The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-01-26

Union man. It was then discovered that he
had SO represented himself to his friends while
he was acting as spy ut Washington.
Miss Craig and Buchanan were of the same
mind On the war question. My gray uniform
spoke for me; while Miss Maggie, to my great
delight amused us with a ludierous account of
the battle of BILL Spring, or Fishing Greek,
given her by rebel troops from that section
who participated in it. 1t will be remembered
that this little fight was one Of the first, if not
the very first, of the Union victories in the
West. Zoliicoffer was killed, and the rebels re-
treated in the very worst disorder as far back
as Knoxville, over hundred miles from the
battlefield. To make it more interesting, she
related as a preliminary how the gallant Seces-
sionists had marched out of town but few
days before
WITH a WHoOP AND HURRH:
she declaring that IS she felt sure those men
would 90 straight through to Boston, and bring
Lincoln back as they returned by way Of
Washington"
If there are any readers of THE NATIONAL
TRIBUNE who participated in Mil Spring, or
Fishing Creek. can assure them that their little
victory that day was = great Godsend to thou
sands of the n0ble-hearted UniOnists of East
Tennessee who from their hiding places in the
rocks and ravines Of the mountains saw the
boastful rebels run like wild sheep. In this
"
and encouragement TO those prosecuted people,
who stood up, without support, for the old flag
when not Il gun was near TO aid them. The
rebels OF Knoxville, who had melted the drunk
en-, bowling mob to shoot down Union men for
defending the flags on their own houses, were
compelled TO see the town filed up with strag
gers who had
Run FROM THE YANKEES AT THE FIRST CON-
TACT.
They in turn packed up and precipitately left
for the South by the first train expecting that
the Union army would advance on the town at
once.
Mr.. Craig during the evening told a story
that rOused me to more caution than / had
been showing before, and somewhat alarmed
me. Ministers of the several churches in town
had been holding regular MONDAY Union
Prayer Meetings" taking turns among them
selves, without regard to denomination in con-
ducting them. Outside the meeting place
sign hung bearing the title given above, and
that day, when Georgia regiment arrived
from Pensacola, some Of the half-drunken men,
misunderstanding the term a Union Prayer
Meeting on the sign. raised furious row, and
w0uld not be p2cifed until the sign was de-
stroyed. When Mr.. Craig related the incident
it aroused me at once. Here were troops direct
from Pensacola. There were Georgia regi-
ments al Pensacola when had been there, and
was another indueement for me to get away
North at once.
After leaving Richmond and the Texans I
had felt that in the
MOUNTAINS OF. EAST TENNESSEE
I would be at least secure from any possible re-
union with any former Pensacola or Fort Pick
ems associates. but it seemed as if this Florida
experience would not down
When We came away from Richmond so hur-
riedly, it viii be remembered that Lieut.. Clai-
borne, with a portion Of our battery. had been
left in Camp Lee. If / remember Alright they
We're either to recruit or pefhaps they were to
await the arrival of some English guns which
were expected through the blockade. and in
that case it was probably the intention to order
Us back there to be sent as a solid battery to
Johnson's army in Virginia. I was the least
bit apprehensive, too after ] had been away
some days and had leisure to think over the
matter more carefully, that Claiborne might
IN some way run across the Doctor through
their mutual admiration Of Capitola
Most Of the time l was in Knoxville | was
sick and confined to the house. Our battery
had been ordered away TO Cumberland Gap,
where they were to manage one or two old iron
cannon that had been secured for them Part
OF the refugees were left at Knoxville to act rs
the guard at Parson Brownlow's house. For
this duty those were selected who had been
active field duty. was among the number so
detailed, because ! certainly was
TIE MOST INEFFICIENT REBEL SOLDIER
YOU EyER SAW OF READ ABOUT.
If | had not met with the accident which
detained me at Knoxville should undoubtedly
have been aDle to reach home Immediately
after we got into Tennessee, or at least as soon
as the company got 70 the front at Cumberland
Gap.
To the several interviews with 1Ir. Brown
lOw, which made lasting impression upon my
mind On account of bis characteristic manner,
/ am indebted for the pointers or clews that ]
was 10 personally look after during my stay.
mr. Craig said something one day about some
letters that Mr. johnson was charged with
having written to some Aboliti0nst in Boston,
proposing, some way that / do not exactly re-
call. that for certain large sqal Of money he
johnson would use his influence IN favor Of
the Union.
If Nr. Craig had any opinion as to the truth
OF falsity Of the matter, lie was careful not to
let me know It,
At the first opportunity interviewed Mr.
BToWnlow about the Johnson bribery, to bring
him out.
It brought the PaFsou out. and for moment
or two the air was thick with such elegant cpl
thets as
HELL-DEsERVISG scoUSDRELs,"
Hhlie-ilkefGl Fl4falfS," etc These were the
exact words that made the most lasting impress
sion On my mind. He said IN substance I've
not been on speaking terms with johnson for
20 years. but know it's q lie"
lie was cautioned by his wife not to give
expression to bis views 50 freely, but when l
reminded them thst the matter was public talk
aud even printed throughout the South the
4 old fellow broke out IN a Bcw place
Oh yes; know the Postmaster at Knox
vile delivered the letters addressed to John
son 70 "A certain party here, who is known to be
4 in the employ Of HigfalI, of Texas
That was enough for me. ! knew enough
/ from the year before 10 believe that WigfaIl
aud his crowd would stoop TO forgery or any
! thug else TO do a Southern Union man an
| injury. Senator Wigfall was especially vim
4 dietiye toward johnson, as viii be remembered.
III BroWnlOw had not been talking in the
same strain to everybody about his Union SEN
4 timents, even while nc was prisoner, should
have felt, from his free, outspoken manner
toward me every time / met him, that by some
instinct he knew Of my true character as q
/ Union spy who was about to return North and
would carry his messages home That's lust
what did do, but he did not suspect it at the
time
In this forged-letter matter if I am moi
+ greatly mistaken, Dir. Brownow connected one
Of the present Senators from Tennessee. who
was then Governor Of the State. The Parson
in his odd way, had a name for everybody
Gov. Isham Harris was Eye-Sham Harris
Every time ! have looked at Senator Harri.