New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-03-03

with WIN. Is. Carter, both citizens OF East IebDes-
pee. but who bad lately deserted the land OF their
birth. fed to Kentucky, and connected Themselves
with the enemies of their county, returned 10 East
Tennessee after the repuee Of Gen. Zolhcoier'e
command at Re ckcas,le lin, for the purlOse Of
incitiug conspiracy with the traitors on this SIDE
which would result in the entire destruction Of the
railroad facilities here, and then break up aud
entirely cut off Communication between Virginia aud
the remaining States of the ConfederscS prevent
the transportation OF troofs pro,iriors, and muBi
tons OF war, and thus open the way for the success
fu invasion OF our State. Thee two men, M is SUP
POSED, came first into the County Of Anderson, and
then, concealed at tie house OF Union man, sent,
az one Of the witnesses heard, for WIN. Pickeus OF
SEWER, who made the attenpt upon strawberry
Plains Bridge; but who with his Fang OF fifteen
men, WAS repulsed by keelan sngle-handed and
alone, Pickens himself falling seriously wounded.
1t is known that Fry and Carter passed into
Roane County, and parted at Kingston. AT this
on We lose sight Of Garter, as no evidence has yet
appeared OF his whereabouts after that time Fry,
however, proceeded on bis journey up the country,
passing through Loudon mo doubt making every
arrangement for the destruction OF tina; br dge then
passiug through Blount County ard finally reaching
Greene County two days before the burning OF Lick
Creek Bridge.
Travelling, as he did, at nights, and laying by in
| day light slealhv and trvgcherously creeping from
one traitors house to another, his movements could
! rot be traced until lie arrived, the night of
Wednesday, the 9th of November, al the house Of
/
manned until the night Of Thursday, the 9Th, when
lie pfoceed,d 10 Martin Walkers, arriving about x
O'Clock at night. AT Martin Walkers he met bis
wife, aud remained until o clock in the morning OF
The eth, stating TO Walker that he was on hs way to
/ Kentucky bat wanted to zee "a friend near Midway
lics Creek Bridge, and asking if Jacob Harmon
was as good Union man ~ ever. AS appeared
from the testimony, Fry made no revelations ~
Walker of his plans; but starting, as he did, at
o clock, ard not Icing familiar with the roads,
Walker yiloed him about three miles IN the difec-
lion of Midway.
After leaving Walker, Fry stopped at the house OF
Daniel Smith, Il noted Union mnn, living live or siN
miles from the bridge, arriving there about one hour
+ before dsy light. Immediately Fry laid lis plans be-
fore Smith, who agreed 10 acc as n metreuger from
r Fry to Jacob Harmon to communicate to Harmon
that he Fryl was at smiths house. thar he had come
10 destroy the niroad, and that lie wanted to see
= Harmon at Smiths house that morning. This mes
,age was communicated by Smith 20 Jacob Harmon
about o'clock on the morning of TIE 9Th Of No
yembe1; md accordingly Harmon, who was n Lead
ing Union s,irif in the neightorhcod, repaired 10
Snith's house. where the plans were unfolded, and
the plot and programme agreed upoD. Harmon was
10 go home, circulate the iact Throughout Inc neigh
borhood, aud gather the Unionists, ASCENDING them
at bis house that nilh, willie Fry would remain
at Smiths until nighrfll, ano then repair TO iIar-
mons houte to consuniniate the conspiracy,
Harmon did his share Of the work well Tor early
IN o. clock ut night between thirty and forty con-
sprators had met st his house, ready o'Oe led by
their eli lief on HE arrival Ind eager for the destruc
ton of The property. At that hour Fry abghied from
Bis hone and bounded into the yard, eS lAimlng
" Friends, | am Col. Fly, and am come 10 share
b with YOU" The PARTY Immediately assembled in
he house. when Fry commenced haranguing the
crowd by revealing he plans, and uTging them Oh to
deeds OF violence, until Tie crowd were almost imam
imoas in their eX expressions Of appfobuiion and with
one accord determined that the bridge should he
destroyed-hat Fly should be their leader, and thst
HI they would follow HIM, If necessary, To death.
Fry drew forth a United Siater fig and spreading
it upon table IN the center OF the roJm called uoh
bis followers 10 surround thst'emblem Of tie Union,
aud take with him the oath Of allegiance. 1bis Was
late in the night and alter the W ole plot had been
fnlly understood tie cons lraiors surrounded the
ID ie in groups aud, by direction Of tie leader,
placed thcir lett hands uIon the iOlds OF the hsg,
lasing aIUft their Ieht hands aud swearing To zap
FORT the Constitution OF the United States 10 sustain
The fog there spread before them. and 20 do that
n ught whatever my lie lmt rrs'cd upon them by
their chief. Ills oatn was taken by all, except Two
three, IN solemn earnest and ~ ri Dce tie dark
nefs relieved alone by the din and Pickering bgt Of
q solitary caudle The scene impres,iye-ihe
ooca. ION was full OF mOment-tEe hour was 1T, aud
everything COM tired al the hearts the traitors
with a fixed determination.
Aroused thus the higheat pitch Of mal;ce'and re-
We &C. the chief OF the coDspaiorr immediately led
the way to The bridge, and was followed IN eager
haste by the willing crowd The Confederate guard,
consisting Of five soldiers, watching the bridge, were
Immediately surrounded by lbe iuiuiisted .. and
were held in close confinement while Fry It'll lead.
4 ing The way, aud rll followed by tie bodest Of his
4 dian haeeued the wooden stfuc'uie, applied the
torch and the whole consumed aud burned %
the ground in an hour. Upon returning " the
q guarded soldiers, Fry grscously extended 10 them
their lives upon condition that they would take the
oath OF allegiance to the United otates-ssying thai
now "be had them under BIZ thumb, and tie ID
= Telegraph and railroad would tell upon them 10
r longer This closed the scebe-he party OF traitors
rsed 10 their homes for the nighnany Of lhem
To be CAPTURED Oh the MORROW, and Tie remainder to
| flee TO tie woods and mountains, a. outeasts from
their homes
Tie foregoing are the leading facts as were devel,
oped in the ,rial OF number OF the couspnors, and
the leading spirits in the deed Of destruction wee
David Fry Jacob Harmon, {. A. Ham, Daniel
Smith, Henry Harmon, Henry Fry, tnd twenty VI
thirty others, whore names i. il not prudent ~ mem
ton.