The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-12-02
CHAPTER XVI.

As the prosecutions Of the Tennessee Union
lists increased and their situation grew more
desperate they strained their ewes daily
watching the tops Of the western mountains
for some signs of the advance Of the Union
army. Its speedy on-coming was the soul OF
every hope the burden of every PRAYER. They
importuned God for it every night as they
knelt around their hearth-stones in family
devotion. They renewed their prayers IN
the morning. and nowhere could one of their
ministers offer up petition at one of their
meetings which did not begin and end with
D fervent appeal TO the Lord TO hasten the
march of the loyal hosts.
The first word that a neighbor asked another ]
On meeting was for news from Kentucky, they
talked of little else. and parted with expires
Ion of hopes for the speedy appearance Of the
Flag of the Union.
Naturally their hopes deluded them oft
with flattering tales They quickly learned
Of Zoliicofler's repulse at Wild Cat Gap,
which by the time the story reached them
became nIagniiied into victory greater than
the rebels had achieved at Bull Run. They
confidently expected that the Union troops
would follow up their success. and every day
looked 10 see them chasing the flying rebels
ever the Cumberlands.
But the Sunshine OF October gave way to
the mists of November and these to the snow
and ice of December. ard still the Union
army was as far away as ever
Meanwhile the rebels grew constantly in
arrogance and cruel vindictiyeness. The
orders from Richmond were harsher. and
their execution more savage. At first there
had been pretenseS Of trials of tie Lincoln
ties " These were soon abandoned and
people put at the mercy of merciless military
out treason in East Tennessee, no matter
what it cost TO do it.
Isham Harris strained every snew of his
power as Governor to accomplish this and
was seconded by the rebel Generals Kirby
Smith. Iollicoffer, Rains, and the infamous
Col. Ledbetter. a Northern rem gade The
country was filled with troops from Alabama
Mississippi, and Georgia, while the Tennes-
seeans were forced into regiments which were
sent TO distance.
The Unionists did not confine themselves
TO PRAYING. They were too strong ardent
natures for that They were always rea lv
t. fight when there was anything Ii, Il
show Of an even struggle, and all the letters
from the rebel commanders in East Tennes-
see 10 Richmond beg for more troops to sup
pre- the - Iincolnites"
Every effort was made TO recapture Elder
Sto-nmont and Robert Inrule. They both
knew that these would be made and were
correspondingly wary. The Elder was even
more active among his flock than ever, for he
felt that they needed his counsel and adj vice
far greater than before. He visited every
mans fireside at frequent intervals. and gave
him what news and encouragement he could
in a mysterious way, known only to them
selves, the information would spread among
the mountaineers that they could meet the
Elder on Il certain day ia the heart of some
deep woods, or some Sequestered cove. and
would flock thitheT by scores and hundreds.
but 50 unobstrHsvely that their going would
not attract the attention OF the rebels At each
OF these meetings the Flag of the Union,
brought by messengers over the mountains
from taraway Kentucky. would lie flung out.
and looked upon bY every eye with adora-
ton, as the holy emblem of their faith.
But they learned by experience, and no
matter where they met they had pckets out
10 give warning. The Elder chose his paths
with discretion. lie was familiar with all
the mountain trails, and could make his way
from one point 10 another, without the
knowledge of the rebels, though they
patrolled every road against him.
Often small squads of devoted men would
escort him over particularly dangerous parts.
but generally the Elder preferred to travel
alone, and risk noboiy's life but his own.
belong 10 the Lord and ann in His
Keeping. he would say. If am killed it
Is only the loss Of one servant 10 the Lord
who can raise up many to take nav place
But you belong to your families. who have
no one but you, and you should not risk their
support"
But slipping around, avoiding and hiding
was very distasteiul to a man of his bold
aggressive nature.
1t was only kept from becoming intoler-
able by occasional opportunities TO head a
party and make a dash upon a squad of
rebels, to rescue some man Sho was being
impressed into the army, or carried off to pris-