Daily Nashville union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-05-08
REPEN EANCE UF CONFEDERATE
PRISONERS.
HIGHLY INTERESTING LETTERS FROM
CONFEDERATE PRISONERS OF TEN
NtSSEE TO GOV. JOHNSON


will be read with the greatest interest
by the public, especially by loyal men,
and by honest and well-meaning per-
sons, who have been seduced by crafty
and ambitious men into this unholy
rebellion. Here we have the curtain
drawn aside and the secret machinery
Of the rebellion exposed to public. detes-
tation. How touching are the simple
and unvarnished stories of these Ten
nesseans Hard indeed must be the
heart which, while it ponders on this
spectacle oG delusion on the one side
and demoniac selfishness and deceit on
the other, does not sympathize with the
victims, and abhor the authors and in
stigatOrs of the rebellion. Not for the
wealth of the Indies and California, the
gold OF Ophir and the diamonds of
Potosi, would we take upon our souls
the damning guilt Of the Harrises, Nor
gans, McFerrins, DOuglases, Hardings,
Barrows, and other wealthy and influ-
entail traitors Of Nashville, who sought
to make others instruments in that trea-
son which they were too craven-hearted
to undertake themselves. The names
which we have given will head the roll
of infamy in Tennessee. The poet has
we'll told the doom of these traitors:
g Despite mis- titles, power and peif,
The wretch concentred all fN SELF,
Living, shall forfeit fair renown,
Aud doubly dying shall 60 down
To the vile du4t from whence he sprung,
Unwept, unhDnored aud unsung.'
These letters are samples of multi
tudes which Governor JOHNSON is re-
ceiving by every mail. We need not
say to those who know him that his
heart warmly sympathizes for the de-
luded men, who have been victimized by
crafty men, and who now wish to return
to their allegiance. All that humanity
combined with deep solieitude for the
public welfare will allow, he will assur-
edly do for the unfortunate prisoners
letter from James M. Upton.
CAMP MORTON, IND, April 80, 1862
10 HIS Brcezlency, Coz. d. johnson:
DEAR Sin: l hope you will pardon mt
for intruding this note upon your notice
am prisoner of war at this place, anC
| ask of you to use your influence, in or
der to secure my release. Z have lon.
since repe,ated Of eUsr engaging IN this rebel
lion. Ii0as influenced By strong seees8ioatst
and those IN possession Of large fortunes, anC
through their influence l joined tn
Southern army / saw my error in
short time after joined the army, but i
was too late; | was in, and only on
chance left for me so get out, and tha
was to desert l knew one thing--tha
if ] deserted that | could never returl
to my home and live in peace, for wOul
have been branded as a coward and trai
tor to the South.
. There is not a more loyal man in tn
Union than / am, / am willing TO TAX
the oath Of allegiance and remain with
/ your lines, If you request it. Perhaps
/ will be necessary to state that am
, son of William M, Upton, of Johnso
: county, Tennessee, Ny father, you al
) | well aware, has always been a warm an
I. devoted friend Of yours ] was not oil
4 enough to give you my aid in your poll
r teal contests in Tennessee. If you ca
r do anything in my favor, it will !
4 ! eheerfully received and never forgotten
D and If ever / can do you any favor wi
= willingly do it.
b Please let me hear from you imm,
q diately upon the reception OF this, &c
am yours, respectfully,
a JAMES M. TProN,
D Prisoner Of War; Indianapolis, Int
h Co X, 26th Tenn. Regt