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Archiver > TNHARDIN > 2001-04 > 0986612736


From: "David Cagle" <>
Subject: Re: [TNHARDIN] Re: Brance Davis and Bert Hays
Date: Fri, 6 Apr 2001 22:18:34 -0700
References: <7b.12ace336.27fe9a7d@aol.com>


Linda,

I appreciate your response very much. All I actually know is that William Roan Porter and others were killed by some person or persons (Apparently Union sympathizers as those killed were of the Confederate persuasion). The bible record and Porter's gravestone indicate that he died 24 February 1865. For other names, etc., I am relying solely on the story of Ms. Lola Porter--I talked with her in person. However, her story had been around for many years before I spoke to her a few years ago. In her defense, I would point out that she got her information form the guy who discovered Porter's body, that being her father-in-law.

I am not pointing fingers and I certainly don't want to re-fight the war. We all know who won and who lost. From what I have read, it appears that many of the so-called renegades were members or former members of Company "G" of the First Confederate Cavalry CSA, and Companies "C" and "D" of the Second Mounted Infantry, USA, the later being mustered late in 1863 and early 1864 and stationed at Clifton. Some have said that this is the date when our local problems began. At least two Confederate officers with their units moved in the Hardin County area about this time. Col. Jake Biffle and Capt. Bert Hays. I am not sure by who's orders or if they had any, but they moved here in the guise of protecting the local Confederated families who were being mistreated by elements of the 2nd Mounted and others. All these units were local boys. I, like others, had relatives on both sides.

That said, I am anxious learn more about Branson Davis, Bert Hays and any other of these locals that we can discover. I look forward to your Davis material and anything you will share on the subject.

David




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Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2001 9:05 PM
Subject: Re: [TNHARDIN] Re: Brance Davis and Bert Hays


David, as you know, there is a great deal of discrepancy between the
descendants of the two different families, Porter and Davis, as to what
actually took place in the time and incidences which you have recently
described on the list. Truth to tell, not much is known for certain with
regard to details. Details such as dates are unverified to a large extent.
The ones that have been put forward have been by families who had strong
feelings about one side or the other. The different slants are put on by the
different sides, depending on which family you are descended from and which
side your relatives fought for during the war. As you stated, your family
were the Porters and their version of the incidents described is vastly
different from the side of the Davis family, for example. Most of us, as you
do, if we descend from those Tennessee hills, have families who were mixed in
their allegiance. One side Confederate, one side Union. I think not many
people would believe how strong those feelings still run today in much of
this area. I do feel that we should be very careful about stating for truth
the legend that is passed down in a family, much of it unsubstantiated except
for the telling and retelling within a family that has reason to want the
story to read one way or the other. I notice that in one original posting
the lady asked specifically if there was any substantiation of the "facts" in
the Porter/Davis/etc. story, other than a story that had been told and
re-told. Am I correct that there are not? I am fairly new to research
compared to most of you, only five years or so, but I have been taught by
some of the best that facts are facts, and you have to have documentation to
back them up before you tell them for absolutes. Oral history should be
repeated as just that, stories that have been passed down within families.
Please let me have your thoughts on this. If I am incorrect, I am open to
correction, believe me. I am copying Mitzi Thornell with this e-mail, it is
my belief and hope that Mitzi is preparing the "Davis version" of this
incident for posting to the entire list.

I enjoy the Hardin County list postings, you are very knowledgeable and very
helpful. Thanks for listening.

Linda Ledlow


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