Herein is a list of my kin in the Harris, Burks and Manning families who served in the Confederate Army, mostly with Scott County's Company K of the 2d Mississippi Cavalry. It includes names, ranks and links to my Big One database on WORLD CONNECT. There are also two letters from Burks half-brothers, and a tall tale about my great-great grandfather, M. E. Manning.
Thomas Jefferson Harris, Sr., Captain, Mississippi Militia. WORLD CONNECT
James Lyon Burks Harris. Colonel, Commanding, 2d Mississippi Calvary, "J. L. Harris' Cavalry." Killed in Battle of New Hope Church, May 28, 1864. WORLD CONNECT
John Pryor Harris. Lieutenant, Company K, 2d Mississippi Calvary. WORLD CONNECT
Andrew Jackson Harris. Captain, Commanding, Company I, 27th Mississippi. WORLD CONNECT
Thomas Jefferson Harris, Jr. Private, Company K, 2d Mississippi Calvary. Killed in Battle of New Hope Church, May 28, 1864. WORLD CONNECT
Abel Robinson Burks, Private, Co. G, 33d Arkansas Infantry. WORLD CONNECT
Thomas Jefferson L. Burks. Captain, Company K, 2d Mississippi Cavalry. WORLD CONNECT See letter 2 below.
Berry Maximillian Burks, Private, Company K, 2d Mississippi Cavalry. WORLD CONNECT
Rufus Lott Burks, Private, Company K, 2d Mississippi Cavalry. WORLD CONNECT See letter 1 below.
Milburn Edward Manning, Private, Company K, 2d Mississippi Cavalry. WORLD CONNECT See tall tale below.
Francis Manning, Private, Company K, 2d Mississippi Cavalry. WORLD CONNECT
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LETTER 1
207 Meadow St.
Naugatuck, Conn.
Dear Mary:
I was somewhat surprised to get a letter from you today. So far as I understand you are my Sister Lydia's great-grand-
daughter. She was my oldest sister. Thomas Harris married two of my sisters. There were eighteen of we children and I
am the only one now ?.
Your great-grandfather Tom Harris, was my captain in the Confederate army and his oldest son Jim, was colonel of the
fourth Mississippi cavalry. My brother Jeff Burks, was Captain of Co. K, fourth Miss. Cavarly. Jim and Tom Harris, Jr., were
both killed in the battle of Dallas, Ga, , and my brother Jeff was wounded in the same battle. John Harris was in that same
battle was not hurt and died here in Austin about fifteen years ago. Andrew Harris died at Belton, Texas, some years since.
William also died at Belton about fifty years ago. Homer, the youngest boy, died at Whitney, Texas, some ten years ago. Emma
Harris Smith, the youngest girl, is still ? at Whitney. I went to school with one of the Manning boys in Mississippi but
don't remember which one it was. This is all I can remember of the family history, and hope it will be of some benefit to you.
I am now ninety years of age and the youngest veteran in the Confederate Home. I attended the reunion between the Blue
and Gray at Gettysburg last summer. I met quite a few of the Union soldiers and all had a grand time.
Your great uncle,
R. L. Burks
Letter copied exactly from typed copy sent by Mary Heald Sterrett to Kathryn Manning circa 1977.
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LETTER 2
T. J. Burks
Comanche County, Texas Dec. 25, 1909
I was borned in Tolbert, County, Georgia, Oct 13, 1833. My mother died when I was 2 years old. I was cared for by my oldest sister Lyddia. The wife of Thomas Harris and an old negro woman who then belonged to my Father. Sister Lyddia lived 8 miles from my father and the good old mama negro had mostly the amediately care of me. I often now in reflecting back to my raising think of these two good old benefactreses. That had so much trouble with me and was so good and kind. It makes my heart to abound with gratitude for them notwithstanding thay have been dead these many years. My father was born in Caboot (I coudn't really read this) county, Missippi.
I received what education I have from a most excellent man and a finished Schollar. By the name of John W. Wofford who taught in Hillboro, Scott County Missippi. I grew to manhood in that County and State. The first vote I cast was to kill Nothingism. A trick gotten up to weaken the Democratic party, and to give strength to the Republican party. I have always fought ever side ishue gotten up to injure the Democratic party. I have never voted any other Ticket but Simon Pure Democratic in my life. After I finished my school days I taught school in Leak County Miss. While teaching their I received intelligence from my father that C. T. Traylor was killed who lived on frontier of Texas. And his Wife and children were left in deploreable conditin in that wild county without protection. And he wanted me to abadon my school and go after her and children amediately. I turned my school over to J. P. Harris (a nephew) and left Miss for Texas in Oct. 1855. I had never traviled any before that time. I met with many impediments, but nothing serious. I saw many sights and curiosities that kept my mind imploid so much I did not get loansome. I got to Burnett, Burnett County Texas Nov. 1855. My sister had been moved to Burnett from the place she had been ? when her husband C. T. Traylor was killed. Traylor being a mason, the Masonic Lodge at Burnett and loaned her one hundred dollars, took care of her until I arrived. I got their about 3 oclock in the evening, very hungry and tierd. I asked sister Bettie if she could fix some dinner for me. She said that she did not have a mouthful in the house. You can imagin Dear children how I felt. I was young, strong, healthy and determined but all the horrows of life came up before me like a mountain and as quick as lightning. It was just before her youngest Traylor child was born (Camp Traylor). (correction by Don M. Burks, this should be Champ.) That and being without anything to eat and being in a wild country infested with savage indians and desporadoes. All this loomed up before me and struck me with such force I had to give vent to inward emotions by outward demonstrations. Tears ushered forth from my eyes with groanings I could nit supress. I ofen walked down to a (this sentence at the bottom of page one is missing, by DMB) . but it
I could do. (<Left over from missing sentence page 1, by DMB) I did not get over it in a week. When I got so I could talk, I asked sister Bettie where I coud get some for us to eat. She pointed to a little house. I went their bought a quarter of beef and a bushel of meal. She prepared dinner for me, while eating she said that was the first time since ? Traylors death that she had been entirely out of anything to eat. That expression relieved me some. This was one of the most trying events of my life. Sister Bettie said her neighbors had been very kind and good to her in her distress. Soon after I ate my dinner her little house was filled with neighbor women. After talking with them for awhile I asked them if they were a fare specimen of the size of the Ladies in Texas. One jolly old lady (inserted later- said -, DMB) we are babies beside the most of the women of Texas. not one of those Ladies but what would have waid over two hundred lbs. I said to them Texas was a large state, had big grass, big horses, and cattle big women, everything big but timber. In settling Sister Betties affairs I had to travel a great deal almost without roads trails and paths mostly and through a country invested with savage indians and despoiliers an alone. I traviled from Burnett to San Sabba back to Burnett, from their back to Sanantonia, from their to Austin. Went in the Capital. Heard Gov. Beasie inaugrel address, got a view of all the Legislators. It was indeed a curiosity to me. Some of them were dressed in skins from head to foot. Had on wild cat skins, buck skin pants and shoes, bear skin coats. It was very ludicrus and some of them were as finely dressed men as I ever saw. All of them had intelligent faces. I left Austin 22 or 23 day of December to return to Burnett That evening came up the worst Norther that ever visited Texas. The man I staid with that night tried to get me not to travil that day. I had 18 miles to get to Burnett. I had to pass over a high mountain after I got over that mountain I discovered I could move nothing but my fingers, I felt easy and sleepy. I knew I in a very critical condition. I began to work my fingers as fast as I could and then my rist joints and so on until I could pull my riught leg over the cantil of my saddle threw my left leg around the horn of my saddle, pulled the left leg from the stirup got boath feet on the ground. I went through every evilution that ever did in order to get joints to working and blood to circulating again, and when I accomplished that object it looked like I would freeze to death in spite of everything I could do. I ran, I jumped, stomped faught the wind in fact I done every thing I could to get warm my teeth nocking together and my body shaking like a leaf I clome up on my horse ran him about a mile before I got to Sister Betties. She had a good fire. I drank 1/2 glass of brandy, finally got warm. I did not get intirely over that shock in a month. I heard that a good many Stage drivers froze to death with the llines in their hands and that many were caught out as I was froze to death. A big stock man told me he had 500 head head of cattle to freeze to death standing on their feet in one bunch. He said they were thir to show and one man that disbelie it and others told me it was a fact. They saw them dead standing on their feet. I wrote my father a short letter during that spell of weather I had my ink on the hearth close to a good fire and my table as close as I could sit I could not write a word with more than three letters without thawing my pen before writing again. I have named those circumstances that you may know how cold it has been in Texas. We left Burnett Texas in March 1856 for Mississippi in a two horse wagon and team, with very little money to defray expenses. I paid the Mason Lodge the hundred dollars they loaned my Sister by taking twenty dollars out of what money I had. When we got to Shrieveport we had one dollar. I bought bushel of meal, we eat corn bread bread, and fed our tem out of it until I sold wagon and horses two feather beds camp equipage for one hundred and twentfive dollars.. Took steam boat and went to Neworleans from their up Miss R to Vixburg. Staid all night on Waf boat. Our bill was 9 dollars. Could not pay the bill and have money enough to get Rail R tickets to Brandon. I poned a fine double barrel shotgun of sister Betties for our bill. Got to Brandon that night. We neither had dinner or supper and my Sisters children were crying for something to eat and had not a ct to buy anything to eat and 37 miles to go on stage coach before reaching home and no money for stage fare. I fortunately knew stage contractor I went to him told him my condition. He said he would pay my fare to Hillsboro and I could pay the Post Master their he gave me a pass marked paid. As I turned to go out of his office I have always believed and always will that he sliped a five dollar gold piece in my pocket unobserved by me. As I was walking to the Depot I thrust my hands in my pocket (being cold and wet) I felt some thing heavier than a button. I walked to a light in a store, pulled it out and to my surprise it was five dollars in gold. I walked to an eating establishment bought ham and bread, carried it to the depot where Bettie and the children were. You just ought to have seen those children. They laid hold of that bread and ham like hungry puppies, stopped crying (poor things) all of us enjoyed it emensly. I tell you I was relieved, boath stomach and mind. We got home the next day, there was great rejoicing among the relitives. It was the 5th day of April 1856. I and and a negrow boy I owned worked on farm for Thomas Harris the remainder of the year for two hundreddollars. The first time I I went to Church after my return from Texas I met Miss Evah M Lassetter who became my Wife Decemeber 23, 1856 and we have lived happly together since our marriage. The rights of matrimony were solomized by Eld. J. G. Crecilius at her fathers house. many people selebrated our marriage I presenting them selves at the supper table which was excelently furnished and served nicely. The large crowd at our wedding were invited to dine at the Harris's (The next day at 12 oclock. My sister Lydia who mostly raised me gave us a most magnificent enfare. She had invited many beside the wedding crowd. there was a crowd sure enough their.
The table was suplied with all kins of eatibles and finely dressed as could be and served by black darkies who knew how to wait on a table. It was beautiful day and the large crowd injoyed themselves emensly. In 1857 I contracted with my Father to take his 2 farms and negrow and make a crop for him. I made a good crop. During that year I bought a small farm near one of my Fathers farms. In moving to my farm I had considerable trouble, had to cross 2 creeks that the bridges were washed away by high water. We carried our effects over one of them on a foot log. A brother was to met us with their wagon and team, carried ourgoods to the next three the last creek a very large one. The bottom, two miles wide was covered with water. We had to make a raftout of logs by linning them together we put our effects on the raft and paddled it over. A brother was to meet us with their wagon and a team. The water being so high thought he could not come, however he came in horseback to see if we had come. He went back home got wagon and team and driver. Got to us about sun down. We loaded started out. A slough close to the start in crossing that slough the covering on bridge roled up in front of his wheels, team gave back, the hind axle droped down on the sleepers and their wagon and goods stayed all night. I put my wifes saddle on the horse my brother rode in, put a negrow boy behind my wifes started out I leading the horse water knee deep to half a side deep to the horse for two miles. Very often the channal closeto the road and no light except starlight in a dense timbered swamp. At one time I thought I was wrong. I knew I was close to a place that I had noticed a long blaze made by an axe on a sweetgum tree above the road in middle of slough. and knew the channell of the creek was close by. I gave the bridle to my Wife, told her not to move untill I returned. I waided into the slough, found the mark on the sweetgum tree, went back took the bridle (considerably relieved) and went on our way. When we got to the slough I knew would swim the horse. I told my Wife sit strait and firm and hold firm to the horn of her saddle. Told the negrow to hold tight to the cantle of the saddle. When we got over that slough we would be on land again it would swim a few licks on. I waided in up to my chin before pulling the horse in, so I could out of the way of the horse while swimming. We were a proud set when we got on land. Wet and cold we went to Rol Seaberry's about a mile from their. Got dry clothes and supper, staid the night. The men we left with wagon and team six of them and six oxen in team. They mounted on ox a piece came out singing a corn shucking negrow song. We got out about 10 oclock. They got out about 12 oclock that night. The next day we got everything home went to housekeeping and enjoyed life. Made good crops and were prosperous and happy until Civile war broke out. James Harris, John Gaddis and myself made up a cavilry company, organized it by electing Harris Captain, John Gaddis First Lt. myself second Lt. John F. harris third Lt. mustered into service at Morton Miss by Col. Gordon Marchison. Sent our report to Gov. Pettus Co K of Miss. Received our commissions ordered to report at Columbus Miss. go into camp of instruction their and wait for orders. We organised our regment by electing Chas Gordon Lieutenant Col. and Captain James Harris Major. Our reg was afirst fourth but afterwards we were second asitained we were the secon. We remained at Columbus untill after the battle of Shilough after that in actif servace until closed. We soldiered through Tenn. Miss Ala & Georgiain battle ot Thomp station. Helped to capture Shafter and Coborn their got one side of my coat tale shot off. lost good many men out of my company their in battle of Franklin in battle Iuka in battle of brantwood got horn of my saddle shot off and a hole through my horses ear at Brantwood. The first fight Capt Gaddis got in he amediately resigned and I was promoted to Captain and commanded company until the war closed. I was badly wounded throuh the right thy near Dalto Georgia came near bleeding to death. knew nothing from 8 oclock in evening until 10 oclock next day. I was carried to Atlanta Geoin hospittle, I laid their about 6 weeks. Came near dying while their. I was transfered from their to Montgumry Hospittle, from their I got leave of absence home. I staid at home about 6 months. had my leave of absence extended to that time. Shortly after I got back to my command I got in Selma Ala fight. I was captured their. I was informed by Ser (Don's comments, maybe Les) White that he had heard the guards talking that night and they intended to shoot one capt. and thirty men. They got us uo at mid night. I told White after he gave me that information to go tel every prisnor that would stand the test from mouth to ear let no yankey hear him. That at a loud whistle I would give to jump the guard in front of him, rench his gun free shout to his right and follow me. That we would not be shot down like beeves. after the yankey Officer got in line in the streets of Selma he went to left of the line asking what is your rank, came to me, what is your rank I answered in a loud tone Captain. I looked down the line about 10 faces turned to me leaning a little forward ready to take their bound. I asked that yankey officer what his object was getting us up that time of night, was it to shot one Captain and 30 men, just at that moment a curier came up running with paper in his hand gave it to the yankey officer. He read it, turned to me and that was the object but I hold orders in my hand countermanding those orders and suspending the matter until further orders. the yankey offier spoak in a very exciting and tremulus tone. To have carried out our intention would have been a desperate, daring thing indeed. And if that yankey officer had not qualified it soon as he did, the signal would have been given, and our work would have been like lightning. To think we were to be shot down like dogs was enough to push us to desperation. Sergent White told me afterwards he had heard my voice thousands of time sbefore but that night it was lowder, clearer, shriler than ever before, and had death knell that he could not understand. He said no wonder that yankey officer trembled. he said it made him feel shaky. Gen. Forest got news of it. He sent a dispatch to Gen. Wilson the yankey commander that if he shot any of his men he Forrest would shoot ten for every one he shot of his men. That put a stop to it.
The yankeys carried me to Macon, Georgia on that march I witnessed all the horrors of war. Gin houses and cotton burned, plow horses, mules shot down in the plow. White ladies trunks broken open, robed of all their fine baby clothing and given to black negrow women to put on their black negrow babys.
A Columbus Georgia where they camped, all the sugar, molasses, flour they could not haul they broak open and litterally covered the ground where they camped. I asked the guard that was guarding me why they did that. He said with an oath if they couldnt whip us they intended to starve us to death. That method was starving the women and children, that is not civilized warfare.
The yankeys paroled me at Macon Georgia, gave me a horse and saddle to ride home. I knew the country between macon and where I lived had been devistated by the yankey army and it would be a difficult to get something to eat and feed my horses. I bought a horse from a negrow paid him in confederate money. We and our horses suffered for something to eat. I got home in July 1865, worn with fatigue and hungry but greatly rejoiced to be with my wife and babies once more. I employed two negrow men, built a good house on my farm after my renters moved out. We moved home. The first cotton I made sold for 37 cts per lb. In 1868 I sold my farm to move to Texas. The roads were so verybad. I postponed moving until the next year. We left Miss. in November 1869 for Texas, got to Roany on Miss. Riv. found out we had to cross the Riv. in a very sorry old flat boat. I carried my wagon one of ? Lasseter's wagons and team first trip, made quick trip with no trouble. The next trip took one wagon and team and twenty five women and children, directly after we started the wind rose very high. We kept close to the east side of the Riv. a mile, got in the mouth of an old cut off the Riv. had made in time in mud and a little water and their we remained from early in the morning until sundown. We did not know what moment we all would be lost. The wind tremendously high, waves roling on the Riv. like mountains, all looking to me for protection, and I could do nothing, bailing water out of the old flat all of the time. It was a very distressing condition indeed to be in.
Fortunately I saw two negrow men in a life boat coming down the River rifing the waves successfully. I signaled them to me. I asked them if they could carry us across safely. They said they could, four at a load. I asked girls who would go first. Fannie and Emma Harris, Laura & Mattie Traylor; the remaining in the flat stood trembling and watching unitl they landed safely, the negrows continued to carry us over, the last trip about sundown. I tel you we all felt proud and thankful that we had escaped such harrows unhurt. We all started on our journey to Texas after crossing the River. We got Bro Frank Burks' in Hill Co. Texas Dec 23, 1869. I had one dollar when we got their and owed J. R. Burks one hundred dollars borrowed to defray expenses. When the war ended I owed a right smart of money. It took about all I had to pay my ante war debts and equip me for the move. I rented land from Bro Frank the first year, the next year rented from from him & Jo Wilson. That summer after laying by our crops Tom Harris, Ben Lassetter and myself came and looked over Comanche County, were well pleased with the country, bought land, moved on it, broke up land, fenced it and made good crops. We made 30 and 40 bushels of corn per acre od sod land, rented land for wheat made forty bushels of wheat per acre on Dave Cunninghams farm and Tom Wilson's farm. Planted a little cotton as an experiment, it done well. We claim we developed this country as cotton country. I hauled my cotton to Iredell to get it ginned, a distance of 45 miles, carried my first wheat to Clifton to get it ground a distance of 85 miles in the year 1872. We were put to great inconveniences at that time. My children grew up large enough to be in school. Our country schools were of very little benefit at that time. I saw I could not stay on my farm, educate my children as I wished. I rented my farm, moved to Comanche, put four in school first year, had from five down to one for twelve years in Comanche schools. I now feel gratified that I pursued the course I have with my children. We have had ten childern borned, five are dead and five are liveing. All that are liveing are close around us. That is the greatest earthly satifaction we have in our old decrepit age. Our children are all highly respected and doing well. They love home yet notwithstanding they are all married. They love Pa and Ma. Not only love Pa and Ma but they Honor Father and Mother. And they prove their faith by their works. We have set good examples, gave them good advise, and tried to raise them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. I and wife have been married fifty-three years 23 day of this month. We have lived happily together. We joined the Primitive Baptist at Damascus, Scott County Mississippi, September 1866. We never have been called on by our church to answer for any misdemeanor. I have been before any court of justice to answer for any violation of law.
I unfortunately got badly clippled on S. P. Railroad at Dallas, Texas in October 1892, rendered me incable of doing anything in way of supporting my family. My good children have been taking care of us since that accident. My friends had two the best surgents in Dallas to attend me. My left leg was broaken in two places, just above my ankle, bone slit, each half came through my leg and got full of black mud in the fall. My right arm was verry near torn from my body and broaken between elbo and shoulder, ribs broaken. It was indeed a merrical I ever walked again. I have passed through many sore tryals and yet the happy recipient of God's goodness and mercy. When leaving after this accident I was put on an express car and carried to Forney for Dr L. L. Jones, a son-in-law who lived ther to attend me, he and my daughter were verry attentive and kind to me. My wife came as soon as she could get their. I had to lay on my back one month before I could sit up in bed. When they started home with me, I sit in a chair two men carrying it, my broaken on a feather pillor and my wife carring that, head of two men toating me, put me in cars. My wife sat in front of me, my broaken leg on pillor in her lap from Forney home, a tiresome trip for her. When we left Miss, we did not call for our church letters until after we came to Texas. I wrote Bro. Crecelius for our letters, also my impressions to preach. Thought I would get shet of them but I did nt. The church licensed me to preach wherever the Load may direct me. I have occationally preached ever since. Verry little this year on account of not being well enough. I and my wife were in the constitution of the first Primitive Baptist Church constitued in Comanche County (Shilough Church). I believe in communion with God through the Holy Spirit (Proff) 1st Cor. 2 chap. 9:10 vs. Eye hath not seen nor heard, neither have entered into the heart of man. The things God hath prepared them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit, for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea the deep things, of God.
Children, I have written a brief biography by your request and benefit. I hope you all will live honestly, trouthfully and punctual. "Those that hath friends must first show themselves friendly". Live a life that you can say, I have lit a bright candle that my children can walk in thelight thereoff. Give them good advice, Set them good examples, controle them well, and when you get old they will be of great comfort to you, And when you are gone to lay their bodies down in death, I hope the Lord will be your stay, guide and comfort in passing through the valley of the shadow of death, and lastly receive you all to himself in glory.
Your loveing Father & Mother,
T. J. & E. M. Burks
This letter courtesy of Don M. Burks
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TALL TALE?
There is a tale told in the Manning family that grandpa got tired of the war and no longer had a decent horse. He was missing his family and farm. He asked the major if he could go home. The major said no, so he knocked the major off of his horse, took it, and went home. All of those who knew more of the story were long dead before anyone in the family got into genealogy. It is my guess that the grandpa was Milburn Edward Manning. He'd have been 39 years old when the war began, with nine children. The eldest, Francis, also served with Company K.
Tale related, with reservations about the relations, by Lillian Estelle Jones Manning to Bob Manning
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