Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-10-02
L. B. GAMBLE,
u D y II . =
Lieutenant and A. D. @,
WAsHrsorOs, D. C.. Sept. Gath, 1861.


WASHINGTON, D. c. Sept. Gath, 1861
HIS Honor ". Matt BrOsra Mayor Of Nassv'tse:
Your dspatch of this date has been received
The following instructions have been sent oy Gen
eral Grant to Major General Thomas, Louisville,
Kentucky:
aThe Mayor City Attorney and President Of the
Common Council Of Nashville, express great fear
of collisions at the time of the Charter Election,
twenty-eie;hth (2sth.) Go to Nashville tomorrow,
to remain until after the election to preserve peace
IF you think more troops necessary for that prr-
pose, ordei. them there from the most convenient
poins in your command.
"The military cannot set up to be the judges as
to whose set of election judges have the right to
control but must confne their action to preventing
and putting down hostile mobs It is hoped, how
ever, by seeing the Governor and city officials here
referred I'd, your presence and advice may prevent
disturbance.
"PIease keep me advised ,f condition OF affairs.
(Signed) U.s. GRANT.
ANDREW JoNHNsoN.D
On Saturday morning, just before the opening of
the polls, Mayor Brown received the following brief
communication from Gen. Thomas:
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT CUMBERLAND, !
NASHVILLE, Sept 2sth, 1861
Hon. ". Matt. Broio,s, Mayor Of Nashville:
have the honor to invite your attention to the
following extract from your correspondence, as re-
Thomas having notified me officially, IN writing,
that he would use the military power Of the United
States in sustaining the Governor of the State IN
fOrcibly preventing peaceable election" &c;
Referring to my communication, you will ind
that did not go inform you. 1 did say that a
proper Interpretation of Gen. Grants Geographic
orders is to sustain the State authorities in the exc
cution of their orders
will further say that the troops under my COM
mand will not be used to prevent pesceable cleo
ton. On the contrary, they will be used to pre-
serve peace. And with that view the troops sre
here to preserve order peace and quiet at the polls
Your obedient servant,
GEO. II. THOMAS, q. S. A.
Major General Comd'g.
In reply to the above letter of General Thomas,
the rebel Mayor Of Nashville wrote long letter to
General Thomas insisting upon his right to hold an
election in violation of the Franchise law. In
ply to this impudsnt Communication, which misre-
presents what General Thomas had said in previous
documents, the General made the following an
swer:
HEADQUARTERS DETACHMENT CUMBERLAND, /
NASHVILLE, Tenn Sept %, 1861
To Hon. Bna. Matt. BrosOn, Mayor Of NasdviLte:
SIR-In reply to your communication OF this
date, received st two o'clock, P. NJ have to state
that did not inform you officially, in writing, as
stated by you In your communication to the public,
published in the papers this morning that would
use the military power of the United States in
tanning the Governor of this State in forc5Iy pre-
renting peaceaBle election, etc., but did state in
the communication that the proper Interpretation
of General Grants telegraphic orders is to sustain
the State authorities in the execution of their orders
Row Those words can be construed as meaning
that intended to use the troops to prevent peace
able election, confess ] cannot understand. The
proclamation of the Governor, and his orders to
General Cooper, required him to prevent you from
- s,ssn nj nm tte Go7ernor in the execution of
HI. orders. could not be obeyed if both elections
ware permitted, as yQS remember that the Cover
required General Cooper to prohibit che cleo
ton under the city charter, and you in your pro-
camation declared you would hold said election in
defiance OIL all power except that Of the United
States. Your obedient servant
GEo. II. THOMAS,
Msj Gen. U. S. A., Com'dg Department