The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-03-01
suFerIngs Of IoyaItr in Tennessee.

Park Beyamiz.
-
suFerIngs OF loyalty In Tennessee.
No one can read the subjoined letter,
written by lady in Tennessee 70 a
friend, (says the Baltimore American of
the 18th, without a noistened eye and
swelling breast. The simplicity of the
narrative adds to its pathos, and the
writer in all her suffering makes no
yauut Of devotion to the Union dis,
played by her family, and which finally
Iced to the brutal murder Of her hus-
band:
Another long, weary year has passed
since I have heard from or written to
you. / gave you an account of our
troubles until the time of Mr.. John
ston's illness at Shelbyville. He re-
covered, and after / had left him
awhile be ventured home, and I being
alarmed for his safety, concealed him
for a week Finding It difficult to do
30 (having largo family, both white
and black, and he not able to bear
confinement, begged him to return to
Shelbyville, which he did, and when
next he returned, only week later, it
was in company with a large force Of
Federal soldiers
He was always dcciGed,y Union nan,
nor did he endeavor to conceal il, but,
on the other hand, spoke his sentiments
freely TO al parties, insisting upon the
right 10 criticise the public acts of DO
litical bodies as an inalienable right, one
that he never could give up. and never
did, even when gnawed by hunger,
pierced by cold, and iron door, and bars
confined him During the Federal oc-
cupation Of our town be almost daily
visited the Generals for company. but
that ia the eyes Of secessionists was a
hanging matter. During this time the
guerrIllas stole four more Of our horses.
and l always fearing for him, put my
head ont the window one night and
was shot at, but not hurt. Just ono
week from that night. they rode into
our yard and up to the door at midnight
hallooing for Mr. Johnston to come out.
they were going 10 shoot him Accord
ing 20 a little ruse agreed upon the
boys up stairs commenced blowing
horn; they left but returned soon
after reinforced. Mr. J. then blew it
loudly himself, and after swearing and
firing their guns, they ran as fast as
their horses could 20 for nearly two
miles, believing the Federals were after
them-some in the neighborhood still
think so-though there were really
none nearer than Winchester a dis
lance of six miles
Soon after this the Federals left, and
two days after Mr. J. started to Shell
byville taking his son with him, to buy
some neeessaries Of life, but when about
half way they were taken prisoner by
mob, brought back to Winchester
jail and lodged IN a dungeon, their
horses, saddles, money, &c. being taken
from them / went 20 see them and
found them in more comfortable
room than at first, where friends had
placed them, and whence they made
their escape that night They went 10
Nashville, but having no money, and
not being able 10 find employment.
they determined to return home and
risk the consequences: but when only
five miles on their way tkey were re
taken and sent 70 Layergne and kept a
week; were carried thence to Muir
freesboro and kept four weeks either
in = dungeon or else in the woods
with no bed but the frozen ground,
no cover but the sky, and they with
nothing but summer clothing having
left home in warm weather
During this time my babe my darling
Liberty, was born. As soon as was
able weRt to Chattanooga, whittier he
had been carried by this time; but
though thought was prepared for any
thing, had yet 70 experience the shock
Of meeting my loved husband, under
guard Of an armed escort. and seeing
him for the first time look into the clear
depths Of our babes innocent eyes, in
their presence. Isoon had to leave, and
after some trouble gained admission
into his cell for limited time. That
having expired, placed my babe in his
arms and left, thinking it would gain me
admission again; then visited General
Hindnan, 70 see if he would release him;
but no, he said the charges against him
were Of too grave nature to allow Of
either bail or parole. SO, with an aching
heart, ! returned to my husband.
Thinking you may like 10 know what
the charges are, / viii tell YOU. lst
He was a pretended juror to a pretend
cd Court held at Nashville in April
ID he was n delegate to Convention
held in Nashvillein Nay 3D. he was not
in favor Of secession, but still avored
the Federal Government 9TH lie had
taken the oath of allegiance 20 the
United States after Tennessee seceded.
The two last charges were true, the
hrst would have been had not sickness
prevented left him about New
Year. HIS son came home soon after.
mr. Johnston was paroled and came
nome just as | was preparing to visit
him again. Oh, l was happy then-we
AL were thought his parole would
be protection, and until tho dav he
was murdered, before my own ewes
thought he was safe
He stayed at home, attending only 10
his own business, and was WORKING IN
the garden when they called him o,,t
and shot him. the little children PLAYING
SO close by that I know not how thew
escaped one ball, passing through him.
lodged IN the basement window, and
another in the hall door lie was shot
on the 18th Of March. and died the 18th.
his last smile resting on his Liberty. p
as he named the babe. His last words
we're my wife And thus was al In
nooent man murdered. because he in
sisted upon telling the truth and loving
his country, and am left with more