On this day 152 years ago the telegraph lines were abuzz across Tennessee. The report below is indicative of the those wires. KNOXVILLE, November 9, 1861. Hon. J.P. BENJAMIN: Two large bridges on my road were burned last night about 12 oclock; also one bridge on the East Tennessee and Georgia Railroad at the same time, and an effort made to burn the largest bridge on my road. There is great excitement along the whole line of road, and evidence that the Union party are organizing and preparing to destroy or take possession of the whole line from Bristol and Chattanooga, and unless the Government is very prompt in giving us the necessary military aid, I much fear the result. The only hope for protection must be from the Government. Unless the Government gives us the necessary aid and protection at once, transportation over my road of army supplies will be an utter impossibility. It cannot be done. We have arrested four of the individuals engaged in burning one bridge, and know who burned another, but for want of the necessary military force fear we cannot arrest them. JOHN R. BRANNER, President East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad. - O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME IV [S# 4] CHAPTER XII. p230
Posted on: Sat, 09 Nov 2013 21:31:57 +0000
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