Major Howell Tatum's Journal (Volume 7, Nos. 1-3); While Acting Topographical Engineer (1814) to General Jackson, Commanding the Seventh Military Dist (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1922. Excerpt: ... INTRODUCTORY NOTE Howell Tatum, the author of the report that is herewith published for the first time, Was of a family prominent in North Carolina in the period of the revolution. From Heitman's "Historical Register of Officers of the Continental Army" we have the following statement: "Tatum, Howell (N. C.), Ensign 1st North Carolina, 1st September, 1775; 2nd Lieutenant, 4th January, 1776; 1st Lieutenant, 28th March, 1776; Captain, 3rd April, 1777. Taken prisoner at Charleston 12th May, 1780; exchanged 14th June, 1781; resigned 20th May, 1782." Beyond this brief mention the only additional fact we have about his military experience during the revolution is in his own statement describing in the subjoined report the artillery battle at New Orleans, January 1, 1815. "This discharge," he says, "was met with great spirit and zeal on the part of the defenders by an incessant fire of Ball, Grape and shell from their batteries. I had never before witnessed so severe a cannonade for the time it lasted, as on this occasion (even in the six weeks siege of the City of Charleston, in 1780). The firing was, almost, without intermission on both sides for nearly three hours." After resigning from the army in 1782 Captain Tatum turned to the law. At some time he must have studied surveying, an accomplishment of many of the bright young men of the colonies. His topographical notes of the voyage down the Alabama River in 1814 show how well he was versed in that art. As a lawyer he was in Nashville as early as 1790; for when Tennessee was organized as a territory under federal authority, after it had been ceded by North Carolina, Tatum was one of the lawyers whom the new governor licensed to practise law at that place on December 15 of that year. It is of interest to see w...