Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-09-08


are opposed to any such organization here by the
Federal Government, Of the transportation Of
arms, men, or munitions over our soil to the State
Of Tennessee. Many Of them are in good faith co.
operating with me to prevent It and most earnestly
desire to maintain position Of neutrality during
this wicked war,
have the honor to be, very respectfully,
Yours, &c., B. MACOFFB-
THE SEIZURE OF THE STEAMERS TERRY AND OR BE
PoRr oF Dr.. join JoEys7s.
PADUCAH, Aug 9th, 1861. /
To His Esoelsney B. NAeoEF1N, GOcerHor Of 1sA-
tgceg
SIR: In obedience to your request communicated
to by telegraph, bearing date the 22d Of August
Instant visited Cairo for the purpose of inquiring
Of the Federal authorities there their for
arresting Messrs Watson. Stovan and Carter, citi
zens Of Ballard county. Kentucky, and the seizure
of the steamer W. B. Terry at the wharf Of the city
of Paducah.
Owipg 10 various causes did not reach Cairo
until the 18th inst. Thinking it best to go By land
to see the people, especially the parties that had
been arrested and thus gather from both aides the
real facts of the case it heightened the trip and
very greatly increased the labor. l was received
with marked respect by Col. T. ]. Oglesby, COM
mandinR, who declined, however, to regard my
visit official in its character; but entered freely
into conversation, and, with the most manly
frankness expressed the motives that
complained of. BE said that on the morn
| ing of the arrest of Messrs. Watson and
Stoval he saw unusual number Of parsons on
the Kentucky shore, opposite Cairo, and he suppCs-
ed them to be Confederate troops or party Of en-
gineers from their camp at Union City, Tennessee,
or elsewhere, who, under their authority were en-
gagged in skstchiDg profile Of the ground with the
view of its occupation for military purposes Under
this supposition, he ordered company. or squad,
Of men to cross over and drive them of or to ar
/ rest and dstain them for examination, Upon the
1 landing of the troops the other party (9hO were
citizens from the surrounding counties attracted BY
| an unusual amount of firing Of cannon and which
they concluded was battle then IN progre q fed,
being wholly unarmed, and not meditating HOSTILE
| ties leaving only the two gentlemen above named,
who refused to retreat They were arrested and
taken 10 Cairo and detained forty four hours which
long detention learn from all the parties, was OE
| ing to the absence Of the commanding Oficer. He
required them 20 bring proof that they were good
| law abiding citizens; and Nr. Charles 5 Marshall
sent for. who. upon his arrival, gave the neces
sary assurance, and both were released.
IL Is proper to remark that Co. Ogesby asked
them if they were Secessonis.s, and they promptly
said they were. He told them, and GlsO told me,
that that not the cause Of their arrest and de-
tentiOa-that they had right 20 their opinions and
this be would. under no circumstances, take from
any man-but he would arrest spies or persons IN
lawfully givI7g aid and comfort 10 those with whom
| they were at war.
For further particulars in reference to the arrest
# these two gentlemen, refer you to their report
Of the transaction, herewith incosed, from the
| parties themselves.
The man Carter was citizen of Ballard county,
but was arrested az Norfolk, Missouri opposite
Island No l. His arrest was thought 70 be mali
cious, and he was discharged after a short deJen
| ton, without the intervention Of any one in his
behalf.
The practice of administering an oath to support
the Constitution, with other conditions, generally
called an oath Of allegiance to suspected persons,
boa haon nv CHaI Orlaebv and he
declared to me that he would arrest 10 man on
account of his opinions.
In regard TO the question Of arrestiBg persons in
Kentucky, Colonel Oglesby said that he had sc-upu
lousy observed neutrality, except in the case
referred to- and that the step taken was only pre-
eautionary to the end of preventing those be was
at war with from occupying position that would
be dangerous 70 him. He said, however, that he
acting under Instructions, and he could not tell
how long the present policy would remain IN
changed.
The facts in regard TO the seizure of the steamer
Terry already known. Commodore Rogers, Of
the United States Navy, is in command o. the fleet
of gun boats three IN number) at and about Cairo.
He regards the Terry as a lawful prize, and any
negotiations il regard to her must be had with the
Government at Washington. She was , regular
packet trading between Paducah and EastpOrt, on
the Tennessee river, where for four years she had
run regularly as a mail6Ost twice weak, and the
officers were not aware that the trade was unlaw-
full. Three Of the owners of the Terry citizens
OF Kentucky and one a citizen of Mississippi, and
the loss of the boat sweeps away the last dollar
that one at least of the owners is worth.
The seizure of the W. 3. Terry was followed on |
the same day by that Of the steamer Samuel Orr. |
the United States mail packet between Paducah aud
Evansville. This was done by the officers and crew
of the Terry, with the assistance Of three |
other persons, one or two Of whom only were cih- i
zens of Paducah-the others are citizens Of Ten
nessee. She was heavily freighted, and the cargo /
was owned by citizens Of Paducah. The boat, with
-,
the State of Tennessee where she now lies, await
ing the action of the authorities of that State. By
the seizure Of the Orr Paducah has lost Its entire
upryeF trade which is seriously felt by all classes
of citizens and universally regretted.
Permit me to call your attention 10 the substance
of a conversation had with Commodore Rogers, of
the United States Navy. he complained Of bad
treatment at the hands of our citizens "a the gun
boats were passing on their first trip down to Cairo,
and that if it was repeated he would lombard the
city. The bad treatment complained Of was from
a number Of boys who waved q small Southern flag,
threw up their hats, and one Of them threw stone,
as he alleges. Not one adult took part in the de-
monstrstion. / was not present, but Learn from
some of the best men of Psiuc1h, that none but
children were engaged in il.
He also said that be had made contract for some
timber Nd the Tennessee river, and if the timber
was tnterfered with, and not allowed to pass the
city that he would not leave q house standing.
There is great uneasiness felt throughout the
border counties. Many pers Us have removed their
families; and many gentlemen who have been
threatened by General PreHtiss, while in command.
have no regular place to sheep. All this feeling of
insecurity induces the practice of wearing arms,
and will lead to violence towards those Of opposite
opinions, if better state Of things cannot be
brought about
There are many reckless men who wish TO
monopOlize the smuggling business, for which there
are great facilities and these are continually going
with complaints 10 the COMMANDER at CairO, and
other placss-where good bargains may be had
OF bad Us igs from the SeeessOnists the better to
impose upon the Federal port officer who generally
lie tens Willingly, and gives permit TO the poor
per secGted Union man from PGdaeah 70 ship much
bacon, whiskey, aud coffee be bay. Thus
their loyalty has been turned int1 merchandise and
paid well up 70 this TIME. And. general thing.
those that have complained the most have made
the most by it.
Ihage the honor to be, &c,
JOHN u JOHNSON.