Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-03-13
Another Rebel Letter.

We publish, herewith, extracts from a
lengthy letter of William G.. McAdoo to
Isham G. Harris. The letter is four pages
long, closely written, and we have not
room to publish all of it. Mr.. McAdoo was
a leading lawyer of this city for many years
anu aleadlng secessionist. He was an Elec-
WI ioi 'ilis congressional District in the
bogus election for President, and Woo pros.
ident of the bogus Confederate statas NJ
hare the original Of this letter The genuine
ness of the handwriting would be endorsed
by many leading rebels and Conservatives
who know Mr. McAdoo. Mr.. McAdoo tes-
titles to the fact that c. W. Charlton, the
corrupt and infamous Post Master, under
Buchanan and jeff Davis, broke the seals
OF letters addressed to Union men, Ia
other letters we have evidence of this, and
that toe before the State seeded.
But to the letter. The author Of it is
now living in Georgia or Florida.
In private letter to Isham G. Harris he
shows the estimate placed by the rebels on
Gov. Brownlow, and the important revela-
ton is made as to the mode by which lead
ing rebel lawyers proposed to dispose of
the great mass of the people of East Ten
nessee
Knoxville, TENN, June 18th, 1861.
Hts Eresttency IshGna G.. Harris, Nashville, Tenn.
DEAR 1R:-Yours of the 18th inst, reached me
yesterday. Your policy in not sending troops to
East Tennessee was undoubtedly the true one so
long as there might be hope of peaceful scquies-
cence of the East Tennessee leaders in the popular
will of the whole State as expressed on the sth.-
But am now confirmed in my previous belief that
they will not submit. In Mr.. Brownlows Wing
of the 18th, he this significant language 1.-THE
indications are that Middle and West Tennessee
have voted out by large majority and that East
Tennessee remains IN the Union By fifteen or toeaty
thousand majority" You have already been in
formed, understand, in regard to the nature of
a letter which came to this Post Office yesterday,
advising the Union men, (Mr. Brof0pIoto partieu-
tprLy,) to take the course already ehalked out BY
the UniOnists of Northwestern Virginia
There can be no doubt that the programme is
agreed on to declare you of Middle and West Ten
nesse, traitors, set up loyal Provisional Govern
ment for the State, and call in Federal aid / am
aware you have been advised of secret circular in
existence calling another session of the Union Con-
refltton al 6reeneVlie next Monday. The call is
made by Nelson, the President
Certain it is, that no acute observer of the Union
movements for the last four weeks, can doubt that
the destruction of railroad that engine of war"
as Nelson styles it. is darling project of the lead
ers. / endeavored to impress on Gov. Foote, when
he here, the idea that the first collision here
would spring from destroying or attempting to de-
stroy the railroad, as also Mr.. Beli-though he
was completely mised by the hollow peace profess
sons of leaders here.
With a force along the Kentucky border, the
chances of escape of the Union leaders in the event
of discontinue would be small; and knowledge of
this would tell their conduct. A heavy force at
Chattanooga-say 5000 men-and force also at
Abingdon, Va, for few days, if President Davis
theatre of war in Eastern Virginia, would exert a
salutary effect. Finally, with these disposition of
troops, the Unton Contention Rert Monday ought to
be arrested by thousand men dropped unexpected
~ there by railroad if not destroyed before which
I think will be desperately attempted. The longer
they permitted to go, the better matured their
plans; and they say they now have $4,000 men
armed force difficult to conquer as guerillas in
. country admirably suited by nature to guerilla
warfare. But these the views of merely private
citizen, with imperfect arrangements for informa-
ion. You, no doubt, know better than do, what |
course to adopt and take pleasure in saying that
have every confidence in the discretion and wis
1om guiding your action. / should be very sorry
70 cause premature action which would increase our
present troubles but must say that l think the |
lime has arrived when the Gordian Knot will have |
@ be cut and the boldest promptitude is the highest
wisdom. remain,
Most respectfully, yours,
WIN. G.. MCADoO.