| From the Richmond Examiner |
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| November 15, 1861 |
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| {Burning of the Bridges in Tennessee} |
| Nashville, Tenn, Nov. 12 |
| Five railroad bridges were
burnt in East Tennessee, on Friday night last, by the Union men. Two of
these were on the Georgia State road {Western &
Atlantic RR}, over Chicamanga creek, in Hamilton county. On the
East Tennessee & Georgia railroad, over the Hiwassee river, in Brooke
county. Five minutes after the guard passed through the latter bridge
the structure was in flames, clearly showing that some rapid combustible
material was used. Two of the bridges on the East Tennessee & Virginia
railways were destroyed. One bridge was over Lick Creek, in Greene
county, and another over the Holston river, in Sullivan county. The
guards at Lick creek were unarmed and overwhelmed, and were tied and
carried away, and kept off until sometime during the day on Saturday.
Three men have been arrested whom the guard identify. |
| The bridge over the Holston
river was not guarded, as Sullivan county is known to be strongly in
favor of the Confederate Government. |
| The bridge over the Holston
river at Strawberry Plains, in Jefferson county, was set on fire, but
the fire was put out by the people. The guard had one hand cut off and
his skull fractured. |
| The indications are that one
of the incendiaries was killed. |
| A gentleman just from East
Tennessee reports that great excitement prevails there in consequences
of the evidently preconcerted plan which these bridge-burners evince to
destroy property and prevent supplies from passing on to our army. The
loss is heavy, and will cause much inconvenience and delay. |
| Matters in East Tennessee are
regarded as in a critical condition, and much anxiety is felt for
General Zollicoffer and his forces. |
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