Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-07-25
THE REIGN OF TERROR.

Reply OF Gen. Thomas 10 the Nash
Vile COmmittee-Heis Pleased TO See
that the People viii Make Sacrifices.
and Recognizes BFOWnIOW's MyrmI-
dOns rs "IseguIarIy Constituted Au.
thOrities"-Wm. ID. WhiPPIe. A. a. G.,
etc.
HEADQUARTERS DEPT OF THE CUMBER-
LAND, LOUISVILLE, KY, July Is, 1867
Hon. w. MATT. Brown, MAYOR OF NASH
VILE, AND Mr.. THOMAS r. JENNINGS,
CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEE, NASHVILLE,
TENN.-SIBs | have the honor to &C.
knowledge the receipt of your letter of the
18th inst, transmitting a copy of the res
olutions adopted at numerous assemblage
of citizens of Nashville of all classes,
orders and races.
| am pleased to see in the resolutions
that the citizens of Nashville, in common
with a large majority of their fellow-citi-
zens in every part of the State of Tennes-
see, are determined to make all necessary
sacrifices of feeling or interest which honor
will permit for the happy preservation OF
quiet, the firm and steady maintenance of
law and honor, and the perpetuation OF
that civil equality and freedom which they
regard as the most valuable heritage which
they have derived from their heroic ard
venerable ancestors
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE
CumBERLAND, OFFICE OF ASSISTANT AID.
JUTANT GENERAL, LOUISVILLE, KY, July
10th, lS67.-BREvT. BRIG. GEN. THOMAS
DUNCAN, COMMANDING DISTRICT OF
NASHVILLE, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE
GENERAL: As there is some doubt in the
minds of officers commanding posts and de-
tachments in the State of Tennessee as to
their duties in reference to the approach
ing election, the Major General command
ing directs me to furnish you with the fol-
lowing instructions on that subject:
1t is not the duty of officers commanding
troops to see to the enforcing of the laws of
Tennessee except when called upon by the
proper civil authorities In the matter of
enforcing the franchise law, upon which in
a great measure depends the result of the
election in Tennessee, the troops should not
approach the polls, or in any way interfere
with the election, except upon orders from
these headquarters, issued upon applica-
ton of the Governor, Mayor Of a city, or
other civil officers, to General Thomas.
The officer in command, however at all
times, assume the right, and consider it
their duty to suppress riot and prevent
bloedshed when in their power.
In acknowledging the receipt of these
resolutions, | deem it advisable to forward
for your information a copy of the instruc
tions of 10th and 18th inst. to Brevet Brig.
Gen. Thomas Duncan, commanding Dis
trict of Nashville, hoping that the good
citizens Of Tennessee, having peace and
4oL fhayfoppl 90
the duty of carrying out their resolutions,
not only in Nashville, but throughout the
State: il so, ! have every confidence that
riot, disorder and bloodshed will be avoid
ed at the approaching election, and at po-
litical meetings.
| am, sirs, very respectfully, your ODE
dent servant, GEO. II. THOMAS,
Major General u. S. A., Commanding.
As there will probably be more danger
of riots on election day, and at political
meetings than at other times, il would be
well that the troops be kept in hand at
their quarters on such days for the two rea-
sons. that there may be no charges against
them Of interference with the election or
political affairs, and that they may be in
readiness to suppress riot.
Whenever the troops do move TO the as
sistance Of the civil authorities it should
be for the purpose OF seeing that no per-
sons interfere with the officers of the law,
to prevent them from the proper exercise
of their offices, and not for the purpose of
making arrests; neither will officers in
command allow themselves to be made the
custOdans of prisoners after arrest, except
when the civil officers making the arrest
u 4 l.. .Haalra
prisoners in custody; when the officer IN
command Of the troops will take measures
to prevent their escape for a short time,
while civil authorities make preparations
TO secure them.
Should there be reasons why the military
should in the Opin,Jn OF the commanding
officer Of the troops, retain custody OF prs
oners for a longer time than that cOntem-
plated in these instructions, the case will
be reported through the proper channels to
these headquarters and instructions asked.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
tSignedl WM. d. WHIPPLE,
Brev't Mai. Gen. L. s. A., Asst Adj. Gen.
HEADQUARTERS DEPT OF THE CUNBER-
LAND. Office of Assistant Adjutant General,
Louisville, Ky, July l9, lS67.-Brevet
Brig. Gen. Thomas Duncan, Commanding
District of Nashville, Nashville, Tennes-
see-GEEERAL. In addition 10 the Instruc-
tions contained in letter from these head
Quarters, Of 10th instant, the Major Gene-
raj commanding the department directs
me to add that YOU will consider the milf
tia Of the State Of Tennessee called out,
nnder act Of the Legislature passed last
winter, as among the regularly constituted
authorities Of the State.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
lSienedl ". ID. WHPPLE
Brev't Mai. Gen. L. S. A, Asst Adj. Gen.