USA > Tennessee > Bradley County > History of the rebellion in Bradley County, East Tennessee > Part 4
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The war thus inaugurated is likely to assume an importance nearly, if not fully, equal, to the struggle of our revolutionary fathers, in their patriotic efforts to resist the usurpations and throw off the tyrannical yoke of the English Government ; a war the duration of which, and the good or evil which must result from it, depends en- tirely, in my judgment, upon the readiness with which the citizens of the South harmonize as one people. and the alacrity with which they respond to the demands of patriotism.
I do not think it necessary to recapitulate, at this late hour, the long train of abuses to which the people of Tennessee, and our sister States of the South, have been subjected by the anti-republican spirit that has for many years been manifesting itself in that section, and which has at last declared itself our open and avowed enemy. In the message which I addressed to you at your called session in Jan- uary last, these things were somewhat elaborately referred to, as con- stituting, in my judgment, the amplest reason for considering our- selves in imminent danger, and as requiring such action on the part of the Legislature as would place the State in an attitude for defence, whenever the momentous crisis should be forced upon us; and, also, as presenting to the North the strongest argument for peace, and, if possible, securing a reconstruction of the Union, thus already dis- solved by the most authoritative, formal, and matured action of a portion of the slaveholding States.
The position of Gov. Harris throughout this message, and particularly those in this extract show the extent to which he disregarded the will, and disobeyed the instruc- tions of the people of Tennessee, delivered to him at this February election. The very first words of this message reveal Gov. Harris as a traitor. He says, "The President of the United States, elected according to the forms of the Constitution, but upon principles openly hostile to its provisions." Now, which was the better judge of this matter, Gov. Harris or the people? Who was the final authority upon the subject, he or the people? Mr. Lin- coln was elected President on the Sth of November, 1860; and the people had from this time till the 9th of February,
40
HISTORY OF THE REBELLION
1861, a period of three months, in which to consider and decide for themselves, whether Mr. Lincolns' election was or was not in accordance with the provisions of the Con- stitution. They did consider this subject, and at the expiration of this period delivered their opinion to the effect that this statement of Gov. Harris is false, deciding that the election of Mr. Lincoln was constitutional and binding upon them as a State; and that they were not only willing but anxious to remain under the old Govern- ment, and accept its administration at his hands during the next four years.
There is not on record a more absolute and insulting case of official despotism and grinding usurpation than this act of Gov. Harris, in convening his Legislature and instructing its members as he did in this message.
But Governor Harris proceeds : and in another part of this incendiary document we find the following :
" Therefore. I respectfully recommend the perfecting of an ordi- nance by the General Assembly, formally declaring the Independence of the State of Tennessee of the Federal Union, renouneing its au- thority, and reassuming each and every function belonging to a sep- arate sovereignty."
We have seen that this Legislature convened on the 25th of April, 1861. In obedience to the above recommen- dation respecting an ordinance of secession, among the first acts of this body we find the following :
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE AND ORDINANCE DISSOLVING THE FEDERAL RELATIONS BETWEEN THE STATE OF TENNESSEE AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
First. We, the people of the State of Tennessee, waiving any ex- pression of opinion as to the abstract doctrine of secession, but assert- ing the right, as a free and independent people, to alter. reform, or abolish, our form of Government in such manner as we think proper, do ordain and declare that all the laws and ordinances by which the State of Tennessee became a member of the Federal Union of the United States of America, are hereby abrogated and annulled, and that all obligations on our part be withdrawn therefrom; and we do hereby resume all the rights, functions, and powers, which by any of said laws and ordinances were conveyed to the Government of the United States, and absolve ourselves from all the obligations, re- straints, and duties incurred thereto; and do hereby henceforth become a free, sovereign and independent State.
Second. We furthermore declare and ordain that Article X, see- tions 1 and 2 of the Constitution of the State of Tennessee. which
.
41
IN BRADLEY COUNTY, EAST TENNESSEE.
requires members of the General Assembly, and all officers, civil and military, to take an oath to support the Constitution of the United States be, and the same are hereby abrogated and annulled; and all parts of the Constitution of the State of Tennessee, making citizen- ship of the United States a qualification for office, and recognizing the Constitution of the United States as the supreme law of this State, are in like manner abrogated and annulled.
W. C. WHITTHORNE, Speaker of the House of Representatives. B. L. STOVALL, Speaker of the Senate.
Passed May 6th, 1861.
JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPOINT COMMISSIONERS FROM THE STATE OF TENNESSEE TO CONFER WITH THE AUTHORITIES OF THE CONFEDER- ATE STATES, IN REGARD TO ENTERING INTO A MILITARY LEAGUE.
Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, That the Governor be, and he is hereby authorized and requested to appoint three Commissioners on the part of Tennessee, to enter into a Mili- tary League with the authorities of the Confederate States, and with the authorities of such other slaveholding States as may wish to enter into it; having in view the protection and defence of the entire South against the war that is now being carried on against it.
W. C. WHITTHORNE. Speaker of the House of Representatives. B. L. STOVALL, Speaker of the Senate.
Adopted May 1, 1861.
In accordance with the request of this resolution Gov- ernor Harris, in due time, appears with the following message :
MESSAGE OF THE GOVERNOR.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Nashville, May 7, 1861.5
Gentlemen of the Senate
and House of Representatives :
By virtue of the authority of your joint resolution, adopted on the Ist day of May inst., I appointed Gustavus A. Henry, of the county of Montgomery, Archibald O. W. Totten, of the county of Madison, and Washington Barrow, of the county of Davidson, "Commission- ers on the part of Tennessee, to enter into a Military League with the authorities of the Confederate States, and with the authorities of such other slaveholding States as may wish to enter into it; having in view the protection and the defence of the entire South against the war that is now being carried on against it."
The said Commissioners met the Hon. Henry W. Hilliard, the accredited representative of the Confederate States, at Nashville, on this day, and have agreed upon and executed a Military League be- tween the State of Tennessee and the Confederate States of America. subject, however, to the ratification of the two Governments ; one of the duplicate originals of which I herewith transmit for your ratifi- cation or rejection. For many cogent and obvious reasons, unneces- 4
42
HISTORY OF THE REBELLION
sary to be rehearsed to you, I respectfully recommend the ratifica- tion of this League at the earliest practicable moment.
Very Respectfully,
ISHAM G. HARRIS.
The following is the document or League referred to in the above Message :
CONVENTION BETWEEN THE STATE OF TENNESSEE AND THE CONFED- ERATE STATES OF AMERICA.
The State of Tennessee looking to a speedy admission into the Con- federacy established by the Confederate States of America, in accord- ance with the.Constitution for the Provisional Government of said States. enters into the following temporary Convention. Agreement and Military League, with the Confederate States, for the purpose of meeting pressing exigencies affecting the common rights, interests, and safety of said States, and said Confederacy.
First. Until the said State shall become a member of said Confed- eracy according to the Constitution of both powers, the whole mili- tary force, and military operations, offensive and defensive of said State, in the impending conflict with the United States, shall be under the chief control and direction of the President of the Confederate States, upon the same basis, principles and footing, as if said State were now, and during the interval, a member of said Confederacy, said force, together with that of the Confederate States, to be em- ployed for the common defence.
Second. The State of Tennessee will, upon becoming a member of said Confederacy under the permanent constitution of said Confed- erate States, if the same shall occur, turn over to said Confederate States. all the public property acquired from the United States, on the same terms, and in the same manner as the other States of said Confederacy have done in like cases.
Third. Whatever expenditures of money, if any, the said State of Tennessee shall make before she becomes a member of said Confed- eracy, shall be met and provided for by the Confederate States.
This Convention entered into and agreed, in the city of Nashville, Tennessee, on the seventh day of May. A. D., 1861, by Henry W. Hil- liard, the duly authorized commissioner, to act in the matter of the Confederate States, and Gustavus A. Henry, Archibald O. W. Totten. and Washington Barrow. commissioners duly authorized in like manner for the State of Tennessee-the whole subject to the approval and ratification of the proper authorities of both Governments respec- tively.
In testimony whereof, the parties aforesaid have herewith set their hands and scals, the day and year aforesaid, in duplicate origi- nals.
HENRY W. HILLIARD. [SEAL.] Commissioner for the Confederate States of America. GUSTAVUS A. HENRY, [SEAL.]
A. O. W. TOTTEN, [SEAL.]
WASHINGTON BARROW, [SEAL.]
Commissioners on the part of Tennessee.
JOINT RESOLUTION RATIFYING THE LEAGUE.
WHEREAS, A military league, offensive and defensive, was formed ยป on the 7th of May, 1861, by and between A. O. W. Totten, Gustavus
43
IN BRADLEY COUNTY, EAST TENNESSEE.
A. Henry, and Washington Barrow, Commissioners on the part of the State of Tennessee, and H. W. Hilliard, Commissioner on the part of the Confederate States of America, subject to the confirmation of the two Governments :
Be it therefore resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Tennes- sce, That said league be in all respects ratified and confirmed, and the said General Assembly hereby pledges the faith and honor of the State of Tennessee to the faithful observance of the terms and condi- tions of said league.
W. C. WHITTHORNE, Speaker of the House of Representatives. B. L. STOVALL, Speaker of the Senate.
Adopted May 7, 1861.
AN ORDINANCE FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE PRO- VISIONAL GOVERNMENT OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA.
We, the people of Tennessee, solemnly impressed by the perils which surround us, do hereby adopt and ratify the Constitution of the Provisional Government of the Confederate States of America, or- dained and established at Montgomery, Alabama, on the Sth day of February, 1861, to be in force during the existence thereof, or until such a time as we may supersede it by the adoption of a permanent Constitution.
SEC. 6. Be it further enacted, That those in favor of the adoption of said Provisional Constitution, and thereby securing to Tennessee equal representation in the deliberations and councils of the Confederate States, shall have written or printed on their ballots the word "Rep- vesentation ; those opposed, the words "No Representation."
SEC. 7. Be it further enacted, That in the event the people shall adopt the Constitution of the Provisional Government of the Confederate States, at the election herein ordered, it shall be the duty of the Gov- ernor, forthwith to issue writs of clection for delegates to represent the State of Tennessee in the said Provisional Government; that the State shall be represented by as many delegates as it was entitled to members of Congress to the Congress of the United States of America. who shall be elected from the several Congressional Districts as now established by law, in the mode and manner now prescribed for the election of members of the Congress of the United States.
SEC. S. Be it further enacted, That this act take effect from and after its passage.
W. C. WITTHORNE, Speaker of the House of Representatives. B. L. STOVALL, Speaker of the Senate.
Passed May 6th, 1861.
At the commencement of this chapter we assumed that Tennessee rebels were not only rebels against the Gene- ral Government, but also rebels against the government of their own State.
In confirmation of this position we have seen, first, that on two different ballotings, the people of Tennessee in
44
HISTORY OF THE REBELLION
one case gave a majority of 64,114 forbidding the seces- sion of the State under all circumstances; in the other a majority of nearly 31,000, not only against secession but declaring that no occasion whatever existed for a State Convention on this or any other subject then agi- tating the country ; that Tennessee had no grievances to complain of, was satisfied with the General Government, and proposed to remain in the Union as she was.
Second, we have seen, that those who on the same day were found in the minority, or in other words found to be the rebel element of the State, immediately rebelled against this decision, setting on foot all possible unfair means and measures forcibly to set aside the people's ver- dict, and officially hurled Tennessee out of the Union. By overwhelming majorities the people of the State declare themselves to be loyal; instantly, however, Gov. Harris and his legislature, in secret conclave, assume themselves to be the people, convert the power entrusted in their hands into a law of brute force, blind and gag every Union man whom they cannot bribe, take the majority by the throat, and in three months from the time the people ex- pressed their will to the contrary, league Tennessee with the rebellion.
Language cannot express facts, nor can facts prove any proposition if the above is not the logical showing of the case of this election. The proposition, therefore, is incon- trovertibly made out that the rebels of Tennessee were not only rebels against the General Government, but reb- els against the government of their own State.
Viewing the proceedings above described in the same light that we have considered them, the people of East Tennessee, through their delegates, assembled at Green- ville, Green county, on the 17th of June, 1861, with a view, among other things, to petition their Legislature for the privilege of East Tennessee to withdraw as a part of the State, and become independent, that she might thereby not only avoid actual conflict between herself and its seces- sion portions, but avoid complicity with their treason, and especially escape being swept with the rest of the State
45
IN BRADLEY COUNTY, EAST TENNESSEE.
into the vortex of secession and rebellion. The follow- ing is substantially an extract from the views of this body expressed in regard to the conduct of Governor Harris and his legislature, developed and examined in this chapter:
Resolved, That the action of the State Legislature, in passing a declaration of independence, and forming a military league with the Southern Confederacy, was unconstitutional and not binding upon the loyal citizens of the State.
46
HISTORY OF THE REBELLION
CHAPTER IV.
ELECTION FOR SEPARATION AND NO SEPARATION.
REBELS in Tennessee will boastingly refer to this elec- tion, as an argument against the position we have taken in regard to the secession of their State. Nothing, however, is wanting to demonstrate that this election of June Sth, 1861, an election surreptitiously appointed and tyrannically managed by Governor Harris and his Legis- lature, that they might cloak their treason under the forced popular suffrage of the people, if possible, was a darker crime in them, as well as a greater farce in itself than their act of ignoring the results of the election of Febru- ary previous.
The following is another extract from the published views of the Greenville Convention, being a part of an address by its members to the people of the State.
"We, the people of East Tennessee, again assembled in Convention of our delegates, make the following declaration in addition to that heretofore promulgated by us at Knoxville. on the 30th and 31st days of May, last; So far as we can learn, the election held in this State on the Sth day of this month was free. with but few exceptions. in no part of the State other than in East Tennessee. In the larger por- tions of Middle and West Tennessee, no speeches or discussions 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 numbered in such manner as to mark and expose the Union voters. A secession paper, the Nashville Gazette, in urging the people to vote an open ticket, declared that 'a thief takes a pocket book or effeets an entrance into forbidden places by stealthy means-a tory, in voting. nsnally adopts pretty much the same mode of procedure.' Disunionists, in many places, had charge of the polls; and Union men when voting, were denounced as Lincolnites and abolitionists. The unanimity of the votes in many large counties, where, but a few weeks ago, the Union sentiment was so strong. proves beyond a doubt that Union men were overawed by the tyranny of the military law, and the still greater tyranny of a corrupt and subsi- dized press. Our meeting was telegraphed to The New Orleans Delta, and it was falsely said that we had passed a resolution recommending submission if 70,000 votes were not cast against secession. The dis- patch adds that the Southern rights men are determined to hold posses-
47
IN BRADLEY COUNTY, EAST TENNESSEE.
sion of the State, though they should be in a minority. Volunteers were allowed to vote in and out of the State, in flagrant violation of the Constitution. From the moment the election was over, before any detailed statement of the vote in the different counties had been published, and before it was possible to ascertain the result, it was exultingly proclaimed that separation had been carried by from fifty to seventy thousand votes. This was to prepare the public mind, to enable the secessionists to hold possession of the State, though they should be in the minority. The final result is to be announced by a secession governor, whose existence depends upon the success of secession ; and no provision is to be made even for an examination of the vote by disinterested persons, or even for contesting the elec- tion. For these and other causes, we do not regard the result of the election as expressive of the will of a majority of the freemen of Ten- nessee."
Parson Brownlow, in his Experiences Among the Rebels, says:
"For Separation and Representation, Richmond, East Tennessee, gave 14,700 votes. one half of that number were rebel troops, having no authority under the Constitution to vote at any election. For No Sepa- ration and No Representation, East Tennessee gave 33,000 straight out Union votes, with at least 5,000 quiet citizens deterred from com- ing out by threats of violence, and by the presence of drunken troops at the polls to insult them."
A short time before this June election an attempt was made by the Union people to hold a meeting at Paris, Tennessee, and this attempt resulted in the death of two Union men, both being shot by the secessionists; and a public notice that Emerson Etheridge would speak al Trenton, Tennessee, called forth the following correspon- dence:
" TRENTON, TENN., April 16th, 1861. To J. D. C. Atkins and R. G. Payne :
Etheridge speaks here on Friday. Be here Friday or next day."
The above was answered in the following manner :
" MEMPHIS, TENN., April 16th, 1861. To Messrs.
I can't find Atkins. Can't come at that time. If Etheridge speaks for the South we have no reply. If against it, our only answer to him and his backers must be cold steel and bullets.
R. G. PAYNE."
In the Louisville Journal of May 13th, 1861, we find the following :
"The spirit of secession appears to have reached its culminating point in Tennessee. Certainly the fell spirit has, as yet, reached. no
48
HISTORY OF THE REBELLION
higher point of outrageous tyranny. The whole of the late pro- ceedings in Tennessee has been as gross an outrage as ever was per- petrated by the worst tyrant of all the earth. The whole secession movement on the part of the Legislature of the State has been law- less, violent and tumultuous. The pretense of submitting the Ordi- nance of Secession to the vote of the people of the State, after plac- ing her military power and resources at the disposal and under the command of the Confederate States without any authority from the people, is as bitter and insolent a mockery of popular rights as the human mind could invent."
The following is the vote of the State at this June elec- tion for Separation and No Separation, as taken from the Memphis Appeal of June 27th, 1861 :
EAST TENNESSEE.
COUNTIES.
Separation.
No Separation.
COUNTIES.
Separation.
No Separation.
Anderson
97
1278
Washington
1022
1445
Bledsoe
197
500
Monroe
1096
774
Bradley
507
1382
Morgan
50
630
Campbell
59
1000
McMinn
90
1144
Cocke
518
1185
Meigs
481
267
Carter
86
1343
Blount
418
1766
Grainger
586
1492
Claiborne
250
1213
Green
744
2691
Hawkins
908
1460
Hamilton
854
1260
Hancock
279
630
Jefferson.
60
1987
Johnson
111
787
Knox
1226
3196
Sevier
60
1528
Marion
414
600
Scott
19
521
Polk
73
317
Sequatchee
153
100
Rhea
360
202
Total
14780
32923
Sullivan
1586
627
Roane
45-
1568
IN BRADLEY COUNTY, EAST TENNESSEE.
MIDDLE TENNESSEE.
COUNTIES.
Separation.
No Separation.
COUNTIES.
Separation.
No Separation.
Maury
2731
78
Dekalb
833
642
Wilson .
2329
353
Lawrence
1124
75
Smith
1249
671
Overton
1471
364
Warren
1419
12
Macon
447
697
Lincoln
2912
Giles
2458
11
Jackson.
1483
714 Dickson
1141
72
Bedford
1595
727 Hickman
1400
3
Montgomery
2631
33 Lewis.
223
14
Stewart
1839
99 Van Buren
308
13
Rutherford
2392
73
Robertson
3839
17
Williamson
1945
28
Wayne
409
905
Franklin.
1652
Marshall
1642
101
Humphries
1042
Fentress
128
651
Davidson
5635
402
Grundy
528
9
Sumner
6465
69
Cheatham
702
55
White
1370
121
Cannon
1149
127
Total
58265
819S
Coffee
1276
26
WEST TENNESSEE.
COUNTIES.
Separation.
No Separation.
COUNTIES.
Separation.
No Separation.
Shelby
7132
5
Madison
2704
20
Carroll
967
1349
Fayette
1364
23
Henry
1746
317
Perry
780
168
Benton
79S
228!
Decatur
310
550
Dyer
811
110 Lauderdale
763
7
Hardin
498
1051
McNairy
1318
58G
Gibson
1999
286
Weakly
1189
1201
Haywood
930
139
Tipton
943
16
Henderson
800
1013
Hardeman
1516
29
Total
29127 6117
Obion
2936
64
VOTE IN CAMPS.
Camp Randolph, 3.500; Camp Davis, Va., 506; Camp Duncan, 111; Harpers Ferry, 575; Fort Pickens, Fla., 737; Fort Harris, Tenn .. 159; Camp Desoto, Tenn., 15; Camp Hermitage, Tenn., 16; Camp Jackson, Va., 622-Total, 6,241.
49
50
HISTORY OF THE REBELLION
The majority for separation appears to be 61,095. Other authorities differ but little from these figures. In More's Rebellion Record, and in The New American Cyclope- dia, this majority is given as 57,675. Also, Governor Harris in his proclamation of June 24th, 1861, announced this as the majority by which the State had declared her separation from the old Government.
The overwhelming majority for No Convention was at first felt by the rebels as a death-blow to their hopes ; while the loyal people correspondingly considered the victory complete and lasting, supposing that they had now ended the secession movement in Tennessee. The leading secessionists in the State, including the rebel por- tion of the Legislature, were confused and beaten, and even Governor Harris for a short time apparently aban- doned the scheme as hopeless. In a few days, however, especially, as the great movement continued rapidly to progress in other sections of the Union, the discour- agement of these rebels began to subside, and by means of secret societies, secret plotting, mining and counter-min- ing, they steadily recovered both spirits and strength, waiting and stealthily preparing to make another spring at the loyalty of the State. In Nashville, the great seeth- ing crater of Tennessee rebellion, the secession leaders played the double and deceptive game of friend and enemy, pretending to occupy a medium position, censuring and suspicioning, as well as measurably favoring, both parties. They were opposed to the confederate scheme for dismembering the Union, and equally opposed to co -. ercion to recover South Carolina, already seceded.
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