Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-02-16
FROM EAST TENNESSEE.
fCorrsypondence of the Whig.I

|Cor7esDoRdeRce Of the Whigl
CAMP NEAR BRISTOL, Feb. &, 1865.
In NV last letter | intimsted that as
Brownlow got into power, he would at once venti-
late the State of all elements antagonistc to his alb
soute rule. Pulled up by the action Of the recent
bogus Convention at Nashville, he succeeded by his
vaccinations in having Brig Gen. S. P. Carter, P.
| N General for East Tennessee, removed, and q
cold bloodod relentless and unleeiing Nichgander
put in his place-a "fit tool" to all his caprices.-
Thus has he begun his bloody career, removing all
obstacles, So that his sway may be unbridled-that
| the glorious work OF Punishment and confseation
may receive no check. General Carter was much
| admired by both Union aud Southern families. His
geu,ility aud kindness towards the latter class was
the cause Of his removal. The brute, Brownlow,
1 could not endure his lenency. Had lie
been radical, red-mouthed Jacobin, he
would not have been removed under any
circumstances. II such an influence can be brought
i to hear at present before he has been robed in
/ the costume OF the Chief Executive OF the State,
what can lie do and what will be do, when he gets
the entire State subject TO his dctationf The soul
naturally recoils al the idea Of such blood
L thirsty Nero having power given nm. Goa pity
the orphans and the widows of our fallen braves,
| who are destined to suffer and groan beneath mis-
hand.
Gen. Carter returns TO the army under Schofeld
Il Brig Gen Ammon, strong cOpperhead, has been
forced To resign because OF his Southern pTochvi-
ties and his SynpdthieS with the southern element.
Il He IS succeeded by Brig Gen. David TlllSOn, the
l7UScegeaaoUi>t His affection tor the sOoty horde
| is said To be beyond precedent. This gentleman u
taste has been ii command OF the negroes around
| Knoxville for some months, BrOwnlOw says that
"TillsOn will teach the rebel citizens what negro
vassallage means whilst he commands the depart
meut" TUlsOu seems 10 be III immediate command
/ Ut the department, while Stevenson commands the
troops in the field, and has nothing to do with the
executive affairs or business OF the department.
/ Rcinforcements have been seut 10 the enemy from
the different garrisOus west. There are at least nve
| thousand troops east OF knoxville, stationed near
| Morristown, on the French Broad aud Chucky Riv-
/ ers The larger portion OF these troops are lnian-
L try There NAV be a. many AS two thousand cav
Il alry-(not all eftectye.l The entire command Is
under line discipline, ana very well commanded
They evidently intend making an effort to hold tue
Il election OF the 22d INST, IN every county OF the
Il State They can't remain high NJ a. Greenvute
and JoneSbOro' any length of time, unless the rail
| road was completed, far Is Bulls Gap, at least.
i ~ far no work has been done on the road east of
| Strawberry Plains. l don't think that there will
/ be any effort made towards the permanent occupa-
ZION OF the country until Spring, when the surplus
troops FROM Kentucky viii be transferred 10 this
/ Department and IN connection with those already
/ here will make a command of such strength as to
| enable them to make campaign OF occupation.
| Large numbers Of the rnemy's troops who were
l raised in this Department at homeland refuse
TO return, but in theI present condition they do us
much damage, robbing, pmndering and numbering
our soldiers Some OF Colonel Kinks command
Federal deserted and joined Colonel Palmer'S
| command, aud are DOING good service. Others who
are absent from their commands compose the most
desperate aud determined of the b0shwhackinS
l bands that infeSt the mountains.
| A few day, since, Lieut.. Rogers, OF the Goth Ten
| nessee, Of Eaughn'> cavalry, with fifteen men, at
1 tackled Captain Bowers, noted outlaw, and
nineteen Of his command. Captain Bowers took
refuge IN house that soon became dis
agreeable 10 him, when he made an effort to escape
| With his command To the mountains. But the Cap
tain and Ia OF his men fell into Lieut.. Rogers hands.
| Bowers was a terror TO the whole country. lie
was severely wounded in the engagement, aud is in
| the hospital At this place. As many as 60 bush
whackers have been killed and captured in the last
1.-TWO wreks-the most of them killed.
| Many Of our soldiers also falling at the hands
l of the enemy's scouts and buShwhacking bands.
| On Saturday, the 4th inst, SiNty-seyen North
| Carolina Home Guards were captured by the bush
| whackers near place called 'ShSdy" some twenty
miles south OF Taylorsville, the North Carolina
l border.
Troops have gone in pursuit. to retake the prison
ers if possible, before they gain the enemys lines
1 The enemy's strength Is estimated ut l25. No
| resistance was offer by the Home Guards. These
| reserve forces along the mountains do not seem tC
be worth much, they are continually being COB
bled up by the enemy.
There Is no little dissatisfied ion among the grain
growing Shareholders Ia East Tennessee because O
the recent order conScrptng $50 many III Their ne
grCGs for the benefit of the service Ii does seen
r cruel and shows a want OF gratitude towards las
Tennessee TO demand Of her what few slaves she
has left, OF the vast number she had two years
since. Those who have failed 10 run away TO thC
enemy should be permitted TO remain at home viii
their owners and cultivate their arms, so as TO pro
duce something for the army.
i Since the late demand the negroes NJ ieaS
three fourths of them have gone to the enemy
Z Farmers who, ten days ago, hattered themselEe
, that they should have abundant crops the ensuing
summer and autumn, are now without ans means Q
/ cultVatiDg their fine farms The enforcement .
| the conscript act in East Tennessee was specie
of imbecility on the part of the administration an
: placed ten thousand fighting men in the Fedora
| ranks that would have to-day been at home, goo
. / citizens Probably two thousand men were drag
Il red into the Confederate service, who have gene
u / rally proven a nuisance TO the government.
:, The negroes that daily running away to til
a enemy will come back in a short time armed and i
/ the enemy's ranks. This is the policy of our wea
e | aud silly Congress. We do not object to putin
the negro in the army but do object to the gres
N injustice done our trampled and injured State
. have armed the negro should have been the policy
the Government two years since.
i The return of the Peace Commissioners, withor
o edectng ANYTHING. was anticipated by many, henC
there is but little gloom manifested over their iai
ure. Perhaps our people will learn something
experience. -,
81 The gallant and talented Breckenridge lett IN
e department on the 4th instant for his new neia
ab0rs at Richmond--a responsible position 70 Wnl'
he should have been assigned long since. He nj
never occupied position since the commeneemel
Of the war commentaries to his distinguished a6l