Daily Nashville union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-05-28
For the Nashville Daily Union.
Letter from an East Tennessean.

Letter from AN East Tennessean.
BARBoURvnLE, May 10, 1862.
DEAR SIR: When our troubles in East
Tennessee commenced, determined that
unless received the clearest indications
would not leave my post; have acted In
accordance with this determination, ill
1 had to choose between prison or flight.
The time bad come when CONSUMPTION was
deoreed in The Confederacy, and when all
from Is to 95 were to be incorporated into
the army. Then in enc night the great
mass of Union men able to bear arms ia my
immediate vicinity disappeared. Similar
stampedes were taking place in every part
Of East Tennessee. w. NJ. Churchwen had
then been appointed Provost Marshal. You
know that for several years be has hardly
dared to show bis face in East Tennessee,
because be had swiDdled the people out OF
vast sums of money. Unprincipled as he is,
/ he was the very instrument to be used by
the Southern Confederacy to execute Mar
tial Law. He apparently at once changed
his policy. There should be no draftin in
East Tennessee. All who had gone to Ken
lucky and taken up arms against the Con-
federacy be wanted to return. But while
thus forgiviOg to the rank and file who were
beyond his reach, be attempted at one blow
to arrest many Of the prominent Union men
who had not left the country. AT the same
time General X. Smith proclaimed that ev-
cry soldier who would be guilty of any act
Of oppression should be punished. Yet what
does the armed mob which now occupies
East Tennessee care for bis proclamation?
Yet in the midst Of all these sufferings, evil
dence is not wanting that the spirit of East
Tennessee is unbroken still. Twice have
the Confederate soldiers attempted to pen.
citrate into that country, and twice have
they been repealed with severe loss. 1t is
now contemplated to have six companies
formed, consisting partly Of Cherokee Indi-
ans and partly of whites, whore busine's
it shall be TO depopuate Scott county. To
Judge from past experience, they are likely
to meet in Scott county with warm recep-
ton. A similar spirit prevails throughout
East Tennessee.
10 conclusion let me say, that personally
have but little reason to complain of the
Couiederacy. When my noighbora were
imprisoned and special inquiries made fol
me, quietly left for the mountains. Wher
1 came TO the Federal camp the reception
l met with battles description. l saw my
self surrounded by hundreds of friends an,
neighbors with whom l had mingled for y ar
at their homes and in their churches. The,
asked me to do all possibly could to restou
them to their homes They have arms nov
and ammunition, and they long for the orde
to march. But judge from present appear
anc,s that the government is earnestly en-
gagged in bringing about the end th,
desire. l think the prospect of our speedily
returning to East Tennessee is now bette
than it ever yet has been. 1t is anothe
question whether we shall be enabled 1
stay there after we do return. We clnno
live in the same region of country with thos
who have raised the arm of rebellion agans
the government and who have persecute
and maltreated our families. II they ar
made to leave, we shall be permitted peace
fully to stay at our homes. If not, we oul
selves have to seek new homes. II is val
to think of our living together.
EAST TENNESSEE.
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