Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-11-02
Letterfrom Padueah.
lFron the Memphis Appeal.

Items, relative 10 an AIR IN this section. For
prudential reasons omit the names of par
ties and dates, but FIR the truth of every
statement made you may rest assured
Paducah is at this time occupied by about
$500 troops. two thirds or three fourlhs of
whom are Germans. They are tolerably well
equipped aud drilled, and are better oHicered
than is generally admitted concerning The
Federal troops. Very little reliance, however,
is placed upon the troops by their own off.
ce, s; and upon every occasion when an attack
on Padncah is expected the general spirit
manifested By the soldiers is of great dullness
not to say scowardce. sssH e
Some exaggerations have been entertained
about the Publications constructed about he
place The breastworks are small. aud noun
ting only two heavy guus-eshirty two poun-
ders-- the balance being six aud twelve poun-
6ers The bitches are only Eve feet wide and
four and halt feet deep. The greatest OBJ
stacle to be encountered by au assaulting
force is an abattis of trees, which extend from
three TO FIVE hundred yards III half circle in
front of the whole work, giving clear range
to their guns and making the obstruction
complete against cavalry attack. That it
would cost some lives now to take the place
is undoubtedly true, but that it could bave
been done month ago without any severe
loss Is equally true. But to consider the feat
as impossible, or the object as not worth the
cost of the undertaking. is rather beyond my
understanding, and such an idea favOrs too
much the plans and views the Federal OFF,
Ger have, to be accepted.
The accumulation of stores and provisions
here is immense--worth at least two millions
of dollars; and within the last few days some
lumber has heen purchased for the purpose of
building winter quarters. Large numbers OF
mules have been bought and are daily being
trained 10 harness. The hospital is used as an
IL obs a-i tbic nj
is intended to be made the headquarters of "a
large army t. operate in Western Kentucky
and down the river. J-t3
Few of the breastworks and intrenchments
are completed yet, and only portion of the
guns are mounted; and this, added to other
reasons, makes the apprehension of an attack
felt the more truly here.
You are aware that the bridge broke loose
some time ago. The fats yet lie on both
shores, mostly on this side. 1t may be re-
constructed, but with slight chances of ever
standing the fail rise of the Ohio. 1t was
avowedly built for the purpose Of retrealing
in case of successful attack, and our Dutch
heroes feel rather sadly the loss of it.
1t is impossible to imagine any hing so
dull as our streets at present. We are all
looked upon with suspicion by the Hessans,
and The few who remained TO save their
property have dearly paid for what benefit
tucS Hdsc Otilbe0 tTOm OOlDS ~. he OdL0
is administered to everybody, even women
and boys. ysftt
Gen. Smith aud the whole army feel that
they are surrounded by enemies, silent or
avowed, and the officers of education and re.
fnement, experience keenly the modification
of meeting no sympathy anywhere, and are
getting every day more Disguised with their
mission. The lower class of soldiers hate US
for it. and seize with eagerness every oppor-
kupf ~ h.,f fha aF
fined sentiments see that we act as free and
brave people, and they suffer from the cause
to no small extent.
Lately, this spirit of revenge had a fair &C.
easion to manifest itself in the destruction of
all the trees around Paducah. The finest res
licences of our place were cleared of their or
naments in few minutes. Nothing was re-
spected, from the oak that had protected the
Indian before our day, down to the shrub
planted by our own hands last spring.
The loss to our private property is i'm
mense, and the scene of desoiation most sad.
Such an aeh of vandalism could not be per-
formed but by order of the Black eRepubli-
can, petty despot, lincoln Land when you
consider that according 10 the same principle
of protecting batteries erected inside of d
city, all the houses, as well as public monu-
ments, are likewise liable to be destroyed,
you arrive at conclusion far from being
uOoOtdpiC " ~hSiLS war upOu eUCu
rules. They must plead a great ignorance,
either of 3arfare or of civilization. -
As to the oeth, foreigners are compelled to
fake it, They do it mostly thI ough indiffer-
ence, yet wonder 1t has not already occur
red to Gen. Smith that the British or French
Governments might have very serious objec-
tons to have any of their subjects sign an
oath 'to protect the Government of the Uni
iedStates against ali foreign or domestic en-
H..
Washington. Remarkably constitutional, is
it not?
Asfew days ago, the report came here that
Capt. Clay King was in town. Instantly all
outlets were closed--no more permits grant
ed. Mrs. has husband who is about
dying, three miles from town. She went to
General Smith for permit to take her ply
stefan out to him. 1t could not be done.
She proposed to take with her four pbysi
clans, surgeon of the army, and picket
guard. No; the order was positive and no
deviation could be made from it. Mrs. -
not only had the exquisite comfort of not
procuring for her husband the required as
but could not even go back herself
to administer to him. The restriction lasted
twenty-four hours. OF course, Clay King
was not in town. A lot of negroes belong
ing to two well known ladies reported that
their mistr esses intended to run them off to
tennessee, ana LDeY were SeiZeQ by MILL airy
authority and detained. 1t is questionable
whether they will be released or confiscated.
The ladies themselves were put under arrest,
at their own houses, for week, but were Fl
naliy released on taking the oath. = y
Isay nothing of arrests-they are so many
that all become Indifferent to the matter. A
party of soldiers closed their fun one day in
stoning with brickbats the house of widow
lady. now residing in Lexington, because it
was rented to man, who was absent at the
time, and who was known for. his Southern
sentiments. The Mynheers engaged in this
brave work were, of course, reproved by
Gen Payne. But damage was done, and
you do not suppose that it was Compensated
for. s.isess9 :. - So 3 Eissss k4
Well. this is enough. While Kentucky re-
mained neutral we hoisted up the Southern
flag. We met in convention aud spoke South
freely. We sent to the Congress at Washing
ton the only member elected upon a seces-
sion platform. Having peace at home, We
raised companies and sent them 10 fight the ]
battles OF the South, We begged our State
for assistance, and we beg the South for as
sistance. Louisville called US traitors. and
the North called US rebels. The South called
Us friends, but offered no assistance. At
last, forsaken by ali parties, We fell a prey to
an insidods foe. and We fed, leaving behind
property and fortune We are scattered to
the four wiHds, fugitiyes from home-soldiers