Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1862-04-05


relentless as ever was experienced in the
civilized world. ..srw
will not pauso to speak Of the eeveral
elections held to carry the State out, but
will content myself by saying that it was
never fairly voted out, but forced out at the
point of the bayonct, good mon being un-
willing to encounter the insults threats, and
injuries Of the Seccsh mob.
The stream of Secession fire commenced
pouring through the town of Knoxville upon
the East Tennessee Railroad as far back as
twelve months ago, thousands of armed
troops going towards the Potomac before
Lincolns proclamation appeared and before
the assault upon Fort Sumter.
Ny house and Office were singled out as
objects worthy of special assault and battery.
The infuriated Southern soldiers, of the
lowest morals imaginable, were encouraged
by the Secession citizens to pull down the
flag over my residence and demolish my
office. Upon the arrival of every new install
ment, while awaiting transportation, they
surrounded my house, howling like wolves,
swearing and cursing like troopers, and
Safeguarding its inmates without regard to
age or sex.
I continued to fight them in every legiti-
mate shape until October 25, 1861, when
they seized upon my office, building, press
type and engine, and used the cdifce for
repairing and preparing guns for their SOL
diers. On the 9th of November the election
Rebel Government, and for members of the
Rebel Congress took place
The Union voters refused to go to the
polls and the result of which was that
Davis and Stephens obtained no votes of
any consequence, and their Congressman
were elected by some 700 votes from the
largest districts. Out Of 175,000 votes in
the whole State, Davis and Stephens received
about $4,000, and mighty few Of these in
East Tennessee--thc Shcriffs and their dep
utics utterly refusing to open polls.
This eXasperated soldiers and citizens of
the Secesh party, and they determined to
hang the leading Unionists. At the same
time the Legislature passed law ordering
all Union men to give up their firearms OF
every description, under penalty of fine
and Imprisonment. This was followed in
East Tennessee by the burning Of bridges by
Union men. Then came the tug of war.
On this condition of affairs AT the earnest
! solicitation OF my family and friends,
rctreated into the "Smoky Mountains" with
| a company of ten or twelve Unionists, among
whom was Il venerable minister of the Cos
pei in his nth year, who had served az an
officer in two campaigns under General
Jackson in the war of 1912, fighting not for
the "Southern Contcderacy" but for the
United States of America. This venerable
man of God had committed no other offence
save that Of declaring himself for the Fcde-
raj Government, under whose flag he had
fought and bled. In these mountains, fal
beyond the limits of civilization, we encamp
| ed for days and nights together, subsisting
! upon bear meat, wild turkeys, and suC,
provisions as we were able to carry with us
After a time we returned to the settlements
trovelinp bv pight and putting up 10y day al
the houses of friends Aeantiut tiio ncI,l
cavalry were out in pursuit of us with
double barreled shot-guns, with orders tC
shoot us down at sight and capture none Of
lis as prisoners. We separated, and some Of
our number were captured. They were
unable to find me, although l saw their cav
airy pass my hiding place in rapid succession
at different times. Finally, falling to cap
ture me, the Secretary of War, Benjamin
the Jew, instructed Major General Critten
den to give me passports and and an escor
ont of the "Conicdcracy,n into the Unitec
States lines, on the ground that ! was
dangerous man to the South, and keeping
up the Union sentiment of East Tennessee
| General Crittendcn addressed me a not,
| saying if would report myself at his head
quarters within twenty-four hours, he woulC
grant me passports and escort. ] did Sc
promptly the next day. and it was agrccC
that | should start the next morning, escort
ed by Captain Gillcspies company of cavalry
into Zollicoffers lines But that evenin,
about sunset, Confederate Attorney Rsmse,
had me arrested by the Marshal on warran
for treason, founded on the editorials of IN,
paper before the State seeded. was rcfu
sed a trial and security, though offered 4
enter into bond for 100000 fol- my mp
pearance. Consequently was thrown int,
the Knoxville Jail on the 9th of December
where l found one hundred and fifty Uniol
men, many of them the best citizens of Eas
Tennessee. We had neither table, bench
chair, nor stool, and the provisions furnished
were the offal of miserable old hotel, KEEP
10y the Confederate Marshal. While there
they would take out as many as two at
time and set them on their cofins, in a cart
and, surrounded by bayonets, carry them {
the gallows and hang them, Secession ladic
of Knoxville going out to witness the froliC
In one instance Il man by the name Of IIau
was hung with only an hours notice. H
requested that a minister should come an,
pray for him. His request was denied wit
cursing and bitterness. The jails in tn
other counties were many of them filed alsC
and as they became crowded the prisoner
were sent off in gangs of thirty and forty a
a time to Tuscaloosa for confinement durin
the war Their money and firearms wer
taken from them and contiscated in favor {
the jailors.
After a confinement of four weeks wa
taken down with typhoid fever. Upon tn
physician certifying to the commander tina
my condition was critical, i was removed t
a room in my own residence and doubl
guard placed around me to prevent an
intercourse between the Unionists an
myself. There l lay eight weeks lonee
badly salivated, and so low as to requir
assistance in getting in and out of bct
Finding myself at length able to travel,
requested Mr. Benjamin to carry out HI
promise. Accordingly ON the Sd of March
, started for Nashville 10y rail- with an arme
guard of ten men, under the command
two Rebel officers of my selection. wi
not pause to narrate all the incidents by Il
way, as contemplate the publication Of a
the facts in more permanent form.
Upon my arrival at Shelbyville, tifty-i,
miles south of Nashville, found the Reb
army in large numbers rapidly rctreating an
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