SILVER THREADS

 

Written and Published Online by Rex Redmon, Greenville, SC.

w/contributing articles by cousin John Silver

 

Greetings Cousins,

 

This month I am writing the newsletter from my new study that is still piled high with boxes of books waiting yet to be unpacked. Along with the boxes of books waiting my attention are also all my family history material plus CDs, discs and I have no furniture in the room yet. Are you beginning to get the picture?

If you have ever visited Carl Sandburg’s home in Flat Rock, North Carolina and saw his typewriter sitting on a peach crate and, as well, Mr. Sandburg too sat on a peach crate as he typed his many wonderful books you can begin to understand my plight. I can hardly do anything until new furniture that is ordered arrives. I’m hoping that will be any day now.

Margaret and I moved into our new house on the Tenth of August and now, August 25^th, and some fifteen days later, we are still not organized and settled. The majority of the boxes on the main level of the house have been opened and the contents dispersed in the general direction where they will eventually find a permanent home. All the unpacking and setting up certainly has been an exhausting experience for the two of us to say the least, although we are trying to pace ourselves accordingly. Margaret says we are exhausted but do not know it yet.

My sister, Mary Inez Stephens and her husband Carl, assisted us during the initial move by helping us move many of the smaller and fragile items we chose not to put on the mover’s truck. Margaret’s son, Jeff Wyatt, and his fiancée Lisa Anderson helped us install new wood blinds throughout the house as well as installing two new ceiling fans. What a blessing all of our extended family has been.

As you have probably already guessed this month’s newsletter is going to be short and sweet. Today is the deadline to send it up to Barney in Virginia so he will have time to edit the format and get it properly posted to the website by the first of September. I do want to thank all of you who have written to us since the KONA Silver Family Reunion. Cousin John Silver of Spruce Pine, whom I met at the reunion for the first time, wrote asking about his ancestry and John and I connected him up to John Silver, son of George and Nancy Ann Griffith-Silver. John is the Silver son who pulled up stakes in the 1830s, left Western North Carolina and eventually settled in the hills of Georgia. Also I have received a bountiful gift of some twenty-five Civil War letters from Marty Young. The letters primarily pertain to the Young Family which in many instances is part of our extended Silver family. I will publish those letters in future volumes of Silver Threads.

I also heard from Authoress, Maxine McCall of Morganton, NC (They Won’t Hang a Woman) and as I stated in last month’s newsletter, Maxine has graciously accepted an invitation to be our keynote speaker on Saturday afternoon at next year’s event. Maxine stated in her note that she and her husband Don, enjoyed attending this year’s reunion where they renewed acquaintances with those whom they met last year and as well, meeting new Silver Family members -- some related to Charlie and Frankie. Maxine states that everyone has been valuable in helping her gather new information about the story of Frankie and Charlie as she works to update her new book that will be published by next year’s reunion.

I also received an announcement and invitation from cousin Mel Squires of Asheville, North Carolina, to attend the Creed & Lillie Silver Family Reunion. Creed Silver was the son of Jacob William Silver of Pensucola, Yancey County, NC.  Jacob William was the son of Rev. Thomas, younger brother to Rev. Jacob Silver. The annual family reunion, traditionally held on Labor Day weekend, is schedule for September 4 this year.  Call Mel Squires @ (828) 252-2916 for more information.

As well, an invitation to speak at the McMahan Family Reunion in Morganton, North Carolina on September 26 has been extended to me. Last year I wrote an interesting article about the patriarch of the McMahan Clan, Redmond McMahan. The article ran in Silver Threads, Volume I, Issue IX in September 2003. As a result of the article great interest in the McMahan family tree has risen and the extended family is interested in hearing more about their famous patriarch. The invitation to speak has yet to be confirmed however. I have another family reunion in Asheville on Saturday, September 25 where I also will speak that might present a conflict. That is a Rice Family Reunion. If any of you descend from the Rice families of Yancey, Haywood, Madison or Buncombe Counties, as well as the Rice families of Eastern Tennessee, you are also cordially invited to attend this event. Please contact me about further information.   

Mr. Howard Williams of Morganton, NC and also President of the Frankie Foundation, has forwarded to me, for the purpose of editing and proofreading, a revised version of his play, The Legend Of Frankie Silver. Last year Mr. Williams asked me to edit his work and, for the record, I did put in my two cents worth offering both constructive criticism as well as praise where I saw fit. I am sure however, Mr. Williams solicited many more opinions of his play than a single opinion from yours truly. I do appreciate the privilege and opportunity again Mr. Williams to proofread the revised version of your play. Mr. Williams hopes to produce the play next summer (2005). If anyone wishes to make a tax-deductible donation to The Frankie Foundation, please contact me and I will help you get in touch with Howard Williams. To date, I have only read half the play late in the night after going to bed and will make a full report on the contents in October’s newsletter. 

Now, on with the show. Lets read some more about Aunt Mary Belle Silver whom we left last month spending her winters in Florida working with her husband in the fruit business. This month, Aunt Belle remembers the Prime Minister of Canada paying a visit to her fruit stand in Florida. She says…

While in Florida during the winter, we shipped fruit everywhere. We even shipped fruit to the prime minister of Canada.

 

John (John Rogers her husband and cousin to Will Rogers) wrote a note to the prime minister and put it in with the box of fruit. “Why don’t you have the fruit shipped to Detroit and then send a truck over for it and save all that demurrage (handling and inspecting) cost,” John wrote. The prime minister wrote back for us to do just that -- send it to Detroit.

 

Then one day this big, fine car pulled up at our fruit stand. It was the prime minister, his driver, his doctor and his nurse.

 

They wanted a place to stay. We had this big old house, with plenty of bedrooms. But we explained that we were just camping in it. They said: “That’s just what we want to do too.” So they stayed with us from Thursday to Monday.

 

I’ll always remember and laugh about what happened to his driver. John had a fishing rod lying there and the driver picked it up and was looking at it.

 

“Here’s artificial bait,” John told him. “Take the rod and go down to the ferry and you might catch a big one.”

 

Well, I reckon the man had never used a casting rod before. He cast it out, and it swung back around between his legs and caught him right in the britches.

 

You should have seen him trying to get loose. John burst out laughing saying; “That’s the biggest sucker I’ve ever seen caught on the wrong end of a hook.” The nurse had to cut that pair of britches all to pieces trying to get the artificial bait out of the seat of his pants. The prime minister wrote a piece about it and it went out in all the newspapers. I still laugh every time I think about it. 

 

Aunt Belle also remembers some about This and That.  She says…

When his mother died (Elizabeth Gough-Silver, wife of Alfred) in 1860, my father John went to live with his grandfather, (Jacob) in the old Silver house at KONA. That was just before he joined the Confederate Army in 1861.

 

Someone said my mother (Mary Virginia Hicks-Silver) never wore ear bobs. But she didfrom the time she was sixteen years old until 1907 when we were living at Horse Shoe. One day she was out picking beans and one of them fell out. I remember she put it in her pocket but I don’t remember her ever wearing it again.

 

I remember the first automobile I ever saw when we moved to Horse Shoe in 1905. Brother Lonny had come with us on the train from Old Fort. Old man Vanderbilt, the one who built the Biltmore Mansion, had it. I remember all the horses would run into the woods when it’d come along.

 

My grandfather, James Martin Hicks, moved to Missouri because Uncle Doc had asthma and they took him west to get it cured. The Yankees captured my grandfather Hicks, even though he wasn’t in the Confederate Army, and he spent three years in prison making shoes for Yankee Soldiers.

 

Colonel Sam Silver went west and homesteaded 10,000 acres. He tried to get everyone to come out there.

 

Melissa Wilson, my father’s cousin, didn’t marry until she was 27 years old  but then she had six sets of twins, all girls. They went west.

 

Brother Lonnie lived and sawmilled at Saluda at one time.

 

(Editor’s note: Elizabeth is buried in the Gouge Cemetery at Bandana, Mitchell County, North Carolina with her Gouge Family including William Gouge Sr. to whom many of the Gouge Family Civil War letters are written. (Col. Sam Silver is one of Jacob Silver’s younger sons.)

 

Next month, Aunt Mary Belle remembers her children and husbands.

 

Civil War Letters to home continues this month with letters #630405 and 630414. The first letter is written by William Gouge, Jr. (Little Billy) to his mother and father, William Gouge Sr. and Martha Thomas-Gouge. To refresh your memory, I wrote in the June issue of Silver Threads that “Little Billy”, as he was affectionately known, did not survive the Civil War. Sometime within days after he wrote this particular letter he died. The last letter we published in June from “Little Billy” was written February 15, 1863 from Jacksboro, Campbell County, Tennessee. This particular was written from Clinton, Anderson County, Tennessee. Clinton is located northwest of Knoxville.

Clinton, Tenn.
April 5, 1863

Dear Father, Mother and connections, one and all:

I take great pleasure in dropping you a few lines and I am glad to say to you that I am well as common and I trust that these lines will find you all well and doing well.

I have no special news to write you more than we have moved from Jacksboro, 20 miles directly toward Knoxville. I am well pleased with our move for we are in a very pretty country and in sight of the town of Clinton, which sits upon the banks of the Clinch River.

This is a pleasant day and I would be pleased if I could be with you all this beautiful Easter Sabbath day; but the time has come when friends and relations must be parted. But I hope and trust God will put too a helping hand and cause this war to close so that friends many once more be permitted to meet and enjoy each other’s delightful company for if there is a person in the world that loves to be with friends and connections, it is I; but I feel disposed to wait till it is the will of God.

Now you may think God has no hand in stopping this war but I think if it ever ends, God will end it. Not that God, by any means, begun it, but it is not in any other power to close it than God’s. I trust that he will assist and close it for I am tired of it and I hope that everybody else is like me.

I can say to you that everything is still here and the nights are very cool but I hope that we will have a pretty weather from now forward. I hope the health of your acquaintances is good and you must give my love and respects to all my friends.

Sgt. E. Silver gives his respects to you all and says to tell William and Sary (Sarah) Silver that he has not forgot them and tell them to go and see Emaline and tell them kiss his little girl and console Emily all they can while he is absent.

So I must close. Write to me and give me all the news. So farewell.

                                                       Wm. Gouge

 

(Editor’s note: Emaline is Little Billy ‘s wife. His “sweet little girl” is Martha Buena Vista Gouge. Sgt. E. Silver I speculate is Levi Deweese Silver, son of Alfred Silver and Elizabeth Gouge, as Levi was stationed with Little Billy. Elizabeth Gouge, who died in 1860 was Little Billy‘s older sister. This is also the last letter written by Little Billy. He succumbs to death in late April or early May. As we read this letter from Little Billy we have to feel he knew his end time was near as his letter is one from a depressed person. He refers to his faith in God as well as a coming separation from family and friends.)

Our next letter this month is #630414 and is actually written by two people. The first part of the letter is written by Garrett Dawes Gouge and is written to his wife, Rosanah. As you will recall, many of “Little Billy’s” letters were written to Garrett Gouge and his wife Rosanah, Little Billy’s sister. Garrett is now in the military. He has either joined the Confederate Army or was conscripted into the army since February 15, 1863, because William Willis wrote a letter to Garrett and Rosanah on February 15^th. [See Silver Threads, June, 2004].

The second part of the letter is also to Rosanah but it is written by Levi Deweese Silver, son of Alfred Silver and Elizabeth Gouge and nephew to Garret Dawes Gouge. Garrett Dawes Gouge, Elizabeth Gouge-Silver and William Gouge Sr. are all buried in the picturesque Gouge Family Cemetery at Bandana, Mitchell County, North Carolina. We visited this little family cemetery on Saturday afternoon during this past July reunion. The letter follows…

Clinton, Tennessee
April 14, 1863

Dear Companion:

I seat myself to drop you a few lines to let you know I have got to the boys safe and well. 

I found most of the boys well and hearty.

Brother William (Little Billy) is not well. He is complaining with the headaches and neck but I hope he will be well in a few days.

I have no strange news to write at the present.

The boys appear to be tolerably well satisfied. They are getting plenty to eat.

Rosanah, tell little Anderson to be a good boy and mind Richmond till I get back.

You have my best wishes. Write soon.

                                           Garrett Gouge to Rosanah

 

(Editor’s note: Only two months have passed since Garrett Gouge was the recipient of letters from his brother and nephews serving in the military. In this particular letter, Garrett confirmed that “Little Billy” was definitely ill.)

The second part of this letter follows…

A few lines from L.D. Silver (Levi Deweese) to let you know I am still on the land of the living and have not forgot you yet. I  often think of you all and wish to see you.

I hope I will get back to see all my friends but if I don’t I might just as well die here as anywhere for I don’t believe any of us will live to get out of this world alive. If we do I will be surprised.

Tell Grandmother and Grandfather Gouge they have my best wishes.

Forgive me for writing my foolishness.

Write to me. Direct your (letters) to Knoxville, Tenn. No more. Farwell.

                                                       L.D. Silver to friends.

 

(Editor’s note: This letter was written very soon after Garrett was called into service. As he could not write, his letters were written I’m sure by others, most notably Levi Deweese Silver. Also serving in the same company is Levi’s brother, Tilman B. Silver.)

Friends and family, that brings my portion of the newsletter to a close this month. I have managed to get six pages written -- according to my PC format -- despite my writing conditions here at home. Take care and continue reading for John Silver’s family history section of Silver Threads.

                                                          Cousin Rex

 

 

John’s History Corner

 

Bentonville Battleground:
Scene of the Last Major Confederate Offensive of the Civil War

 

The Battle of Bentonville, which took place during the three days of March 19–21, 1865, was the last full scale action in which the Confederate Army was able to mount an offensive attack. A re-enactment of this event takes place almost every year in the Newton Grove vicinity.

This major battle, the largest ever fought in North Carolina, was the only significant attempt to defeat Sherman after he left Georgia. Leaving Savannah in January of 1865, Sherman had met little resistance on his march northward. Union forces advanced through South Carolina, capturing Columbia and devastating the countryside. Only North Carolina lay between Sherman’s army and U.S. Grant’s forces in Virginia; and Confederate forces in the Carolinas were widely scattered. General Joseph E. Johnson was ordered to unite these troops and attempt to prevent Sherman from combining his army with that of Grant.

With less than half as many men as Sherman’s 60,000, Johnson knew that his only chance for success lay in the possibility of finding Sherman’s army divided. Miserable road conditions forced Sherman to divide his command into two wings; and, on March 18^th, Johnson learned that the sections had become separated by a half-day’s march. Seeing the opportunity to strike one of the wings with his force of about 20,000, the Confederate General moved his troops into position near the village of Bentonville, North Carolina.

On the evening of March 18, Johnson organized his forces into a sickle-shaped line along the Goldsboro Road and waited for the advancing Federals. The following day Sherman’s left wing stumbled into Johnson’s trap. Initial Confederate attacks overran large sections of Federal lines. One Union division managed to hold on despite being surrounded on both sides by Confederate adversaries. Failing to completely crush the Union Lines, Johnson’s Confederate pulled back. Sherman’s right wing arrived on the battlefield early on March 20^th, ending Johnson’s hope of dealing with a smaller Union force.

For two days the opposing forces faced each other. Cannon and rifle fire were constant. On March 21, a Federal advance commanded by General J. A. Mower outflanked Confederate positions and approached within 200 yards of General Johnson’s headquarters before being driven back. That evening Johnson’s weary troops abandoned their positions and withdrew towards Smithfield. Federal forces observed but did not pursue the Confederates. Johnson failed to halt the Union advance; and, Sherman’s army marched on to Goldsboro where supplies awaited his tired troops. On April 26^th, at the Bennett Place near Durham, Johnson surrendered to Sherman, thus ending the Civil War in the Carolinas.

The Battle of Bentonville was fought over an area of 6,000 acres. Over 4,000 men were reported killed, wounded or missing in action during the three-day battle. During the battle, wounded Union soldiers were taken to the farm home of John and Amy Harper, where a field hospital was established. Some of the wounded Confederate soldiers were also treated in this facility.

The Harper House still stands at Bentonville Battleground and is furnished as a field hospital. Reminders of the battle are displayed in the visitor center; and, a Confederate Cemetery as well as a section of Union trenches are located nearby. Roads in the area are marked with plaques highlighting events of the battle.

Lt. Colonel Samuel Marion Silver commanded the 58^th North Carolina Regiment in this battle. Other Silver family members serving in the 58^th Regiment were:

·         David Ralph Silver, Captain

·         Levi DeWise Silver, 1^st Lt.

·         Edmund Drury Silver, 1^st Sgt.

·         Tilman Blalock Silver, Sgt.

·         William R. Silver, Cpl.

·         Alexander Silver, Pvt.

This article was taken from the North Carolina Traveler, Oct/Nov, 1993 edition.

 

OBITUARIES:

 

 

Charles Madison Silver, CWO USMC Ret.

26 September 1928 - 27 August 2004.

 

 

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Charles.

 Arrangements have not yet been made.

 Charles wanted me to tell all of you how much your friendship has meant through the years.

 Judy (Judith Archer Silver)

(George Silver Sr. > George Silver Jr. > John Silver > William Riley Silver > Samuel Fleming Silver > Grady Silver > Charles Madison Silver.)