The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-04-09
For tho ysshvus Ua'eu
A se0Tohing Letter from an East
Tonuosass soldiers---

Nm. EDrToR.-Dear Sir : greatly de-
sire 10 write another article for your
most excellent paper, for it docs most
assuredly set forth the sentiments Of the
Union men Of every section 10 their true
tights Bot sir, | confess that my mind
is too much bdrthened, aud my heart too
fullto concentrate my thoughts to one
subject long enough to do it justice.
But | would to God, the everlasting
Father and Prince of Peace, that these
conservative, or hypocritical Union men
North, could feel for one week what /
have had 10 endure for 10 these many
months. And yet these pretended
friends in the North are prolonging these
sorrows, suherings and death in our
midst by giving aid and comfort to the
enemy. Is it not strange, Mr. Editor,
that the authorities Of this nation will
suffer such open and avowed enemies 20
remain in our midst, and claim proteo-
ton from that which they are constantly
trying to destroy. But enough Of this,
! might write month, and then would
only have begun
Ny heart is overmuch burthened with
sorrow and trouble. My mother gave
birth to eight sons and four daughters,
two of the latter went home to rest, as
bright and enticing gems, while they
were yet infants, and have been long in
the paradise Of God, giving him glory
forever and ever My father next died,
and the cares of the family fell upon
your unworthy friend ] brought up the
family as best 7 could until all were
grown, which was just about the time
this wretched rebellion broke out. These
devils in human form hung one Of my
brothers from his wife and five small
children. Not content with taking his
life, they robbed his suffering family Of
everything they had, even to their wear
ing clothes, bedding, and cupboard ware
of all kinds, leaving them totally desti-
tute. My wife took them in the house
with her and took care Of them, for these
bloOd-suokers had me driven to the
mountains at that time, and guard
ed my house by day and by night, seek
ing my life, and had hundred dollars
offered for my scalp. They caught an
other one of my brothers after he had
secuted from them many months, carried
him to Knoxville, put him in Jail, and
kept him there until he was nearly dead
from starvation, and when they found
he was determined to die rather than
turn against his country, they gave him
a passport North, by leaving all he had,
and come afoot with his wife and one
child, after imposing upon him an oath
never to lift arms against them. A third
brother who was very much afflicted
with rheumatism, at many times he has
been as hel pless as an infant, they came
and took him off in irons, and have
never heard Of him since. He left wife
and two small children. And my
youngest brother, about twenty years
old, the last account | had of him, he
was lying in the woods TO keep out Of
their hands. Another one of my broth.
ere they drove from home, he made his
escape through the noun tains and came
to me III the army. The rest ofmy bro
theirs, know not what has become OF
them, only | know they were all uncom-
promising Union men.
left an aged and afflicted mother, who
leaned upon my arm alone for protection
4 and support Heart broken and over
whelmed was she in sorrow for her MUIR
dercd sons,
Well do | remember her fdrrOwed
checks bathed in tears whenI would sliE
in home for an hour, and she would KEEP
close watch for me while | would re-
main but for short time; and tnen
would shoulder my gun and my large
knife for my defence, and sssin take my
leave and make to the woods again, hav.
ing to leave young but almost heart
broken wife, an aged and bereft mother
and two small children, the eldest JUS
large enough to call for its papa. o, my
| God my God whom shall justice TAXI
place Never will forget the deeI
signing Of my honored mother, and th'
heaving breast and anxious look Of my
dear wife, especially when | took my
leave for Kentucky. Well do Iremem-
Der looking back as l left and seeing my
wife leaning sgainst the door facing fol
support, as though she then had non,
other upon which to rely. She watched
ne as far as her eyes could behold me
Ali the curious looks she gave after m,
] never shall forget, The many times
she has cast her eyes 10 that direction
where she last saw the only one unto
whom she looked for happiness during
all future time. Oh my God ! how my
poor heart bleeds to visit my home and
those loved ones again, from which have
been exiled by these bloody fends OF
satanic birth Aud why? Because l
would not betray the trust reposed in me
and be traitor. Now, there are similar
cases to mine all over East Tennessee
-Four 81 my near neighbors, as wei rs
my brother, wers hung by those wretches