| Notes |
- History of the Thirteenth Regiment, Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry, U.S.A.
DEATH OF JAMES GILLILAND.
"James Gilliland, a citizen of Johnson county, lived in a
back settlement, near the foot of the Iron mountain, and
seemed to be an inoffensive man. The writer of this brief
sketch was well acquainted with him from boyhood days, and
never hearing of any complaint against him thought it a safe
place to stop and rest and take refreshments while hiding
from the rebels. In order to induce me to remain with him a
few days he told me that 'a rebel had never been on his
place.' He also said 'he let them alone and they let him
alone.' I thought this good enough. I changed my clothing
there and took dinner with him, feeling myself perfectly
safe according to his view. He got my consent to stay some
days with him, assuring me there was no danger whatever. I
remained with him till late in the evening, same day, when
some neighbor happened along and influenced me to go with
him to where old Col. Sam. Howard was lying out under the
foot of Doe mountain. In this way I found Col Howard in his
winter quarters in a dense laurel thicket near the public
road.
I took up lodging with him for the night, and the Colonel
appeared much pleased to have me abide with him in his
lonely domicile. This was only about four (4) miles from
where I had left my friend Gilliland. During the night we
heard horsemen passing the road and the next morning Mrs.
Howard brought our breakfast to us and gave us the startling
information that Gilliland had been killed the previous
night ! It would not be unjust to state the particulars of
this murder, for it was a murder in the first degree,
•unthout provocation or palliation, as I have been reliably
informed. It would be unjust to give it a coloring the facts
do not justify, and this I would not dare to do, in this or
similar cases. I have no disposition to cast a stain, either
upon the living or the memory of the dead.
"Samuel McQueen, a prominent rebel sympathizer, and active
rebel citizen, and others of his class, had a special hatred
towards old Andrew Potter, an uncompromising Union man, and
his associates. It was supposed that Potter might be in the
neighborhood of James Gillilands, McQueen, and the so-called
Johnson county 'Home Guards,' made a sudden descent on
Gilliland's home about daylight on the morning in question.
Potter was in the house and saw them coming close to the
house. It seemed impossible for him to escape, as they were
so nearly upon him, but believing it meant death in any
case, he split the air like a cyclone under a shower of
bullets as thick as hail stones, he jumped fences like a
buck with a troop of hounds in pursuit and made good his
escape into the Iron mountain. Potter gave account
afterwards that as he went over fences one bullet chpped his
little finger.
"But poor James Gilliland had to atone and make expiation
for Potter's escape! The soidisant 'Home Guards,' fraught
with madness and disappointment, determined to have blood
and shot poor Gilliland down w'ithout a moment's
hesitation— without a word— without explanation, and
without mercy! They knew not for what purpose they killed
Gilliland!
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Abt 1825 - Abt 1865 (~ 40 years)
