The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-01-19

We had enjoyed SO much homage On this score
while in Richmond that it had become second
nature to US to expect it as a matter of course
from all quarters; and when this West Nir-
ginia gentleman rather quizzingly observed:
Well, now, mother, isn't this remarkable; /;
here are some Maryland SecessiOnists being
sent away down here to Tennessee TO punish
and eOerce Unionistsf"
It would take more space than am allowed
70 supply the details of this my first meeting
with Union man in the South during the
war. saw, and talked freely, with great
many in the few days and weeks that followed,
but none Of those met in and about Knoxville
were as outspoken or so bold and defiant as this
gentleman, excepting
PARsoN BRowNLow,
with whom became quite well acquainted,
while he was yet prisoner, and whom also
met during his triumphant reception in the
North.
II seems that this UniOnist had been mem
Der Of the State Legislature. and was a citizen
Of some prominence, highly esteemed, and
looked upon as leader Of the noble band of
Unionists who deYotedly remained steadfastly
loyal throughout the war.
did not take any part in the discussion,
which was opened with the Colonel by the
Unionist's sarcastic observations about the pro-
priety Of sending foreign Aarylanders into
Tennessee to cOerce into obedience to the
Secession cause the Union natives of that sec
ton. The general tenor of the conversation
had the effect though, OF reYiying my zeal for
our cause.
They declined our proffered pay for the en-
tertaiument which had so generously been fur
nished but as we were leaving and while the
Colonel and the host were yet discussing
matters OF the future, / could not resist the
temptation, while saying good-by TO the old
lady, 10 quietly whisper 10 her that / was
heartily glad 10 have met with a Union family
that / was reminded of home very much by
the visit. and l would soon be home too. She
was 50 surprised al my manner that she wasn't
able toanswer.
Wemoved along slowly enough, stopping at
what ] thought must be every side-track on
the road, TO meet trains that were due, bat
! which seemed never TO come. The burning OF
1 several Of the bridges by Unionists, or those
/ who were charged with being Unionists, had
7 put the railroad people all out Of their regular
reckoning, and WAS the reason Cor this general
delay Of the trains.
By reason Of my rather close official rela.
4 ti0us with the Captain Of our battery, / was
enabled 10 learn in advance that our destina.
tion was Knoxville Tenn; o., as he termed it
Knoxville was TO be our base of operations
I but cur objective point was probably Cumber-
land Gap; that being the nearest point of prob.
4 able contact with the enemy" / was very glad
10 learn that there was to be something that
! looked ike a contact, because now that had
left Richmond and Virginia, my entire pur
pose and aim was to
GET BACK HOME
as quickly as possible, and they couldn't " adj
vance on the enemy any too quickly for me
Ia thus coming down 20 Tennessee to get tx
| Washington. the old saying was realized in my
case, that The nearest way home is the long
est way round"
When we reached Knoxville it was cold
cherries day, and you may just set down righ
here that a crowd Of Yankee troops could no
have met with more chilling reception in an,
town In the South than was accorded to tht
" Maryland Refugee" battery, both by the peo
pie and the weather, because ] bad becom,
rather accustomed to complimentary observa
tions on our selfsacri6ce in exlling ourselve.
from our homes for the good Of the Southern
cause. We didn't get any of this sort OF taffy'
in East Tennessee, / thought was the only
man in the crowd who didn't feel like resent
ing this Outrageous treatmeut"; but as viii
he seen hereafter, there were others in the bat
terry who secretly enjoyed the treatment Of oul
officers and men al the hands of the Tennessee
Unionists. To me il was most refreshing to -meei
with an outsp0ken Union man. OF course
they were at that time rather careful in tbeil
j expressions. but we all understood in a genera
! way that those who were not outspoken In theil
sentiments for the South were Enionists, and a.
tic outspoken clement was mighty scarce, ths