Because this article mentions Paducah (and is a reprint from a Louisvile paper), I thought this might be of interest to those doing Tennessee--Kentucky Research. It came from Ancestry.com's daily newsletter [free, even if you don't subscribe to Ancestry.com] You might forward it to other lists to which you subscribe. E.W.Wallace From the "New York Times" (New York, N.Y.), 16 December 1861, page 3: THE REFUGEES FROM TENNESSEE Correspondence of the Louisville Journal Paducah, Ky., Monday, Dec. 9, 1861 Gentlemen: Within the past week, about on hundred men have come in from the bordering counties of Tennessee. They represent matters as in a terrible condition in their sections of the country. The unity of the people for separation, and the military despotism of the South, seems to be a myth, a fancy, a falsehood. They say that there is a large part of the people all over the State that are, and have ever been for the Union; that, notwithstanding their seeming submission, if the time ever arrives for them to assert their sentiments, they will be found in full unison with loyalty and patriotism. They are expecting at least one thousand to fifteen hundred to arrive here in a few days. It is thought that about that number will come from Weakley County. It is reported that the Union men are in open revolt in that county against the authorities, and a collision is anticipated. The order to draft every second man subject to military duty, had reached them, and they will not submit to its execution. Several who have arrived here were drafted and ordered to rendezvous at their county seats, but preferred Paducah. Indeed, in places, so little regard for law or justice prevails, that a committee will take the muster-rolls, and name the men who shall go, and then summon them to appear at the county seat at such a time, and to bring with them three days' provisions, and a gun, pistol, pitchfork, or grubbing hoe. . . ____________________________________________________________________ PS My ancestor who lived in Bath Co., KY and his wife during this period had one son who was a Union sympathizer. He and his wife executed a deed alloting their property to all their children, except that one. Later, I understand that son was taken into the fold again. EWW