Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-12-24


they are all true. They are certainly great
evils, of which the people of the South should
demand the instant abatement. It may be
pretended az extenuating Of the practice of
admitting Northern men to fll honorable DO
sitions In the Confederacy, that We trusted
foreigners In our seven years struggle for in
dependence. 1t is, however, easy to destroy
the force of this charge by simply responding
that the foreigners whom we then welcomed
to our shores were gentlemen-not Yankees
and this expresses much. 1t is indeed true
that We did give employment in our army to
distinguished Europeans in our revolutionary
war with Great Britain. But in every in
stance, believe, save one, thoy were not citi-
Eens Of the country with which we were con-
tending. That single exception was General
Charles Lee. who was a BrtttSk subject, and
therefore, think, a trattor-a traitor to the
land Of his birth, and consequently, as might
have been expected, he became one to the
country of his adoption; and thus proving
himself double traitor-and so probably will
it be with regard to our Northern importation
should Providence unhappily frown upon our
cause. Let me not be misunderstood in my
remarks-1 have reference now to Yankee
mercenaries; Hessians who come among US to
hight for pay and rank-not to Northern men
who had honestly acquired homes in the South
before the war. These persons are both NOR
ally and legally bound to defend their adopt
for 20 doing. Under tempting offers several
Northern officers have declared themselves on
the side Of the South in the existing contest,
and in doing this they have given strong proof
Of their unworthiness. Under still greater
temptations who will not say they might aban.
don our cause and 90 back to their first love.
1t seems to me clear that if Northern man
volunteers to fight against his own kindred for
pay, for still greater bribe be will not hesi.
tate to turn against his new friends between
whom and himself there exists no ties of blood
repeat. when he accepts a commission in the
Confederate army or navy to fight against his
own people, the Hessian Yankee affords the
strongest possible evidence that he has little
principle or honor, and therefore he should not
be trusted. But such was not the position of
our Lafayette, our Pulaski, and many other
foreigners, who nobly rushed to our aid in the
ever memorable war of l776. These men were
patriots, lovers of liberty, and not metcenaries
Ihey did not SIGHT for pay nor against their
country, as did Gen. Charles Lee, that double
traitor, and as many of our northern brethren
have solemnly sworn to do.
But what are We to think Of southern officers
who are found fighting on the side of our enc
mics! We are lost in amusement, while read
ing accounts of the rsyages perpetrated on our
southern shores, to find that a number of the
navy officers Of the Lincoln feet are of south
ern birth and rearing. know not what poll
matter; but for myself unhesitatingly declare
that every one Of these infamous southerners
If taken, should meet the traitors doom. Sup
pose they were to retaliate? Well, let them
and welcome. We should then be gamers, in
two ways. First we might make examples of
the Perder9raSfs, the MercCr5, the Steed-
mans, the DraytONS, the COrbtRs, and a score
Of others we have caught. And retaliation on
the part Of the Lincoln government would, in
the second place, relieve US Of not few north
ern brethren in cur armies, whom think we
might spare without detriment to our glorious
c ause.
HANGING OF THE BRIDGE-BURNERs IN TEN
NEssEE.
correspondent of the Richmond Btdrr-
liner writes from GreenVille, Tennessee, the
following eold'blooded particulars '-of the
hanging of two of the patriotic bridge-burners
of East Tennessee by the Confederates:
The two doomed culprits were not aware
Of their doom until a few moments before the
hour, four O'Clock p. M, and, short as the time
was, they busted themselves in speaking, on
oath, their full confession Of guilt before the
court-msrtial. Fry confessed that he poured
the turpentine on the bridge and afterwards
set FIRE to this combustible material; carried
the sentinel off some half mile and made him
swear never to reveal the names Of the offend
ers.
Providence has saved the sentinel the
trouble, for they have met the fate 30 Justly
meted out to them. They came in sight of the
gsllows-a temporary affair erected on the
hillside, in full view Of the town-and large
oak limb wac substituted as the crossbeam for
this novel engine Of death, and a shudder
passed over them which was perceptible by
all.
They then knew that in few moments
they must die the death Of a felon.
The whole battalion under arms was drawn
mp around the ground. and the ropes were sd-
justed by Corporal McVsy, Of our company,
The caps drawn over their pale faces, the lad
der was taken from the tree; the stiffness of
death pervaded the whole throng; the minute
hand was in few seconds Of four O'Clock; the
watch still went tick, tick; their knees shook
visibly; the whole frame was ready to give way
to natures spirit. Hark it is four o'clock
The trigger is touched, and 10 dangling at
the ropes end, between heaven and earth, are
seen two strangling human beings! The
struggles of one were short: the other seemed q
little 10th to give up the spirit from his tene-
ment Of clay, but in few short moments they
were both dead.
at has had q wonderful effect upon Union.
ism here, and scores are coming in night and
day, taking the oath of allegiance to our Gov
ernment, and by this serisus service proclaim
to the world that they will defend it against
all Of its enemies" .-...
Very different treatment from that of our
Government to the Baltimore bridge burners
Tender-hesrted Great Britain, however, ,"can't
see it," and gives all her sympathy to the
Asnds who thus hang their nsighbors in cold
blood.