Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-08-02
10 the VOters of the Second Congress
SIOnal District.


Since I have been announced candidate
for Congress. learn it has been. alleged
that when last in that body, | failed to in
terpose in behalf of East Tennessee, and
that I had neglected to have our own sol
diers kept in this part Of the country. As
a full refutation of these charges, l submit
few extracts from the records.
On the 18th Of December, 1862, | adj
dressed General HALLECK, then General
in-Chief. Among other things, I said
TO be more explicit, demand, First
That force be sent, at once, directly into
East Tennessee, under leader of approved
ability, sufficient to possess and hold the
country against all rebel troops from abroad,
and to suppress all marauders and guernl-
las.
Second.-That arms and ammunition be
furnished TO the loyal population, and that
they be organized and drilled, under COM
petent officers for local defense.
Third.-That clear and marked dis
tinction be made between the loyal and dis
loyal portions of the people, TO the advan-
tagc of the former, and not Of the latter
that the loyal shall be reimbursed all their
losses by the rebellion, from the property
of the dislOyal, so far as it will 90, in kind
when practicable-so that the losses may
fall upon the rebels to the extent of their
ability to make them good
These things are demanded of the Gov
crnmcnt by our loyal people"
On the 3Ist Of January, 1868, appeal
e to the House Of Representative, and
said: ....
More than once have l called the at
tcntion of the House, as well as the other
Departments Of the Government, and Of the
country, to my own constituents and their
neighbOrs, as an instance Of popular love
for the ancient Union in the very midst Of
secession. The extent Of their sutferings,
and the utter failure of the Government to
afford them protection, must be my apology
for another reference TO them. K Confident
Of their own ability for sclfprotectiOn,
could they but meet their oppressors on
equal, terms, many of them fed to Ken
lucky to obtain the arms and material of
war, which they despaired Of being sent
to them. By degrees, their ranks have
swelled until they number full ten thousand.
On the 18th of June last, they seized the
stronghold of Cumberland Gap, and were
cheercd with the hope of being ordered for
ward at once to redeem their country. But
week after week Of hope deferred passed
away. They were permitted to be sur
rounded and their supplies cut off. The
rebels looked upon them as already in their
power, and began, by anticipation, to visit
their vengeance upon them, not as prison
ers of war, but as traitors to the Southern
Confederacy. Their courage did not fail
them, beleaguered as they were. In con-
tinual forays upon their enemy, they har
raised him beyond measure. Without los
ing man, they killed nearly two hundred,
and captured and brought in upwards OF
five hundred prisoners, besides many horses
and arms.
Among those whose names have been
mentioned with distinction for daring and
enterprise in this warfare, are WILLIAM
REYNOLDS, the brothers ROGERS, and JOSEPH
\. COOPER, whose romantic exploits make
it an honor to have been long favored with
their personal friendship.
View the matter as we may, instead of
dependency that the Government has ac-
complished SO little toward the suppression
of the rebellion, We may rather rejoice and
be hopeful that il has accomplished so
much. To my people l say, the deliver
ance, though long delayed, will surely
come.
On the 9th Of March, 1868, presented
TO Mr.. LINCOLN, first in conversation, then,
at his request, in writing, my views in Ie-
poet TO East Tennessee, as follows:
TO the President Of the United States:
In compliance with your suggestion, |
present in this form my wishes in behalf of
East Tennessee.
1st. Let that region be created a separate
department.
I'd. Let an officer be appointed TO the
command. / will name no one here. But
let him be a man of hard common sense,
with capacity and a disposition to labor and
torego the comforts Of city Headquarters,
with sagacity TO know man whenever and
wherever he sees him.
Sd. Let him have control Of such forces
rs are scattered in Central Kentucky, with
power to raise troops in that State under
the late act Of Congress. Also to gather
such men from Tennessee as can be gather
ed, and any recruits that can be picked up
on the north Of the Ohio.
9Th. Let the troops be largely mounted
and armed with the rifle, more as mounted
Infantry than as Cavalry proper. : II
If these things cannot be done, IN the
OPINION or youT military advisers, give us as
suranceS Of arms and support, and let our
people fight in their own fashion"
Shortly afterwards the Secretary OF War
asked he 10 suggest an acceptable COM
mander. Z named General BURNSIDE. In
less than one week he was appointed and
on his way to East Tennessee. You know
the rest. never have had any control
over the movement Of trOOps, but so far as
could exert any influence, it was to keep
our troops for the defense Of their own
homes. 1t Is supposed 10y some that l am
IN favor Of negro suffrage. This IS not
true. At the Nashville Convention Of
January last, the subject was brought up.
| opposed it. l have not since changed my
views. TWAS OPPOSED TO IT THEN
i AN OPPOSED TO IT NOW!
HORACE MAYNARD.