Notes, Quotes & Anecdotes

Here is a collection of interesting notes, quotes and anecdotes in reference to the 26th Mississippi:

The Commander Who Couldn't Keep Up
The 26th "saw the elephant" at the Battle of Ft. Donelson. After Colonel A. E. Reynolds' horse was shot out from under him, command devolved to Lieutenant Colonel F. M. Boone who led the 26th in a charge against the Union right. Why wasn't Reynolds able to lead? Fran Cochran, compiler of History of Old Tishomingo County Mississippi Territory, records the answer: "Colonel Reynolds, after being unhorsed, was unable to keep pace with the regiment, owing to his extreme corpulency, he weighing at that time over three hundred pounds." (p. 314)

Drive Them Into the River Or...
As the 26th Mississippi marched against the Union right at Ft. Donelson, the regiment met stiff fire from the Federals. Confusion prevailed among the green soldiers. 1st Lieutenant D. T. Beall helped rally the men with his classic words of encouragement: "Men, remember the blood of your mammies. Bow your backs like a tobacco worm; charge them like sweeping hell with a broom; drive them into the river or to hell." The 26th soon rallied and fought like veterans. Beall would later be promoted to Captain of Co. E and his company received the endearing nickname: "Tobacco Worms." (Confederate Veteran, Feb. 1899, Vol. VII, No. 2, p. 56)

Skinny Dipping Escape
After the surrender at Ft. Donelson, approximately 3,000 enlisted Confederates were sent to prison at Camp Morton in Indianapolis, Indiana. An unnamed soldier of Co. F, 26th Mississippi was involved in an interesting escape. It seems that he was a member of a squad of Confederates who received permission to bathe in a nearby canal while under guard. The prisoners were on such good terms with their captors that they talked the sentries into joining them for a bath. Once the guards were in the water, several of the boys grabbed their guns and sent the Union sentries back to camp. The Confederate bathers? They simply walked away to freedom. (Confederate Veteran, Feb. 1908, Vol. XVI, No. 2, p. 95)

Drinking to Dixie
Captain Stephen Davenport raised a company of soldiers which later became Co. C, 26th Mississippi. In August 1863, he resigned his captaincy, was promoted to major, and placed in command of a cavalry battalion. The following account takes place after Davenport has left the 26th, but it tells us something about the spirit of this devout Southern patriot. The account is written by Rev. John H. Aughey who is relating interesting episodes in his personal travel: "...when we reached Mackey's creek we met Major Stephen Davenport and Dr. Orton Choate, two virulent secessionists, who hurrahed for Jeff Davis and the Southern Confederacy. They asked me how that suited me. I replied, 'I am in favor of the Union, the Constitution, and the enforcement of the laws.' They produced a flask of liquor and drank confusion and death to all Yankees, tories, traitors, submissionists, renegades, and abolitionists, North and South. Saying, 'We will see you later,' they rode off, brandishing their sword-canes and singing 'Dixie' in maudlin tones." (Tupelo by John H. Aughey, Rhodes & McClure Publishing Co.: Chicago 1905)

A Drink for the Enemy
Years after the war, Private John O. Prichard (Co. C) wrote: "Was at the Battle of Fort Donelson, Big Black Bridge, Petersburg, Va., and the battle in the Wilderness. While in this fight I left my post in the ranks long enough to quench the thirst of an enemy who had been wounded and was calling for water. I had hardly regained my place when the Captain shouted, 'Go Forward.'" (Reminiscences of the Boys in Gray, 1861-1865 compiled by Mamie Yeary, McGregor, TX 1912. Reprinted by Morningside Books 1986)

To Be Continued by YOU!