Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-07-26
Emerson EtherIdge.


1t appears hat this ihvslssAte oface-h,nter has
really hesa arrested for sdipps opposition to the
laws and State eovernmsnt of Iennessee. BE de-
serves very large measureof sympathy from The
rebels and those who desire TO proptiate that class
of our population. Their sympathies will be keener
after they have read the following letter from Eth
eridge to Hon. Andrew Johnson:
PApUCAH Dec. I9, 1851
Dear Sir: have been here since Sunday. l
found the place full of struggling Tennesseeans who
have fed from the despotism at home-the drafting
process-which, because of the intense excitement
and resistance it produced has been temporarily
suspended. The greatest resistance was in Weekly,
Carroll, Henderson, McNsiry and Hardin Some
Of the scoundrels who voted for secession-for the
war-haVe fed, and if the Federal troops were in
my old district for one week. it would put full
brigade in the field. But the difficulty in getting to
this place Two days since two men from Hardin
and McNairy arrived here leaving their armed
squads of thirty-two in the woods Of Carroll. They
came to AJAX at what point on the State line their
comrades might hope to meet Federal aid. They
had to return heart-broken without it.
The people there are daily praying for an advance
Of the Union army and it seems hard that they
should long endure the suspense and disappoint-
ment. Through these fugitives l have been able to
communicate with my friends in Tennessee. The
" 10 Iuhu L 5uppOSeu IL "
be- and increasing. One Federal victory in Kentuc-
ky will be the desth-knell of rebellion in Tennessee
Great complaint exists here because of the lenien
do-nothing policy of Gen. Smith, the commandment
at this post. vigorous policy is absolutely neces-
sary. This Is hel-hole of treason, and every sus-
pected villain ought to be put to work under ne
gro overseer. Until tie rebels are made to suffer IN
the CUTS they uciU be i1lSolent and act the part Of
spies. shall remain here some DAYS longer, and
until can hear directly from those with whom ]
am anxious to communicate. 1t is but forty miles
to the Tennessee line near which is rebel camp in
this State. It is this camp which makes the flight
of the Tennesseeans so hazardous.
Whenever the Federal army advances, those who
have been drafted ION paper will be ordered under
arms, and then the exodus will be begin in earnest
One entire district in my county refused to permit
draft, and were queted only by an assurance tina;
it would be suspended. Contra bands" are arriv-
ing daily from Burnetts lin Kentucky constituents
who have lost their rights under the Federal gov
eminent. Their apology for their pedestrian per
formances is that their rebel masters are preparing
to run them off to Dixie. Of course all Union men
are glad to see them come, and not one of the trail
tors will ever be permitted to reclaim them. Why
should they be? The negroes are, in all respects
better and more respectable than such masters
Now is the time for action. A counter current
has set in, and little energy will produce the best
results If any one wishes to know when | will
return, tell him not while can do the thieves and
traitors in rebeldom any harm.
Yours, truly
[Sgnedl EN-. ETHERIDeE.
Hon. A Johnson L. S. S., Washington D. c.