Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-01-03
oona,ct. OF Authority i'm East Teune.scs

From the Chattanooga Gazette.l
RESISTANCE TO MILITARY AUTHORITY
IN UPPER EAST TENNEssEE.-The readers
of the Gazette will remember the trial by
court martial, in this city, last fall, of Col.
10. Parsons, late of the 9th Tennessee Cav
airy, for the killing Of Capt Thornhill, for
merly of the same regiment. Col. Parsons
was convicted, but owing to his gallantry,
and his excellent character as a gentleman,
the reviewing officer set aside the decision of
the court, upon the recommendation of its
members, and Col. Parsons was restored to
his command. He has since been honora-
bly mustered out with his regiment. 1t viii
be remembered that Thornhill, who was
confessedly dangerous man, was shot by
order of Col. Parsons, and before and after
the latter's trial, various members of his reg
iment were court marIialed for the same Of
fence, but were all acquitted on the ground
thatobedience to the commands of military
superior was not criminal.
Soon after Col. Parsons trial, General
Thomas issued General Order No. %, which
prohibits the State authorities from arresting
or trying those who have been in the FEEDER
al army for acts committed during their term
Of service.
of the 9th Tennessee, indicted by the Grand
Jury of Jefferson county for the murder Of
Thornhill were incarcerated in the Dand-
ridge Jail. The facts we're brought before the
military authorities who at once decided that
Berry and Riggs were not subject to trial by
the civil authorities under the provisions of
General Order 20, and Lieut.. Miller, 18th
u. S. c. l., was dispatched from Knoxville
Al r. fvf
| tiles of the State that Berry and Riggs were
| held In violation of the orders of General
Thomas. The Sheriff Mr.. Swan, refused
to release his prisoners; whereupon Gen.
Gillem sent Lieut. Southland of his
staff, with five men to enforce their
| liberation. The Lieutenant arrived
at cambridge, exhibited his authority
to the Sheriff, the Attorney General,
and the Circuit Judge-court being in session
| all of whom declined to recognize the
| right or to acknowledge the power of the
military to interfere in behalf of its late SOL
diers. When Lieut. Southland notified the
Sheriff that he would proceed to the Jail and
release Berry and Riggs, the Sheriffsummon-
| ed posse of more than hundred andorder-
ed them to shoot the first man who, under
Lieut.. Southard's orders, attempted to enter
the Jail. One hundred being too many for
six men, the Liutenant returned and reported
| the facts. Then it was that General Gillem
ordered Capt. Ed. F. Brown, LIST U. S. c. A,
| (heavy) with 200 men, to cambridge, with
orders to release the prisoners. At the sight
of the dark cloud with bayonets that did not
| remind one of rainbows of peace, the loyal
Radicals of Jefferson county retired in good
order. Briggs and Berry were released, and
Mr.. Colored soldiers are still encamped in
| the State of Jefferson, where we expect soon
to hear of Freedman's Court being estab-
| lished.
THE CIVIL BUcKING AGAINST THE MILL
| TARY.-AN INTERESTING HORSE CASE
| How 1T ENDED.-A somewhat interesting
horse case has recently been disposed of on
| the East Tennessee and Virginia Road. 1t
appears that at one eff the Government sales
| of stock in East Tennessee, a horse, captured
| during the war, was disposed of to Mr..
| Tine, at Talbot Station. After the sale, the
horse was claimed by Mr. Albert Hodges,
near Messy Greek, and the question of own
ership being brought before magistrate
named James NJ. Ashmore, the latter decided
that Mr.. Tine give up the property to
Hodges. The matter was brought before
| Gen. Gillem, who, in accordance with Gen.
eral Orders, No 80, Headquarters Military
Division of the Mississippi, guaranteeing
title to all government sales of horses OF
other property, ordered Mr.. Hodges to re-
store the horse to Mr.. Tine. Capt. Ed. +.
Brown was charged with the execution OF
this order, who took with him the necessary
| force-and took possession of ave animal