Amanuensis Monday Found Love in the Slave Pen

Slave Pen
Alexandria, Virginia
Image courtesy of Library of Congress

This is a bitter sweet testimony from Jane Harris Burnett who found love in a slave trader's pen in Richmond, Virginia. She and her future husband Robert Burnett likely were frighten, sold from family, not knowing where they were going and concerned about the new owner. John Torrey purchased them in Natchez, maybe at the Forks of the Road Slave Market. I wonder if Torrey was looking for a couple or if one or both asked him to buy them both.

Deposition A of Jane Burnett
Federal Pension Case of Jane Burnett (Widow of soldier Robert Burnett)
March 23rd 1898
Union Church, Jefferson County, Miss
I and Robert Burnett were bought by Mr John Torrey a number of years before the war from the traders at Natchez, Miss; I had become acquainted with Robert at Richmond, Va., where the traders first had us. My name in Virginia had been Harris, but on Mr Torrey's plantation I went by the name of my new owner. I took up with Robert Burnett at the slave trader's yard at Richmond, Va., and lived with him as his wife until his death in April four or five years ago; I cannot give you the exact date of his death. We were never divorced. Robert Burnett died of dropsy of the heart, so Dr McLean who treated him in his last sickness told me. When the Yankees had taken Natchez, Robert Burnett left for that place and enlisted in Co. C, 58 USCT, in which he served three years. After his discharged he returned home.

General Affidavit of John Torrey
In the year of 1852 February I bought them in Natchez, Miss and they lived as man and wife until 1863 when he went in the war and after he returned in 1866.

Source: Federal Pension Records of Robert Burnett
Private Robert Burnett of 58th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry
Digging up the Past at a Richmond Jail

Amanuensis Monday The Yankees at Brookhaven

Colonel Grierson leading his troops.
Courtesy of Library of Congress

A diversion to keep Confederate officers occupied so Major General Grant could move troops to Vicksburg was a cavalry raid launched into Mississippi from La Grange, Tenn., on April 17, 1863. It was the beginning of 16 days of nearly non-stop movement, widespread destruction and frequent battle. When it was over, Grant would accurately describe it as one of the most brilliant cavalry exploits of the Civil War. The raiders were lead by Colonel Benjamin H. Grierson and they visited the area where my people were enslaved. Here is a newspaper editorial of Grierson's raiders in the ancestor's hometown, Brookhaven, Mississippi.

We have information that the enemy entered Brookhaven yesterday evening, burnt the railroad depot, cut the wires, and after doing what other damage they pleased, leisurely retired (a portion of them at least) in an easterly direction.

Wonder if Maj. Clarke of the Conscript camp at Brookhaven was taken? Or are the conscripts furnished with muskets, powder and ball?

Well, well! we are free to admit that Mr. (we beg his pardon) Colonel Grierson and his boys have had a "good time of it" for the last week. It is actually amusing to think (although, we confess, annoying) how they have roved around, within forty or fifty miles of the Capitol of the State--eating fried ham and eggs and broiled spring chickens every morning for breakfast, at the expense of planters whom they choose to honor with a visit--luxuriating on fat mutton, green peas and (of course) strawberries and cream for dinner--and all this without caring for the terrible fact (confound their impudence) that they were within a few hours ride of Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton's headquarters, or thinking for an instant that the commander-in-chief of the State Troops lived, moved, breathed and had his being in the city of Jackson. It is actually provoking to think how Colonel (we mean Brigadier General--begging his pardon) Grierson and his jolly riders have enjoyed themselves for a whole week. Why it is really worth a ten month's furlough of a Confederate soldier, this pleasure excursion of the roving blades of Iowa and Illinois in the heart of the "Sunny South!" The fun they must have enjoyed is actually enviable!

We hope Maj. Gen. Grierson (we have a penchant for military titles) will not take off the wires of the telegraph as he proceeds--for, as it seems he can't be caught or headed off, we feel some curiosity to be regularly informed of his whereabouts.

Source: The Daily Mississippian
Evening Edition, Jackson, Mississippi
April 30, 1863
Microfilm Number: 20594
Mississippi Department of Archives and History