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

Never within the memory of the “oldest inhabitant” have there been more beautiful fields of wheat than bless East-Tennessee to-day. We heard it said when stampeding was going on that there would be no labor in the country to plant a crop. The Register, it was said, by its ultra course was driving the Lincolnites out of East-Tennessee and when the Lincolnites were driven out there was no labor left to plant a crop for this season. The result is, that there has been more wheat planted in East-Tennessee, and, by the blessing of providence, a greater crop, than ever was known. On every plain, on every hill, the grain stands up healthful and heavy — the big ears are crying for the reapers. Now, all through our land there is going up a wail that there is not labor enough to save this great crop which God has vouchsafed us. General Beauregard has been addressed in Georgia, has been solicited to let the soldiers go home to reap their wheat, that their wives and children may not starve. General Beauregard, as far as we can learn, has not responded to the cries of the soldiers' wives.

In East-Tennessee we are more fortunate. We have a large force here in our nitre and mining bureau; good, trusty fellows, who under Captain Finnie's direction, have been digging villainous saltpetre out of the bowels of the earth. In consideration of their delving in caves and boiling nitrous earth, they have been exempted from conscription. They have done good service for the Confederacy. Captain Finnie, through their aid, has shipped innumerable barrels of nitre to the confederate powder-mill. But now the question arises, how is our great crop of wheat to be saved? It was suggested to the commander of this department that the nitre brigade might render essential service in this matter. General Buckner, being a practical man as well as a valiant soldier, has consented that the nitre men shall have a furlough during harvest, not only to gather their own crops, but to assist their neighbors, and especially the wives and children of soldiers who are in the army.

We have no doubt that under the regulation which Captain Finnie will adopt, the nitre brigade will do good service in the ensuing harvest.

Some of our tory friends, whose wheat-fields, contrary to their expectations, give promise of an enormous yield, have raised the cry that there is no labor to reap the unprecedented crop that blesses the land, and therefore have turned their stock into their wheat fields. They have the right to do as they please in regard to their own fields; we have only to say that we think they have not acted prudently or wisely. There was labor enough in the country to plant a great crop in spite of all the croakers, and we venture to say there is labor enough to save the crop in East-Tennessee, great as it is.

General Buckner has acted very promptly in view of the emergency, and we have reason to believe that the measures he has taken will be ample to meet all the requirements of the season.