Civil War-era Memories

From The Memphis Daily Appeal

In recognition of the Civil War Sesquicentennial, “Civil War-Era Memories” features excerpts from The Memphis Daily Appeal of 150 years ago. The Appeal is publishing from Jackson, Miss. Perspective from our staff is in italics. cated in Crittenden County, across the Mississippi River from present-day Mud Island, Hopefield was rebuilt after the Civil War. For the subsequent fate of this Arkansas town, see http:// bit. ly/tnQwJo.)

The Memphis correspondent of the Cincinnati Commercial gives a very sad account of the physical and moral health of Memphis: “There is no changes in the town since I was here a few weeks since. It is as disagreeable, as muddy, as desolate, as courtesan cursed, as blackleg-crowded as then. It has the same abominable hotels ... the same swindling hackmen, the same crew of pimps, sharpers and pickpockets that then composed the principal portion of its male population ... An immense number of fugitive negroes, estimated at ten or twelve thousand, are in and about the city. They have come in from various parts of the South, and many are now in a fair way to starve unless some provision is made for them. A large portion are children and old men and women, and these, of course, are helpless. Much sickness has prevailed among them, and hundreds have died.” Compiled by Rosemary Nelms and Jan Smith, The Commercial Appeal News Library 38108: Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church, 2291 Chelsea, 8:12 a.m. 38122: Gaisman Park Community Center, 4221 Macon, 11:05 a.m. 38111: Davis Community Center, 3371 Spotswood, 12:30 p.m. 38114: Monument of Love Baptist Church, 2639 Lamar, 12:30 p.m. 38117, 38119 and 38120: Church of Christ at White Station, 1106 Colonial, 9:27 a.m.