Although the mutterings of Civil War
had been heard for many months, few
believed there would be actual
hostilities until the news of the firing
on Fort Sumpter was flashed over the
wires. All had hoped that some means
would be devised by the more reasonable
leaders on each side to avert a
calamity, the direful results of which,
none could then fully realize, but which
it required no prophetic vision to
foresee must end in general ruin and
disaster to the country.
But the news of the firing on Fort
Sumpter quickly dispelled this illusion.
Many still believed the war would not be
of long duration, but the South had long
been preparing for the great struggle
and was in much better condition than
the North, according to its resources,
to maintain the seemingly unequal
conflict. The excitement produced by the
news from Charleston was intense. Men
gathered in groups on the street
corners, in the post office and business
houses and listened with blanched faces
to the reading of the dispatches by
those who were so fortunate as to get
daily papers. Mirth and merriment were
laid aside, and the faces of men were
grave and thoughtful. Business was
neglected to a great extent, and the
people's thoughts were turned to the one
absorbing subject of what was to be the
result of the great contest that had now
been appealed to the arbitrament of
war—civil war—the most dreaded form of
that terrible scourge.
Events of gravest importance now
followed each other in rapid succession.
In December, x860, 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
recommended 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 toward 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 January
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
election resulted in a majority of
68,000 votes against holding the
convention; or, in other words, against
Secession.
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 February, voted against
secession by the overwhelming majority
of 68,000, Governor Harris, and the
leaders at Nashville, now in authority,
had been, from the beginning, using
every effort to take the State out of
the Union, and form a league or alliance
with the Confederate Government, 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 Middle and
Western portions of the State. This
section of 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 entered into on the 7th
of May, 1861, between Commissioners
appointed by Governor Harris on the part
of the State of Tennessee and
Commissioners of the Confederate
Government, and ratified by the General
Assembly of the State, whereby the State
became a part of the Confederate 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 "Representation" 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 Union 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 devotion 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 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
Government.
Though they regarded the fight as a
hopeless one they determined to
interpose every obstacle possible to the
secession 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 Johnson 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,
distinguished 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, Term., May 15, 1861. A
platform was erected in the southwest
corner of the court house yard and
decorated 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
Nelson, but Mrs. Lizzie Carter took her
place and performed the duty in a most
graceful and pleasing manner. Governor
Johnson and Judge Nelson responded in
eloquent tributes to the loyal mothers
and maidens of East Tennessee, comparing
them with the heroines of Grecian and
Roman history.
Soon after the Johnson and Nelson
meeting at Elizabethton 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 proposition. Rev. Wm. B. Carter
and Rev. N. G. Taylor were selected as
the champions of the Union cause, and
accepted, 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
Powhatan, the Indian chief), and said he
did not care to debate with him. This
insult was promptly resented by Carter
in a scathing rebuke. This incident
caused much 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 preparation, 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 demonstrations 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 50o 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 representative 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, representing and reflecting,
as we verily believe, the opinions and
wishes of a large majority of the people
of East Tennessee 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 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 having first 'obtained
the consent of the people, had no
authority to enter into a "military
league" with the "Confederate 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 expressed 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 absence 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 enormous, 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 common benefit, the doctrine of
non-resistance against arbitrary power
and oppression is absurd, slavish and
destructive 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
believe, 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 adjourns to meet again at
such time and place as the president, 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
representation 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 tall of
the president or vice-president, to meet
at Greeneville 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, together 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
intelligent body of men concerning the
manner in which Tennessee 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 Government.
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
election held in this State on the 8th
day of the present month 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 numbered 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 denounced as Lincolnites
and abolitionists. The unanimity 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 military 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 result, it was exultingly proclaimed
that Separation had been carried by from
50,000 to 75,000 votes. No provision is
made by law for the examination of the
votes by 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-bearing while in a minority in
East Tennessee, nothing better can be
expected of the pretended majority than
wild, unconstitutional and oppressive
legislation, an utter contempt 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
20,00o 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 involved in civil war."
This convention further resolved that to
avert a conflict 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 session to give its
consent that the counties "comprising
East Tennessee and such counties in
Middle Tennessee as desire to co-operate
with them may form and erect a separate
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 same officers and
committees chosen at Knoxville were
continued in office. William B. Carter,
of Carter County, and Alexander D.
Smith, of Johnson, 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 attended the Union
Conventions at Knoxville and Greeneville
on May 3oth 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 conventions.
Notwithstanding the election of June 8
for reasons of intimidation and military
interference as set forth in the
Greeneville Convention, had been carried
for Separation 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, ;
for No Separation, 787.
On the 24th of June Governor Harris
issued a proclamation 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 menaced by Confederate
troops and subject to the greatest
dangers boldly denounced the action of
the State authorities and advocated the
cause of the Union in every county in
East Tennessee.
The Union leaders, ignoring the
proclamation of Governor Harris, ordered
an election to be held on the 1st 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 proclamation 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
persecutions.
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 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
horsemen, the stern commands of
officers, the discharge of firearms and
all the accompaniments of "grim-visaged
war."
|
