I was born on July 16, 1862 in Holly Springs, Mississippi. The Civil War was still raging. Holly Springs started off as a small cotton plantation community. But by the time of the War, it had developed into a small architectural paradise. There was not much fighting there, although the town did change hands many times.

During one period while the Union forces controlled the town, some confederate soldiers entered and were met with little resistance, surprising the Union soldiers. They burn and destroyed the business section of town, the armory, and all of the federal supplies. They also destroyed many homes.