The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1863-03-19
GIimpses In Dixie Lamd.-No. p.
NASHVILLE. March 4th 1868.

visited by political pilgrims. AS l sailed up
the stream last fall, its fiat and lonely shores
have no charms for me. From Louisville to
the river, some ten miles, the country is a
dead level now nearly covered with water
Such are the approaches to Louisville from
all directions, affordiug no suburbs which
adorn many Of our northern cities, such as
Milwaukee, Clcavland and Cincinnati. Some
ten miles further South is a considerable town,
a county seat by the name-of Elizabethtown.
Here are plainly visible. some. of the works
of John Morgan. the famous guerilla, in the
shape of the sites of burnt buildings and 9th
ers standing perforated with cannon balls
From this point to Nashville the whole dis
lance is strongly guarded by soldiers. At
every bridge particularly, there is a small
stockade fort, some larger and some smaller
depending upon the size aud structure of the
bridge.
These stockade forts are made of strong
piles from one and a half to two feet in diam
eter Of green oak or other timber placed close
to each other mostly in a circular form and
about the hight Of a man and open at the top.
Some of these are in oblong shape with a
zig gag path into them of the same shape and
material. Through all these outer walls are
port holes for the purpose of firing through.
A few thus protected could sustain them
sclvs against ten times their number; and it
would be very difficult for an enemy of any
magnitude short of artillery to take one of
these stockadcs having the circular named
passages.
At charlottesville and Bowling Green there
are strong Notifications and intrenchments.
AT the former place it will be remembered
we had all important battle after several days
of skirmishing. The ground is plowed up
and the trees cut off by cannon shot for a
mile in every direction. This is where the
high bridge spans Green River, and it was
important to both parties as it kept up or cut
off the connection with Louisville. With the
rebels this John Morgan is looked upon as a
sort of Paul Jones or Marion, but with the
Unionists he is regarded as a reckless dare
devil guerrilla, ready to jump out of the
woods at any time and gobble up our men as
a turkey would corn. His bands are roam
ing over the country in pursuit of plumber
anu ~ ucSllOy u PAOpCLl OIAJ VI Ndyo
before | got along a squad of these suddenly
appeared and seized a freight train. This was
only a few miles from Gallatin where we had
a large force. The cars were filled with Com
missary Stores and about seven hundred mules
What plumber they could not take away
they burned, inclusive of a number of car
loads of mules. This act of itself in wanton-
ly destroying so many inotfensive useful an
imals, shows a barbarism seldom equalled G.
ven among heather nations. The carcasses of
the mules and smouldering ruins lined the
track for a long distance.
Nashville was reached after q long tedious
days ride of nearly two hundred miles. Pre-
vious to reaching it, we passed over a SPLEEN
did bridge which here crosses the Cumberland
at nearly one hundred feet above the water.
The city is picturesquely situated on a high
commanding hill, cn the left bank of the
Cumberland and from the windows of most
all of the private residences even, can be seen
a rich thriving farming country around. The
town is compactly built with many fine pub
lie buildings as well as private residences
There are several large squares and parks.
This is the Capital of Tennessee. TheiState
house nearly completed when the wal COM
menced is located on the top of a hill, the
slopes of which no doubt when the building
is finished will be formed into parks and prom
enadcs, planted with native flowers, trees and
shrubbery Of which there seems to be an abuu-
dance.
And this reminds me of a visit to the tomb
of Elk. President James K. Polk. 1t is in front
of the mansion house in which he had resided
for many years previous to his death. There
is nothing remarkable about the house fur
Their than it is a common house of the more
wealthy planters built in Virginia style, hav-
ing pillars and a large veranda in front. The
grounds from the house gradually descend to
the street. Near the South East corner of the
front yard is the tomb. 1t consists of a plain
marble monument, and on proper entablatures
of it's -four sides are carved in plain and solid
language some of the leading act in the life
Of the illustrious dead. Over the monument
: stands a wooden structure supported by CO.
rinthian columns open below, but closed above
to protect the monument.
When | first passed along on the side walk,
seeing a lady in one of the walks and a negro
servant at work, | doubted the propriety of
going in, inasmuch as the gate was closed
AS l paused in front of the monument, the
servant opened the gate and told me to come
in. In going from the gate to the monument
| had to pass near Mrs. Polk, for Oh entering,
this same servant, on my inquiry informed
me it was her. She gracefully bowed to me
as | passed, and from the sad smile on her
face [ had no doubt it was a pleasure to her
to have strangers from a distant State honor
the memory of her departed husband. She
still wears mourning and in that melancholy
smile which l still see, l think her thoughts
were in the spirit tomb. She is less than six
ty years in age l should judge, with a figure
youthful, tall and commanding. She held in
H. 1ao1 r-,S~- Inifn orl xrron ncc,1f.a.
her servant in trimming the early spring roses
Ye ladies of the North, old and young, look
at this picture-a presidents wife working in
the garden for pleasure and for health Mar
tina Washington knit her husbands socks du -
ring the war of the revolution, and Mrs. Polk
with one servant manages her garden and
household. AS Jack Bunsby would say, make
a note of it." The sable servant informed
me that he was some sixty years Of age and
was the only slave ever owned by Mr.. Polk.
His eyes filled with tears when in reply to
my question he informed me that he was at
Washington during the presidential term and
also with him at the time of his death. He
picked and gave me a sprig of evergreen that
grew around the tomb. He was well educa-
ted l should Judge and seemed to be very in
telligent. With such examples as this, it
seems hard that the African race should be-
come bondmen to the white, and ought to
stimulate the philanthropist to renew his eff
forts in favor of Colonization total removal
and separation from the white race, according
to the plans conceived by Washington and
Franklin.
Mrs. Polk | understand is thoroughly loyal
and no doubt before this rebellion broke out,
would have exclaimed in the beautiful words
| of Schiller
"Gentle peace.
Sweetest concord,
Linger linger
Friendly 0 er our happy state"
f
Negroes Coming into Gke Lines of Rose
rPamnc ARMY