The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1866-03-16

7
roads and in all the passes and gaps
of tho Cumberland mountains. A
regiment Of Indian soldiers had been
broughtin and trained TO hunt the
thickets and mountains for concealed
conscripts, The people had been
throughly disarmed Of every weapon
that could DO found by searching par
ties. A few guns and pistols conceal
ed in hollow trees or garrets, were Of
no avail, as there was no ammunition
to be had. Strict orders were issued
against the assembling Of Union men
to the number Of three or More. Pass
ports were refused them, and they
were not allowed 10 travel from one
neighborhood to another. Concert Of
action was rendered impossible. Be-
sides tho Indians, large force of re5-
el cavalry and infantry was distriDu.
ted throughout tho country, Dissam-
ed and helpless, ,ssummoned and over
awed BY bayonets, with Instant death
before them as tho penalty tor q loyal
sentiment; this bravo and hardy
people presented spectacle snficieht
to wiring the hearts Of any class Of
people who. ever lived, except I Che
chivalry" Yet they were not subju-
gated I! Nineteen ont of every twen-
ty had determined to die rather than
serve in the rebel army. And alas
many of them met the dreadful ;alter.
native, either In their nStivo mountains
or on the field of battle.
Such was the state Of things when
the order issued to bring in all con
scripts under forty, to camps of in
strdction. Many lai anticipated the
result and escaped to Kentucky, and
entered the National army, Indeed,
several regiments of East Tennessee
ans were alraedy in the field.
Soon after tho order for arresting
bonscripts was issued, thousands dis,
appeared from sight. Crowds Of
from ten to ono thousand started
norhward, and many 0f them sue
coedcd in reaching tho Federal lines
at Camp Nelson; others we're not so
fortunate, but were overtaken and
shot down or rodo over by cavalry
bfutes to headquarters at Knoxville,
When oyertaken they were but sell,
dom ordered to halt until they had
received the fire Of the pursuing par,
ty, When taken prisoners they were
driven through muddy roads and icy
streams without attention to wounds
and sickness, taken to Knoxville and
heavily iroped, IN tho meantime the
search went on in the country. Eve
ry ncighborhood and almost every
honse was visited, searched and abGs-
ed by q brutal soldiery. Helpless old
men and women were hung up by
the neck and tortured almost 70
death to extort from them the hiding
places Of their sons. Wives experience
Q the same treatment in the absence,
of their husbands, for the same reas
son. Murders, rapes, rObberiOs and
inhuman tortures were of daily oc-i
currence in every settlement. In
some localities bloodhounds were
brought into requisition. The In
dians following "the sign" and trail
ing from instinct, followed the re1
cusant conscript to his cave or his
thicket, and drought him in," but
with moro humanity than the chiyal-
ry whom he served. Every conceiya,,
bic outrage was perpetrated upon in
nocent families. And yet no Confedo-
rate officer and soldier was ever pun
ished where tho victim was Union
ist, male or female, adult or child
Near Greeneyille poor, helpless, af-.
fl hicted widow was shot through the
breast by a soldier by the namo Of
Woods, for refusing to tell where her
only son was concealed. Woods was
soon after commissioned o Lieutenant,
and subsequently fell in single-hand-
cd rcncountre with a friend Of the
wounded lady. Bad men mQdo IL a
business TO hunt conscripts for tho re-
ward Of $50 per head, and made mo-
ney ont Of il. They were supplied
with hand.cuffs, and treated their
captives with moro than barbarian
cruelty. Tue rebel soldiery did not
spare non -eonscripts. Those were of
ten whipped almost TO death aud left
tied to tree or TO their own gates.
A large party came into Greenevillo
aud seized the sheriff, Mr.. J. q. Gass,
a most estimablegen and hoist
cd him or rail, hung to his limbs
and paraded him through the streets
Phey thon went to the house Of b. A.
Crawford, Esq, a woll-known lawyer
Of GreeneyAle, and found him alone
with four little children, the mother
being absent and very ill., They ferc,
cd Col Crawford at the point Of ihO
bayonet to the main street, whore they
treated him as they had Mai. Class.
Next thuy went 10 the Office Of tho
Hon. D. n. Patterson, now us. Sen.
ntor, with railand "a. pair Of shears,
to shave his henda /, he had just made
his escape by fight, next they started
to tho house Of the writer with tho
same supplements they bad cR,yied 70
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