Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1866-07-04
ROddy, Mccain, Kahn and Ramsey.


on the charge of bridge burning, they having been
members of the court martial that condemned
Haun; and next on similar charge, in the case of
Harmon and son, all Of whom were hung here in
December, 1861. The rebel papers of the South
have boosted of their acqutal by Union jury, and
of Gov Brownlow being rebuked thereby, adding
many false charges and reflections in the same con-
nection. A few plain statements Of facts, as they
are will set this whole matter right before the peo
pie, and show that the rebels have not triumphed
over Gou Bro,UnLo,1, they alege, but over Mil
sqry Gorernor johnson! a SECRET CENTRAL CON-
MIrTLE, having its Chairman and headquarters in
Knoxville, raised funds in private way, and sent
Rev VIM B. Carter through the lines TO procure
relief for the Union men in some form or other
Mr.. Carter reported himself at Washington, and
through the influence of Senator Johnson, and with
he sanction of Mr.. Lincoln and Gen. Mcclellan,
obtained 81, 600 with which to burn the Railroad
bridges in East Tennessee. BE returned TO the
neighbOrhoOd of Kingston, remaining there several
DAYS carefully concealed and arranged for the burn
ing of the bridges The result that the jails of
East Tennessee, and the prisons of Mobile Macon
and Tuscaloosa were crowded with innocent Union
men and Hsnse and Fry were hung in Greeneville,
while the two Harmons and Haun were hung in
Knoxville The only one of the five hung, at all
concerned in bridge burning, Haun, and he was
employed by the Government through Parson Car
fer and the Committee lUho sent him out and up to
recent date his family had received part of the
compensation money. Haun was as gsllanta Union
man as ever lived-stated under the galows that he
aided in burning the Lick Creek bridge, and if it
were TO do over be would aid again. Brave and he
roic to the last this martyr to the Union died
like man, though abandoned by those who
ployed himl
For this participation Ia the hanging Of these men,
the individuals named at the head of this article
we're indicted in this county, and put upon their
trials. They were indicted immediately after Gen.
Burnside came in and before the surrender of the
rebel armies under Lee, Johnston and others. They
we're indicted by and under Judge, and Attorney
General, and Judge commissioned by Coz. John
eo and sent here for that and other legitimate pur
poses Gov BRowNLow had nothing to do with
the bridge burnlng-nOthing TO do with these in
dictments of these defendants, as prosecutor or wit
ness and be had nothing TO do with their trial
Upon an application to order their release, before
trial and conviction, he refused, the ground that
hs had no authority TO do SO, and such act would
b wholly unauthorized Whilecivil Governor of the
State, Andrew johnson was applied 10 to exercise
similar authority and he submitted the case to Mr..
Nsigs and other able lawyers, who furnished him
with written opinion, alleging that he had no
such authority.
Now, for the trials and the Jurors Including
Ramsey, the four prisoners tried under the same in
dictmont had about one haJ6red and forty chGIlc5
qe,, which enabled them 10 select their own jury
While We have no reflections te cast upon the ju-
rOrs, We distinctly announce that majority of
them arc known not TO have been Union men, and
now to be in sympathy with the prisoners. \
leading man upon the first jury has always been an
avoweG rebel, and has con indicted in this court
for the murder of Union man, about the sam
time or at a Ia ter period. The following are the
names Of the Jurors
Kobt Wallace, R. w Lee, Ii. D. ODell, J. w.
Cruze. S. A. Caldwell, Granville Frazier T. J.
Walker, Samuel L. Tillery, David Gallaher, ?. d.
Cardwoll, L. C. Shepard and Gardner Julian.
Proof as to most of the prisoners serving on the
rebel court-martial and as to one of them oticia-
ting on the scafold was made out by the State and
enforced with ability by Attorney General Thorn
burg The same fact was given in charge by Judge
Swan, with clearness and ability. These are the
simple facts in the case and leave the reader to
bis own reflections, without any effort 10 influence
hs opinion, or prejudice his mind. The sole object
OF thi. article is TO show that Governor Brownlow
WAS in no wise connected with these trials either ms
a prosecutor or witness, that be sJubbornly
and very Justly too refused TO exercise power he
did not have, as every sensible Judge und lawyer in
the State will concedc
On Tuesday of last week the prisoners were put
upon their trials for the alleged murder OF the two
HArmons father and SON. Three panels were e1-
hsusted and the fourth in part, before the follow
ing twelve were received:
Gilbert Zachary, Thomas Boyd, Dennis DoIier
J. B. Wright John FeDton, Joseph Payne james
Lesry, G. w. Weaver James Watt Ed Shep-
herd, A Gillespie, j. F. Clibourne.
This jury is decidedly Union, say three 70 one;
and they all have been Union, if they not still
On that side. Upon this point are not advised.
The State sustained the charges against the prison
en- in two cases and in third, substantially in
:slligent by-.tsnders and legal gentlemen have de-
clArsd. The argument was opened before the court
and jury by District Attorney Thornburg, who |
spoke for near two hours presenting the case, to-
gether with the law and evidence in language with
systeul and style of argument that would have
done honor to any old member Of the profession.
De was followed by three able and experienced ad-
vocstes-Brown, Netherland and Fleming Each |
enc speaking from hour and a-halt TO two hours,
taking advantage, lawyers usually do, of every
thing that would their The discussion
was closed by Colonel Thornburg in 4 speech OF
two hours and a-half, which has won for him, in
Knox county the reputation Of the best prosecuting
Attorney who has appeared al this Bar in the
last fteen years. This is strong language but II Is
The language Of the people
Judge Swan then delivered able and clear
change, teaching the Law, and meeting the defense
set up for TREASON aud MURDER, with boldness
and clearness that done honor to his head and cou
rage lie told the jury in substance that it was no
defense of the prisoners, 10 show that they
1ered upon s court-lnartial by commanding Gen
ersl; that the Rebellion Great Mob, and lis
psrts were mobs, making war upon The Government
sud citizens OF the United States and trying, by
drum-head court-martial, unofending loyal men, !
and hanging them. And be it known 70 the read |
ers, that Judge Swan commissioned by Military |
Governor johnson, with a view to punish traitors
and make treason odious.
Under the charge of the Judge, and the proof of |
these defendants being the court martial even
last but not least under the able and convincing
argument of the Attorney for the State it was ex