The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-02-16
EnIsehoOds OF Correspondents OF
Jhe LOuIsViIIe Journal Exposed.
CLARKsvmLE. TENN, Feb. II, 1864.

tHe AOuAsSllle JouTAal EN posed,
GAINESVILLE. Tenn Feb. II, 1864
Editors NasEUiHe Union: I have no de-
sire TO get into newspaper controversy,
but IS much is being said now-a- days
about Kentucky and Kentuckians with
reference TO their 7oyayy TO the Federal
Government, and the treatment which
they receive at the hands of the officers
of the Government; and as the command
at Clarksville is partially interested in
the dispute, I would respectfully ask the
favor of the insertion of few lines in
the UNION.
Some person writing to the Louisville
journal, from ElktoD, Todd County, Ky,
under date of December 18th, 1863, over
the nom de plume of "An Old Ken
tuckian," begins his letter with the be-
ginning Of the Rebellion. He recounts
the story of the establishing by the ReB-
els of recruiting camps just over the
kentucky line, near her border, and the
result thereof in the recusancy and ex-
patriation of many of Kentucky's sons,
who Aocked TO the recruiting camps men
toned, and united their fortunes with
the rebels; the suffering in person and
property of many loyal citizsns on &C
count of the presence of these rebel
forces, &c, sc. "But," says he, "this is
not the worst we have to submit to. At
Nashville, ClsrRsville, and Fort Donel-
son they (meaning the Administrators
of the Federal Government,) have open
ed recruiting quarters for the negroes
and the negroes are
leaving our State By hundreds and thou
sands, and receiving protection under
these sinks of abolition, which can on
ly mean, what 1 have within eighteen
months past, heard many, very many Ken
tuckians ssy--that the loss of 3 few, or
few hundred negroes is to them great
er LOGS than the destruction of the Fed
eral Government would be. Fer nearly
two years have been daily brought in
to contact with citizens of Kentucky,
and sm sorry to say this spirit seems to
control most of them. Twelve months
ago heard a Kentuckian, who had for
merly been a captain in the Federal
srmy say, in speaking Of the refusal of
an army officer 70 deliver to him at the
point of the bayonet, his negroes who
had come within the Federal lines, that
be "would not give d-n for . Govern
ment which would not restore to man
his property" If you cay 10 them that
you are by orders and acts Of Congress
forbidden to return Jflgitives to their mas
ters, they will raise their hands in holy
horror sud say, 90 but an = citizen of
Kentucky, she has ever been a loyal
State, and I hold that am entitled 10
some consideration on this account"
Ny experience is, that if they are able
to retain their niggers they are loyal, de-
priyed of them they are ready and viii
ling to heap all kinds of iuvectives upon
the Government and its officers.
An Old Kentuekian says further. Rath-
er humiliating incident occurred with
one of my nsigbors last week, as related
by him who is, and has been as loyal a
man as any. Having lost vastly by the
rebels, and lately by his negroes who
had Joined the camp st Clarksville, he
was solicited by sick neighbor Of his to
60 to Clsrksville and get some horses
and see three o. his CHE sick mAn's)
negroes, who had eloped with the horses
the previous night. The first neighbor
spoken Of went, as requested 70 his loyal
friend and neighbor to CIarksville, aud
IS be approached Headquarters to get
leave for bis horses, and see the negroes,
he was halted by young buck negro
dressed in the Federal uniform, with
presented muskst and bayonet, aud or
dered to leave and obey bis order or he
would "blow 3 hole through him. Now
to say The least Of His, it it a malicious
and unmitigaied fslsehood To my oey-
tain knowledge there has not, within the
past four months, been negro upon duty
as = soldier anywhere within the vicinity
Of Headquarters at Clarksville, nor was
there any such an occurrence with or
without the knowledge or consent Of the
commanding officer At ClarksFille, at the
time and place spoken Of By "Kesltucki-
an He further says, Il am informed
that hundreds and thousands Of negroes,