Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-10-09
HON. ". B. STOKES.
A Sweet EpiStle from "SWeet Will
liam "..-The Author OF the Duncan
Letter" RepudiateS the AmneSty--.A
Question OF HaIters Elucidated.

Editors Unios and Dispatch.
LIBERTY, TENN, Sept. 9th, 1861
SIRs see in your issue of the 26th inst the fol
lowing allusion to myself, which does great in
justice:
VIM b. STOKES AMNEsTIED.
The Washington correspondent of the New York
4 World says:
Among those embraced by the recent proclama-
tien Of amnesty is the Hon. VIM. B. Stokes, of Ten
nessee member of the thirty-sixth Congress, who
went into the rebellion and proposed to raise troops
now Radical member of the last and l believe
also member elect of the present House of Repre-
sentatives."
And yet this man with the governmental halter
around bis neck, has passed himself of for fire
tried loyalist."
1t is not true that ever was connected in any
way with the rebellion, the attempt to separate
or break up the Federal Government.
I never made a speech or uttered word in favor
of secession raised any troops for the rebel
army; ! never Joined a rebel company; I never
sought or held an Office in the so-caled Confederate
government; l never took an oath to support the
so-called Confederate government; 1 never con-
trbuted one cent to aid the rebellion, unless it
forced from me- either by the Confederate authori-
ties or stolen from me by their rowing bands of
thieves and bushwhackers. If this is considered as
giving aid, then aided extensively. I never drew
breath in favor of secession or dsunion and not
word act of mine be so construed if truth
up and opposed every move towards secession in the
Thirty-sixth Congress. 1t is well known that OPP
posed separation in 1861, and made vigorous can
vass against it during the months of May and June
1861 voting separation and representation on the
8th of June, 1861. 1t is we'll known that I entered
the Federal lines as soon as General Busl reached
Nashville
1t is we'll known that raised regiment of good
and true men for the Federal army in 1862 and
served officer and soldier in the until the
spring Of 1866 when was honorably discharged
It is well known that while in the army never
disobeyed an order from superior officer.
dislike to trouble you with this but justice de-
mands Eat denial of such gross msrepresen tations
No government halter was ever around my neck
for the good reason of never having committed an
offense against my government either by word or
deed. You, no doubt, have had the halter about
yor neck for treason, and if Justice had been done
the props would have been knocked from under YOU
and clear daylight would have been seen between
you and earth, and there kept suspended until you
ceased to kick or give signs Of treason.
Buta magnanimous government forgave you, and
permitted you to live and to follow some honest
avocaton for living. Now, in order to reap re-
venge and put forth your hatred for the Federal
government you are villifying and publishing base
falsehoods against the men who stood true to the
Union and Federal government during our unhap-
Ply struggle.
Now, sirs, in conclusion, let me ask you to pub
lish this letter in your paper and hereafter oonne
yourself to facts. do not charge you with intend
ing to injure me individually, but the hatred you
have towards the Union party causes you to thus
act. / am in hopes few lines Of correction will
put the matter right between us, and we will be
good friends for all time to come
Respectfully, your Obedient servant,
w. B.. STOKES.