CHAP.XII.] REVOLT OF THE UNIONISTS IN EAST TENN.
and one or two Lincolnites were trying to escape-one on foot we had just captured. Our skirmishers surrounded the houses, which increased the noise, and commanded the horsemen, now forming line of battle, to halt, but they turned and fled. Five shots were fired at them, wounding slightly 1 man in the foot, and 1 of their horses; also wounding a Lincolnite, who was flying about 200 yards beyond them, in the shoulder. The whole squadron was then soon out of sight at a fierce gallop. Their captain caught sigh of our banner and returned, and we found them friends. The Lincolnites number 300; had met the night before our arrival, and voted on three propositions: 1st. Should they fight? Ayes 4, noes 296.
2nd. Should they go to Kentucky? Ayes 65, noes all the others. 3rd. Should they disperse? Ayes about 230, noes about 70.
They then all fled the camp, the 4 fighting men going with the colonel, named Clift; the 65 towards Kentucky, with their major, named Sullivan; the others, with the lieutenant-colonel, scattering to their homes and the mountains.
Colonel William B. Wood was now within 7 miles of me. My mounted men had not come up. I ordered Colonel Wood back to Knoxville, and I ordered all the mounted men to purpose and capture the 65 going to Kentucky. Staid all night at the camp ground. Many good citizens, who had been robbed of their guns and property, came to see us. The next morning took a different road to return, ordering the steamboat up the river. Arrested about 12 traitors, 5 with guns and knives, bound for Sullivan's camp. They are the most miserable, ignorant, poor, ragged devils I ever saw. Reached the boat at 11 o'clock; came down 16 miles, landed, and sent out two companies under Major Russell (I accompanying them) to visit the house of Colonel Clifth. He was not there. His house looks as if it belonged to some crazy men-a large two story frame building with half the windows out; no furniture, and all in decay. Found a letter for him to Shelton (lieutenant-colonel), dated November 6, giving the place of the rallying. Returned, and reached this place at 9 o'clock at night. This morning have moved the regiment out to the burned bridges, 15 miles, so as to get out of the way of whisky, and to encamp among the Linclonites. When I arrived Colonel Leadbetter was not here. A Tennessee regiment without arms was just arriving. All in confusion; a general panic; everybody running up and down, and adding to the general alarm. I issued an order taking command; put the town under martial law; shut up the groceries; forbade and exist, by railroad or otherwise, without a permit from provost-marshal; had every avenue guarded; arrested about 12 persons who were talking Lincolnism before I came. Arrested a many myself on the cars as I went to Cleveland, and brought him back. Found him one of their travelling agents, going off with the news of my arrival. I have relieved all our friends in this country. All were alarmed; all are now resting easy. I have run all the Lincolnites.
Upon my return here I find that Brigadier-General Carroll, of the Provisional Army, formerly postmaster at Memphis, Tenn., is here with two more Tennessee regiments and one company flying artillery. General Carroll has just been appointed. He has been drunk not less than five years. He is stupid, but easily controlled. He knows nothing, and I believe I can do with him pretty much as I please. He is going to send two pieces of artillery and 500 men to march up and down Sequatchie Valley-a useless expenditure of money. The presence of so many troops here is wholly unnecessary. He has, however, only 800
