USA > Tennessee > Johnson County > History of the Thirteenth Regiment, Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry, U. S. A. > Part 4
USA > Tennessee > Carter County > History of the Thirteenth Regiment, Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry, U. S. A. > Part 4
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Again history seems to bear out the fact that in all times those people who inhabit mountainous countries are endowed with a lofty spirit of patriotism and loyalty to country, and are the first to respond to its call when menaced by foreign or domestic foes. Hence arises the fact that East Tennessee, and the mountain sections of adjoining States, have always furnished more than their proportion of volunteers in all the wars in which our country has been engaged. So many of the mountaineers of East Tennessee had served under the old flag in former wars, and listened to the old national melodies until they had formed an abiding reverence and love for them which they transmitted to their posterity, in story and song, leaving with them an inheritance of love for them that no blandishments or persecutions could efface.
We may find another, and possibly the greatest cause of their loyalty in the number and ability of the loyal leaders, who were men of ability far above those who espoused the Confederate cause in East Tennessee. The influence of the Knoxville Whig conducted by the famous Parson Brownlow was a most important factor in shaping public sentiment at that time. His vigorous editorials and speeches won for him the admiration of the loyal people and brought down upon his head the anathemas, and the iron hand of the Confederate military authorities. But his great influence and active interest and participation in the events of the war and the reconstruction period are too well known to require further notice here. However,
ADJ'T. S. P. ANGEL. (See page 278.)
LIEUT. COL. B. P. STACY. (See page 269.)
MAJOR CHRISTOPHER C. WILCOX. (See page 275.)
LIEUT. JOHN M. WILCOX. (See page 300.)
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TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY.
the sublime courage, which in his case meant the total absence of fear, the lofty patriotism. that even when in feeble health, made a prison cell preferable to the comforts of home; when the price of liberty was silence when the liberties of his countrymen were being trampled in the dust, or when truculency to a Government he despised was the only condition of his freedom, cannot be too often held up as an example, nor can the praise and honor which such noble sacrifices merit be too often or too highly extolled.
Perhaps, after all, one of the most potent factors in de- termining the loyalty of the people of East Tennessee, was their love for the Union and reverence and venera- tion for the "Old Flag." "The Union, the Constitution and The Enforcement of the Laws" was the rallying cry of the Old Whig party as it went down in final and irre- trievable defeat under Bell and Everett in the election of 1860. Though defeated they still clung to the memories of their achievements under Webster and Clay, their heroes in the political arena, and Harrison and Taylor their military heroes. They remembered that it was for the whole country their fathers fought and their mothers wept, and for its union and integrity that Clay and Web- ster poured out their matchless eloquence. They remem- bered that under the "Starry Banner" our country's his- tory had been made glorious. Even those who had been swept away by the excitement of the hour and sectional prejudice and gave their allegiance to the Southern cause turned away from the old flag with feelings of unfeigned sorrow and regret. Doubtless, in the storm of battle, when through the parting smoke the old flag with its "broad stripes and bright stars" appeared in view across the lines, or when the notes of the old national hymns were heard above the din, a momentary love for the old memories must have come to those who were fighting under "the strange flag."
It has been variously estimated that East Tennessee furnished between 30,000 and 40,000 troops to the Fed- eral army. The exact number could not be ascertained
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HISTORY OF THE 13TH REGIMENT
for the reason that before any regular Tennessee organi- zations were formed many who went through the lines volunteered in the first Federal regiments they found and served to the end of the war in Northern and West- ern regiments.
It is a fact worthy of note that East Tennessee fur- nished more troops to the Federal army than any section of the Union in proportion to its population. The male population of East Tennessee in 1860 between the ages of 18 and 45 years was 45.000. Out of this population the lowest estimate of troops who joined the Federal army places them at 30,000, the exact number put down in the statistics of the Government is 31,092, besides a large number that joined the Confederate army. This large proportion of troops to the population is explained to some extent by the fact that many joined the army both over and under the legal military age.
Much speculation has been indulged in regard to the probable effect the loyalty of East Tennessee had upon the final issues of the war. Although the North was much stronger in numbers and wealth than the South; so much so that it was deemed an act of madness and folly by many for the Southern people to engage in war with a people so much their superior in population and wealth; yet after two years of war the restilt seemed to hang in the balance, and the greatest apprehensions were felt that the Government would not be able to suppress the Rebellion. The Government securities were depre- ciated until gold reached the enormous premium of 300. The draft had to be resorted to to obtain troops for the army, and open resistance was made to the draft in New York, Chicago and elsewhere. As late as 1864 the Demo- cratic party of the North nominated General George B. McClellan, who had been Commander-in-Chief of the Federal army, as a candidate for President of the United State on a Peace Platform declaring the war a failure and demanding the recognition of the independence of the Confederacy and the cessation of hostilities. The deep- est gloom hung over the loyal people of the country, and
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the friends of the Government were in despair. The Government and friends of the Confederacy were cor- respondingly elated and manifested the greatest con- fidence in the success of their cause.
At this point we might well pause to consider what might have been the final result if East Tennessee, which was, geographically, a part of the Southern Confederacy, and which had no doubt been reckoned upon by the lead- ers of the Rebellion when estimating the population that could be brought to their standard in the event of war, had given its adhesion to the Southern cause. If the 30,- 000 East Tennessee troops that fought for the Union could have been transferred to the Southern army, mak- ing a difference in the relative strength of the two armies of 60,000 men, then add to this difference 10,000 Con- federate troops whose services were required to keep the Union people of East Tennessee in subjection and guard the mountain passes, and we find a difference of 70,000 men-a vast army-in the effective force of the Confed- erate army in the field !
We leave this subject to the earnest consideration of our readers, content to know that the loyal men of East Tennessee sacrificed all for the Union, and are proud of the honor of having done a small part in its preservation.
The proposition that if the 290,000 men who joined the Federal army from the Southern and border States had joined the Confederate army the South would have gained its independence is too self-evident to admit of dis- cussion. The proposition that 31,092 of them taken from the important strategical grounds of East Tennes- see, and transferred to the Southern army, releasing the large force required to guard East Tennessee, would have had a like result, is at least a debatable one. These ques- tions are of importance now only, that if the proposition is true, it would be an additional star in the crown of honor placed upon the brows of the heroes of East Ten- nessee to say that, not only did they "turn the tide of battle" at King's Mountain, and their descendants under General Jackson "bring back to the Capitol of the Nation,
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HISTORY OF THE 13TH REGIMENT
with honor and glory, the flag that the entire East had let go down in disgrace, with the Capitol in ashes," but that at a later date the sons of these heroes stepped into line once more, and at a time when the ranks of the army of the Union were wavering between victory and defeat, gave it victory. We are aware this same claim may be justly made by sections of other Southern border States, as regards their loyalty and aid to the Union cause in the Civil War, but this does not in any way effect the claim of East Tennessee.
-
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TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY.
CHAPTER VI.
Bitter Feelings Aroused Between Umonists and Secessionists. Union Men Defiant .- Leaders Threatened .- They go North. Names of Local Leaders .- Rebel Troons Brought In .- Names of Union Men Reported to Confederate Authorities .- Bitterness More Intense .- Militia Called Out .- Proclamation Ignored by Union Men .- They Organize for Self-Protection and to Aid the Government.
Enough has been said in former chapters to refresh the memory of those living during the period of the Civil War, and the younger generation who have read the his- tory of these events, concerning the causes of the war and its progress so far as it related to East Tennessee up to the time the State was voted out of the Union, to give them a general idea of the state of affairs at this time. It might be well, however, to make a brief recapitulation so that the reader may have a clearer conception of the events that follow. From the very beginning of the talk about secession during the presidential campaign of 1860 and up to the inauguration of President Lincoln, March 4. 1861, the majority of the people of the State of Ten- nessee, including the slave owners, were loyal to the Fed- eral Government. This fact was emphasized by the elec- tion of February, 1861, when the State voted against secession by a majority of 68,000. In this election all former party lines were ignored : men voted without any thought of party, whether Whig or Democrat. The sole question with all was: "Shall the Union of the States be preserved?" At the same time, and from the beginning of this discussion, Isham G. Harris, the Governor of the State, and those in authority in Nashville were in sym- pathy with the South and bending every energy to de- stroy and change the public sentiment of the people of the
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HISTORY OF THE 13TH REGIMENT
State. We place on record our candid opinion that if Andrew Johnson had been Governor of Tennessee in 1860-61-the State would never have seceeded from the Union.
Now that the State had (at least upon the face of the returns) voted for secession, the wrath of the State Ad- ministration was turned upon Johnson, Nelson, Brown- low, Temple and all those who had fought secession at the Knoxville and Greeneville Conventions, and on the stump throughout the State.
The proclamation of Mr. Lincoln calling out troops and his well-known anti-slavery sentiments were used by the advocates of secession to alarm the slave-holders of the State, and many of those who were loyal to the Gov- ernment were driven into secession by this false alarm. No sane man now believes that Mr. Lincoln would have freed the slaves had not the Southern people gone into rebellion. He did it, at last, with much hesitation, be- lieving it the only means of preserving the Union. In all of Mr. Lincoln's political career, while he had ex- pressed his disapproval of human slavery, he did not be- leve in any radical or hasty measures of emancipation. He believed in the agitation of the question from a moral standpoint and educating the public sentiment to a sense of justice that would lead to a gradual and peaceable emancipation of the slaves. Had the Southern people awaited the action of Mr. Lincoln upon this subject in- stead of precipitating the Rebellion and forcing upon him the necessity of freeing the slaves to save the Govern- ment, doubtless African slavery would have still been in existence.
We have seen that while Governor Harris was using every effort in his power to take the State out of the Union the loyalists of East Tennessee were equally strenuous in their efforts to remain in the Union. Their efforts proving unavailing, and yet believing, as their delegates declared in the Greeneville Convention, that the "military league" entered into with the Southern Con- federacy was illegal and wrong, and that the election was
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TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY.
unfair, and did not reflect the true sentiments of the people, their leaders determined to ignore the State and Confederate authorities and adhere to their allegiance to the Federal Government. This was a bold and most hazardous position to assume when we take into consid- eration the fact that at this time the State was overrun by Confederate troops, and the Unionists could expect no aid from the Federal army at least for some time to come.
Bitter feelings between those of opposing sentiments had been aroused, and crimination and recrimination was freely indulged. The Union men were accused of dis- loyalty to the South and called "Lincolnites," "Abolition- ists" and "Thugs." They in turn accused those in sym- pathy with the South of treason and disloyalty to the Government, calling them "rebels," "traitors" and other epithets.
After the two conventions had been held, the one at Knoxville and the other at Greeneville, and the Union leaders had exhausted every expedient available to retain the State in the Union, or form a neutral State of East Tennessee, seeing that arguments, memorials and resolu- tions were of no avail, and believing they had a right to their opinions as freemen, and believing the action of the State Government fraudulent and illegal, they boldly ignored its authority. Having done this the bitter feel- ings of the authorities became more pronounced, and the Union people began to secretly arm and drill with the intention of protecting themselves and rendering such aid as was possible to the Union cause, which they believed to be right.
The only hope of the Unionists now was in receiving aid from the Federal Government, and their leaders turned their attention to imploring aid from that direc- tion. The authorities at Washington were asked to send assistance to the people who had so nobly stood by the Union cause. It was represented to them that an army of invasion sent into East Tennessee would be largely augmented by loyal volunteers, and that the East Ten-
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HISTORY OF THE 13TH REGIMENT
nessee and Virginia railroad, so important to the South for transporting troops and materials of war from the Southwest to Virginia, which it was now evident was to be the great battlefield of the war, could be destroyed, and the "backbone" of the Southern Confederacy broken.
The Confederate authorities were greatly alarmed by the situation, and General Zollicoffer, with two regiments of Confederate troops, was sent into East Tennessee in the latter part of July, 1861, to keep the Union men in subjection. Governor Harris was kept constantly ad- vised of the situation in all the counties by the local dis- unionists, and the names of the prominent Union men were reported to the military authorities.
The firm and decided stand taken by the Unionists, their bold and outspoken sympathy for the Union cause and the defiant attitude they had assumed towards the Confederate authorities, while it gave the latter much uneasiness, also increased their hatred and vindictiveness towards the Unionists.
At first those in Johnson and Carter Counties who favored the South were so greatly in the minority they had little to say at home but kept the authorities fully posted regarding every act and movement of the Union- ists. Every unguarded word and act was duly reported by them to headquarters, and this becoming known the most bitter feelings were engendered, and threats were freely made. Thus the strongest friendships were broken and the closest ties of kindred were severed. Fathers, and sons, and brothers, became estranged, and joining different armies, were arrayed in deadly hostility to each other. Confidence was lost and. men knew not whom to trust. Suspicion and distrust ruled the hour. Then began the exodus to the North of the more prominent Union leaders, while others remained at home, but were compelled to be more guarded in their expressions.
The prominent Union leaders who had gone North re- newed their appeals to the Government at Washington to send relief to East Tennessee, and the people were con- tinually expecting that the army now forming in Ken-
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tucky would advance through the Cumberland Gap to their relief.
The Union men had refused to muster or take any notice of the proclamation of Governor Harris calling out the militia, but on the contrary continued to muster and drill for their own protection and with a view to aiding the Federal army that was expected to redeem their homes from the authority of the Confederate Gov- ernment. Additional Confederate troops were sent into this part of the State, and an effort was made to enforce the "militia law," bringing about frequent clashes be- tween the Union people and Confederate soldiers.
In the meantime W. G. Brownlow, who had suspended the publication of the "Knoxville Whig." found it neces- sary to take refuge with an old friend in the mountains of Roan County about November Ist, 1861. He re- ceived a note from the Confederate authorities at Knox- ville to return to his home and he would not be molested. Relying on the good faith of the authorities he returned to his home on December 4th, but was immediately ar- rested, put in jail and treated with the greatest indignity. After remaining in jail for sometime, owing to his very feeble health, he was allowed to be removed to his home, where he was kept under close guard until sent through the Federal lines under military escort. Other prominent leaders,-Johnson, Nelson, Carter and others from the upper counties had gone North previous to this time. But there were still left in East Tennessee a large number of capable Union men, who, though silenced, were not subdued.
As our history will now be confined largely to the transactions in Carter and Johnson Counties we will mention only those who were more or less identified with the movements in this locality.
The Union men in Carter and Johnson Counties di- rected by such true and faithful local leaders and advisers as R. R. Butler, Daniel Stover, Samuel E. Northington, Dr. Abram Jobe. Samuel A. Cunningham, Hawkins P. Murphy. John K. Miller. Frederick Slimp, Harrison Hen-
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HISTORY OF THE 13TH REGIMENT
drix, Abram Tipton, Joseph H. Wagner, Albert J. Tip- ton, John K. Miller, J. W. M. Grayson, Alex. D. Smith, Samuel Howard, A. G. Shoun, Dr. David Smithpeters, J. H. Vaught, Rev. Lewis Venable, Jas. P. T. Carter, James L. Bradley, Thos. M. Hilton, Jas. P. Scott, B. M. G. O'Brien, J. G. Lewis, Col. J. G. Fellers, John W. Cameron, Rev. J. H. Hyder, Hamilton C. Smith, C. P. Toncray, Robert Williams, James J. Angel, Hon. John W. Hyder, Elijah Simerly, Lawson W. Hampton, Rich- ard C. White, William J. Folsom, Nat. T. Williams, S. WV. Williams, M. M. Wagner, C. C. Wilcox, Landon Carter, Kendrick Donnelly, M. L. Cameron, William J. Toncray, D. P. Wilcox and many other brave leaders and followers were constantly on the alert, and ready at any time to seize an opportunity to perform whatever ser- vice that would aid the Federal Government or discom- fit the Confederates. They were secretly planning and ready at any time to strike any blow, however hazardous that gave promise of aiding the cause of the Union.
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TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER CAVALRY.
CHAPTER VII.
Bridge Burning .- Official Correspondence in Regard to It. The Plans, How Carried Out .- W. B. Carter, Gen. S. P. Carter and Gen. Thomas .- Col. Dan. Stover .- Names of Men Who Burned the Bridge at Zollicoffer and Particulars of the Brave Deed.
Whatever else may be said about the burning of the bridges of the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad in November, 1861, there can be no doubt whatever that the plan was conceived by the Rev. William B. Carter, of Elizabethton, Tenn., and it was through his influence that Mr. Lincoln and the War Department sanctioned it and pledged the co-operation of the Government in the execution of his plans. We have been informed that Mr. Carter, who died at the home of his son, W. E. Carter, at Earhart, Sullivan County, Tenn., July 21, 1902, at the advanced age of 82 years, felt bound by an obligation taken at that time not to divulge the names of those en- gaged in the bridge burning, or the particulars of his plans, but the facts have been made known by others, so that there can be now 10 need of concealment. There was certainly no dishonor attached to it, viewing it from the standpoint of loyalty to the Government of the United States, but it should be rather a matter of pride to the bridge burners themselves and to their descendants that they had the courage to engage in so hazardous an enter- prise for what they deemed the best interests of their country. We think their names should be preserved and honored for the heroic deed just as the soldier who risks his life in battle for his country deserves the high- est honor and praise.
It was through Mr. Carter's courage and energy that the plan was carried out as far as it was, but it was not his fault that the War Department failed to carry out its part of the compact to send an army into East Tennessee
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to hold the country and protect the brave men who risked their lives in this hazardous undertaking, and afterwards underwent such suffering on account of it. It is evident Mr. Carter would never have risked his own life and en- dangered those of his best friends had he not had the utmost confidence that the Government would perform its part of the contract. In proof that it was the inten- tion of the Government to occupy East Tennessee in 1861, and that the Union leaders had reason to expect aid from that source, we append a copy of a letter ad- dressed to General Scott, Lieutenant-General of the Army of the United States, written by Hon. Simon Cameron, Secretary of War :
WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., June 27th, 1861.
(GENERAL SCOTT :)
It being the fixed purpose of the Government to protect all loyal citizens in their constitutional rights; and to defend the State, against domestic violence. invasion, insurrection or rebellion, you are hereby directed to send an officer to Tennessee to muster into the service of the United States 10,000 men, to receive pay when called into active service by this Department. Each regiment formed therefrom to be commanded by field and company officers of their own selection.
The Ordnance Bureau will forward to Cincinnati, O., 10,000 stand of arms and accoutrements, and ample supplies of ammunition to be carried thence through Kentucky to East Tennessee by the officer designated by you for mustering the men into service.
You will also direct an officer to muster into service at the same time, in Southeast Kentucky four regiments to be commanded and officered in the same manner as provided for the Tennessee regi- ments. All ine regiments aforesaid will be raised for service in East Tennessee and in adjacent counties in East Kentucky; and in addition thereto there shall be received and mustered one regiment to be raised in Western Tennessee.
You will send an officer with sufficient command on the Kentucky trace to stop all supplies passing on the East Tennessee and Vir- ginia Railroad.
You will authorize the officers designated by you for mustering into service as aforesaid to receive into the service of the United States such additional loyal citizens (to furnish their own arms) as may offer their services on the terms aforesaid.
The State of Tennessee is added to the Military Division of Ken- tucky, under Gen. Anderson's command.
Very Respectfully, Your O'b't Servant,
SIMON CAMERON. Secretary of War.
Indorsement :
A. LINCOLN. June 29th. 1861.
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This letter of instruction of Mr. Cameron's affords ample proof that it was the intention of the War Depart- ment, as early as the date of this letter, June 27, 1861. to collect a force in Kentucky for the purpose of invading East Tennessee and destroying the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad so as to interfere with the transporta- tion of troops and military supplies into Virginia. The Confederate authorities early saw the danger of such a movement and began to arrange to counteract it.
General Sherman about this time made the prediction that it would take an army of 200.000 men to take and hold East Tennessee, but at that time he was accused of insanity for making such a statement. However, when Mr. Carter went to Washington and made known his plans to Mr. Lincoln in September, 1861, Mr. Lincoln, Mr. Seward and General Mcclellan at once endorsed then.
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