Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1863-07-30
Fearful Tragedies in East Tenhes-

The Memphis Bulletin publishes the
following thrilling statement ON the au-
thortv of Col Robert A. Crawford, OF
Green county, East Tennessee, who IS
refugee and was one Of the Vice Pres-
dents of the late Convention at Nash lille;
In the month of January, 1868, at
Laurel. n. c.. near the Tennessee border,
all the salt was seized for distribution by
Confederate Commissioners. Salt sell
inc at from seventv-tive to one hundred
dollars a sack. The Commissioners de-
clared that the Tories should have none,
and positively refused to give unon men
their portion of the quantity to be DIS
tribntei in that vicinity. This palpable
Injustice reused the Union men they as
semhled together and determined to seize
their proportion of the salt by force.
They did so, taking at Marshall what
thew deemed to be their just share
/ Immediately atterward the Goth North
Carolina regiment, under command OF 1t.
Col. James Keith, was ordered to Laurel
to arrest the offenders.
I. N. Allen was Colonel of the regl-
ment, hut had been suspended for SIX
months for crime and drunkenness, Many
Of the men engaged in the salt seizure left
their homes. Those who did not partci-
pate in it became the sufferers. Among
those arrested were Joseph Wood, abost
sixty wears Of age Dave Shelton, sixty
Jas Shelton, fifty; Roddy Shelton, forty
FIVE Ellison King, forty halen Moore
thirty-five, Isaiah Shelton, fifteen Vim
Shelton. twelve; James Metcalf, ten
Jasper Channel, fourteen; Samuel She
ton, nineteen, and bis brothersaged seven
teen, sons of Litus Sheton-ln al thIrteet
meu ami BOYS. Nearly all Of them de
! clared thew were innocent, and had taSel
no part in appropratlng the salt The!
begged for a trial. asserting that they
could prove their innocence.
Col Allen. who was with his troops
but not in command. told them they
should have a trial, but they would b.
taken 20 Tennessee for that purpose
They babe farewell to their wives, daughter
and sisters. directing them to procure tn
witnesses and bring them to the court II
Tennessee. where they supposed their trla
would take place. Alas how little the,
dreamed what fate awaited them
+ The poor fellows had proceeded but
few miles when they were turned from tn
road into a gorge in the mountain AM
halted. Without any warning OF VIVA
was to he done with them, i've OF Their
were ordered TO kneel down. Ten pace
in front of these FIVE, a file OF so
diers were place with loaded muskets
The terrible reality flashed upon the mind
of the doomed patriots. old man woo
cried out. s'For Gods sake, men, you al
not going to shoot us /? If you are goln
to murder us, give us at least time
f pray. ....--..-
, Col Allen was reminded of his promls
TO give them trial. They were intorme
that Allen had no authority, that helt
+ was in command, and that there was n
time for praying. The order was the
given to fire the old men and boys PIT
their hands to their faces and rent the a
, with their agonlzing cries Of despair Il
soldiers wayered and hesltated to obey Il
command. Keith said if they dld n
. fire Immediately, he would make the
: change places with the prisoners. II
soldiers raised their guns, the vlctln
e shuddered convulsively, the word WI
! given to fire, and the FIVE men tell pierce
a with rebel bullets. Old man Wood ar
\ Shelton were shot in the head, their britll
: scattered upon the ground and they dlt
h without a struggle. The other thr
: lived only few minutes.
f Five others We're ordered to Knee
h among them little Billy Shelton, me
+ child, only twelve years old. he u
: plored the men not to shoot him IN
n face. 'You have killed my father al
n brothers, said he, you have shot
IT father in the face do not shoot me IN
face He covered his face with his han'
q The soldiers received the order TO ire, a
IS five more fell. Poor little Billy W
d wounded in both arms. lie ran to an
le fcer, clasped him around the legs, ana
l. sought him to spare his he gu ia