Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-11-06

III
sible is it or not my duty to protect the present in
cumbent and let the party elected seek his remedy
| in the proper courts Whatever NAV be my per-
sonal opinions preferences in the matter desire
that my conduct in the premises, if called upon to
act shall be such as will sustain the law and be sat-
Efactory to the major general commanding the de-
partment.
have the honor to be- General, very respectfully,
your obedient servant
THOMAS DUNCAN,
Lieutenant Colonel Fifth Cavalry
HDQRs DIsTEIcT OF NASHVILLE
Nashville, Tenn, September 23 1867. !
| TO Major General YIN. d. HhippEc, Assistant i'd
jatant General, Department Of the Cumberland
SIR: Since my communication of the 2lst instant
in regard 70 the aspect of political affairs in the
forthcoming municipal election of this city on Sat-
urday next, from my own observation and from
conversation with citizens, l am fully convinced
that both parties fully determined to hold their
election under the executive proclamations of his
ExcelleDey the Governor, and of the Honorable
Mayor of the city.
In view, therefore, of preventing breach of The
peace, respectfully suggest such instructions may
be given me as viii protect both parties IN quiet
election, the part Of those who hold their cleo
ton illegally it viii only be Gan innocent amuse-
ment" and the votes go cast will be ruled out, and
the party legally entitled will be established in pos
session by the courts. If it were even perfectly
perhaps be better TO protect each in its election
this would be the surest to prevent riot and
bloodshed and would not affect the final result,
when settled by the proper tribunal, TO which it
must eventually be brought; but as there seem to
be grave doubts on this point IN the minds of legal
gentlemen Of both parties it would seems that the
plan proposed is the only course that the military
commandment can adopt, and that is the course pro
prose to pursue unless instructed otherwise by the
major general commanding the department.
have the honor to be, General, very respectfully,
your obedient servant
THOMAS DUNCAN,
Lieut.. Col. 9Th Cavalry Brevet Brig. Gen. U s. A.
commanding district.
Here follows the proclamation of Gov. Brownlow
and the proclamation of the Mayor of Nashville,
heretofore published.
On which Gen. Thomas made the following en-
dorsement of transmissal;
"HDQRs DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAYD,(
Louisville Kyq Sept. "a 1867. !
Respectfully referred to the Adjutan5 General
OF the army for the information of the General-n-
Chief" 2a
AS yet no requisition has been made for a military
force for service in the case, but have reason to
believe there will be.
Under existing instructions from the Hon. Seore-
tary of War; to assist the civil authorities in pre-
serving the peace, and the Governor of the State
being Chief Magistrate OF the State, and he having
announced by proclamation his construction of the
law and his determination to enforce it, am OF the
opinion that if called upon, should be compelled
to aid him in enforcing HE DEGREES with the forces
at my command. Such will be the action taken,
unless ordered TO the contrary and instructions by
telegraph are requested If this is not approved Of
GEORGE H. THOMAS,
Major General U. s. Army, Commanding
The following instructions were sent to General
Duncan
Hpq'Rs DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND
Louisville, Kyq Sept "a, 1857. !
BreUet Brigadier General Thomas Duncan
SIR The major general commanding directs me
TO acknowledge the receipt OF your letters OF the
2lst and 22d Instant enclosing the proclamation OF
his Excellency Governor Brownlow, and his Honor
Mayor Brown of Nashville.
IT does not appear from these documents that you
have been called upon as yet to Interfere IN any
way with the approaching elections but II you are
trssslooSn sra render al assistance necessary e his
Fxcellency Coy. Brownlow in enforcing the laws
and preserving the peace.
Gov. Brownlow is Chief Magistrate Of the State,
and has announced by proclamation his construc-
ton of the law If he needs military force to assist
him in enforcing IT, you will render him all the as
sistance in your power
The major general commanding has referred your
letter and accompanying documents to the war De-
partment with advice of the action taken by him,
and request instruction by telegraph if it was not
approved Of If such instructions are received you
will be advised Immediately.
In the absence of any requistion upon you Tor
troops prior the day OF election, you Will on that
day hold your command in readiness for immediate
action, as you may be called on at any moment to
assist in quelling riots.
l am, General, very respectfully, your obedlent
servant ALFRED L. HoUGH,
| Breyet Col q. S. A.,
Acting Assistant Adjutant General.
On the 22d of September Governor Brownlow
wrote to Gen. Cooper, commanding State Guards,
as follows
SIM. You will bring TO Nashville Immediately
all the troops infantry and cavalry, you can COM
mand to enable you to protect the judges and clerks
anpointed bv the commissioner of registration and
to enforce the franchise law. If need be, call on
| Major General George II. Thomas for additional
troops to enable you to keep the peace and enforce
the law.
| This was transmitted to headquarters Of the army
bv Gen. Thomas On the morning of the 18th In
slant he received the following cipher Telegram
from the Generalin-C Chief;
WASHINGTON, Sept. "a, ls67-3.3O P. M.
10 Major General George II. Thomas:
The Mayor, City Attorney, and President OF Com
mon Council Of Nashville, express grest tear OF col
lision at the time Of charter election on the !otn.
Go to Nashville tomorrow, to remain until ate
election to preserve peace. Ii you think NOR
troops necessary for that purpose order them Their
from the most convenient point in your command
The military cannot set up 20 be the Judge as u
which set of election Judges have the right to con
troll but must confne their action to putting dow
hostile mobs 1t is hoped, however, by seeing tn
Governor and city officials here referred to you
presence and advice may prevent disturbance
Please keep me advised of condition OF AFFAIRS
q. s. GRANT, General.
To which Gen Thomas replied in the following
cipher telegram
LOUISVILLE, KY, September % 1867.
General u s. Grant, Washington D. c.:
Your cipher telegram of $50 ?. NJ. yesterday re
: ceiyed forwarded you yesterday proclamation
of the Governor the Chief Magistrate of the State
nrocaiuing any other election than that held unde
The franchise law illegal and directing Gen. Coope
to take measures 70 preserve the peace and to pre-
tee the Judges Of election in the discharge Of thei
duties also, proclamation by the Mayor OF tn
city of Nashville, taking adverse grounds 10 ID
Governor and ordering an extra police force to
orpanized 70 preserve the peace and TO protect th
Judges of election appointed by the City Council
hold the election for city officers under the charte
for your information and instruction. In the eI
dorsement expressed the belief that under lnstru'
lions from the War Department should be con
pelled 70 take sides with the Governor, he bein
Inc chief civil officer of the State, and having pre-
claimed the law governing elections IN the stat
.hould he call upon me for aid. As further EXPIRE
sod in that endorsement, l should have used Il
troops to aid the civil authorities to enforce u
franchise law and preserve peace at the election hs
= / not received your telegram Of use P. NJ yeste
n dav start for Nashville this afternoon, and wi
c do what can TO preserve the peace Piease Il
struct me whether I am to sustain the Governor
: the Mayor.
Gen. Thomas then proceeded to state that he pr
eeeded to Nashville BY the three o'clock train
that day, reaching Nashville at midnight, and
. lates what took place between himself and the 60
ernor and the Mayor of that city, the result
# which is indicated in the following cipher teegra