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Hale (Jonathan D.) Papers relating to Champ Ferguson
mssHalej
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Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Jonathan D. Hale papers relating to Champ Ferguson
Identifier/Call Number: mssHalej
Physical Description:
0.2 Linear Feet
(1 folder)
Date (inclusive): 1865-1866
Abstract: Collection contains eight items dated 1865 to 1866 relating to Jonathan D. Hale's attempt to recoup his losses from the 1862
destruction of his Tennessee property by Confederate guerillas led by Champ Ferguson, and to Ferguson's 1865 war crimes trial.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more
information.
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material,
nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and
obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
[Identification of item]. Jonathan D. Hale papers relating to Champ Ferguson, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from David M. Lesser, Fine Antiquarian Books, April 2021.
Jonathan Davis Hale (1817-1896) was the Chief of Scouts for the Union Army of the Cumberland in Tennessee during the Civil
War. His Tennessee property was burned in 1862 by Confederate guerillas led by Samuel "Champ" Ferguson (1821-1865). After
the war, Ferguson was tried by the federal government for war crimes, including 53 murders; Hale was active in recruiting
witnesses against him and testified himself during the trial. Ferguson was convicted and was hanged in Nashville on October
20, 1865.
Collection contains eight items dated 1865 to 1866 relating to Jonathan D. Hale's attempt to recoup his losses from the 1862
destruction of his Tennessee property by Confederate guerillas led by Champ Ferguson, and to Ferguson's 1865 war crimes trial.
Material includes two inventory descriptions of Hale's property destroyed and other outcomes of Ferguson's raid, one of which
includes details of neighbors who were also victimized (both approximately 1865); one plea and answer of Hale to a bill of
complaint filed by J.W. McHenry regarding a military assessment of Hale's property damage, which mentions guerilla activities
of Ferguson and others, approximately 1865; four letters concerning Hale's claims against Ferguson and his cohorts, 1865 to
1866; and a narrative in the hand of Hale titled "History of a Saw Log" that describes the cutting of a giant poplar tree
and was probably recorded while collecting oral testimony against Ferguson, dated April 16, 1865. Most items are in pen; some
have penciled additions.
Jonathan D. Hale papers, 1830-1894, mssJDH.
Material is arranged chronologically.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Guerrillas -- Southern States -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
Scouts (Reconnaissance) -- United States
War crime trials -- United States
War crimes -- United States -- History -- 19th century
Tennessee -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
Legal documents -- United States -- 19th century
Letters (correspondence) -- United States -- 19th century