The National tribune., 1910-03-31

t-Asoi 1L-N-N iSEoE1E-I--A-Nso YIN
Independent, brave, patriotic and law
abiding.
This territory was settled by men
whose sense of freedom prompted them
TO leave the Colonies, then under the
British, cross the mountains and settle
in the rich valleys along the Holeston,
Watauga and Nolichucky Rivers.
1t was these mountain men, led by
Shelby and Sewer, who during the War
of the Revolution, crossed the noun
tains and helped TO check the British
army under CORVALLIS thru the Caro-
linas. Scarcely had these hardy rifle
men reached their homes when word
reached the settlements that the British
Col. Patrick Ferguson was on his way
TO lay waste their country. Without
waiting Sewer, Shelby and Campbell
moved thru the mountains to King :
Mountain, where, on Oct Z. 1850, Fer
gusou was killed and his army de-
feated.
We find these brave mountain rifle
men with Jackson at New Orleans.
where he defeated the flower of the
British army under Sir Edward Pack
enham When Texas was struggling
for independence we find Gen. Sam
Houston at the head of a small force
defeating the Mexican army at San ia
cinto, while brave Dayy Crockett and
James Travis fell in defense of the
Alamo-all East Tennesseeans. They
were with Scott and Taylor in Mexico,
and their war cry was. Remember the
Alamo" and they did, and instead of
$500 men called for over 5000 volun-
teered, and did their share of fighting
in that war.
East Tennessee was the great whfg
stronghold of the State. and there were
not many large Shareholders in that part
of the State.
East Tennessee was entirely cut off
from the loyal States. but as Kentucky
did not join in with the secession move
ment its position was of lasting benefit
to the Union people of East Tennessee.
The railway connections and water
communications were with the South
During the two years or more that the
Confederacy ruled over East Tennessee
the property of the Union people was
destroyed, so that when Burnside
reached Knoxville the inhabitants were
almost reduced to starvation, but these
noble people divided the last of their
corn and bacon with his hungry sol
diers.
From the most reliable data at hand
there were at least $4,000 East Tennes.
seeans in the Union army. This in
cludes those who served in Kentucky
Ohio, Indiana and Illinois regiments fol
which Tennessee received no credit, and
6,776 died for the Flag
One of the main lines of railroads
connecting the Gulf States and Rich
mond ran thru East Tennessee. During
the Summer of 1861 this railroad was
kept busy transporting troops from the
South to Virginia.
About the last of April 1861 there
was great gathering at Knoxville OF
Union men from Knox and adjoining
Counties. This large crowd was to be
addressed by two able and noted sneak
I1n Ard I..A. sr-
A. Il. Nelson. a platform had been
erected at the corner of Gay and Main
streets, and while johnson was speaking
lot Of Confederate soldiers headed bS
brass band, came marching down Gay
street This was done for the purpose
Of breaking up the meeting. but the
Union men decided that this should moi
be done. The Confederates continued
their march, and when within about
100 yards Of the stand Col. ID. II. Cum
mings, 18Th Tenn, &, S. A, and Mr.
Joseph A. Mabry. a citizen, seeing thai
conflict was inevitable, stepped il
front of the band. ordered IL to stoI
playing, and had the procession march
back to camp. Shortly after this, wher
several regiments of Confederate sol.
diers were in camp near Knoxville. tn,
Union men erected a liberty pole st tn,
corner of Gay and Main streets. More
than l 1,0o0 brave men were In towr
early, ana soon the pole was raised anC
the Stars and Stripes run up amiC
cheers.
Hon. C. f. Trigg was the orator o
the day. and after the flag had beer
run up Chas. S. Douglass, Union man
was standing near the fiagpole witt
his double-barrel shotgun, when SOM
hot words passed between him AM
Maj. Wash Morgan, of Vaughn's 81
Tenn, c. S. A.
Douglasss home was only shOr
distance from where the pole was erect
ed, and he said that he would shoot tn
first man that attempted TO lower tn
flag or pole. To prevent il from beint
cut down large nails were driven in tn,
pole from the ground up as high as tn,
taliest man could reach
The Lamar House stood on the cor
ner of Gay and Cumberland streets, anC
No use locking so old: Change RTJC