Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-11-17
The Case OF sennto- rIckeus,

.
The Case OF Senator PIckenss
From the Knoxville Register, Nov. Is
In tho case of Samuel Pickens arraigned before
/ the Confederate States Commissioner r. B Reyn-
olds, on q warrant issued by Attorney General
Ramsey, the following statement wss made and sub
scribsd to by the prisoner;
TESTIMONY THE CASE OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES vs
! SAMUEL PICKENs.
Statement of he Defendant latter the plea of Not
| Guilty" to the warrant, which was read IL have
no knowledge of making any speech, except at
County Court last Monday week, at eevieFville.
There made speech after Hodsden to tell few
anecdotes merely. In relation to the Confederate
Government said merely, il was to the interest of
the people that they should pay the war tax to the
authorities and that the State should assume 70 pay
it to the Confederate Government if it were neces-
cary to collect it, but the Confederate Govern
ment owed the State IS 600 00O the tax Of Tennes-
see might go towards that debt This would
be the interest Of the people, whether the
! Federal or Confederate Government succeeds in
the war as it will save the expense of the FEEDER al
officers collecting it. Told them 10 jest, that we
sometimes got little scared at Nashville, when we
heard that the Federais had taken some barrels of
flour prisoners at EddyVille F; but we did not care
while that was all the harm they did. Said it was
matter of small consequence whether took the
oath not, as intended to do all it required with
out taking it. objected on the ground that there
of the Senate decided thst the oath would be to
support the Provisional Constitution.
Question By the Court Was there meeting of the
members of the Legislature to consider what the
effect Of taking the oath would be!
ans. No meeting of Legislative members alone
There was consultation there on the subject with
certain members Of the Legislature, and others not
members. Gov. Brown was one Of the persons
there consulted. Heard nothing to the effect that
the object Of the Union members taking their seat
was to get Thernbarn released. Defendant stated
to Gov Brown thst expected 10 take his seat and
whether not he took the oath, he expected TO aid
electiDg Senators in Congress- districtng the State
&c. His only objection to taking the oath was be-
cause his people, many of them, were opposed to it,
He was in favor ct Nashville, together with many
others. TO ges Thornburg released believing it
would sllay excitement, and on account of personal
kind feelings towards his brother, our Attorney
General; and there some talk that the election
of Senators would give some power to exert an in<
huence in Thornburg's case, not that that should
govern my action, but keep myself opsn TO the sub
ject, without committing myself to any one
said to Col Wood last night (rather in jest) that
that posture of affairs gsveECol. Haynes friends
ehsnce to seD Us. On arriving here had no
conversation with any one on the subject of aid
arriving here from Lincoln. may have stated 10
many persons that the report was, that large
force was coming and just over the mountain.
was not at the Pawpaw Hollow, or anywhere from
whence flag Of truce was sent to Strawberry
Plains. / was not st Underdown's Ferry or any
where North of the river since last Saturday,
crossed there Saturday. In the little gathering
of as at Nashville Sl we said was, we had better
not commit ourselves 70 any Senatorial candidate
lest the other might play off," and not aid in get
ting Thornburg's release effected. stated at Col.
Woods to that effect.
Question By TIE Court Did you know anything
of an intention Of burning the bridges on the
railroads?
ARslosr. did not.
Question. Do you know where your aon, who
was wounded at Strawberry Plains Bridge, now
is?
Aasl0sr. When left home, he was at my house,
badly wounded. A rRmor reached US that Gallo
way Hodges was coming to mob him with 200 men,
and he was removed to a neighbours hou to pro-
tect him from that mob spirit. Ny soa told me he
was wounded Ht the Bridge. A young man, named
William Montgomery. was present, according to
his statement who also alluded to his brother,
James Montgomery, as being another. l have no
certain information az to who else was present at
the assault on the Bridge.
heard only small part Of Hodsden's speech.
l endorsed what heard l heard this part, viz:
that we were IN the Southern Government, and re-
belion now would bring ruiz on US.
There was no application to me BY Col. Haynes or
any other Senatorial candidate directly indirect
ly, for aid in the election Of Senator on the ground
Of aiding Thornburgh. I did not vote for Colonel
Haynes in the election. Thornburgh was released
By order OF Mr.. Benjamin, Of the Department at
Richmond.
Question. Did you express yourself at Sevierville
In favor of the Union?
AHsl1sT. do not remember to have done so.
did not vote in the election On the 9Th inst The
reason was there was no election held in my dis
trict | hsd written from Nashville advising to
turn out and aid in electing Baxter, but did not
seem TO have had much influence.
Question. Where were you going when you
crossed at UnderwOOd's Ferry last Saturday?
ARsl1eT. To Fl. A. COwanis house. He lives
three or four miles FROM UnderWOOd's Ferry. / |
was going after my son. who Ras there, woun ded !
l there met ny sou first after he was wounded /
suppose there we're about four or five people there
at any one time They were coming and ling. AT |
forwards, in Sewer county. at the Gross Roads / |
saw from so to 100 men, some armed and others |
not. They said they were assembled to repel /
Hodge and his mob, who, it was SAID. was coming /
to burn and destroy, advised them to dispense /
and go home. They disclaimed all intention of |
making war on the Confederate Government, SO far
Is heard any Of them express themselves. At |
other tunes saw other little squads Of armed men |
At one time, l saw an old man from Miller's Cove
who said he heard the mob was actually burning
and destroying. he returned on learning its falstY
THIS statement is made on my best receollec.ion /
and may not be exactly aocNFats In relation to the
parties who attempted to burn the Bridge, had
reason suspect Others but did not hear them say
they did. Heard nothing from them that would i'm
plicate them. SAMUEL PTCxESs.