Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
affairs in East Tennessee.
Morristown,Tenn., June 20, 1861.
As I see your valuable paper is open to communication from all quarters, I have concluded to drop you a few lines from this point.
We, in East Tennessee, are in a great state of anxiety about what action the Greenville Union Convention will take, as upon it depends whether we have peace or war in East Tennessee.
I am informed, upon reliable authority, that a prominent member of the Convention, and a leading Unionist in East Tennessee, states there are four in the Convention for rebellion where there is one against it; if so, we may expect warm times in East Tennessee.
A large majority of the Unionists in East Tennessee would be willing to submit to the action of the State, if let alone by their leaders; but Johnson, Nelson, Maynard & Co., seem determined upon our destruction.--A terrible retribution awaits them.
Nelson and Maynard are the controlling spirits of the Convention — they can direct it for weal or woe; we wait the result.
If they decide for war against Tennessee, they shall have it to their heart's content.
Johnson has gone into Kentucky, via Cumberland Gap.
On his route, he told the Union men of Claiborne county to hold out; he would have them arms and men to help them in a short time.
What his plans are, we can only surmise; but rest assured our party in East Tennessee is wide awake. J. N. S.
