The New York herald., 1878-08-25
THE REVENUE WAR.

SERIOUS CONFLICT IN TENNEssEE-THE OVER
TON COUNTY DIsrILLERs ATTACK THE oFrI-
cERs-Eor FIRING FOR NEARLY AN HOUR
NASHVILLE SENDS REIEFoRcEMENTs.
[Bx TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALp.l
NASHVILLE Tenn, August "a. 1875.
Lee L. Ayres aud Charles Strain, who were sent by
Special Deputy Collector james NJ Davis from Over
ton county to Collector lliam woodcock for rein
forcemens have just arrived and they give the fol-
loving details of yesterday fight with Illicit disters
In that county
The revenue party was composed OF Deputy Col
lecor Davis in charge, Robert Brown, Robert Rawles,
C. L. TIppin. J. NJ. Phillips, Felix Young, Press
smith, Milt Howe, c. w. Strain. United States Com
missioner S. d. Aather. Spear and ourselves We
had Just aismounted at the house Of James
Peek, on Spring Greek, Overton county,
, rest for the night Commissioner Mathsr and
myself were standing outside talking abou, Peek's
sge which is 102 years. Some Of the men had gone
into the house, while Davis and Phillips went into
garden. At this moment a single shot came from an
opposite hill, 100 yards away.
THE OPENS.
A bullet struck Philips in the left side, when he
cried out in great pam, "oh, Lord, and then came
responsive echo from the '.wldcatmen."
s'oh, yes, God damn you," and with that between
twenty thirty OF them showed themselves
and regular 0ring was commenced, iastus ioi'yn'o
minutes. For Time Il was very rapid. Ine "Mia
cat boys came to within fifty or seventy ieet OF us
hugging close 10 trees II was seen that Campoen
Morgan, who was wounded in light last spring. was
. In the lead. / took ann at him. and as the smoke
ceared away. l saw him staggsr backward
. = BRAVE SPORTSMAN
Smith confronted SIX OF the enemy at ono time and
stood he open ield and cursed them, and told
them 10 come out from behind trees and nght IKE
men. He had been wounded three times IN MS lett
arm, which was bleeding profussy. Commissioner
M.insG NJ Would asfs% ash H1 un, hs be s Dead Lppas
was wounded under the right eye. The Illicit
distiers then charged US. bur We drove them back.
Thsy came at again, but we're again rcpulscd
Then came lui IN the nriDg DAVIS now or
dered strain and myself TO go at once
guns and ammunition with then. We made
u nasty exit, but when we got halt mile away we
progress /, followed by single Shots fred at In.
Iervals. We heard nothing from them after that, and
tney may either have fought their way out or nave
1t opinion OF citizens that the Illicit dstil.
ers would ARISE hroughout the region and put an end
TO the whole party. Davis said he would die with
Phillips whom we believe 70 have been morally ..rav
Gods sake tell Woodcock TO send 100 men
quickly possible. Go there or kill your horses
wild Cal mem and many OF them must have been
wounded. one hundred shots were exchanged we
sent DR.. Longiord, OF Cookeviile, TO the scene OF
action. When I left them they bad over 100
rounds of ammunition, and Davis said he would
not waste a shot. We had that morning cut up Brown
IL Bradey's brandy distlery, within three miles OF
where the fight occurred. The Illicit dstillsrs were
armed with rifles shot guns and pistols They had
been preparing for some time 10 meet US.
APPLICATION ARMS
Collector Woodcock applied 10 Governor Porter to-
day for arms, and ne was furnished with swS..y
rifles and twenty rounds OF cartridges, LEFT here at
O'Clock on horseback 10 relieve DAVIS and they
will reach tho scene of action at midnight to-mor-
row They viii have to travel ninety-two miles.
Collector woodcock says he has Information that
box OF guns was shipped to the hostile neighoorhood
n week