The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-01-10
COTTON AT KNOXVILLE.
What q ResIden. Knows about Il.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE In your issue
of Dec. 6 l see several communications from
comrades in different places in regard to cotton
being used in the construction of the forts in
and around Knoxville. The regiment in
which | had the honor to serve was not in
Knoxville during the siege, as it belonged to
the Army of the Cumberland, but our divis-
ion was detached and ordered to the relief of
Burnside at Knoxville, which place we reached
short time after the battle of Fort Sanders.
We came by way of Kingston, over the old
State road, and were close to Fort Sanders, pos
sibly less than quarter of mile. know we
could see the fort very plainly. We marched
up Gay street, our regiment leading, and crossed
the main line of works where Vine street crosses
Gay. | know there were cotton bales on that
part of the line, but do not think that cotton
was generally used. All the pictures that
have seen of Fort Sanders show the cotton
bales on the top of the works. Possibly on
that part of the line where Comrade Homard,
of the 18th Tenn. Cav, was stationed, cotton
was not used But quite lot of Knoxville
merchants held claims against the Government
for cotton used in the forts at Knoxville.
Comrade W. Seifried, Co. O., 11Sth Ohio
wants to know if old Fort Sanders is yet stand
ing. Old comrade come down and we will
treat you well, and feed you on the fat of the
land. Fort Sanders is just as visible as when
you were there in 1863, and If it is not dug
down 1t will be visible 100 years from now.
All that hill, except the fort proper, is covered
with fine residences. Within 500 feet of the
University is fine three-story brick house
that cost James d. Cowan at least $25, 900. The
house stands Just at the foot of the fort, on the
Kingston pike, right on the line of earthworks
which ran from the fort to the river.
The street-cars now run up on the fort, and
the hill is lighted at night by electricity. Just
southwest from the fort, on the railroad, where
Longstreet crossed in his assault on Fort San
ders, stands the Southern Car Works. Knox
vile Wooden Mills, and Skatess factory for
making furnaces. The population of Knox
vile is something over 10000. There are a
great many fine residences on the hill near the
FORT but it has been disturbed but very little.
l would say TO Comrade Seifried that think
his regiment (11Sth Ohio came to our relief on
the 29th of December, 1868, at Messy Creek,
Tenn, when We were hard pressed by Long
streets troops. l think the 25th Mich was also
| there.
would like to hear from comrades through
the columns of THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE, the
great soldier paper. ] am native of Knox
| County, and had to skip out early in 1862 to
Kentucky, and there enlisted and served three
years, major part'of the time in the Army oil
the Cumberland.
The hills west of Fort Sanders, across the
E. T., V. & Ga. r. r., where Longstreet had his
main line of works, are dotted also with beau
tiful cottages. The coored college stands on
the line of works held by Longstreet.
| If the boys who were in Knoxville during
the war would pay US VISIT they would not
know that war ever ragged here in all its fury
Boys, we have fine country; come and see us
We are just as loyal now as we We're in 1861
I am o charter member of one of the finest
| GAR. Posts in the South-Ed. Maynard Post
No. IA, Department of Tennessee and Georgia
We have good schools, good people-in fact
everything that goes TO make up great coun-
| try. You are not going out of the United
States when you come South. Lots of the boys
are coming to see u.s. and stay, too. We will
give you a true comrades welcome.-W. R
CARTER, Serg't, Co. c, LIST Tenn. Cav, Knoxville
| Tenn.