed ar- ticles from abroad, nevertheless, a great majority of the people had hope of final success. They had hope because they would not think of failure. The foUowinjr Alabama commands entered the Confederate service during the year 1863 : CONFEDERATE WAR PERIOD IQI Infantry — Fifty-seventh, Fifty-eighth and Sixty-first Alabama in- fantry regiments. Cavalry Eegiments — Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, (formerly Hatch's l>attalion). ^falone's Ninth, ( fdrmerly Twelfth and Fourteenth bat- talions organized previous year), Tenth, Eleventh, (formerly part of the battalion of Jeffry Forest), two companies of Wirt Adams s Mississippi regiment, and several independent companies and parii- san rangers. Artillery — Tarrant's, Clanton's. and Ward's-Cruse's batteries. (See Appendices 3 and 4 for further information. QUESTIOxNS ON CHAPTER XXXIV. (1) Who were to be enrolled under act of August, 1863? What age •did class one embrace? What was the organization called? Who composed State Reserves? Subject to what? W^hat do we learn from the acts passed? (2) W^hat command crossed the river? For what purpose? W^hat did he hear of Wheeler? Relate the skirmish of October, 12th? (3) Who had entered Northwest Alabama and for what purpose? W^hat did he learn of the Federals? Wh-it was the order of Gen. Bragg? What was the object of the Federals in repairing the railroads? Relate the events from 21st to 27th of October, (i) Why did Gen. Sherman abandon the route on the south side of the river? Relate the skirmish near Barton. How did the Federals get to Chattanooga? (5) Relate the raid of Col. Rowlett. (<)) Who was ■elected eighteenth Governor? (7) What acts were passed for benefit of soldier's families? What is a tithe? A tax in kind? What is said of the amoimt of war taxes? CHAPTER XXXV. CONFEDERATE AVAR PERIOD JANUARY 1, 1864, TO APRIL, 1864. SKIRMISHES IN NORTH ALABAMA LETTERS SHOWING THE CONDITION OF THE COUNTRY EXPEDITION AGAINST UNION- ISTS AND DESERTERS — EXPEDITION OF GENERAL GEARY. On the 20th of January, 186-1, Admiral Farragut, with a Pederal fleet, made a demonstration against Forts Gaines and Morgan, at the mouth of Mobile bay. The same large fleet hovered in the vicinity of Pensacola, and near the mouth of Mobile bav, until tlie attack and capture of the aforesaid lorts eight months later, an account of which is given in chapter 37. On the 14th of January there was a skirmish at Shoal creek. No report. On the 25th of January a party oi Confederate scouts after ials. usiiio- .Noitli Alabama as a base and that tlie Tennessee river iitlords an easy line of defense which had been successfully held by lvodd3^" Colonel Sanders wrote as follows: "The state of things in the mountains between here (Courtland) and Columbus. Miss., is becomin.u bad, especially in parts of Marion, Walker and Winston -counties. The tory influence among the poor, ignorant mountain peo- ple is considerable. Added to this, a great many have deserted from •our army and are hiding iu the mountains. When Colonel Patter- son marched through Marion county, a few days since, his encamp- ment was twice attacked by tories in one night." He then goes on to speak of some depredations on the Unionists by guerillas, and of the killing of Probate Judge Curtis, of Winston county, by a squad of conscript cavalry. He closes his letter by saying: "I believe Gen- eral Roddy can pacify the mountain country and add one or two legiments from it to the army pro.vided he had undisturbed control oi the First Congressional District." The foregoing extracts show the condition of the country early in 1864. ]Many readers will be surprised to learn that there were about a dozen iron furnaces in Alabama at that time. In February and March, 1864, during the absence of nearly all the Confederate troops, the Unionists and ^.eserters in three or four counties were unusually active in their depredations, as were the Federals in their raids south of the Tennessee river. On tlie 1st of April, the provost marshal of Fayette C. H. reported that five Confederate soldiers or .sympathizers had been killed, and many houses robbed in the country to the northeast, along the border of the counties. Soon afterwards Lieutenant v;olonel ^Maxwell, with 250 men, was sent to Walker, Win- ston and Fayette counties to operate against the "tories," in con- junction with Col. McKaskill, who was already there by order of (fCn. J. E. Johnston. In his report a few w'eeks later he says: "The rumors of those counties are greatly exaggerated. I was informed by reliable men that Walker county never voted more than 1,400, and yet she lurs nineteen full companies in the Confederate service." Co]. Josiali Patterson was ordered back from Daltoii with liis regiment on tlie 2d of IMareh and Eoddy with the rest of his command early in April Durin.s^ the latter's absence, Gen- eral Clanton was the ranking- officer in the Tennessee valley, but had a small force. We have stated that the Federal raids were frequent. On the 25th of January, Federal Gen. M. L. Smith started on a raid to Piome, Ga., via Larkin's Ferry, and across Sand ]\[ountain. Before reaching Lebanon, he was at- tacked by small bands of scouts which were easily rei)ulsed. On the morning of February 3d, the Confederates appeared in force in front of his main column, and he retreated without a 194 HISTORY OF ALABAMA fight, altlioiigli he had twelve regiments of infantry and one regiment of cavalry present, with the possible exception of one regiment that had been sent to destroy the nitre works at Kawlingsville. He reached Larkinsville on the 5th of Feb- ruary, the expedition having secured a company of recruits for the Fir^^t Alabama Union cavalry. General Smith also claimed that he captured about fifty prisoners. On the 2d of March, Colonel Olive, with a part of the Thirteenth Miehioan mounted infantry, marched from Larkin's Landing, and at- tacked Gnntersville that night. In his report Federal Gen. Giles A. 8mith. says OliA^e was repulsed with the loss of three killed and two wounded, by less than half the number of his force, under Captain Smith, Confederate. On the 15th of February, 1864, President Davis wrote to Governor Watts as follows : "The interior of Alabama and the Tombigboe valley are the main reliance for supplies in the coming campaign.'^ From the 16th of February to the 3d of March, the forts at the mouth of Mobile bay were furiously attacked by thirteen war vessels, from day to day. About two weeks previous. General Sherman, with 30,000 men, had started from Vicksburg, on the march eastward, expecting to be joined at Meridian by a large force of cavalry from West Tennessee, under Gen. Soy Smith. The latter never reached his destination, for he received a crushing defeat at the hand of Forrest, near Okolona, Miss. The energy of the Confederates in getting Hardee's corps from Georgia as far as Selma, and in mobilizing other forces in front of Sherman, caused him to retreat when he heard of bmith's defeat. Had Smith succeeded in reaching Sherman promptly at Meridian the combined forces would have invaded Alabama, hence the at- tack on Mobile, to keep any Confederate troops there from being sent to the front of Sherman. In the last chapter we gave the substance of the act of the Confederate Congress for organizing "State Keserves," passed February 17, 1864. "State Reserves" were composed of male citizens between 17 and 18 and 45 and 50, and some classes between 18 and 45 who had been exempted in the con- script act of 1862. The regiments of this organization were subject to six months' service in the State, upon call of the CONFEDERATE WAR PERIOD 1 95 3*rcsicleiit. On the 18th of May, Gon. Jones ^f. Withers was appointed conunander of the ^^Reserve forces'' of Ahibama, and Jield that position nntil the end of the war. On the 7th of March, while the Tennessee valley was almost stripped of troops, General Dodge with a considerable force captured Decatur, having driven out the small garrison, after n short skirmish. He had been anxious to occupy the place for two months, and immediately began to fortify it. The next day Colonel Phillips was sent on a raid to Courtland and Moulton, and forced the Confederates out of both, capturing some prisoners, army stores, ammunition and salt, and then Avithdrew to Decatur. On the night of the 14th of March Capt. H. F. Smith, Confederate, with his company crossed the river and attacked and routed Captain House's company of Federals at Claysville. He captured nearlv the whole Fed- eral command and retired in safety to the south of the river, with fifty-five prisoners, their horses, mules, store and camp equipage. The loss on each side was one killed and four or five wounded. On the 25th of ]\Iarch Col. W. A. Johnson, with the Fourth Alabama cavalry, met Colonel Phillips with his regiment of Michigan cavalry four miles south of Moulton. The Federals were repulsed and pursued ten miles towards Decatur, with a loss of twenty-five killed, wounded and prisoners, the Confederate loss being about one-third of that number. The Twenty-seventh and Thirty-fifth Alabama regiments were in the vicinity and hurried forward, but did not get up in time to participate in the skirmish. On the .30th of ]\Iarch General Dodoje. Federal, reported the capture of thirty-two "guerillas" by a scouting expedition sent from Athena. On the same day, General Osterhaus reported tl'O capture of five "guerillas'' by an expedition from Woodville. The Federal com- }nanders were fond of speaking of the bravest and most efficient Con- federate scouts as '"guerillas." or outlaws under the rules of war. On the 5th of April, 1804. General Olanton wrote to Governor Watts, irom Whitesburg, as follows: "Would that I had a trumpet tongue to tell every man and woman in Alabama the outrages of the Yankees on the other side of the river. They spare neither age, sex nor condition. *• * * Qod assist us." On the 8tli of April. Colonel Wade, commanding an Indiana regi- ment, reported that one of his corporals and fifteen privates were at- •196 HISTORY OF ALABAMA tacki^^d and defeated that day Avith a loss of one killed and one wounded, by a superior force of Confederates, at Paint Rock Bridge. On the lltii of April, Federal Colonel Stedman made a raid on the south side of the river from Stevenson, by way of Carpenters' Ferry, and arrested several prominent citizens, who had some member of their family in the Confederate army, and another who lived in a house belonging to Capt. Sam Norwood, a Confederate scout. The foregoing are the only reasons given for said arrests. From Newburg Colonel Ives reported that on the night of the 12th of April detachments of the Thirty-fifth and Twenty- seventh Alabama regiments, commanded by himself and Colo- nel Jackson, crossed the river near Tuscumbia, and attacked a Federal post four miles north of the river. They killed three and captured forty-two officers and men with their horses •and mules. From the'l2th to the 17th of April, 1864, Gei). J. W. Geary, (Governor of Pennsylvania since the war), made a bold and successful reconnoissance down the Tennessee river, from Bridgeport, to the vicinity of Triana and back. His force consisted of 800 men embarked on a steamboat and two scows in tow. He carried also four pieces of artillery on tlie deck of the steamboat. The object of the expedition was to destroy ferry and other boats on the river in order to prevent the rapid crossing of raids from the south si(ve. and another purpose was to learn the number and disposi- tion of the Confederate troops in the valley. The expedition was iired upon by a company of cavalry near Guntersville, whereupon the Federals shelled the town without warning. General Geary reported that his force was fired upon from time to time. Occasionally land- ings were made to notify citizens of the penalty for permitting the building of boats on their land. Below Whitesburg the Federals were fired upon by a regiment of Confederates, but ran by without injury, except several men wounded. When approaching Triana, the Federal commander discovered a piece of artillery being placed in position on shore and therefore turned and sailed back up the river. General Geary, in his report, says he destroyed quite a number of boats, all that could be found, and that he captured several prison- ers. He reported that there was a total of 300 Confederate scouts near the river from Guntersville, up, and that Roddy and Clantou had larger commands along the river and valley below. He says the bands of scouts up the river were lead by Mead, Smith, ^May, Whit'j- cptton and Dollard. The foregoing was the second shelling of Guntersville by the Fed- erals that we have recorded. A lady, ]Mrs. Rayburn, was killed during one of the shell ings, and late in the war, both Guntersville and Bell Fonte, according to Brewer, were burnt by the Federals. CONFEDERATE WAR PERIOD 197 On the 13tli, 17th and 18th of April. 18G4, scouting parties of Fed- erals were met by the Confederate cavalry on different roads from two to four miles south of Decatur, and driven back to town. By order of Gen. J. E. Johnston, in April, 18G4, Col. D. W. Jones was sent against a reported force of Unionists in Marion county. In his re- port he says: ''When I reached Marion county I found that the re- ports in regard to tories were greatly exjiggcrated. I captured a good many conscripts and deserters, reaching this place with about tifty men, whom I found absent from their commands without proper authority." On the 21st of April, 1804, Cai)tain Smith's company of Bcouts crossed the river at Harrison's Landing, and surprised a squad of Federals, capturing eight and wounding several others. On the 24th and 27th of April, skirmishes between Federal ffnd Confederate scouts south of Decatur, resulted in the loss of several killed and wounded on each side. QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER XXXV. (1) What demonstration by the Federal fleet? (2) Relate the at- tack of Roddy on Athens. Where was Col. Johnson attacked un- expectedly? Whither did Roddy retreat? Relate second attack on Col. Johnson. What is said of escapes across the river? (8) Where was Roddy's command ordered in January? What protest? (4) When did Roddy and Patterson return to Alabama? Who was the ranking officer during their absence? Relate the raid of Gen. M. L.. Smith toward Rome, Ga.f (5) What did the President write to Gov. Watts? What forts were attacked in March? (6) Who was made commander of the Alabama Reserves? (7) When and bv whom wa?? Decatur cap- tured? Relate the raid of Col. Phillips? Night attack by Capt. Smith? (8) Relate the skirmish four miles south of Moulton? (9) Relate the night attack reported by Col. Ives? Relate the expedition of Gen. Geary down the river from Bridgeport? CHAPTER XXXVI. CONFEDERATE WAR PERIOD, APRIL, 1864: TO JULY, 1864 AT- TACK ON DECATUR LETTERS SHOWING THE CONDITION OF THE COUNTRY SKIR.AIISHES IN NORTH ALABAMA CAPTURE OF MADISON STATION ROSSEAU's RAID FROM DECATUR TO SOUTHEAST ALABAMA. In the last chapter we recorded that Decatur was captured b ythe Federals in March, 1861, when the Tennessee valley was almost stripped of Confederate troops, who were used to re- enforce General Johnston, at Dalton. A few weeks after noddy's return, he attacked Decatur, on the 30th of April, with all the forces of his command, including four pieces of artillery, to feel the position. There is no report of Eoddy's 19S HISTORY OF ALABAMA loss, who failed to carry tlie works, but the Federals acknowl- edged a loss of several killed and wounded. On the 5tli of April, 1864, a meeting of the leading citizens of Talladega county was held in the court house, to protest against a further impressment of slaves under an order of General Polk, at that time the Department commander of Alabama, Mississippi and East Louisiana. The letter was addressed to Governor Watts, and re- quested him to use his influence to get the execution of the order postponed until the small grain crops could be harvested and the corn crop laid by. A committee was appointed to write a letter to the Governor and from this letter may be gleaned facts as to the condi- tions prevailing at that time, which may be of interest to our readers. They also show the wonderful patriotism of the people, and the sac- rifices they were making for the attainment of Southern indepen- dence. What is said of Talladega illustrates the condition in other counties, where slaves formed a large proportion of the population, while the extracts from the letter further on from Randolph, show some of the phases of the state of affairs in the white counties, which had not been occupied by the enemy. Hon. J. T. Heflin was chairman and Joseph Hardie secretary of the meeting in the court house, and the following contains the gist of the letter prepared by order of said meeting: "Talladega county, with a white population of 14.634, (it then embraced part of the present counties of Clay and Cleburne), has furnished up to the first of April, 1864, tAventy-seven companies of volunteers for the war, exclu- sive of those who have volunteered in other organizations, furnished substitutes, or who have been enrolled, (in the State Reserves and militia.) These volunteers were raised under a pledge that the citi- zens of the countv would raise, if necssary, $20,000 annually for the support of the soldiers' families. Only thirty persons received aid from the county in JSIay, 1861: .3,979 needed and received aid in April, 1864. During the year 1863 in addition to what the State provided, (we have seen that the State appropriated a total of $3,000,- 000. Talladega's share was at least $80,000, besides twenty-five pounds of salt per capita for each member of needy soldiers' fam- ilies — the people of the county raised and placed in the hands of the probate judge for distribution to soldiers' families the frllowing: $7,276.00 in cash, 2.570 bushels of corn, 102 bushels of wheat and 16 sacks of salt, besides 21,755 bushels of corn at 50c per bushel when corn was worth $3.00 per bushel : 928 bushels of wheat at $2.00, worth $10.00 per bushel ; 233 sacks of salt at $20.00 a sack when salt was worth $80.00 per sack. These things were paid for out of the State fund for supnort of soldiers. On the 22d of Decem- ber, 1862, ninety negroes wore impressed to work on fortifications in various cities; January 3d, 1863, 120 more; 7th INIarch, 1863, IbO more. In February, 1864, 160 more, who are now at work at Mobile. CONFEDERATE WAR PERIOD 1 99 Besides mules, horses, work oxen and wagons previously impressed, every seventh mule has been taken by order of General Polk. * * *" The letter from Alpine, Talladega county, was written about the same time and signed by Walker Reynolds. L. W. Lawler, and about twenty-five other leading planters, says in part : "White laborers under forty-five are generally in the army. Their families, those living in the hills, are dependent for sustenance upon the slave labor of the valley. We have refugees from North Alabama, which has been de vastated by the enemy. Several thousand cavalry and artillery horses are now in the county and have been for months. The conse- quence is that notwithstanding the large yield of grain last year, there is hardly enough now on hand to subsist the inhabitants of the county. Under such circumstances, it would be suicidal for the gov- ernment to take our labor from us now. when we are planting our crops and doing all we can to raise provisions. It will deprive us of the means of supporting the families of the gallant men who are per- illing their lives in defense of liberty. Your Excellency is aware that the planters of Talladega have acted liberally in providing for the families of soldiers. We mention this as evidence of the true pur- pose of this request, to postpone the impressment of slaves until crops are laid by, and to acquit us of suspicions of selfish motives." In forwarding the letters to General Polk, Governor Watts says, "The meeting at Talladega was composed of our best citizens, and the leiLcr from Alpine is signed by gentlemen of the highest character." Similar requests, either oral or written reached Governor Watts from all parts of the State. They constituted a cry of exhaustion, not of dissatisfaction or unreasonable complaint. By some mistake the Confederate impressment agent called on Randolph county for nearly half the able hodied negro men in the county, where there were comparatively few negroes. Messrs. Stroud, Caper, Willis and forty-three other slave owners addressed a letter to President Davis on the 6th of May, 1864, in which they respectfully asked that the number called for be reduced, or the execution of the order be post- poned until crops were laid by. The letter says that 1,600 soldiers' families of Randolph were supported by the State and county, and that many thousand liushels of corn was im- ported for this purpose from Middle Alabama and much of it had to be hauled in wagons forty miles from the railroad. Counting five to the family, they" estimated that 8.000, one- third of the population, were supported from ttie State and county funds for soldiers' families. The same proportion of thd population was supported by public funds in other white counties. 200 HISTORY OF ALABAMA On the 29th of May, 1864, Gen. S. D. Lee was appointed to the command of the Department of Alabama, Mississippi and Eeast Louis- iana, succeeding General Polk, who was appointed to the command of a corps in Johnston's army, and shortly afterwards was killed in defense of the South, greatly lamented. On the 7th of May, 186-i, Col. W. A. Johnson, commanding the Fourth Alabama cavalry, fought the Seventh Illinois, un- der Colonel Rowlett, near Florence, and defeated the latter, inflicting considerable loss, and a day or two later occupied tlic town after driving the Federals out. Rowlett, having re- ceived re-enforcements, defeated Col. Johnson near Center Star, on the IGth of May the latter's loss being several killed and wounded and a score of prisoners, according to the Fed- eral report. On the ITtli of May, 1864, Col. Josiah Patterson, with the Fifth Alabama cavalry, and Major Stewart's battal- ion, amounting together to 500 men, attacked the Federal fort at Madison Station. After a severe light the Federals re- treated with the loss of several killed and wounded and eighty prisoners. Colonel Patterson's loss was a total of seven killed and wounded. He retreated safely across the Tennessee river with the booty and prisoners he had captured, although at- tacked that afternoon iust as he reached the river. On the 14th of May Colonel Patterson's command w'as attacked two miles above Fletcher's Ferry, by four companies of infantrv and the Federal gunl)oat which patrolled the river. After a sharp artillery duel the gunboat retired down the river. (Brewer says Patterson captured 130 prisoners at Madison Station.) On the 27th of May, 1864, Gen. Frank Blair, with two di- visions of his corps, 10,500 strong, started from Decatur on the march through ISTortheast Alabama to Rome, Ga., to re-enforce Sherman. Two brigades under Colonel Long were sent to- wards Moulton to give the impression that a raid had started to Middle Alabama, and such for a time was the belief of the Confederates. In order to delay them as much as possible. Roddy, with part of his command fought the superior force of Long at Poifd Spring, but was driven back witli small loss on each side. The two Federal brigades continued to advance south until thev reached Moulton. where Roddy attacked tliem with most of his command at daylight on the morning of the CONFEDERATE WAR PERIOD 20I 29tli. A severe battle rap-ed for two hours, with some loss in Ivilled and wounded on each side, when the Confederate cav- :alry and artillery withdrew three miles further south for a bet- ter position. They were not followed by the Federals, who turned their course to join the rest of Blair's force on tlie march towards Eome. During the spring and early summer the Federal gunboats, ivhich patrolled the river, had frequent skirmishes with Con- iederate scouts ashore, and would often land companies to make short raids, and then retreat rapidly to the gunboats. One sucli raid in the latter part of May destroyed the salt- petre works in a cave near Whitesburg. In many of the large caves in Alabama the earth was dug up and placed in hoppers and water poured over it. The resulting lye was then boiled down and made good saltpetre or nitre, which was in great demand for making gunpowder. On the 1st of June, 186-1, a Federal force, which was sent out from Decatur to feel the Confederate force in the vicinity, was attacked seven miles south of the town, by Colonel Patterson's regiment, and after a brisk fioht, the Federals were driven back to their strono- hold. About this time the Federals were fearful of a raid by Forrest into Tenessessee to cut Rhrenian's communications, therefore, General Sherman wrote to General W. Soy Smith, chief of cavalry at Nash- ville, as follows: "You may send notice to Florence that if Forrest invades Tennessee from that direction, the town will be burned, and if it occurs, you will remove the inhabitants north of the Ohio river and burn the town, and Tuscumbia also." From the 20th to the 27th of June Gei.eral Pillow, nominally commanding all the cavalry in iNorth Alabama, maue a raid into Georgia from Blue Mountain, Alabama, to cut the railroad in Sherman's rear, at Lafayette, Ga. Two small brigades were on the expedition ; one was composed of u,e commands of Colonels Armistead, Ball and Lewis. They made a gaiiant fight, and the last named lost his life. Just as victory seemed to perch on the Confederate banner the Federals were heavily re-enforced. The Confederates lost heavily, but brought off some prisoners. Early in July, 18G4, General Roddy's command was sent to Nortli Mississippi to aid Generals Forrest and Lee in meeting a raid of 15,000 Federals under (Jen. A. J. Smith, one of the best generals in the Union army. (This resulted in the bloody battle of Harrisburg. near Tupelo, About the middle of Julv. ) While the Tennessee valley 8 202 HISTORY OF ALABAMA M-as then almost depleted of Confederate troops, General Kosseau made a raid from Deeatiir into Southeast Alabama, ^yhich raid was conceived in the fertile brain of Sherman alwiit a month previous. The object was to cut the railroad at Opelika, ^vhicJl furnished sup- plies for Jolmston's army from the fertile fields of Middle Alabama. The lollowing is an extract from Sherman's last order to Kosseau, just before he started out, and is dated Chattanooga, July 7th: ''T expect you to leave Decaiur on tne 9th of July. I am convinced that A. J. Smith will give lull employment to Forrest. I will keep John- ston employed and General Canby will look out for tne Mobile gar- rison.*' With '2,300 picked men and horses, General Rosseau left Deoachapoka and 204 HISTORY OF ALABAMA ^otasiilga, cacli of -which contained a hirge quantity of army stores. On the 19th of July, 1864, the Alabama, a Confederate war vessel of 1,040 tons and thirty-two guns, commanded by Capt. Raphael Semmes of this State, was sunk by the- Kearsarge, under Captain Winslow, in a naval duel near Cherbourg, France. In said battle the ammunition of the former proved to be defective, as evidenced by a shell from her, which penetrated the stern of the- Kearsarge and failed to explode, while her largest shot could not pierce the armor of chains hung over the sides of her adversary, but hidden from view by being planked over. Captain Semmes and part of his crew were picked up by an English vessel near by, and he hnally reached Richmond and was made vice-admiral in the Confeder- ate navy. During her career of two years the Alabama sunk or cap- tured fifty-three vessels, worth $4,000,000, and inflicted damages ta more than double that amount on the commerce of the United states by causing delay in ocean freights, and higher insurance rates. For six months after the 21st of June, 18G1, Captain Semmes had com- manded the Sumter, at the end of which time she was declared un- seaworthy. With her he destroyed eighteen vessels. After the war Admiral Semmes returned to his old home — Mobile, and in 1869 published "Memoirs of Service Afloat." QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER XXXVI. (1) Who attacked Decatur? When? Result? (2) What is said in the letter from Randolph county? (3) Relate the fights of Col. John- son on the 7th and 16th of May? Relate the capture of Madison Sta- tion? (4) Relate the movement of Gen. Blair? Of Col. Long? The fights of Pond Springs and Moulton? (5) What is said of gunboats on the river? Saltpetre? (6) When did Rosseau start? Give num- ber of men and route? Whom did he learn was on the opposite side of the river at Greenport? Relate the crossing of the river and fight at Ten Islands? (7), Relate the rest of the raid? What occurred near Chehaw? (8) Relate" the fight? The destruction of railroad and depots? CONFEDERATE WAR PERIOD 205 CHAPTEE XXXVII. CONFEDERATE WAR PERIOD, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, 18G4. BATTLE OF MOBILE BAY — SURRENDER OF FT. GAINES AND FT. MORGAN — CAPTURE OF ATIIEXS AND SULPHUR TRESTLE BY FORREST. Early in the war, Mobile, like other Southern ports, was blockaded by Federal war vessels. Nevertheless, except during the temporary presence of large fleets, an occasional blockade runner would slip in or out during dark, cloudy nights, bring- ing in valuable cargoes of much needed foreign goods and carrying out loads of cotton in exchange. The swiftest steam vessels were used, and the profits on a single successful run were enormous. During the spring and early summer of 1864, the forts at the mouth of the bay were heavily bom- barded from time to time, especiallv when there was some important movement of the Federal armies in Georgia, Mississippi or North Alabama, all being under the command of General Sherman. On the 3d of August, 1864, 1,500 land troops were disem- 1)arked on Dauphin Island, and they immediately moved up towards Ft. Gaines and prepared to beseige the fort. Two days subsequently, on the 5th of August, eighteen war vessels, including four powerful iron clad monitors, all under Admiral Farragut. sailed into the pass between Forts Gaines and Morgan, and opened a terrific fire upon the two forts. At the same time Fort Gaines was assailed by a heavy can- nonade from the land force in the rear. One of the Federal vessels, the Te^'umseh, struck a torpedo and- was blown up with the loss of 120 men, only ten of the crew escaping death. The other seventeen vessels en- tered the bay. Admiral Buchanan, commander of the Con- federate fleet of four vessels, steamed forward to meet the powerful Federal fleet in the lower bay. After desperate fighting the fate of the three smaller Confederate vessels was as follows: The Morgan, under Commander Harrison, was compelled to withdraw to safety under the guns of Fort 206 HISTORY OF ALABAMA Morgan, after being riddled with shot — the Sehna, under Lieutenant Commander Murphy, surrendered after her deck had become a slaughter pen — and the Gaines, under Lieu- tenant Commander Bennett, fought until found to be in a sinking condition, and was then beached near Fort Morgan. The powerful Confederate flag ship, the Tennessee, now contended alone against the seventeen United States vessels and, of course, such an unequal battle could have but one ending. Admiral Buchanan was severely wounded and her commander, Captain Johnson, continued the fight and did not hoist the white flag until an hour after his ship had been unable to fire a gun. For two hours she had been subjected to a cannonade from nearly 200 guns. Her smoke stack and steering gear were shot away and when she surrendered she was being rammed on all sides by the prows of the Federals, which would run upon her at full speed. She was an Alabama built boat and was launched at Selma; even her armor being manufactured there, and so perfect was it, that it was not penetrated by a single shot or shell from the Federal fleet. Her loss in killed and wounded was li2:ht, two killed and nine wounded, while on the smaller Selma eight were killed and seven wounded. The Federal loss was fiftv-two killed and 170 wounded, besides the 120 on the Tecumseh. Four of the United States vessels were seriouslv damaged. The Federal fleet had a total of 199 guns and 2,700 men, the Confederate fleet had twenty-two guns and 470 men. Not- withstanding their disparity. Admiral Farragut won and really deserved fresh laurels for the work of the day. He had passed his fleet within range of the o-uns of the two forts, he had run the risk of being blown up by an unknown number of torpedoes, and the Tennessee alone was a formid- able antagonist for several of his best vessels combined. The Confederates had made a gallant fight, but needed three more such vessels as the Tennessee. The Federal fleet and forces were now ready to devote their whole attention to the reduction of the forts at the pass. The lines of the land force on Dauphin Island drew closer to Ft. Gaines, and after a heavy bombardment from said force and CONFEDERATE WAR PERIOD 207 from the fleet, Colonel Anderson surrendered the fort on the 8th of An^ust. The next day 3,000 Federal troops under Gen Gordon Gran- ger landed on the shore in the rear of Ft. Morgan. Within a few days a siege train of forty-one heavy guns was laid. On the 22d of August the bombardment of Ft. Morgan from said guns and from the whole Federal force was begun and continued through the day and night. At 6 a. m., on the 23d of August, a white flag was raised over tlie fort and at 2 p. m. General Page formally surrendered the fort with several hun- dred prisoners, the garrison having lost between forty and fifty in killed and wounded. Before raising the white flag the fort had been set on fire by the bursting shells, and the garrison had saved themselves from being blown up, by casting a vast quantity of powder into a well. The Federal loss of land men in this and previous engagements was very light. Fort Powell, at Cedar Point, had been abandoned by the Confederates on the ni,2:ht of the 5th of August. In the various surrenders of forts and vessels more than 1,060 Con- federates had been captured, a heavy loss at that time, when all the armies of the Confederacy were facing vastly superior numbers. Great efforts were made to strenothen the inner defenses of Mobile by Col. Samuel Lockett, chief engineer of the department, with a large force of impressed slaves, and later on by several hundred negroes that had been captured by Forrest. Colonel Lockett was ably assisted by Lieutenant Colonel Sheliha. engineer of the distiict of the Gulf. On the 5th of September Colonel Lockett reported that he had 4,500 negroes at work on said defenses, and that tlie Federals had let their best opportunity slip, in failing to advance upon, and capture the city immediately after the fall of the forts at the mouth of the bay. On the 25th of August. Gf'n. Dick Taylor assumed command of the Department of Alabama, Mississippi and East Louisiana and held it until the end of the war, succeeding Gen. S. D. Lee, who took com- mand of a corps in Hood's army. General Lee had left a month pre- vious, during which time Gen. D. H. Maury had temporary command of the Department until the arrival of General Taylor, after which 208 HISTORY OF ALABAMA General Maury was able to give his whole attention to the defense of Mobile, as formerly. In August, 1864, General Withers reported that 5,000 8; ate reserves had been organized in Alabama. One regi- ment was guarding the railroad bridge opposite West Point, Ga., and nearly all the rest were at Mobile or Pollard. Many wlio were subject to duty as reserves had joined the com- mands of General Pillow at Blue Mountain, General Roddy in the Tennessee valley, and General Clanton's brigade, which was now ordered to Hood's army. General Withers also reported that some of the county militia, (boys 16 years and men from 50 to 60 years of age), were organized and in camj^, but gave no details. During the late summer of 18G4, the Official Records show that Alabama had in Hood's army and in the Department of Alabama, -lississippi and East Louisiana the following commands: Thirty- eight regiments and six battalions of infantry: nineteen regiments and eight battalions of cavalry; one battalion and eighteen batteries of lisfht artillery, besides some local companies at Mobile. We do not think any of the above were transferred later to the Virginia army, in which Alabama had a few months later the following: Twenty regiments, two battalions and three companies of infantry, live companies of cavalry and three batteries of artillery. All of the commands were now greatly reduced in numbers by the casualties of battle and by disease from exnosure. The regiments which averaged 1,100 each when they were mustered into service, and had received many recruits, noAV averaged not more than 200 to 400 effectives present. The Official Records show that the whole Confederate force of the West on this side of the Missis- sippi, including Hood's army and all under Taylor, numbered much less than 100.000 effectives present on the 1st of September, 1804. against which were pitted the armies of Sherman and Canby, and the fleet at Mobile, a total of 300.000 effectives present. On the 19th of August, 1804, Colonel Prosser made a raid south of Decatur and skirmished with the regiment of Col. Josiah Patterson, but we have been unable to obtain full report of same. Early in Sep- tember general Wheeler's command entered North Alabama, after a successful raid into East and Middle Tennessee, from "NTorth Georgia. He was hard pressed by a superior force of Federals, and General Roddy crossed the river to aid him in his retreat. While on the north side of the river Roddy had two or three skirmishes with the Federals, but we have been unable to find reports of them. About tlie 20th of Sei)t(Mnh(>r General Forrest, with 3,000 men, forded tlie river at Colljert's Ferry, wlien starting on CONFEDERATE WAR PERIOD 20g his famous Pulaski raid. Ho was soon joined by Roddy's force of l,500j which was still north of the river, after aiding Wheeler to cross in safety. The hitter's command, much exhausted, returned to their duties in Georgia after a short rest. At sunset of September 23d, 1864, Forrest arrived before Athens, captured the horses and camps of the Federals, who fled into their strong fort near the town. During the night, the Confederates surrounded the fort and their demand for its surrender the next morning met with prompt refusal on the part of Colonel Cam])l)ell, the commander. The '''Wizard of the Saddle," whom General Sherman usually spoke of as "that devil Forrest," then asked for a parley Avith the Federal commander. During the conference which followed under a flag of truce, Forrest showed Colonel Camp- bell around the Confederate lines and made him believe that 10,000 men were present, ready to assail the fort. Campbell, like everybody else, knew how Forrest had fooled Streight the year before. Hence his demand to see the 10,000, which the Confederate commander claimed to have in line. An old Confederate soldier. ^Iv. Henry Montgomery, who was present, has informed the writer that Forrest very adroitly exhibited the same commands, first as cavalry and at another place as infantry, as he and the Federal officer ins'^ected the lines. Having completed the ra])id inspection. Colonel C^impbell surrendered the strong fort and its garrison of 1,000 men, who could have defended it for a few days at least, against ten times their number. Just after the surrender, 400 Federals, under a brave commander, arrived on a train from the direction of Nashville, and they made a hard fight on open ground with a loss of one-third their number in killed and wounded before they surrendered to the vastly superior force of Forrest — having inflicted a loss upon the Confed- erates of twenty killed and sixty wounded. A mile further down the railroad, two Federal block houses were captured with their garrisons of fifty and eighty men respectively. That afternoon, eight miles further north, another block house with its garrison of seventy men, surrendered to the rapidly moving coliiuin of Coirfederates. Early the next 2 10 HISTORY OF ALABAMA morning, Septenil)er tlie 25th, 1864, the Confederate raiders reached Snl])hur Trestle, near the Tennessee line, where the Federals had two strong block houses garrisoned with about 1,000 men, for the protection of the long trestle. Forrest quickly disposed his men for the attack and the Federal sharp shooters were soon driven from their rifle pits. In a little while the two pieces of artillery in the forts were silenced, and the wooden tanks were set on fire by shells from the Con- federate artillery. A general charge was made and terrible slaughter ensued, while the terrified defenders ran from side to side of the fort, without presence of mind to signal a surrender. The Federal commander had been killed early in the fight. When the state of the garrison became apparent t^ the assailants they demanded a surrender, which was promptly assented to and the firing ceased. Over 200 Federals were killed or wounded, and 820 surrendered. The other captures here were 350 horses, two pieces of artillery, twenty wagons loaded with supplies, besides a quantity of ammunition, small arms, etc. Forrest then continued his raid on into Tennes- see. During the two davs the Federal loss was 2,600 men or more, captured or killed. A part of Forrest's force under General Buford, made demonstra- tions against Huntsville on the 30th of September and against Athens on the 1st and 2d of October, the fort there having been occupied by another Federal force. After shelling the fort, Buford moved ofl". his design having been to divert attention from the main force of Forrest, which was operating against the communications of Sherman in Tennessee. On his return south. Forrest was pursued by several large Federal commands, which made every effort to capture or de- stroy his command, which crossed the river on October 5th in safety below Florence, at a time when the pursuers were confident there was no chance tor his escape. One object of the Confederate cavalry raids into Tennessee during 18()4 was to force Sherman to send a large number of his troops from the front to drive out the raiders. The loss of the Federals at Athens on the 24th of September, and at Sulphur Trestle the next day, each surpasses the loss inflicted by Washington on the British at Trenton, and was a third greater than the British loss at King's Mountain, when the whole force of Fur- guson was killed or captured. QUESTIONS OX CirAPTER XXXVII. (1) What is said of the blockade of Mobile? Blockade runners? The profits? Bombardment of forts? (2) How was Ft. Gaines be- C0NFEDP:RATE war period 211 sieged? Movement of the fleet? (3) Relate the naval battle in the lower bay? What "was the fate of three smaller Confederate vessels? The fight of the Tennessee? Where was she built? Her armor? Number of guns and men in each fleet? (4) Relate the capture of Fort Gaines? (5) Relate the siege and surrender of Ft. Morgan? AYhat was the fate of Ft. Powell? Loss of the Confederates? (6) What efforts were now made? What opportunity was lost? (7) How many State Reserves in August, 1864? (8) Who started on a raid on the 20th of September and with what total force? Relate the capture of Athens? Number surrendered? The capture of the 400 who ar- rived on the train? The block houses? (9) Relate the attack upon and capture of Sulphur Trestle? What was the Federal loss there? Total loss in two days? CHAPTER XXXVIII. CONFEDERATE WAR PERIOD, OCTOBER, 1864, TO LAST OF MARCH, 1865 HOOD AXD SHERMAN IN ALABAMA ATTACK ON DECATUR SKIRMISHES ALONG THE LINE OF HOOD^S MARCH THROUGH NORTH ALABAMA CAPTURE OF HOOD^^ PONTOON TRAIN ON HIS RETREAT DEPRECIATED CURRENCY. After having defended Atlanta for six weeks against Sher- man's army, which had more than double the number of the defenders, General Hood, with his arm}^, retreated from the city on the 1st of September, 1864. After the Dalton- Atianta campaign, both armies needed rest, and for a few weeks there was comparative quiet. In October Hood marched rapidly into Alabama via Cave Springs and Cedar- town, Ga., and reached Gadsden on the 20th of the month. On the 17th of October General Beauregard arrived at Jack- sonville, Ala., and under appointment of President Davis, issued orders assuming command of the military division of the west, which embraced the departments of Generals Hood and Taylor. A few days afterwards he moved his head- quarters to Tuscumbia, and thence to Corinth, Miss. He did not go with Hood's army into Tennessee, nor did he entirely approve of Hood's plans, but did not interfere with them. Being superior in command to both Hood and Taylor, he was of great service in providing supplies from the latter's department without friction, for Hocd's army, and thi> seems to have been the extent of the authority which General 212 HISTORY OF ALABAMA Beauregard saw proper to exercise. The move into Tennes- see was intended to force Sherman to retreat from Georgia and was doubtless arranged by President Davis and General Hood during the former's visit to the latter at Palmetto, Ga.^ after the fall of Atlanta. General Sherman was puzzled by Hood's move into Ala- bama and followed as far as Gaylesville, with the greater part of his army, leaving Slncum^s corps at Atlanta, and heavy garrisons on the railroads to Chattanooga and Rome. With four or five corps, numbering from 60,000 to 75,000 men, Sherman remained at Gaylesville for ten days, or, as he reported to the Secretay of AVar, until he "had eaten out the rich valleys'' of the vicinity. On the 31st of October Sherman sent a large force of infantry on a reconnoitering expedition towards Gadsden, which was opposed by only one or two sharp encounters with some of Wheeler's cavalry, and having learned that Hood's army had gone on towards Guntersville, or Decatur, the expedition rejoined Sherman at Gaylesville. On the 4tli of October another similar expedition of Federals skirmished with Confederate cavalry near Turkey Town, the casual- ties being light on both sides. Before Sherman returned to Georgia, Gen. J. H. Wilson made a reconnoissance with two regiments of cavalry in the direction of Jacksonville and Blue Mountain. One of his columns was repulsed by General Ghoulson, near Ladiga, and the other by General Furguson, near Goshen, on the 28th of October^ the loss in killed and wounded being small. When Sherman discovered Hood's apparent destination, he sent two corps, about 25,000 men, to re-enforce General Thomas in Tennessee and with the rest of his army returned to Atlanta, and started on his celebrated march to the sea on the 12th of November. Hood's army reached Somerville, a few miles south of the Tennessee river, two or three days after leaving Gadsden. On the 26th to the 29th of October heavy demonstrations were made against the fortifications of Decatur, with considerable loss in killed and wounded on both sides. After the first attack on the 26th, it was found that the place could not be taken without loss of life, and the larger part of the army hastened on to effect a crossing of the river near Tuscumbia. Jn the meantime the railroad east CONFEDERATE WAR PERIOD 213 "from Corinth was beiiip; rapidly repaired, in order to open a <-ommunieation for supplies from the rich eorn fields of the Tombit»-l)ee valley, down the M. & (). railroad, in ]\Iississii)j)i. This, liowever, i-ecpiired two or three weeks Takiable time, when it was evident that the snccess of the expedition depended u])on ra])idity of movement. The rich Tennessee river valley in North Alabama, which before the war conld have easily fed an army of 100,000 men for an indefinite length of time, was now a desert, after three years of the tread of contendinjo;- armies, and from purposed and cruel devastation on the part of the Federals. Many of the best citizens had disappeared, nearly all the able bodied men had entered the Confederate service, and a large propor- tion of the old men, women and children had been forced bv the Federals to refugee further south. Many of the slaves had been sent south by their masters, and many others had -entered the Federal arni}^, while the Southern cities in pos- session of the Federals were crowded with their families. As Hood's army marched through the once lovely valley, both south and north of the river, only sad scenes day after day presented themselves to the battle-scarred veterans, whose i^arly home training and whose great army commanders, Albert Sydney and J. E. Johnston, and Bragg, and Beaure- gard, and Hood, had taught them to respect the private 7:>roperty of the enemy, es])ecially the homes that give shelter to the women and children, the aged and infirm. Most of the fields they passed were covered with briars and weeds, the fencing burnt or broken down. Tlie chimneys in every Who opposed the main column near Elyton? What were burnt? Who hur- 224 HISTORY OF ALABAMA ried to the front of Wilson? Fight at Dixie Station? Where was McCook sent? What number advanced on Selma? (11) Number of defenders of Selma? Attack and capture? Who escaped? Number of prisoners reported? How did McCook head off Jackson? (The Jackson mentioned above was W. H. Jackson, of Tennessee, who commanded one of the divisions of Forrest's command.) CHAPTER XL. CONFEDERATE WAR RERIOD, APRIL AND MAY^ 1865 WILSON's RAID CONTINUED BURNING OF THE STATE UNIVERSITY BY . CROXTON SURRENDER OF GEN. DICK TAYLOR CLOSING OP THE WAR IN ALABAIMA WAR TIMES IN ALABAMA. On the 10th of April, 1865, all of General Wilson's com- mand, with the exception of Croxton's brigade, which was still away, had crossed the Ala])ama river at Selma on a pon- toon bridge, and started on the march for Montgomery that day. A negro regiment, 800 strong, Avas recruited in Selma bv the Federals, and it received large accessions on the east- ward march by the time Macon, Ga., was reached. The raiders entered Montgomery on the 12th of April, unopposed, and the city was surrendered by the mayor. Ninety thousand bales of cotton stored there had been burnt by General Adams upon the approach of the Federals, and the latter captured and destroyed five pieces of artillery, a large quan- tity of army stores, including small arms and ammunition! On the 15th a regiment was sent to Wetumpka and captured five steamboats, after a short skirmish with their guards, and then carried them to Montgomery, where they were burnt with their cargoes. Generals Upton and LaGrangc were sent a few hours in advance of the main column from Montgomery on a rapid march, respectively towards Columbus and West Point, Ga., to seize the bridges at those places. Shortly after leaving Montgomery, LaGrange^s column was opposed for several miles by a small force of Confederate cavalry, 100 of whom were captured by the Federals. Upton was attacked near Tuskegee, which delayed his march but a short time, and he reached Girard, Ala., opposite Columbus. Ga., at 2 p. m., April the ]6th. The lower bridge was burnt CONFEDERATE WAR PERIOD 225 In- the Confederates, who concentrated their forces in the for- tifications near the upper bridge. Sufficient resistance was made to hold the Federals in check for several hours, when fhe latter received re-enforcements under General Wilson. Just at ni^ht they charged and routed the Confederates, and soldiers of both sides rushed pell-mell tos:-ether across the bridge amid the confusion and darkness. If the Confederates had been as hopeful for the success of the South as they had been a Aveek previous and before thev heard of Lee's surrender, they would doubtless have made a very different fight. The Federals captured several thousand prisoners, also several hundred cars and fifteen locomotives — most of which had been run across from Alabama for safety — two gunboats and an immense quantity of army stores. All the foregoing ])roperty, four cotton factories, the Confederate arsenals and foundries and the bridge were burnt. The column of LaCirang-e reached the vicinity of Ft. Tyler, on the Alabama side of the river near West Point, early on the morning of the 16th of April. It consisted of four regi- ments of cavalrv and a battery of artillery, and met with a hot reception at the hands of the little garrison of Ft. Tyler, commanded by General Tyler, a convalescent wounded officer, for whom the fort was named. According to Brewer, the garrison numbered only 104, but Upton reported the num- ber as 265, which probably included the sick and wounded who took no part in the fight. The garrison was composed of about thirty Louisiana artillerymen and the rest were boys from La Grange, or "convalescents from the camp in the place.'' General Tyler was killed early in the fight and the command devolved upon Captain Gonzolez, who was also killed, and was succeeded by Captain Parham. He did not surrender until the walls of the fort were scaled bv an over- powering force of Federals at 5:30 p. m. The loss of tlie garrison was 12 killed and wounded and tlie Federal loss not quite so lieavy. It has been chiimed that this battle, and that at Girard, the same day, were the last battles of the Con- federate war, l)ut this is a mistake; they were, however, tlie last on Alabama soil. The last battle was in Texas. 226 HISTORY OF AI^ABAMA V. We hjne seen in the preceding chapter, that Croxlon's qI brigade of Wilson's command, was detached at Elyton on the (J / 1^-h of March to go to Tuscaloosa on an expedition of de- struction. (Elvton was then the county seat of Jefferson county and near the present city of Birmingham.) Near Trion, nine miles north of Scottsville, his command was attacked, defeated and driven several miles, by General Jackson, on the morning of April 1st, at daylight. The Federals lost several killed and wounded, several prisoners captured and a number of horses. General Jackson, thinking the Fedeials were thoroughly whipped and would continue to retreat to the Tennessee river, pursued them but a few miles, as he was needed by Forrest at Selma. We have seen how General Jackson was headed off from Selma the next day by the burning of the bridge at Centreville by McCook. after he had felt of Jackson's force and had been repulsed earlv in the morning of the 2d of April near Scottsville. When Croxton found that he was no longer pursued b}- Jackson, he proceeded north to the right of Tuscaloosa, then turned suddenly and reached the bridge at the edge of the town, across the Black Warrior river, at 9 p.m. on the 3d of April. He captured the bridge, driving off the guards with small loss on either side, and entered the town almost by the time his presence was known. He remained there all the next day — April the 4th — trying to learn the whereabouts of any Confederate force that might overwhelm him. He burnt the University buildings because of the military character of the school, and the nitre works, foundry, factory and supplies which his troops did not need. On the 5th he moved towards Columbus, Miss., as far as the Sipsey mills, which he burnt. He sent a company to Carroll- ton, under Captain Suthers, which burnt the court house and depot of supplies. The said company being attacked at King's Store on the 6th by a body of Confederates, Captain Suthers abandoned some prisoners he had captured, and being unable to rejoin Croxton, made the march through to Decatur in safety. After despatching the side expedition to Carrollton, Croxton heard that General Forrest was in his Iront. He turned baek to the east and was soon afterwards CONFEDERATE WAR PERIOD 227 attacked bv Wirt Adams' brigade of Confederale^^. (April the 6th), and suifered a loss of thirty-five men killed and wounded and prisoners. He then moved to Northport, where he tarried several days. His next move was across the country to Talladega, which nlace he reached on the 32d of April, havino- burnt the Mt. Pinson foundry and nitre works on the 19th. On the 23d he defeated a few hundred Con- federates near Mumford. He then moved up the Tennessee River Railroad to Blue Mountain, (present site of Anniston), and destroyed the Oxford iron works and all the depots from Mumford up to the end of the railroad at Blue Mountain. He then turned toward Carrollton, Ga., by way of Bell's Mills and Arbachocchee. One regiment went as far north as Jacksonville, where the countv prisoners in iail were released, and then turned east and burnt Mallory's cotton factory before leaving this State. On his route through Alabama he succeeded in destroying about all of the few iron works and cotton factories that had been missed by the main column under Wilson, and by Rosseau's raid during the previous July. When Croxton joined Wilson in Georgia, his command had been separated from the rest of the corps for a month, without the former being able to get any orders from his superior, or communicate with him. In his report General Wilson says his command during the rai ^var were tremendous. We can form no just conception of said losses, except by comparing some items of the census of 1860 with that of 1870. We give the gold valuation of 1870 : 234 HISTORY OF ALABAMA In 1860. In 1870 Value of farms $175,824,032.00 $ 54,191,229.00 Value of live stock 43,411,711.00 21,325,076.00 Value of farm implements 7,433,178.00 5,046,543.00 Decrease No. of horses 127,000 80,000 47,000 mules and asses 111,000 76,000 35,00:» " oxen 88,000 59,000 29,000 miiiv cows 230,000 170,000 60,000 " other cattle 454,000 257,000 197,000 sheep 370,000 241,000 129,000 " swine . 1,748,000 719,000 1,029,000 Improved lands in farm 6,385,724 acres 5,062,204 acres The corn crop 33,226,000 bu. 16,077,000 bu. 'j.- e cotton crop 989,955 bales 429.482 bales The average cotton and corn crops during the five years ending with 1900 will scarcely reach the amount of cotton and corn pro- duced in 1860, there behig a gradual increase since 1870. The white counties, which previous to the war produced a very smnll propor- tion of the cotton crop, now produce about half of the amount raised in this State, and almost without exception produce a greater yield per acre than anj^ of the black belt counties. Nearly all the manufacturing industries of Alabama were burnt by the Federals. Most of the engines, cars, steam- boats, ware-houses and depots were destroyed, a number of railroad bridges and trestles were burnt and most of the rails, which were made of iron, were worn out, so that the trans- portation property of the State was worth many millions of .3. President Lincoln issued his procla- mation, which proclaimed freedom to the slaves of this countrw but which was of no effect within the Confederate lines. Nor did he have authority under the national constitution to free the slaves. However, their freedom was thereafter recognized, and slavery abolished by force of arms "as a war measure"' wherever the Federals occupied tlie country. Therefore to make legal what bad been accomi)lished by force of arms, an ordinance abolishing RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD 241 slavery was passed by the convention, wliieh thus reeooiiized the abolition of slavery as one of the results of the war. Under Presi- dent Johnson's reconstruction, only white men voted in the election of 1865, and no others were granted the franchise by the State con- vention of that vear. The general assembly met on tlie 2()tli of Xovember, 1865, and proceeded to legislate under the new constitution. Robert M. Patton, who was elected governor at the same general election w^ith the legislature, w^as inaugurated on the 20th of December, in obedience to an order from President Johnson, and Governor Parsous retired tliat day Ijv order of the same authority. The twentieth governor of this State. Gov. R. M. Patton, of Lauderdale county, was born in Virginia in 1809, and remo/cl with his parents to Madison county in 18i.>. He was a merchant and planter for 30 years dt Florence, having removed tliera in 18::!t. In 1836 he was a member of the lower house of the legislature, and in 1851 he was elected to the State senate and served as president of that body for eleven years. "He was grievously harassed by the Federal troops during the war, who laid waste the whole country." He was a member of the con- vention of 1865, and was elected oovernor the same fall over Colonel Bulger, of Tallapoosa, and Hon. \\illiam R. Smith, of Tuscaloosa. No governor of this State has been more respected and beloved than CJovernor Patton. Tlie acts and joint resolutions of the first session of tlu? legislature after the war, in tlie winter of 18()r)-r)(), like those during the war, are of more than ordinary interest, for they reflect some phases of the prevailinof conditions of those times, as does the letter ol' General Grant, which we quote further on in this chapter. On the loth of December. 1865. an act was passed making death the ninximnm i)enalty for grand larceny, arson and hiirghiry. \\i' may judge from this that crime under the new order of things liad become so common tluit a striiigent inensitre w;is i-iMpiired for its sup- pression, llowevei-, this act w;;s i-e|)e;ded a veai- aftei-wards. 242 HISTORY OF ALABAMA Joint resolutions wore passed ratifying- the amendment to the constitution al)olis]iino^ slavery and declaring that the freedmen should he protected in their rights of person and property. On the Kith of January there was adopted a "Joint Eesolution and ]\Iemorial to the President of the United States" asking for the withdrawal of Federal troops from the State of Alahama. The said memorial recites "that the people of Alabama have re- /lewed their loyalty to the Federal government vnth sincerity of pur- pose, with a determination to maintain good order, to protect the freedmen in the enjoyment of their constitutional rights by legal enactment and otherwise, that the continued presence of troops is a source of irritation because when ofT the lines of transportation they Mere compelled to subsist their stock upon the country, which was a great hardship in consequence of the unprecedented scarcity of provisions and the extreme indigence and destitution of the people, that the freedjnen cherished the belief that their idleness, violation of contracts and insubordination is countenanced by the United States soldiers, especially the colored portion of them, that a vague idea pervades the masses of the freedmen that a general division of property will be made among them, and such a state of mind was derived from association with colored troops." The said resolution respectfully requested and memoiialized the president to withdraAV the troops and tendeied the use of the State militia "to the oflicers of the Freedman's bureau to enforce the hitter's rules and orders when necessary." On the 24th of February. ISGO. the legislature memorialized the piesident in behalf of John ^1. Daniel, the sheriff of Cherokee county, under military arrest at Talladega, asking that he be pardoned or granted bail. The memorial recites that said Daniel, while in the discharge of his duties as sheriff, had arrested, during the previous August (1865), a prowling band of robbers in Federal luiiform who belonged to no command. A few days afterwards, while arresting another similar band of robbers, he was forced to kill one of them to save his own life. Upon investigation after overcoming them, he found they were indeed a squad of Federal troops and though en- gaged in robbing, he immediately released them. A day or two afterwards he was in turn arrested, and six months afterwards, in February, 1860, we find him still held in irons by the garrison of Talladega; hence the aforesaid action of the legislature in his behalf. ;No wonder the legislature representing the good people of Alabama Avanted the Federal troops withdrawn. The memorial goes on to lecite that "outrages by real or bogus Federal soldiers were of frequent occurrence." For years after the close of the war the most ])eaceable and law abiding citizen was terror stricken whenever a squad of Federal soldiers rode up to his gate. RECONSTRUCTION PIIRIOI) 243 Other acts of importance of the session of 18G5 were: Acts authorizing the governor to issue bonds to tlie amount of $500,000 "to buy food for the needy and destitute of the State," and $1,500,000 in bonds to meet the interest on the ante-bellum State debt, to loan the State university $70,000 to rebuild with, to exempt from levy and sale certain property for a specified time in the counties of the Tennessee valley, which had been ravaged by the Federals during the war. There were also passed acts incorporating about twenty petroleum and coal oil companies in the mineral regions of the Stiate. It is doubtful whether any of them over made a thoiDugli test for oil. Diirinp- this session, (IS^o-GliV Governor Parsons and Hon. Geor^-e S. Honston were elected by tlie legislature to the United States senate for the terms expiring- respectively March the 4th, 1871, and March the -Ith, 1867. Althougii both had been opposed to secession, neither was permitted to take his seat by the radicals of the United States senate, who were not satisfied with Johnson's reconstriution of the State. From the foregoing ordinances of the convention of Sep- tember, 1865, and the acts and joint resolutions and memor- ials of the general assembly of the winter of 1865-66, and from the testimony of General Grant, given further on, it is evident that the people of Alabama had accepted the results of the war as final, and had gone to work in the field, in the workshop, and in other peaceful pursuits to repair their broken fortunes. Had the president's reconstruction been recognized and endorsed by wise and ])atriotic acts on the part of con- gress, the good effects would have been apparent in greater prosperity of the South, and a better race feeling during all the years since the close of the war up to this writing at the ejid of the century. But a spirit different from patriotism pervaded the minds of a majority of the national law-makers at that time. In their opinion, the South had not been sufficiently humiliated bv (lefeat and desolation, the loss of $2 000,000,000 worth of sbivcs and at least $3,000,000,000 worth of other property, without counting the more terrible loss of probably 300,000 of licr most beloved and gallant sons. If the Union forces lost an ('(pial number of men, the propor- tion of Confederate losses io ]»opula(ion amounted to three or four to one compared with ])0|)ulntion of the X(U'th. and for 244 HISTORY OF ALABAMA caeli C'oiifc'clei'aic t'aiiiiJ\- that escaped the loss of a h)ved one, at least four Union families had the same iiood fortune. Xo act of the congress, which met in the winter of 1865-6G, g-ave hope to the Southern people. Before tlie adjournment of the legislature Avhich was in session at the same time, the evil forehodings reached the ears of the members with appall- ing distinctness from tlie halls of congress, and from the utterances of the radical jiress of the N'orth. The Alabama senators and representatives elected under a government organized by the president of the United States were refused their seats, although as a rule the gentlemen seeking admit- tance had opposed secession. A radical party w-as being- evolved, which gloried in its name, and by appealing to the bloody memories of the war, it was surprised and overjoyed by its success in gaining recruits for the Republican party in the Xorth, besides a few whites from the South on the outlook for office. Just lief ore adjournment in February, 1866, the legislature passed a joint resolution protesting against "the proposed amendments to the national constitution, which were forced through congress when Alabama had no voice in the councils of the nation," and thanking President John- son "for the stand he had taken against such usurpations.*' . x\t this time General Grant had no "presidential bee in his hat,"' for it was nearly three years until the presidential elec- tion. In the performanc(^ of his duties as commander of the United States army he made a tour through the militar" department of the South late in the fall of 1865. In his letter to the president of the United States, dated December 18th, 1875, General Grant says: "There is such universal acquiescence in the authority of the general government throughout the portions of country visited bv me that the mere presence of a military force, without regard to numbers, is sufficient to maintain order. The good of the country and economy require that the force in the interior where there ^are many freedmen, (elsewhere in the Southern States than at •l)Osts upon the sea-coast no force is necessary), should all be white troops. The ])i'eseiice of black troops demoralizes labor, both l)y their ad\ ice and l)y furnisliing. in their camps, a resort for th.e freedmen for long distances ai-oimd. Tlie RECONSTRUCTION PP:RI0D 245 operations of tlio Frccdman's Inii-oau liave not been conducted with o()od jud*»inent or economy, and the belief widely spread among- the freednicii of the Southern States that the hinds of their former owuci-s will at least in part be divided among lliem. has come from tbe agents of this bureau. This belief is seriously interfering with the willingness of the freedmen to make contracts for the coming year. The elfect of this l)elief in the division of lands is idleness and an accumulation of freedmen in camps, toAvns and cities.'*' Judging by this letter juid the ])]-oceedings of the conven- tion and legislature, there was no necessity for further recon- struction of the South. However, from the last joint resolu- tion of the legislature before it adjourned in February, 186G, Ave learn that congress had taken the nuitter in hand by "•:)ro- posing amendments to the national constitution, which we will give in the next chapter. We have also seen in said resolution that the fight between President Johnson and a radical con- gress began early in the year 1860. In liis veconstnictioii of tlie South. President Johnson foPowfii tile lin(s hiid down by liis predecessor. President Lincoln, and the Southern i:eo))le believe that if the latter had lived, his popularity and statesniansliii) would have enabled him to triumph over the radicals in conj^ress. whose vindictiveness set up the carpet-baggers, who almost ruined the South, as we will see further on. QTM'^STrOXS OX CHAPTER XLIT. (1) Who composed the worst adventurers who entered tliis Slate in 1865? (2) What was abolished by the convention? Declared null and void? Election provided for? (3) AVho was elected twentieth Ciov- <.-rnor? (4) Why are the acts of the session of 1S65-6 of interest? What Joint Resolution was adopted on the IGth of Januarv? What reasons for withdrawal of troops are recited in the JVIemorial? (3) Who were elected to the United States Senate? Why were thoy refused ad- mittance? (6) What was evident? What was the opinion of Con- gress? (7) What is said of the Acts of Congress and evil forebodings? What was being evolved? W^hat protest was made l»y the I^egisla- ture? W^hat thanks voted the President? (8) What tour was made by Gen. Grant? In his letter, what does he say in reference to tlu- acquiescence in the authority of the government? Whore were troops needed? The presence of black trooi)s? What belief had the freed- men? From whom had it come? (it) What did Gen. Grant's letter show? What do we learn fiom the JoiiU Resolution of February, 1866? What fight had begun? 246 HISTORY OF ALABAMA CHAPTER XLIII. RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD OF 1866-68 — GOVERNOR PATTON's ADMINISTRATION ORGANIZATION OF FREEDMEN INTO UNIOK LEAGUES NEW COUNTIES RAILROAD LEGISLATION CON- GRESSIONAL RECONSTRUCTION MILITARY DESPOTISM ES- TABLISHED IN ALABAMA CARPET-BAGGER CONGRESSMEN GOVERNOR SMITH ELECTED. During the year 1866 tlie white people of the State con- tinued to work hard under the lead of the ex-Confederate soldiers, and many of them were able to lay foundations for competeneeSj and in some instances for considerable fortunes^ which they eventually accumulated by many years of industry and economy. All farm products, especially cotton, brought good prices, and the man who possessed the tact, patience and perseverance to manage the freedmen on a farm made money more rapidly than in after years. There was little capital to invest in the mercantile business, but the sale of a few bales of cotton raised the previous year enabled one to invest in a small stock of goods, which could be disposed of at a profit of 100 to 200 per cent, on cost, for stores were scarce. As long as business was judiciously managed on a cash basis the merchant rapidly grew wealthy. ]\Iany of the older negroes worked v/ell, but as a rule they were poor managers, and unfortunatelv for them, their attention wa& diverted to politics, just as they were beginning to learn that it was necessary to work for food and clothes, although they were free. During the fall and. winter of 1866 and the spring of tlie next year the negro men nearly all joined the Union leagues,, which were organized by agents of the Freedman's bureau for political purposes. They were taught that they might expect a division of the land of their former own rs, and that each family would get forty acres and a mule. Even ill congress the confiscation of the hinds of the Southern people was boldly advocated by some of the radical leaders after the war closed, and we find that it was threatened bv Sherman's. RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD 247 letter of Jannaiy, ISCi.'i. extracts of whieli aie niven in a former ^•hapter. While there ^\as ])robably little danijer of a successful or even serious jittenipt to confiscate the land and divide it among the freedmen, for the reason that a majority of the members of congress were wise enough to apprehend that such a measure would beget an agrarian spirit in Iho North, which might plunge the country into a communistic war. and for the further reason that the great lieart of the North Avould oppose such an act of cruelty towards the Southern whites that the negroes might be favored; nevertheless, the latter had been taught to believe it. and the agitation of the matter added to the gloom and despondency of the Southern people. The author has been informed by reliable white men who entered the Union league during the fall of ISGG, but who soon got out, that the negroes were taught in secret conclave that the only way to liave peace and plenty in the land was to kill off some of the leading Avhite citizens of each community, as a warning to the others. There was no election in tliis State for congressmen dur- ing the year ISGG, as those elected the year before for the ierin ending March 4th, 1867, had not been admitted to their seats. Congress had virtually determined to treat Alabama for a while longer as a conquered province without right of representation in the national councils, where the recon- struction of the president was entirely disreo:arded. In the nieantiiiu' the people of Alabama had dread of the future, hut they cherished some hope that the people of the North would elect a more conservative congress in the fall of 186G. In this they were sadly disappointed, as we will see by the acts of the 40th congress further on. The white legislature Tnet as usual in November, 1866, and proceeded to enact needed legislation. Nine new counties were created. See list in appendix containing county notes. The more important acts are as follows: Acts incorporating a number of railroads, saving and insurance, mining, manufacturing and other comi^anies of various kinds — an act to exempt $1,200 wortli of real estate. and $1,000 worth of personal i)roperty from levy and sale for debt — for relief of defendants in judg- ments rendered from September 1st, 18G1, to September 1st. 186.5 — appropriating $250,000 to buy artificial limbs for maimed soldiers — appropriating $250,000 for relief of the destitute. {Intended for dead soldiers' families.) Authorizing the governor to issue $400,000 worth of certificates, ranging from $5.00 to $50.00, to meet current expenses. These certificates bore 8 per cent, interest 41 nd were known as "Pat ton Certificates.'' A joint resolution thank- ing Judge ^^'yeth, of ^Marshall county, for his successful efl'orts in 248 HISTORY OF ALABAMA itiising $20,000, (in the cities and towns along the Ohio river), for the relief of the destitute of Marshall county and several counties. On the Gth of December, 1866, the leoislature, by an almost unanimous vote, refused to ratify the proposed fourteentii amendment to the national constitution, which had passed congress over the president's veto. The objections urged against said amendment were that it conferred suffrage upo^i all the negroes, no matter how ignorant, and that it disfran- chised all the v>^hite men, from constal)le u]). who held office l)efore the Avar and afterwards espoused the cause of the Confederate States. Thus a majority of the more intelligent white men of the State were to be deprived of the right to vote and hold office until congress shouhl see fft to relieve them of their disabilities, as provided for in the amendment. Even a penalty was added, which provided for the abridge- inent of the representation in congress of any State which deprived the negroes of their riglit to vote. (See the national constitution and amendments in 3^our United States history.) Never before in the history of the world were intelligent men asked to vote for their own disfranchisement, and to say the least, the submission of the fourteentli amendment to th(^ Southern legislatures in 18()(i was an outrageous ]H'oceeding on the ])art of congress. / COXGRESSIOXAL KECOXSTHrrTTOX Under the reconstruction act of congress of i\rarch, 186T. and subsequent amendments, a military des])otism was estab- lished in the South. The constitutional right of the presi- dent to appoint district or department commanders was taken from him and placed in the hands of General Grant, who, much to the chagrin of the South, had oradually fallen under the influence of the radicals. By the ^'Tenure of Office" act the president was deprived of the right to remove cruel or unworthy district commanders and their officers. An attempt was made to impeach him ^'for high crimes and misdemeanors" which attempt was barely frustrated by the combined vote of the Democratic senators and one or two conservative l^epub- licans. CONGRESSIONAL RECONSTRUCTION 249 Gen. John Pope was apjjointed conunander of the military district of Alahania witli the authorit}^ to remove any State or county officer at will, and with the poweirj nsually exer- cised by a circuit or State supreme court, except the power to inflict capital ])unishment. which had to l)e approved hy the president. In the summer of 18GT the white voters wlio had not been disfranchised, and all the male negroes over 21 years of age. were entitled to register for the purpose of voting for dele- gates to the State constitutional convention. Tlie boards of registration, appointed by General Pope, were each composed of two whites, who had to take the "ironclad oath," that they had not aided the "rebellion,'' and one negro, without regard to his Qualifications. Tliousands of the best white men were debarred from participating in the convention elections by Section 5 of the Eeconstruction Act, passed March the 2d, 1867, which provided that no person who was disqualified hv the proposed fourteenth amendment to the national constitu- tion should l)e eligible to become a member of the State con- vention, or to vote in the election of delegates. The real.- tered voters numbered 61,295 whites and 104,518 colored. The second constitutional convention since tlie war met in Xoveiu- ber, 18GT, in the capitol at Montgomery. ISTo old citizen would have recognized it as a 1)ody of Ala- bamians if he had been blindfolded and set down in the con- vention without knowing where "he was at." He would have looked in vain for one familiar face that lie Avas accustomed to meet in county or State conventions or political mass meetings. He might have seen one of his ex-slaves playing the role of constitution maker, or if the said spectator had been so unfortunate since the spring of 1865 as to be reported to some Federal garrison bv a malicious vagabond, he might have seen sitting as a convention solon the Federal garrison com- mander, who had subjected him to a heavy fine for no real offense. When the constitution was finished and submitted to the people, onlv 70,000 voted for it. nearly all the rest of the voters remaining away from the polls, a maiority being whites who staid awav. This lacked about 12,500 of being a majority of the registered voters which the act of congress 250 HISTORY OF ALABAMA required for the ratification of the constitution, and the hitter was, therefore, clearl}^ defeated. Nevertlieless, tlie congress- men were admitted to their seats, who were elected at the same election, held during five days in February, 1868. which failed to ratify the 'constitution. State and county officers were also voted for at the same five days' election. W. H. Smith, of Eandolph county, was declared to be elected twenty-first governor, and A. J. Applegate, lieutenant governor, the latter office having been created by the new constitution. Governor Smith, tlie twenty-firf^t governor of the State, was born in Georgia, in 1828, and came with his parents to Randolph county when a child. He read law under Judge J. T. Heflin, and was admitted +<> ])ractice at Wedowee, in 1850. From 18')") to 1859 he was a member of the State legislature. He was a candidate for electoi- on the Douglas ticket in 1860. He came within four votes of being elected to the Confederate congress by the secession con- vention in 1801. In December, 1862, he went into the Federal lines and remained on that side until tlie close of the war. He was appointed a circuit judge by Governor Parsons in 1865, but resigned after a few months. Under the reconstruction of congress, he was chief of the registration bureau of Alabama. Governt)r Smith was inaugurated on the IStli of July. 1868, succeeding Governor Patton, whose single term was seven months longer than any other in the history of Alabama. For more than a year, Governor Patton had been permitted to exercise but little authority, and all his acts were subject to re- vision by General Pope. Garrett says: "Armed men were always ])iesent at the ca]utol to inspire awe and challenge obedience. Yet calm, prudent and with business tact and energy. Governor Patton did the best which circumstances permitted." Tlie objec of the five days election, held in Fel^ruary, 1868, was to get all the negroes out to vote the radical ticket. (We use the term radical instead of Republican because for years the latter term was almost entirely discarded from general use except in the official or formal documents and pa])ers of said party). A^'ery few wliito men ]-)arti('i])ated in CONGRESSIONAL RECONSTRUCTION 25 I the said five days election, for they regarded it a big farce instead of a stern reality. The negroes marched in com- panies of Union leagues to the polls and numerous frauds were perpetrated which boded no good to the future of the radical party in this State, by suggesting to the whites of the black belt that they could plav the same game after the bayo- nets should be withdrawn. The radical congressmen of this State elected in February, 1868, for the term ending ]\rarcli 4th, 1869, were all carpet-baggers from the N'orth. When the new legislature met in July, it elected Gen. Willard Warner and Col. George E. Spencer to the United States senate, both of whom were carpet-bairgers, who liad entered the Union army from their i^orthern homes. The former served on the staff of General Sherman, and Colonel Spencer was an officer from Ohio in the Union army in North Alabama in 1862. and was appointed to the com- mand of the First Alabama Union cavalry when it was organized during that year. Governor Smith was inaugurated on the 13th of July, 1868, soon after the first legislature under the cono-ressional reconstruction convened. QUESTIONS ox ctiattp:r xliii. (1) What is said of the year 186G? Mercantile busino.«s? What di- verted the attention of the negroes? (2) What were they taught? (3) Why was there no election for Congressmen in 1S66? How many new counties were organized by the Legislature of 1S66-7? (4) What was refused on the 7th of Decemb^'r? What obieftions were urged against (he 14th amendment? (5) What was established in the South bj'- Congress? (6) Who was appointed commander of Alabama? What were hiy authority and powers? (7) Who were disqualified? When did the convention meet? (8) What is said of the i)ersonnel of the convention? Was the constitvition defeated? Nevertheless, who were admitted to their sea.ts? (9) Who was declared Governor? (10) What was the object of holding- an election for five days? Who did not par- ticipate? What carpet-baggers elected? (11) Who w^re elected to thr United States Senate? When was Gov. Smith inaugurated? 252 HISTORY OF ALABAMA CHAPTER XLIV. rtECOXSTliUCTIOX I'EUIOl). ISGS TO 18TU GOVERXOII tmitie's ADMINISTRATIOX KACE STRIFE KAILIJOAD LEGISLATIOX. RADICAL EXTKAVAGAXCE — KUKLUX GOVERXOR LTXDSAY ELECTED. Durino- tlie spiiiif; and summer of 1868. tlie evil elTeets of thre;' years continual and varied incitements of tlie ionoraut freedmen iigainst the Avhites became manifest in every town and large plan- tation of the State where a considerable proportion of the popula- tion were negroes. L^sually led by some evil minded white man. various attempts were made by the worst class of negroes to burn at niglit different towns in the black belt, and to prevent such a catastroplie it was sometimes necessary for large bodies of armed white citizens to picket the towns after night. Personal conflicts between individuals of the two races became frequent, and white ladies, especially in the garrison towns, found it necessary to remain in their yards, or else avoid the parts of the streets frequented by negro troops or other colored loafers, rather than be elbowed otl' the sidewalks. All this race strife was fomented by "carpet-baggers'' and ''scalawags" that they might get into ottice by negro votes, which they controlled almost unanimously, but fortunately a large majority of the freedmen would not follow their bad advice to ex- treme lengths, and hence the outrages noted above were the work of a small minority of the race, the sort which now fills jails and penitentiaries. "Scalawag" was the name applied for years after the war to the Southern white, man who joined the radical party for ulterior pur- ]ioses. One who was ever leady to encourage the ignorant negro to commit an outrage, if his (the scalawag's) political interest might be promoted thereby. The canvass ]:)roce(lini>- the presidential and congressional election of Noveniher. 18(38, added greatly to tlie political turmoil of that year in the South. Grant and Colfax were the candidates of the rad'cal party. Ex-Governor Seymour, of Xew York, and Gen. F. P. Blair, a distinguished I^nion general, were the nominees ol' the Democratic ])arty for pres- ident and vice president. The Democrats of the South had strong hopes of success, for they did not believe that the Northern States would submit to negro sutt'rage, overlookint;- the fact that the nei^ro ^•ote itself in the close i RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD 253 ■States was sudioiont to turn tlie scale in favor of tlic radicals, jilthough it liad been fastened upon the country by incaii> (\i (loulitful <'oiistitutioiiality. The iii'M radical legislature, which met on tlie I'Uh of July, 18G8, remained in session most of tlie time until the •3d of the followino- December. It ratified the thirteenth and fourteenth amendm-i.ts to the national constitution. notwit'iT standing the former had been ratified by a ])revious white legislature. When it suited its purpose to do so it treated all the acts and ordinances as void which were adopted durinii" Johnson's reconstruction. But it suited their ptirposcs of ])lunder to recoirnize as valid the act of 1865-66, which pro- vided for a "System of Industrial Im])rovements,"' by author- izing the endorsement by the governor of railroad bonds to the amount of $12,000 per mile. Tbe radical legislature amended said act by raising the amount to $16,000 per mile and by reducing the number of miles entitled to the endorse- ment from 20 to 5 miles, and by giving unlimited rii;ie for completing the railroads. Other acts favoring certain rail- roads were passed, and a year later an act was passed author- izing counties, cities and towns to subscribe for capital stock of railroads by isstiing bonds. Acts were passed abolishing the new counties and a little later they were re-established, some with chanjjed names. Liberal appro- priations were made to public schools and an extensive State board of education was created, but the teachers had to wait for many months for their pay after it was earned. An act was passed lejjal- izino the marriajje of colored men and women who had deserted their wives or husbands of slavery days when they were freed, and married some one else. This was as cruel as any of the provisions of the old slave laws of Alabama. In November, 1868, General Grant was elected jn-esident, with a majoritv of radicals for congress, which insured the supremacy of the carpet-bag governments in the South. The new president was personally a pure and patriotic man, but he was thereby the more unsus])icious of the rascallv politicians who surrounded and misled him, so that to the end of his .second term he was ever ready to u])hold with the bayonet the claims of the rotten governments of his ]iarty in the South. 254 HISTORY OF ALABAMA During the session of 18G9 and ISTO the legislature amended the charters of nearly all the towns and cities having a negro majority, so as to give the municipal governments greater powers of taxation. The radical county commissioners of the black belt were authorized to levy taxes for various pur- poses, which in course of time would have amounted to con- fiscation. As an instance, the commissioners of Perrv county were empowered to levy a tax to erect a fine building at Marion for the State Normal University, for education of colored teachers. The bonds of one railroad were endorsed by the legislature to the amount of $22,000 per mile, in addition to the $16,000 per mile endorsement under the general State law. A loan of bonds to the amount of $2,300,000 was made to two rail- roads, while bonds of another to the amount of $2,500,000 were endorsed by acts of the ledslature. Such reckless legislation was the means of adding over $20,000,000 to the public debt of the State during the four vears of radical rule from 1868 to 1870, and 1872 to 1874, besides many millions more to county and municipal indebtedness. A number of the shrewder and more intinential of the radical legislators received many thousand dollars each for their votes when a big bond steal was up for passage. The author has in mind one member who made enough during a single term to start up a bank, and his pile was doubtless small compared with the amounts accum- ulated by others, for he was not counted as one of the leaders. An act approved December 26th, 1869, "For the suppressioir of secret organizations of men disguising themselves for the nurpose of committing crime and outrages," was intended to suppress the Kuklux. This mysterious organization was the logical sequence of the organization of the negroes into Union leagues, and of the evil fruits produced from the seeds of race hatred sown during the secret conclaves of said leagues, which we have mentioned heretofore. There is no doubt that the Kuklux, for a time, was composed of good and peaceable citizens, usually law abiding, but who were driven to desneration. It was significant of the deep resent- ment of the opposition of the Caucasian to tlic rule of an RECONSTRUCTION PKRIOD 255 inferior race. It was a terror to evil doers, wlio easily escaped ■Diinishment at the hands of the legal authorities if they be- longed to the Union league. It was a protection to the ex- Oonfederat<' who could find little protection elsewhere, except in his own strong arm to his rights as a private citizen, if he had incurred the displeasure of a malicious enemy. The Kiikhix rode only at night and represented themselves -as j^hosts of Confederate soldiers fresh from their graves on tlie battle fields of the late war. Arrayed in white shrouds and hideous masks they were terrible to behold when in long line of silent mareh they issued from a eonntry church yard, or as seen by some dastardly official in front of his gate, when aroused suddenly from his dreams of wealth from ill gotten gains to receive a solemn warning in sepulchral tones that he must beware of evil doing. After a time, the Kuklux began to commit excesses which were heartily con- denmed by the good people of the State, and it finally degenerated into night riders for the redress of personal animosities — the best :tnembers withdrew and it quickly passed into oblivion. jNIany of its deeds which were applauded at that time would not be approved at the present day. During the summer of 1870 a number of ladies and gentlemen while returning from a prayer meeting in the town of Cross Plains were fired upon from amliush by negroes hidden near the sidewalk. A day or two afterwards the Kuklux captured and Iwing eight negroes who were the ringleaders, and a white car[)('l- bagger, who made a practice on all occasions in private and in ])ub- lie. of inciting the negroes to bitter enmity against the whiter;. The ambush of tlie prayer meeting party was an act of bravado, or Y,'a.s UHiint to intimidate the whites, as none of the latter were killed or Axcunded — which act, with the swift and terrible punishment which followed it. show the race feeling that existed in those days. This Avas the last and most violent Kuklux performance in this Stat^t' and it had a sobering effect on both whites and negroes. The name of Cross Plains has since been changed to I'iedmont, now a beautiful little city. The radical legislature, during Governor Smith's term, passed no act for the relief of maimed ex-Confederate soldiers or for relief of families of deceased ex-Confederate soldiers. Fortunately for the people of Alabama of that period and on up to this last year of the century, the Democrats elected their £tate ticket in the fall of 1870 and a majority of the lower house of the legislature. This put a stop to evil legis- lation for two years, and doubtless kept from beinof forever fastened on the State more than $-20.()()0,000 of fraudulent 2s6 HISTORY OF ALABAMA bonds. Eobert Burns Lindsa}' was elected twenty-second governor over the incumbent^ Governor Smith, the vote beino- 76,977 to 75,568. Governor Lindsay Avas a natiAC of Scot- land, born in 1824, and when 18 years old fjraduated in St. Andrews university. He first came to North Carolina, where he read law and taught school for several years. He opened a law office in Tuscumbia in lSt8 and represented P^ranklin county in the lower house of the State leoislature in 1858, and the State senate in 1855 and 18G5. He was candidate for elector on the Douglas ticket in 1860. He served for some time during the war in Roddy's cavalry. Governor Lind- say was a scholar, a fine lawyer and a good, pure man. As a statesman he was scarcely equal to the task of mastering the r;";nv' intricate questions that arose during his administration, and it is doubtful whether any one else could have done so at that particulai-^ peiiod. for the Democratic legislators, though able men, were much divided as to the best disposition of the fraudulent bonds that had been issued by the radical State government. Governor Lindsay was not permitted to take his seat with- out an unpleasant episode, which aroused the indignation of the best people of the State to a high pitch against Governor Smitli, who had the backing of Federal bayonets. Under the law the votes for State officers had to be counted in a joint meetino- of the two houses of the general asseml)ly during the first week of the session, which convened on the 20th of November, 1870. The said joint meeting was held on Satur- day at 2 p. m. In the meantime. Governor Smith, ilie in- cumbent, had obtained an injunction from Chancellor Satfold. directed to E. N. Barr. the radical president of the senate. commanding him to abstain from counting the votes for governor and State treasurer until further judicial orders. The count for other officers showed that E. H. Moren was elected lieutenant governor, J. J. Parker secretary of state., and J. W. A. Sanford attorney gcmeral, by about 4,000 majority each. The presidino- officer, Barr, announced that m obediencf to the said injunction, lie Avoiild not count tJu' RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD 257 \oles for governor and treasurer, on account of alleged illegalitv in the election, and hc'adiourned the meeting. He, Avith all the senators excent A. K. Worthy of l*ike county, ^vere radicals and withdrew from the hall to prevent the returns for governor and treasurer being counted. The lieutenant governor-elect, Moren, haviji^'- been notified l)y a committee, appeared in the house, as in joint meeting, and took the oath of office and forthwith assumed the duties of presiding officer. A few radical senators had lingered in the hall, probably unwittingly, which, with the presence of Senator Worthy, gave the force of law to the proceedings. In this new joint meeting the votes for governor and treas- urer were counted, showing the election of l\. B. Lindsay for governor by 1,429 majority and J. F. Grant, for treasurer, by 2,526 majority. A committee then waited on the new gov- ornor and escorted him into the hall, where he was installed into office. Lieutenant Governor Moren acted with great Urmness and courage for which he received much praise from the press, which he was justly entitled to. After this, for two or three weeks. Governor Lindsay and ex-Governor Smith both claimed to be governor, and the latter got a platoon of United States soldiers from the garri- son of ]\Iontgomery, and placed them in the capitol to protect him in his claim and to awe his rival aspirant. The senate recognized Smith, while the house recognized Lindsay as governor, until Smith was ousted by a writ from the city court of Montgomery. From tlio time that the Democratic- and conservative party Ava:* organized in 18()(5 to resist radical aece the State of millions of dollars. His death Avas greatly deplored by the patriots of the State, without regard to ])arty. The convention of 1807 and the legislatures elected in 18U8. 1870, 1872 and 1874 contained a num- luM- of negroes, who were elected from the black belt. As a rule they 258 HISTORY OF ALABAMA were poorly prepared to sit as law-making scions, but some of them showed remarkable intelligence. Xever have the white counties been more ably represented as a whole than they were in the house elected in 1870. Their representatives were mostly young ex-Con- federates, who had taken the lead in fighting radicalism in their rci-pective counties when it required courage to do so. Among thes- young represcntativ^es we notice the names of J. P. Hubbard, speakci, Vv. C. Oates. B. B. Lewis, R. K. Boyd, James Crook, W. V. Howell. J. M. Carmichael, G. W. Hewitt, \Y.' M. Lowe, Francisco Rice, R. T. Toulmin, L. F. Box, Taul Bradford, W. D. Bulger, N. X. Clements, W. 8. Wyman, U. S. Semmes, Nathan iStraus, and others concerning M'hose subsequent career the author is uninformed. QUESTIOXS OX CHAPTER XLIV. (1) What added to the political turmoil? (2) When did the first rad- ical Legislature meet? What did it ratify? How wab the act pro- viding for a System of Industrial Improvements amended? What other railroad acts were passed? (3) Who was elected President in 1868? What charters were amended and for what purpose? What i.s said of county commissioners court of the black belt? (i) W'hat ex- travagant bonds were endorsed? How much added thereby to the State debt? (5) How was an attempt m.ade to suppress the Kuklux? (6) For whom was no relief afforded? What party carried the State in 1870? Who was elected twenty-second Governor? (7) What injunc- tion was obtained? Who was elected Lieutenant Governor? (8) Who- forth.with entered upon his duties? What did he have counted? What did it show? (9) Who was recognized as Governor by the House? By the Senate? How was Gov. Smith ousted? CHAPTER XLY. RECONSTRUCTIOX PERIOD RADICAL LEGISLATIOX ARRE8TE1> DURING LIXDSAY'S ADMINISTRATIOX^ — LEWIS ELECTED GOV- ERNOR — TWO LEGISLATURES THE GRANGE BIRMINGHAM FOUNDED STATE REDEEMED BY ELECTION^ OF HOUSTON. While the lower house of the legislature, elected in 1870, had many able members, they could not agree among them- selves as to a prompt repudiation of the fraudulent railroad bonds, which measure was proposed and earnestly advocated by some of them. However, when they acted too^ether as one man for a particular reform, they were checkmated by the radical senate. Therefore, but little good ledslation was accomplished during the two years of Governor Lindsay's administration. RECONSTRUCTION PP:rIOD 259 Duriii^i" the session of 18T0-T1, lion. (Jeor^e ({oldlliwaite, (Democrat, of Montgomery,) was elected I'nited States sena- tor to take the place of General Warner, Avliose term expired March 4th, 1871. In August, 1871, the lirst house of the new city of Birmingham was erected by the Elyton Land Company, under the presidency of Col. J. 1\. Powell, who had organized the company to found said eitv. Four months -tifterwards the embryo city had an estimated po])iilation of 1,200, when it was incorporated bv the legislature on the 19th of December, 1871. Col. J. II. Powell, Col. John T. Milner and Josiah Morris, Esq., were the three leading founders of the city, later assisted by Dr. H. M. Caldwell and man^- other Avise capitalists. A writer from Birming- liam, to the Montgomery Advertiser. in a letter dated April 2d, 1872, says: "A little over seven months ago the site of Birmingham was a cotton field. There was not a hut upon the place. When the founder, the in- defatigable and enterprising- Colonel Powell, with his surveyor. Mr. Barker, and his clerk. Mr. Milner, landed at Birmingham to lay off the streets, they were com- pelled to go into camps. There are now 300 buildings — 80 framed houses, 20 brick stores and houses two '"^x^ ^nunKsu roi/H ty-court nowir and three stories high, 40 brick stores under contract, two plaining mills, one cotton factory, two grist mills, one foundry and machine shop, two hotels, five restaurants, teu boarding houses, three black- smith and wagon shops, one Episcopal church and arrangements making for building four more of other denominations.'' On tkc 28th of April, 1872, Colonel Powell wrote as follows to John M. <'aldwell, Indianapolis, Ind.: "Yours of the ITtli received asking me to give you my views on this section of Alabama in reference to its mineral advantages. I shall be very glad to see you located in this favorable locality. Jones' valley is favored because of its wonderful development of coal, iron, slate, marble and lead. According to the testimony of every iron master from princi])al works of Europe and America, (we have had their representatives here), iron can be 26o HISTORY OF ALABAMA maJi' here move cheaply than in any other locality, because all ele- ments which make iron are in such close proximity and exhaustless- abundance."' A few months after Birmingham was founded, Messrs. 8amnel Xol)le and A. L. Tyler erected the Woodstock Iron Fnrnace in Calhoun county, and this was the heginning of tlie l)eautiful and thriving city of Anniston, which dates its rapid growth from the first sale of lots to the puljlic about ten years later. During the term of (lovernor Lindsay. 18vO-T2, several iron furnaces were Iniilt and several coal mines opened in this State. Both iron and coal brought good prices, and the attention of the whole industrial world was attracted more than ever before to the great and valuable mineral resources of Alabama. In February. 1872, an act was passed by the legislature accepting the national grant of land for an agriaultural and mechanical college and the college incorporated. Said grant was made by act of congress in 1862, donating public lands to the several states and terri- tories "for the purpose of establishing colleges for the liberal education of the industrial classes.'' The 340.000 acres which Alabama received brought $253,500. which was invested in State bonds with a guaranteed interest of 8 per cent. Trustees were selected and Auburn was selected as the site, havino' made a more liberal bid than any other place — the splendid building of the East x\labama Male College, built at a cost Oi $75,000 before the war. Dr. I. T. Tichenor was elected -resident and with tlie aid of an able faculty the college immediately entered upon a career of great prosperity and usefulness. In the fall of 1872, David P. Lewis, of Madison county, was elected twenty-third governor at the head of the radical ticket, over Col. Thomas H. Herndon, of Mobile, the Demo- cratic nominee. Governor Lewis was a native of Viromery, in December, 18T3, with W. H. Chambers as master, and Gen. E. ^I. Law as secretary. As the name implies, it was an agricultural organization, ir. 1 eschewed partisan politics. The grange accomplished much good by inculcating a better system of farming and by means of a num- bei- of county fairs which it established. All the members who fol lowed its counsel "to use brain as well as brawn upon the farm" became successful farmers, and the social features of the order made it pleasant for the families of the memliers during the few years of its existence. Early in the spring of 187-1 the veriest stranger could see that the best people of the State were united in the purpose of a determined and patriotic effort to rescue Alabama from the baneful clutch of radicalism. Moreover, to accomplish this purpose they were willing to put aside all personal preferences or antagonisms. Just think for a moment of the great impelling, and we may truthfully add compelling motive which thus aroused them. They had acknowledged long since that negro slavery and secession were forever dead and buried in the same p-rave. Thev recognized the fact that negro suffrage had come to stay — for one generation and per- haps forever. The great trouble that now threatened, was virtual confiscation of all the property of the State bv taxa- tion, to meet the interest on fraudulent bonds and other in- debtedness, which w^as increasing year bv vear. The two Republican terms of Governor Smith from July, 1868, to November, 1870, and of Governor Lewis, from November. 1872, to November, 1874, a total of four years and a half, (4i) increased the debt of Alabama more than $20,000,000, or nearly $5,000,000 per year, besides the millions piled upon the counties, cities and towns which were so unfortunate as to have a majority of negro voters. A more kindly feeling towards the Southern people began to manifest itself in the tone of the press of the North. The democratic and conservative State convention, which met in 264 HISTORY OF ALABAMA Moiitgomery in JiUy^ 18T4. brous?lit together a larger number of distinguished Alabamians than has ever assembled before or since in this State. After a laT3se of more than a quarter of a century, the writer recalls to mind that there were present as deleo^ates or deeplv interested spectators two ex- Confederate cabinet officers, Messrs. Pope Walker and Thomas AYatts, a score of ex-Confederate generals, some half a dozen ex-United States or Confederate States senators, three times that number of other ex-congressmen, scores who had distin- guished themselves on the bench or in the State halls of legisla- tion, and hundreds of others who had shown their devotion to the State as Confederate regimental and company officers, or as private Conefclerate soldiers, in many hard-fought battles from 1861 to 1865. Every eye turned to George S. Houston as the most avail- able candidate to lead the fight against the corrupt radicalism which was marring the fair name of Alabama, and he was nominated for governor Avithout opposition at the head of an able State ticket, liobert Ligon was nominated for lieu- tenant governor, and John M. McKleroy for superintendent of education. Messrs. E. B. Lewis and W. H. Forney were nominated for congress-at-large. James L. Pugli was temporary chairman and TA'roy Pope Walker permanent chairman of the convention. John T. Morgan was easily the leader of the Democratic hosts assem- bled, and ably defended the plank in the platform which called for the repudiation of the fraudulent State bonds, which had l^een issued by the radical administrations. Capt. W. L. Bragg was made chairman of the Democratic State executive committee, and largely through his efforts the Democrats gained a great victory in the November election, securing both houses of the legislature and a majority of congressmen. In the November election of 1874 George S. Houston, of Limestone countv. was elected twentv- fourth governor over RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD 265 I), r. Lewis, his li(."])Lil)lican opponent. The whole Demo- cratic State ticket was elected with Governor Houston. Governor Houston, born in 1809, was a native of Tennessee, and removed with his parents to Lauderdale county in 1824. He was admitted to practice law in 1831 and was elected to the legisUuuro the next year. He was appointor! solicitoi- in 1834 to fill a vacancy, and was elected to the same office in 1837. He was elected to congress in 1841 and continued to represent his district in congress, except one term, until the war, when he re- signed with the other members from this State. He was opposed to secession, but cast his lot with the South after Ihe State seceded and sutYcred nnicli at the hands of the Federals. After serving two termsi as governor, Governor Houston was elected to the United States senate and died one year afterwards. While in congress before the war. Governor Houston Avas chairman of thf. committee of ways and means for two years, previous to which he was chairman of the judiciary committee for two years. It is morr- than probable that the future historian will accord to Governca- Houston the honor of being the greatest governor of Alabama dniin;,' the nineteenth century. QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER XLV. (1) What did the Leg-islature of 1870-2 fail to agree upon? (2) What city was founded in 1871? (3) What city was founded a few months later? What were built from 1870 to 1872? College founded? (4) Who was elected Governor in the fall of 1872? (5) lie-elected Pres- ident? (6) Tell of the two Legislatures. WHio succeeded himself? (7) Was the State relieved of its fraudulent indebtedness? (S) What is said of "Horse Shoe Money"? Of what were the people sick? (9) What is said of the Grange? (10) What was apparent in the spring of 1874? Increase of State debt under radical rule? Other debts? (11) What is said of the State Democratic Convention of 1874? (12) Who was nominated for Governor? Superintendent of Education? (13) Who -was elected Governor in 1874? 10 266 HISTORY OF AT.ABAMx\ CHAPTER XLVI. IIOUSTOX^S ADMINISTRATION CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION 1875 STATE DEBT REDUCED RADICAL LEGISLATION RE- PEALED PROHIBITION WAVE DEMOCRATIC RULE SATIS- FACTORY. The joy of the hest people of Alabama over the result of the electicn of 1874 can not be described so as to be thoroughly understood by the young people of this day. It has never been exceeded, unless by the joy experienced by the peonle of South Carolina, Florida and Louisiana when redeemed from radicalism two years later. The election of a large majority of Democrats to represent the nation in the lower house of congress was an assurance that the great heart of the North was at last beinp- awakened to the evils that were working ruin to the South. Alabama elected six Democrats to the Forty-fourth congress, to two Republicans, the State being entitled to eight representatives under the census of 1870, an increase of two. The six representatives elected to the Fortieth congress were nil carpet-baggers. Two elected to the Forty-first congress were Denio^ crats, Messrs. Dox and Sherwood. In the Forty-second congr?ss were two Democrats, Messrs. Handley and Sloss. The last named and Col. J. H. Caldwell were the Democrats elected to the Forty-third congress in 1872, F. G. Bromberg l>eing an independent. Messrs. Caldwell, Forney, Lewis, Bradford, Hewitt and Williams were the Democrats in the Forty-fourth congress. The ■•proceedings of the legislature, which met in Xovember. 1874, were watched with much interest day by day throughout the State, and the Democratic majority proved worthy of the trust bestowed upon it. Economy, retrenchment, honesty and reform were the watchwords of the scs~ion. Much f the radical legislation of previous sessions was repealed, par- ticularly those acts which enabled county and municipal governments to oppress with taxation the people of the black belt. The s.daries of all officers were reduced. One of the most beneficial acts of any legislature in the history of the State was that of the session of 1874-75, which provided for GOVERNOR HOUSTON'S ADMINISTRATION 267 the appointment -1' -lliree St; te debt commissioners," one of whom should be the governor, "to legislate and adjust all claims against the State of Alabama, arising from bonds issued or endorsed in the name of the State." The three commissioners were Governor Houston, L. W. Lawler and T. B. Bethea, and under the act providing for their appointment, they were instructed to make a report to the next session of the legislature, one year later. The act was prepared by Hon. Peter Hamilton, senator from Mobile. An act was passed appropriating $75.00 each for maimed soldiers. A joint com- mittee was appointed "to investigate and examine and report to the two houses, the facts relating to the alleged election of George E. Spencer to the senate of the United States.'' An act of great importance was that of March 19th, 1875, Avhich provided for holdino- a constitutional convention durinii" the year 1875. Under the provisions of said act, the election for delegates to the convention was held on the 3d of August, and the convention met in Montgomery on the 6th of Septem- ber, 1875. Hon. Pope Walker, who had been secretary of war for a time in President Davis' cabinet, and who was a son of the president of the convention of 1819. was elected president of the convention and B. H. Screws, of Montgomery, was elected secretary. The convention was composed of a number of the best men in the State. Four members, ]Messrs. Gates. Cobb, O'Neal and Sanford, have f;ince been governors. INIessrs. Piioli and Sykes have been elected to the United States senate, althouoh the latter was not permitted to take his seat, and INfessrs. Stone and McClellan have served as chief justices of the State. There svere also present as members, F. S.. Lyon, the State debt commissioner before the Confederate war, and other distinguished men. The more important distinctive features of the constitution adopted are as follows : The bill of rights declared in effect that the State shai. not be sued, furthermore that all citizens of the State, (including some ex- Confederates debarred from holding ofTice by the constitution of 1868), "Shall have equal, civil and political rights." Article four, section two. says "the subject of each law shall be clearly defined in the title of the act." Article four, section five, "Sessions of the gen- oral assemblv shall be held biennially for not more than sixty days." 268 HISTORY OF ALABAMA Article four, section six, "The pay of members of the general assem- bly shall be $4.00 per day and ten cents per mile going to and coming- from the seat of government." Article four, section 54, "The State shall not engage in works of internal improvements, nor lend money on its credit in aid of same." If this section had been incorporated in the constitution of 1868, it would have prevented more than $20,000,000 fraudulent bonds from being issued, and a section like the one below would have saved a number of towns and cities and several counties from bankruptcy. Article four, section 55, "No town, city or county shall be permitted to aid corporations, etc., by issuing bonds or granting public money to them." Article five abolishes, the office of lieutenant governor, whose duties shall ba performed by the president of the senate. Article ten provides for liberal ex- emption of peisonal property and homestead from execution and sale for debt. Section seven provides for waiving oi said exemption on the part of the debtor. Article XI. State taxes shall not exceed three-fourths of one per cent., and county or municipal taxes not more than one-half of one per cent, of valuation of taxable property. Article XIII. provides for establishing and maintaining a publie school system by the legislature, with separate schools for white and colored. In addition to the sixteenth section fund and other school funds and poll tax, "the general assembly shall appropriate at least $100,000 per year to the public schools of the State." By another section the State school board was abolished. The convention adjourned on the 2d of October and the constitution it had framed was ratified by vote of the people on the 17th of November, 1875. The constitution provided that a regular session should be held in the winter of 1875-70 and again in 1876-77, after which the legislature should meet every two years. The former met in December, 1875, and proceeded to lep'islate under the new constitution. The State debt commissioners appointed one year before had accom- plished the tedious work assie^ned them with great firmness, prudence and wisdom, and made a report to the legislature. Their report was eminently satisfactory to the general assem- bly and the peoplt of the State, and was acceptable to most of the bond holders. The necessary bonds for settling with the last named were promptly voted by the legislature and the nominal State debt was thus reduced from more than $32,000,000 to about $12,000,000, a saving to the people of $20,000,000. An appropriation of $150,000 per year was made to the public schools in addition to the poll tax, sixteenth section and GOVERNOR HOUSTON'S ADMINISTRATION 269 other school funds held in trust by the State. Better school laws were enacted, which were immediately put into success- ful operation by Hon. J. M. IMcKleroy, the efficient State superintendent of education. For tlie first time in vears the teachers were paid promptly by the State. By act approved February lOtli. 1870. the warden of the peniten- tiary was authorized to hire out tlie eoiiviets that could not be ad- vantageously and protitably employed in the walls of the peniten- tiary. Previous to that act, the eonvicts had been a lieavy expense to tne State. The year after it was passed they became a source of revenue. The eight congressional districts were marked off and so arranged as to give a white majority in all, except one, in the heart of the black belt. The latter was supposed to be hopelessly radical, but fortunately at the first election afterwards the negroes divided their votes between two negro candidates, and General Shelley, a sterling Democrat, was elected. The committee appointed a year before to examine into the alleged election 01 George E. Spencer to the United States senate, made an examination and reported that he should be unseated. Notwithstanding the disgraceful methods used by Spencer to secure his election were fully exposed to the committee on privileges and elections of the United States senate, the radical members of said committee reported in favor of his re- taining his seat. Under act of the Alabama legislature, the gov- ernor then appointed Gen. John T. Morgan to prosecute the case ^,gainst Spencer before the United States senate. Gen. Morgan pre- sented the case and the facts in his usual able manner, but all to no eflfect, for Spencer held the seat until the end of the term. The session of 1874-75, prolific in good legislation, adopted joint memorials to congress as follows: Asking an appropriation or loan to rebuild and furnish the university, asking for appropriations to open the Tennessee and Coosa rivers, and another asking for an appropriation to improve and deepen the harbor of i.lobile. Congress responded to these memorials in a most liberal manner, ivhich caused tlie people of Alabama to feel that they would no longer be treated as rebels who had no interest worthy of tlie regard of the Federal government. 4G,080 acres of valuable coal and tim- bered lands were granted to the university by act of congress, and up to 1888 about one-fourth of said lands Avere sold for $130,000. For nearly a score of years after the close of the war, the growth and prosperity of the city of Mobile was retarded by the lack of deep water up to the wharves for navigation of large modern vessels.. This was remedied by large annual expenditures of the national' government, beginning during the early eighties and extending into* the present decade, by which the channel was deepened so that in 18')2 large ocean steamers could load and unload at the wharves. The effect was iiiagical in the great increase of business and population, the latter amounting to over 1^8,000, accordinfj to the census of 1900» 270 HISTORY OF ALABAMA During the ninth and tenth decades the Tennessee river was opened for navigation, bv an expenditure of over $4,000,000, and the naviga- tion of the Coosa extended by the locks in the vicinity of Ten Islands. During the session of 1875-76 the rest of the evil radical legislation was repealed, which the preceding session of 1874-75 could not reach, es]3ecially that which related to the black belt counties. A number of the latter were still repre- sented by non-tax-payers and had county officers of the same class. The good people did not call in vain on the members from the Democratic counties for such relief as the legisla- ture was able to give them. In some of the counties the powers of the county commissioners were so curtailed that they could do no evil. Other counties which had endorsed railroad bonds beyond their ability to pay, were author- ized to make a compromise with the holders of the bonds. One of the most important acts was that which changed the time of hold- ing elections for State and county officers from the first Tuesday in November, the day of the national election, to the first Monday in August. This change was made to get rid of the piesence of officious Federal marshals on the day of the State election. Each voter, under the new election law. was required to vote in the beat or ward where he had resided for thirty days. Under the previous radical law much fraud was practiced by permitting a voter to de- posit his ballot anywhere in the county, so that many of the floating- negroes voted several times during the same day. During the year 1875 a prohibition wave spread over many parts of the State, and elections on prohibitino- the sale of liquor were held in twenty-five counties. Those who opposed the sale of liquor were successful in a large majority of said elections. We now find Alabama fairly launched on a long era of peace and good will between all classes under a Democratic code of laws, and with officials satisfactory to the people. In the August election of 1876 Governor Houston and the Demo- cratic State ticket were elected by about 44,000 majority. The vote of Houston was 99,255, while Woodruff, the Eepub- lican nominee, received 55,582 votes. All the State officials were elected the second time with Houston in 1876, except LAST TERM OF GOVERNOR HOUSTON 27 I J. M. McKleroy, the supcrinteiulent of education, who was not a candidate for the Democratic nomination, which he could have secured without opposition. Hon. Leroy F. Box, of St. Clair, was nominated and elected superintendent of edu- cation. Durino- two terms he discharged the duties of the office with ahilitv, and the public schools prospered greatly. In the November election of 18TG. Alabama elected a full Democratic delegation to the lower house of congress. Messrs. Tilden and Hendricks, Democrats, were elected pres- ident and vice-president of the United States by a large popular majority over Messrs. Hayes and Wheeler, the Re- publican ticket. The latter were seated by the electoral com- mission, the last victory of malignant radicalism in the United States, and hereafter we will use the term Republican instead, following the usage of the times. QUESTIONS ON CirAPTER XLVI. (1) What is said of the joy of the people? What d,id the election give the democrats? (2) What is said of the session which met In 1874? What legislation was repealed? Beneficial Actr Debt commis- sioners appointed? Joint Committee? (3) Act of great importance? Convention met when? (4) Have you read carefully, as given in this section, the distinctive features adopted in the constitution of 1875? What is Art 4 Section 54? What would it have prevented? (5) When was the new constitution ratified? What were the provisions as to the sessions of the Legislature? What commissioners reported to the session of 1875-6? What reduction was made? (6) What is said of the public schools? Convicts? (7) What was repealed during session of 1875-6? (8) What spread over the State during the year 1875? Re- sult? (9) What were now satisfactory? Who were re-elected in 187G? Delegation to Congress? CHAPTER XLVII. 1876 TO 1883 LAST term of IFOUSTOX — :\tORGAX ELECTED TO THE SEXATE COBB'S ADMIXISTRATION HOUSTON'S DEATH SUCCEEDED BY PRYOR PUGH ELECTED SENATOR, RAILROAD COMMISSION ESTABLISHED AGRICULTURAL DE- PARTMENT O'nEAL's ADMINISTRATION FLIGHT OF VIN- CENT STRANGULATED COUNTIES. The last annual session of the legislature met on the 19th of November, 1876. Gen. John T. ^Eorgan was elected United 272 HISTORY OF AI^ABAMA States senator for the term beginning March the 4th, 1877, and succeeded Geo. W. Goldthwaite, whose term expired at that time. Governor Houston, who had just entered upon his second term, was the principal competitor of General Morgan before the Democratic , caucus of the legislature, but the majority of the members, and of the people, preferred that the former should serve through his second term as governor, and carry out the many reforms he had instituted. -4^^^ The election of General Morgan to the United States senate in the prime of his manhood confirmed him as the leading- statesman of Alabama, a position he had already attained in the estimation of the people by his vigorous canvasses of the State, especially that of 1874. Before the end of his first term it was almost uni- versally conceded that he was the great- est Democratic statesman in the United States senate, an honor which has been accorded him up to this writing. At the end of each successive term he has been elected to succeed himself, without serious opposition and his last triumph, over Governor Johnston, in securing the election of a legis- lature almost unanimously pledged to him, in August, 1900, was the greatest triumph of his life. He was born in Athens, Temi., June 20th, 1824 In March, 1877, Cullman county was created by act of the legislature, out of parts of Morgan, Winston and Blount, and Cullman was made the county seat and incorporated as a town. (For list and history of county organizations see county notes.) This town had sprung into existence from a prosper- ous German colony planted on the L. & N railroad, through the enterprise of Colonel Cullman, a native of Germany. In the August election of 18TS, Pi. W. Cobb, of Shelby county^ GOVERNOR COBB S ADMINISTRATION Democratic nominee for governor, and ilie rest of the State ticket was elected witliout opposition. Governor Cobb is a native of St. Clair, born February 25th, 1829, and j^rathiatod at the University of Tennessee in 1850. He was admitted to practice law in 1855 and removed to Shelby county tlie next year to practice his piofession. From 1801 to 1863 he Avas captain in the Tenth Alabama infantry, C. S. A., and during" the rest of the war served in the western army. In 1872 he was elected to the State senate, and again in 187G, when he was made president of the senate, (State.) While in the senate he took an active part in devising a plan to reduce the State debt. After serving two terms as governor he retired from politics, but two terms as urobate judge of Slielby county, pleasant, afl'able manners, is a true patriot and possesses the con- fidence of the best men of the State. He is still living at this writ- ing, October, 1900. The session of 1878-79 met on the second Tues- day in Xovember, (which is still the date for convening), and Gov- ernor Cobb was inaugurated in December. The more important legislation was as follows: The style of the ballot was prescribed, that it should be of white paper and of certain length and width ; sale of farm products between sunset and sunrise was prohibited: several sections of the code were amended, one of the important amendments being that relating to the liens of landlords on rents and advances. The number of chancery divisions were reduced from five o three, and the number of judicial circuits from twelve to eight. later served one or Governor Cobb has Ex-Gov. George S. Houston was elected to the United States senate over several able competitors, for term beoinnin^- March the 4th, 1879, to succeed Senator Speucer. A joint memorial was adopted asking congress to remove the tax on State banks. The said tax of 10 per cent, prohibits the issue of money by State banks. Another joint memorial to con- gress requested the survey of a canal from the Tennessee river, near Guntersville, to the Coosa, near Gadsden. After being a member of the United States senate about ten months. Governor Houston died on the 31st of December, 18T9, and Governor Cobb appointed Hon. Luke Pryor, of T.imestone, ■*-o fill out his term until tlie meeting of the general assembly. 274 HISTORY OF ALABAMA Mr. Pryor was the former law partner and Ijosom friend of Governor Houston and a lawyer of ability who never sought office. An act of the session of 1878-79 provided for the appointment of three commissioners to adjust and settle the debt of Mobile, and provided for the government of the city, the charter being repealed. Said temporary government remained in force until 1881. In the August election of 1880 Governor Cobb and the State officers elected in 1878, with the exception of Hon. L. F. Box, superintendent of education, were re-elected over the Greenback ticket headed by Pickens, the Greenback nominee for Governor, by 92,545 majority. Hav- ing served two terms ably and faithfully, Superintendent Box was not a candidate for second re-election. During liis eneunibeney there was a large incease in the number and attendance of the public seliools, but the supply of good teachers was far short of the demand. It was necessary to license a number of both races who were utterly incompetent, because no others could be had in many localities. Very few counties in 1880 could boast of the possession of as many as half a dozen teachers, who held first grade certificates. Hon. H. Clay Armstrong was the worthy successor of Su- perintendent Box, and served through two terms in accordance with democratic usage. At the November election of 1880. Garfield and Arthur, the republican candidates, were elected president and vice-president of the United States, defeating the democratic nominees, Hancock and English, who carried Alabama by 80,000 majoritv. The Greenbackers and Republicans combined developed sufficient strength in one district to elect W. M. Lowe to congress, who had become fully identified Avith the former, after being elected to the preceeding (Fort}- -sixth) congress as an independent. He, like all the other members elected to the Forty-seventli congress (who were Democrats) had been gallant Confederate soldiers. The said Demo- crats were all able men, in fact Alabama has never sent better rep- resentatives to congress than the ex-Confederates, which she has elected to the senate and house since the war. Acts were passed by the general assembly of 1880-tSl for better organization of State troops — appropriating $1."),000 for relief of maimed soldiers — giving liens to blacksmiths and Avood woikmcn — requiring more stringent enforcement of law against carrying concealed weapons — prohibiting the sale of liquor in several counties ami in more than 150 other GOVERNOR COBIJ'S ADMINISTRATION localities, such as beats, townsliips, vicinities of cliiirches and schools, etc. — also a number of vholesonie amendments to the code. Hon. Jas. L. Pugli, of Barbour, was elected to the United States Senate in the winter of 1880 to serve the balance of the term, about four years, for which Governor Houston had been elected. Senator Pryor after serving one year as the ap- pointee of Governor Cobb declined ta be a candidate, pre- ferring private life, although he had given eminent satisfaction during his brief service as senator. Senator Pugh had served with distinc- tion in congress for nearly one term, which was interrupted by the secession of the State, when he resigned with the rest of his col- leagues. He volunteered as a private in the First Alabama infantry, and served one year at Pensacola, where he was elected to the Confederate congress and re-elected in 3863. Mr. Pugh is an orator of much force and power and is a lawyer of great ability. Soon after entering the senate he bounded to the front as the peer of the greatest orators and lawj^ers of that body. He was re-elected to the senate in 1884 .ind again in 1890. He is a native of Georgia, born December 12th. 1811). and came Avith his parents to this state when four years old. Loft an orphan when eleven years old he rode a mail route on horse-back three days of the week to get money to go to school the balance of the week. He is a self-made man, and though now in his 81st year, he is still in possession of full mental and physical vigor. He served in the senate until ]\Iarch 4th, 1897. The most important act of the session of 1880-81 Avas that creating the railroad commission of Alabama, to consist of three members to be appointed l)y the governor and confirmed by the senate. Capt. W. L. Bragg was appointed president, and Capt. Jas. Crook and Col. C. P. liall associate commis- sioners, and they were promptly confirmed by the senate as the three first railroad commissioners of this State. Their good work was soon observed in a large reduction of freight rates, and of passenger fare from si.x to three cents per mile. Be- sides this, better station houses were erected where needed, and sign boards of warning were put up at all the crossings of public roads. From time to time, the foregoing commissioners and their successors have recommended needed railroad legislation, which by their duties and experience they were eminently titled to suggest, and which as HISTORY OF ALABAMA a rule, the legislatures have enacted into wise laws which protect the people and do not oppress the railroads. The census of 1880 showed a total ])0[)ulation of 1,252,771, of which 062,185 were whites, 600,103 Averc colored, 213 were Indians and fonr Avere Chinamen. Corn crop, 25,451,278 bushels; wheat, 1,529,657 bushels; cotton, 699,651: bales, value of live stock, $23,787,681 ; tons of coal produced in 1879, 322,- 934; iron ore, 184,110 tons; pig iron, 62,336 tons, about one- half of which was produced by charcoal furnaces; number ol: iron furnaces, 12. During the decade ending in 1880, the at- tention of the whole civilized world was beginning to be at- tracted to the wonderful natural resources of this State. While the foregoino- makes a good show for the development of the industrial resources which began after the war, in earnest in the year 1872, still it is doubtful whether the manufactured pro- ducts of 1879 reached in amount those of 18G4. (See Governor Shorter's letter in a chapter on the Confederate war, and see list of furnaces and factories destroyed by Wilson.) While the agricultural products of the census of 1880 showed a large increase compared with 1870, they were far behind those of 18G0, when there was slave labor, notwithstanding each race had a population 200,000 greater in 1880 than in 18G0. In the August election of 1882, Gen. E. A. O'Neal, of Lauderdale county, was elected twenty-sixth governor at the head of the Democratic ticket, over Col. elames Sheffield, the Greenback candidate, (see note at end of this chapter) the vote being O'Neal 100,591, Sheffield 46,386. Governor O'Neal was born in INIadison county in 1818, and after graduating at LaGrange College, he was admitted to the bar at Florence in 1840. In 1841 he was elected solicitor, which position he held for four years. In 1840 he was a candidate for congress, but was defeated. In 1861 lie entered the army as private in the Nintli Alabama infantry, and was soon major of that regiment. In the spring of 1862 he became colonel of the Twenty-sixth Ala- bama regiment, and subsequently, in 1864, brigadier general of Cantey's brigade. He partici))ated in all the battles fought by tlie army of Northern Virginia up to May 1864, irom which time he commanded his brigade in llic armv of Johnston and Hood until the surrender. He GOVERNOR O NEAL S ADMINISTRATION / / leceived several severe wounds and no braver otlieer served in the the armies of the Sontli. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1875 and chairman of the committee on education. He was one of the best cam]>ai<>n orators of the State, and was ever ready to uphold the ]»rineiples of the Democratic party when his services were needed. Governor O'Neal served two terms as oovernor and at the beginnin,i>- of his first term refused to approve of the liond of State Treasurer Vincent, which hastened the discovery of that •officer's defalcation. On the ticket Avitli (^ncrnor OVXeal, State Treasvirer A^iii- cent, of Chambers county, was elected treasurer for the third time. This was the first, and with one exception, the only time since the war u]) to this writing, that the Democrats have honored any State officer with three successive elections to the same office. He failed to furnish a bond which Governor O'Xeal was willing to approve, and in January, at the time for fhe usual examination of the treasurer's books by a legisla- tive committee, he suddenly left the city of Montgomery, hav- ing left word with his family that he expected to take a flying irip to Xew York. N"othing was heard of him for several years. An examination of his books showed that $230,000 of i:he State funds was missing. When ])i'oceedinfiS were about to be instituted against his bonds- men, his bond could not be found, havino^ been stolen. The record ^f it in the books of the secretary of state had been cut out and abstracted so that it was impossible for any one to name all his Iwndsmen. Later on a compromise was made by act of legislature with three of the bondsmen, Messrs. M. E. Pratt, Daniel Crawford and J. J. Ivobinson, who were all good men and most excellent citi- zens, by which the State recovered about $50,000. The grand jury ■of Montgomery county returned tliirty-nine indictments against Vin- cent, charging him with endjezzlement. In 1887 he returned as suddenly as he had disappeared. He came as a prisoner in charge of a Mr, Kay, who claimed to have captured him in Texas, and got the reward of $5,000 offered by ac*: of the legislature for the appre- hension of Viircent. The latter was tried on two charges and sen- tenced to ten years imprisonment in the penitentiary, which was supposed would cover his life, as he was broken in health and spirits. He was pardoned before the end of his term, in response to petitions signed by thousands of the best citizens, in all parts of Alabama, on account of his ill health. The legislature of 1882-83 passed important acts affecting the railroads, which wei-e suggested hy the fii-st rej^ort of the 278 HISTORY OF ALABAMA railroad commission — $60,000 was appropriated to the univer- sity and $30,000 to the A. & M. college for the purnose of erecting additional bnildings and providing equipments needed. A department of agriculture was established with a commissioner of a,2rriculture to be appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate. Colonel Betts was made the first commissioner of agriculture under said act. (By act a few vears later this State official is now elected by the people.) White State normal schools were established at Jacksonville and Livingston, and a colored school was established at Talla- dega, with appropriations for each. Ten years previous a State normal school for whites had been established in Flor- ence by the legislature and has been in successful operation since that time. Still before this, Lincoln normal university for colored was established at Marion. We shall see further on that a normal school for whites was established at Troy,, in 1887, and others for colored at Tuskegee and Huntsville. Another act of the session of 1882-83 provided for the ap- pointment of a "commissioner to adjust, compromise and set- tle'^ the railroad bonds of the counties of Eandolph, Cham- bers, Lee, Tallapoosa and Pickens, which had been fastened on said counties during the years of reconstruction. The said bonds amounted to nioie than the counties were able to pay and there was much legislation for their relief, by loaning them the amount of their State taxes. They became known as "strangu- lated" counties, and were finally relieved by act of the legislature of a large part of the debt to ihe State for said loan, which demon- strated a most praiseworthy and generous spirit on the part of the legislators from other counties of the State. An. act introduced by Senator Titcomb, a life-long teacher, required that hygiene and physiology be taught in the public schools. Another act provided for the appointment of commissioners to adjust, compromise and settle the bonded indebtedness of Selma and Opelika. Their charters were repealed and tem- porary governments established over said cities, which were suffering from the results of radical misrule. The act of 1873, providing for a geological survey of the State, was amended by an appropriation of $5,000 per year, and Dr. Eugene A. Smith, the able and faithful State geologist, in- GOVERNOR O'NEAL'S LAST TERM 279 structed to make reports from time to time. By another act the governor was autliorized to employ an expert accountant to examine tlie books of the State officers. This act was sug- gested by the defak-ation of State Treasurer Vincent. Cohniel James Sheffield remained but a short while in the ■Greenback party. Having returned to the fold of his first love, the Democratic party, he was appointed clerk of some office in the capi- tol. which position he held until his death, QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER XLVII. (1) Who was elected United States Senator during st-ssion of 1S76-7? What was conceded before the end of his first term? (2) Who was <^lected twenty-fifth Governor in 1878? (3) Who was elected United States Senator to succeed Spencer? How long did he serve? Who was appointed in his place? What was done for Mobile? Re-elected Governor in 1880? (4) Who succeeded Superintendent of Education Box? (5) Who was elected to fill out balance of Governor Houston's term in the United States Senate? How long did Senator Pugn serve? Answer. Sixteen years. (6) What is said of the railroad commission? Their good work? (7) Population of Alabama in 1880? White? Col- ored? What had attracted attention? (8) Who was elected twenty- sixth Governor and when? (9) Who was elected State Treasurer for the third time? Tell of his flight. Books showed what? His re- turn? (10) Appropriations made to the University and A. & M. College? Department of Agriculture and Commissioner? Normnl Schools? (10) For what purpose were commissioners appointed and for what counties? For what cities? Who was then and is still (in 1901), the able and faithful State Geologist? CHAPTER XLVIII. 1884 TO 1890 — o'neat/s last term — seat's administration. JEFFERSOX DAVIS VISITS ALABAMA IN 1886 AND CLEVELAND IN 188T MINERAL REGION ON A "'bOOM'' ORGANIZATION OF THE FARMERS ALLIANCE — NEW TOLITICAL PARTY FORE- SHADOWED. In the August election of 1884 Governor O'Neal, and tlie State officers, including Hon. Fred H. Smith of Dallas, who had heen appointed State treasurer after Yincent^s flight in January, 1883, were again elected, with the exception of Hon. H. C. Armstrong, wlio liad served two terms as superintendent to draw money for teachers by sending pay-rolls to IMontgomerv. The appropriation for soldiers and soldiers' widows was raised to .$50 000. The same sum was appropriated to complete, furnish and equip the buildings of the A. & M. College A^icultural schools and experiment stations wore established at 284 HISTORY OF ALABAMA Albert sville and Abbeville, with appropriations of $2,500 each after the first year. The State aofrieultiiral department was authorized to make reports of experiments in scientific agriculture and to make analysis of fertilizers. $5,000 was appropriated to complete the Confederate monument in the Capitol grounds, and the next year this appropriation was doubled. The rest of the money for erect- ing the monument was raised by patriotic women of the State under the lead of Mrs. Bibb. Other acts provided for the relief of the "strangulated" counties which have been mentioned before. The Farmers Alliance, wliich had increased greatly in mem- bership since its incorporation during the winter of 1886-87, by the fall 1889, had a large membership in every county of the State. Some of the demands of the National Alliance, in its meeting at St. Louis, foreshadoAved the organization of a new political party. The demand for the establishment of sub-treasuries by the Federal government, where farmers might deposit agricultural products and draw currency issued for the purpose on same, and the demand for government ownership of railroads were radically different from any of the planks in the platforms of either of the old parties. The sub-treasury scheme of the Alliance was very popular with many of the farmers, especially those who- were too young to remember the sad experience of Alabama in lending money to her citizens during the second quarter of the nineteenth century. In the meantime Capt. R. F. Kolb. of Barbour, had been appointed Commissioner of Agriculture and had given satisfaction in the dis- charge of the duties of the office. He was a member of one of the best families of the State, had been the gallant commander of a battery of artillery during the war, and moreover, was noted for his genial m Who was elected twenty-seventh Governor? (4) A\ hat i^ said of President Davis? Earth-quake? (5) Farmers Alliance incor- porated? Forerunner of what? When did President Clevehmd visit Mms State? Answer. During the State Fair, Octoner. 188.. (6) Ke- lected in 1888? What is said of "boom" times? W hat w< 'ere pro- plppfprl _^ iected'? (7) Towns and cities incorporated? Institutions of learning: Railroads? (8) What had greatly increased? What was foreshad- owed? By what two demands? Why were many old men opposed to the sub-treasury scheme? CHAPTER XLIX. 1890 TO 1894— JONES' first term— census of 1890— cap- tain KOLB, LEADER OF THE JEFFERSONIAN PARTY— WHITES DIVIDED— POPULIST PARTY STRONG IN THIS STATE— JONES' SECOND TERM— FINANCIAL DEPRESSION— PANIC OF 1893. OATES ELECTED GOVERNOR. There was great dissatisfaction among the Alliance men <.n account of the defeat of Kolb, in the Democratic conven- tion but they supported Jones in the August election, rather than vote for a Republican. Col. Thomas G. Jones, the Dem- ocratic nominee, was elected twenty-eighth governor in \ugust 1890, receiving 139,912 votes, while his Republican opponent, B. M. Long, got 42,390 votes. Hon. John G. Har- ris was elected State superintendent of education and served through two terms, having been re-elected m 1891. JNone of his predecessors showed greater fidelity and energy and -.i))ilitv than he exercised while in office. During his second 286 HISTORY OF ALABAMA term he oroanized an educational campaign in every county of the State, which was the means of awakening greater in- terest in public school education. Governor Jones Avas born in Maeon,. Ga., November 26th, 1844. At the begin- ning of the war he was a cadet in the Virginia Military Institute at Lexingtx^n. Early in the w^ar he was appointed to a position on General Gordon's staff, which he held until the surrender at Appomat- tox. At one time young Jones was per- sonally thanked by General Lee for "his- gallant conduct" and at another time, un- aided and alone, he captured and con- ducted into the Confederate headquarters, a squad of nine Federal pickets, who had previously captured him. He had been sent by General Gordon to a part of his command several miles distant, the route running through thick woods. On the way Jones rode suddenly into the midst of the Federal squad, who heard him coming and had him covered Avith their rifles when he came into view a few steps off. Having surrendered he induced the men to build a fire, as it was very cold. Getting between them and their stacked guns he seized one of the latter and forced the nine Federals to surrender and then marched them back to the Confederate camp. He was a member of the lower house of the general assembly three terms fiom Mont- gomery, where he had settled to practice law after the war, and was speaker of the house in 1886-87. From 1880 until he was elected governor he was a leading officer of the State troops, first as colonel and later as general, and distinguished himself by quelling a riot in Birmingham in 1883. The local legislation of the legislature's session of 1890-1)1 was similar to that of several preceding sessions. It probably exceeded the general legislation in volume, and has since grown relatively greater from session to session. The census of 1890 having shown that the State was entitled to nine representatives in the lower house of congress — an increase of one — the legislature divided the State into nine congres- sional districts. The other acts of 1800-91 of importance were as follows: To es- tablish at Talladega an institute for negro deaf, dumb and blind. To provide for an additional judge for the supreme court, making five in all. To regulate the apportionment of the school fund; the prac- GOVERNOR JONES' ADMIMSTRATION 287 tical effect of this act was tliat it empowered township trustees to divide the State school fund between the two races accordinj]: to ^'justice and equity" in lieu of previous apportionments based upon the number of children of the two races. The census of 1890 showed a total popuhatioii for this State of l,513,0n; whites, 833,T18; colored, 678,489; Chinese, 48; Japanese, 3 : Indians, 759. (The last named emhraced Geroni- mo's band of Apaches, in captivity at Mt. Vernon barracks, who had been forced to surrender in the west a fevv^ years previous, after having committed many outrages upon the whites through a long series of years. Owing to the damp climate of South Alabama compared with the dry plains where said Indians had been reared, their mortality was great "while lo- cated in this State, and thev were carried back to the "West <^arly in the present decade.) Other statistics from the census of 1890: Corn crop, 30,072,161; wheat, 208,591; oats, 3,230,463; cotton crop, 915,210 bales; value of live stock, $30,776,730; farm land, fences and buildings, $111,051,390; till real estate, $271,363,944; railroad mileage, 3,310; railroae sufHcient to resist the entrance of a fleet of armored war vessels with the aid of a number of torpedoes hidden in the water. When the plan of sinking the ]\ferrimac across the channel had been set- tled upon. Hobson being thoroughly competent to arrange all the details for sinking the vessel, was selected to conduct the dangerous undertaking. Hundreds volunteered to accompany him as a crew, but only seven were needed. On the night of ti.e 2d of June the little crew sailed the vessel rapidly towards and into the mouth of the channel amid a furious bombardment. It seemed al- most certain death for Hobson and his brave little band, but they kept the vessel afloat until tlie destination was reached. Part of the ship's machinery was badly damaged by the repeated shots that had pierced her, so that it was impossible to sink her directly across the <>hannel. \Yhile the attempt to close the channel failed, it was not the fault of ihe gallant Hobson and his brave men, who had proved that tney were heroes. All escaped death and were captured by the Spaniards and subsequently exchanged. Many brave Alabama boys are now serving in the Philip])ines. who volunteered in the forces raised during 1801). In the August election of 1898 Governor Johnston was re- elected governor, receiving a big majority over his Populist opponent. Senator Deans, of Shelby county. Hon. J. 0. Turner, having served ably and faithfullv througli two terms as State superintendent of education, he was succeeded in 1898 by Hon. J. W. Abercrombie, State senator from the Seventh district and su))erintendent of the Anniston city schools. Xone of his distinguished predecessors understood better than ^Iv. Abercrombie tlie practical work- ing of the school laws, or have administered the duties of the office more thoi'onaldv in accord witli tlieir s]urit. 11 298 HISTORY OF ALABAMA Professor Abercrombie is a practical teacher. He possesses a finished education, great mental ability and is a polished orator. Up to this writing his success in arousing greater interest in public school education has been phenomenal. Before leaving the senate in the winter of 1898 to assume the duties of State superintendent of education, he Avas the leader in having enacted the valuable school legislation of the session of 1898-99 which follows: An act to es- tablish a State board of examiners. It is their duty to provide uni- form questions for examination of all applicants for license to teach school, the examination to be conducted by the county superintendent of education, and the answers to be forwarded to said board, who- will issue license when a certain per cent, of the answers are cor- rect. An act assessing a tax of 10 cents on the 100 dollars worth of pronerty, the proceeds to be used to increase the public school funds. An act requiring the pay-rolls of county superintendent to be paid by the tax collectors. This saves the expense of sending the school money to the State treasury and returning it again to the different counties. Other acts provided for establishing a reformatory and industrial school for young criminals, and changed the name of the A. & M. college to the Alabama Polytechnic Institute. A general iiispensor> law was enacted authorizing counties and municipalities to sell spiritous liquors, but a large number of counties were exempted from its provisions. Among the latter are those which are under prohi- bition local laws, and those having the large cities in their bounds. A State game law was enacted for the i^rotection of birds, fish, etc.. but many of the counties were exempted from its provisions. A special tax of one mill was enacted, the proceeds to be used for the relief of Confederate soldiers and their widows. A joint resolution was adopted "urging teachers of public schools to encourage pupils in raising funds to purchase a United States flag, that same may wave over every school house in the State." The most important act of the session of 1898-99 was that providing for holding "a convention to revive and amend the constitution of this State, and for submitting the question of convention or no convention to a vote of the electors of the State on the first Monday in Juh\" This act received a big majority in both houses of the general assembly and was approved by Governor Johnston. County con- ventions were held in the spring and nominated delegates to the constitutional convention provided for by said act, and a State Democratic convention was held in Montgomery, which nominated thirtj'-three delegates at large. There was some opposition to hold- ing a constitutional convention, in the ranks of the Democratic party, while the Populist and Republican parties were almost unan- imously opposed to it. GOVERNOR SAMFORD'S ADMINISTRATION 299 Governor Johnston, an astute politician, who had oained great popularity as governor during his first term, decided to throw tlie weight of his influence against holdina- the con- yention. Within three months after the adjournment of the regular session, the governor issued a call for the legislature to con- yene and repeal the convention act. The called session met in June, 1899. It was a period of great interest to all the people of the State, the political storm center heing in Montgomery, whither had congregated many of the leading Democrats of Alahama. Both United States senators, all the Democratic members of congress from this State, except one, and a majority of the State Democratic executive connnittee were against the repeal of the act. Every possible argument and influence was brought to bear upon the small majority of the legislators who favored the repeal, but all in vain. The general assembly not only repealed the act providing for the constitutional convention, but also refused to submit a suffrage amendment to the constitution to a vote of the people at the next general election, which was recom- Tnended by the governor. However, the repeal of the aforesaid act w^as a temporary triumph for the governor, and his friends immediately began to urge him to become a candidate for a third term as gov- ernor. He later decided to be a candidate to succeed lion. John T. Morgan, in the United States senate. After a hot contest Senator Morgan carried eleven-twelfths of the counties of the State in the Democratic primaries, and was elected to succeed himself as United States senator ])y the legislature w^hich met in November, 1900. Four distinguished gentlemen were candidates before the Democratic convention in April, 1900, for the nomination for governor — ex-Congressmen Samford and Shelley, Congress- man Stallings, and Speaker Waller, of the lower house of the legislature. On the first ballot neither had a majority an^l each had a respectable vote. On the third vote Hon. W. J. Samford was nominated for thirty-first governor and in the August election carried the State by a tremendous majority over Dr. G. B. Crowe, the Populist candidate. Hon. J. W. 300 HISTORY OF ALABAMA Abercrombie ^vas re-elected State superintendent of educa- tion. William J. Samford, the tliirty-lirst gov- ernor of Alabama, is a native of Georgia, born September 16th, 1844, but his father moved to Chambers county, Alabama, when the subject of this sketch was a mere in- fant. William F. Samford, his father, was a man of great scholarly attainments, and received a flattering vote for governor in 1859, although he made no effort to be elected. The boyhood days of the son were spent on the farm and in a printing office. At the age of 17 he entered the Confederate army and was a gallant sol- dier for four years, being promoted to^iieu- tenant before the close of the war. He read law after the war and in a few years was numbered among^ the best lawyers of the State. He was a presidential elector in 1872 and again in 1874. He represented his district in congress in 1883-84, but was not a candidate for re-election. In 1882 he rep- resented Lee county in the legislature and in 1884 and 1892 he was electt-d to the State senate, becoming president of that body during his last ten 1. He was one of the youngest members of the constitu- tional convention of 1875. Governor Samford has ever taken an active part in Sunday school and church work. He possesses fine literary attainments, and is oxe of the best orators in the State. He is universally regarded a good, pure, conscientious man. During the years 1899 and 1900 the largest steel plants in the South were built at Ensley, near Birmingham. In the fall of 1900 Bryan and Stevenson carried the State by a large majority, and the Democrats elected a solid delega- tion to congress. McKinley and Roosevelt were elected pre?i dent and vice-presdent by the largest majority in the history of the nation. WHien the legislature met in November, 1900, the whole- State was cast in gloom by the dangerous illness of Governor- elect Samford at his home in Opelika. By act of the general ussemljly President Jelks, of the senate, was temporary gov- ernor for aljout two months after the end of Governor John- ston's second term, until Governor Samford was able to as- sume the duties of the office in January. The most important GOVERNOR SAMFORD S ADMINISTRATION 3OI act of the session of 1900-1901 was tliat providing for a con- stitutional convention of 155 nie)nl)ers to meet on the 21st }^<^oi April, 1901. The counties to be represented by 100 dele- / gates, as in the lower house of the general assembly, the senatorial districts by 33 delegates — one each; the congres- sional districts 18 — or two each, and four from the State at large. The following are some of the important appropriations of said session: $15,000 regular and $65,000 special appropriation for girls industrial sc^iool at Montevallo, $100,000 additional for public schools (making $|o0,000, besides one mill special tax — about $200,000; also poll tax, sixteenth section and other funds mentioned in Chapter 36, maJving a total of not less than $1,100,000 for public schools) ; $15,000 for lx)ys industrial school, $25,000 for equipping buildings at INIt. Vernon for a department of the insane nospital, $2,500 for an Alabama Historical commission, increased appropria- tion for institute for deaf, dumb and blind. The local acts were more numerous than ever. An act was passed requiring each public school to be kept open for a term of not less than five months of the school year. QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER L. (1) What is said of the "Jeffersonians"? What schools established by the Legislature of 1894-5? (2) Next two years depression? Elected thirtieth Governor? (3) Elected United States Senator in 1896? School legislation? (4) What diverted the attention of the people in the winter of 1897-8? (5) Call of President McKinley? Alabama's response? (6) What is said of Wheeler and Gates? (7) What is said of Hobson? (8) Re-elected Governor in 1898? State Superintendent of Education? What important school legislation by session of 1898-9? (9) Most im- portant act of 1898-9? What afterwards aroused opposition? Who led the opposition to the convention? (10) For what purpose was the Leg- islature convened? (11) When did the called session meet? What was repealed? (12) What is said of the contest for United States Senator? Who was successful? Nominated and elected thirty-first Governor? (13) Election in fall of 1900? What was the most important act of the Legislature of 1900-1901? Answer. The act providing for a Constitiw tional Convention. APPENDIX TO HISTORY OIP ALABAMA APPENDIX I, ALABAMA AS IT IS. The exact boundaries of Alabama are given in Art. 2. Sec. 1, of the State Con- stitution. The land area is 50.722 ^'(see note at end of this Appendix), or 32,462,- OSO acres. The navigable rivers of the State are as follows: The Tennessee, the fifth in size in the United States, enters this State a few miles west of its northeast corner and flows south- west for about jeighty miles to Guntersville, which is about forty- five miles due south from the Tennessee line. The river then flows in a northwest direction about 150 miles, when it re-enters the State of Tennessee after forming the extreme northwest boundary of this State for some ten or twelve miles. The Muscles Shoals form a natu- ral obstruction to river navigation for thirty-eight miles, from Brown's Ferry, ten miles below Decatur, to Florence, 'j'hc United States government has expended $4,080,520.00 to dig a canal six- teen miles long and to remove the obstructions in the remainder of the shoals, thus making the river to some extent navigable its whole length through this State. The Mobile river in the southwestern part of the State is the re- sult of the junction of the Alabama and Tombigbee rivers fifty miles above Mobile. The Alabama is formed by the C'oosa and Tallapoosa and is navigable its whole length. The Coosa is navigable for 150 miles of its upper course and from its mouth to the shoals near We- tumpka. Steamboats have run up the Cahaba, another tributary of the Alabama, to Centerville a distance of eighty miles. The Tombig- bee is navigable into the State of Mississippi. The Black Warrior, its main tributarv. is na\igable to Tuscaloosa. Smaller tributaries. 306 APPENDIX TO the Sipsey and the Xoxubee are navigable for a short distance. The Chattahoochee whioli forms the eastern boundary of the State for 100 miles, is navigable to Girard, Ala. The Choctawhatchie and the Conecuh, which flow from this State through West Florida into the Gulf of Mexico, are both navigable into Alabama and are of great value for floating lumber and timber to the gulf ports. In 1900 Alabama had a population of 1,828,697, an increase of 20.8 per cent, over that of 1890. (Population of cities, towns and counties in 1900 given in Appendix No. 2.) Railroad mileage in 1898, 3,689. In 1899, 3,951. (According to report of Hon. James Crook, President of the State Railroad Com- mission. ) The following statistics of coal, iron, etc., for 1899 were furnished the author by Professor Eugene A. Smith, State geologist: Tons coal, 7,484,763; coke, 1.798.612; Long tons pig iron, 1,083,905; iron ore, 2,627,000; fluxing stone, long tons. 635,514; building stone, cubic feet, 63,614: beauxite, long tons, 14.144: graphite, 50 to 60 short tons; lime, barrels, 225,000. Writers on the resources of Alabama usually divide the State into four great belts — the cereal belt, the mineral belt, the cotton or black belt, and the timber belt. The first named, THE CEREAL BELT, embraces the eight counties which extend into the Tennessee river valley and are as follows: Colbert. Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall and Morgan. Three of these coun- ties are on the north side of the Tennessee river, three on the south side, and the two others, Marshall and Jackson, are cut in twain by the river. No traveler who has passed through North Alabama on the M. & C. division of the Southern railroad was ever known to assert that there is a more entrancing region than the Tennessee river valley on the face of the earth. Along nearly the whole course of the majestic sweep of the river for more than two hundred miles through Alabama the valley is from ten to thirty miles wide. In many places it presents the appearance of a gently undulating, \nde plain with blue mountains in the distance. Where the hills and mountains approach close to the riverside, or rise abruptly from its banks, and where its waters dash tumultuouslv for miles over vast shoals of rock HISTORY OF ALABAMA O'-'/ the scenery changes from the beautiful to the sublime. The river bottoms have rich alluvial soil upon which immense crops of com and other products are grown. The soil of the other valley lands is usually a dark red loam and very productive. I>ong before the Confederate war the valley was noted for its hifr crops of cotton. The soil is, however, better adapted to corn, small grain, clover and the grasses. The following are the leading field crops arranged ac- cording to total value: Cotton, corn, oats, hay, sorghum syrup, sweet potatoes, rye, Irish potatoes, barley, etc. The raising of all kinds of stock pays well and there are some fine stock farms. Gen. S. H. Moore, of Madison county, bred and reared the champion Jer- sey cow of the world, Lily Flag. In May. 1000, Col. W. F. Garth, of the same county, shipped fifteen thoroughbred three-year old colts at one time to the Western markets. In 1819 General Jackson brought to Huntsville some of the best race hor.ses of Tennessee to run against horses reared by a Mr. Jackson of Madison county. The following fruits are grown as successfully as anywhere on earth when proper attention is given them : Peaches of all kinds, summer apples, some kinds of fall and winter apples, like cherries, do well in certain localities, especially on mountain sides, coves and plateaus. Some choice varieties of pears and grapes, also plums, raspberries, strawberries, dewl^erries. blackberries, whortleberries, currants and gooseberries. All kinds of garden vegetables grow well. Much of the surface of several counties of the cereal belt is =;till covered with native forests of valuable hard woods and pine. The timber on some of the mountain sides and uncleared bottoms, is es- pecially fine. Large springs of pure cold water abound in every part of this belt, the most noted of which are those in Huntsville and Tuscumbia. The latter discharges over 17,000 cubic feet of water per minute, and its volume is sufficient to float a large steamboat where the current is not too swift. The numerous rivers and creeks of each county in their flow from the hills and mountains, have each sufficient fall over beautiful shoals of rock to furnish water power limited only by the .'^i/.e of the stream. ^More than seventy- five years ago thousands of acres of the valley lands were sold un- cleared for $40.00 per acre, and some of the river bottoms brought as much as $100 per acre. Since the close of the Confederate war hun- dreds of small farms in every county have been opened up on the ligkter lands of the ridges which produce all field crops well with the 308 APPENDIX TO aid of fertilizers and arc es])eeially adapted to fruit ^rowing. The principal cities of the cereal belt are Huntsville, Decatur, New De- catur, Florence, Sheflield, and Tuscumbia. ( See population in county notes.) Many valuable minerals are found in the liills and moun- tains, which will be mentioned in county notes. MINERAL BELT. This is much the largest of the four great belts, embracing twenty-six coun- ties extending east and west across the north central part of the State from the (Jeorgia to the Mississippi line — narrow- ing much, near the latter. It is imme- diately south of the cereal belt and lies north of the cotton or black belt. (The names of the counties and their popula- tion will be found in county notes.) The value of the natural resources of this belt is incalculable and they are destined to make Alabama the rich- est and most populous State in the South. As a rule the surface of the country is hilly or mountainous, but there are innumerable fertile valleys and many ridges and plateaus, which are gently rolling and produce well the usual crops grown in Alabama. The field, orchard and garden products are such as those of the cereal belt, with a slightly larger proportion of cotton and a less amount of corn. More acreage is devoted to market gardens, to supply the manufacturing cities — Birmingham, Anniston, Bessemer, Gadsden. Alabama City and others. Some broad and high mountain plateaus in DeKalb, St. Clair, Etowah and .Blount counties will doubtless prove to be the best apple region of Alabama — the last named county being now noted for its fine apples. In Chambers county is the largest peach orchard in the world. There are a number of orchards in the last named and surrounding counties, and also on the moun- tain plateaus mentioned above, where the peaches in bloom are very rarely killed by frost. The leading wheat raising counties, Calhoun and Talladega, and the two counties Cherokee and St. Clair, which make the largest average yields of cotton per acre, are in this belt. A large majority of the inhabitants of this bolt, and of the cereal and HISTORY OF ALABAMA 309 timber bolts are whites, and there are thousands of small white farmers who diversify their crops, and with the aid of their families cultivate their farms nuu-h better, than do most of the large planters in tl:e cotton belt who depend entirely upon negro tenants to work their lands. The so-called "white crackers" of ante-bellum tixies, and their descendants since the Confederate war, have created agricultural prosperity in many of the mountain and wire grass <.*ounties of this State. There is nuich tine pine timber suitable foi- building purposes in every county of the mineral belt. Hard woods of many kinds abound in great quantity, and there are many saw mills, besides factories which manufacture furniture, spokes and hubs, and bent wood, and others are being built. In this belt are the three great coal fields — the Warrior, the Cahaba Jind the Coosa — which together embrace a total of more than 10,000 square miles, or one-fifth the area of the State. The Warrior coal field is much larger than the two others combined and embraces an area of 7,810 square miles. Professor McCalley estimates the avail- able coal in this field at 37,500,000,000 tons, "which is regarded by scientists as a very low estimate — vastly below the actual capacity' of this wonderful domain of coal."' We have seen that about 7,500.- 000 tons were mined last year, some of it taken from the other tw(t fields. ]f all had been taken from the Warrior — that field alone at •such an annual rate of prodvution would last 5,000 years. The Cahaba field lies south of the Warrior field and further soutli than any other in the United States. It contains 400 square miles and would furnish annually for 500 years the total amount of coal produced in this State last year. It is rated as splendid grate coal — the Montevallo mines being in this field. The Coosa coal field has not been fully explored, but is known to cover 400 square miles, and Avould furnish annually the present production of the whole State for 100 years. The total available coal of the three great fields of the State is more than forty-two billion tons. Counting the coal as worth 50 cents per ton at the mouth of the mines, it would amount to $21,000,000,000, nearly ninety times the assessed valuation of all the property in the State. It is as nuich as all the land in the State Avould bring at $030 per acre. The beds of iron ore arc so iinnicrous that \vc will not attemi)t 1<> mention the localities whcic they arc known to exist, and there arc «loubtless iiiiuimerable valuable dci)osits that have not been dis- 3IO APPENDIX TO covered. Thus far the most valuable outcroppings of red ore are found ill Jefferson, Shelby and St. Clair counties. Brown ore is found in probably two-thirds of the counties of the State, and is more extensively mined in the counties named above, and in Chero- kee, Etowah, Calhoun, Bibb and Talladega. Much of the iron ore lies in close proximity to coal and limestone, so that iron can be manufactured more cheaply in this State than anywhere else on earth. For several years past Birmingham has made heavy ship- ments of iron to Great Britain, which up to less than a decade since, led all countries in the production of this metal. The newspapers of May, 1900, report one sale of 75.000 tons of Jefferson county iron to be shipped to a firm in Glasgow, Scotland. The other minerals of this belt are gold, silver, copper, tin, lead, graphite, mica, asbestos, ochre, marble, kaolin, fire-clay and various building stones. While writing this chapter, October, 1900, a solid marble shaft, 22 feet long, 2iy4x2V2 feet, was raised in Talladega county to be shipped to the State fair at Birmingham. The mineral belt is intersected by a number of noble streams, the larger being the Coosa, Tallapoosa, Cahaba, Black Warrior, Sipsey and Buttahatchie, and their tribu- taries, also some of the tributaries of the Chattahoochee, and of the Tombigbee besides those mentioned — and the upper waters of Big' Bear creek, which flow into the Tennessee. The head waters of the streams start at an altitude of 2,250, down to 700 feet above the gulf, and as they never go dry, every croek and river has numerous cas- cades and shoals, Avhich furnish great water power. Fine springs abound everyAvhere, many noted for mineral properties. The leading cities of the mineral belt are Birmingham — the most important man- ufacturing city of the State and the second in population — Anniston, Gadsden, Opelika, Talladega, Tuscaloosa, Pratt City, Phoenix City,. Alabama City, Bessemer, and Ensley. (The population of these cities and notice of a number of rapidly growing towns will be given in county notes.) COTTON OR BLACK BELT. This belt embraces fifteen counties (See names in county notes) and extends across the State south of the mineral and north of the timber belt. It contains a larger proportion of fertile land than '■my otlior belt. Each county has a large area of rich black prairie HISTORY OF ALABAMA ^II land in addition to lands of dark red loam timbered with liard woods — broad alhnial bottoms along* the streams — large stretches of splendid pine forests, besides occasional sandy ridges of little value except as sites for pleasant, healthy homes. This belt has long been noted for its inmiense crops of cotton and for its wealthy planters wiio lived in baronial style previous to the Confederate war. Dur- ing said war the acreage in cotton was greatly curtailed in order to raise larger crops of grain for the use of the Confederate armies and the families of soldiers at home. After Bragg's retreat into Georgia, this section of Alabama was the main reliance of the Confederate government for food for its army of the west, as it was pressed back by General Sherman's overwhelm- ing numbers. Hence the raid of Rosseau to destroy the railroad near Opelika and prevent supplies from the rich fields of this State reaching Johnston's army in Georgia. In the official records Presi- dent Davis speaks of this belt as "the granary of the Confederacy." Vast quantities of corn, oats, syrup from sugar cane and sorghum. bacon and beef, and wheat in some sections, were produced during the war. Cotton is the leading crop at present, but large crops of corn, oats, hay, sweet potatoes and sugar cane syrup are raised. Some rice is raised on the low lands and all garden vegetables grow well. Watermelons, peaches, figs, some fine varieties of pears, and most kinds of berries are unexcelled. Growing stock of all kinds pays well — the Bermuda grass pastures being fine in spring, sum- mer and fall, the eanebrakes along the streams afford good sus- tenance without other feed during the winter. In some of the counties, especially Dallas and Montgomery, the growing of fine stock is receiving more attention of late with each succeeding year. Even hogs can be raised with less expense than in the North. The cotton belt is highly favored by a number of navigable and other noble rivers. The navigable streams are the Chattahoochee — on its eastern border — the Tombigbee, Little Tombigbee, Black Warrior. Mobile, Alabama, Cahaba, the Coosa to Wetumpka, and the Talla- poosa not navigable. The two latter furnish splendid water power in their course through this belt, which has been utilized to some extent for cotton factories and other mills. An enormous dam has just been constructed at the last falls of the Coosa, some twenty-five miles above Montgomery, at great cost. The resulting water power -will drive immense dynamos, ;ind the electric current thus gene- 312 APPENDIX TO rated will be conducted by a cable to Montgomeiy, where it will be used to light the city, run the street cars, and turn the M-heels of variovis large manufacturing plants. There are a number of min- eral springs and artesian wells in this belt, noted for medicinal properties. The negroes outnumber the whites three to one and in some counties the proportion is greater — in others less. The leading cities of this belt are Montgomery, the capital of the State; Selma,. Eufaula, Tuskegee, Marion, Union Springs, Greensboro, Girard, Pratt- ville and Wetumpka. TIMBER BELT. Lies in southern end of the State south of the cotton belt, and is composed of fifteen counties. While the larger part of the area is covered with vast forests of pine, there are also large tracts of up- land with rich, dark red soil with a native growth of oak, hickory, etc., and broad bottoms along the streams covered with forests of cypress and other valuable timber. The soil of the pine lands is usually sandy underlaid with clay sub-soil — much of it produces good crops and some of it is poor. A great part of the surface is gently undulating or nearly level, but some of it is hilly, there being hills of 300 feet altitude within twenty-five miles of Mobile bay. The southeastern part of this belt is often called the "Wire Grass"" region from the grass which covers the surface of the ground in the pine woods. No strictly agricultural section of the State has sliow^n greater increase of population and Mcalth since 1890 than a number of the counties of the timber belt. We have already called atten- tion to the great number of small productive farms that have been opened in the pine w^oods of South Alabama. This pine woods coun- try is very healthy and the soil is easily cultivated. The leading- field crops are cotton, corn, oats, sweet potatoes, sugar cane and rice. No finer watermelons or garden vegetables are raised any where in the United States. One county, JNIobile, of this belt, derives a large sum annually for early vegetables shipped north — the amount being equal to a cotton crop of 12,500 bales at eight cents per pound. The fruits mentioned in notes on the other belts all grow well except apples. Peaches, figs, small fruits, and some varieties of grapes and pears are os))ecially fine. The raising of figs on a large scale, it is believed, will prove a good investment. The immense forests of HISTORY OF AI^ABAMA 313 yellow or long leaf pine for years past has been, and for many to come will be, a great source of wealth to this belt of this State. Many of these pines grow to a height of 150 feet and spars for masts of ships, are shipped to all parts of the world. In the broad- bottoms along the streams and on some of the higher lands there is a vast area of other valuable timber — oaks of different kinds — including live oaks, so valuable for ship building — cypress, hickory, beech, "magnolia, cedar, maple, dogwood, iron wood, juniper, ash, walnut, holly, poplar and sweetgum. Most of the woods are found in great quantity in the other belts of the State, but not in svich profusion as the timber belt. Many millions of dollars worth of lumber, cypress shingles, spars, staves and hoops are shipped annually from Mobile or floated down the rivers further east to the gulf, and yet the magnificent forests are scarcely touched. The navigable waters are: The Gulf of Mex- ico, which laves the southern shores of Mobile and Baldwin coun- ties ; Mobile bay, which extends inland thirty-three miles between said counties ; ]\Iobile river, with its confluents, the Alabama and Tombigbee, which drain more than two-thirds of the State. Tlie other rivers are the Perdido, Conecuh, Escambia, Pea, Choctawhatchee and Chattahoochee. The most of these are navigable for steamboats for part of their course, and all are valuable for floating lumber and timber. Minerals are found in some of the counties, which will be mentioned in county notes. The leading cities and towns are: Mobile, which is the largest city and the seaport of the State, and the natural distributing point for a large section of country, Troy, Greenville. Evergreen, Brewton, Ozark. Columbia, and Dothan. QUESTIONS ox APPENDIX I. How is Alabama bounded? Draw outline of the State on the black board. Into what four great belts do writers divide the State "•' Navigable rivers? Population in 1900? Pailroad mileage in 189!)? Production of coal? Iron? Where is the cereal belt? Mineral belt? Cotton or black belt? Timber belt? In what belt do you live? Its leading cities? Capital of the State? Greatest manufacturing city? largest city and seaport? Agricultural products of your belt? Who is governor of Alabama? United States senators? In what congressional district do you live? Who is the congressman from your district? Who is the State superintendent of education? * (The census bulletin issued October 20, 1900, says there arc 51,540 square miles of land surface in Alabama. The average luim- ber of persons to the square mile in 1890 ^yas 29..'), in 1900, ,35.4.) 314 APPENDIX TO APPENDIX II. . COUNTY NOTES. There are sixty-six counties in the State, of which Jefferson is the most populous and wealthy, and Baldwin has the largest area — 1,620 square miles. The counties are taken up in alphabetical order. First is given the name, and belt to which it belongs, described in Appendix I, then the derivation of name — then date of organization and Indian nation to which its territory once belonged — then popu- lation, white and colored, in 1890, and population for 1900. (The census bulletin issued in October, 1900, does not give the white and colored separate.) Next will come area, assessed wealth, according to auditor's report for 1899. An estimated true value of all property may be gotten by counting assessed wealth as 40 per cent, of same, which will probably not miss it more than 1 or 2 per cent., judging by census figures for whole United States, and for Alabama here- tofore. Then will be given, in many counties, the cotton crop, the first figures used being those of 1890. The short crop of 1899 (which will be ascertained when present census compilation is completed) is doubtless much below the actual average for last five years, there- fore we give the aforesaid figures and an estimated maximum yield where cotton is the leading crop. Next will come the population., etc., cities and towns; and the leading schools, as far as the author has been able to obtain a list of last named from county superintendents and other sources. In March, 1900, the author addressed a postal card with "return card" attached, to each county superintendent of education in the State, asking for the following information: First, a list of the educational institutions which grant diplomas; second, high schools and those which prepare students for college; third, larger com- mon schools open eight months of the year with an average of fifty pupils or more, A number replied to the above request and their reports are given in the county notes. AUTAUGA COUNTY COTTON BELT. Autauga is an Indian name, said to moan "land of plenty." Ter- ritory originally belonged to the Creek nation and was acquired by HISTORY OF ALABAMA 315 treaty of Fort Jackson, August 9th, 1814. County was established by the territorial legislature on November 21st, 1818, and was taken from a part of Montgomery county. Population 1890, 13,330; white 4,79G, colored 8,418; 1900, 17,915. Area, GGO square miles. As- sessed wealth $2,134,255, for 1899, which is 40 per cent of $6,085,037. estimated true value of all property. Cotton crop 10,431 to 13,000 bales. Forty-nine miles of railroad in 1899. The Alabama river forms southern boundary and is navigable. Surface generally broken and undulating, but much good bottom land and extensive fertile plateaus suitable for cultivation. All fruits, vegetables and field crops grown in v\labama do well, including rice and sugar cane. Good stock ranges. Much fine timber still untouched. The county seat, Prattville, has 1,929 inhabitants, a large cotton gin manufac- tory and a cotton mill. Other to\vns are Jones' Switch, Vine Hill and Autaugaville. The leading schools are located at the foregoing points and elsewhere. BALDWIN COUNTY TIMBER BELT. Gets its name from Abraham Baldwin, the main founder of the University of Georgia. As originally organized by the Mississippi ter- ritorial legislature in 1809 it was carved out of Washington county, lays west of Mobile river and covered none of its present territory. In 1819 a large scope of country east of the river and bay was added to the county and the next year the west side was given to Mobile and Washington, while Baldwin county was reduced to its new territory on the east side of the bay and river. The population was 8,941 in 1890; white 5,078. colored 3.203, and 13,194 in 1900. Assessed property in 1899 was $2,643,211. In 1899 railroad mileage was thirty-two. Navigable waters are Mobile and Perdido bays and rivers, Tensas river, and Alabama river. The sur- face is nearly level and covered with vast forests of pine, except the swamps, where many kinds of valuable woods abound. Much of the pine soil produces well, and there are good bottoms along the streams. There is some truck farming of early vegetables. All fruits of the timber belt grow well — even oranges are produced near the coast. ^ Many saw mills, and the lumber business is immense. Fine pasturage for sheep and cattle and many grown. Wild game, .such as bears, doer, wildcats, etc., still found in some parts of the 3 lb APPENDIX TO county. The main defenses of Mobile being located . in this county, its war history is eventful. Old Fort Bowyer and Fort Morgan on its site, Spanish Fort, Blakeley, and Fort Minis, all are in this county. In 1820 Blakeley Avas made a port of entry and was a rival of Mobile. Greater numbers were engaged and more blood shed in Baldwin than any other county of the State during the Confederate war. Daphne is the county seat. Bay Minette is on the L. & N. railroad. No large towns in the county. The prosperity of the county is shown by the large increase in population since 1890. The leading schools are at Daphne, Bay Minette, ]Montgomery Hill, Stock- ton, and other points. BAUBOr'R COrXTY COTTON DELT. Gets its name from Governor Barbour of Virginia. Greek nation -territory. Formed in 1832 from a part of Pike county and a poi- tion of the Creek cession of the same year. Population, 1890, 34,898 : white 13,454, colored 21.444; 1900, 35.152. Area 851 square miles. Assessed property, 1899, $4,518,046. Cotton crop 33,440 to 38,000 bales. In 1899 there were sixty-eight miles of railroad. The Chat- tahoochee, forming eastern boundary, is navigable. Barbour is a rich agricultural county, and is a fair sample of the counties of the cotton belt. All the products of said belt are grown and yield well. Peaches, figs, pears and melons especially fine. Fine pasturage. Clayton, the county seat, in 1900 had 998 inhabitants. Eufaula, the leading city, had 4,532 population, also compresses, machine shops, foundries, factories, corn and flouring mills. Other towns, White Oak Springs, 475 population; Louisville, 416; Clio. 326. The lead- ing schools are located at the points mentioned above and elsewhere in the county. Xo report. Barboiir county is noted for the distin- guished men it has produced. Biun cor.XTY — mixeiial belt. Bibb county, first called Cahaba, was established Febnui.y 12th, 1818, out of territory taken from Monroe — originally territory of the Creek nation. It Avas subsequently named for William W. Bibb, first governor of Alabama. Population. 1890. 13,824; wnite 9,0«0. colore