The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1874-03-04
.PERTLS OF THE REVENUF
sa Ea BRIGADE. oq s"f

M
THE CAMPAIGN IN COOKE AND SEWER.
GREENEvmLE. Tenn,
February %, 1874.
To the Editor Of the Morristown Gazette:
! Seeing a statement in your last
paper concerning my last whisky
raid, by way of correction, | will
give you the facts. and hope YOU
will give them space in your paper.
], in company with Deputy Mar
shall w. T. Mitchell and a small
squad of men left Greeneville on
Thursday, the 18TH inst. On Satur-
day, the 14th, about two O'clock, we
arrived at what is known as the
''dead line" on Flat Creek, in Sewer
county, where we found pickets on
duty, one of whom fred an alarm as
we passed over the line. We pro-
ceeded little farther and captured
another picket who was armed with
splendid squirrel rifle. We pro-
ceeded still farther and had to halt,
dismount and cross a steep ridge on
foot Arriving i'm dark hollow on
the other side. we found q large,
well-constructed still house, with two
splendid copper stills in full blast,
the distiller having heard the report
of the picket's gun, had made his es-
cape. l found in the distilery $500
gallons beer and mash and barrel
of whisky, containing about 20 gal
Ions, 1t being impossible to get
any of the propety away, | had the
still caps and worms cut to pieces.
beer and mash destroyed, and the
head knocked out of the barrel and
the contents poured out. We then
proceeded about two miles farther
up Flat Creek and found another
distillery, but the stills were removed
before we arrived there, and the
man gone. At this place we de-
streyed 2700 gallons beer and mash
and two barrels singlings. We then
proceeded on our way to jefferson
and Cooke counties via Fair Garden,
where we put up for the night. Not
being able to find lodging at one
place for all (there being 16 in num-
ber}, we had to scatter for one and a
half miles along the road to find
lodging.
About ! o'clock I was aroused by
man at my window telling me TO
get up Immediately; we were going
to be attacked. l then sent for my
men on both ends of the road, in or
der to have them all together in case
of an attack. The messenger going
out was not fired at, but as the men
came in they were fired on at both
ends of the road, but no one was
hurt.
got my men in a barn yard, our
horses secure, put out pickets, and
made preparations to receive an at
tack about daylight. But like all
other cowardly law breakers and
bushwhackers, as soon as day begun
to dawn, when they thought we would
have an equal chance with them, they
skulked to the woods. We then got
our breakfast at Maj. Inman's and
proceeded on our way TO Clifton.
Was told we might expect an attack
at a place called Chestnut Hill, but
saw nothing as we passed indicating
anything of the kind, except little
corduroy road torn up to impede our
progress i'm case of an attack. We
arrived at Clifton about 2 o'clock,
and one of the boys having Grip
pied horse, let him have mine and
concluded to remain in Clifton until
the next morning and take the train
for Greeneville.
After seeing the boys safely over
the river, | went to the only hotel in
the place and was informed by the
landlord that could not get to stay
there that they had threatened his
life and property, if he kept another
revenue mani After walking around
the streets q few minutes i was kind
ly invited to spend the night at
private house, where / was most
kindly treated by the gentleman and
his lady, and informed that / could
stop with them again. About dark,
while | was eating supper, was call
ed out by gentleman who insisted
on my hiding out Immediately or 1
would be murdered in few moments.
That company had followed me,
having flag floating and declaring
vengeance. / remained there until
morning, but either not knowing at
what house to find nee, or being too
cowardly to come into the hcese af-
ter me they soon retired to their
dens. This is the present state of
affairs in Cooke and SEWER counties.
| only write. this that the facts may
be known.
Vary respectfully,
Fl. =. DAILY,
Sp. Dept. Collector ist District.