Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-09-13

would be attended by the loss of many lives. This
embraces the message received.
The messenger, it is true, in conversation, said
that he had heard in Nashville that Secretary
Gen. Polk discretion to hold or withdraw from
the occupation of the post in Kentucky.
The undersigned understood the messenger to
say that he saw no dispatch of the kind just alud
ed to- and that he heard of after he last saw Gov
Harris.
They have ne further information on this subject
They have no knowledge or information that Presi
dent Davis has issued any order IN relation to the
occupation Of Kentucky, or any place in it.
This note is written for the purpose of removing
any false impressions that may have been made as
to the nature or extent of the message received.
The undersigned beg leave to express the hope
that something yet may be done to avert the calam
ties of war which threatens the people of both
States, and restore to them not only peace, but
sense of security at their firesides.
Very respectfully,
JNo. MARSHALL
ANDREW EWING,
EDoARD S. CHEATHAM
COMMo>wEAL1H OF KENTUCKY,
ExECUTIvE DEPARTMENT,
Frankfort. Sept g. 1861
Gentleman The Senate and House of representatives.
have received the following dispatches by te lie
graph from General Leonidas Polk which doom
proper t. lay before you. B. MAGoFFTN
COLUMBUS, KY, Sept 9, 1861,
Coz. b MdgoTin: military necessity having
required me to occupy this town, have taken pos,
session of IL by the forces under my command The
circumstances leading to this act were reported
promptly to tbs President of the Confederate States
His reply was the necessity justified the action. A
copy OF my proclamation have the honor to trans
NIT you by mail. Respectfully,
LEoSIDAs Polk
MsjoF General Commanding
COLUMBUS KY Sept 9Th 1861.
Gov. B. MAGoFFN, Frankfort, Ry:
| should have dispatched you Immediately as the
troops under my command took possession of this
position, the very few words I addressed to the
people here, but my duties since that time have so
pressed me that | have but now the frat Ielsure
time to communicate with you. 1t will be suicie1
for me to inform you, which my short address here
will do, that had information, on which could
rely that the Federal forces intended and were
pairing to seize Columbus. need not describe the
danger resulting to West Tennessee from such sue
cess accompanied to my responsibility could not per
NIT them quietly to lose by the command entrust-
ed to me 50 important a position. In evidence of
the information possessed, will state as the Con-
federate forces occupied this place the Federal
troops were formed In formidable number in posi-
ton upon the opposite bank with their cannon turn
ed upon Columbus the citizens of the town had fed
with terror, and not word of assurance of safety
or protection had been addressed to them.
Since have taken possession of this place, have
been informed by highly responsible citizens of your
State that certain Representatives of the Federal
Government are setting up complaints to my act of
occupying 1t, and making pretense for seizing
other position. Upon this course of proceeding /
have no comment to make; but am prepared to say
that will Withdraw the Confederate troops from
Kentucky provided that she will agree that the
troops of the Federal Government be withdrawn
simultaneously with a guarantee which | will give
recipT ocaly for thel Confederate Government that
the Federals shall not be allowed to enter or oc-
cupy any point of Kentucky IN the future.
have the honor TO be your obedient servant,
Respectfully, LEONIDAs Polk,
Major General Commanding
Proclamation of Gen. Polk and corporate authorities
of Columbus, RU
The Federal Government having in defiance of
the wishes of the people of Kentucky disregarded
their neutrality by establishing camps and depets
Of armies, and by organizing military companies
within their territory, and by constructing mill
tary work on the Missouri shore, Immediately Oh
posite, and commanding Columbus, evidently IL
tended to cover the landing of troops for the seizure
of that town. 1t has become military necessity
worth the defence of the territory of the Confed-
crate States, that the Confederate forces occupy
Columbus In advance. The Major-General com
handing has, therefore, not felt himself at liberty
to risk the loss of so important position but has
decided to occupy it. In pursuance of this decision
he has thrown a sufficient force into the town. and
ordered fortifyiDg it. 1t is gratifying to know that
the presence of his troops is acceptable to the peo
pie of Columbus, and on this occasion they assure
them that every precaution will be taken to insure
their quiet, the protection of their property with
tLielf ptFsOHAl anu corporate rights.
Dated, Columbus the fourth (4th) day of Sep
TENDER, 1861. LEONIDAs Polk.
The Frankfort correspondent of the Louisville
Courier says that in the Senate on the 9Th:
Mr.. Whitaker offered a preamble and set of reso-
buttons, setting forth that Kentucky's neutrality
and the rights of her citizens had been grossly in
fringed upon by the Southern COnfederacy" calling
upon the Governor to call out the military force of
the State, and invoking the United States for pro
lection against invasion. They cali on General An
dersOn to assume command of this military district |
and appealing to the people tc come forward to as
sist in driving out the invaders.
This is but plain and undlsguised exhibition of
an attempt upon the part of the fire breathing sui
phurspittng portion of the Union party to involve
the State In a war with the Federal Government |
We must admire the bOldRess and courage of the |
senator, however much we condemn his want of |
discretion and patriotism
On consultation with some of their leaders Ihave
learned that these resolutions do not furnish the
proper key note to the future policy of the Union
party am happy to state this is bold strike out
OF the warlke Senator on course inUented by him
SELL and without consultation and the advice of his |
friends in the Legislature That party in the Senate
appeared to give these resolutions the cold shoulder
and refused to suspend the rules in order to print
and refer Such men as Senator'S Robinson, Mar |
shall, De Haven Prall and Read cannot be led into
a course of action that will involve the State IN all
the horrors Of civil war.
The telegraph advises US that the House of Repre-
sentatives the 18th, adopted a resolution di. |
Erecting the Governor to issue proclamation or
'dering the Confedsrates to evacuate Kentucky |
'soil, by vote of II to &C." and that that body
refused to suspend the rules to allow resolution
ordering both Federals and Confederates off," If |
the Senate should sustain the action of the House of
the issue will be made up.
The RICE CRoP.-We learn from the Savannah
Republican that the harvesting of the rice COM
nenced about ten days ago on the Savannah and
Ogeechee rivers and that better crop has not been
made for years. 1t met with no disaster during the
rowing season, and is large and fully headed out.
The continuous rains since it has been cut may
amage it somewhat, but it can stand a good deal
f wet weather without IiOus effect upon the
rain The inland plantations, in many sections
would have done better with more rain to I'LL up
be ponds but still we hear the crop is fair one.
TIE PRIYATEER JEFF DAvIs-FoUL PLAY-Deputy
Larshal J. J. Beasley of the Confederate Court,
ucceeded last Saturday night in arresting four con-
orators belonging to the crew of the prlvateer
eff. Davis. We learn that conspiracy existed
mong the passengers and portion of the crew OF
he prIvateer kill the Captain and officers of the
eff Davis and to take the vessel into the port OF
ew York. This conspiracy has been disclosed
nce the return of Capt. Coxetter and crew to !
and proof of the design of the cOnspira