Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-06-20


ginia-SummRry Arrests Of Citizens
Petitions for Protection from the
PeOpIe-ShRrp Letter from General
SchO6eld so Gov. BrOwnIOw.
Nashville Correspondence New York Herald.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, June l3, l867.-The
frequent occurrence OF outTages in Eastern
Tennessee and the western counties of Vir-
ginia have lately occasioned much discus
sion, and have been the subjects of com
plant to the civil and military authorities
in both Virginia and Tennessee. In this
State the causes of grievance have arisen
from the depredations of the militia forces
recently organized by Gov. Brownlow.
These organizations, made up chiefly of
loyal citizens and negroes, armed with
some authority, and quartered mainly in
the portion of the State where the Rebel
element prevails, have INDUCED in the
most wanton excesses, and have throughout
exercised terror among the people that
demands the interpositiOn of the govern
ment.
The petition Of numerous citizens of East
Tennessee to the President, asking protec-
ton against the depredations and aggres-
siOns of the militia, reported in the Wash.
ington dispatches of yesterdays Herald
gives a picture not overdrawn of the condi-
ton of affairs in that portion of the State
A similar despotism has been in opera
ton in some Of the counties of Virginia
adiSining tkis State. The loya} forces of
the Governor make raids into Aese eoun-
ties, capture, imprison, and try residents OF
Virginia for alleged offenses committed
during the war upon the loyal inhabitants
! of Tennessee. Summary proceedings of
the same character have also been frequent
on the part of loyal Tennesseans, who, con-
scious of being justified by his Excellency
the "Parson," have gone over into the do
minions of Gen. Schofield, arrested his sub
| jects, seized their property and punished
them as they thought proper.
These aggressive acts, contrary to all
international law, kept the unprotected
| Nirginians in constant terror, and anarchy
may have been said to prevail in conse-
| quence of such lawless proceedings. Pc
titions were, however, forwarded to Gen.
Schofeld, showing the state of the people,
the outrages to which they were constantly
subjected, and praying protection in the flI-
| ture. The frequent receipts Of these com
munications from different sections caused
! Gen. Schoiield to inquire into the matter,
and finding the statements made to be facts,
/ ilkt d lltC ihiGl nc ~ put Il HtOD
| to them, and addressed the following sharp
letter to the Governor here, which shows
that he intends to protect the people he has
been called to rule over:
HEADQUARTERS FIRST MILITARY Dis
TRICT RICHMOND, Va, June s, 1867
To His Ercellency w. G. BroWniow, G0rer-
nor Of Tennessee, NaShrilie, 1ennessee-SIR {:
| have received communication from a
number OF citizens of Lee county, Va,
complaining of the action of bodies of men
in Tennessee, who have entered the State
of Virginia and forcibly seized citizens of
this State and carried them into Tennessee,
and imprisoned them for alleged ohensss
committed during the war. Among others
are especially mentioned the names of f
+. Anderson, of Scott county, aud NJ. Leva-
sor, of Lee county, Va.
| respectfully request that steps be taken
to prevent the lawless acts complained of,
and to restore to liberty persons who have
been unlawfully arrested in Virginia and
carried into Tennessee.
| have received from you requisitions for
the rendition of several persons accused OF
having committed crimes in Tennessee du-
ring the war. Some Of the parties claim
that the acts of which they are accused
were lawful acts of war, committed under
recognized military authority, and that the
necessary witnesses for the defense are men
who were engaged in the same, or similar
acts, and who would consequently be liable
to arrest and imprisonment if they were to
60 into Tennessee as witnesses.
| have directed an investigation to be
made in each of the cases referred to, and
will act in accordance with the facts which
may be developed.
In cases where men are indicted for
crimes committed since the war, | will
cause their arrest and rendition to the
civil authorities of Tennessee upon your
requisition. But when the acts charged
were proper acts of war, done under recog-
nized military authority, it would not be
proper for me to send a citizen Of Virginia
to Tennessee for trial.
| hope the views ! have expressed will
coincide with those entertained by your
self and also by General Thomas, to owiom
! have addressed q letter similar in purport
to this, and that we may be able to cooper
ate as TO secure Justice and prevent the
repetition of acts which tend 10 violence
and disorder. ! am, sir, very respectfully
your obedient servant,
J. NJ. SCHoFIELD,
Breyet Major General L. 5. A., command
ing District No. l.
The nature of the outrages alleged tC
: have been committed during the war con
sists chiefly of horse stealing, seizing sup
plies and conscripting loyal Tennesseans
IL viii be seen from the above letter that
General Schofeld recognizes these as act.
committed under recognized military au
thoriiy, and therefore refuses TO give az
/ parties for whom Brownlow has made
, requisitions upon him. 1t is yet unknown
what action the Governor will take in tht
matter. but il is supposed in case he fails {,
! preyent recurrence of similar acts, Gen
! eral Thomas will then exercise his military