Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-05-08
Correspondence Cincinnati Gazette.
MEMPHIS AND HER CITIZENS.
CucrNSArr, May 2.

rms. GIzrrrE: MY attention has
h.en. c.Jled TO a communication from
Nsshviils, published in the papers Of
this citv week or two since, the OBJ
;ect of which was to show that q large
Union sentiment prevailed throughout
the Western portion of Tennessee, and
even predominated in the city Of Mem.
pbis. The suthor of that letter went
10 far as to assert that recent articles
in the Memphis Avalanche indicated
very clearly that this pestilent sheet
had come over to the side of the Gov
eminent.
I beg that you viii allow me to state
some facts concerning this city of Mem
phis and its mouthpiece, the Avalanche,
which must convince all that whatever
change has taken place in public senti-
ment there, is consequent upon the very
close proximity OF the Federal army to
that city, and not to any real love for
the Union. GolS .fh
In the city Of Memphis, prior to the
attack upon and surrender of Fort Sum-
ter, there was a very large majority in
favor of the Union. Seven hundred
being the msjority in that city against
holding a convention to consider the
propriety of seeding. While this can
vass was pending, the "Avalanche"
was filed with articles denouncing as
traitors every man who opposed that
measure, and calling down upon them
the most condign punishment. 1t was
edited then as now, by Galloway and
Cluskey-the former President Buch-
anan's postmaster, and the latter an
attache Of the rebel Gen. Walker, l be-
lieve. This was at period when
public sentiment was to be moulded,
and it was exceedingly doubtful Whe-
ther Memphis could be carried for the
South in any emergency. And yet
these men, Galloway and Cluskey. de-
voted themselves. day and night, to
the base purpose Of alternating men
from their allegiance, and rendering
the position Of those who dared main
tain their integrity to the Union dan
gerous in the extreme. Their efforts
were successful, as the action OF that
people plainly show. No sooner had
the news of the fall Of Lexington been
announced, than as one man, almost,
they began enrolling themselves under
the Confederate banner, and Memphis
and its vicinity became one vast militia
ry camp.
Then was inaugurated that reign Of
terror, during which tens and hundreds
OF men and women were outraged in
person and property. Then was en-
acted those scenes of violence, a recital
of which would mantle the cheek of q
Sepoy with blush of shame. All law
was trampled under foot-the worst
passions of man were allowed full
sway-and urged on by the strocious
articles of the Avalanche, system Of
whipping, headshaving and hanging
was inaugurated, which made the name
of Memphis infamous throughout the
world. l speak of facts coming under
my own observation, for | was there,
and made myself conversaut with the
outrages that were committed, and was
an eyewitness TO many of the most
horrible enormities Of which the history
of the world shows any people to have
been guilty. Some weeks prior to the
capture of Sumter, and while it was
generally conceded that Memphis was
strongly Union. a body Of six hundred
men from Mississippi. en- route for Pen
sacola, were received and most hospita-
bly, entertained by the civil and militia
ry authorities of that city, and paraded
through the streets, with Secession rags
flying, and the Stars and Stripes "furl-
ed" Every divisable place was occu-
pied by men and women, having
handkerchiefs and miniature confederate
flags. and so far as their approval went,
urging on the ragamufins who were
passing in their reasonable designs
FOR writing letter to the New York
Tribune, denouncing the people oi
Memphis for thus entertaining band
of rebels. was held up by this Ava
lanche, to public opprebrium and ven-
geance, and the good people were ex-
horted to "ferret the traitor out, and
nail him to the first lamp post" That
did not acknowledge the authorship
Of that letter, only proves that I am a
modest man, and shrank from the
honors they would fain thrust upon
me.
Fron, tba commencement of This
whole Secession movement in Mem
phis, until the s5th of April, / was al
large in the city, with opportunities fol
discovering and becoming acquainted
with the acts Of the people, and the
sentiments of the editors of the Ava
lanche, and 1 repeat, without the feal
of successful contradiction, that any
Unionism now apparent there is The
result of fear, and not change Of feel
ing at all.
On the 95th Of April, 1861, I wa
arrested upon the allegation that wa
a correspondent of the Tribune, ant
thrown into a dark and loathsome dun
geon, where the accumulated filth o
years rendered existence for any lengtl
OF time impossible This arrest tn,
Avalanche was exceedingly jubilan
over, and had their counsels for sum
mary execution been acted upon,
would not now be writing this letter.
While confined in that city was com
PEELED to witness the enormities perpe
fretad IN ohedienee tn the hehests n