Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-01-22

I6tc IcBSlllyl uAhtoEth9 Va A-"St
Tennessee adhered TO the Union cause that but four
Of our thirty counties voted in favor of secession
that during the war, about twenty-five thousand of
our population Joined the Federal army; in some
instances forming regiments of their own in many
others, attaching themselves to the commands from
ether States, snd serving with great fidelity and
bravery, to the close of the war; Before they left
East Tennessee, they were subjected to every spe-
ees Of persecution and in their absence their fam
lilies were then insulted and oppressed. The num-
Der of soldiers who Joined the army of the United
States was almost equal to our voting population
in 1850. A large majority of those who remained
in the country because of their inability to leave it,
adhered with unfinching frmness and unvsrying
patriotism TO the Government Of the United States.
Because of their devotion to our common country,
some of them were cruelty murdered, many others
were confined in oathsome prisons, in and out Of
the State and lost their lives their health in
sequence Of the cruel treatment to which they
subjected. For more than two years the Govern
ment Of the United States was unable to come TO
their relief The people we're at the mercy of the
rebel military authorities and aside from personal
indignities and suferings, they were compelled to
part with their property and to furnish horses corn
bacon -four, forage and many other articles to the
support Of the rebel army in and out Of the State
Sometimes they we're paid in Confederate money at
arbitrary prices and at others they received moth
ing The country which is naturally productive
and abundant, was, in a considerable degree, ex-
hausted by these means when the Federal army,
under the command Of Major General Burnside
entered in the fall of 1868. They were received
with the widest Joy by the people, and the old fsg
was everywhere hailed as the sign of deliyerance
from the willing bondage which had been rivet-
ed upon them, and as the hsrbinger Of restored
Union. Owing to the distance from his base of
supplies and other military operations beyond his
control, it became necessary for Major General
Burnside to subsist bis army upon people already
impoverished, ana he and his successors, until the
close of the war; denuded the people of almost every
vestige of personal property that remained such
horses mules cattle, Sheep hogs corn, bacon, wheat
fodder hay and other articles In NEST instances
the people readily yielded everything they could
possibly spare for The support of the army, in the
hope, and upon the assurance, that compensation
would be made by the Government. In others, the
uANOA hCSDSsibJ w HGAo PAOPoiby "
impressment, and many cases occurred where the
soldiers were compelled to seize corn and other
grain which had been planted, cultivated and gath
cred by the hands of females, whose sons husbands
and brothers were then actually serving as soldiers
in other localities in the army of the United States.
The United States forces were larger than any rebel
forces which had ever occupied the country; and
the people discovered that in their exhausted
condition, an army of friends was destructive
than an army of enemies. But relying on the JUS
tice Of their country, and animated by an undyng
love for our free institutions, they submitted with
patience to the burning of their fences the seizure
and occupation of their property and the numerous
calamities and annoyanees of war.
Major General Burnside profoundly gratiied at
the warmth of his reception and deeply convinced
of the patriotism of the people, authorized pay
ments, far as it was in his power; but as the
army was often in rapid motion, these payments
could not always be made, nor could the requisite
certificates be given. Sensible of the great suffer-
ing Of the people, and aware of the injustice that
might be done them from the want of proper vouch-
ers he appointed commissioner to hear proof as
to all claims which had not been paid or for which
proper certificates had not been given; and the
commission continued to act while he remained in
the country and for several months afterwards and
proceeded to audit and allow claims to large
amount for spoliations committed by the Federal
army. But as appropriation had been made by
Congress for the payment of these claims, and few,
if any, Of them have ever been paid. Other large
claims exist in favor of the Union population,
which never were presented to the Commission, be-
cause of the continual state of and the occupa-
of parts of the country by the rebel forces.
Without Boosting of their patriotism, or seeking
to undervalue that of other sections of common
country your memoriaists believe that, during the
late rebellion the citizens of part of the United
States were subjected to an ordeal half so cruel
we're, or prolonged as the Union population of East
Tennessee. While their patriotism above all
price and could neither be bought nor sold, they
had an abiding confidence that the Government of
their beloved country would not compel them to
bear the burtbens of war which they had brought
upon themselves by their heroic efforts to sustain
that Government. But your memorislists have
learned, with profound sorrow and regret that at
former sessions dissemination has existed in yeur
honorable body to act upon any petitions for remu-
HeTAbiOE OtiASiS Wtlo
rebel States and that no provision has yet been
made for the adjustment Of the claims which are
justly due them alike by the laws of nations and
under the Constitution and laws of the United
States. Although the States were, technically, en-
emes to the Government it does not follow that al
the people of the States were in that attitude. In
point of law and Of fact it was far otherwise; and
your memorialsts beg leave to remind your honor
able body that in the legislation of Congress and the
proclamatons Of the President during the war, dis
examinations are frequently made in favor of loya
citizens, and the fact was recognized that in most
of the States engaged in rebellion, there many
citizens who adhered to the Constitution and the
Union of their fathers and who, by these laws and
procamations as we'll as the orders of military
manders, were especially exempted from the treat
ment which was extended to those who en-.
gagged il armed rebellion against the Government
or rendering aid and comfort to such rebellion.
Your memorialists are informed that one of the
objections which has been urged against the allow
ance Of the claims Of loyal citizens residing in State:
which were in rebellion is that fraudulent claims
might be presented in behalf of disloyal citizens
but they respectfully ask--can the possibility tina
injustice may be done to the Government, extenuat
or justify the act Of the Government in withhold
ing Justice from large number of its best friends
aad bravest defenders If during parts Of the lat
Mexican war, the enemies Of our country were &C
tually paid for supplies furnished to our army, how
much more are they entitled to il who lived unde
our own Constitution and fought, or suffered, fol
our own asg Shall they who endured contumely
reproach, imprisonment persecution and every spe
eies of deprivation, rather than abandon their prin
ciples or turn traitors 70 their country be told B.