USA > Tennessee > Johnson County > History of the Thirteenth Regiment, Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry, U. S. A. > Part 27
USA > Tennessee > Carter County > History of the Thirteenth Regiment, Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry, U. S. A. > Part 27
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Johnson county has always been noted for the intelli- gence and thrift of its people, for their public spirit in keeping up roads and highways, and for the hospitality of its people. The highway between Virginia and North and South Carolina passes through that county, and dur- ing the war, there being few railroads, there was a great deal of travel by stage coaches and private conveyances through the county.
Like Carter county her people were intensely loyal and true to the Union. Lying close to Virginia where the disloyal sentiment was strong, and the mountains afford- ing shelter for a large number of loyal people from North Carolina and Virginia as well as her own loyal people, that county early became the scene of conflicts and trage- dies that continued to the close of the war. It is highly probable that Johnson county was the scene of more, and sadder tragedies in proportion to its population than any county in East Tennessee. This was due partly to the
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causes named, but very largely to the vindictive spirit shown towards the loyal people by the citizens of that county who espoused the Southern cause.
The war, on the part of the South, was inaugurated with such a flourish of trumpets, and after its arms had been successful as they were in the beginning, and East Tennessee had been overrun with Southern soldiery, the Confederate citizens and soldiers alike, seem to have been imbued with the idea that the success of the South was assured, and they acted towards the Union people as if they did not dream that it was possible there might come a day of reckoning when the blood of the martyrs to the Union cause would cry aloud for vengeance. One would think that if in their madness they had stopped to think that the men whom they were persecuting had for their friends millions of loyal people who would come to their aid they would have listened to the voice of reason and the promptings of humanity and many heart-rending scenes might have been averted in this world, many a cry of agony would never have been heard, many a heart- ache would never have been known, many widows' and orphans' tears would have been spared. Back of all this there must be an awful responsibility. We ask ourselves, upon whom did it rest? Has it been settled, or will it rise up in the great day when it is said "The secrets of all hearts will be made known," and when all "must answer for the deeds done in the body?" Are the accounts settled with the passing of the actors, or are the conse- quences to be commensurate with eternity ?
We are indebted to Captain Frederick Slimp, of Butler Tennessee, a native of Johnson county, and a man who has always been regarded as a man of unimpeachable veracity. for the following statements. We let him tell the stories of these tragedies in his own language.
Captain Slimp tells of the 'spirit of the Union people of Carter and Johnson counties and relates some of the tragedies that occurred in the latter county :-
"The Union people in Johnson and Carter counties acted in concert from the beginning to the end of the Pe-
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bellion. They settled down on one fixed idea-the Union -it must be defended and preserved. They were prompt in answering to the calls for aid when they came from Union people, strangers though they might be, and vied with each other as to who could do the most and venture farthest into danger,-women and men alike. Ambush and murder did not daunt or deter them from accomplish ... ing their benevolent purposes, and they utterly disre- garded what the consequences might be. Their lives seemed consecrated to the one single end and for this they suffered and encountered hardships, disease, dangers and even death itself. The young and the old faced the perils of the hour without flinching or faltering.
"The young men took refuge in the mountains and de- termined on no account to be conscripted into the Con- federate army. They had abiding faith in the ultimate triumph of the Union cause, and in the chief ruler of the Nation, but as time dragged along they became restless and made their way to the Union army. The Union first, last and all the time, was their watchword. For this cause, so dear to their hearts, they gave their noblest ef- forts, their worldly goods, and many of them their lives.
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DEATH OF DAVID HOWARD.
"David Howard, of Little Doe, Johnson county, a well- known citizen, in the prime of life, a married man, was shot down and instantly killed. He was a favorite son of Col. Sam. Howard, and was a harmless and inoffensive citizen. Having no political, nor war enemies in his way, except it was known that he was a quiet Union man. At the time of this sad occurrence some rebel soldiers were in the county, marauding over the country, more for plun- der than Southern chivalry. David was at home, suspect- ing no danger. He was butchering a beef. It is an un- disputed fact that men had been shot down at home at their daily avocations. David Howard knowing this, was suddenly alarmed at the approach of the dreaded
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enemy and fled in the direction of the woods, across the fields, and the ill-thoughted posse without knowing who or for what reason, fired many deadly shots at him, and he fell mortally wounded, and died in a few minutes.
"It takes much running about to collect facts connected with the war. I am now up on Doe. I learn since here, when David Howard was killed, as I have heretofore in- formed you, that his murderers rushed upon him in his death struggle. In rifling his pockets for plunder their hands became besmeared with the dying man's blood. They left his body lying where he was murdered and pro- ceeded to the house of his mother, called on her for break- fast and forced her to pour water on their hands to wash the blood off, and then prepare their breakfast. This heart-broken old lady was Mrs. Kinsey Howard, wife of Col. Saml. Howard.
HIRAM MAIN.
"In the Fall and Winter of 1862 Hiram Main lived in the 3rd District, Johnson county, Tenn .; was about 22 years of age; was a Union man, and of good reputation. He was at a neighbor's house in the interest of his own private business. Willie Thomas, of Ashe county, N. C, and Newton McEwin, of Johnson county, styling them- selves 'home guards' or 'conscript officers.' They went to the house where Main was and got into angry words about their business with him. A fight ensued in which Main was shot and shortly after expired. Such was the fate of Hiram Main, whose death produced a shocking grief in the county. No excuse was ever rendered by those holding Confederate jurisdiction for this out- rageous and unprovoked murder. It is reasonable to sup- pose that a great many others would have been murdered in like manner if they had not left the Confederate lines and joined the Federal army. A citizen was safer in the Federal army than at home in his fields within the lines of the Rebellion. No one knew what minute he would be
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visited by a select mob to take his life. In the Fall of 1863 the delineator of this sketch was carefully and se- cretly notified that he would be visited on a certain hour at night with a view of committing murder. It proved true, the mob came, but the Providential warning removed the victim. The would-be victim is yet alive, not dead, not hanged, not shot. A life-time thanks to the colored man. He received many favors.
WILLIAM FULKS.
"Bill Parker concluded that he would see what he could do with a gang of demons, whom he had under his con- trol. It was a trashy gang. He selected one Wm. Fulks to try his experiment. Fulks was a native of Ashe county, but lived in Johnson county ; was a Union man, but took no part on either side. Parker had Fulks arrested and brought before him. He told Fulks he had to go with him where his brother was as he knew where he was. They failed to find the other Fulks. Parker then took his prisoner up a tributary of Roan's Creek, some three miles northeast of Mountain City, and stood him up against a white oak tree, his face fronting his foes; Parker lined up his men in front of Fulks, drew his pistol and told his gang if any one should fail to shoot he would blow out his brains. He gave his order and all fired. His body was literally riddled and he died instantly.
THE OLD MAN FULKS.
"The trouble did not stop at the murder of young Fulks, the father of the murdered man had to he hanged. He was dragged near the residence of Daniel Wagner, at Shoun's Cross Roads, Johnson county. In view of the residence mentioned he was hanged to the limb of a tree Mrs. Nancy Wagner, wife of Daniel Wagner, and mother of Thomas Shoun, saw what was going on, true to her
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native instinct, rushed to the tragic scene and cut hin down in time to save his life. Parker was interrogated why he was guilty of such a rash act and he said the old man was a Union man.
" 'A desperate cause seeks for desperate deeds.'
FRANK GREEVER.
"The first man Bill Parker killed in Johnson county was Frank Greever. Parker and Greever were neigh- bors, and were apparently friends. No hostilities had ex- isted between them. Parker had been officious in arrest- ing Union men, and Greever, in fun one day said to Parker that he should never arrest him. This was not intended for a banter, but a jest. Parker drew his pistol and said, 'I will arrest you now.' Greever to carry out his fun started to run around the house and Parker after hin. Parker shot and Greever fell and expired.
DEATH OF GEORGE DOTSON.
"How sad it is to record the death of George Dotson. He was a promising young man, who had just arrived at the age of manhood. He was a son of good old Allan Dotson, and a brother of A. E. Dotson, late Sheriff of Johnson county. He unfortunately fell under what is known as the conscript law enacted by the Confederate Congress. He was put under a rigid guard and hurried off towards Bristol, the place to deposit conscripts. In Shady, night overtook the cavalcade having charge of the prisoners, and they went into camps. In the night, Dot- son and Roberts made a break for liberty and took their chance for life, rather than go into the rebel army. As a practice, the rebel officers gave orders to shoot if a pris- oner made an attempt to escape. Here Dotson was in-
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stantly killed and Roberts slightly wounded. This affair produced an intense shock to the people, especially the parents and kin-folks. The people gave many expressions of sorrow. It was told that some one said it was 'a griev- ous accident,' to which the officer in charge replied, It was not a serious accident to the one killed but for the one who escaped.' I do not vouch for the truth of this wicked and detestable expression, but one thing I do know it was much easier and safer to hunt and shoot down unarmed conscripts in Johnson county, if one had to be sacrificed for the 'holy cause' now and then than to face the enemy on the battlefield, at Gettysburg or other fields of carnage. But how about the pangs of conscience? I would rather a hundred fold take my chances on the battlefield than meet the sword of Justice in the day of accounts for having shot down, in cold blood, innocent and defenseless men.
WILLIAM CHURCH.
(Mention is made of the killing of Church but we give the particulars here as told by Capt. Slimp. )
"William Church, man of middle age, a refugee from North Carolina, was seeking an opportunity to reach the Federal lines. He stopped at the mouth of Roans' Creek with Mrs. Catharine Wagner and was employed by her to make rails. While in her employment as such, one Henry Kidd, a desperado, claiming to be an officer in the Confederate cause, heard of Church, but both were entire strangers to each other. Kidd, without any cause what- ever, made it his business to hunt up Church. He took him a few paces below where Curtis & Farthing's store now is, put his gun against Church's breast and shot hini down, and he instantly expired. He was buried in his gore of blood by the neighbors. Kidd, at the close of the war, made his exit from here and has never been heard of since.
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JOHN TILLY.
"John Tilly, a citizen of Little Doe, Johnson county, was killed in the early days of 1863 by a gang of rebel marauders. It was rumored that he had been away from home somewhere. The rovers here in quest of booty and plunder did not know any thing about him, but they stole upon him in some way and captured him. The gang parlied with themselves who should shoot him. The iden- tical circumstances are not precisely known, but sub- stantially these are the facts. He was killed without charges or provocation. He was a married man, having married a daughter of the late John Speer. His widow. Mrs. Fannie Tilly, is still living.
LESLIE JONES.
"This young man was the son of Jordan Jones, the lat- ter was a strong Union man and had been captured by the rebels, and though past the conscript age, was sent to Richmond where he died in prison of small-pox.
"Young Jones went to the home of William Shoun, a rebel sympathizer, in the night, and it was claimed, at- tempted to break into his house for the purpose of robbery. Shoun shot him, and he fell dead on the porch. We knew young Jones in his boyhood and can hardly believe he went there as a robber.
DEATH OF JAMES GILLILAND.
"James Gilliland, a citizen of Johnson county, lived in a back settlement, near the foot of the Iron mountain, and seemed to be an inoffensive man. The writer of this brief sketch was well acquainted with him from boyhood days, and never hearing of any complaint against him thought it a safe place to stop and rest and take refreshments while hiding from the rebels. In order to induce me to re- main with him a few days he told me that 'a rebel had
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never been on his place.' He also said 'he let them alone and they let him alone.' I thought this good enough. I changed my clothing there and took dinner with him, feel- ing myself perfectly safe according to his view. He got my consent to stay some days with him, assuring me. there was no danger whatever. I remained with him till late in the evening, same day, when some neighbor hap- pened along and influenced me to go with him to where old Col. Sam. Howard was lying out under the foot of Doe mountain. In this way I found Col Howard in his winter quarters in a dense laurel thicket near the public road. I took up lodging with him for the night, and the Colonel appeared much pleased to have me abide with. him in his lonely domicile. This was only about four (4) miles from where I had left my friend Gilliland. During the niglit we heard horsemen passing the road and the next morning Mrs. Howard brought our breakfast to us and gave us the startling information that Gilliland had been killed the previous night! It would not be unjust to state the particulars of this murder, for it was a murder in the first degree, without provocation or palliation, as I have been reliably informed. It would be unjust to give it a coloring the facts do not justify, and this I would not dare to do, in this or similar cases. I have no disposition to cast a stain, either upon the living or the memory of the dead.
"Samuel McQueen, a prominent rebel sympathizer, and active rebel citizen, and others of his class, had a special hatred towards old Andrew Potter, an uncom- promising Union man, and his associates. It was sup- posed that Potter might be in the neighborhood of James Gillilands, McQueen, and the so-called Johnson county 'Home Guards,' made a sudden descent on Gilliland's home about daylight on the morning in question. Potter was in the house and saw them coming close to the house. It seemed impossible for him to escape, as they were so nearly upon him, but believing it meant death in any case, he split the air like a cyclone under a shower of bullets as thick as hail stones, he jumped fences like a
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buck with a troop of hounds in pursuit and made good his escape into the Iron mountain. Potter gave account afterwards that as he went over fences one bullet clipped his little finger.
"But poor James Gilliland had to atone and make ex- piation for Potter's escape! The soidisant 'Home Guards,' fraught with madness and disappointment, de- termined to have blood and shot poor Gilliland down without a moment's hesitation-without a word-without explanation, and without mercy! They knew not for what purpose they killed Gilliland !
HENRY WIGGS HUNG.
"The same squad of men, led by Samuel McQueen, who was the chief actor in the killing of Gilliland, found a young man who it was claimed was a deserter from the rebel army, hid in a shuck pen, and dragged him out and hanged him to a dogwood tree. The rope was left there for more than two years and was seen by passers-by. Noth- ing was known regarding the antecedents of the young man. He was but one of the many thousands who left their homes, and of whom it could only be said: 'He never came back again.'
"We beg to relieve for a moment the somber shadow that must hang like a pall over the reader at the recital of these tragedies by inserting here this little story as told by Captain S.
REV. WILLIAM B. GAMBILL. -
"Rev. William B. Gambill, long time a citizen of John- son county, was, in the fall of 1864, in his corn field, sitting down, shucking corn. It became a custom when Union men saw rebels coming to break and run; one day Mr. Gambill saw the gang coming, but he sat still, and paid no attention to them. Being an old man and in open view, he knew it would not do to run, so they fired on him but he did not move for a moment. The bullets cut
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close to him in the shucks behind him. He fell over, pre- tending to be shot. They went on in great hilarity and left him for dead. Their object was to fire a few shots, get him started to run and then fire on him to see if they. could hit him in his flight. The manner in which he de- ceived them created a great deal of mirth and fun. I enjoyed myself to joke him about it. He said that was the only plan he could think of to save his life. If he sat still they would keep shooting till they got him. If he attempted to run they would be sure to get him as he ran ; so he said it was best to act the dissembler a little in case of a 'tight place.' He often cautioned me not to tell it on him as he did not want to be called a hypocrite.
MAJOR DAVID SLIMP.
"Major David Slimp, of Johnson county, was a well known and substantial Union man. In his humble way he wielded his share of influence in shaping a Union sentiment among the young men of his acquaintance. He was approaching his fiftieth year, and knew the Con- federate conscript law would soon reach him, as the Con- federate Congress was closing up on men of his age. He thought best to shift his situation and look out for safer quarters. In the spring of 1864, the 13th Tennessee Cav- alry Regiment was stationed at Nashville, Tenn. Major Slimp scouted his way through the mountains and dan- gerous passes, and arrived safely in Nashville in June, 1864. He did not join the regiment, but remained with it until the fall of 1864. When the regiment was ordered to Upper East Tennessee and Virginia, he thought it would be a good time to visit his home in Johnson county. As he approached near his home he kept himself secluded as much as possible, but he found the usual gang of mar- auding ghouls were still in operation, plundering and com- mitting criminal acts and spoliations in the county and surrounding community. They got word some way that Maj. Slimp had returned home, and supposing he might
SERG'T. JESSE W. GAMBIL, CO. M.
C
SERG'T. E. W. MULICAN. (See page 307.)
LIEUT. HENRY M. WALKER. (See page 309.)
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have a little greenback money. having come from a green- back country, the idea elated them with eager thirst for the money, and at a late hour in the night they ruthlessly entered his house with a savage yell. They did this to frighten the household in order that the money and plunder would be easily obtained, but the major's wife (Mrs. Evaline Slimp) knew their object, seized the pants containing the pocketbook and threw it behind the bed rail, but in the confusion the Major did not know that his wife had secured the pocketbook. The pilferers pro- ceeded to thrust their hands in his pockets, when the Major, making some resistance, and they finding no booty, they were so angry over the disappointment that they mnade frightful threatenings to extort money and getting none they proceeded to take vengeance on the family. They knocked the Major down with pistols and beat him over the head, inflicting dangerous wounds from which he complained as long as he lived. Before he died he be- came insane, supposed to be the result of the severe blows received on the head and face. This may not be considered altogether in the line of tragedies, as no deatlı ensued, but murder was in their hearts and it was not the fault of these barbarians that this respected citizen was not borne to his grave, instead of living, for his friends to see the light of reason depart from him, which was a sadder fate.
KILLING OF AARON WEBB BY HENRY KIDD.
"A volume of several hundred pages could be de- voted to the war incidents and cruelties which occurred in Johnson county during the four years of the civil war. In mingling with the people and making inquiries, we find a great many tragedies, heretofore not heard of, that should be noted among the tragedies. To make a special record of every one would be a history too voluminous. A visit in the 10th District, in consultation with an old citizen, who remained at home during the war, he told me about one Henry Kidd, the same dastardly coward
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mentioned in connection with other tragedies. He was a mean active young man, full of vigor and audacity, but void of principle-destitute of compunction, or remorse of conscience ; dissolute and unrestrained. A man's life, even an innocent man, was not safe in his presence. He delighted in committing murder. For an example, this desperate man Kidd rode up to John Dugger's shop, on Dry Run, in the 10th Civil District, called out of the shop Aaron Webb, who was partially an imbecile, and was not, nor had been concerned on either side of the war. Kidd shot him and rode off unconcerned. No words had passed between them, leaving Webb praying for the for- giveness of the man who had murdered him.
"This same dastardly coward has been mentioned in connection with the murder of Church in the public road near the residence of Thos. Shoun. The murder of Church by Kidd was no less hideous in crime than the murder of Webb. It is not known how many men have been killed by Kidd.
"There were three North Carolinians captured on Flint Hill on the upper waters of Elk River. Their names are unknown. It appears one was a Methodist preacher, which was shown by his Bible on his person. They were driven up Roans Creek by Mountain City, and taken near the Tennessee and Virginia State line; there halted to consider what to do with them. They were stript of their home-spun clothing in exchange for the murderer's in- ferior rags, and driven a few paces from the public road and every one of them murdered by a band of robbers, who pretended to be in the service of the Confederate Government. These murders and others were tolerated by those who claimed to be in the service of the new Con- federacy. John Grace, Elias Worley and others piled up the dead men's bodies and covered them up with old logs. Their bones were in view for many years.
Joe Wagner, a young man, son of one David Wagner. who was usually known as "Hog Dave," who was always ready to inculcate seditious ideas and wreak his spleen on Union men and women. All this was taught to his son;
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It was a common word with him that all Union men ought to be put in the Confederate army and in this way have them exterminated and killed out. Joe ready enough fell in with this idea and equipped himself and set out for that purpose, previously having made rash threatenings which alarmed those for whom it was intended. Joe believed all Union ought to be in the rebel army or killed. We men are not informed what his business was in the 9th District alone. The news had got ahead of him. In time of war news flew fast as the wind. Some parties, not definitely known, secretly hid in ambush, fired on Joe, one ball went through his head. He was found lying in the road dead. This way of killing an enemy is wrong. To lie in ambush and shoot out, even at an enemy, is mon- strous.
HUGH S. ARNOLD.
Mr. Arnold was a well known citizen and native of Johnson county Tenn. He resided in the Third Civil District of that county and was 63 years old. His senti- ments as a Union man became known to Thomas Price and Wiley Ray, two Ashe county marauders, who, with a band of men like unto themselves, had come over into Johnson county to wreak vengeance on Union men. They heard that Arnold "had been to see the Yankees;" this was sufficient excuse for them to chase him around the neighborhood until they came up with him, when the leaders ordered the men to fire a volley at him, which they did, resulting in his instant death.
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