The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-26
DR. M'MoRRIEs REPLIES.
History Does Not Do an Injustice to
 Tennesseeans.

Clanton, February 25.-(Specal. )-In an interview this evening with Dr. E. Y. Mchorrles anent paper read before the last meeting of Pelham chapter, U. D. C.,sand published in last Sundays edition February 19) of the Age-Herald, the Doctor says: "The writer claims to be a native Tennesseean and. seems to have taken an offense because of some statements in my history of the First Alabama regiment in reference to the un- friendly reception given the Confederate army by Tennesseeans during Hoods campaign in Tennessee. She character izes these statements as an unjust fling at the kindness. generosity, loyalty and hospitality of the people of her native state Presumably the article was writ ten by the direction of Pelham chapter and published by it's authority; but I cannot think that the daughters of Pel- her views, and certainly not in their manner of expression.
 "I would decline expression altogether in reference to the article but for the allegation that my history does an in- justice to Tennessean. Many have read this paper in the Age-Herald who will never see a copy of my history. and may be altogether mislead thereby as to the true sentiment expressd in the history. Careful readers of the book will find no basis for the paper read before Pel- ham, U. D. C., unless indeed deserters and union.sts be considered the people of Tennessee.' All good and patriotic citizens of Tennessee were in the Con- federate army, and we had to do only with those who were disloyal to the state, or had deserted it's colors. It seems su- perf1uous to say that no state furnished braver, truer. more noble sons to the Confederate cause than did Tennessee.
 You will see in my sketch that the highest honor s given General Frank Ckeatham and two divisions of his Ten nesseeans of his first days battle on De- cember 15 in front of Nashville, and the highest honor to General Bates and his division in the next days battle. But these, of course, were Confederate sol diers fighting for their native southland. No Confederates equaled the Tennessee Confederates in detestation of the union men in that state, and our regiment had ample cause. Quarles brigade, to which our regiment belonged, were all Ten HSSScttHSf except OHe IeSlIutHIs dIlu lnay were noble men and the bravest of sol ders.
 'As to many of the best people of T6nnessee-men whose hearts were wholly with. us-havinS previously taken the oath Of allegiance to the United States as the only means of obtaining protection for themselves, their families, and property all knew that this was almost universal among them who could not, or would not leave their homes and go with the Confederate army; and for this neither I in my sketch, nor any oth- CT Confederate, planes them All are familiar with the sad fate of Colonel Hayne of South Carolina during our revolutionary war, who for the same reason took the oath of allegiance to the British government. No sensible man in Tennessee, or even in the Con- federate army had any hope that Hood occupancy of Tennessee would be perma- nent. I will add that the state librarian at Nashville was among the very first to buy a copy of my history. and I was thus far had no adverse report as to it's truth and fairness. I believe that every Tennessee Confederate will be sat isfied with the history
 c. HIGGINS.