Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1863-08-21
Rsnnrd Of Inhum.n Crualtiep.

a 6ecoEQ OF SEU6Ah1e3'
The editor Of tie Memphis Bulletin has be,
I upon visit TO Nashville, attending a Sta
! Convention He communicates the followir
TO his paper, and vouches for his informsu
II is sickeniug in detail. horrible in conce
lion and the wreiches who perpetrated Il
ouirages are not fit for hanging Some ne
and exquisite torture should be invented
il.eir special benefit. Here is the article:
From Colonel R1bert A. Crawford,
Green county, Tenn. who is a refugee. an
was one OF the Vice Presidents Of the Stat
Convention at Nashville, we learn the follow
ing facts in reference to rebel rule in iha
beautiful ''Swiizerland of America" Ens
Tennessee. Colonel Crawford has perst ma
know ledge of some of the facts, having left th
scene of their enactment quite recently, an
vOuches for the truth of all of them, as his in
formation was obtained from trustworthy per
sons, and written down on the spot.
Last summer three young men, brothers
named Anderson, left their homes in Hawking
county, and attempted 10 make their way int,
Kentucky. They were arrested by squad o
Confederate cavalry on Clinch FLYER, abou
seveniy-fVe miles from Knoxville, shot, ant
thrown into the river Their bodies Wert
found floating in the stream, fifteen miles froH
their own forsaken homes.
THE SCARCITY OF SALT.
In the month of January. 1868. at Laurel
n. e, near the Tennessee border, all The sail
was seized for distribution by Confederat
commissioners who declared that The "Torie,
should have none." ard positively refused to
give Union men their portion Of The quantity
to be distributed in that vicinity. This pal
patle injustice reused the Union men; they as
sembled together and determined TO seiz
their proportion Of The salt by force. They
did so. taking at Marshall, n. c., what thy
deemed their just share.
Immediately afterwards, the Sixty ffh
North Carolina regiment. under command OF
Lieut.. Col. James Keith, was ordered 10 I.au-
rel to arrest the off-nders.
ARRESTS FOR SEEING. a 81. e.
L. NJ. Allen was colonel Of the regiment
but has been suspended for crime and drunk
enness. Many Of the men engaged in the
salt seizure left their homes. Those who did
not participate in it became the sufferers.-
Among those arrested were Jnseph Wood, a.
bout sixty years of age; David Shelton, fifty;
ROddy Shelton. Do; IlisOn King. 40; Haven
Moore. 40; Wade Moore, 35; Isaiah Shelton
l5; VIM, shelton. u; James Metcalr, 10; JAS
per Channel, IA: Samuel Shelton, 10; aud his
brother, aged II. sons OF Lifus Suction in al
thirteen men and boys. Nearly all of them
declared they were innocent, and had taken
no part in appropriating the salt. They beg.
ged for a trial, asserting they could Prove
tLeir Innocence.
THE EXECUTION.
Col. Allen, who was with his trOOTs, but not
in command, toldlihpm they should have trial
but they would be taken 10 Tennessee for ftpt
purpose. They bid farewell to their wives
daughters aud sisters, directing them to pro
cure the Witnesses and bring them TO the court
in Tennessee, where they supposed their trial
would AXE place, Alss. how little they kneV
what fate awaited them.
HORRIBLE BARBARITIEs.
The poor fellows had proceeded but few
miles, when they turned from the road into
gorge in the mountains, and halted. Without
any warning of what was to be done to them.
five of them were ordered to kneel down. Teu
PAGES in front Of these fve, file of soldiers
were placed with loaded mUskeis.
The terrible reality flashed upon the minds
of the dnon,pd patriots Old man Wood (6O
years of age) cried out: For Gods sake, men,
you are not going to shoot Us? If you ale go
ing 10 murder u.s. give US at least time tO-pray."
Col. Allen was reminded of his promise to
give them trial They were informed that
Allen had no authority; that Keith was in
and that there was no time for pray
ing. The order was given to fire; the old men
and boys put their hands TO their faces and
rent the air with agonizing cries of dispair;
the soldiers wavered aud hesiIated 10 obey the
Keith said if they did not fire in
sIantly he would make them change places
with the prisoners. The soldiers raised their
guns, the victims shuddered convulsively, the
word was given TO fire, and the five men fell
pierced with rebel bullets. Old man Wood
and Shelton were shot in the head, their
brains scattered upon the ground, and they
died without struggle. The other three lived
only few minutIs.
MURDER OF A BOY OF TWELVE YEARS.
Five others were ordered to kneel, among
them little Billy Shelton, mere child. only
twelve years old. He implored The men not
to shoot him in the face. "You have killed
my father and brothers," said he, you have shot
my father in the face; do not shoot me in the
face" The soldiers received the order TO fire,
and five more fell. Poor little Billy was
wounded in both arms. lie ran to an officer,
casped him around tie legs, and besoughr
him 10 spare his life. "You have killed my
old Gather and three brothers; you have shot
me in both arms-I forgive you oil this-I can
get well. Let me go home TO my mother and
sisters" What heart of adament the man
must nave who could disregard such an ap-
peal. The little boy was drasl e back TO the
place of execution; again the terrible word
'fire!" was given. and he tell dead, eight balls
having entered bis body. The remaining
three were murdered in the same manner
Those in whom life was not entirely extinct.
The hearIless officers dispatched with their
pistols.
ToRTURTNG DEFENCELEss WOMEN.
Captain MORLEY, in charge of u cavalry
force and Colonel Thomas, in command Of u
number Of Indians, accompanied KriIh's men.
V'hoso v1rOrooJ.d 70 I'onuosooa. aith'S men