Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-08-02

NASHVILLE July 10Th, 1865.
Crowded with business, and besieged by an army
Of applicants 10 the President for pardon, have BIZ
little time 70 write articles for the pubhs eye
Nevertheless, have to say that had a pleasant
ride from Knoxville TO this place. The Nashville
and Chattanooga Railroad is in better condition than
ever saw it since the road wss built. never be-
fore felt safe on that road. 1t is well managed by
the Government, and is supplied with some of the
best and most skilful mechanics this vast country
affords.
The trial of Champ Ferguson is full of interest,
but progresses slowly. The court room is daily
crowded by visitors who watch the proceedings with
deep interest. The prisoner appears to be in good
health, and watches closely all that transpires He
frequently advises his counsel in the examination Of
witnesses He is calm, and firm at all times, even
when his cruelties and cold-blooded murders are
proven up to the hub His countenance never
changes, even when the witnesses recite the most
desperate acts of murder on record. The Bible ac-
counts for this, in saying that some men are given
over TO hardness Of heart that they may believe q
lie, do deeds of violence, and be damned. Furgu-
sons case fills the bill laid down in the Bible.
| Nashville is sweltering with burning suns, and
melting heat abstracts the old and young-eausing
men TO run about after a breeze, lodging into the
shade of house or a fence painting like sheep in
pasture, under the rays of the sun. We have an
occasional death from sun-stroke and an over-chsrge
/ of ice-water Others eat too much fruit, and too
many vegetables. Brandy cocktails, touched off
with ice and mint, are in great demand. But few
persons call for hot tOddy complain of Jack Frost
In every direction the perspiratOn flows, some use
handkerchief and some their linen coat sleeves.
All seem DESTROYS to annihilste space and escape to
regions more COOL For myself 1 sit in the Capitol,
where no air is stirring, and sigh "fOr lodge in
some vast Wilderness some boundless contiguity of
| shddeg
| The present has been remarkable season. and
the general testimony is that finer crops of corn and
oats never grew. And so far corn, oats, hay and
vegetables are concerned year of plenty, under
Providence is to let fall its great supplies the
footprints of "this cruel war" Some contracts
have been made for corn in Middle Tennessee at
thirty cents, but men of experience say it will sell
for less in the fall for t,0ey cents. Fruits
said to be abundant, and very fine. Indeed never
saw fine peaches in all my life as lady in Frank
lin has sent to me. Irish potatoes promise large
ylelu OdIIle dI6 lat1 anu tuo dOunuduCe VI pSIuI-
age puts mules and horses in fine condition.
Political matters running high in this quarter.
The rebels seem bent upon voting and bidding de-
fance to the Franchise act. In too many instances
Clerks allow men to register without administering
any oath, or even asking singlequestion. Certain
it is that men elected in violation of the law can't
get certificate of election at the State Department
no matter how large their majorities may be- The
IalC will be adhered to- and this announce in ad-
vance of all returns.
The rebel soldiers however, who were out in front
and fought for the whole time of the war, more
kindly disposed, and show less of bitterness and
less of disposition to rebel and keep up troubles
than these home rebels, who were never in battle
and who are here protected by the Federal authori
ties, under the Federal laws.
One Reuben Roddy, formerly of Jonesborough, a
noted guerrilla chief, implicated in the murder Of
some Union men, under pretense Of holding 8
court martial over them, was arrested in Kentucky
few days ago, and is now in the military prison al
the penitentiary in this city. He will probably
come to see that he sat his coulter little too deer
in Upper East Tennessee during the reign of the
rebels Justice may overtake him after all, though
a little slow in reaching him. Some letters were
found in his possession that the writer will not care
TO see published
There is some excitement at Memphis growing
out of the seizure by the military authorities of the
Commercial Bank. The charge against the Bank
seems to be counterfeting and swindling generally
both as to the Government and individuals There
is half million involved. Several arrests were
made, and among them Parkham and Brooks, large
cotton agents No particulars are made public, but
the authorities will put them through
W. G. B.