THE COTTON

AND

PRODUCE LOAN.

305

cause.

The Cotton and Pro

duce Loan.

consciousness of his supremacy over all earthly and they are still being received in a ratio which powers ? and was not Cotton the equal of warrants the belief that every want of the treasury Janus in art, in science, in moral, social and will be anticipated as the war advances. commercial position Quite equal ; and

“ Tennessee has not yet had the opportunity to Confederate law-givers grew eager to make respond, and the appeal is now made to her patrithe representative of human slavery do the otic citizens. Those who will undertake in the sev.

eral counties of the State to solicit subscriptions work of revolution. The ideas entertained will confer a public beneft and greatly aid tho on the means necessary to render the product most available were various; and, eventually,

“ The form adopted for subscriptions is annexed. resulted in the formation of the bureau of

“The agency of the press is earnestly solicited in the “Cotton and Produce calling attention to the above. Loan." Of this Mr. DeBow

“ J. D. B. DEBOW, was made Superintendent Superintendent of Cotton and Produce Loan." - position for which he was presumed to As one half of Tennessee was then closely be peculiarly qualified.* During the session guarded to keep down open revolt against of Congress he issued the following Circular : the Confederacy, the “unparalleled unanim

RICHMOND, August 15th, 1861. ity” might be classed with the “humors of “ To the People of Tennessee :

the campaign,” were it not that, with the au“You have responded with unparalleled unanim- thor of the Circular, falsification was a chronic ity to the calls of your country in furnishing troops weakness rather to be pitied than laughed at. to repel the invaders from our soil and to defend the

To the Circular the form of subscription conimon liberties. “ The Government requires the means to keep its

was appended. It read: great armies in the field and to meet the requisitions defense of the Confederate States the portion of our

“We, the subscribers, agree to contribute to the of the war of subjugation which is proclaimed crops set down to our respective names ; the same against ns. " These means will be abundantly supplied from and sold on or before the first day of

to be placed in warehouse or in our factor's hands,

- next; the resources of its patriotic citizens, who have

and the net proceeds of sale we direct to be paid evinced their determination now, as in the olden

over to the Treasurer of the Confederate States, för days which' tried men's souls,' to'sacrifice every in

bonds for the same amount, bearing eight per cent. terest and possession, even life itself, to maintain

interest. independence.

“N. B.- The agent in charge of this subscription “ An issue of treasury bonds has been authorized

will fill the blank as to date of sale, with the month to be made in exchange for the proceeds of the sales

best suited to the locality of the subscriber, in all of crops and other industry, and these are to draw

cases selecting the earliest practicable date." interest at the rate of eight per cent. per annum.

This discloses the whole scheme of that These bonds will equal in character any other in

cotton loan enterprise. It forms one of the vestments which can be made, and supported as they are, will enable the Government to issue and most absurd chapters in the history of the protect its treasury notes to such extent as may be revolution. Stupendous in its sublime assurproper.

ance of Confederate success, it was equally “ The Government proposes to every planter and stupendous in its folly.

Who would purfarmer to receive from him a subscription in advance chase the cotton and produce ? The Conof his crop of any portion thereof exceeding one federate States. What would it pay in? In hundred dollars in value, and will pay him in Con- bonds. What would become of the produce federate bonds when the crop shall be made and and cotton ? The Confederate armies would sold. The illustration is simple : You subscribe one

consume the first and fire would consume as thousand bushels of wheat, one thousand bushels of much of the cotton as the Federals did not corn, one thousand bales of cotton, &c., &c., or less,

seize. Result : bonds, and nothing else. and specify the place of delivery ; you or your own merchant will sell it and receive for the same Con

There was, we should say

Faith in Foreign federate bonds to the amount.

in extenuation of the ap

Recognition. “ The subscriptions already made to this loan em parent absurdity of this fibrace an aggregate of many millions of dollars, nancial scheme, a sublime faith in the early * See foot-note, page 93.

recognition of the independence of the South

The Labors of

ern States; then the blockade would be raised | ers and commercial operators. To American and the cotton would be sold for English apprehension it was sophistical and disingold. The same blind infatuation regarding genuous; any ordinarily informed schoolboy the value and importance of their staple pre-could have refuted its facts and gainsayed its vailed to render the claim of the South for figures; but, it was directed into channels recognition, in their estimation, absolutely where any refutation would have been chargimperative. England and France must have ed to illiberality or partisan spite, and therecotton; therefore they must break the block- fore it was safe. It was well for the peace ade, and thus throw down the gauntlet of of Europe in 1861, that the Southerners' defiance to the Federal Government.

sophistries did not prevail to open a " direct That the leaders of the revolution lived communication with the Confederate States." long enough to be disabused of this impress- Another act of that ses

Sesquestration of ion, and the contributors to the “Cotton and sion was that providing

Northern Property. Produce Loan" lived long enough to see for the sequestration of all their “contributed" property waste away Northern property found in the South. It without rendering them any return, history confiscated to the Confederate Government has to record.

all property, moneys, claims and interests of It is not uninstructive, the “ alien enemy" found in the South ; re

in this connection, to turn quired all persons, attorneys, agents, partners, T. Butler King

to the labors of agents or guardians, to divulge the existence of any sent abroad by the Odnfederacy to lay its such property, &c., known to them under claims before European governments. Among penalty of $500 for non-exposure ; proother envoys, Dudley Mann and Mr. Yancey vided for a receiver for such property, &c., were commissioned to England, and Mr. for its sale and entire disposition. The AtRost and Thomas Butler King to France.* torney-General, in his instructions for enforcThe latter was financier-general for the di- ing the act, designated those who were subplomats, and was looked upon as their di

ject to its penalties, viz: rector-general. His own chief efforts were

“1. All citizens of the United States, except citidevoted to the French throne. He laid a

zens or residents of Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, communication before the Minister of Com

or Missouri, or the District of Columbia, or the Ter

ritories of New Mexico, Arizona or the Indian Terrimerce, in June, 1861, setting forth the com

tory south of Ka sas. mercial claims of the Southern States to direct commercial relations with Europe. The states with which this Government is at war, no

“ 2. All persons who have a domicil within the document was a pamplilet, printed in French, matter whether they be citizens or not. Thus, the and, though addressed to the Minister of subjects of Great Britain, France or other neutral Commerce, really was designed for every nations, who have a domicil or are carrying on court in Europe. It was an able plea, at business or traffic within the States at war with the once specious and imposing in its figures and Confederacy, are alien enemies under the law. assumed facts. To foreign apprehension it

“ 3. All such citizens or residents of the States of was a complete argument of justification, Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky or Missouri, and of and served soon to raise up hundreds of the Territories of New Mexico, Arizona, and the friends to the Southern cause, particularly

Indian Territory south of Kansas, and of the District

of Columbia, as shall commit actual hostilities among the wealthier classes of manufactur

against the Confederate States, or aid or abet the * These Confederates practiced their chronic du- / United States in the existing war against the Con. plicity in Europe. Thus, Mr. King preferred to act

federate States." as the “ Commissioner" of Georgia to “ Great Bri

The condition of affairs

Feeling in the South tain, France and Belgium.” Nothing was openly in the rebellious States,

after July. said of his relations to the Confederate Government. prior to the battle of Bull Yet the correspondence afterwards obtained from a Run, if not discouraging to their cause was mail-bag seized in transitu from Havana to Savan- not fruitful of good promise. The necessity nah, proved Mr. King's position of caterer-general for gigantic preparations, for extraordinary to the whole band of Confederate agents abroad. sacrifices, impressed even the unreflecting

EX-GOVERNOR

WISE

A

BRIGADIER.

307

with a feeling of despondency. Behind the nition of the fact of a permanent dissolution outward show of martial spirit stood the sad of the Union. Hence, the vast importance soul which peopled the future with spectres. which hung upon the events of the first conThe blood, the suffering, the sacrifices, the test. Bull Run came from its muddy obscuruin, necessary to obtain independence, even rity to give to the rebel cause its bloody if it could be won at all, made many question blessing; and, thereafter, no hope of peace if a mere political separation were worth such lit up a hill or valley of the South. In its cost. A victory to the Federal arms on the stead burned the lurid light of commingled first great battle-field, would, in all probabil scorn, hate and pride. The wish for peace ity, stay the tide of war, and restore peace. was gone; despondency was banished as un-, A victory to the Confederate arms would re-worthy; and every Southern household set store confidence in their Government, in their its goods in order as if to prepare for all the resources, in their power to compel a recog- contingencies of distress or death.

CHAPTER VIL

ROSE CRANS'

OPERATIONS IN THE KANA WHA VALLEY. WISE'S BRIEF MILITARY CAREER. COX

AT

GAULE Y BRIDGE. ROSE CRANS' ADVANCE FROM CLARKSBURG. BATTLE OF CARNIFAX FERRY. BATTLE AT CHEAT MOUNTAIN. OPERATIONS UP TO остове в 15 тн.

Rosecrans in Com.

mand.

Ex-Governor Wise

· MCCLELLAN having turn-1" withdrawing” towards Lewisburg, when ed over his command to Western Virginia was pronounced by Rose

Brigadier - General Rose- crans free of Confederate occupation. It crans, by orders dated Grafton, July 25th, the was not free, however, as the Federal General new commander soon announced the assign- was soon to learn. ment of his brigades, preparatory to clearing To ex-Governor Wise had the rebels out of the Kanawha country, thus been assigned the duty of

a Brigadier. to complete the work so successfully com- bringing rebellious Westmenced by McClellan, of relieving Western ern Virginia back to its Old Dominion loyal. Virginia from rebel thraldom.

ty, and to Confederate obedience. Armed McClellan, in his report of July 12th, an- with the commission of a Brigadier-General nouncing his victory at Rich Mountain, said: in the Confederate arny, he proceeded at “ I trust that General Cox has by this time once to the seat of hostilities, taking the driven Wise out of the Kanawha Valley. In Kanawha Valley for his “line of occupation,” that case I shall have accomplished the ob- with head-quarters at Charleston. His aid ject of liberating Western Virginia." Gene- and avant courier, Evermont Ward, issued ral Cox had not, however, been as rapid as this rather unique address or command to his commanding General seemed to expect. the Western Virginians : Governor Wise was not made to abandon his

“ Brave sons of the ancient Commonwealth! The post at Charleston until the 25th, when he foot of the invading tyrant is upon her soil, and his fell back upon Gauley river, from which place conduct is characterized by barbarities and atrocihe was pushed by Cox (July 29th)-Wise ties disgraceful to the civilized age in which we live;

Manifesto.

he hath seized our kind and dutiful slaves, and yoked | fear his frowns; and his first report to Rich-
them as beasts of burden; laid waste to our crops ; mond was a cry for reenforcements.
ruthlessly violated female innocency (enough of it-

Arriving at Lewisburg, Greenbrier county, self to turn the blood of the patriot to currents of

he was

"addressed” by “numbers of citi. fire); he can, he must, he shall be expelled or anni. hilated! If a nation may be born in a day, an army zens,” congratulating him on his arrival, &c. should be raised in an hour. I am sent forward in To this he replied, unfolding his purposes, advance of the brave, chivalrous and indomitable powers and military requisitions. In view of General Henry A. Wise, to urge you to fly to arms

the rather small results which attended the without a moment's delay. Gather everything in ex-Governor's campaign, perhaps it were the shape of arms that may be converted into them, cruel to recall the words of promise and praise and paste the name of the person upon them from which the General uttered, but the demands whom they are taken, that they may be valuable; of history leave the historian no option in get the consent of the owner if possible ; if not, the matter. seize them (provided the owner will not march into

" It has pleased the Presi. line and fight with them). 'Shoot, Luke, or give up dent to place me in command

Henry A. Wise's the gun,' is the word. Bring all the powder, flints, of the camp of the trans-Allepercussion caps, &c.; all the lead, whether in balls, ghany; and it is proper that I should explain, gen. bars, shot, pipes or gutters ; all heavy cotton cloth erally, the nature and extent of that command. By for tents, old gum shoes to make them waterproof, instructions of the 30 June, I am to raise a legion, and everything else you think will be of service.

by the prompt formation of companies—the compaLet the country westward from Staunton to Charles

nies to be reported, with their officers, in order that ton fly in squads to prominent points of the road, the latter may be commissioned. As soon as a regiand send in munitions and stores in the same way, ment of ten companies is raised, the field officers and there await the arrival of the General, who will

will be appointed. I have the privilege of recombe on in a few days to muster them into service.

mending these appointments. When the regiments Let the people of Roane and Jackson rendezvous at

are formed they will be arranged into a brigade, Ripley, Jackson county ; those of Mason, Putnam, which I am to command, with the commission of Cabell and Wayne, move on to Charleston at once.

Brigadier-General. All officers, of course, will be Men of the far West, of my own native land-friends,

appointed and commissioned by the President, but acquaintances, neighbors, relatives—General Wise

with just regard to my recommendation, The has always been your friend, and now in the hour of your peril he comes to place his bosom between mounted men are not to exceed five hundred, equal

to six companies, or three squadrons. The artillery you and danger. Come down from your mountain

is to consist of six field-pieces. All the troops of homes and rally around his standard.

the legion are to arm and equip themselves thor“ Come, through the heather,

oughly; but the arms and equipments are to be ap. Around him gather;

praised and paid for after being mustered into ser. Come Ronald, come Donald,

vice; and to aid in this, I am authorized to purCome all together.

chase private arms for the purpose. Companies “Let no stain of dishonor attach to the conduct

may consist of the minimum number of sixty-four or of a Virginia soldier; follow not the dreadful exanı

the maximum of one hundred privates. The enlistples of the enemy, but be brave and fear not. The

ments are for the war, or for a period not less than God that made the mountains and chained the ocean

one year. Such is the organization of the legion in its bed, will be the God of your strength ; His

now progressing, and I am authorized to transport hand is still on high to shield the brave.

all recruits, engaged for it, to Lewisburg, at public " By order of General Wise and Governor Letcher. “ EVERMONT WARD.”

expense, up to the 1st July next.

“ Besides this command of the legion, I am furThis document, redundant in its adjec

ther commissioned as Brigadier-General, for the de. tives, smacked so strongly of Henry A. Wise fense of the Kanawha Valley, and an indefinite bonibast that “Ronald” and “Donald” re

number of the adjoining counties. To that end I fused to come through the heather”: and

am to proceed, with the force placed at my disthat brave, chivalrous and indomitable posal, to the valley of the Kanawha, by all thio General" did not find himself as strong in means in my control to rally the people of that val. volunteers as his ambitious plans required. ley and the adjoining counties to resist and repel He ar:ived in the Valley to find the people the invading enemies, who are threatening the Ohio ather disinclined to court his smiles, or to border, or are already trampling our soil on their

66

Manifesto.

march towards Lewisburg. I vious proclamations to the “people of WestHenry A. Wise's

must needs rely upon the arms ern Virginia,” it would appear that those

among the people to supply the trans-Alleghany habitans held either the Gov. requisite armament; and upon their valor and know.

ernor or his cause, or both, in poor regard. ledge of the country as a substitute for organization

Wise held Charleston

The Fight at Scarey and discipline. If there be any who have arms be

during the early part of

Town. yond their power or will to use, I must take them,

June. Cox was dispatchwith such arrangements as the case may indicate for future settlement. I must rely upon the supplies of ed by McClellan to operate against him, the country. When necessary I shall take them by having about four thousand men assigned to properly authorized agents, and they shall be his command for that purpose. After varipromptly paid or receipted for, unless they belong ous delays his force concentrated at Poca, to traitors in our midst, whose compeers have in July 11th. Wise was then entrenched at other parts of the State, ruthlessly stripped our Charleston with his advance thrown forward patriot friends and made them refugees from their fifteen miles down the river to Scarey Town, homes and their own mother State, essaying by all on Scarey Creek. Against that point the treasonable acts and aims to divide and conquer Federals demonstrated, July 17th. A reconthe land of their own birthright-calling ruffian in noitering force of about one thousand, convaders from other States, now declared enemies of sisting of the Twelfth Ohio, Colonel Lowe, our own, who have disgraced their kind by brutal

two companies of the Twenty-first Ohio, lust, worse than the lust of dominion.

Colonel Norton, the Cleveland (Ohio) Light " I shall respect with the highest regard the per. sonal and property rights of all with whom my Artillery, Captain Cotter, with two rifled forces may come in contact; but I shall treat as six-pounders, and the Ironton Cavalry comenemies all internal as well as external foes, accord. pany, Captain Rogers, all under command of ing to the rules of civilized warfare. I will en- Colonel Lowe. These went up the river by deavor to repel the enemy, if possible, and if I can transport, to the mouth of Scarey Creek, then not, I will try to check him as near the border of marched to Scarey Town (about five miles our territory as may be practicable. If able, I will inland), arriving in its vicinity on the afterdrive him out of our territory, and carry the war to

noon of the 17th. The enemy, entrenched on his own dwelling, as he has brought it to ours.

a commanding hill across the creek, opened Such is a general and sull outline of my command,

on the cavalry as soon as it came in sight, and I now appeal to Western Virginia to defend herself."

killing one man and throwing the rest of the

little troop into disorder. Cotton's artillery Thus he called for volunteers in a strain of

was then ordered forward. A sharp cannon mimgled entreaty and command, exclaiming: duel followed, at a distance of about five " Come and tarry awhile, at least, with us, hundred yards, when the rebel guns (two in the field of glorious strife, for inestimable rifled six-pounders) were silenced. The inrights. Wounds are soothing there! Come

fantry then advanced and a musketry fire and partake of our frugal rations in camp. immediately opened on both sides.

The enter in faith and hope, and heart there, it is rebels shot from under cover of pits, and sweeter than honey. Come! if

from the log houses of the village. Cotter come, you shall be the ‘jest of women and

planted few balls into the houses, which the scorn of men,' and coward, sluggard,

soon started the troops to more secure quarknave, traitor or trifler, shall be branded ters. Close fighting, it was evident, would black upon your name, for life and lives be necessary to force the enemy out. A bayhereafter Your mothers of the cradle, and your mother State shall disown and dishonor tion of the Twenty-first and the two compa

onet charge was, therefore, ordered. A secyou. Come to the camp, then, or there is a

nies of the Twelfth Ohio regiments, led by death more deadly for you, and more to be

Colonel White, started to assault the dreaded than the death by 'fire and blood.'”

enemy's right. The rest of the Federal But, the people did not “come ;" and the troops did not promptly assail the rebel left, ex-Governor had to proceed without them.

as arranged; White's men were, in conseConsidering that he had published two pre- quence, soon in the midst of quadruple num

you don't