The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1901-06-22


was sent from mississippi to, or near
Fort Barancas, Florida, no account
of which, l understand, Is to be found
in the State archives or records, nor
do l remember having seen any allu-
sion to it. 1t constitutes part of the
history Of mississippi during a period
IN which every step taken and every
movement made is of interest, and
whilst attended with no marked re-
suits, is of too much importance to be
allowed to pass into oblivion. / write
this in the hope that other survivors
will give their recollections of this
military episode, and in this way save
it for history.
This force consisted Of 8 or 10 COM
panies from different parts of the
State, which, under orders from
Governor Pettus, assembled az Meri-
dian, then little more than hamlet,
and after rendezvousing there for a
short time. perhaps a week, was sent
to Florida.
The companies were the "Chickasaw
Guards" Of which | was a member,
Capt. w. F. Tucker, commanding; the
Columbus Riflemen," Capt. Geo. W.
Albert, and another company from
Lowndes, Capt. George Lipscomb, COM
manding; the Prairie Guards" Capt.
Wat Hairston in command, from
Noxubee and Lowndes; the "Noxubee
Rifles" Capt. Geo. T. Weir, from Noxu-
bee; the "Lauderdale Rifles" Capt.
Kennon McElroy, from Lauderdale;
the Enterprise Guards" Capt. Duck
worth, from Clarke, and at least an
other company which l think was
from Wayne, and commanded by Capt.
Con Rea. 1t is my impression that
there were two other companies, ten in
all, but of this l an not sure, and l
can not now recall any particulars of
them, il there were two more. 1t has
been a long time ago. over forty-one
years, and my memory does not serve
me further as to them.
These companies were sent from
Meridian to the vicinity of Fort Baran
! cas-, which a short time before had
been evacuated by a small garrison
under Lieut.. Slemmer, of the 1st Unit
ed States Artillery, the garrison
going to Fort Pickens. The companies
took position near the navy yard ir
front of Santa Rosa island, upon which
was Fort Pickens.
The steamer that carried them from
Mobile passed in range of For
Pickens, the garrison of that plac,
standing to their guns as we steamed
by, and we did not know but tina
they might fire upon and sink our un
protected craft.
Upon reaching the navy yard thu
companies were organized into a regi
ment, of which Capt. Geo. w. Alber
was made colonel, and l think Sam H
Butler was the MAJOR, and Capt. Duck
worth the adjutant, although captain
of one of the companies. The othe
field officers l do not recall.
These troops were industriousl,
drilled upon the deep white sands o
the shore, and feasted upon fish an,
oysters. They assisted in the erection
Of sand batteries fronting Picken
and Santa Rosa island. They wer
Joined in these labors by Alabam
troops under Col. Forney, of whic
there was, perhaps, a regiment a
least, stationed in the same vicinity
Theodore O'Hara, author of 9Th
. Bivouac of the Dead" was captain O
, a company from Mobile. Florida ais
, had troops along the shore near Pens;
cola.
, The Mississippi troops were chief
| young men of the foremost families c
: the State, and in the bloody war tina
shortly after broke out, these youn
men bore conspicuous parts, most c
them shedding their blood, many yielC
ing their lives in defense Of their b.
loved South. A number Of them ros
to military commands of importance
Capt. w. F. Tucker became colonel
the 41st Mississippi regiment, an
: later a brigadier general. He was
fine soldier, splendid commando
impetuously brave, man of hero
mold. The writer served with hil
through most of the war in intimat
relations and can not forbear tn
: allusion to the character and worth {
a dead comrade. He was a noble gel
tleman, patriot, and a chivalric SO
I dier.
J. Butler became lieutenant colonel
= the 18th Mississippi regiment, an
5 along with the gallant Col. Frank Lii
: dell and the lamented Major Sid Evar
9 died bravely at Sharpsburg - Il
I field of death.
|, McElroy became colonel of the 13t
9 Mississippi regiment and perished ;
l. the head of his men in bloody chars
d upon fort at Knoxville. Many othel
rose to distinction and many more M
death gallantly upon the battlefield.
A.. | hope others will contribute
y rescue this event and it's particular
s. from oblivion by writing all they ma
v know or recollect of IL. AS nothir
has been preserved that is the on
- | way to Dreyept its pascipp on III re