The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-09-04
Wednesday, Sept. 4, 1885.
"StOry OF the Rebel"

"StOry OF the Rebel
A correspondent of last Saturdy's Atlanta
Evening Joul nal, Lewis NJ. Parham, gives a
most interesting account of "The Rebel, a
newspaper which first saw the light August
!, 1852, in Chattanooga.
We believe Mr.. Parham's statements are
true in every particular, except IN lne n'tne
of the paper. My recollection Is, that II was
"The Chattanooga Rebel ana not siihpis
1.-THE Rebel" as he has it.
That part OF the army to which Deiongeu
arrived in Chattanooga from Iulaholna
about the fourth of July, 1868.
In looking over some old notes ma Ine
following from the camp of the Nineteenth
South Carolina regiment. near Chattanooga:
"July 29-My work Monday (Which was tne
22d) was with stick and rule over case VI
bourgeois.
The facts back of this statement are: Inc
Nineteenth South Carolina regiment was
camped hear Chattanooga. AT that time eacn
nrivate soldier had to 20 on fatigue duty
and guard duty" once week. lhaI
left I've days for rest or idleness. The "Chal
tanooea Rebel" as shall call 1t, needed
printer. Being a conpositor and IN heeo
of money, / applied 10 my captain lh'
Chatham) to my colonel, (James r. fressiy'
and to my brigade commander, IA. NJ. MAUI
gaulU for permit to visit the city daily, wneh
not on duty, for the purpose OF settlnS type
in the Rebel ofice-the only military require
ments on those days being that snouio an-
swer roll call in the morning, and De present
at dress parade in the evening. worked AZ
"case" In this way for several weeks, recelV-
ing a high price in Confederate money Tor my
services, and this is how I came to set type
ON the "Rebel," for Henry Watterson thirty
two years ago.
About the granting Of that permit 10 leave
the camp believe that have never written.
Fearing to make formal application first 10
nv captain, then to the colonel, and last TO the
Brigade Commander, 1 took matters by the
inverse. Instead of commencing at the lower
officer applied to the higher officer first. AS
preliminary to the formal written applica-
tion. 1 went to see the Brigadier and told him
nv wishes. He most cheerfully gave his con-
sent, and said that he was always glad to help
a soldier when the granting of the favor did not
interfere with his military duty. Encouraged
by this then applied to the Colonel. He
hesitated for little while, but when tolo
him that the General had promised his ap-
. proval, he also then gave his consent.
I feared the Captains opposition, and
when the matter was first mentioned, he ex-
pressed himself, as I feared would 90
but when 1 told him that the General
and the Colonel were willing, he reluc
taptly gave his consent, and the formal
applicatIon was made. More for the kindly
spirit of General Manigault, than for the pc
cuniary benefit that / derived, / always helo
him in grateful remembrance, and When MS
name was suggested few years ago for Ad-
jutant and Inspector General OF the State, no
man could have supported him more jealous
ly than did, or was more glad OF the oppor.
tunity to be friendly.
Because of his friendly act in 1863 l held
myself ever in readines to repay the Kind
ness, which he no doubt had long since for
gotten And this is how became friend
and supporter of General Manigault.
A printer, If he will fasten or fix little things
In his memory will seldom fail, sooner or
later, to get even with those who befrend
him, or 90 out of their way to do him an
unkindness.
It required twenty years to afford the
opportunity TO return the kindness which Gen.
eral Manigault had shown to me as soldier,
but 1t came, and tried TO repay the kindly
speech and the substantial favor OF years
ago.
When he came to Abbeville did not hunt
him up or make honied professions. When l
met him In Columbia never referred to bis
kindness to me in the war, nor of my support
OF him in his candidacy. but l was true to
him all the same.
All that a printer has to do is to bide his
time, and II he is discreet he will have an OPP
portunity to strike effective blows at foes who
may be worthy Of his notice, or give the kind
ly boost to his deserving friends. A good
memory and little patience will afford the
opportunity.
Butro resume, and look at old papers.
Under date Of August 10, find the follow
ing:
"Heavy details daily work on the fortifica-
tions around Chattanooga. Last Monday.
(which was the 10th our company was out at
one Of the forts. The detail from I the Brigade e
18th S. c. Regt."
. / went with that detail. My recollection Is
that l was setting type on the Rebel, at that
time, except when on detail as above or on
guard duty.
Under date Of August 2lst:
"The enemy without any previous notice,
moved up TO the opposite bank of the Tennes-
see. ION Sunday morning the 16thi and COM
menced shelling the city, while the inhabi-
tants were at worship in the different
churches
1t was said that the excitement and confu
sion at one of the churches which was hit by
a cannon ball could not be described. That
cannon ball dismissed the audience without
the usual bepediction.
A raoont pnh tiop ctofps nr Pa alnnpr
was at prayer In one of the churches.
Under date of September Sth:
Chattanooga now has but few inhabitan ts.
A greater portion having fled TO the interior
from the barbarity OF the enemy"
1t would seem then that the "Rebel" was
moved from Chattanooga after the 10th OF
August and before the Sth OF September. We
presume that after its removal the word
tChatta nooga" was dropped from the name
OF the paper, and 1t then became "The Rebel"