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Description:
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Portrait of William Gannaway Brownlow in front of the Union flag. The words "Knoxville, April 22, 1861. / Gen. Gideon J. Pillow. - I have just received your message, through Mr. Sale, requesting me to serve as chaplain to your brigade in the Southern Army: and in the spirit of kindness in which this request is made, but in all candor, I return for an answer, that when I shall have made up my mind to go to hell, I will cut my throat and go direct, and not travel round by way of the Southern Confederacy. I am, very respectfully &c., W. G. Brownlow." appear to the right of the image. The words "Published by Jas. Gates, Cincinnati" appear to the left of the image. Brownlow was pro-slavery, anti-seccesionist leader in eastern Tennessee. He later became governor of and, later still, senator from Tennessee during the Reconstruction era. |
