Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1862-05-16

cInorErari, May 2.


ciEcrEEAri, May 2.
Eds. GAzErrE: In The
city Of Memphis, prior 10 The attack npOn
and surrender Of Fort Sumtor, there was a
very large majority in favor oftbs UnioD.--
Seven hundred being tho majority In that
city against holding convention TO consid-
Or tho propriqty Of seeding. While this
canvass vas pending, The Avalanche" was
filled with articles denouncing as traitors
eycry man who opposed that measure, and
calling down upon them the most coudign
punishment. wasediled then as now, BY
Galloway and Cluskey---the former PFesi-
dent Bucbanan's postmaster, and the latter
an attache Of the rebel General Walker,
believe. This was At period when public
seDtimort was 70 be moulded, and il vas
exceedingly doubtful whether Memphis
could be carried foE the South 10 any emer-
gcucy. Aud yet those mon, Galloway and
Cluskey, devoted themselves, DAY and night,
to the base purpose Of alternating men from
their allegiance, ard rendering the position
Of those who dared maintain their integrity
to the Union, dangerous 10 the extreme
Thor efforts were successful, as the action Of
that people plainly show. No sooner had
the news Of the fall Of Lexington been an
nouneed, than as one man, almost, they be
gan enrolling themselves under the Confed-
crate banner, and Memphis and its vicinity
became one vast military camp.
Then was inauguraled that reign Of ter
ror, during which tens and hundreds Of men
and women were outraged in person and
property. Then was enacted those scenes
Of violence, a recitcal Of which would man.
tie the cheek Of a Sepoy with blush o
shame. All law was tramplcd under foot
1.-The worst passions Of man were allowed
full sway--and urged on by tho atrociou.
articles Of the Avalanche, a system Of whip
ping, headshavipg and hanging was inaug-
urated, which has made the name Of Mem
phis infamous throughout the world. ]
speak Of facts coming under my own obser-
walton, for was there, and made myself
couversant with the outrages that were com
mittod, and was an eyewitness to many oI
the most horrible enormities of which the
history Of the world shows any people te
have been guilty. Some weeks prior tC
the capture Of Sumter, and while it wa
generallyconceded that Memphis was strong
ly Union, body of six hundred men from
Mississippi, en- route for Pensacola, were
received and most Hospitality entertained
BY the civil and military authorities Of that
city, and paraded through the streets, with
Secession rags flying, and the Stars and
Stripes sfnrled." Every devisable place
was occupied BY men and women, having
haHdkerchiefs and miniature Confedorate
flags. and so war as their approval went,
urging on the ragamuffins who were passing,
in their reasonable designs. For writing a
letter TO the New York Tribune, denouncing
the peopleof Memphis for thus entertaining
a band Of rebels, was held up by this
Avalanche, 10 public opprobrium and ven-
geance, and the good people were exhorted
TO aferret the'traitor out, and nail him 10
the first lamp post" That did not ack-
nowledge the authorship Of that letter, only
proves that am modest man, and shrank
from the honors they would fain thrust upon
me.
From the commencement Of this whole
Secession movement in Memphis, until the
2sth Of April, / was at large in the city,
with opportunities for discovering and bo-
coming acquainted with tho acts of the peo-
pie, and the sentiments Of the editors of
the Avalanche, and I repeat, without the
fear of successful contradiction, that any
Unionism now apparent there is the re-
suit Of fear, and not change of feeling
at all.
On the 25th Of April, 1851, / was arcs
ted upon the allegation that was cores
pondent Of the Tribune, and thrown into
dark and loathsome dungeon, where the &C
cumulated filth Of years rendered sxistenc'
for any length Of time impossible. The ar
rest the Avalanche was exceedingly jubi
LIANT over, and had their counsels for sum
mary execution been acted upon, l woulc
not now be writing this letter. While con
fined in that city i was compelled TO wit
ness the enormities perpetrated in obedi
ence TO the behests Of those who ruled tli'
mob. One hour 10 the morning, from sii
to seven, was allowed mo to stand at th'
window CRATE, and at such times their whip
pings and headshaving we're indulged.-
Here / saw, from The twenty-seventh o.
April to tho sixth of June, eighty-five mer
whipped and their heads shaved, and forty.
three hung, because they refused TO take an
oath of allegiance to the Southern Confed
eracy. And ontbe nineteenth Of May last
one Of the most beautiful and accomplished
young ladies that this county can boast Of
was stripped to the waist, thirteen lashel
laid upon her back, and the right half o
her head shaved, simply because sho hat
purchased ticket for Cairo, and was con
graduating herself that she would soon b
in land Of freedom. These crimes which
make the blood curdle in our veins, sand
rouse q vengeance blood alone can quell,
were regarded Is small matters by the Ava
lanehe, altogether too Insignificant to bs
noticed.
Jsc. McLzAE CoILIEs.
more 1a1ernal ouiraxes- -s1asderins can
dren.
afl 4 - - a. = ~