Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-09-25
Rebel AssasSIns.

rate purpose on the part of some of the
rebel leaders of Knoxville to assassinate, or
have assassinated Governor Brownlow du-
ring the time he was in East Tennessee af-
ter the rebellion commenced, and until he
went North Atvarious times, armed mobs
came, yelling like savages, to his residence,
and threatened to murder him. On occa-
sions when such parties were small in num-
Der, and the doors of the Governors resi-
dece locked and barred, with the win dows
of the same filled with his friends, well
armed, these assassins considered discre-
ton the better part Of valor," and Gas the
rebel papers were wont to say when their
armies fled in confusion) retired in good
order
At the instigation of such men as Sneed,
Crozier, Ramsey and Reynolds, (the men
named being the same who had him thrown
into PRISON. and we believe the Uery naen,
large mobs were advised to overwhelInn
his friends in this city and drag him from
his dwelling for the halter. At such times
Governor Brownlow found fast friend in
Col. Joseph A. Mabry, a man of high char
acter, of this city. Col NJ. was identified
with the rebel party and a man of consid-
cradle influence with that party, but OPP
posed to hanging Brownlow'' simply for
difference of opinion. In verifcation of
this, and as evidence Of the spirit of the as
sassins who pursued and had him cast into
prison, we publish below the affidavit of
Major Camp. The Major is now living in
Georgia Hewas brave soldier of the re-
bel army, and in fighting under the rebel
flag both his eyes were shot out
In the trial Of the suits for false impris-
onment brought by Governor B. against
Sneed, Crozier, Ramsey and Reynolds, Col.
M swore that these men held frequent
meetings in Ramsey's Office, at which they
discussed the mode of 'disposing of Brown
low" There were three propositions: One
was to turn the Governor over to the rebel
soldiers; another to hang him and anoth-
er to send him South to be imprisoned du-
ring the war.
But to Major Camps affidavit 1t ex
plains itself
c. w. Coker Us. Jos. A. Mabry.
In the Circuit Court of Knox county, Tennessee,
in the Sd Judicial Circuit of Tennessee deposition
Of VIM. A. Camp, witness for defendant in the
above case, taken upon notice on the first day of
January IN the year of Lord 1856, at the house
Of ID. A. Walker, in Dalton, Georgia, in the pres
ence of VIM. r. Moore, Esq, counsel for the defen-
dant, no one appearing on the part of plaintiff, the
said witness, William A. Camp aged forty-seven
years, being sworn, deposed as follows
Questionable you know the parties
AnS'cer.-I am acquainted with defendant; do
lot know the plaintiff.
QuestSon.-State whether or not you were an Of
icer in the socalled Confederate army, and if Al
my time during the war you were stationed at
knoxville. State what time, and if you were init
nately acquainted with defendant and state fully
IL you know that defendant said or done to protect
be persons and property of Union citizens and
jnion men, and whether at any time defendant by .
is influence and exertions, prevented William G.
rownlow, the present Executive of Tennessee.
om being mobbed or killed by regiment of Mis- /;
sspPi soldiers. State all You know, your means of
newing fully and particularly.
Ansa0er.-I was Captain when l went to Knox
lie, and elected Major while there, in the 40
lied Confederate army, 1 was at Knoxville in :
anuary and February, 1862, if my memory serves
g right, and perhaps longer. Don't remember the !,
tie precisely that left Knoxville. During nv "
az there became intimately acquainted with de- a
ndant-was slightly acquainted with him before.
cant state particularly anything defendant did to
otect the persons and property of Union men in :,
neral except that in frequent conversations which -
had with him he invariably expressed himself as :,
posed to anything which would Cypress Union u
liens, and gave as a reason that they were honest
d be did not wish them abused 1 was officer of 3
guard while VIM. G. Brownlow present Execu- =
70 OF Tennessee was confined in his house after "
was removed from the Jail, and while was such -
ieer Mississippi regiment came there and in
nversing with some of the enemies of said Brown
v about Knoxville spirit seemed to get up to
re him out and hang him. As soon as found
IS out, l went to the Commandant of the Post
pit Monsa srst, and reported the facts TO him
ordered me to put a stronger guard at Brown =.
VS. house to protect him. then went from there -
the store OF defendant, and told him what was r.
Defendant Immediately mounted his horse -
ling me to manage the military and he would =
and manage the citizens and rode of toward
depot, where the mob seemed to be getting IN
aw defendant mixing among the crowd for an 70
ur OF more, bnt was not close enough to hear ~
lat ne said. Defendant also went to DIR. Lewis ~
the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad and ne
ged him to send off the troops as soon as he nos !0
~ could give them transportation owing to the g,
tous spirit among them. The excitement gradu- 49,
subsidized. l had guard of hundred men -
lVenlent to Brownlow's house to protect him in =
e it became necessary and further deponent saith
Signedl w CO., Ia
The foregoing deposition was taken before me as :,
ted IN the caption, and reduced to writing hv Wy
and certify that am not interested in ,ns ~
se nor OF kin or counsel to either of the parties
Signed DAWSON A. WAtxrs III
age oil the Superior Courts of the Cherokee Cir -
uit, State of Georgia. TOT
STATE or TENNESSEE KNOX Co17Nrv Ael
/, Will r. McBath, Clerk of the Circuit Corr, d
the county and State aforesaid certify that Tho .oi
egOing is full, true and perfect copv of the ian
'ostion Of W. A. Camp, taken in the above oausa
he same remains on file in my Office. .rs
iiyen under my hand at Office in Knoxville this '''
day of September, 1867.
WILL R. McBATH, Clerk. -
By E. w. Adkins d. CIR -.