Editor _Constitution_, Atlanta, Ga.
Dear Sir: I am writing to invoke your kind assistance in tracing an old
family negro of mine who disappeared in 1864, between my stock farm in
Floyd County and my home place, locally known as Tommeysville, in
Jefferson County. The negro's name was Eneas, a small, grey-haired old
fellow and very talkative. The unexpected movement of our army after the
battle of Resaca, placed my stock farm in line of the Federal advance
and exposed my family to capture. My command, Tommey's Legion, passing
within five miles of the place, I was enabled to give them warning, and
they hurriedly boarded the last south-bound train. They reached
Jefferson County safely but without any baggage, as they did not have
time to move a trunk. An effort was made to save the family silver, much
of it very old and highly prized, especially a silver cup known in the
family as the "Bride's Cup" for some six or eight generations and
bearing the inscription:
"Ye bryde whose lippes kysse myne
And taste ye water an no wyne
Shall happy live an hersel see
A happy grandchile on each knee."
These lines were surrounded with a wreath and surmounted by a knight's
head, visor down, and the motto: "Semper Fidelis."
This cup was hurriedly packed with other silver in a hair trunk and
intrusted to Eneas with verbal instructions as to travel. He drove an
old-fashioned, flea-bitten blooded mare to a one-horse wagon full of
forage and carried all the Confederate money the family left, to pay his
expenses. He was last seen, as I ascertained soon after the war from a
wounded member of my command, about eight miles southeast of Atlanta,
asleep in the wagon, the mare turning to the right instead of keeping
the straight road to Macon. Eneas was a faithful negro, born and raised
in the Tommey family and our belief is he was murdered by army
stragglers and robbed of the trunk. He had never been over the road he
was traveling, as we always traveled to North Georgia by rail, shipping
the horses likewise. His geographical knowledge consisted of a few
names--places to which I had at different times taken him, and in the
neighborhood of my home, such as Macon, Sparta, Louisville, and the
counties of Washington and Jefferson. If given a chance to talk he would
probably confine himself to "Lady Chain," the mare he was driving;
"Lightning," the noted four-mile stallion temporarily in my possession;
the Tommey family and our settlement, "Tommeysville." On these topics he
could talk eighteen hours a day.
I have no hope of ever seeing Eneas again, for if living he would have
gotten back if he had to travel all over the South to do it, but there
is a bare chance that the cup may be found, and I am writing to gratify
my daughter, whose wedding day is approaching. All brides in the family,
since 1670, have used this cup on their wedding days. If the cup was
stolen, doubtless the thieves sold it, and if so, the holder may read
these lines if they are given publicity. I am willing to waive any
question of ownership and purchase the cup at the holder's valuation, if
within my power; or, if unwilling to sell, he may loan the cup for a few
days.
I shall be greatly obliged if you will publish this letter with a
request that all Southern papers, daily and weekly, copy the same.
Thanking you in advance and with all good wishes for your happiness and
prosperity, I am, most respectfully,
Your obed't servant,
George E. Tommey,
Late Major, Tommey's Legion, C. S. A. P. O., Louisville, Ga.
* * * * *
Althea Lodge, Fayette Co., Ga.
October 15, 1872.
Maj. Geo. E. Tommey,
Louisville, Ga.
Dear Major Tommey: I read with deep interest and sympathy your letter
in the _Atlanta Constitution_ inquiring of a negro named Eneas. This
man, I am sure, came to my house about twenty miles south of Atlanta in
1864. I remember the occasion perfectly, because he mentioned your name
and one of my boys was serving in your command. I gave him shelter for
the night and food for himself and horse. He insisted on sleeping in his
wagon. He told me that the mare was famous on the race track and very
valuable and he was afraid to leave her. This struck me as singular, at
the time, because she seemed old and broken down. I did not see any
trunk, but his wagon was full of hay and fodder and he may have had one
hidden under it. Eneas asked me to put him on the road to
Thomasville--or so I understood him--and I gave him explicit directions
as far as Newnan, advising him to get more at that point. He was gone
when I arose next morning. I do hope you will find the old man, as well
as the cup. I took quite a fancy to him. He gave me a very vivid
description of yourself--whom I had long wished to meet--and of your
home, the twelve-room house, lawn with its three fountains, beautiful
lake and your hundred negroes in their painted cottages, etc.
Excuse this rambling letter. Your name has stirred an old woman's
memories.
Sincerely your friend,
Martha Horton.
P. S.--My son William, who served in your command, married a
Connecticut girl. Think of it, Major! But she proved to be a
noble-hearted woman and has influenced him to give up tobacco and
stimulants in every form. He travels this territory for a New York
house. His wife is well connected, and one of her ancestors came over in
the Mayflower. She is with me now and sends you her regards. Billy has
convinced her that next to General Joseph Johnston, you were the bravest
man in the Georgia armies.