c. 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
October 1862, after several weeks in Knoxville, the Lookout Artillery was ordered to report to Mobile, AL.  Capt. Barry recalls:   The United States forces at this time were commencing raids out in the country from Pensacola.  The battery was ordered to Pollard, Ala. To
assist our forces in driving back these raids from Pensacola.  Thus we were engaged for some months.

DIARY of WILLIAM BROWN:

Nov. 10 started to Mobile.  Caught up with the company at Dalton, staid there all night, travelled by railroad.

Nov. 11 went on to Atlanta got there at 4 o’clock pm.  Went on to West Point, GA that night.

Nov. 12 laid over all day, all the boys got drunk, cost 25 cents.

Nov. 13 went on to Montgomery, all the boys very unruly.

Nov. 14 went on guard in the morning.  Moved over to Pensacola Depot in the evening.

Nov. 15 went on to Pollard, staid there all night.

Nov. 16 went on to Tinsas [Tensaw] Landing, staid there all night, part of [company] went on to Mobile.

MAPS SHOWING POLLARD, ALABAMA:  http://www.loc.gov/resource/g3981s.cw0260000/  . Pollard is northeasterly of Mobile following Mobile & GR Northern RR, or North of Pensacola following Alabama & Florida RR.  Also http://www.loc.gov/resource/g3970.cw0102800/

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                                                                               Camp Pollard, Ala

                                                                               Nov. 20.   7.a.m. 

Dear Sister   

I am seated in my markee (?) for the first time since I left home and proceed to give you a detail of my travels.

 From Dalton to Atlanta Tuesday, and from Atlanta to Westpoint Wednesday and I sent you a letter from that place, then as we transferred our artillery to another RR from Westpoint to Montgomery.  Stated there two nights & one day.  The RRs are 1 ½ miles apart & we had to hitch up & drive through the City.  Made quite an impressing spectacle.  I visited most of the houses of business.  Was at the capitol house in session.  It is a splendid brick building stuckoed(?) 180 ft squ, 3 storys high, on an eminence overlooking the City with rotunda in the center & one circular hall for senate & Representatives on the 2nd flood.  One hall on each side of Rotunda.  The city is very nicely situated on the South side of the Ala River. 30,000 inhabitants.  Citizens are building a gunboat for the defence of the City.  

From Montgomery to Pollard and rested for the night Saturday last.  Sunday rounded out (?) for Tenas Landing.  Remained on the wharf 2 days then took steamer for Mobile.  60 horses ½ of the men went over, balance stayed 1 day longer.  Capt Barry reported to Gen Forney and Forney ordered him to return to Pollard with Battery & ordered an Ala Artillery Co to Mobile in our stead – don’t know why.  Wednesday night Capt returned with horses & men to Tensas (Tensaw) landing.  Put our battery on the cars & came back here but as I did not go over to Mobile with the Captain.  I took the boat and went over to the city Tuesday.  Wednesday I spent in looking over the city & bay.  In the morning I went to the wharf and chartered a sail craft which took me round to the points of interest.  First to the Ram.  It was originally an old steamer with cabin taken off and a roof of 2 in iron in its stead.  Sides and ends at an angle of 45* with prow in front 20 ft long solid wood covered with 2” iron.  The prow is in the shape of the fender in front of an engine with a large iron sword 5 ft under water and extending 5 or 6 ft further than the end of the prow.  One fine 24tts gun in the front of the boat, one on each side & one in rear all under the iron roof.  The wheels of boat are encased by compressed cotton 20 inch thick all over the wheel-house.  (With all quite a formidable boat.)  Next to the gun-boat Eclipse built expressly for a gun-boat.  Sides & ends covered with iron.  No prow, but guns all on top of the boat.  Men no protected.  9-10 inch guns of the best quality 1 pointing front, 1 aft & 4 on each side.  The next boat is similar to this one but the hull is not as secure & not so many guns on this boat.  All these boats are in the mouth of the Ala River at city wharf.  The Mobile Bay is a beautiful expanse of water stretching out as far as the eye could reach, overlooking Forts Gaines & Morgan… [Letter written by Lt. Armstrong from the Grace Armstrong Coile Collection @ TN State Library]

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Equipment recieved on Nov. 18 include:   1 Battery Forge;  1 with limber, Complete; 1 set wheel harnesses; 1 set Lead Harnesses;  1 Tap Thread  Wrench; 1 Creaser;  1 Shoe Knife; 1 Toe Knife; 1 Fuse Punch; 1 Nail Punch; 3  Hand Punch;  1 Fuller Punch;  1 pitcher; 1 file;  1 pair pincers;  1 pair Smiths Forges; and 4 mules.  November 19, Brown records “went into camps and staid there 6 months + 8 days.”

Camp Tattnall was the original name of the camp located a couple of miles northeast of Pollard, Alabama.  It quickly became known as Camp Pollard.  The camp contained three different areas:  a cavalry camp, an infantry camp, and an artillery camp with a butchering area.  Years later, “the Slover boys” recalled the time at Camp Pollard as “into the Pine Woods for winter.  The water was so near the surface you could dig a shallow hole in the ground and would strike hard pan and have nice, good water.  Springs would bubble up among the tree roots. There were small high places where you could put tents.  In Mobile Bay you could see the largest ships at anchor.”  Fishing seems to have been a pastime, with as 30 fish being caught in one evening.  Lt. Armstrong “crafted a Chess set of Black Walnut and White Pine. First he taught the officers to play, then the enlisted men.  Chess then became the pastime of the Battery.”

December 1862, Patrick Henry Watkins, elder brother of Lt. Watkins and brother-in-law of Lt. Armstrong, died unexpectedly.  http://genealogytrails.com/tenn/hamilton/chattanoogasownphwatkins.htm

January 1863 arrived with Samuel Farner substituting for William M. Kerr, and Thomas H. Hartley enlisting at Cleveland.  Farner quickly became ill and was hospitalized until the end of March.  There was talk in camp of the “big fight near Murfreesboro” between Bragg and Rosencrans, and rumors of the Battery being ordered to San Antonio, Texas.  Lt. Armstrong wrote to one of his sisters, describing a review by General Buckner and an all-night soiree:

                                                                            Head Qrs Lookout Artillery

                                                                            Pollard, Ala

                                                                            Jany 18 /63 

Dear Sister …6 days ago I rec’ a letter from you in which was one from Brother Rob and as I have nothing to do this evening I will try and write you a line but I labor under many difficulties…a fine gold pen & it refuses to make any impression on this greasy paper.  I then swapped for some better ink thinking that would alleviate the dilemma but alas this failing, I took up an old rusty steel pen but it was no better.   I determined not to be thwarted in a good cause.  I betook myself to my trunk & I found a quill & made me an old fashioned pen.  This is the thing that is sprawling along giving wings to thoughts that precede the pen but therein hieroglyphic characters are not intelligible at home until this oily pages shall have arrived day-before-yesterday.  I sent Pa a letter and a pkg of money…Express.  It may not arrive before this but if it does then If I have the inclination & time  writing is no bother to me & some source of gratification to those far away in times another matter is that paper ink & pens do not cost me anything as I draw monthly from the Q.M. supplies of stationary – but if they persist in giving me this greasy thin paper I will write the more to keep it out of my way.

Yesterday we were ordered to prepare for review by Gen Buckner now at Mobile .  The field was a large oblong level plain containing about 30 acres.  The 19th LA Regiment came out and dressed on their guides occupying the extreme left.  Next the 29th Ala. Reg dressed on the same line on the right.  Our battery was ordered dress to the front of the 19th & at right angles with it.  Then you discover that the 2 regiments occupied all of one side & our Battery all of one end of the field.  General order was issued “Prepare for review to the rear open order” by the adjutant Gen.  After the alignment was perfect Gen Buckner in front & staff in rear rode up to the center of the field – lifted his hat, while the infantry came to a present armes – officers to a saber salute with 3 rolls of the Drums & fifes.  The Gen acknowledged the salute by drawing his sword raising it to a present carrying it quickly to the right side point down & back to his shoulder.  After this he rode to the right wing along the line & in front & rear of our battery then in rear of the line of infantry back to the camp colors & thus ended the review.  Quite a nice thing if you could have been here to so see for yourself.  The General was well pleased with our appearance & as an evidence of it we rec’ a verbal rumor that our battery would be ordered to San-an-Tonio Texas.  This is only a rumor.  We cannot tell [talk?] anything.  All we have to do is to be ready to go where they may direct.  If I get down in Texas good-by old Tenn.

I hope we may be ordered to Ten.  I may be at home more.  In the letter to Pa I sent on to Mat Ross.  I do hope he will come to see me as it is impossible for me to go to see him.  Cause I can’t get a furlough approved.  

There is no news down in this barren piney woods.  I was at a party the 14 it had some 15 ladies & as many Gents all from the Gilt Braid Rank.  Danced all night and until sunup next day.  Had a splendid supper & a lunch at 12 p.m.  We must have some fun while we are running along.  We will have it duplicated next Tuesday.  Sposn you come down and trot a reel.

Let Robert read all my letters & that will save me the trouble of writing to him for it taxes the brain to find enough in this dull country to fill up some of the …. Excuse errors & write soon &                  . 

 The latest news – That news of us being ordered of to Texas is all a farce.  I learn that there is nothing of it this evening

                                                                 JMA

                                                                 Give my love to Grandmama

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January 19, 1863, Perryman M. Tate, father-in-law of Merrick Wofford, joined the Battery, and January 20, A. Wright died in hospital.  Forage was supplied for 67 horses and 14 mules.  The following news item appeared in the Chattanooga Daily Rebel:

The Senior Second Lieutenant of the “Lookout Artillery” – J.M. Armstrong, is desirous of procuring immediately thirty recruits to fill out the numbers of this battery organized in Chattanooga, and now stationed temporarily at Pollard.  Both Capt. Barry and Lieut. Armstrong are too well known in this vicinity to require any commendation at our hands, and every one knows that the Artillery service is the best service and stands higher in the army than any other.  By virtue of an order from the Adjutant and Inspector General’s Office, Richmond, Va., persons subject to conscription are now allowed to enlist in the Confederate States Army, to fill up present organized commands to their maximum number.  Persons now enlisting are entitled to all the rights, privileges and immunities of volunteers.

During the last week of January and the month of February, the numbers of the Battery were increased, with recruits transferring from the Camp of Instruction, many of the relatives of the original members.  These included David L. Ritchey, brother-in-law of both Lt. Springfield and Dr. Fielding Wells Gray; H. Edington; Overton Braden; H. J. Brown; Absalom Roberts; Jacob Weishaupt, a Swiss immigrant; Marcus Yoder; Crawford Bozemen; Robert L. Cates; ; Jas A. Compton; Wm F. Cummings; Jacob Shelton; John Kelly, an Irish immigrant; Maynard Lakey (age 55); Dan Lawing & William Lawing; Wm McNelly; George Washington Mynott; Elbert Mitchell, James Mitchell, & Marion Mitchell; John B. Parton; William K. Stephens; Jesse M. Kerr, the youngest of the Kerr brothers; Isaac N. Rogers; and Sam Clem.  Six (6) mules also joined the ranks.  Forage was provided  for 66 horses and 20 mules; and 57 lb. horse shoe iron and 10 lb.  nail rod iron was received.

Reading material in the camp included the speech delivered by Ohio Representative Clement L. Vallandigham, for which he was accused of treason.  (Speech found at this link: http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=hvd.32044019377688)

DESERTION:  February also saw the desertion of Thomas Earp, Eddington and the three Mitchell brothers,  prompting the following announcement in the Chattanooga Daily Rebel on Feb. 27:

$30 REWARD.  The above reward of thirty dollars will be paid, for the apprehension of T. W. Earp, a deserter from Lookout Artillery, now stationed at Pollard, Ala.  Said Earp is about five feet, eight or nine inches to height, spare built, dark complexion, dark hair, dark or yellow eyes, about twenty-five years of age, very communicative, and rather fine or effeminate voice, features sharp.  His family resides at or near Trenton, Dade county, Georgia, about which place he may be lurking.  –R.L. BARRY, Capt. – Comd’g Lookout Artillery.  Pollard, Ala.

UNDER ARREST:  Several men, including John Cook – father of John Burch Cook and George A. Cook – are under arrest and confined to the Guard House.

DEATH:  March 6, Sgt. Michael Maunz died of a fever in camp.  He was 47 years old, too old to be subject to conscription.  His son, Fritz, and son-in-law, James Burch Cook, are members of the Battery.  Sgt. Maunz was born in Wiesenbach, in the Kingdom of Wurttemberg, 8n 1816.  He and his wife, Eva Maria, and infant daughter, Magdalena, left their native home late in the year of 1843.  Michael was a third-generation maurer meister (master stonemason and master brickmason) at that time.  Their destination was the North Amerikan republic of Ohio,  where they resided in 1846.  By 1855, Jackson County, Alabama, was their home.

The first of March, James Knox Polk Douglass enlists at Camp Pollard.  He is about 20 years old and has lived in North Georgia and Polk County, Tennessee.  William M. Felkins enlists as a substitute for J. B. Hall, at the same time Presley Felkins enlists.  Both are transferred from the Camp of Instruction at Knoxville.  They live in Hamilton County, Tennessse, and are close neighbors to several of the other men.  William appears to be the father of Presley, and too old for conscription.  John Morris and David L. Ritchey join the Battery.  Ritchey’ sisters are married Fielding Wells Gray and Lt. John Springfield.

Supplies received in March 1863 include:  3 bottles Castor Oil; 3 ozs Red Precipitate; 3 lbs Epsom Salts;  1 lbs Laudanum; 2 Gal Whiskey;  5 lbs soap;  2 lbs Axel grease;  8 oza Asofoetida ; 5 lbs tobacco ; 1 funnel ; ½ doz needles; 20 lbs shoe iron and 10 lbs nail rod iron.  The Battery also received a clothing requisition March 11  that included 135 Cotton shirts &  135 prs drawers.  Captain cited the justification of the items as “…my men are in grate [sic] need of the above clothing.”