The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-07-17
pOiicy Oftho Confederate.

raj features are as follows: Many rebels,
officers and priyates, have been sent back
to their homes from the Confederate army,
ostensibly quitting the service in dis
gust, and protesting loyalty by taking
the oath Of allegiance, but really for the
purpose Of organizing marauding bands
at home TO rob and murder Union men.
A Kentuckian writes thus Of an instance
of this kind in Henderson county Of that
statea
Men are sent from the Confederate
army, defeated and demoralized az il is,
20 recruit here in Kentucky for that SER
vice, and when they meet with those who
will not join the army in the field, they
are instructed to encourage the formation
Of guerrilla bands, and TO keep up fire
IN the rear and distract and worry loyal
people.
ADAM Johnson, Captain in FoRREsr's
guerrilla troop, has been rowing through
Henderson county, Of whom the same cor
respondent writes as follows:
This johnson is native of this part
Of Kentucky, and his parents are ardent
Union people, both Of them, and manifest
their patriotism By their deeds. johnson has
hco brothers IA the Federal, and three IN tie
Confederate army ,0io acre all engaged IN
he battle If Shii0h, fighting on different
sides. Johnson, l understand represents
himself as acting under tle orders Of John
g. breckenridge, igho has instructed him to
come to kentucky and torment those iClio fo1m-
erly delighted 10 h0n0r him, and made what
little OF good there is, or has been, in his
reputation. Men are frequently detailed
for this service in all the districts Of Ken
lucky.
They know Government will only adj
minister the oath of allegiance, which
they do not regard, and there is an end
Of the matter. Men well TO do in all
parts Of the State meet, but do not join
these parties-are familiar with them
do not report on them-give them aid in
whatever manner they may--encourage
them in their depredations, yet these men
are not even held as hostages for tile good
conduct of their friends; but, sf arrested,
they take the oath, and are sent home to
encourage still further the wickcdness of
these bands.
For months past soldiers have been re-
turning from the rebel army to Middle
Tennessee, some Of whom have taken the
oath, while many others have not. We
had hoped that they had all heartily re-
pented Of their wicked enterprise and
desired to atone for their treason, but in
many instances they have returned only
to spy out our strength and positions, to
confer with sympathizers at home, TO or
game companies of marauders, and TO
infamo the land with the torch of ruin.
We have suffered these men to come and
talk freely and without restraint with
notorious traitors in our city, and have
allowed them to bear messages in and
out been traitors around headquarters and
traitors in the country. We have allow
ed them to make the country huge am
buscadc for our soldiers, and loyal men.
When these spies have ascertained the
position and strength of our various COM
mands, il is an easy task to make forced
marches and cut of in detail few hun
dred soldiers, whose officers are ambi-
tious Of quelling the rebellion by max
ing conciliating speeches, and catching
the runaway slaves of rebels. The guer-
rillas have the game all their own way.
We are betting on the gamblers tricks
and furnishing all the stakes. In such a
mode Of warfare the finest troops in the
world can be cxterminated by a few
squads of rangers. Il is time this disas-
trous carelessnes and confidence should
stop Itis cruelty to our soldiers and to
our loyal citizens. II discourages all
manifestation Of Union feeling, for it is
made at the risk Of ones life and pro-
perty, nay, far more than risk for 10y
atty speaks in the very face of des;ruc-
ton, If we continue TO trust TO the reason
and good faith Of the rebels. Are trail
tors too honorable TO forswear themselves
If they can thus destroy our armies and
get the ascendency? win men who have
violated their oaths in cool blood scruple
to do so again when innamed with rage
il il is their interest 10 do so?