Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-03-21
STATE NEWS
LETTER FROM PULASKI

VIIIains-DIsgracefa Conduet OF ths
Militia.
To the Editors Of the Union and American
PULASKI March 19.-You perhaps saw
an account day or two since OF the
robbing of old man. Abernsihy by the
militia of this place, on last Monday night.
IL was very aggravated case indeed,
snd the facts as have them from uudoubt-
ell authority are about these: Two men
dressed in the Uniform of the militia went
10 the house Of Mr.. Alternately about IL
o'clock at night, and knocked for admit
lance, and we're admitted. They immedi-
ately seized the old gentleman, who is
quite old and feeble there being no other
persons on the place except his two daught-
ers and grandson about ten years of age,
and demanded his money, which, if he
bad any, he Refused to give up. They
dragged him across the room several times
In very brutal manner, and finally re-
sorted TO the expedient familiar here dur
ing the war, Of tying rope around his
neck and threatening to hang him. Not
accomplishing their object by this means,
they commenced threatening the daugh-
tiers, one of whom in her fright gave them
81, which, for aught | know, wss all the
money on the premises. With this booty
they left and went out to the stable and
saddled up two horses and very coolly rode
OH. On the following morning the horses
were found between Mr.. Abernsthy's and
town. During that day the matter was re-
ported TO the commandant at this place,
and the Colonel expressed determination
to Ind the criminals if possible and bring
them to trial. For this purpose, the little
boy We have mentioned was permitted to
visit camps, and see the men on inspection,
TO identify the criminals. This he failed
TO do. A day or two afterwards, however,
sergeant Of the command told Msi.
Aymette, the Town Constable Of Pulaski
that he knew who got Abernaihy's money
that one of the criminals had confessed to
the Sergeant the circumstances of the
whole affair. But nothing further wss
done in the matter until yesterday
morning, when the officer of the
day in company with sheriff Parsons, rode
out TO Mr.. Abernathy's to learn something
about the facts of the case. After getting
what information he could, he came back
and ordered four men under arrest. This
looked like he was in earnest. On yester-
day evening, however, matters seemed to
take different turn. Miss Abernaihy,
01e ofthe young ladies who was present
when this robbery was committed, in com
Pany with Mai. Aymette, visited the camps
Of the militia TO identify, If possible, the
men who committed the outrage. The
soldiers were drawn up in lines, each COM
pany to itself, and she passed up and down
the lines, amid such jeers and tauDts and
threats, as the soldiers were pleased to iu-
dnlge st her expense-the officers making
no effort to check it-and such pro.
family and indecent language was
used al only soldiers can use
Some Of them swearing that if they had il,
no ID Rebel or Ku. Klux would ever
get it, and usiNg other language in the
presence of the officer and the lady her
self that We canDot give to the public But
this horrible ordeal was gone through with
by Mai Aymette and Miss Abernathy nn-
til they got to the last company, and Miss
A. failed to recognize either of the men.
Then the officer in command pretended 20
get perfectly furious; said that be knew
that ii was id Rebel trick 10 get his
men into difficulty, and swore and ranted
like mailman. Just then Mai. Aymetle
stepped up to him aud told him Sergeant
of his command had told him that che
knew who committed the crime; that the
soldier had confessed it to him (lhe Sar-
geant): that the mans name was Bunch
that Bunch came to said Sargesnt's tent
next morning after the robbery was COM
mitted and shaved of bis whiskers,
and told the Sergeant why he shaved,
etc, and all the circumstances con-
nected with it," The officer asked Mai
A. if he cOald point out the Sergeant.
Luckily be happened to be standing near
by, and Maj. Aynette pointed him out.
The Captain asked the Sergeant il Maj.
AZ statement was true and be said it was
and went on to tell the name of the man
that he was a member of his company, and
told the Captain why the criminal had
made those confessions, and what lead to
it. Upon hearing this, the officer in COM
mand, to whom it was told, walked abrupt
ly away, leaving Maj. A. and Miss A to
hear the curses and threats of the demons
around them. Of course, Maj. A. did not
remain long in that company, and be came
away feeling no desire to visit the militia
camp again, TO get redress for the outrsges
committed by soldiers Now, sir, what
does all this mean? This Captain and Off
Ger of the day, who pretended to feel an
anxiety to ind these criminals, when
he had found one of them, by the proof Of
one of "his own men," walks abrubIly
away, giving no orders to have the man ar
rested 10 be FINISHED. but saying, by his
actions, st least, that if he did not indorse
this crime, he would allow ii in his COM
msnd, which amounts TO the same with Us.
These are the plain unvarnished facts Of
this case, and | give them to you because
it is right that the world should know
them. Ii these criminals 20 uDpunished,
they 60 unwhipt vi justice, it is saying to
the world, these officers endorse such
crimes in their men. All we can say If, If
these things are allowed We will see
GaGt ios ghl see.
Our people have been quiet. They have
been peaceable. No county 10 the State,
nor in the United States, has been more
so for several months, with the exception
OF the Ouirages committed by soldiers since
they have been here. Besides our people
OF all parties have demonstrated we have
supplicated, We have pOstrsted Ourselves
before the authorities that be-" and have
begged and plead by every consideration
under Heaven TO remove this curse from
u, and yet they remain, and such crimes
a. the above are allowed which tells too
plainly why they remain. These are the
returns we get for being peaceable and
quiet. Our pledges and promises and sup
plicaIions are scotied at by these guard
ans Of our liberiy"-these persons who
are here TO protect the weak from the
strong" could say much more but it is
unnecessary. Every patriot in the land
should and must feel indignant at such
things.
Ii is due to Col. Gamble that | shonld
say that he was not in comm and while
these scenes were enacted 10 camp, as he
was at Nashville.
Register for Williamson COuuty.