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Jackson Tennessee
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| April 20th 1862 |
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Maj. R. B. Hurt
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| Military Superintendent R. Roads |
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| Dear Sir, |
| In compliance with your request I furnish
you with all the facts, which have come to my knowledge, in the case
of M. J. Hedges Conductor and F. M. Phelps Master Machinist on the
North Division of the Mobile & Ohio Rail Road. |
| During the excitement and anxiety for a
few days immediately succeeding the battle of Shiloh, many persons
were attempting to get to the Battlefield -- some after information o
their relatives and friends and others out of mere curiosity. Messrs
Phelps & Hedges being of the latter class, as I am not aware of
any other motive which prompted them. Hundreds of people visited the
battle field of Belmont without any objection amongst the number many
of the officers & employees of the road and supposing or not
thinking but that they could have the same privilege, Messrs Phelps
& Hodges set out for the Battle field of Shiloh. The
representations which were made by persons returning from the field,
more so contradictory, that it was almost impossible to tell whether
it was safe or not. But proceeding on the grounds that if anybody else
could go there and return safe, they could do the same and being governed
by the representations of citizens of Jackson who had just returned,
as they said from the Battle field, proceeded on their way, mistook
the road came unfortunately upon the lines of the enemy and were
taken. After their capture, they were, according to the evidence of
some cavalry soldiers & native of Tennessee, treated with more
severity on account of their being northern men. Hegdes especially,
being kept with double guard in close custody, while graves himself
was given more liberty to go about the camps. |
| The reason of their release was stated to
be, that they were citizens and were not in arms, there being other
citizens arrested in the same way who were also liberated. They seemed
to be unanimous that it was the intention of Genl Grant to hold them
as spies, or, suspicious characters, and were only released after two
days confinement waiting the arrival of Genl Halleck. He released them
on the grounds that he did not wish to make prisoners of peaceable
citizens. All other citizens, so taken, were released and, therefore,
the fact of their release would seem to be no evidence against them. |
| Another reason which induced them and
others to visit the Battle field was that it was understood here that
there had been an armistice of three days agreed upon, to bury the
dead & take care of the wounded. It has been stated since their
arrest, which I never heard before, that Phelps had a brother in the
Federal Army and wished, if permissible, to ascertain what had been
his fate. |
| With regard to their conduct while on the
road, it has been unobjectiable, as far as I know. They have not
hesitated, especially Hedges, on many occasions to declare their
intentions of casting their fortunes with the South. Besides, it has
been the understanding for some time past that Mr Philps was engaged
to be married to a young lady of Tennessee & when they talked a
while visiting the Battle field I really thought that was a more blind
to cover up their real intentions of going off to a wedding police.
Two of our Engineers, both Northern men have been married already near
Bethel and as Hedges & Phelps started for the same place I
supposed they were going on a similar frolic. Mr. Phelps, if not
decided in his expressing, has attended strictly to his business and
evinced no disposition to leave or to aid and abet the enemy in any
way. Had it been otherwise they would not, as you know, have been
retained upon the road. The services of Mr Phelps, as Master Machinist,
are very valuable and much needed, particularly at the present time
when it is difficult to replace them. |
| The circumstances of their arrest are
unfortunately against them and it was very unfortunate that they made
the attempt to go to the battle field, but I feel certain that the
suspensions against them have been greatly increased from the fact of
their having been born at the North, a prejudice which is often unjust
though fortunately not always so. I have no desirere to shield them
from any suspicion which is well founded, only to give facts so far as
they are known to me, in order that their case may receive a fair and
unprejudiced consideration, but shall confess that I have been very
much desired if they had any other object than curiosity in visiting
the Battlefield of Shiloh. |
| Very respectfully |
| Your obt Sert |
| J. J. Williams |
| Asst Supt |
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