The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-09-26

spirit OF revenge that we say that The
bullets of our soldiers struck the right
persons when they bit the rebel officers,
nearly all.of whom are members Of the
negro aristocracy. They are the real
criminals, and they deserve to suffer
In tho last battle,
Borne down by tho nyng
Where minges wars rattle,
With gronns Of the dying"
Home Guards for the Suppression
of GuerriIIRs.
The following form of a Commission
authorizing persons to raise and organize
companies of Home Guards, in the vari-
GUS counties of the State, to put down the
guerrilla bands which are infesting so
many neighborhoods, has been adopted
by Governor johnson:
FORM OF COMMISSION.
WHEREAS, A portion of the people of
Tennessee are engaged in open rebellion
against the Government of the United
States, and have resorted 10 any and ali
means for the overthrow of the same
such, for instance, as organizing them
selves into marauding gangs of free
hooters, commonly denominated guerril-
las; and, whereas, life, liberty and prop
erty have been rendered insecure wherev-
er they have been found. Nov, ther IRE,
-- -, of --- county, -
hereby authorized to recruit and orgauize
a company of mounted mea TO be denom-
mated UAion Guards, the object of which
shall be to operate Extensively and deien-
sively in tho suppression Of the rebellion,
and all freebooting and marauding com
binationa which have been, or may here
after be found in this State.
This company, when organized, shall
be mustered into the service of the State
Of Tennessee, and of the United States,
aud shall continue in service for period
Of twelve months, unless sooner dis
charged, and be subject TO the rules and
articles of war as prescribed by the
Government of the United States, and
shall be entitled to the same pay, RAJ
tons, clothing, &C., that is now paid per
month by the United States for the vol
unteer service, and shall be under the
control and direction, while in the SER
vice of the State, of Andrew johnson,
Military Governor, or his successors in
office.
This company, when formed, will be
reported, officers and men 10 foil, TO this
office, when its organization will be per-
fected.
Given under my hand at the Exeou-
tive office at Nashville, Tenn, this ----
day of --- 1868.
Numerous applications for authority to
raise such companies for home defense,
have been made for months past, by per-
sons of undoubted loyalty, but such has
been the unsettled state Of affairs, and
80 great would have been the danger OF
being captured and cut OFF by Conroder-
ate forces, that 4 was not deemed safe
to attempt organizations of this charac-
ter. To have furnished loyal men with
arms and ammunition for self defence, in
most Of the counties, would have been
simply TO distribute arms and ammuni-
tion to the rebels, besides endangering
the lives or the very men whose pro-
lection and security was desired.
Hence the enlistment of the home
force for the determination of the
"marauding gangs of freebooters," and
assassins, who have wrought such dis
tress among our population has neces-
sarily been poisoned until the work could
be done with some certainty of success.
We presume that even yet it will be abso-
lutely necessary, for the same reason to
be cautious in organizing Home Guards
in some localities, where there would be
danger of being overpowered by Con-
tederate force. But in other neighbour
hoods we trust that loyal companies will
be raised by good and reliable men with
out delay. The man who will not give
active and hearty assistance, to the ex.
tent OF his power, to the work Of des-
troying this execrable and barbarous
guerrilla warfare, and exterminating the
whole brood Of outlaws, who are roam
ing about numbering and plunderihg, is
at heart an outlaw and deserves TO be
treated as such. Let all good citizens
come forward, take hold Of this good
work, aud bring it 10 a prosperous
completion, Every man must show
his hand. The people must know
who arc for law and order, and who
are the sympathizers with the guerrillas.
In raising these companies the militia
ry officers stationed at the various points
will give all necessary protection and en-
couragement, The companies will be
organized, as far as is compatible with
the interests Of the public service, under
the military laws Of The State, and will
act as a police force within their own
counties, not being required to do duty
beyond their limits. They will be re-
quired to send their prisoners and report
TO the nearest military post. We believe
1t is the purpose Of Governor johnson to
conform in a great measure to the order
Of Major General Hurlbut, at Memphis,
IN relation to a similar military organiza-
ton in Weot Tennessee. We are forced
to consult brevity at present, and shall re D.
cur to this very important matter again.