Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 7.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[409] want is that the rebels shall be whipped and the Union restored. They have no fears after that. They associate as well they may, liberty, justice, and peace with the Union; and they know they have had oppression, anarchy, and bloodshed in the Southern Confederacy. It is a common expression among them: “We were born under the old flag and the Constitution. They are good enough for us, and we intend to die under them.”

General Carter, an East-Tennesseean, has been appointed Provost-Marshal General of East-Tennessee. He is well known to, and highly esteemed by the inhabitants, and is the right man in the right place.

Our forces have occupied the East-Tennessee Railroad as far east as Morristown, and the indications were that they might extend their lines at pleasure. A considerable force had proceeded down the road toward Chattanooga. The universal report was, that the rebels were disheartened and demoralized so that there was no fight in them. They fled like sheep from Emery's Gap, and showed all the signs of being a worthless rabble.

Our troops, on the contrary, were in splendid spirits — perfectly happy and in high condition. The infantry marched with surprising alacrity and rapidity. They thought nothing of moving twenty-five miles per day, and would go into camp, after such a march, merry as school-boys. They were delighted to be the liberators of East-Tennessee, and feel that they were not in an enemy's country.