The
Nashville correspondent of the New York
Freeman's Journal sends an interesting letter from that city.
When
Hooker was defeated at
Chancellorsville, the
Nashville Press and
Union published extras announcing the utter annihilation of the Confederate army.--The next morning they apologized for having published the lie, and said the information was furnished them by official authority.
The
Press, however, a few days after, published a dispatch from
Philadelphia announcing that Gen Keys had taken
Richmond, and that "the
Federal flag now floats over the rebel capital." The correspondent gives an interesting account of the scenes upon taking the oath:
‘
The period of fifteen days allowed for
Nashville and the surrounding country to become loyal has expired, and the sum total is 7,344 oaths, of which 721 were those of non-combatants.
Among these are persons of every degree and shade of degree, the large majority no doubt deeming it a necessity to save themselves from imprisonment or banishment.
’
A prisoner was sent up to the
Capitol to be iron clad.
The questions proposed to him elicited replies which proved him to be a confirmed rebel, and they demanded bonds to the amount of $10,000, which he refused to give, he said
Gen. Mitchell had ordered him up there to take the oath, and he was going to take it, or report to
Gen. Mitchell that they refused to administer it. They insisted that he was not a fit subject to take the oath
without bonds; and rebel said he didn't care a d — n; that
Mitchell ordered him to take it, and he was going to obey orders.
One of the officials, (who knew him well) offered to become his security; but he declined most positively.
Finally he was permitted to take the oath without bond, and he went his way. Many other equally ridiculous scenes took place; but the above must suffice as a sample.
The following named citizens of
Nashville were sent North on the 15th May, to be turned adrift north of the
Ohio river, and to remain there during the war:
W. H. Erwin,
Bruce Backner,
C. W. Horton,
Jas. A. McClure,
Dr. Daniel Dunre,
Joseph J. Andrews, E. R Driver, J. L
Ramage,
Jesse D. Stephens,
Wm. Higgins,
Dixon A. Allison, and
Jas. H. Brentley.
In connection with the arrest of
Mr. E. R Driver, the
Journal's special relates the following interesting episode in the career of a reformed Unionist:
‘
Mr. Driver had been arrested some time was re-arrested on Monday, and the following morning was on the train for
Louisville.
I will not attempt to describe the affectionate partings of friends, wives, daughters, sisters, etc.; you can imagine the heart rending scene.
But I must allude to the separation of
Captain Wm. Driver from his son E. R. I must first tell you that
Capt. William, the father, has always been an uncompromising Union man; he is impulsive, determined, honest, and in his heart a good man; when he seems otherwise, it is to be attributed to his head or his strong prejudices in favor of his hobby.
On the evening of his son's arrest he went to the
Capitol, and, as I am informed, demanded to know by whose authority his son was arrested, who was his accuser, and the crime charged against him. --No satisfaction was given him. He then applied to headquarters, with a like result. --Failing in all to obtain his son's release, he went to the deposition Tuesday morning to see him off, when the following took place: Extending his hand, the bluff old captain (he is an old sailor) said: "Good bye, my boy; hold up your head and keep a still upper lip, and
never take the oath of allegiance to a Government that treats you in this way! You may have been wrong, but that does not justify the
Governor in exiling you from your home without any charge having been preferred against you, or any trial being allowed you"
’
Then turning to the crowd, he said: "I have followed that flag all over the world, and it has always afforded me protection; it has always been my pride to say, 'I am an American citizen!' If this is the liberty we are to enjoy — if this is the manner in which American citizens are to be treated, we have worse despotism than ever was seen in
Vienna.
If this is the
Government we have to support and protect, then I say G — d d — n such a Government!
It is a well known fact that I am the only Union man in the city who had the daring, during the rebel term here, to stand up and speak his sentiments." Here the captain was interrupted by the guard, who said: "I see what kind of a Union man you are; you have advised year son not to take the oath of allegiance." Driver replied: "So I do, and if he has the pluck of his old father he will never yield to oppression of any kind.
I have now said all I wish to say." An officer now ordered him to "dry up." Driver replied: "I will not do it, sir; I am a free American citizen, and it has always been my privilege to express my sentiments when and where I pleased.
Who are you, sir?
and from whom do you derive the right to prevent free speech?
We, the people, make shoulder straps and such men as you?" The officer threatened to arrest him. Driver replied, "You are a commissioned officer, in the employment of the United States Government, and I am a citizen, and as such I am superior to you, sir, and I defy you, sir! " Here the whistle sent forth its shrill sound, and the exiles were on their way. If young Driver, or, indeed, any of the above, fall in your way, fail not to make their acquaintance — they are all high toned, honorable men.
The following were sent South on the 6th instant:
ex-Gov. Neill S. Brown,
Dr. John M. Watson,
Dr. John Henry Currey and family, and
Thomas Dedrick.
Never did mortal man try more earnestly to be a Union man than
Neill S. Brown, but the
Union men would not permit it. They required too much — sale of body and soul.
Wm. A. Gleeves,
J. C. Wharton.
Jacob Thomas,
Dr. Thomas B. Buchanan,
Harvey Adkins, and
John Wesley Baker, were sent to Dixis on the 7th inst.
Col. W. P. Bryan.
Dr. J. S. Thomas,
T. W. Barnes,
Rev. J. S. Malons,
Dr. J. S. Hudson, and
Dr. Thomas Prince, were sent South of the
Federal lines on Saturday.
Mr. W. T. Hardy and family were also sent beyond the lines.
Two or three families who had obtained permission to go South left on the same day.
