The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1862-10-18
A Peasant Family.
From the Knoxville Tenn Register


The errant editor of the Henderson Times
in the course of his wanderings, has picked
up some interesting intelligence, showing the
'unhealthy feeling pervading hundreds" and
he fears, thousands Of families in East Ten.
nessee" He gives the following interview
between confederate officer and Lncolnite
family on Powell's River:
At Powelps River, l stopped and engaged
more milk of an old Lincolnte jade, keen asa
brer, and mother of three land don't know
how many more) rather nice looking gals
she complained to me of having been rudely
treated by North Carolina officer the morn,
ing previous Arriving at camp, informed
the officer of the old lady's story, and he told
me that knowing their political status, he had
placed guard around the house to keep any
of the family from going to the Gap while Cur
army was crossing the river, and that in the
meantime the following conversation took
place.
officer (entering the house Good morning,
ma'am. No answer. Where is your husband,
ma'am?
Old woman-None of your business, you
rebel, you.
Oficer-I know He is in the Yankee army
Old woman-Well he is. What are you
going to do about il? He is in the 1st Ten
nessee federal regiment at Cumberland Gap,
and will take your rebel head off if you go up
there.
Oficer-Yes. But we have him and your
Gen, Morgan's whole command completely
urrounded-hemmed in-with an army on
both sides of the Gap, and in few days they
will be starved out, and have to surrender up.
on our own terms.
Old Woman-We know all that. and are
r ~
Kentucky, which will wipe out your General
Smith just as dog would lick out plate,
then you and your army of bare footed roast
ing ear stealers will have to leave here in the
dark again, and badly scared at that. Besides
this
Of6cer-That's your opinion, bnt you are
deluded. Where were were you born?
Old Woman-Born! Why, 1 was born and
raised in Tennessee. l am an Old Hickory
Tennesseean-dead out against notification,
and its bastard offspring .seces sion. But
where are you from?
Ofhcer-I am from North Carolina, but
native of South Carolina.
Old Woman-A Sonth Carolinian-scion Of
nullifcation-double rebel, double devil Old
Jackson made your little turnip patch of a
State walk the chalk once. and Old Abe Lin.
coin will give you rebels hell before spring.
Offcer-(Quitting the old lady, and turning
to the eldest daughter, whom he recognized as
q mother)-Madame where is your husband!
Young Woman-That is none of your bust.
ness.
Oficer-But it my business. Where is he:
Young Woman-Where hope l will never
see him again. Where hope you'll soon be,
Oficer-.Where is that?
Young Woman-Why, prisoner in the
hands Of the army at the Gap.
Oficer-What is that for?
Young Woman-For being what you are-an
in Internal rebel.
Oficer-Oh, if that's all, will send him
back to you as soon as we take the Gap.
Young Woman-No, you needn't. Gust if
he ever sleeps in my bed again. Intend to
get some Union man to father this child. Here
Bet, calling a nurse, take this little rebel
and give him Union milk. Let US try and get
the secesh out of him.
Officer turning to a Miss Did yon find
beau among the Yankee offcers9
Miss Yes, l did; a nice, sweet, gallant fel-
low; one who stepped like prince. When you
become his prisoner, give him my love, and
tell him for my sake to put trace chain
around your Internal neck.
Oficer-when do you expect to see him
again!
Miss-Just after your general takes the
next "big scare which will be in ten days
from this time.
Daylight having broken, and the army hay
ing crossed the river, the conversation have
given terminated.