vile as were their purposes-tainted as they were with treason-the Chief of Police and the Police Board found, in the North, friends and defenders,* who, under the cry of "the Union as it was the Constitution as it is," purposely designed to befriend treason and to give the revolutionists protection. It is true, "the Constitution as it is" rendered every rebel who assailed the United States authority guilty of treason, and therefore amenable to the gallows or to exile, but that feature of the protecting instrument those conservators of Government did not care to impress. Their rallying cry was that of the raven, cawing for its food, rather than the noble outburst of men jealous of their liberties. Kane was released in November, 1862, when he returned to Baltimore. He was held in confinement until the hour was past when his freedom could result in "aid and comfort to the enemy." After his return he published his views and feelings as fol- tempt of every honest man and woman in the land. lows: "To these charges the despotic censorship of the prisons in which I have been kept allowed me no reply; and I can only now promise that in due time and upon a proper occasion Mr. Seward shall hear from me, in a way which will procure for him, if he has not already acquired it, the con "To my Fellow-Citizens of the State of Maryland: "After an incarceration of seventeen months in four of the forts of the United States, now converted by the Government into prisons, which have no similitude but in the Bastile of France, I avail myself of the first moment of my return to my native soil to address a brief word to you. "In this imprisonment I am understood to have been the special victim of Mr. Secretary Seward, who, in concert with his hired minions, has omitted no occasion to heap upon me accusations which he knew to be false, and therefore dared not bring to the ordeal of a public trial. "Without having been held upon any specific charge, I am turned out of prison without any reason being assigned for it; and thus, in my arbitrary arrest and release, I illustrate the most flagrant violation of constitutional liberty. "It would be unbecoming the dignity of the subject to cast abusive epithets upon the author of this gross outrage; but when allowed the opportunity, I pledge myself, under pain of the forfeiture of the good opinion you have always honored me with, to show that all that is bad in a man, unpatriotic in a citizen, and corrupt in an officer, finds itself concentrated in this individual. GEORGE P. KANE "Baltimore, Nov. 29th, 1862." CHAPTER XIII. KENTUCKY LOYAL. TO ACTION OF THE LEGISLATURE. ITS ADDRESS THE PEOPLE. MILITARY SITUATION (SEPTEMBER, 1861.) GENERALS JOHNSTON'S AND BUCKNER'S PROCLAMATIONS. PERSECUTIONS OF LOYAL MEN. ANDERSON'S RETIREMENT. SHERMAN'S ASSUMPTION OF COMMAND. TREASON IN A "CASTLE" OF THE K. C. G's. BRECKENRIDGE'S HIS "ADDRESS. MILITARY OPERATIONS UP TO NOV. FIRST. BATTLE OF WILD CAT. FLIGHT. Kentucky for the Kentucky for the As detailed in Chapter Legislature was a crushing VIII. [pages 317-321], blow. It sent John C. Kentucky safely passed the Breckenridge, Simon Buckcrisis of "neutrality" and entered into the ner and other secession emissaries over to the war for the suppression of the rebellion with enemy. It drew the lines rigidly, and left zeal. The test resolves adopted by the Legis- no choice but to uphold the Constitution and lature [see page 320] rang out with the spirit the laws or to oppose them. The resolves of Old Bell Roland, sending their alarum were quickly followed by legislation for their notes over hills and through vallies to awaken enforcement as well as for making the State in the bosoms of loyal men all the enthusi- assume its share of the National tax. The asm of the Kentuckian heart. To the dis- history of that session of the State legislative loyal element of her people the action of the body is full of interest, and ever will afford ADDRESS OF THE KENTUCKY LEGISLATORS. 871 Kentucky for the the patriotic mind a pleas- | Legislature met, on the first a committee was named to prepare and pub-by assurances from the President of the Confederate “In this extraordinary crisis Address of Legislators we deem it a duty we, your representatives, owe to you and ourselves, to say a few words to you as to the condition of the Commonwealth and the duties we have had to perform. "We have ardently desired peace, and hoped to save Kentucky from the calamities of war. When the Federal authorities deemed it necessary to employ force in self-defense, and to execute the laws of the Government, we assured our Southern neighbors of our purpose not to take up arms voluntarily against them, notwithstanding their wicked attempt to destroy the Government from which we and our fathers have received the greatest benefits. Every effort was made, both before and after the employment of force, to effect some compromise and settlement that would restore the Union and prevent the effusion of blood. "The Federal Government did not insist upon our active aid in furnishing troops, seeming content if we obeyed the laws and executed them upon our own soil. Those engaged in rebellion, however, with hypocritical professions of friendship and respect, planted camps of soldiers all along our Southern border; seized, by military power, the stock on our railroad within their reach, in defiance of chartered rights; impudently enlisted soldiers upon our soil for their camps, whom they ostentatiously marched through their territory. They made constant raids into this State, robbed us of our property, insulted our people, seized some of our citizens and carried them away as prisoners into the Confederate States. Our military was demoralized by the treachery of its chief officer in command, and many of its subordinates. until it became more an arm of the Confederate States than a guard of the State of Kentucky. Thus exposed to wrongs and indignities, with no power prepared to prevent or resent them, some of the citizens of this State formed camps under the Federal Government for the defense and protection of the State of Kentucky. Whatever might have been thought of the policy once, recent events have proved that they were formed none too States that our position should be respected; but the ink was scarcely dry with which the promise was written, when we were startled by the news that our soil was invaded, and towns in the southwest of our State occupied by Confederate armies. The Governor of Tennessee disavowed the act, and protested his innocence of it. His commissioners at Frankfort professed the same innocence of the admitted wrong; but our warnings to leave were only answered by another invasion in the southeast of the State, and a still more direct an deadly assault upon the very heart of the State by way of the Nashville road. These sudden irruptions of such magnitude skilfully directed, show that the assault on Kentucky was preconcerted, prepared and intended, long before. The excuses made by any of them but add insult to injury. We shall not repeat them. They are but excuses for acts intended, without any excuse. The purpose is to remove the theatre of the war from the homes of those who wickedly originated it to those of Kentucky, and to involve this State in the rebellion. This purpose appeared to be well understood in the seceded States. They need the territory of Kentucky, and are determined to have it, if it must be, by blood and conquest. "Thus forced into war, we had no choice but to call on the strong arms and brave hearts of Kentucky to expel the invader from our soil, and to call for the aid of the Federal Government, as we had a right to do under the Federal Constitution. "Our foes would dictate terms to a brave people upon which we can have peace. We are required to join them in their unwarrantable rebellion, become accessory to their crimes, and consent to sacrifice the last hope of permanently upholding repub lican institutions, or meet their invasions as becomes Kentuckians. "We believe we have done our duty to a chivalric people who have forborne long, but will never fail as a last resort to resent an injury and punish an insult. We should hold ourselves unworthy to represent you if we had done less. The only error, we fear is, that we have not been as prompt, you may think, as the occasion demanded. "Thrice have the revolutionists appealed to the ballot box in this State, and thrice have the people expressed, by overwhelming majorities, their determination to stand by the Union and its Government. They have not been active in this war, not from indifference or want of loyalty, but in the hope of bet. "In this condition we found Kentucky when the ter promoting a restoration of the Union, and Address of Legislators. course. The Situation. Washington. It comprised all of the State east of the Cumberland river, excepting a circuit of fifteen miles around Cincinnati, then under command of Major-General Mitchell. Brigadier W. T. Sherman already was on the ground with his brigade, being in checking the rebellion by that and chief control was reOur hope of amicable | tained by the authorities at adjustment, and a desire for peace, led us to forbear, until forbearance has ceased to be a virtue. The attempt to destroy the union of these States we believe to be a crime, not only against Kentucky, but against all mankind. But up to this time we have lef it to others to vindicate, by arms, the integrity of the Government. The Union is not only assailed now, but Kentucky is herself threatened with sub-camp on and around Muldragh's Heights, jugation by a lawless usurpation. The invasion is near Elizabethtown, with an advance on carried on with a ruthless destruction of property, Tunnel Hill, at Clear Creek. The rebel Genand the lives and liberties of our people, that belong | eral, Simon B. Buckner, in considerable force, only to savage warfare. manoeuvered to the west of Louisville, threat"We have no choice but action-prompt and de-ening that city; but the strength of Shercided. Let us show the insolent invaders that Kentucky belongs to Kentuckians, and that Kentucky valor will vindicate Kentucky's honor. We were unprepared because unsuspecting. An insolent and treacherous invader tells the people that their legis lators have betrayed them, and he comes with fire and sword to correct their error, by a crusade against property, liberty and life. "Young men of Kentucky, to arms! to protect the home of your fathers, mothers and sisters. Sound the tocsin on every hill and in every valley, until Kentucky shall drive the insolent invader from her soil." Under the resolves referThe Situation. red to, General Robert Anderson-the hero of Fort Sumter-was called to the command of the loyal forces in the State. The "Department of Kentucky" was created, and Brigadier-General Anderson assumed its management, by proclamation dated September 21st,* though its general *This proclamation read as follows: "Kentuckians: Called by the Legislature of this, my native State, I hereby assume command of this Department. I come to enforce, not to make laws, and, God willing, to protect your property and your lives. The enemies of the coun try have dared to invade our soil. Kentucky is in danger. She has vainly striven to keep peace with her neighbors. Our State is now invaded by those who professed to be her friends, but who now seek to conquer her. No true son of Kentucky can longer hesitate as to his duty to his State and country. The invaders must, and, God wifling, will be expelled. The leader of the hostile forces who now approach, is, I regret to say, a Kentuckian, making war on Kentucky and Kentuckians. Let all past differences of opinion be overlooked. Every one who now rallies to the support of our Union and our State is a friend. Rally then, my countryaround the flag our fathers loved, and which has shield. men, ed us so long. I call you to arms for self-defense, and for "ROBERT ANDERSON, | man's position compelled the rebels to make their permanent base of operations along the line of the railroads diverging at Bowling Green. General Felix Zollicoffer, with six thousand Confederate troops, occupied Cumberland Gap, and advanced to Barboursville, to compel, as he said, the abandonment of the Unionist camp, forming in that section of the State; but, this pretext only covered the real design of retaining that avenue of approach into East Tennessee. A secession journal (the Kentucky Yeoman) thus descanted upon the importance of that point to both parties-uttering views that were conceded forcible and just by those cognizant of the position at that time: "It is for the use of Anderson's column that muskets, artillery and munitions of war are now pouring into Kentucky over the railroads converging from Covington and Louisville. It is for this (the seizure of Cumberland Gap) that camps are commenced at Hoskins' and Crab Orchard and elsewhere; for this that Rousseau's brigade has moved from Indiana into Kentucky; for this that Green Adams is attempting by speeches to rouse the people of the mountains; for this that Lieutenant Nelson, of the navy, is detached for on-shore duty,, to distribute arms in Kentucky, and thus by all these means, by a march through Kentucky, sustained by the Union party of Kentucky, a march of Federal troops from the North, protected in their rear by encampments in Kentucky, composed nominally if not fully, of Kentuckians, that the Federal Government expects General Anderson to achieve the object of obtaining possession of the great line in question. That would be a GENERAL JOHNSTON'S REBEL PROCLAMATION. 373 The Situation. General Johnston's Rebel Proclamation. The rebels were very active pending the progress of the Federal occupation. General Albert S. Johnston, the Confederate commander of the Western Department, issued his proclamation, Sept. 22d, from Memphis, addressed to the people of Kentucky, setting forth the motives which impelled the Confederate armies to occupy the State. He stated that, as the Federal Government had shown its intention to invade the Confederacy over Kentucky soil, in self-defense he was compelled to "enter the State and meet the invasion upon the best line for military operations." He further declared that they (the Confederate authorities) "have thus marched their troops into Kentucky with no hostile intention towards its people; nor do they de sore calamity to the South, | at the several Union camps forming at Louisand, in the end, to the ville, Frankfort, Camp Dick Robinson, SherNorth, also; for it would only result in pro- man's brigade quarters, New Haven and longing the war for the pretended but unat- Henderson. tainable object of reconstructing a shattered Union. Is it asked why the possession of this line from Cumberland Gap to Chattanoga is of so much importance? We answer, because it divides the connection of the parts of the South from each other, separates the Carolinas from Tennessee, Virginia from Tennessee and the Southwestern States, and renders the Confederate States into bundles of fragments, not one of which could support or sustain the other, and of which each, in its turn, may be overwhelmed by a vastly supesior force to any it can, by its own resources, command. With that line in possession, the Federal hope is that East Tennessee will revolt against the State Government and the Confederate States; and in that event the game of John Carlisle & Co. played in Western Virginia, of setting up a bogus Statesire to seek to control their choice in regard to Government, would be played out on a second theatre, inevitably causing civil war in Tennessee, and giving to Scott's basis line and depot of munitions of war all the support derivable from a people as thoroughly subjugated as he could desire. If he can occupy that line he can strike each Slave State cast of the Mississippi on both flanks at the same time. With East Tennessee in hand, he can command a column upon Nashville or Memphis by the navigation of the Cumberland or Mississippi, and at the same time by rail to Clarksville, and to Nashville itself from sev-held (July 1st), gave a clear Union majority eral directions." Militia and State Guards Called Out. The Kentucky State Guard and Militia were called out by act of the Legislature. Brigadier-General Tho's L. Crittenden* issued his proclamation, Sept. 22d, convening them * The Crittenden family afforded an illustration of the painful results of the war. John J. Crittenden, the venerable Congressman, was loyal and true; his son, Thomas L., assumed command of the State militia called out under act of the Legislature; while a second son, became a Brigadier in the rebel ser vice, leading the forces operating against his native State. He eventually was created a Major-General. Several times during the progress of the war, the two brothers led opposing columns. their union with either of the Confederacies, or to subjugate their State or hold its soil against their wishes. On the contrary, they deem it to be the right of the people of Kentucky to determine their own position in regard to the belligerents." It was then stated that the Confederate occupation should be limited by the exigencies of self-defensethat if the State desired to remain neutral the Confederate army should aid it to drive out the lawless intruders, &c., &c. In view of the fact that the last election of over fifty-five thousand-in view of the unconstrained proceedings of the Legislature and the endorsement of its action by the people-this whole document would read strangely, were duplicity and disingenuousness not stamped upon almost every document issued to influence the sentiments and action of the Southern people. General Johnston had a well-won reputation for courage and probity; yet, both were powerless before the demoralization upon which the revoluticu was founded. He is the severest censor who is most conversant with sin: in the general tone of public papers issued by the rebellion's directors, we have the unwitting confession of their own madness. Buckner's Last Epistle. We should give, in justi- | by its people, whenever they undertake to enforce fication of the defection of it against the two belligerents alike. Buckner, J.C.Breckenridge, Humphrey Marshall, ex-Governor Morehead, James B. Clay and other Southern sympathisers, the proclamation of the first named person to his late constituents. It was designed both as a justification and a plea for the Southern cause: "TO THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY: "The Legislature of Kentucky have been faithless to the will of the people. They have endeavored to make your gallant State a fortress, in which, under the guise of neutrality, the armed forces of the United States might secretly prepare to subjugate alike the people of Kentucky and the Southern States. It was not until after three months of covert and open violation of your neutrality, with large encampments of Federal troops on your territory, and a recent official declaration of the President of the United States not to regard your neutral position coupled with a well prepared scheme to seize an additional point in your territory, which was of such vital importance to the safety and defense of Tennessee that the troops of the Southern Confederacy, on the invitation of the people of Kentucky, occupied a defensive post in your State. In doing so the commander announced his purpose to evacuate your territory simultaneously with a similar movement on the part of the Federal forces, whenever the Legislature of Kentucky shall undertake to enforce against both belligerents the strict neutrality which they have so often declared. I return among you, citizens of Kentucky, at the head of a force, the advance of which is composed entirely of Kentuckians. We do not come to molest any citizen, whatever may be his political opinion. Unlike the agents of the Northern despotism, who seek to reduce us to the condition of dependent vassals, we believe that the recognition of the civil rights of citizens is the foundation of constitutional liberty; and that the claim of the President of the United States to declare martial law, to suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, and to convert every barrack and prison in the land into a Bastile, is nothing but the claim which other tyrants have assumed to subjugate a free people. The Confederate States occupy Bowling Green as a defensive position. I renew the pledges of commanders of other columns of Confederate troops to retire from the territory of Kentucky on the same conditions which will govern their movements. I further give you my own assurance that the force under my own command will be used as an aid to the government of Kentucky in carrying out the strict neutrality desired "S. B. BUCKNER, Brigadier-General C. S. A. "BOWLING GREEN, Sept. 18th, 1861." The Situation. This, it will be observed, makes the same general plea for the Confederate occupation which Governor Harris and General Johnston urged. They forgot to recur to the fact of Pillow's large army at New Madrid, with Jeff Thompson's five thousand men above it-both menacing Cairo and St. Louis. Johnston claimed that self-protection compelled his advance into Kentucky: what compelled Grant's occupation of Paducah, and Sherman's advance down the Louisville and Nashville railroad? The Confederates did not care to answer. But, Zollicoffer was, at the very date of these sounding addresses, pressing his way into Kentucky, seizing her Union citizens, eating Confederate Devasta tion. of their substance and carrying terror all along the southeastern border; while Kentucky had, for weeks, been given up to a species of persecution which rendered a Union man's life and property worth but little. Great and pressing was the call for help from that quarter many days before relief came— Polk and Pillow held sway too long in that region for its good. Kentucky's own citizens are the best witnesses on this point. They were made to feel how shamelessly false were the Confederate professions of protection and immunity from persecution. The Federal army truly came as a deliverer which even those of quondam secession proclivities were glad to welcome. Time will but vindicate the wisdom, even in a selfish view, of the course pursued by that Legislature which a recreant son had the cffrontery to characterize as "faithless to the will of the people."* To vindicate the truth we may cite a single case of hundreds which occurred at the period under notice. Judge R. K. Williams fled from Mayfield to escape the outrages visited upon Union men. One of the rebel commanders thus advertised the fugitive: "MAYFIELD, Oct. 7th, 1861. "Whereas, R. K. Williams has fled from his county and has gone over to the enemy, and has endeavored, as far as in him lay, to introduce among the good people of Jackson's Purchase a band of cut throats, robbers and murderers: and whercas, the said R. K. Williams keeps himself within Pa |