Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-12-31
lnsur N MISSISSIPPI CHURCH, 1868.


j JUuU u WJSSuSSuIIt 6WUh0ws SOvS
Dstwoea Federals and Confederates.
The town Of Rodney lie situated on the
Mississippi River in jefferson county,
Miss. and was laid out and settled in
1928 and was named for an American
statesman. The locality was first known
= early a. 1855 and was then called Pet
tit Gulf, n was also the commanding
hills called Petit Gull Hill. Cotton
grown there was known in the market as
Petit Gulf cotton and it brought the
highest prices for both lint and seed.
In ito palmy days, through its prox-
unity to Oakland College, Rodney en-
joyed being the center OF culture in its
region. The Presbyterian church was
veil represented by eminent divines, DR..
Jeremiah Chamberlain, DR.. Robert Price,
DR.. w. F. v. Bartlett, and as visiting
ministers, Dr.. Palmer, of New Orleans,
La, and DR.. Joseph Stratton, OF Natchez,
Min. Many prominent business and
professional men made their homes there.
Times change and men change with them |!
The glory Of the old town has passed!
Oakland College is now Alcorn College
(ior colored men). The mighty Father
Of Waters has changed its course and
Rodney ID now an inland town, but the
old brick church where the fight took
placs still stands and shows the mark OF
the she'll fred by by the Federals.
During the summer OF 1868, Mr.. Baker,
Pastor of1he Presbyterian church at Red
Lick, Je6erson county, Mississippi,
came to Rodney, seeking transportation
10 the North. He was Union man at
heart and resigned his pastorsge to go
North. While waiting North bound
boat b wss the guest Of acting master w.
E. II. Fentress on the U.S.S. Gunboat
''Rattler' lying of Rodney on the morn
ing Of September 18th. 1858. Rev. Robert
Price Of the Rodney Presbyterian church,
invited Mr.. Baker To I'll his pulpit that
day, Mr.. Baker accepted and extended
this invitation to Capt. Fentress and his
sea,nen. Captain Fentress and Ensign
6trunk, with Is or 20 seaman, came to
service In the church. Under cover OF
The organ and choir music, Lieutenant
AlIsn (Coniederate Service) with Is
\coots, surrounded the church. Lieu
'tsnant Alln standing in the church door,
commanded quiet surrender. Immedi.
atsly Ensign Strunk fired at the door.
Lieutenant Allen fired toward the ceiling
a the building and oidered mo more
drllg." The >Federals continued firing
Until tome 20 or 80 shots were heard;
bot strange ~ it seems only one man
was injured, seaman was slightly
wounded in the arm by Ensign Strunk's
ball. Captain Fentress, the Ensign and
Is or IL seamen were captured. Captain
Fentress raised his hand as he stood out
side the church door and requested per-
miaaion to speak. Lieutenant Allen
bowel courteouely. Captain Fentress
eshed that amessage be sent to his boat for
clothing and etc., for his men, the mes
sage was sent and properly answered.
The officers were placed in come OF the
carriagea still standing at the church gate
the seamen fell into file and all were
marched ont Of town. The congregation,
mostly women and children, had scarce
y dispersed when the Rather began
to shell the church and town and the
town IVES fired in several places, Lieu
tenant Allen, hearing this, sent mes
sase 10 ssy that II Smelling did not cease
and order prevail, he would hang every
prisoner in his charge. Hence lives were
saved and property preserved. One sea-
man boasted that lady saved his life.
This was . natural happening. The lady, !
aged and infirm, Mrs. /. D. g., kept her
ssaf in . high back pew, the seaman,
quick 10 embrace opportunity, crawled
under and was concealed by the lady's
skirts. Ut may be related that in 1918 a
man from . Northern city came to St.
pssph. Tensas parish, Louisiana, search
-. be said for girl (?) who saved his
lie under her hoop skirt during achurch
fight In the civil war. The man wore a
gray beard, Of course. and the lady was
long since laid to rest.) Amid the
shrieks and screams Of women and child
rem, the loud command of Lieutenant
Allen and the shots from Ensign Strunk,
the orRanist, very tiny young woman,
sprang upon pew and raised to high
pitch her trained voice and with clapping
hands cried ont, GLORY to God" Al
rebel woman can always make herself
hesrdl Organist lie now three score years
and ten!
Affixed is q copy Of Captain Fettress's
apology TO Admiral David Porter, U.S.N.,
rom Libby prison. Some allowance may
b made for its untruthfulness.
Statement of Acting Master
w. e. II. Fentress.
RICHMOND, VA. n
LIBBY Prison,
Nov. 18th. 1904 |