ngs. The men for the mere avowal of their
attachment to the Union flag and the Constitution were hunted like deer,
and if caught, murdered in cold blood. Most of them managed, though with
great peril, to escape to the Union army, where they became valuable
soldiers, and by their thorough knowledge of the country and their skill
in wood-craft rendered important service as scouts and pioneers.
Whenever they escaped the Rebels visited them, their houses were
plundered, their cattle and other live stock seized, and if the house
was in a Rebel neighborhood or in a secluded situation, it was burned
and the wife and children driven out penniless, and often maltreated,
outraged or murdered. If they escaped with their lives they were obliged
to hide in the caves or woods by day, and travel often hundreds of miles
by night, to reach the Union lines. They came in, wearied, footsore, in
rags, and often sick and nearly dead from starvation. When they reached
Nashville, or Knoxville after it came into our possession, they were in
need of all things; shelter, food, clothing, medicine and care. A few of
them were well educated; the majority were illiterate so far as book
knowledge was concerned, but intelligent and thoughtful on the subject
of loyalty and the war; not a few were almost reduced to a state of
fatuity by their sufferings, and seemed to have lost all distinct
consciousness of what was occurring around them. Nashville and Knoxville
a little later, Memphis, Cairo, St. Louis, and Louisville swarmed with
these poor loyal people, and efforts were made in each city to aid them.
In the Northern cities large contributions of money and clothing were
made for their relief. In Boston, Edward Everett, ever ready to aid the
suffering, gave the great influence of his name, as well as his personal
efforts, (almost the last act of his well-spent life) in raising a
liberal fund for their help. In New York, Brooklyn and other cities,
efforts were made which resulted in large contributions. In
Philadelphia, Mrs. M. M. Hallowell, a lady of high position and great
energy, appealed to the public for aid for these unfortunate people, and
Governor Curtin and many other State and National official personages,
gave their influence and contributions to the work. A large amount of
money and stores having been collected, Mrs. Hallowell and a committee
of ladies from Philadelphia visited Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga
and Huntsville to distribute thei