The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-08-03
etter from Governor Brownlow.

etter 1r0m governor br0Wnl0W.
Nashville, July 80, 1865. "A letter from
Governor Brownlow to Mayor Andrews,
of Columbia, in reply to a remonstrance
against the order of General Thomas
suspending not only him in the per-
formance of his duties, but the office of
Mayor also, was published this morn
ing.
Governor BrOwnlow saws :-"You are
accused of using your official power in
opposition to the "freedn people of Co
lumbia, preventing their education, sc.
You will observe from the letter of Cen
eral Thomas in the city papers, this
morning, that martial law is still in force
in Tennessee. Our rebellious people
have not yet given sufficient assurances
of returning loyalty to the general gov
eminent to warrant the withdrawal of
military power or the abandonment of
military courts. 1t is not strange that
the authorities should distrust o people,
who forfour years applied every means
attheir command to destroy the nation.
Indeed it is great concession on the
part of the General commanding to de-
clare his military will to sustain the CIV
il government, and never to assume the
exercise of that will except in cases
where prompt action is necessary to in
sure the public safety. Until our people
have given conclusive evidence of their
intention to obey all our laws, State
and National, you and L, and all citizens,
are liable to be arrested and tried ac-
cording to the forms of military prac-
tice. 1t is extremely important that all
conflict between the civil and military
authorities be avoided. AS we are now
situated, just out of a rebellion in
which the people refused to lay down
their arms till forced to do so at hepoint
of the bayonet, the civil government is
only allowed to proceed by permission
of the military authorities. Hence l
deeply regret the occurrence at Column
bia; but the high character of General
Thomas, for prudence, justice and patri-
0tism warrants me in assuring you that
he will gladly receive and impartially
consider any testimony you may wish
considered in your behalf.
FIGHT WITH INDIANs.--FOrt Lara
mic, ~ T., July ~. One thousand
Cheyennes, Sioux, Arrapahoes, Black
feet, and a few Camanches, attacked
Plattt Bridge Station, on the telegraph
road, on Tuesday The garrison num-
bered less than 25O. The fight lasted
two days, and resulted in heavy loss
to the Indians. The loss on our side
was Lieutenant Collins and one enlisted
man of the 18th Ohio cavalry, killed,
and "a men wounded, rs of whom be-
long to the 18th Ohio cavalry, and 8 to
the 18th Illinois regiment. The In
dams retreated to the west, tearing down
telegraph poles and destroying the wire.
A note was picked up on the battle
field, written by a white prisoner re-
Gently captured on the South Platt,
which says the Indians do not want
peace, but are fighting for all time; that
| we had killed one Of their chiefs in
| fight, and they are going to destroy the
telegraph, and that they expect rein
forcements.
The body of Lieutenant Collins was
horribly mutlated. His hands and
feet were cut of, his throat was cut, his
heart was torn out, he was scalped, and
had over one hundred arrows in him.
There seems to be not the slightest
disposition on the part of the Indians
for peace, which can only be obtained
by severely furnishing them.
One of the Powder River columns is
now moving to join the force from Plat
Bridge; which is following the In
| dians.
1t is stated that all the troops intended
for the Indian expedition would have
| been in the field long ago, had nOtthe con-
tractors failed to deliver supplies accord
ing to the terms of their contracts.
/ A TERRIBLE PRoPHECY.-The New
IL