The Tiffin weekly tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1859-1868, 1862-04-04
Onr 9rmg Correspondence
LETTER FROM COZ. GIBSON
CAMP ANDY JoHNsoN,l
March Is, 'C1,

plaISh 10 Vs.
EDs. TEiruhk:
Nashville is beautiful city, contain
ing about $4,000 inhabitants before the
rebellion, ut least one third Of whom are
now in dixie, or in the North. 1t is on
the South bank OF the Cum5erland,whilst
Edgcfcld Is on tho North bank. The
wire bridge connecting the two places,
was magnificent structure, near five
hundred feet long. 1t is in ruins, whilst
the railroad bridge is totally destroyed.
The former was built by the Mr.. Gray
who built the one at Tilin.
The State House, though not one half
as large, is yet more graceful and ole-
CANT building than ours at Columbus. 1t
is built on hill of limestone rock, and
is seen from great distance. Itis built
of Tennessee marble, limestone yaric-
gated with rcd strcaks.
President Polk's residence was near
the State House. Here his widow re-
sides and prompted BY curiosity and re-
spect, l did myself the honor to call on
her few days since. She is an elegant
lady Of about fifty, and in youth, has
been hand some.
She is with the rebels in her sympathy
though she treats the Federal officers
with marked respect. In the door-yafd
the illustrous President is buried, and
the spot is marked by plain doric nom
umcnt, with approximate inscription, re-
cording tho most important events of his
life.
John Bell resides here, but is gone to
dixie. His house ia an unpretending
brick, and upon the silver door plate is
inscribed 81. Bell"
Gen. +. X. ZollcofIer resided between
the city aud our camp. His mansion
was fine and occupied high position IN
the center Of a splendid forest Of about
40 acres.
The walks, ornOments and rustic cedar
fences, show him to have been gentle
man of taste and refinement. He had
SIC, 900 stock in the wire bridge, but rob-
ol vandalism took this means Of support
from his accomplished family. had in
tended to cal! on this family, out Of re-
spect entertained FOR the unfortunate
General, with whom had been intimate.
ly acquainted, in the political struggles
in the days of Clay and Scott.
This melancholy pleasure must fore
60, though invited to call by the family.
In this region every one OWNS ono OF
more slnvos. Here as elsewhere, whert
| have been, the slaves are well treated
and well provided for. They appear hap
pier and certainly 1.-Two and dress better
than the poor whites, or the free negro oi
Ohio or the North; They all supposed
we were about to liberate them. Thi.
lie had been trumpeted in the South, ant
hundreds of honest people, aside from
slaves, belieyedit. But the negro here in
stinetively breads the North. They love
the South and are devoted to their mas
ters. ....... ..-. IN
l have witnessed some touching scenes
between exiled masters, returned to thei
homes and their faithful slaves. 1t /.
strange how few try ty escape or ruI
away. doubt il twenty have came I,
the army, with which have been con
nected, since las, September
About tho farm houses aud in the city
the white children and black, play to
gether like brothers and sisters. 1t is my
deliberate opinion, that in their present
state of ignorance, the slave rather feari
than desires emancipation. They only
regard their appetitcs and comforts. They
are well housed, well dressed and wei
fed. They appear to want no more
These facts constituted no excuse fol
slavery, but mention thom as tending
to show that statesmen, had better LEI
the "nigger" alone at present, and ad
dress themselves to Euppressing this gres
rebellion. fci esHll agaeW
The Presidents late resolution an.
message, as TO aiding emancipation, is re
garded here as unworthy Of bis position
1t contains propositions which are no
} only untenable, but weak in the extreme
As to an advance, MeCook's Diyis
ION moves ats A. NJ. tomorrow, one
Brigade leading the column. We 60 Il
franklin, then to Columbia and then, th'
Lord knows where.
We hope for a 4 h. tomorrow or Dex
day. The 49th iS ready and eager $50
the fray"