USA > Tennessee > Johnson County > History of the Thirteenth Regiment, Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry, U. S. A. > Part 3
USA > Tennessee > Carter County > History of the Thirteenth Regiment, Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry, U. S. A. > Part 3
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35
TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY.
Events of gravest importance now followed each other in rapid succession. In December, 1860, Gov. Harris had called a special session of the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee to meet at Nashville on January 7, 1861. In his message to that assembly he recom- mended the passage of an act calling for an election to choose delegates to a convention to be held in Nashville to determine, or ascertain, the attitude of the State to- ward the Federal Government. It was understood that this convention, if held, would follow the example of other Southern States that had enacted ordinances of secession. Hence to vote for the convention would mean to vote the State out of the Union. On the 19th of Jan uary a bill was passed calling for an election to be held on the 9th of February to determine whether or not the convention should be held, and to select the necessary delegates .. The question of holding this convention was thoroughly discussed throughout the State and the elec- tion resulted in a majority of 68,000 votes against hold- ing the convention; or, in other words, against Seces- sion.
On April 17th, 1861, a call was made by the Secretary of War on Governor Harris for two regiments of militia to serve in the Federal army, to which the Governor of Tennessee wired the following reply: "Tennessee will not furnish a single man for purposes of coercion, but 50,000, if necessary, for the defense of our rights and those of our Southern brothers."
It was evident that though Tennessee had, in Febru . ary, voted against secession by the overwhelming major- ity of 68,000, Governor Harris, and the leaders at Nash- ville, now in authority, had been, from the beginning, us- ing every effort to take the State out of the Union, and form a league or alliance with the Confederate Govern- ment, which had now been formed at Montgomery, Ala. After President Lincoln had called for troops to defend the authority and integrity of the Federal Government, but as the South alleged, to coerce and subjugate the South, there was a great change of sentiment in the Mid- dle and Western portions of the State. This section of
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#! STORY OF THE 13TH REGIMENT
the State was more closely identified with the interests of the cotton-growing States, being largely engaged in the cultivation of that staple and owning a large number of slaves.
A "Military League," offensive and defensive, was en- tered into on the 7th of May, 1861, between Commis - sioners appointed by Governor Harris on the part of the State of Tennessee and Commissioners of the Confeder- ate Government, and ratified by the General Assembly of the State, whereby the State became a part of the Con- federate States to all intents and purposes, but an act was passed on the 8th of May providing for an election to be held on the 8th of June for the people to decide on the question of "Separation" or "No Separation," and "Rep- resentation" or "No Representation" in the Confederate Congress.
In the meantime troops were being organized and preparations for war going on with great activity. It would look at this distance like this election was a great farce as the State had already been taken out of the Un- ion and had formed an alliance, as we have seen, with the Confederate States, and no voice of the people could have changed the result, hedged in as they now were, by military force. However, it was necessary to go through these formalities to keep up some appearance of form and legality.
But all these events made little impression on the firm stand taken by a large majority of the people of East Tennessee except to strengthen, if possible, their devo- tion to the Union.
It was apparent to them that the cloud that had long hung ominously over the political sky had burst upon them, and each man would be called upon to take his part in the great drama that was now about to be enacted. The leaders of the Union element, comprising the very best talent of East Tennessee, had not been idle. Men looked to them for counsel and advice, but they were wise enough to see that they would not be able to stem the tide of secession and disloyalty that was now in
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TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY.
full sway unless they should receive aid from the Federal Government, which was not probable at this time. But they met the storm bravely, and openly defied what they conceived to be the unlawful procedure of the State Gov- ernment.
Though they regarded the fight as a hopeless one they determined to interpose every obstacle possible to the se- cession of the State from the Union, and if they failed in this they would endeavor to cut loose from the Middle and Western divisions of the State and form a new State.
Among the most prominent Union leaders at this time in their respective localities, were Andrew Johnson, Thomas A. R. Nelson, William B. Carter, Conally F. Trigg, Nathaniel G. Taylor, Oliver P. Temple, R. R. Butler, William G. Brownlow, John Baxter and Andrew J. Fletcher.
The question of Separation, or No Separation was thoroughly discussed in East Tennessee. Andrew John- son and Thomas A. R. Nelson, who were regarded as the ablest representatives of the two old parties, the former having been a Democrat and the latter a Whig, made a joint canvass of East Tennessee in behalf of "No Separation," and "no Representation" in the Confederate Congress.
Mr. Johnson had always been identified with the Democratic Party, had held many offices of trust and honor in the State, and had for many years been the idol of his party.
Judge Nelson had been a prominent Whig leader and had been elected to Congress from the First District of Tennessee. He was a lawyer of high attainments, dis- tinguished for native ability, learning and eloquence.
It is not strange that these two distinguished citizens, having boldly espoused the cause of the Union, should attract attention, and wield a great influence in moulding the sentiment of the people of East Tennessee.
We remember distinctly the meeting at Elizabethton, Tenn., May 15, 1861. A platform was erected in the southwest corner of the court house yard and decorated
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HISTORY OF THE 13TH REGIMENT
with flowers and the stars and stripes. Thousands of people were present from Carter and adjoining counties. When the speakers arrived they were driven through the town in carriages and welcomed with cheers and loud huzzas.
At the hotel they were presented with silk badges made with the National colors of red, white and blue.
The presentation speeches were to be made by two handsome young Union girls, Miss Ann Johnson (now Mrs. D. R. Reese, of Watauga, Tenn. ), and Miss Mary George. Miss Johnson presented the badge to Gov. Johnson in a very happy little speech. Miss George, being quite young, declined to present the badge to Judge Nel- son, but Mrs. Lizzie Carter took her place and performed the duty in a most graceful and pleasing manner. Gov- ernor Johnson and Judge Nelson responded in eloquent tributes to the loyal mothers and maidens of East Ten- nessee, comparing them with the heroines of Grecian and Roman history.
Soon after the Johnson and Nelson meeting at Eliza- bethton Hon. Joseph B. Heiskell, of Rogersville, Tenn., and Hon. William Cocke, of Knoxville, Tenn., were billed to speak at that place in behalf of secession. A committee was appointed consisting of D. P. Wilcox and Daniel Stover to wait on these gentlemen and ask them to divide time with two of our citizens in the discussion of the question. They refused at first, but being informed that no speeches would be allowed unless both sides of the question were represented, they agreed to the propo- sition. Rev. Wm. B. Carter and Rev. N. G. Taylor were selected as the champions of the Union cause, and ac- cepted, though they had been given very short notice and had no time for preparation. They met in the Court House and in arranging the preliminaries one of the secessionists made some reflection upon Mr. Carter's color (his family is said to have descended from Pow- hatan, the Indian chief), and said he did not care to de- bate with him. This insult was promptly resented by Carter in a scathing rebuke. This incident caused much
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TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY.
bad feeling and it was feared for a time violence would be resorted to, but order was restored and the discussion proceeded. The Unionists of Carter County felt a just pride in the fact that they could produce two men of such ability-as Taylor and Carter who, even without prepa- ration, were more than able to refute the arguments of their opponents who had been sent among them to preach disloyalty to their country.
Another incident occurred at this meeting showing the intensity of the feelings existing at that time. It was agreed that there should be no applause or demonstra- tions of any kind on either side to excite the people. Mrs. Murray Stover came in after the speaking began and knew nothing of this agreement. She threw a bouquet of flowers to one of the speakers. Instantly the whole audience arose in confusion, pistols were drawn and it looked for a moment as though there would be bloodshed.
THE UNION CONVENTION AT KNOXVILLE, TENN.
Pursuant to a call previously issued by leading Union men 500 delegates, representing nearly every county in East Tennessee and composing the ablest representatives in this part of the State, met at Temperance Hall, in Knoxville, Tenn., and appointed a committee of repre- sentative men from each county to draft resolutions and report to the convention. On May 30th the committee submitted the following report to the convention :
"We, therefore, the delegates here assembled, repre- senting and reflecting, as we verily believe, the opinions and wishes of a large majority of the people of East Ten- nessee do resolve and declare :
"First. That the evil which now afflicts our beloved country in our opinion is the legitimate result of the ruinous and heretical doctrine of secession; that the people of East Tennessee have ever been, and we believe are still opposed to it by a very large majority.
"Second. That while the country is upon the threshold of a most ruinous and desolating civil war, it may with
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HISTORY OF THE 13TH REGIMENT
truth be said, and we protest before God that the people (so far as we can see) have done nothing to produce it. * * * *
"Sixth. That the Legislature of the State, without hav- ing first obtained the consent of the people, had no authority to enter into a "military league" with the "Con- federate States" against the General Government, and by so doing to put the State of Tennessee in hostile array against the government of which it then was, and still is, a member. Such legislation in the advance of the ex- pressed will of the people to change their governmental relations was an act of usurpation, and should be visited with the severest condemnation of the people.
"Seventh. That the forming of such "military league," and thus practically assuming the attitude of an enemy towards the General Government (this, too, in the ab- sence of any hostile demonstration against the State) has afforded the pretext for raising, arming and equiping a large military force, the expense of which must be enor- mous, and will have to be paid by the people. And to do this, the taxes, already onerous enough, will necessarily have to be very greatly increased and probably to an extent beyond the ability of the people to pay.
"Eighth. That the General Assembly by passing a law authorizing the volunteers to vote wherever they may be on the day of the election, whether in or out of the State, and in offering the "Confederate States" the Capitol of Tennessee, together with other acts, have exercised powers and stretched their authority to an extent not within their constitutional limits, and not justified by the usages of the country.
"Ninth. That government being instituted for the com- mon benefit, the doctrine of non-resistance against arbi- trary power and oppression is absurd, slavish and de- structive of the good and happiness of mankind.
"Tenth. That the position which the people of our sister State of Kentucky have assumed in this momentous crisis commands our highest admiration. Their interests are our interests. Their policy is the true policy, as we be-
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TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY.
lieve, of Tennessee and all the border States. And in the spirit of freemen, with an anxious desire to avoid the waste of the blood and treasure of the State, we appeal to the people of Tennessee, while it is yet in their power, to come up in the majesty of their strength and restore Tennessee to her true position.
"Eleventh. We shall await with the utmost anxiety the decision of the people of Tennessee on the 8th day of June, and sincerely trust that wiser councils will pervade the great fountain of freedom (the people) than seem to have actuated their constituted agent.
"Twelfth. For the promotion of the peace and harmony of the people of East Tennessee it is deemed expedient that this convention should again assemble, therefore,
"Resolved, That when this convention adjourns, it ad- journs to meet again at such time and place as the presi- dent, or vice-president in his absence, may determine and publish."
We place the above resolutions on record here because they embody the true sentiment of the best and ablest men of East Tennessee at this period. These men were from every county, except one, in East Tennessee, and represented the best thought and opinion of the entire Union element of that section of the State.
THE GREENEVILLE, TENN., CONVENTION.
After the election of June 8th, 1861, at which time it was claimed by the Confederate authorities that the State voted for separation from the Union and representa- tion in the Confederate Congress, Judge T. A. R. Nelson, of Jonesboro, Tenn., issued a call for the convention which had adjourned at Knoxville in May, subject to the call of the president or vice-president, to meet at Greene- ville on the 17th of June. The convention accordingly assembled on that date with representatives from all the counties. It was composed, as before, of the ablest men of the several counties, and remained in session several days and issued a declaration of grievances, which, to-
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HISTORY OF THE 13TH REGIMENT
gether with the proceedings of the Knoxville Convention, were printed and circulated in large numbers throughout East Tennessee.
We introduce here a part of the proceedings of this convention as expressing the views of this large and intel- ligent body of men concerning the manner in which Ten- nessee was taken out of the Union evidently against the will of the people, and the very able reasons set forth why East Tennessee should be loyal to the Federal Govern- ment.
The following is a part of the declaration of grievances and some of the resolutions which follow them :
"We, the people of East Tennessee, again assembled in a convention of our delegates make the following declaration * So far as we can learn the elec- tion held in this State on the 8th day of the present montli was free, with few exceptions, in no other part of the State than East Tennessee. In the larger part of Middle and West Tennessee no speeches or discussion in favor of the Union were permitted. Union papers were not allowed to circulate. Measures were taken in some parts of West Tennessee in defiance of the constitution and laws which allow folded tickets, to have the ballots num- bered in such a manner as to mark and expose the Union voter. ** * * Disunionists in many places had charge of the polls, and Union men, when voting, were de- nounced as Lincolnites and abolitionists. The unanim- ity of the votes in many large counties where but a few weeks before the Union sentiment was so strong, proves. beyond a doubt that Union men were overawed by mili- tary law and the still greater tyranny of a subsidized press. Volunteers were allowed to vote in and out of the State in flagrant violation of the constitution. From the moment the clection was over, and before any detailed statement of the vote in the different counties had been published, and before it was possible to ascertain the re- sult, it was exultingly proclaimed that Separation had been carried by from 50,000 to 75,000 votes. No pro- vision is made by law for the examination of the votes by
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TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY.
disinterested persons, or for contesting the election. For these and other reasons we do not regard the result of the election expressive of the will of the people of Tennessee.
"No effort has been spared to deter the Union men of East Tennessee from the expression of their free thoughts. The penalties of treason have been threatened against them, and murder and assassination have been openly encouraged by leading secession journals.
"As secession has thus been intolerant and over-bear- ing while in a minority in East Tennessee, nothing better can be expected of the pretended majority than wild, unconstitutional and oppressive legislation, an utter con- tempt and disregard of law, a determination to force every Union man in the State to swear to support the constitution he abhors, to yield his money and property to aid in a cause he detests, and to become the object of scorn and derision as well as the victim of intolerable and relentless oppression.
"In view of these considerations, and the fact that the people of East Tennessee have declared their fidelity to the Union by a majority of about 20,000 votes, therefore we do resolve and declare :
"First, That we do earnestly desire the restoration of peace to our whole country, and most especially that our own section of the State of Tennessee should not be in- volved in civil war."
This convention further resolved that to avert a con- flict with their brethren in other parts of the State that certain distinguished members of the body should act as commissioners to memorialize the legislature then in ses- sion to give its consent that the counties "comprising East Tennessee and such counties in Middle Tennessee as de- sire to co-operate with them may form and erect a sepa- rate State."
Other resolutions providing for holding a convention at Kingston, and that delegates should be elected from each of the counties of East Tennessee to carry out the resolutions adopted at Greeneville were adopted. On the re-assembling of the convention at Greeneville the
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HISTORY OF THE 13TH REGIMENT
same officers and committees chosen at Knoxville were continued in office. William B. Carter, of Carter County, and Alexander D. Smith, of Jolinson, had the honor of representing these two counties on the most important committee, that on business, to which all resolutions were referred without debate.
The following are the names of the delegates who at- tended the Union Conventions at Knoxville and Greene- ville on May 30th and June 17th, 1861 :
From Carter : S. P. Angel, James L. Bradley, John W. Cameron, James P. T. Carter, William B. Carter, Wm. J. Crutcher, Jacob B. Emmert, Jacob Hendrixson, Thomas M. Hilton, James M. Lewis, William Marsh, B. M. G. O'Brien, James Perry, F. S. Singletary, Henry Slagle, Levi Slagle, Hamilton C. Smith, John M. Smith, Daniel Stover, David Stover, Abram Tipton, Charles P. Toncray, Robert Williams and Columbus C. Wilcox. Abram Tipton and Charles P. Toncray were delegates to both conventions. From Johnson County : R. R. Butler, Alexander Baker, J. W. M. Grayson, Samuel Howard, M. T. Locke, M. D., Rev. Lawson Madron, Hawkins P. Murphy, Kemp Murphy, John Murphy, J. Norris, Jacob H. Norris, J. F. Norris, Samuel E. Northington, Hector C. Northington, Albert G. Shoun, Geo. H. Shoun, Frederick Slimp, Alex. D. Smith, David Smithpeters, M. D., John H. Vaught, and Rev. Lewis Venable. Of these R. R. Butler, J. W. M. Grayson, John H. Vaught and Rev. Lewis Venable were delegates to both conven- tions.
Notwithstanding the election of June 8 for reasons of intimidation and military interference as set forth in the Greeneville Convention, had been carried for Separa- tion by an over-whelming majority in the Middle and Western divisions of the State, East Tennessee again voted against secession by a majority of more than 20,000 votes. The vote in Carter County was, for Separation 86, for No Separation, 1343. In Johnson County : For Separation, III ; for No Separation, 787.
On the 24th of June Governor Harris issued a procla-
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TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY.
mation dissolving the relations of the State of Tennessee with the Federal Government. It will be seen that from the 7th of May, the date of the adoption of the Military League with the Confederate Government, Tennessee had occupied the anomalous position of being a member of both the Federal and Confederate Governments.
In the recent election the Union leaders, though men- aced by Confederate troops and subject to the greatest dangers boldly denounced the action of the State author- ities and advocated the cause of the Union in every county in East Tennessee.
The Union leaders, ignoring the proclamation of Gov- ernor Harris, ordered an election to be held on the Ist day of August, 1861, to elect representatives to the Congress of the United States, which resulted in the election of Thomas A. R. Nelson from the First District, and Horace Maynard and G. W. Bridges for the Second and Third Districts in East Tennessee. Elections were also held for representatives in the Confederate Congress, in which the Union men did not participate.
Soon after the election of June 8th, and the proclama- tion of Governor Harris on June 24th, 1861, severing the relations of the State with the Federal Government, the State authorities, enraged at the part the Union leaders had taken in the elections, and fearing the people would rise up in arms against their authority, began their perse- cutions.
Things now began to grow serious with the Unionists. Their loyalty to the Federal Government had brought down upon them the wrath of the State and Confederate authorities. Judge Nelson who had been elected to the Federal Congress, in attempting to reach Washington was captured and sent to Richmond as a political prisoner, but was paroled and released. W. G. Brownlow, who had wielded so much influence through the editorials in his able and popular paper, and in his speeches before the people, was now threatened with indictment for treason. In short the time had come when loyalty to the Federal Government was treason; when men were proscribed for
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HISTORY OF THE 13TH REGIMENT
opinion's sake, and consternation prevailed among the Union people throughout East Tennessee.
All who had taken a prominent part for the Union were compelled to seek safety in hiding, or cross the mountains and seek protection with the Federal army, now forming in Kentucky. The Arcadian days were gone. The hitherto peaceful and happy people of East Tennessee who had roamed the hills and valleys free and unsuspecting as the mountain deer, now, like that animal, were startled by the strange clatter of hurrying horse- men, the stern commands of officers, the discharge of fire- arms and all the accompaniments of "grim-visaged war."
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TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY.
47
CHAPTER V.
Reasons for Loyalty of East Tennessee .- Number of Troops in Federal Army .- How It May Have Affected Final Results of the War.
East Tennessee, geographically considered, is situated almost in the center of the late rebellious States, with Vir- ginia on the North, North Carolina on the East, Georgia on the South, and the Middle and Western divisions of the State on the West. Occupying as it does a territory contiguous to those States that went into the Rebellion among the first, and with the greatest unanimity, having always been dominated to a great extent by the larger and more populous divisions of the State, the question arises why it should stand out almost alone in that sec- tion of the South in its devotion to the Union. The en- tire State had evinced much attachment for the Union, as shown by the 68,000 majority against the convention in February ; but when, from causes heretofore enumerated, the State cast its fortunes with the Confederacy through the dominating influence of the civil and military author- ities, a large majority of the people of East Tennessee ad- hered with greater tenacity to the Union cause as dangers thickened about them. Many reasons have been assigned for the loyalty of East Tennessee to the Federal Govern- ment, and it is fair to presume that each of these reasons had its influence in that decided stand taken by the Union men which no amount of persecution or intimidation could modify or change.
One reason may be found in the fact that the soil and climate are not adapted to the growth of cotton, rice and tobacco, the great staples of the South, hence slave labor could not be employed to the same advantage as in the
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HISTORY OF THE 13TH REGIMENT
Cotton States. The people, or a large number of them were comparatively poor and earned their living by daily labor. They were not slow to perceive that slave labor must enter into competition with them, lessen their wages and their chances of employment, and diminish their op- portunity to better their condition either socially or finan- cially. They could see that by fighting for slavery they were only fastening upon themselves the yoke of poverty, and the ban of social ostracism, hence slavery was not a question of paramount importance to them, unless it was in its abolition.
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