Buchanan County bulletin and guardian., 1869-02-19
EAST TENN EssEE.
Popular Cove anA the CunberlanA
asleatsaa-A Tale 81 Guerilla War.
fare.

wish could give you . clear idea Of our
location. II you stood on the Cumberland
Mountain, one mile east Of my dwelling,
am persuaded you would imagine yourself
on the east side Of Devils Lake but to reach
the valley below you would have to descend
800 feet, by the road mile. But the yalleyis
also much larger than where lived near Bar.
raboo. and numerous headands or projections
and recesses, the former bold and the latter
deep, give much more variety 10 the scenery.
The mountain slopes are clothed somewhat
differently too. Gigantic poplar tulip trees
grow At the base and up - far ~ the lines
stone oucrops, white cedar, pine and ches-
nut fringe the edges OF the topmost cliffs
where the old sandstone shows itself. 10
these tangled cedars and around the cliffs,
travel, wander and becoming separated
frsm the parent tempest, rsnain forioFn and
dsconsolate until they perish By the ervor
ofths setting sun linger amid these grand
old cliffs and light them up with glory
wholly unknown 10 your arid atmosphere.
A wild mountain stream rushes and RACES
in winter through the valley, but in summer
TIC UcQ VI liz bIUCk CuuSStS VI WAtcI>WOIO
rocks, with only here and there . pool Of
water. led BY springs. Bordering the cham
mel Of this stream are small level and nat
urally fertile bottoms. To prevent the fresh.
cts from washing the light alluvial soil Of
these undervalss away, the former proprie-
tors left untouched by the woodman's axe
noble specimens Of the sycamore, walnut,
mulberry, and other denizens Of forest>land,
and these skirts and groups Of trees add
much to the beauty Of the landscape, al
though love for the beautiful was no part
OF the agency which spared them. Snugly
nestled under the hills or perchej up.
on the swells ef the valley ara numerous
dwellings, many of them log huts, none with
any claims to elegance, but most With
h:me look, for which they are indebted to
their surroundings.
But the trace Of the serpent, slavery, 10
all over this beautiful and once fertile val-
ley. Where we now stay, not only the bond>
man but the white have lived. Not tree
OF . shrub serves to soften down the harsh
outlines Of the old smoked and weaiher.be
en- hulk. The square stone chimney cuts
the landscape offensively with its sharp m.
gles. The log cabin supports the chimney
and the chimney supports the cabin-nei-
ther could stand alone IN hour. The land
around il is wasted and worn.
TIMERS DEN AND TINKER CAVE.
This valley during the Rebellion was Of.
en the scene Of the most ruthless and bloody
guerilla warfare. Il received tho name
Of "Tinkers Den" from the noted Union
leader who lived near the foot of the valley.
will attempt to give you some idea Of the
man. Any public day may be seen in the
streets Of our little country town . plain,
rusty looking old man, upwards Of fifty years
Of age. Not unfrequently intoxicated, and
staggers about the street or pursues With
good nasured oaths the boys and men who
love to play practical Jokes upon him. This
mans name 10 David Beatiie. He was
cavalry, which alone saved these mountains
from being utterly depopula,ed BY Champ
Ferguson and his murderous followers
els in open field, Beattie and his followers
would secre.e themselves in the caves and
recesses Of the mountains, and, when least
Champs men, or upon any others Of their
rebel foes, and avenge in bloody fray the
wrongs which in the early part Of the con>
GVb uaI uGcu iuulCtcl ukUu Tue " ulOu men
and their families. Beattie was generally
known - Tinker Dave, hence the name
Tinker's Den applied TO this valley. He
had number Of sons, one Of whom, it is
said, has killed eleven men with his own
hand. During the war several Of them were
taken prisoners aud killed in cold blood.
CHAMP FERGUSON.
You have heard Of Champ Ferguson, and
of his rial and execution at the close of
the Rebellion for murders psrpetrased
by him. Tinker and Champ were the
opposing champions Of these regions, and
beca me, Of course, deadly enemies, each ca. |
gerly soaking the life Of the other. The fol>
loving story, received from spectators, will |
illustrate the enmi,y which existed between |
them, rs well as the manner in which the |
deadly strife wAged by them and their fol- |
lowers was conducted, and the condition Of
affairs here during the Rebellion.
STORY or GUERILLA WARFARE.
After the surrender of Lee and johnson,
Champ, who was up in Kentucky, closely
watched by Kentucky cavalry, started for |
the malignantly rebel district south Of this |
where be made his home. His route was |
over the Cumberland Plateau. Sweeping |
dows from the Poplar Mountain into Wolf |
River Valley, Champ leit . trail behind |
him marked by the corpses Of Union men. |
Two men who were drinking at spring |
we're shot dewn without word. Near Wolf |
River The Kentucky cavalry fortunately
overlook the murderer and his gang. aud |
pouncing upon them, several Of his men |
were slain, and the rest, with Champ him.
self sent whirling towards the Plateau.
A bout sunset Or little later in the day ,hey |
reached jamestown. Riding mp TO the |
house Of . wooden>legged merchant named /
Irwin, the rebel leader saw . horse hi,ched
near the DOOR
"Whose horse is that p he quickly ask.
ed.
"Tinksr's,' was the reply Of thousht.
less boy
"Where is Tinker!
"In Irvin's house, taking ssa with
Irwin"
Quick ss thought the house was surround.
ID, and the Union leader was in the hands
Of his deadly foe. The long coveted hour Of
We ugeancs had come at last.
Bealtie was allowed to mount his own
mountain m are.
Noted a. be was for his cunning, his usual
shrewdness would have seemed to have
left him, or hs would not have been thus
takea. and Champ made mistake in put
ting the prisoner upon his own mare.
No sooner was Beattie mounted on the
The back Of his nag than cap was burst
close BY his ear in an attempt to blow out
his brains To drop on his mares neck.
send his apurs deeply into her tanks, and
to bs of with the speed Of the wind was
done Is only Tinker Dave and his mountain
mare could do it. The flashing Ere Of
volley lighted up the scene. Two balls
passed through the fugi'ive's body, but be
did rot fall, and the noise Of the flight aud
pursuit rapidly passed up the village. The
fugitive had run his mare up that street in
tunes Of peace, and it needed something
more fleet than even Champs bloodsd Ken
lucky charge to keep peace with her flying
leaps.
The prisoner escaped. The rebels lsft
The place, but no one dared that night to
venture ost to ascertain the fals Of the q
ion chieit.in. Another man had been shot
Ia vigorously in the streets during the pursuit,
and had been carried to his house in the
village. Ny informant had helpsd to dress
bis wounds and watched with hun through
the night. About daybreak few cautious
blows were struck with the axe in chopping
some firewood With which to keep the woun.
ded man warm. No sooner were those
strokes heard than faint halloo came from
,h- c:,,a .,a,ee m tho oppnrsta s;.la <,f ~.