The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-11-03


tinct from Middle and West Tennessee
as any of the adjoining States are. 1t Is
valley 800 miles in length, and varying IN
width from so to 70 miles. 1t is separated
from Kentucky on the north by the range
of mountains known as the Cumberland, ex-
tending westward and southwestward, and
lying tween the great valley of East
Tennessee and the Cumberland River, one
of the largest affluents the Tennessee ex-
cepted) of The Ohio, rising among the mount
aims in the southeast portion OF Kentucky.
The Cumberland range of mount ins be-
longs TO the Appalachian chain, and extends
the whole length Of the great valley Of East
Tennessee.
It was over this range of mountains,
through its dense groves and intern nable
laurel Tickets crossing creeks and rivers,
that ] piIoted the prosecuted and oppressed
Union men Of East Tenntsse travelling
after night and lying by in the daytime,
that they might join the Federal army and
fight their way back to their homes and
families. As Kentucky was friendly to-
wards the Union, and relations being like
those of East Tennessee, that was my desti-
nation: OF, in other words, was called
Though the lines"
The population Of East Tennessee par
takes OF the same parentage as does that OF
Kentucky. the original settlers having been
mostly from North Carolina and Virginia,
and they are second TO no people for manly
frankness of character, courage, and loyalty
to the Federal Government. There were
fewer slaves in East Tennessee than in any
other portion of the State of equal extent,
and as a general thing the people are very
much upon an equality as to their posses
sions The face of the country in East Ten
nessee is very agreeably diversified with
mountain, hill, and plain, containing within
its limits much fertility of soil, great beauty
of scenery, and a delightfully."- temperate
climate. The hills are wooded to their tops
with every variety Of timber, whilst on all
the small rivers and large creeks there are
embosomed delightful and fertile valleys of
farming land in high state of cultivation.
Many of the uplands are very level, and
Others, generally undulating, are very pro-
1ductive.
II was in this beautiful land that first
saw the light of day, where have lived ever
since. and have explored every one Of the
30 Counties OF East Tennessee, besides q
large portion of Kentucky, Virginia, and
North Carolina; and if there lives man
old or young, in East Tennessee, who is more
extensively acquainted with the Onion men
than am, have never made his acq uaint-
ance.
The climate of East Tennessee is mild
Considerable snow sometimes falls in the
Winter, which, however, is generally sLort
and does not allow Of snow lying on the
ground long. The Summers are free from
the intense heat of the Gulf States, and al
consequence many families come from tbs
South to spend the Summers at the valna
BILE mineral springs which are found in grea
handsomely improved
East Tennessee is not cotton CROWN:
country, but is favorable to grazing, anC
great numbers of live-stock-hoTses, mules
cattle, hogs, and sheep-are exported from
thence to the Atlantic States. Corn an,
wheat are the great staples; besides thes,
rye, oats, buckwheat potatoes (sweet am
Irish) wool, FAX, and hay are produced il
great abundance Apples and peaches. pear
and plums, grow to great perfection Mapl
sugar is made, of q fine quality; also, supt
rior butter and cheese.
The Holston River courses through th
entire valley of East Tennessee, and is nav
gable for steamboats, nine months in th
year Its tributaries above Knoxville III
the Pigeos, French Broad, Chucky, an
Natauga Rivers Below Knoxville it re
Hhfldron CYv f0