The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-02-11
NUMBER 1872.
ANDY HEADED OFF.
1 BExrNIscEScz OF EAST TENNESSEE PoLrrIos
- r'frr Hra IN 1851. ra4

~~----~~~%~.
trr Fa IN 1851. n.
The February number Packards Monthly
contains Mr.. ]. Austin sperry's reminiscence Of
East Tennessee politics., entitled " Heading OF
Andy Johnson" Mr.. sperry says:
The narration of few incidents, which occur
red in the early part OF the rebellion among these
people, wil perhaps, better illustrate their pecu-
har character than 40 attempt at critical an
alysis.
In the first which recall to mind, Andrew john
son was " headed OFF, ina manner more effectual
than was accomplished by the honorable man.
sgers of the late impeachment trial, and which
might be suggestive TO 3hese truculent trainers,
should similar emergency egain arise.
In May OF 1861. had business In Blountville
Court House, Sullivan county, In the northeas cor
ner Of the State bordering on the Virginia line. Il
was Upright summer morning that Icantered over
the rough country road, being obliged to perform
the journey between the nearest railway station,
Bristol and the ancient village of Blountvlle "a
distance Of nine mies) On horseback.
As rode along encountered an unusual num-
the same direction. A temporary residence Ia the
vicinity had made me sequainted with many Of
them and, having beeA present at the county
court the day before. i easily guessed their desti
nation, and the occasion that drew them from the
seclusion of their homes. I svailed myself, how
ever, of the communcat OF one old farmer
uDposted as regarded my own movements, to learn
something of the prevailing sentiment Of the sec
ton. 90 g. ...r r..
"Goipg to Blountville TO see the rumpus ~ he
asked after we had exchanged the usual civilities
of the road.
"whst rumpus,r asked In torn, with q par
donsble sfeciation of ignorance. ~.
'Hsyen't you heard OF Itch. Well, you see.
Andy johnson and Tom Nelson have made an ap-
poIntment TO make Union speeches In Blountyille
to-day. Curious how themtwo old political squab-
bers have got into the same bed together amt itl
But they'll kick the kiser' off before long, aud
then there'll be an exposure. hear tell they've
been making speeches in the lower counties, right
amongst the Southern troops. Shouldn't think the
fire eaters from Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana
and Texas would stand it-woud your"
made non committal reply, and reminded
him that he had not yet fully enlightened me as to
the anticipated rumpus OF Blountville.
"Oh, yesLwell, you see, after court, yesterday,
the people held meeting and resolved that ohm
son and Nelson shouldn't speak any Unonism in
this country. The times gone by for that, you
know but it's reported they're going to try II on,
split. I've been Union man myself till this pro-
clamaton (Mr. Lncon's first proclamation, call
ing out rs, 600 troops to suppress the rebelion.D
That settled me. Let 'em try it. Do you see
this?n
The interrogstory had reference to an old.
fashioned fint-lock horse pistol, which be drew
from bis pocket and houfihed before my eyes, as
be continued:
"I amt young man, and this Is an old pistol
but the things dangerous, and If Andy Johnson
tries any bullying to-day he'll find 1t SOL He brags
that be once backed down Nashville crowd with
cooked pistols In their hands. He'd better not try
1t here. When pistols are drawn in Sullivan they're
mighty apt to go of!"
II was both amused and surprised at this unusual
display of vindictive political feeling the part
OF hitherto peaceable old farmer, but con-
fess was still more surprised to hear such threats
against senator johnson (as he then wasl In this
county, which was considered q stronghold Of his
political and personal friends.
Ny curiosity, too, was greatly stimulated TO see
the denouemeDt of the affair, for had learned
that Messrs. johnson and Nelson had recently,
with strange impunity. been making speeches in
opposition TO the rebellion (as they always termed
it) in localities where Confederate troops were
se$ y S and danger than IN
this back country village; and, knowing some
thing of the dauDtlessness OF both the orators,
did not doubt that they would undertake to keep
their appointment In spite OF any and all obstacles
and menaces.
When reached BIountville, about 10 O'Clock in
the forenoon, i found q crowd of over thousand
of the substantial old citizens OF the county gath
cred in front Of the courthouse. (rhe young men,
eager for the impending fray. were already away
In camp MiDgliDg few moments d the OPEN
hearted crowd, learned the fact that committee
of three OF the most conservative citizens of the
county lad been sent on. to meet the Union orators
to lay before them the proceedings (or decision)
of the. previous days meeting. l3l.a l0rslII
did not have to wait long ere the committee
returned and their spokesman-a Methodist
pTtdC0tF, Ol uD6 dpptdIdlCt ana HOOQ hQ0Fc3t-
mounted the courthouse portico to present the
following impartial report
The committee Che ssid) had met Messrs. John
con and Neson-had been courteously received.
end very respectfully heard and answered. They
(Messrs. johnson and Nelson) had no wish to in
trude their views upon any people who protested
against hearing them. They did not doubt but
some misguided and violent men might have con-
trolled sting and passed such resolution as the
committee presented, but they could not believe
that majority of the Intelligent and respectable
people Of Sullivan, their old friends and constitu-
ents, had been guilty OF this dscourtesy. They
sembled should be taken this morning, in presence
of two of their friends who had come with the
committee to see 1T fairly done; and II II should
appear by fair vote that q clear majority was
wishes of the majority and not attempt to speak.
Now" abruptly added the reverend spokes-
man Of The committees "If the crowd will squat
win proceed to put the vote"
The novelty Of this proposition really startled
me. 81 had never heard of such preliminary
to vote but the speaker uttered II as gravely
as be would have said ''if the congregation will be
seated.n When the crowd of serious looking
the effect far less ludicrous that j imagined.
Novel enough II was TO me, but the earnestness
OF all the actors in the scene dignided 1t suff-
ciently TO check the first impulse 70 mirth which
the s,range announcement had excited.
The sssemblsge having duly squatted, the rev.
erend committee man proceeded:
"All those In favor of having Governor johnson
and Mr.. Nelson speak will rise to their feet"
But two men arose, who aslI Afterwards learned,
were of the suite Of the Union orators and had
been sent with the committee TO see the vote
taken. One OF these, indeed, was not a citizen
Of the county. The committee man, however,
announced that there we're two persons in favor
OF hearing the proposed speeches, and continued:
IAN will squat sgsn.'
The two Alternatives subsided to level with
the rest Of the grave aud venerable squatters who
bad remained. grimly the while, doubled upon
their launches.
Those. now," went on the serious committee
man, "who are opposed 10 hearing Governor
johnson and Mr.. Nelson speak will rise TO their
feet.n
simultaneously the large crowd, with the ex-
ceptien of the two who had previously voted,
sprsng to their feet aud rent the air with stef.
torian shout. The question was settled The vote
had been fairly, II strangely put the result was
decisive and the meeting adjourned without the
formslity Of an adjournment. The two friends Of
the onion orators went 10 horse TO carry to them
their account Of the proceedings. The Salivsn-
ties gave little more heed TO the matter they did
not cream that their wishes uueuuiv0callv