Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1868-12-11
JUDGE PATTERSON.
Why He Cat or GUNS for the "Re-
bels''-Hfs Connection with the Gen.
fe6erate PostDastership Of Kings
SIGN

Why He Cut OF GUNS for the 0Rt
bels''-Hfs Connection with the Ger
Tolerate Possmastership Of King.
sion.
To the Editors of the Union and American:
You have received an inquiry as {
whether l am stbe man who held cor
tract from the Confederate States to alte
shet-guns and rifles into efficient arms
shoot Yankees WITH" and that 'to avoi
| Confederate service, secured the appoint
ment of Confederate Postmaster and as
matter Of eourse took tie necessary oGtA.'
You answer that "the former charge va
made through your paper in the Summe
of 1866" and "if ever denied you do no
rememberit." As TO the latter you SAY
you have no knowledge"
The former charge was made through
your paper during the fourth week Of July
lS66-the first week of my first term in
this Circuit, and called forth resolutions Of
censure against your paper from the Bar Of
Winchester, which is here matter Of re-
cord 1T the reques.ofthe Bar; ard we're pub.
lIshed a few days later Ia the Press e
Times in connection with statement over
my signature which was esteemed By the
public as a fell vindication.
l now report the condensed substance
OF the statement:
La Nay, 1851, there were twenty-five
thousand men in East Tennessee enrolled.
drilled, but not efficiently armed-I beinR
one of the number-Who determined. az
all hazards, to sustaia The government of
the United States. After the second East
tennessee convention, at Greeuville,
eonsnlt ton, in the nature of a war council.
was held by portion of ting officers, at
Kingston, though not an officer was present
by request. 1t was there agreed to
move the great body Of the available forces
TO hea,ucky, as resistance in East Tennes-
see would be greatly perilous A system
OF secret service was agreed upon local and
transient. | was selected for what is kuo xn
as "Southwe5. Point" or Kingston Station
accepted it, and wi honest motives dis
charged its duties as thoroughly as wa, il
my power. From February to June every
man who could, had been manufacturing
and improvising arms. Being favored by
nature with something of mechanical skill,
and having the will, took an active part.
Early In 1862 the notorious Gen. Lead
better came with his brigade to Kingston!
owned house which had rented to a
mechanic as a cabinetmaker's shop. This
was taken charge Of under Leadbettef's
orders as a repair gunshop. An order
came to me through one of Leadbetter's
hat 7 ho1 Il
id Lincolites, should now be compelled
to work on arms for the Southern Confede-
racy." l inquired what kind of work was
required and being told it was cutting off
double-barreled shot-guns, / obeyed the
order TlIIingty, knowing that the change !
rendered tie arms inefficient and practi- |
calIy valueless. If l had possessed the |
opportunity and power, would have gladly |
cut Oft query arm in Confederate hands; |
and under the influence of the same motive
also, the heads of the leaders CT the rebel. |
lion. Other arms than the Kind stated |
game TO me; but if they left my handa in as
good or better condition and efficiency THAI |
when received, l was not aware OF it. Du- |
ring all this time, | was carrying on COM
which if then known 10 the |
Confederate authorities would have hanged |
ne according to the rules Of war for which |
action, l have since received the thanks
and commeGdations Of United States mill
AIRY commanders high in authority; and
IN October, 1858, when called at the De-
partment of the Interior for the balance
Tue me as Department Marshal for taking
he ceAsus Of Rosne county, it was
paid, and the Secretary remarked:
: You are the first Marshal from any of the
States in rebellion we have paid without
irst requiring the taking of a special OATH
expressed my readiness to take the oath
n question, and asked the cause of the ex-
,eption. He replied: "Your position and
conduct are well known here"
As TO the second charge "of which you !
AVE no knowledge" my answer il, II hare
10 knowledge Of t." But this do know
That l held the Office of Postmaster, at
Tennessee, under the authority
If the United States, from December, 1858,
o September, 186l-about three months
alter than such office was held in The State,
md for the most of the last three months
iept up communication with the Depart
nent at Washingtonsa through the agency
# Rev. W. z. Lowry, United States Mail
Contractor, and his employees, by way Of
lis Montgomery and JameItown route.
In June, 1851, II. Ligget-your present
Agent at Kingston-was appointed Post.
master by the authorities at Richmond. It
vas Tumored that had refused to deliver
he office TO Ligget. Col. Rains, with
'attaliIon OF infantry, was sent down from
1oudon, and was astonished to learn that
4igget peremptorily refused to have any,
hing to do with the Office, fearing a return
# the loyal East Tennessee forces.
Three months later / received q
Iritten order from Brig. Gen. F.
Zollicofier, at Knoxville, direct
ng me to deliver, without delay,
he othce, etc, to FL. Ligget, stating
l learn you are still holding your Office
nder authority of the Federal Govern
nent." went to Ligget, showed him the
rider, and told him TO come and take the
flee. He refused. / notified Gen. Zol.
lcotfer of the fact, and stated if not other
rise directed l would close up the Office or
brow the contents into the street. He re-
lied: Keep possession until demand
) made by successor" This soon &C.
urred in the person of r. D. Duncan,
nder an order from Gen. E. Kirby Smith.
VIII ooO, thai Al AoOf- w. uetANcleu W |
az successor, under United States author
ty, one key and five locks, which l had
managed to sscrete and withhold from Z.
Kirby Smiths Postmaster.
As to the Frazier trial, was retained by
be managers after had resigned my COM
mission as Judge, and before my qualities
ion under second commission. / had
egal right to appear as counsel.
My communication of 1866 was addres.
ed to the editors of your paper, but printed
D the Press and Times. You were not then
D charge of the paper. l send this directly
D you. n. a. PATTERSON.
WNCHEsTER, Tenn.
GsOVarnor's Residence.