Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1861-09-13
KENTUCKY.

<Odr community startled last Saturday morn
ing, by intelligence, from Union City, that Confed
crate troops had entered and were occupying, the
towns Hickman and Columbus in Kentuky. The
news came in a way that left no reasonable doubt
of its TRUTH and speculation to the probable re-
suits Of the movement occupied every mind The
community was divided into those who were glad,
and those who were sorry, that our troops had
made any movement upon Kentucky, violative in
any degree, of the neutrality she had assumed
The mass Of our people, we believe regretted the
occurrence. True they knew that there had been
camps of U. S. Soldiers, in Kentucky, for several
weeks past and that Lincoln had refused to dis
band them, although iequested to do so, by the
Governor Of the State. They knew that this and
other acts, plainly inconsistent with neutrality,
were endorsed by the Union men, there, yet so
anxious our people to preserve relations ofpeace
with Kentucky, that they will not counsel or APP
prove any movement upon the State, until il shall
, be made duty of sef-drfense.
Since we began to write this article, new light
has been thrown upon the subject which we shall
add here, Tor the information of our readers. In
the Louisville Courier, we A-d communication
from the delegates sent by Gov. Harris to Frank
fort KY, addressed to Gov. McGeffin, stating that
they are advised, from Nashville, that Gov Harris,
Immediately on hearing of the occupation Of IIick-
man and Columbus, by our forces, sent message
10 Gen. Polk, asking him to withdraw them, but
that the latter refused to do so and that Gov. H..
then telegraphed President Davis, asking him to
order their withdrawal. Hercupon, one report says
that the President did order the troops to be with
drawn, but that Gen. Polk still declined to obey
the order, and allcdged that the occupation Of
. Hickman and Columbus by him, military
necessity, rendered imperative by his knowledge
that the Lincoln troops intended to take possession
of Them and other points. Another report says
that President Davis did not order Gen. Polk to
withdraw his forces, but left it optional with him to
do So or not; Circumstances might in his judge
mcnt require.
In the same number of the Courier we find a
letter from Cairo, tc Chicago paper, giving an
account of the departure of large force to occupy
Radacah, and stating that regard for Kentucky s
so-called neutrality would prevent the Federal
troops from such movements, and that il was all
understood and approved by the Union men in the
leBlSiatuIc! NONJ WHICH we tell our
readers that this letter was written before the
patton by confederate troops was known, and that
Athe reason giVen for the intended movement on
Paducah that the troops, to be sent there,
might put au end TO the smuggling carried on by
way of Tennessee river, they will know how TO
measure the Lnoon party's regard for Kentucky
neutrality, and be less iaelned to condemn if they
cannot approve, the action of our people, in taking
possession of Hickman and Columbus.
. The Linooktes did go, and enter Paducah, and
are stNl there, some 1000 strong. Before they
reached the place, they heard of Gen. Folks
movements and this gave thca a more plausible
pretext for holding it, than they first had; but the
sCairo letter plainly states that they intended and
had prepared, tooocnpy Paducah, before they knew
of any design of Gen. Polk to take the other
points. Thus matters now stand Paducah is held
by the Federals and Hickman and Columbus by the
Confederate Further movements will depend,
salmost entirely, uPon the action of the Kentucky
legislature Taking into consideration all the facts,
as now developed, We believe Gen. Polk did right;
and that he ought to hold on to the places he now
occupies, as long there is United States soldier
Son the soil of Kentucky.