The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1862-06-20
The Plunderings, Robberies, Out
RACES and Atrocities of the Yam.
KEGS in Middle Tennessee.

lENNESbEE, June 4, 1907.
Mesrs. Editors I'm your paper Of the
the Federal Convention held At Nashvilia
on the 18th ult. The resolutions. Il seems
were adopted without dissenting voice,
and therefore have the sanction Of Gov.
ernor VIM. B. Campbell, Jordan Stokes,
Edmund Cooper (who perhaps wrote
them, and other Tennesseeans. Among
other strange things in those proceedings,
nothing has so shocked those who have
read them as tho 4th resolution: "that
the forbearance, moderation and gentle
manly department of the officers and SOL
diers Of the Federal army, since their
occupation of Tennessee, challenges our
highest admiration"
Now, 10 the true Tenncsseean who
looks over the desolation Of Davidson,
Sumner Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford,
Maury, Lincoln. Giles, Franklin and vii.
hanson counties, caused by the occupa-
ton of the Federals, while tine blood
boils with rage, it is sickening to the
heart that Campbell. Stokes, and Cooper.
who ought to be the friends Of Tennessee
and Tennessee people, would so far de.
grade their manhood as to openly indorse
or silently acquiesce in such an Infamous
resolution, though n million. of Dutch
bayonets were drawn against their native
State.
There is not one of the above named
counties, as well as many others, in which
there has not been the most open and
wanton destruction of property; not one
in which our lovely women have not been
insulted and private citizens arrested and
imprisoned without being notified of the
charges against them; and everywhere
priyate,dwellings have been en.ered in
the rudest and most insulting manner.
Take, Tor instance the occupation Of
Winchester by Gen. Mitchell's forces un-
der Gen. Lytle, which continued only for
few days, but in its details (outside of
other incidents of this wary has no paral-
lei in civilized warfare. The Law of Ma
tions protects private property even in
war, as well as the persons of those not
engaged, and this rule has been general
" observed by all the civilized nations of
Europe. The town Of Winchester made
no resistance of course, having no troops;
but Immediately upon entering the town
the Federals broke open the store of
Messrs. Handley in open daylight, and
took of, all the goods of value, about
$1,000 worth. They demanded the key
of Messrs.. Embrey, and entered their
store house and took away and destroyed
most of their goods, amounting to several
hundred dollars. They entered A. Jor-
dams store and took about 5000 worth of
goods. They served many others the
same way. Most of these goods were
taken to headquarters at the house of Mr..
McGahee, where the officers stayed
They entered the house of Mrs. Oscar, a
widow lady, and took $3.50 in cash.
They took from Jas. Scott at the house
of Ross B. Cowan, 81. 100 in gold. They
<11l, Ccov,, Tohr w GUSTAV 60 SO0 IL,
money. They demanded the key to the
safe of A. s. Colyar from his lady, and
searched the safe for money. This was
done by an officer, who announced his
purpose in searching and expressed great
regret at finding no money. This same
officer took from the office IL law books,
and attempted to take safe. They en-
tered the offices of the county and circuit
court clerks, and battered tho safes until
they cannot be opened at all--at least
one of them cannot. They opened the
desks and took the papers of the officers
from their files extending back fifty years
and tore them into atoms leaving both
rooms half leg deep in torn and tatteree
records. They indiscrinipately entered
private dwellings, taking whatever they
could find-going to the house of DR.
Wallace Estell, a man 10 years old, blu
who was surgeon in the army, and notet
for the kind manner in which he dressed
the wounds of prisoners after the BATH
of Manassas, making no distinction he
tween them and our own wounded-ane
finding none of the white family but hi
three daughters. They cursed and in
suited them until they left even attempt
ing to take their horses out Of their car
riage after the young ladies had started
away. At this place they not only tool
all the bacon and other provisions OF
hand, but they took all the clothing O
every kind, one of the officers making
s,ddle-blanket of a fine silk dress. The
then broke up and destroyed nearly al
the furniture; otter taking their horse
on the porch and defacing the house mos
shamcfully, they left, not, however. with
out irving to persuade the servants t
leave and become free.
A great number Of horses were take
from the neighborhood, many of whic
they tried to sell for money before leaving
Among other horses taken was a tin
Arabian stallion, taken from the farm
Mr.. A. S. Colyar. Several of the citizen
appealed to the officers about this hors
telling them that he had been importe
at great expense, and that the whole cou
try was interested in him; but it all d
no GOOu; He WAS Tiuutu Oii ny oiC ~ "
otficers-Major Pugh.
In some instances when appeals WEI
made, officers would place guard at Il
houses of citizens; but to show what tn
meant it is only necessary to mentic
one instance: Mrs. Colyar succeeded
getting guard for her premises. VIII
he was there some soldiers came al
were about to take her fine buggy ma
cut of the stable. At her instance d
guard prevented it. In a few hours Il
guard was removed and another sent
his place, and then again they came
take the marc off. The guard was ask
to interfere, but his reply was that he v
specially instructed to guard nothing b
:. the dwelling house, and the mare "
70 taken. Seven or eight negro men we
taken of, some of which were order
=. from their masters premises. While o
set was Mt the house of Mrs. A. j. Bali
taking her silver spoons, another set
- taking the boots from negro's feet
the public.square.
have been thus particular in enuu
rating some of the causes of outrage
that Messrs. Campbell, Stokes and Coop
as we'll as others, can make further inv
tigation if they want to know the tru
In no case, did mans antecedents ha
anything to do with their course towal
him; but in every instance 1t the p
was put up that the man had taken
part in the war, and done nothing, I