Daily Nashville union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-04-20

IL IS the intention oil zen. DUM0NT 70
cut up the business of bridge burning,
track-ripping and wire-cutting, by the
roots. The following is a copy of let
Ger written to one of his officers. We
commend it to parties interested:
HEADoUARTERs. U. S. FoRCEs,
NASHVILLE, April 8, 1862.
lot. -. u All.
You desire to know what punishment
should be visited upon persons not connected
with the army, who are guilty Of throwing
trains off the railroad track, burning bridges,
ripping up the road, or cutting or ioiuIing
the telegraph wire, You have reference, of
course, to railroad and telegraph lines now
being used by our army. Ireply that any
one guilty of such offence (Which is crime
against humanity and msnkind), endanger'
ing the lives of women and children, non
combatant and citizen, as well as that Of the
soldier, should be arrested and held for trial
by q Court Martial.
Who are to be suspected so as to- Justify
holding for trial in the absence of positive
and immediate evidence Identifying the
guilty party?
When an enormous and fragrant crime is
committed, and the perpetrator is unknown,
the common instincts OF mankind seek him
among those who have given some evidence
of being capable of such enormity, have bad
an opportunity of committing the crime, and
some motive or malice for its commission.
These acts are crimes against the Govern.
mentof the United States Murder the limo
cent and unofIending; give aid and comfort
othe enemy, and prove enmity to the Union,
and are not committed by Union men, but
person who, although be may not have taken
mp arms or entered the army Of the rebellion,
is hostile 10 the government and against the
Union, is one who we'll may be suspected Of
such crimes as these, provided he lives or is
found near where the deed is done, had an
opportunity Of knowing it, and has used no
means to notify US or prevent IT, 1 would,
accordingly, arrest and hold for trial by
Court Martial, all persons hostile 10 the
Union residing or found near The place where
theiniury is DONE when there is reason 70 be-
leve that they had an opportunity Of know
ing it, end used no means TO prevent it,
Such persons must,be taught that they must
fight bridgeburners, and such like oiis nders,
when they have an opportunity, or so faint
themselves with suspicion as to be held for
trial as the perpetrators, Or as accessory 70
the crime and if found guilty, upon due
proof that they viii poy the penalty with
their lives and their property.
You will Doubtless find that The really
guilty party usually tries to keep a negro or
some irresponsible white man, who bas no
character, no property to lose, and whose
life he cares not for, between him aud dan
ger, hoping to escape himself by proof Of an
abb, that he was absent when the crime
was committed, that the deed was not don1
by his own hand. Suffer not yourself to be
led astray and put upon the wrong scent by
any such subterfuge. Snch are not the class
Of persons who commit those crimes uules'
indeed promoted to IL by some MASKED ana
designing but cowardly traitor 20 his conn
try, who has Influence to beguile, inYeigle
and decoy, life to Forfeit as we'll as pep
eriy to be couascatod The sooner such are
taught that their lives and their property
shall pay the penalty OF their crimes the BET
Ter. the course then, here indicated, pro
tect the innocent above all ihngs, but bring
the guilty to the punishment due TO fragrant
crime, This subject is not unattended with
difficulties but the innocent must n'tsui-
fer simply because The guilty are bard 10 de-
teoi, nor the guilty escape, simply hcauss
they Use dupes to accomplish their designs.
This il The way crime is to be dealt With.
Now as TO repairing the injury.
when an injuTy.is done to bridge Arail-
road track, q train or the telegraph wires,
4 would compel The disloyal inhabitants
with their negroes 70 repair il instantly. j
would enforce the order, if disobsyed, At the
polLs OF The bayonet, and would give ihe
time only necessary 10 its performance
Respectfully,