The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1866-04-13
Rebel Outrages.

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case to the Thousands of East Tennessee's de-
voted Union men, who were hunted down
with blood-hounds and Indians-who were
hung up by the neck at their own doors, in
the presence of their own families-Rnd hunt
ed and shot down like Wild beasts Of the for
rest just because they loved their country.
We stated in n recent issue, that the socie-
fy of Friends in this State were subjected to
great and unusual prosecutions during the
rebellion, and we gave some instances of the
c%ruelties inflicted upon those Friends because
they were conscicntiously opposed 70 bear
ing arms.
This narrative presents one ofmany cases
where the meek sufferer was " faithful unto
death" under the unfeeing hand of Hr0itra-
ry power. Seth W. Laugtlin had served the
State as far as he conscientiously could in
the salt works, and returning home in feeble
health, he WAS seized by the conscript officers,
and hurried of to Virginia, where he was
subjected to indignities and torture, and at
last threatened with death to make him bear
arms, he steadily refused, with u faith and q
frmness which should have excited Tie re-
spect, instead of the vengeance of the Nu-
thorities. At last, worn Gown by his suffer-
ings, i" he died amongst strangers, far from
bis home, no kind friend being near to soothe
him or to comfort, or to hear his last words
An infinitely mercifui God took him to Him
self. The weary heart ceased to beat, and
this meek follower of;he Prince ofPeAce went
to sleep, and opened his eyes in a'better
world.
One act like this, deliberately perpetrated,
was enough to call low on the,,Confederate
government the malediction Of Almighty
God. Yet Ministers Of the Holy Gospel were
not wanting to Justify such acts, and to ask
God TO bless and uphold those who perform
ed them
Let the reader bear in mind that the fol-
lowing narrative Of the prosecutions, suffer-
ings and death of Seth W. L~aughlin is an Of
fetal document put forth by the Society of
Friends Of Randolph County:
A MEMORIAL CONCERNING SETH W. LArGu-
LIN, A MEMBER OF MARLBORO MONTHLY
MEETING oT FRIESDs IN RANDOLPH CoUSrY,
NonTu CARoLISA.
Among those who have met with a prcma-
ture death since the commencement Of the
late rebellion in the United States, may be
reckoned Seth W. Laughlin, who died in
Winder Hospital, Virginia, Twelfth Month
sth, 1864, aged about forty years, aud who
had been a member of the Society of Friends
only a few months before he was arrested and
taken to military camp near Petersburg, Vir-
ginia. Now, as there has been much said
respecting this class -four members-censur-
Jog the Society for receiving them, and i'm
putting improper motives to those who have
been received, it may be proper 10 mention
some Of the circumstances connected with
his reception. He, like many Of his neigh
bors, preferred going into some Of the Gov
eminent works, rather than into military
camp accordingly, he went into the State
Salt Works, near Wilmington, North CaIo-
lima, having previously requested to become
a member Of the Society Of Friends. The
committee having the care Of his request cor
responded with him, and received several
very satisfactory letters from him, plainly
]eVlncing the candor and sincerity Of the mo-
tiVes which ind iced him to become a mem
Der, aud that his request WAS made on the
basis Of true convictment. The following is
an extract from one Of his letters :-'tMy
motive for joining The society of Friends is
that | believe they are a religious people; and
being placed under their care, and receiving
the benefit Of their counsel and religious in
| shall be better able to work out
my souls salvation, with fear and trembling
before God" Surely none can doubt the
sincerity OF such language, coming from one
who was never known to act the hypocrite
or practice discrimination. The object OF
this memorial is not to eulogize the individ-
unl to whom il relates, but merely to pre-
serve his memory, that others, seeing his
good works, may gloril y our Father which is
in Heaven.
After remaining at the State Salt Works
for some time bis health being feeble, he re-
turned home TO his family, where he conclud-
ed 20 remain and risk the consequences. Az
ter enjoying the privilege Of remaining at
for some time, he was reported TO the
enrolling officer ofconscription, who sent him
to the military camp, where he was required
to do the duties Of a soldier, or suffer the pen
for refusing to do so. lie promptly re-
fusing to perform military service Doubtless
remembering the passage in Holy Writ:--"Be
thou faithful unto death, and | will give the
a crown OF life"
Nest Of the information we have Of his suf-
fsring in the army is derived from letters re.
ceiyed BY his family and friends, and we are
informed by an eye witness-a Friend who
with him-that upon their arrival in
camp nerr Petersburg, Virginia, he was or
dered to take up arms; and, upon bis refusal to
so, was debarred from sleep for thirty-siI
hours, as a punishment; but still maintaining
his integrity, he was " bucked" down daily
tor a considerable time, and then suspended
by the thumbs for an hour aud a half, for
the space Of about one week, when they were
separated; and, finally, he was court-mar-
tisled and ordered to be shot, and put upon
the scafold, and men were drawn up in line
to execute him, whsrenpoR, be put up the
following petition -" Father forgi7e them
they know not what they do.,'-Upon this
they lowered their guns and be was thrust
into prison, where he remained ill he was
removed to the hospital. Thus, he showed
bis steadfast reliance on the strong arm ofthe
Lord, where there Is everlasting strength.
No letier having been received from him for
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