NEWSPAPER REPORTS ON THE UNIVERSITY GREYS AND THEIR ROLL AT MANASSAS
Oxford Murcury - March 14, 1861
"War Implements - We are gratified to lear that the University Greys and the Lamar Rifles have received from Jackson 120 muskets with bayonets. We have examined some of these guns and know that they are excellent weapons. We have now on hand in Old Lafayette a pretty fair supply of war implements. There are now __(?)___ 120 muskets, 60(?) Mississippi rifles, 60(?) Sharps(?) rifles, and __(?)__ of artillery (a six pounder) and __(?)__ willing to use them. We claim that Lafayette is the Banner County in the struggle and she will retain that position."
The Memphis Daily
"Military - The Holly Springs Herald of the 1st inst., says: Three companies were mustered into the service of the State, last week, and three from Lafayette county. Among the number from Lafayette is a company of students, who have resolved to quit their books, and shoulder the rifle in defense of the South whenever their services are needed. A more intelligent and gallant company of young soldiers never lived."
"University Greys - The following is a list of the officers and members of the University Greys, of Oxford, who were regularly mustered into the Army of Mississippi, on the 23d by Adjutant-General Richard Griffith. The State has furnished them with the bayoneted, percussion musket, to be retained until a better weapon can be procured - perhaps the Belgian Rifle. The uniform adopted - as their name indicates - is a light grey, trimmed with black. Their hats are to be three-cornered with waving plume. A nobler-spirited, more gallant and brave set of young men, cannot be enrolled anywhere in the country. They are full of military ardor, and anxious to try their mettle on the battlefield. Go they will, when the time comes, whether "called out" or not. They are Mississippi's buds of promise in the field and in the forum."
"The Lamar Rifles - This gallant, handsomely uniformed company have received their guns from Jackson; the percussion musket, with bayonet and bright barrels. We regard them as very effective weapons, not-withstanding the general prejudice existing against them."
"An Interesting Bit of War History - We quote as follows from a special message of Gov. John J. Pettus to the special session of the Mississippi legislature, convened January 15, 1861. 'Being advised by the governor of Louisiana that he had reason to believe that an expedition would be sent down the Mississippi to reinforce the garrisons of the forts and arsenals of that State, I sent Capt. (J. K.) Kerr with the Jackson Artillery Company, and ordered Capt. H. H. Miller to call out the volunteer companies of Vicksburg, and to take such position as would enable him to prevent any hostile espedition from the Northern States descending the river. Learning that the forts and arsenals were fully garrisoned by Louisiana, I directed Capt. H. H. Miller to withdraw his forces from the position they had taken.
As soon as I was informed that the governor of Louisiana had taken the arsenal at Baton Rouge, I sent Col. G. G. Armstead with a letter to Gov. Moore requesting him to furnish Mississippi with ten thousand stands of arms, on such terms as he might deem just. Col. Armstead informs me that his excellency has responded to my request by ordering 3,000 muskets, 1,000 rifles, and six twenty-four pound guns, with carriages, and a considerable amount of ammunition, to be delivered to him, which will be shipped to Mississippi as soon as possible.
This act of friendship and confidence from our sister State, I hope will be fully appreciated and fully acknowledged by the legislature and people of Mississippi."
NEWS OF THE BATTLE AT FIRST MANASSAS
"The capture of Sherman's celebrated battery is due to the combined gallantry of various regiments from South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. A large share of this honor, as we learn from good authority, is shared by Lieutenant-Colonel Frank Liddell, of Carrollton, Miss., who commanded a detached portion of the 11th Mississippi regiment, consisting of two companies, one from Noxubee, and the other - the "University Greys" - from Oxford, who are represented as nearly all being boys under twenty-one years of age. These two companies captured three guns of the battery and a magnificent charger, which can be put to good service by some southern officer. All hail! the State of Davis and Quitman!"
"I notice the Richmond papers speak in the highest terms of the gallant conduct ofall the Southern troops except Mississippians. They are forgetful of the fact that it was Mississippians who led the attack on Sherman's battery, and after three hard and deadly struggles, finally made it a complete capture. Besides, they are forgetful of the fact again that had it not been for the timely reinforcement of Gen. Johnston's division, composed partly of Mississippians, the great battle of Manassas, so gloriously won, would have been ignominiously lost. I confess that Virginians have fo9ught with more success possibly, than any of our troops, on account of greater advantages in position, but their good fortunes and more prominent locations should not exclude others from mention and praise, equally as noble and brave." Also, a description of how most Mississippi troops were during and after the battle.
"We are sadly in need of a new uniform. The clothes we have are much the worse for wear, and we are exposed to the weather and very scarce of blankets. Indeed, by the time a nuiform could be made for us, I fear some of us will be very needy, if not suffering."
"SECOND MISSISSIPPI REGIMENT. We learn by a gentleman just arrived in the city that Lieut. W. E. Rodgers, of Col. Falkner's old company in the Second Mississippi regiment, has returned to his home direct from the battle field at Manassas. Lieut. R. reports the Second in good spirits, after their glorious efforts on the 21st. The regiment numbered 536 when it went into action, and the loss was twenty-five killed and seventy-nine wounded. The loss occurred in a charge made upon the right wing of Sherman's battery, which was the Fourht, and two comppanies of the Eleventh Mississippi regiment. We are promised a full list of the killed and wounded from Lieut. Rodgers."
The Yorkville Enquirer, Yorkville, S.C., Aug. 22, 1861
"CAPT. WILLIAM B. LOWRY. The gallant conduct of this young officer in the battle of Manassas, must be gratifying to his relatives and friends in our community. He is only 18 years of age, and a few years ago, was a student here in the Military School of Messrs. Jenkins and Coward. He is a son of John Lowry who was formerly a lawyer in this village. He commanded, in the battle, the "University Greys," a company composed of the students of the University of Mississippi. -- The following notices appear in teh "Southern Rural Gentleman," and in the correspondence of the Guardian:
"I arrived at Manassas just one day after the fight, greatly to my dissatisfaction. However, before reaching the Junction I heard that Johnston's forces, or at least a great portion of them, had been ordered to make a force march from Winchester to Manassas, and that the "University Greys" and "Noxubee Rifles" were engaged in the battle - they being the only companies of this, the 11th regiment, that could obtain cars at Piedmont for transportaion to Manassas in time to engage in the battle. I found the "Greys" at Manassas Junction without tents, (their tents having since come to hand from Winchester,) paddling about in the rain attending to their wounded as well as possible, and burying their dead. The "University Greys" lost, dead on the field, the Orderly Sergeant Rice, and two privates, Meek and Johnson; 2nd Lieut. Besland, from New Orleans, was mortally wounded and died in two days. -- Seven or eight others wounded - two supposed to be mortally. The loss on the company was very severe, considering that the "squad" (as the Yankees named it) was so very small, only numbering sixty in the engagement.
We have, beyond a doubt, a very gallant and brave Captain. Capt. W. B. Lowry has now the commendation of all the distinguished officers around about Manassas Junction. He advanced in front of is company when charging on the cannon of the enemy, bidding them, "charge, my boys, and the victory is ours." The result of the charge did nothing more nor less than verify his promise. During the whole fire of is muskets he cautioned them to shoot low; they were obedient to his command and succeeded in routing three thousand Yankees, and taking three pieces of cannon. This is the time that the enemy ovserved that there was only a "squad" about to whip three thousand, when he rallied and the squad was compelled to give back. At this time, Col. Faulkerner came up with his regiment and again routed the enemy, and securing the pieces which the "Greys" first took.
In one place, side by side, I found the bodies of two beardless youths. They appeared to have stood together in the fight, and had fallen as they stood. Their features were smooth and peacful, as if sleeping after the toils of a well-spent day.
These lay not far from the spot where the storm of battle had left its deepest marks - the ground where Sherman's batter was charged first by the University Greys, a company of youths from Oxford University, Mississippi.
They had picked off, one by one, all of Sherman's horses; there they lay, just as they had fallen, in their harness, leaving the guns immovable, and at the mercy of the gallant Georgians, who soon came up to complete what the boys of Oxford had been prevented from accomplishing only by fatigue and exhaustion."
DIARY OF JOHN H. GRAHAM, Co. A, 11th Miss.
"...Our military company, called "University Greys" met this evening in the chapel for the purpose of adopting some uniform dress. It was finely agreed after much discussion that the suit be grey, with black epaulettes, and a military hat with a red, white and black plume, a three cornered hat..."
LETTER FROM A UNIVERSITY GREY TO HIS SISTER, Aug. 24, 1861
"...I want winter clothes. Two pairs of gray pants --thick,strong and heavy Casamere or Jeans, black stripes inch wide down the legs, but don't mind the stripes without convenient. Two gray jackets, buttoning up before with brass buttons - the collars and coinstpuns (cuffs?) bound with black..."
QUARTEMASTER REPORTS
tents, blankets, camp kettles, coffee mills, coffee pots, frying pans, axes, hatchets, spades, spoons, tin cups, plates, canteen with strap, haversacks, knapsacks, mess pans
Quatermaster report for July 2, 1861
584 large buttons, 150 small buttons. "Rec. of Madison McAffee Qr. Master General 48 2/3 doz. large and 12 1/2 doz. small infantry buttons for the officers of the 11th Reg. July 1st, 1861"
REPORT OF INSPECTION MADE AT HARPER'S FERRY, VA., BY LIEUT. COL. GEORGE DEAS, INSPECTOR-GENERAL C. S. ARMY
May 23, 1861 "...The two regiments from Mississippi have with them their tents and camp equipage, but are not satisfied with their arms, which are chiefly of the old flint-lock musket altered into percussion. As usual with troops of this description, they all want rifles. They were informed that, for the present, they must rest contented with such arms as it was in the power of the Government to give them. One of these regiments (the Eleventh), under the command of Colonel Moore, is very superior to the other (the Second), under Colonel Falkner. The latter is badly clothed and very careless in its appointments. The officers are entirely without military knowledge of any descriptiion, and the men have a slovenly and unsoldier-like appearance. The other regiment seems to take much pride in its appearance, and is endeavoring to improve itself by military exercises. All the infantry regiments are drilled daily in the school of the soldier and company, and valuable assistance in this respect is received from the young men who have been instructed at the military school at Lexington. But there is no ground in the immediate vicinity upon which the maneuvers of a large battalion can take place, consequently there is a lamentable want of knowledge of the first principles of formation into line and the changes of front and breaking into column. There are no regular regimental parades established, upon which to form quickly, in case of alarm...The clothing of the troops is not abundant, and, in the regiment from Mississippi, under Colonel Falkner, almost every necessary is wanting...The supplies of subsistence are abundant, except in the item of bacon. There is plenty of beef, and a large quantity of flour on hand, enough to last many months."
CONFEDERATE MILITARY HISTORY - "At the battle of Manassas, July 21, 1861, the Mississippians had their full share of both suffering and glory. Bee's brigade, including the Second regiment and two companies of the Eleventh, under Lieut.-Col. P. F. Liddell, were among the first troops which hurried to the assistance of Evans, who met the onslaught against the Confederate left, and for an hour formed part of the heroic line which stood its ground under a terrible fire of musketry and artillery. They finally fell back with heavy loss to a position in the rear of the Robinson house, where they were reinforced. About noon the enemy had occupied the plateau on which the Henry and Robinson houses stood, the position of General Bee before he moved forward to reinforce Evans, and with powerful batteries was working destruction in the Confederate lines. About two o'clock an advance was ordered to recover the plateau. There, as the lines surged back and forth amid the din of battle, the Mississippians were distinguished for heroic deds. Many had fallen throughout the forenoon, and here many more fell in glorious charge or desperate fight to maintain their ground. Colonel Falkner, leading his men against Rickett's battery, was a conspicuous figure on account of the black plume which adorned his hat. General Beauregard, pointing to him cried to a fresh arrival of reinforccements: "Men, follow yonder knight of the black plume, and history will not forget you." Yet, despite his daring exposure, he was the only field officer of the brigade who was not killed or disabled. The Thirteenth came up under Early in time of participate in the rout of the enemy. The Seventeenth and Eighteenth, which according to the original Confederate planof battle would have been among the first engaged on the right, lost that privilege through the Federal attack on the left, but nevertheless took part in the advance of Jones' brigade up Rocky Run, driving the enemy from a strong position and encountering a furious fire, under which many fell. Capt. Ed. Fontaine and Company K of the Eighteenth received the especial mention of General Jones for steady fighting. The loss of the Mississippi regiments in this first great battle of the war, in killed and wounded, was as follows: Seventeenth, 11; Eighteenth, 38; Second, 107; Eleventh, 28.
The Mississippi soldiers who fought with such gallantry on this famous field were mostly armed with flint-lock muskets which had been altered into percussion, and were poorly supplied with clothing; they had not the splendid equipment of the troops they met in shock of battle, but they demonstrated no lack of daring and intrepid manhood."
CONFEDERATE VETERAN - Vol. 30
"General Johnston went on to another part of the field, and General Bee, learning of the situation, took personal command, the 4th Alabama being a part of his brigade. While leading it and some Mississippians to recover a battery, he was killed, leaving the regiment again without a commander."
SOLDIERS OF '61 AND '65
"At Harper's Ferry in April and May, 1861, we were quartered in houses, or had an ample supply of tents. Rations were abundant and of good quality, but our friends at home supplied us so bountifully with the best they had that we frequently did not "draw" from the commissary at all, and it was no unusual thing to see on the messtable of our private soldiers dinners fit for princes. If one of the boys would sometimes facetiously apologize for not having cream for the coffee, on the ground that "the cows did not come up this evening," yet we had an abundance of coffee and used it with a profusion which made us sigh at the memory of it when in later days we drank rye, or corn meal, or chestnuts, or sweet potatoes, sweetened with sorghum. Then each mess had its own negro cooks and waiters; not unfrequently each private had his own servants to cut his wood, bring his water, light his pipe, clean his musket, or black his boots. Each man had his trunk packed full of every thing that loved ones at home thought their soldier boy might, could, would, or should ever need. Each company had baggage enough (mess-chest, camp-equipage, cooking-utensils, trunks, etc.) to load a wagon-train larger than "Old Stonewall" used afterward to allow to a brigade or even a division. New uniforms with frock coats, bright buttons, long top boots, caps to which were attached white "havelocks," white shirts and collars, white trappings, and even white gloves, elegant leather haversacks, beautiful knapsacks, silk banners, feathers, and epaulets, all combined to give a Confederate regiment of those early days to the war an appearance which the veterans of '62-'65 would have ridiculed without mercy.
Each man, too, carried in his belt a heavy revolver and a huge knife, for those were the days when our boys were told, by the "newspaper generals," that they must not fight at long range, but must rugh upon the foe, by which tactics "one Southerner could whip ten Yankees." [We found later that odds of four or even two to one were as great as we cared to encounter.]
We spent our time in drills, dress-parades, inspections, reading the newspapers, discussion military plans, etc., and in entertaining the large number of visitors who came to camp, among them whom were many beautiful and accomplished young ladies, who came "to see their brothers," but did not seem to be offended if somebody else's brothers chanced to be around. Ah! those were the days of "holiday soldiering," when "the pomp and circumstance of glorious war" had not given place to its stern realities."
CONFEDERATE VETERAN - Vol. 23
The Noxubee Rifles - "Leaving Winchester on the afternoon of July 18, our portion of Johnston's command marched to Piedmont, arriving late in the afternoon of July 19. Early in the morning of July 20 Colonel Moore hurriedly ordered Company A and Company F, the two right companies of the regiment, to get aboard the train to go to Manassas Junctiion. General Johnston had made his movements from Harper's Ferry and Winchester, to be ready to assist General Beauregard at Manassas, before whose army was the main body of the Federal army, from which General Beauregard was expecting an attack. We reached Manassas about twelve o'clock, and that afternoon marched five or six miles from Manassas Junction, wher we bivouacked for the night.
The next morning the firing began about eight o'clock in the direction of Sudley's Ford, at which place the Federals crossed to make the attack. We were soon ordered to march in the direction of the firing. Our companies were ordered to march with the 2nd Mississippi, under Colonel Faulkner. About eleven o'clock we were under fire, but did no firing ourselves. The Federals having flanked our position, we were compelled to fall back and take up a new position. About two o'clock our companies were engaged with the Federal regiment and a battery of artillery, in which we lost several of our men and several of Company A killed and wounded. After the battle we gathered up the prisoners and went back to the Junction."
PAGE 4
