Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1879-07-09


pecially to East Tennessee. 1 assert
that large majority of the citizens Of
East Tennessee, comprising some
thirty-two counties, with a representa-
tive population of about $50. 900, and a
voting population of about sc. 600, were
as truly loyal 10 the Government of
their fathers during the late war as
were any other like number in the
United States.
The records of the War Department
will show that of white soldiers Ten
nessee furnished the Federal army ten
infantry regiments for three years
service, some of which served out
their full time and were honorably
discharged in the latter part of the
year 1864.
Tennessee also furnished ten cav
airy regiments of white soldiers for
three years service in the Federal
army. OF these twenty regiments
East Tennessee furnished fifteen-
eight infantry and seven cavalry regi-
ments.
In the latter part of the war Ten
nessee also furnished eight white
regiments of mounted infantry for
twelve months service in the Federal
army, making in all twenty eight
regiments OF white soldiers. | quote
| from memory, but believe | am cor
rect.
It is also estimated that several
| hundred Tennessee refugees enlisted
| in Kentucky and other western regi-
ments during the war. all making a
body of $4,000 or 10000 men.
These were "loyal,' intelligent, hon.
est, patriotic and brave men, who en-
tered the Federal army from honest
principle, and who were not in
| fiuenced in their action by mere per-
sonal appeals, or interests, nor by the
offer of large bounty, but rather by
that high and noble courage which
prompts the patriot to offer himself
voluntary sacrifice to principle, and to
his country's good.
A brief statement OF facts existing
| at the commencement of the war is
| necessary to proper understanding of
the position occupied by the loyal ele-
menG of East Tennessee at that time,
and, also, to show the motives that in
spired their action in remaining loyal
to the Federal Government during the
war.
In the Presidential contest of 1860,
, the Wing parry of Tennessee support
ed Bell and Everett, and their battle.
cry was, 1.-The Union, the Constitu
! ton and the enforcement of the laws
Its adherauts held that the United
States was nation; that the National
Government was created by the people
and not by the States that sovereign.
ty resided alone in the people, and not
in the State governments that the
people, the fountain and head of all
, sovereignty, had delegated certain SUI
preme powers to the National Govern.
ment, and among them the power tC
coerce any State into obedience tC
those powers.
3 On the other hand the advocates Of
, the States-rights', dis-union Democ'
racy of Tennessee, and the South
claimed and proclaimed that tht
! United States was mere cOnfedera
ton of sovereign States, and that al
/ powers not expressly delegated to th'
central government were reserved Il
4 the different States-and consequently
!, 1t was optionary with any state tt
sever her connection with, and peace
I ably to secede from the rest whenever
] in her judgment, it was her interes
to do so.
In the year 1850, Mr.. Lincoln wa
elected President, and his election
| EdO hCCCScaAJ PACbCAt AOA tA'
'' Southern Democracy to attempt Il
carry out their ideas and principles
/ The Southern States, one after another
went through the farce of secedinI
,, from the Union. Secession was
Democratic measure throughout
Every State that seeded from tn,
= Union was Democratic; every Stat
f that seeded had a Democratic Cover
= nor at the time, and every secession
Is ordinance passed was adopted by
9 Democratic Legislature.
II Under the lead and teaching o
o Judge Nelson, Judge Trewhitt, Horac
9 Maynard, w. q. Brownlow, and man!
o others less prominent, the body of thu
= Wing party of East Tennessee in thei
q adherence to principle, remained al
! firm, as steadfast, and as immOvabl
9 as were their native hills and noun
: tains that surrounded them, while il
: the Western divisions of Tennessee
9 the large mass of the Wing part,
e finally went into and sympathizet
{, with the rebellion.
q The Democratic party took its car
Is dinal ideas, State-rights and secession
{, aud submitted them to the last field t
II which questions are ever REFEREED
e carried them into battle. The wa
}, soon become fragrant.
At the very commencement of til
J conflict many loyal men of East Ten
nessee made their way through tn
q mountains and across the border O
Kentucky to Camp Dick Robinson
J. where they organized several regi
!. ments for term of three years ser
vice in the Federal army. But larg
C portion of this element rename,
II quietly at home. and watched tn
Il development and progress of events.
l. Early in the year 1852, the so-calle
Confederate Congress passed q rigi
- conscript law, compelling every able
a bodied man in the South, with few
. exceptions, to enter the army and tax
Z part in the war, and conscript officer
2, were appointed in every civil distric
throughout East Tennessee to execut
o this law. Something must now b
r. done. There could be no evasion O
:, this law. Soldiers were detailed {,
IL disarm and arrest all men who faiIe,
voluntarily to enter the rebel army
and to force them to go into miIitar,
er camps, organizations, and finally in t.
- the field and into the fight. VIVA