Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-10-25
THE KNOXVILLE WHIG.
Knoxville, Tenn, October IS, 1865.
Proceedings OF q General Court
Martial.

duly sworn, tsstised rs follows;
Questions BE- Acsgs:A-Stste your name rank anC
command Ans Henry E. Warren, Captain, com
psny E, 9Th Tennessee Cavalry.
We're you present a. difficulty between John A
Thornhill aad Gel Parsons at your encampnent al
OF near Nashville about the last of March, 1864 Il
so, state all yeR saw and beard on that OCCASION
Ans. I vas; fhornhill came there on or about the
2sth Of March, and came to Col Parsons tent and
demanded az interview, which was granted. They
we're talking outside of the tent and ThOrnhill be-
came sBgry, or appeared So and afterwards started
away as if towards Nashville but only remained
away fRw mlngtes and returned and told the Col
onsl, who vas in his tent in very insulting man.
nsT that II he going TO put that thing through
now was his time" don't know what he meant
he then yeat towards company B. Of our regiment
The CeleRRl, ia the meantime stepped outside OF
tie tent TherBhill, when about twenty yards dis
tsRt. tRFHeA and fred at Col Parsons, and l heard
the hall pass near the ColOnels tent Two other
shots were fred don't know which fred them
Thornhill was afterwards arrested and taken, sup
pose, to the military prison.
Was the ball that passed near you the result Of the
first or second discharge of Thornhilps pistol. Ans.
The first
Did or did not Col Parsons show great forbear-
ance towards Tbornhill? Did he ask him to leave
the encampment7 Ans. He showed great forbear-
ance, and asked him once or twice TO leave the en-
csmpment.
Where is your place Of residence? What is OF was
the character OF JOnQ a. 1lOTDllllt hOdb ud5 D6el
his reputation in Jefferson county since he quit the
9th Tennessee and in what business has he and his
associates been engaged ABs. Jefferson county
Tennessee. Thornhills character has been that of
an outlaw He and his associates have been engaged
In plundoring. That is all I know Of him by repu-
tation.
CROss-EIANISATIOE.
Questions By Judge AdrOcate--Whatdoy do you know
Of Tbornhills plundering? An'. Nothing but by
reports.
Did you ever hear of his taking the property of
any but rebels Ans. 1 have heard it reported
that he took from all, but generally from rebels
Questions by CUtTt-WhRt distance you from
Capt Armstrong at the first discharge of ThornhilIs
pstOl7 AHs. ! did not see Capt. Armstrong at the
time.
Did you see Thornhil at the time be fred the first
shot at Col Parsons? Ans. I did.
Question By hcctlSea.-What did he do with the
property taken? Did he ever report it or turn it
over to any authority of the United States An'.
] do not know.
The testimony being read over TO the witness, he
Was permitted to retire.
E. Wetherford I'd Lieut., company d, 9th Tennes-
Cavalry seventh witness for defence, being duly
sworn, testified as follows:
Questions by Accpsed-State your name, rank and
regiment2 AHs. E. Wetherford, I'd Lieut., COM
psny D, 9th Tennessee Cavalry.
How long have you belonged to the 9Th Tennessee
Cavalry, and where do vou reside? drs Over two
years. / reside in Knoxville Tenn.
Did you have a conversation with Jno. a. Thorn
hill in Nashville about the 9Th 10th of May 1864
sbOrty after his release from the military prison
II So state fully what he Faid on that occasion in
reference 10 Col Parsons and other officers Of the
regiment2 Ans. did. ] met him about the Sth
or 10Th Of May, in Nashville and had long con-
versation with him, in which he said that he regret
ted the difficulty very much and it never should
arise again on his part. asked him how he got out
Of prison, and he said be released request Of
Col Parsons, on giving pledge never 10 trouble
Col Parsons or the regiment any more.
How has Thornhill kept that pledge? AnS. From
what l learn he has not kept it at all believe
be has been seeking the life of Colonel Parsons and
others since that time and would have taken my life
If he had the opportunity from no cause only being
a friend Of Col. Parsons.
When Col Parsons is in Knoxville, where does
be make his stopping placer Ans. Strong and Nc
Ewing store, on Gay street.
Was il or not generally known or understood that
this house was Cox Parsons stopping place when in
Knoxville AnS. 1t was so understood by nearly
sI who knew him.
Do yOu know anything of Thornhilrs visits TO
this house2 What do you know of such visits, and
what was his manner? AnS. l think have seen |
him more than twice near the door on foot and l |
sGw him once horseback in the street when Col.
Parsons was in the house. he did not seem to have
any business, but eventually went of-nothing re- |
narkable in his manner except his sauntering along
without seeming 70 have any business.
Was Thornhin armed on these occasions? A4S. !
/ pretty sure that he the time he was mount
cd. think l saw pistols in his holsters. I can't
say as TO his being armed when there on foot
Did you ever warn Col. Parsons Of Thornhills !
presence in Knoxville, and why? 5Hs. I did, be-
cause it was generally believed that he was seeking
sn opportunity to take Col. Parsons life.
The testimony being read over 10 the witness, he
was permitted 10 retire
J. c. Strong citizen Of Knoxville, Tenn. eighth
ness for defence being duly sworn, testified fol-
state Won name and residence 1Hs. J. C. Strong,
A citizen of Knoxville, Tenn.
In what business are you engaged, and where is I
your house Of business situated A1lS. Merchants I
place Of business on west side Of Gay street. Knox
vile.
Are YOU acquainted with the accused? When he /
Is in Knoxville where does he make his stopping
place? Ans All my store Strong & MeEwen's.
Is il or not generally known thst this IS his stop
ping place when in Knoxville? Ans. 1t Is
Did you know John A. Thornhll? ? State all you
know in regard any visits of Thornhi to or about
your store house? AIs was not acquainted with
him. l knew him by sight. he WAS in the store +
several times while Col. Parsons was in Knoxville .
I never saw him in the store but once when Col .
Parsors not there, and that was the dsy Thorn
hill ard Col. Rutherford had dispute. don't re-
member the date.
What seemed TO be his business when uakiD,
these visits AAs He would call for different art-
eles, bat never purchased anything except once a
pair OF boots
How often would be sometimes visit your house
On the same day? AfiS. As high as four times am
sure on one day.
We're any Of the occupants or employees OF your
house his personal acquaintsnces or friends Ans.
None
Was he generally armed? Aus Yes, sir
What caused you to notice the frequency of bis
visits AEs. Nothing but his being known enemy
Of Col Parsons, and the Colonel stopping there at
the same time.
Did you ever warn Col. Parsons in reference 10
ThOrnhill2 if so, what warning did you give him
Ans. ] told him thst thought Thornhill was hunt
ing for him to take his life.
Do you know Of Col. Parsons receiving similar
warnings from others? Ans. Yes, sir, from Nc
Even my partner and Il. Wetherford and Robert
Wilds.
Whist did Col. Parsons say after you had warned
him Ans He would say be did not want any il
terruption with him if be could possibly avoid it.
Question by C0Hrt.-Whst made you think Thorn
hill Was seeking Col Parsons to take his life2 Ans
What I hsd seen Of Thornhill and had heard from
others with reference 70 sdifculty between Parsons
and Thornhill.
The testimony having been read over TO the wit
meas be wss permitted 70 retire.
The court then AdiRnrned 70 P. y, Of this after