The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1861-12-11
Correspondence of the Freeman
From Kentucky.
BOYD, HARRISON Co.. Ky
II II 4 NhInON %, ny, I
December s. 1861 {

December s, 1861. {
EDITOR FREEMAN At a time when the at.
tentlon OF the people il TUNED towards Ken
tucky TO note the important part she IS now Ia
KING IN this sanguinary struggle . few words
with regard to the tone Of feeling exhibited Nv
both parties may net BE- wholly embarrassing to
some or your readers.
L came to Kentucky he first OF October. At
that time the Northern troops were being shipped
via Cincinnati and Lexington to Camp Dick
Robinson. A regiment also detached to auaTd
the bridges on the Central Road was being dis
tTlbuted along the line. Arrests Of many lead
ing lnauentil II citizens with pr0cliyitIes known
to be hostile to the Federal Government, were
beng made, and they, without trial. carried
without the limits of the State All these
things, with many Others, taking place within a
short time had tendency to create no little ex-
element, and public feeling was highly aroused.
as might well have been expected, under such
circumstances. Several other movements in diff.
teicnt sections Simultaneous with these, added
not little to alarm the rebeNous spirits for their
personal safety and caused the Unonsts to feel
IN some degree that their redemption drew near.
while the former munbled their discomfort and
with closed mouths most devoutiy prayed Zolli-
Golfer TO deliver them By that class it was said
that the Federal forces were sent to oyerrun
and vanquish the State like Goths and Vandals
that their wives and children would b, sacrj
feed, their homes destroyed, their property con-
hscated, &c. But none OF these preparations
ever having been committed, and the soldiers
not only showing themselves humane, but civil
lied men, these vague app:ehensions gradually
subsidized, unit! now but little fears are enter
tainei of their 5arbarity. Much false alarm
was also spread by would be officials among
these Southern sympathizers too readily be.
lleved by them-that they would be arrested for
mere expression, that they would probably lie
drafted into Government service, and the like
which caused many to leave their homes and
fly to their rebel allies, thinking it the safest
course left for them to pursue But the timely
and very candid Proclamation of Gen Sherc an
lad the happy effect, in great measure, of coup
teractng this, and many Of them returned to
their homes and business
have during my short stay made the az.
qualntance of several influential and highly e.
teemed citizens, with whom have freely talked
these matters, and who, without reserve. ayowc6 |
themselves the friends and sympathizers with |
this Southern element They all speak about |
one sentiment. They do not believe in theripbt
Of secession-they think South Carolina had no
ground OF complaint, Sufficient to Justify her in
leaving the Union, and that she, with all the
rest, committed an egregious wrong in making
he attempt. They also as firmly believe. as
aught them by their lord and master, Brecken-
ldge, that Llncoln's course was Just as illegal
IND wrong in attempting coercion, that he
lad no authority whatever for declaring war,
ND that the whole affair from beginning to end
$ the result OF an Administration whose sole
bJect is emancipation and the final extermina-
ion of Slavery.
Entertaining such views, their fears not lit
lie heightened by the bold and decided step oil
he Government forces, destroying entirely their
ooweb neutrality behind which they thought
o screen their works OF aid and comfort with
cir Southcrn brethren, it is not surprising to
&c them very quiet and reticent, praying only
Or peace, peace, at any sacrifice 1t NAV be OBJ
aimed by the Federal Government. But not n
lngle instance have yet on record where thew
1ould secure it by the South receding q stem
rom the stand they have taken. The Union men
q this section are much the strongest Slavery
Gems to form no part of the basis upon which
he two parties have fixed their principles, as
aveholders and Observation-Disclosures may be found
? equal numbers upon both sides, although the
jnionists consider the existence of slavery de-
ending entirely upon the pcrpeiuation Of the
mon. According to the most reliable accounts
here are now upwards Of one hundred thousand
lOO,OOO) Union troops in Kentucky, and
lrge numbers are being shipped here from the
Jas. every day. A grand concentration is now
akng place in the Southwestern part of the
tate, towards which all the forces are now d.
ccted, with the intention of attacking Buckner
t Bowling Green. This engagement is looked
Dr. every day, and will undoubtedly be the Sc
crest battle yet fought-Manassas not excepted,
and the result to whichever side fails viii tell
With fearful consequences. To-days papers con-
lin accounts of Vermont having repealed her
'e.sonal Liberty Bill, which has caused many
arty compliments to lie paid her, for soundness
nd integrity, in this quarter.
Yours truly,
q. B. DURANT.