While held at Enterprise, our men learned of the existence of a
government within the State of Mississippi, of which most readers of
history are to this day ignorant. They were informed that early in the
days of secession Jones County, which touches Clarke County on the
southwest, by its leading citizens, withdrew from the Confederacy,
declaring themselves a free and independent people, organized a special
and distinct government, under the name of the "Republic of Jones,"
adopted a constitution modeled after that of the United States, elected
a President and officers of State, and refused to contribute men or
money to the cause of the Rebellion. The census of 1860 gives the
population of Jones County at 3,323. So that the standing army of Jones
could not, if made up of the able-bodied males, have been very
formidable.
The cause which compelled the brave people of Jones to sever their
connection with the most of mankind, seems to have been plunder. In the
absence of C. S. A. troops, marauding parties sallied forth, capturing
mules, horses, cotton, grain, and whatever else could be easily
transferred, and when pursued or upon the approach of troops, hastily
retreated and disbanded, seeking safety in swamps or other places
difficult of access, remaining in hiding until the apparent danger had
passed. It is stated that the Republic did not in any manner contribute
to the cause of the C. S. A.
While the prisoners never became thoroughly posted in the principles of
that Republic it looked at one time as if they would get, in an
unpleasant manner, a knowledge of its practical workings. Enterprise was
about forty miles from the seat of government of Jones. Held at
Enterprise were about 100 officers of various regiments, (some of
colored troops,) besides the officers of the 9th Cavalry and 3d
Tennessee Cavalry captured at Sulphur Branch Trestle. The commander of
the post was a Major Edward Ward, a resident of Indiana before the war,
who had gone South in 1858, engaged in business, became identified with
the people and interests of that section, and united his fortunes with
those of the Confederacy at the breaking out of the war. He had not been
so long away from the North as to have grown indifferent to his old
home--he still had a soft place in his heart for Indiana. He invited the
officers of the 9th to his headquarters and treated them as hospitably
as his position and condition would allow. At roll-call at 10 o'clock,
October 15, 1864, Major Ward informed the prisoners that he had just
received information through his scouts that the Republic of Jones was
threatening to capture the prison camp and massacre the prisoners, for
the alleged reason that the imprisoned officers had commanded negro
troops. He said he would not be able to protect them against the
superior force and did not know what to do. The proposition of Major
Lilly, following the announcement of the commander of the post, must
have been in the nature of a surprise: "If you can not protect us allow
us to protect ourselves." Major Ward asked what he meant by that. Major
Lilly explained that he meant that the commander should place arms and
ammunition in the hands of the prisoners, and then if they were murdered
no blame could attach to him. Major Ward said that the arming of
prisoners was without precedent, and would certainly be dangerous when
they were numerically stronger than their guard. Major Lilly admitted
that the proceeding was unusual, but the circumstances justified the
innovation, and proposed that all the prisoners pledge their honor as
officers and men to use the arms only in defence of themselves against
the anticipated attack, and to surrender them when the danger was ended.
The pledge was taken, and in the afternoon two wagon loads of muskets
and one of ammunition were delivered to the prisoners, the guards were
taken off, and each officer selected his gun and put it in condition for
immediate use. Lieut. Harrod, who had not sufficiently recovered the use
of his leg--wounded at Sulphur Branch Trestle--to be able to walk, was
confined to the camp. Thus armed and equipped, the unwonted spectacle
was presented of the Yank and Johnny marching side by side against the
common enemy--Major Lilly, in the full uniform of the United States
Army, with his gun at a right shoulder, by the side of a rebel, marching
in the picket squad to the front. It was perhaps the earliest instance
of the fraternizing of the Blue and the Gray.
The prisoners remained on duty three days and nights without being
attacked. The enemy had learned that their plans were discovered and
preparations made to meet them. A fight upon fair terms was not what
they wanted, and they had withdrawn.
True to their pledged word the prisoners surrendered and stacked their
arms--no gun nor man missing. They had shown that they were as honorable
as brave, and from that time until they were sent North they were
allowed greater freedom of movement--the guards simply patroled the
camp. Citizens were allowed free access to camp, but the prisoners were
not permitted to talk to them or the negroes on politics or the war.