East Tennessee.
the ball opened — change of sentiment — arrest of another Trailer — resources and magnificent future for Tennessee.
[correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.]
After the June election, it was thought best by our military leaders here to pursue a conciliatory course, and thus to induce many to see that it was to their interest to unite with the State. No doubt it had a salutary effect. But it was not to be permitted by the Union leaders to be successful. They were at work, silently and quietly, mustering together in civil districts what they called Home Guards; and it is currently reported, and confidently believed, that Maynard mustered many of these organized bands into the service of the United States.
Our election of August 1st over, Gen. F. K. Zollicoffer was appointed to this Military District, and at once quite a fluttering is seen among the adherents of Lincoln; so that, as I said, matters have approached a crisis.
In view of a threatened invasion through Kentucky, it was deemed best some time ago to order to the most important gaps in the Kentucky line some of our Southern troops. We could hear of arms and ammunition being sent into Kentucky for the Union men of East Tennessee, and the precautionary step was not ill-advised. There are said to be at least 10,000 stand of arms at convenient distances along the line within the territory of Kentucky, and for some time squads of Unionists from East Tennessee have been leaving on foot, and passing through the mountains along cow paths. But no interception was accomplished until the last week. Then it was learned that Capt. Thornburg, of Union county, was attempting a passage with 80 men, armed with pikes, knives and rifles, to unite with Lincoln; and it is said that he holds a Lieut. Colonel's commission from Lincoln.--Capt. Ashby, of the gallant Ashby family, was detached with 200 men to intercept him, which he did, arresting the traitorous Captain, several of their men, besides taking their horses and a large lot of their weapons. The pikes are dangerous looking instruments, consisting of spears fixed firmly in long hickory handles, ten feet long — a small streamer of red and white attached to the spear end of the staff. Capt. Thornburg begged hard for his freedom, promising loudly to stand up for the South. He will probably make you a visit ere long, as soon as he recovers from his wounded neck.
And now we hear of another tragedy, which yesterday aroused us to the utmost. It was the information that McDermott, of Athens, while out as a scout in Fentress county, was killed by some Lincolnites assassin. Burch Cooke, Esq., of Athens, in less than six hours, was at the head of 200 men and on his march for Fentress; and in the confident belief that Federal forces are to attempt a passage into East Tennessee, a reinforcement of 500 men, under Col. Battle, together with Capt. Rutledge's Flying Artillery, has been ordered somewhere in that direction. East Tennesssee will wipe out the stain upon her honor before many weeks, and will show to the South that her citizens are true men, and not cravens.
Goronwy.
