Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-11-17
ArFAIlss IN nAsT TENNEsaEE. q
TIE IncendIaPy PI { OF the East Tens
nesPee 1ineOinlses.

HespeO AlUSO1n1aess
FTdh tss' KnarinI. Re sIseT, Kev.Ia.
The deep laid scheme to destroy the railroads in
East Tennessee on Friday night last by an organi~
cation Of Lincolnite traitors extending from bris-
tol to the Georgia line, resulted IN the burning Of
the following bridges
The bridge over the Hiwassee river at Charles
ton. on the East Tennessee and Georgia Railroad.
The bridge over Lick Greek, On the East Tens
nessee and Virginia Railroad.
Tha bridge over the Holster river, st Union, on
the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad.
Two small bridges on Ohicksmaaga Creek, on
the Western and Atlantic Railroad.
The telegraph wires were cut at various places
between Knoxville snd Chattanooga, and Knoxville
and Bristol.
No attempt seems 10 have bsan made upon the
bridge st Loudon, that being well guarded By a
cavalry company. ~
The unsuccessful attempt to bura the bridge at
Strawberry Plains and its preservation By the cour
ageous conduct Of the wstehmFn was alluded to il.
our last issue. We learn that his name is James
Keelan and are glad to learn fron persons who
came down yesterday, that notwithstanding his se-
we're injuries there lie strong hopes of his recovery
Il is known that the man whom be shot in the act of
applying the torch 20 the bridge was Vim Piekens,
son of the late State Senator from Greene, Cooke.
SEWER and Blount countless who was carried by his
fellow conspiratoFs to Sewer county, anc report
ed to have died yesterday. Another man was also
wounded by Ar. Keelan, whose fidelity and cour-
gained him the admiration and sympathy Of the
whole country.
The Lick Creek Bridge was guarded by several
soldiers attached to Capt. McLinn's company, en-
camped near Midway. They vera approached by
gang of rufans who first engaged them in friend
ly conversation and then suddenly attacked and
oVerpowered them, and executed their hellish in
cendiarism. They carried the captured sentirels,
we are told, to house at some distance and after
forcing them to take an oath to support the Lincoln
-.
camp and gave such information as led to the i'm
mediate arrest of six of the ncendiaries, who were
yesterday brought to this city and safely lodged in
jail We learn that they have made confessions
which viii probably lead ~ the capture Of all en-
gagged in this extensive conspiracy.
This diabolical plot does not seem to have
been participated in by the great body of the
East Tennessee Union men, but seems to have
been confined to a number of desperate and reek.
less traitors, who confidently believed that before
they could be brought to justice, the Lincoln
forces from Kentucky would have forced their
way through the mountains to their rescue. They
have again experienced how little dependence is
to be placed upon the boasts and promises Of
Maynard and johnson.
The towards who were reported to be ap-
preaching jamestown and Big Greek Gap, have
retreated back into Kentucky, tn escape from HRr
dee and his brave forces, leaving their duPed and
misguided eolabOrers here to their merited fate.
There Is no earthly probability that any of Lincons
troops will ever be able to force their way into
East Tennessee, and all such attempts as the late
one, must only result In bringing ter
ribe retribuhen upol the heads Of the foolish per-
petrators.
Large reinforcements are now on the way to this
point, both from the East and the West, and such
guards will no doubt be placed along the railroad
route as will be efectusl to Illustrate any similar
attempts in future.
News having been received Of the bridge burn
ing at JacksborO' Col Powell's regiment was i'm
medistely ordered by General ZIllicoffeF to this
plsce, and arrived here yesterday morning. Sew
eral companies Of this regiment will start this
morning for various points along the road.
1t Is rumsred that large numbers Of Union men
are arming and mastering IN BlOunt and Sewer
counties, for the purpose of protecting the incen
diares who attempted to fire the Strawberry Plains
bridge, all of whom, numbering some sixteen, were
from Sewer county.
We have rumors also of the uprising Of about
fifteen hundred Lincolnites in Bradley and Hsmil
ton counties. They are rusing upon their own des-
tructiOn.