Condition of Affairs in Tennessee.
--The Federals are pursuing a most barbarous and inhuman course in those section of
Tennessee under their tyrannical rule.
A gentleman just from
Smith county reports things in a very deplorable condition in that section.
According to a correspondent of the
Atlanta Appeal, he says that a villain by the name of
Blackburn, formerly a stage driver, now a Captain in
Stoke's cavalry, leads about two hundred out-throats, who range through
Davidson,
Wilson,
Sumner, and
DeKalb counties, robbing, pillaging, and murdering in a manner that would disgrace the Thugs of
India, or inhabitants of
Barbary.
In several instances they have rode up to houses where men were simply suspected of having Southern proclivities, called them out and shot them down in cold blood, in the presence of the horror stricken wife and screaming little ones, alleging that all deserve death who have not taken the oath and secured protection papers from the
Federal authorities.
The negroes are pretty generally free, and most of them are being forced into the army.
The Federals first inveigle them away from home under promise of freedom, and then force them to take arms and go into camps of instruction.
Those that refuse to take up arms are put in prison on bread and water, until they become willing to fight their former masters and protectors as a last alternative.
Many of those who go to the
Federals willingly, take their families to camp.
These must be supplied with the necessaries of life.
In order to supply themselves, they are permitted to plunder the citizens' houses, which they do to any extent that suits them, taking beds, bed clothing dresses, furniture, etc., etc,--in fact, everything — besides insulting in the grossest manner helpless women and innocent children.
Jim Trimble, of
Gallatin, commands a regiment of blacks.
There is a large camp of instruction for contrabands at
Columbia, Maury county, Tennessee.
Thus the work of subjugation goes on in
Tennessee.
