The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-03-29
Parson BroWnloW's Story.

The Nashville correspondent of the World
wiring on the 10th inst, thus describes Parsol
Brownlow, and the story of his recent persecu
tons at the hands of the rebels in Tennessee
Parson Brownlow arrived on Saturday. H'
resembles no other man have ever seen, ant
none that you have either, | think. lie viii
remind you of Alexander II. Stevens, perhaps
Eyes blue, hair black, head small, in stature
short, cheeks and chin angular, mouth rootny
His laugh is su, generis, understandable, What
is indicated by it leave to the human natural
lists. He is nearly sixty hut looks forty. His
dress and address are like other peoples. Ht
cats and drinks, too, like other people. He's
odd, though, very odd He's great Brown
low the vulgar would remark. But you'll see
him one Of these days. HIS coming North. In
tends q tour down East lie ought to be pre-
sented with one Of Hoes best and fastest That
would be a becoming and handsome thing. For
he means 90 insure the publication of the Knox
vile Wig. lie says that is his only remaining
ambition. The oldnobleman is not dying with
the consumption, as the lightning represented.
tie is just off a typhoid fever sick bed Of eight
weeks, and increases in strength daily.
HIS paper wasstopped in October. III Novem
Der he made an arrangement with the rebel
government by which he was to be allowed to
leave Tor safer cline. Notwithstanding which
he was thrown into the common Jail, on the 9th
OF December, by the military authorities Of
Knoxville
lie was incarcerated in room with rs others
--inostly bridge burners. The only scrap of
furniture that it contained was a bucket and
ladle, There was not sufficient space for the 25
to lie down at the same time. They slept and
stood by turns. AS an illustration Of the treat
ment, the guard would wash bis face and hands
In the prisoners tank shat stood in the yard by
the window. When the prisoners demonstrated
the reply was d" Water that a JEFF. DAVIS man
washes his hands in is good enough for q id
Llncoinite to drink.
The dampness, bad air and refuse rations with
which they were fed, brought poor brownlow
down with the typhoid fever, and alter four
weeks confinement In jail ne was transferred to
hls own house, where he remained seriously in
disposed for eight weeks. Upon his recovery he
applied again 10 the rebel government tor d pass
poEJ and escort. They were granted, the latter
10 be selected by himself. he started about two
weeks ago. Reaching Shelbyvilie he was de-
tanned ten days by Gon. itardee, who wished to
get of 20 600 bacon and 1000 beeves, and feared
The loss OF it if the Lincolntes should hear Of
it. ilatdeo says that ohelbyyille is the biggest
Union hole he ever got into DR.. BroWnlow
says it is rs loyal as Boston,.
| learn irom HIM that five hridee-burners were
hung at Knoxville, anu that five more await
their execution. The saving Of one OF The lat
ter Was touching and affecting. lie was Il
widower and had one child, and she u daughter.
The day of the execution came, and the daugh
ter was informed Tor the first time that her faith
er was to be hung in five or six hours. The
poor girl was distracted with grief. She pre-
vailed on u friend 10 Wrlte u dispatch to jeff
Davis invoking his cemency. Ii ran about
thus:
Hon. Jtterson Dav1s: My father is to be
hung at O'Clock, on a charge of bridge. burn
ing. My mother is dead, and he is my only
hope and support. VIII you intercede for him
ELIZABETH -"
A reply ordering the communication of the
poor man punishment, was received, and one
martyrdom was saved.
The incidents that attended one of the execu
tons were also Of affecting interest. The con-
demned man asked the attendance of clergy
man whom he named. 1t was denied, with the
remark. that " no damned bridge-burner should
be allowed prayers, and God Almighty wouldn
hear them If they WERE" But presently half
drunk rebel chaplain was brought, and on the
scatfold proceeded to inform the crowd that he
had conferred with this unfortunate man, and
that he had expressed his sorrow for his crimes
&c. The unfortunate man raising his voice
to a stentorlan tone exclaimed There is not a
word of truth in what the man says | burned
the bridges deliberately. Under the same cir
cumstances [ should 90 precisely the same thing
Another moment and he persisted.
DR.. Brownlow saw several regiments pass
through Knoxville from Virginia, en- route for
the western wing Of the army, and anticipates
u holly contested battle in North Alabama
But he found the whole tone and feeling of the
people to be that of encouragement and con-
sternatlon ; and he declares that the war will
be substantially over before hot weather.
While he was in Shebyville, Gen. Crittcn.
den's command passed through, and in a most
dilapidated and torlorn condition. Many were
absolutely in their stocking feet, and shirts were
proruding from innumerable appertures. He
puts the Cumberland Gap force at 5000, under
COL Rains, and says they cannot be taken ex
cept BY thanking
Dr. and Mrs. Snarls