History of the Thirteenth Regiment, Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry, U. S. A., Part 32

Author: Scott, Samuel W; Angel, Samuel P., 1840-
Publication date: [c1903]
Publisher: Philadelphia : P. W. Ziegler
Number of Pages: 576


USA > Tennessee > Johnson County > History of the Thirteenth Regiment, Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry, U. S. A. > Part 32
USA > Tennessee > Carter County > History of the Thirteenth Regiment, Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry, U. S. A. > Part 32


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY.


MRS. NAOMI SLIMP.


In the fall of 1864 Captain Slimp got a leave of ab . sence to visit his family in Johnson county. While there, concealing himself as much as possible, a young man by the name of Wagner, a neighbor, having imbibed disloyal sentiments, undertook to practice a deception upon the Captain by stealing up on him a short distance from his house. To carry out his nefarious purposes, Wagner manifested unusual friendship, so much that it excited the Captain's suspicion that he meant mischief. He had on a large homespun overcoat, the deep pockets swinging heavy, which still increased the Captain's suspicion that he was armed with a concealed weapon. At this critical juncture Wagner could not conceal his agitation. In the meantime Slimp picked up his ax, which was convenient, stepped close to his antagonist, who assured Slimp he was his friend and wanted protection. Withdrawing his hands from his big pockets and proposed a mutual contract which was accepted. Each one was to give notice to the other if danger should arise. But this mutual contract was soon violated. When night came the Captain's home was surrounded with furious yells by a gang of Confeder- ate outlaws. The clatter of horses over a rocky road gave the alarm and he escaped unhurt. But his wife, Mrs. Naomi Slimp had to atone for the disappointment. They were sure they had their intended victim in their clutches. The traitor, Wagner, and the gang wanted the honor of capturing a Federal officer. A close search was made in and all about the house, but their intended victim could not be found. Positive demand was made on Mrs. Slimp and children to tell where their victim could be found. This being impossible they made danger- ous threats, and flew into a rage over their disappointment. They kicked her, knocked her down with a heavy stick, inflicting a severe wound on the head, and as they sup- posed left her dead on the floor. Her wound bled pro- fusely. When she went down into her grave the scar went with her.


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6TH CIVIL DISTRICT, JOHNSON COUNTY.


This District lies partly on Little Doe river and em- braces a portion of the great ore and mineral region of Johnson county. Forges were operated there during the war and many conscripts detailed to work in them.


Col. Sam. Howard was one of the leading spirits among the loyalists of this District, but there were many others, some of whom we will name: Godfrey and Eliza- beth Stout, Abram and Catherine Murphy, Daniel and Polly Clark. A. S. and Rebecca McQueen, Major David D. and Anne Stout, Samuel and Kinsey Howard, David and Catherine Robinson, Nicholas G. and Mary Robinson, John and Lydia Proffit, George W. and Violet Kite, Wil- liam A. and Elizabeth Morely. John H. and Elizabeth Stalcup, Henderson and Rachel Lloyd, Dr. David and Sarah Smithpeters, James M. and Lucinda Smith, Rev. James B. and Elizabeth Stone, Meridith D. and Hannah Arnold, William B. and Nancy Stout, Godfrey D. and Mary Heaton, Rev. Abraham Murphy, and Catherine Murphy, Hon. Hawkins P. Murphy, Rev. David Clark, Daniel and Mary Clark, James and Ellen Gilliland, Hamilton H. Gilliland, Joseph and Catherine Robinson, John and Matilda Rainbolt, John and Elizabeth Camp- bell, Lawson W. and Elizabeth Robinson, James G. and Susan Howard, Dr. Joseph H. and Lettie Robinson, Thomas and Sarah Laviney, John W. Heaton.


Of these men Dr. David Smithpeters was a member of the Greeneville Union Convention that denounced the se- cession movement in such unequivocal language. James Gilliland was murdered at his home. G. W. Kite was a veteran of the Mexican War and though too far advanced in years to join the army was true to the Union cause.


We give here an incident showing how William G. Howard managed to escape death at the hands of a com- pany of heartless murderers who had just slain his bro - ther, David Howard. Captain Slimp tells the story :


"William G. Howard was present when the rebel sol- diers came and he and his brother ran in different direc-


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tions. William succeeded in getting to the creek and im- mediately sunk his body to the bottom, barely leaving his mouth and nose out of the water for breathing purposes. His pursuers made vigorous efforts to find him, search - ing in every direction, but he stuck close to the bottom of the creek, occasionally giving his respiratory organs a chance to take in a supply of fresh air. The posse of rebel .; finally gave up the search and retired. This stratagem completely foiled them and defeated them in the bloody purpose of taking his life as they did that of his less fortu- nate brother who fell into their hands. Mr. Howard in relating the incident said he remained submerged in the cold water for over an hour, it being a cold frosty morn- ing, but that the occasion was such that he scarcely felt the icy water, and did not suffer in the least from cold. He pointed out the place of his amphibious retreat and dwelt with much seeming pleasure upon the circumstances of his peculiar escape from sure and speedy death."


Another trying incident, but which terminated fortu- nately, was the experience of Godfrey Stout, a staunch Union man who was captured and taken up on Doe near the home of a Mr. Shoun, who was a rebel citizen.


The rebels decided to kill him and made him stand up against a tree to be shot. Mrs. Katie Shoun, a rebel lady. and friend of Mr. Stout. observing what was about to take place, ran out and interceded for his life. and was success- ful in saving it.


Many incidents of like character, and some far worse, befell the men of this locality. The young men mostly joined the Federal army, while many who had families re- mained with them as long as possible, sometimes working in the forges, at other times scouting in the mountains, only stealing into their homes occasionally to get some- thing to eat or a change of raiment. The houses were closely watched and often when approaching or leaving their homes they would be halted by rebel soldiers, at other times they would be fired on without warning.


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7TH CIVIL DISTRICT, JOHNSON COUNTY.


This District, as will be seen, was the home of the Shouns and the Stouts than whom there were no more loyal patriotic or hospitable people anywhere.


But the Shouns and the Stouts were not alone among the people of the good old "Seventh District" in their loyalty, patriotism and hospitality. The other names we mention were of the same "web and woof," the same un- flinching devotion and unfaltering love for flag and coun- try, and they reached out the same benevolent hand to the hungry and helpless in the dark days of Civil War. These were : Joseph and Polly Shoun, Andrew and Elizabeth Shoun, G. H. and Dosia Shoun, Joseph N. and Sarah Shoun, William H. and Eliza Shoun, Caleb A. and Rachel Shoun, S. E. and Mary Shoun, Peter P. and Lucassa Shoun, Charles and Abigail Berry, David L. and Saralı Berry, Joel R. and Elizabeth Berry, Parkey and Barbara Stout, Alfred and Susan Stout, Samuel and Sallie Stout, John, Sr., and Sarah Stout, David M. and Sallie Stout, George and Eliza Stout, Abram and Cynthia Lowe, Geo. J. and Rebecca Walker, John and Sydney Speer, Dr. John M. and Lucinda Roberts, William K. and Catherine Goodwin, Robert P. and Mary Walsh, Myer and Polly Smith, George W. and Hannah Morely, Jacob and Rena Roberts, Jolin and Mary Crosswhite, Alfred C. and Amanda Crosswhite, Joseph and Katie Robinson, Landon and Mary Lloyd, Robert A. and Louisa Roberts, Tennes- see and Sophia Lloyd, and Wiley Dillon.


We give an incident that happened to one of these men. kindly furnished by our Johnson county friend, Captain Slimp, to whom we are greatly indebted for valuable in- formation.


GOING UP THE SPOUT.


"Robert P. Walsh, a well-known and prominent citizen of Johnson county, was several years a member of the County Court and was in many respects a conspicuous person. In 1861-62 he became offensive to the Southern


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chivalry, and was spotted as good material on whom to wreak rebel vengeance. Mr. Walsh anticipated that trouble might arise, so he prepared for consequences, should such arise. He made a trap-door in his floor by which he might escape if it should become necessary. He was not much too soon in getting ready for his only al- ternative. The usual desperadoes, his fatal enemies, made a vigorous dash on him, accompanied by hideous yells, and captured him before he could reach his loophole. His enemies showed great delight and uttered alarming threat- enings. They were heard to say, 'We have got the one we have been looking for.' Robert at this time was not very loquacious, but kept in possession his mental poise and his plans for his escape. The chief in command was very gruff and surly, and told the prisoner it would not be long till he would be 'gone up the spout.' In that day 'up the spout' meant hang or shoot him.


"This put the condemned prisoner to his last wits. 'You say I have to go up the spout?' exclaimed the pris- oner. 'Yes, indeed, sir,' was the consoling answer. He said then to the elated victors, 'Generous, sirs, and liberal gentlemen, will you allow me to retire into my back room to change my clothing, as I wish to die in clean apparel,' manifesting great distress and anguish, as if dreading thc pangs of death. His last request was granted. The prisoner and officer mournfully retired into the back room with the view of changing the doomed prisoner's clothing. Robert's trap-door being in good working order, he stooped down, pretending to pick up a piece of his gar- ments, he touched the faithful trigger of his smiling trap- door and as quick as the vivid flash of lightning the yawning chasm welcomed Robert into his region of supreme felicity prepared with his own hands. The astonished officer immediately gave the alarm that the prisoner had mysteriously disappeared. The soldiers on the outside, when the alarm was made, saw a blue streak ascending a steep hill, they exclaimed, 'Halt, halt, halt,' at the same time fired a shower of bullets after the escaped prisoner, who hallooed back, 'No time now to halt, I am now going up the spout.'"


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This incident, telling how a loyal woman played a suc- cessful ruse on rebel officers and saved her son's life, is related by Captain Slimp :


"Robert E. Goodwin is a well-known citizen of Carter county. He was an earnest supporter of the Union cause. He defined his political lines as he went along, regardless of consequences. He soon became known to the Union people for his hospitality, and his house was a stopping place for hungry and tired Union men. He afforded all. such a share of his liberality, and none went away hungry. His wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Goodwin, being also of a libera! disposition, became a favorite of the Union people : she gave freely a liberal share of her meat and bread.


"The pinching times like the war days made it burden- some and dangerous to men like R. E. Goodwin. Hungry. refugees had to eat some man's meat and bread. This made his residence too public for his safety. Parker, whose name was a synonym for all crimes and at the mention of which Nero himself. while dancing in the presence of the flames consuming Rome, would have blushed. It was well known that Parker was already steeped in crime of an unparalleled character, having with him Hays and others, who were no less infamous for crime. They arrested Goodwin and took him where they called headquarters for trial, of course a mock trial. The charges falsely preferred against him were read out with much judicial dignity. He violated the laws of the Southern Confederacy. He was immediately put on trial. Blackstone and Story were eclipsed and sunk into ob- scurity for the lack of dignity and style. Ostentation and gravity. embellished with imposing ceremonies. This. great judicial Sanhedrim would not permit the prisoner to have counsel. They went into trial. While the trial was progressing, and at an opportune time, the prisoner's mother, Mrs. Catherine Shoun, appeared in haste in the presence of the bogus court and reported that 'a great number of bushwhackers were in motion and in shooting distance.' On this report the spurious court tumbled to ruins and was seized with a wild commotion and a general


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panic ensued, and it dispersed in all directions, thus lib- erating the hopeless prisoner to go hence without danger. Aunt Katie's ruse saved anc her life and Robert retired with ecstatic joy."


8TH CIVIL DISTRICT, JOHNSON COUNTY.


This District, known as Shady, lies contiguous to the Virginia line on the north and extends to the Carter county line on the west. It is very mountainous and rough but contains some fertile valleys and fine timber and minerals.


A large majority of the people. as we have been in- formed, were loyal and true to the Union cause. It was the scene of a number of conflicts and tragedies. The Union citizens, both men and women, did much in the way of feeding and concealing refugees and conscripts, and were persecuted for their loyalty as in other places, vet this did not change their sentiments or deter then from rendering aid to the suffering and starving refugees.


We give the names of the people who resided in that locality during the Civil War as far as we can : Jesse Cole. Sr., and his wife, Celia. Jesse Cole, Jr., and wife, Rachel, George W. Cole and wife, Sarah, Samson and Nancy Cole, Andrew and Susan Wright. Moses and Lydia Wright. William and Rachel Sevier. Lewis and Susan Garland.


IOTH CIVIL DISTRICT, JOHNSON COUNTY.


This is known as the "Dugger District" from the large number of its inhabitants who bear that name. The name of Dugger has always been a prominent one in Johnson county, rivaling the Shouns and Stouts in number and prominence. They also rivaled them in their loyalty, and theirs is a familiar name on the companys rolls of the Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry as well as other loyal regi- ments.


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We place on record here an extensive list of names of men and women who were loyal and true to their flag, their country and their homes, and worthy to be num . bered among the "Heroes and Heroines of Johnson and Carter Counties."


In loyalty and patriotism, in their sufferings and perse- cutions, in the heroic manner in which the loyal people of these two counties braved every danger there was no di- viding line between them. They were one people in senti- ment, in devotion to the flag and to the cause of the Union ; and one in their sentiments of affection for each other and for the friends of the Union whoever they might be.


All we have said concerning the brave Union men and women of Carter county and of other sections of Johnson county may be applied with equal truth to those whose names we give here, and of each and all of the brave men and noble women of those days, history affords no in- stances in any age or country of greater heroism than was displayed by the loyal men and women of East Tennessee, and especially of these two counties which were the very last to receive aid from the Federal Government ; and the aid that came at last was largely that of our own brave and loyal East Tennesseeans who, after helping to fight their country's battles on almost every field from the Po- 'omac to the Mississippi rivers were at last permitted to help redeem their own homes.


Names of men and women who resided in the roth Civil District of Johnson county during the Civil War : - John Dugger, Sr., and wife, Mary ; John Dugger, Jr., and wife, Rhoda : William B. and Elizabeth Dugger, Samuel and Hannah Dugger, Jacob F. and Mary Dugger. Joseph and Eliza Dugger, Peter and Elizabeth Dugger, Solomon Q. and McNary Dugger, James and Rebecca Dugger, Julius B. and Barthena Dugger, Joseph H. and Catherine Dugger, Alexander and Elizabeth Dugger. William H. and Barbara Dugger, Col. Alex. W. Baker and wife, Naomi ; Benjamin and Susanna Cable, Thomas and Mary Whitehead, Harrison and Hannah Gregg, Harrison and


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Elizabeth Buntin, Elijah and Emily Buntin, Thomas and Nancy Anderson, Thomas and Jane Cowan, John and Millie Anderson, Hugh and Elizabeth Reese, Hiram and Louisa Burton, Stanton and Mary Franklin, Daniel and Sarah Baker, Levi and Lida Guy, Joseph P. and Rebecca Campbell.


DARING RAIDS INTO CARTER AND JOHNSON COUNTIES.


A few feeble but daring efforts were made by Union 'en to chastise the so-called Johnson and Sullivan county home-guards who committed so many depredations in Carter and Johnson counties, and to pay back in kind to the rebel citizens of Johnson county who were the insti- gators of much of their cruelty. Among these was the following :


HARTLY'S RAID INTO JOHNSON COUNTY.


In the winter of 1864, James Hartly, a citizen of Elk Mill, Carter county, who had joined the 4th Tennessee Infantry, and made his escape when that regiment was captured at McMinnville, Tenn., came back into Carter county. He got together a small squad of well-armed Federal soldiers, and these were joined by a number of Union scouters and altogether they left the vicinity of Elk Mill for the purpose of making a raid into Johnson county to harass some of the disloyal citizens there who had been active in persecuting the Union people and to give the Johnson county home-guards a fight if they came in the way.


When this force reached Col. Sam Howard's, on Little Doe. Hartly learned that three rebel soldiers had recently passed going towards Taylorsville. It was late in the afternoon, and supposing that the rebel sol- diers, knowing nothing of Hartly being in the country, would stop and stay all night with some rebel citizens, Hartly followed them, stopping at every rebel house until he came to the home of Samuel McEwin, who was a rebel citizen, but a good inoffensive man. It was after


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: dark and Hartly surrounded the house with his men and went to the door and demanded admittance, hoping to find the rebel soldiers there. McEwin did not open the . door, but probably not knowing the house was sur- rounded, left it by another door and started to run away, but was fired on by Hartly's men and instantly killed.


It was claimed by the Union people that Hartly did not mean to kill McEwin, but that the man who fired on him thought he was one of the rebel soldiers, it be- ing after night, and that Hartly and his men regretted the unfortunate affair. On the other hand it has been alleged by McEwin's friends that he was murdered for purposes of robbery. All agree that he was an inoffen- sive man.


Hartly then crossed the Doe Mountain to the place of a rebel citizen known as "Gray Jake" Wagner, who lived on Roan's Creek, and captured him and two of his horses. He went from there to the home of "Hog Dave" Wagner and captured him and his son-in-law, both active rebel citizens. Hartly went from there to the home of James Brown, another rebel citizen who had been in active sympathy with the movements of the home guards, but found that Brown and his wife had gone to church, some distance away near Col. Alex. Baker's. Hartly then went on over to Baker's, where the meeting (preaching) was going on. By this time the home guards at Taylorsville had been notified of Hartly's movements and 40 or 50 of them came down on a run (mounted) to attack and drive him out of the country, or capture and hang or shoot him and his men. But they found Hartly a tough proposition to run up against. Though the home guards outnumbered him greatly in armed men, Hartly gave them such a warm reception that they soon beat a hasty retreat, having several of their men wounded, but none killed. When they started to retreat it is said that Hartly yelled at them to stand their ground and fight like men and not run away like cowards. When the home guards came James Brown, who was in the church, ran out and


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jumped on the horse that had his wife's side saddle on it. In the confusion while the fight was going on, Wag- ner and his son-in-law made their escape with the two horses, but Hartly's men captured Brown's horse and his wife's side saddle.


SOME ECHOES OF THE CIVIL WAR.


The bitterness and strife engendered during the Civil War among neighbors, friends and even kindred were such that it was believed by many before the close of the conflict that the people could never dwell together again in peace, and if the North was victorious the citi- zens who had favored disunion would probably emigrate farther South, and likewise if the South should win the Unionists would seek homes in the North or West, other- wise the old feuds would be kept up until one or more generations passed away.


In pursuance of that idea many Southern men left their homes for a time, but it was soon learned that with the close of hostilities those especially who had fought through the war had had enough of strife and bloodshed and these on both sides appeared willing to forgive and forget and "let the dead past bury its dead."


Those who had seen little of actual war were as a rule the most vindictive. But few years had passed away until those who had worn the "blue" and those who had worn the "gray" began to mix and mingle with each other in social, church and business relations and after the excitement and passion that had ruled the hour had sub- sided, and reason resumed its sway over the minds of men each began to give the other credit for honesty of purpose in the views they had entertained and for which each had offered up the strongest proof of sincerity in his convic- tions that man can possibly give-life itself.


But for many years there continued to be, here and there, a few allusions to the past even between those who had become good friends. Sometimes they came up in a good-natured way in the shape of jokes and witticisms ; at other times they were the overflowing of some good


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honest Union man, who, while he bore no malice or ill will in his heart towards those whom he had once re- garded as his enemies, could not at all times refrain from alluding in a somewhat uncomplimentary way to the "Lost Cause" and its- followers.


A story illustrating this point, in which the Rev. John Hughes is the central figure seems worth relating. Rev. Hughes was an ardent Union man who like many other East Tennesseeans "proved his faith by his works," and joined the Federal army, and was a gallant soldier, meet- ing with the sad misfortune during his service of losing an eye by a rebel bullet.


After the war he became an able minister in the M. E. Church and was held in high esteem by all who knew him, both on account of his ability as a preacher, and his char- acter as a Christian gentleman. We have been informed that he was a native of Greene county, and a citizen of Greeneville, Tenn. He was a member of the Holston Conference and at a meeting of the District Conference held in the old college building at Johnson City, Tenn .. in the early 70's Rev. Hughes was on the programme, and the subject assigned him was "The Evils of War." There was a large audience in attendance, among them those who had fought in the Confederate army as well as many who had been Union soldiers. He described the cruelty of war, especially


of civil war, in which friend was arrayed against friend, brother against brother, and father against son. He described the home-leaving, some going into one army and some into the other; the anguish of mothers, wives, sisters and daughters; he portrayed the sufferings and horrors and cruelties of war in vivid words, and compared it with the spiritual warfare, the strife against evil. In his sermon he touched upon the cruelties practiced upon the Union people in East Ten- nessee and censured the Confederate authorities, but in his peroration he spoke of the proclamation of peace and the gladness of the soldiers of both armies in being able to return to their homes and described their home-coming


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and the blessings of peace and re-uniting of families and friends who had been separated and estranged so long, in such glowing terms that he moved his audience to tears, Federals and Confederates alike.


It was announced that Rev. Hughes would preach at night, and he was greeted with a large congregation and although he had "tramped on the toes" of the ex-rebels, supposing his evening sermon would not pertain to secu- lar things, quite a number of them attended. The preacher announced that his text would be found in Luke 3d chap- ter and 14th verse, and read as follows: "The soldiers likewise demanded of him saying, and what shall we (lo ?" His ex-Confederate auditors suspecting from the text that like his day talk his sermon would be along the lines of the war got up, one by one. and left the house, all except two, who were both prominent men and had been in the Confederate army. They looked at each other and settled down in their seats and gave the preacher the best of attention. He dwelt for sometime on the life of the soldier, speaking of the hardships and dangers asso- ciated with it, and the patience and courage and faith in his superior officers, the necessity of promptness in per- forming his whole duty, stating that the same patience, courage and faith were necessary in the life of the Chris- tian in combatting the evils of sin. Finally warming up he recounted many of the cruelties practiced upon the Union people of East Tennessee and again paid his re- spects to the Confederate soldiers and government for the atrocities that had been committed, pointing out many of them. His two Confederate auditors winced under his excoriation of the conduct of their government towards the loyal people of East Tennessee, but they re- mained and heard him through.




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