egram lying there. My men must leave here before daylight to-morrow. Will send messenger to find Jillson, and, if possible, get him to join my force at Clayton, Rabun County. My force may be too small, but to remain here is hazardous. There will be no failure on my account. Have made every point so far, and did not expect to fail to meet Collector Brayton's force to-day, which I understood was ready on Monday last. ANDREW CLARK, Collector. [Telegram.] MOUNT AIRY, GA., January 20, 1880. Hon. GREEN B. RAUM, Commissioner Internal Revenue: I have just arrived from Clayton, Rabun County, en route for Atlanta. Force from South Carolina joined my men at Clayton. The force that left Toccoa on the 15th seized four distilleries, but were bushwhacked all the way to Clayton. We lost no men. I am now policing the county thoroughly, and will visit every corner of it if guides do not fail me. I hope the special force from South Carolina may be continued in service, as there is plenty of work for them. Will inform you if I get news from the men in Towns and Union on reaching Atlanta. All works well. ANDREW CLARK, Collector. In view of the hostility and determined attitude assumed by the illicit distillers I had, as will be perceived by the foregoing correspondence, directed Collector Clark to employ a force sufficiently strong to overcome all resistance, without bloodshed, if possible. The officers employed for this work were divided into two parties, one under the direction of Deputy Collector Hendrix, which assembled at Ellijay, in Gilmer County, to move through Fannin, Union, and Towns Counties into Rabun County, where the most desperate resistance had recently been offered. It was arranged that Deputy Collector Hendrix's party should, at some point in Rabun, effect a junction with a force under Deputy Collector Shepard which assembled at Toccoa and proceeded to Clayton, in Rabun County, where he was joined by a squad of eight officers under Deputy Collector Jillson from Collector Brayton's South Carolina district, who was directed to co-operate with Collector Clark in the counties bordering upon that State, the object being to thoroughly police the counties of Union, Towns, Rabun, and others immediately adjoining, and to seize all illicit stills and secure the arrest of the persons operating them. The following reports give in detail the movements and operations of the officers. Jan. 22. Collector Clark reports the movements of Deputy Collectors Hendrix and Wilson in Union and Towns Counties. Jan. 21. Letter of Collector Clark reporting operations of his deputy collectors in Union, Towns, and Rabun Counties. Jan. 29. Collector Clark reports the seizure of six illicit stills in Rabun County. Feb. 1. Collector Clark reports the result of operations in the northeastern counties of his district. Feb. 4. Collector Clark reports operations in Towns, Union, and Rabun Counties. Resistance by illicit distillers; acts of violence against witnesses. Feb. 17. Collector Clark incloses reports of Deputy Collectors Hendrix, Ware, Wilson, Murray, and Brown, giving result of their operations and condition of affairs, and acts of violence by illicit distillers in the northeastern counties of Georgia. [Telegram.] ATLANTA, GA., January 22, 1880. Hon. GREEN B. RAUM, Commissioner Internal Revenue: Deputies Hendrix and Wilson formed junction in Gilmore County, 18th instant; report seizure of large illicit distillery and destruction of 3,000 gallons beer and mash. No resistance in that quarter as yet. Combined forces moving forward without difficulty, and men conducting themselves in a most commendable manner. Good citizens lend aid and give encouragement to officers in every way they can consistently with due regard for their personal safety. ANDREW CLARK, Collector. UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE Collector's Office, SIR: Having started twelve men from this point on 14th instant in charge of Deputy Collector Hendrix, with instructions to proceed to Blairsville, Union County, policing en route the counties of Cherokee, Gilmer, and Fannin, I went at once to Gainsville. Learning while there that it would be doubtful whether the South Carolina force could be ready to move soon enough to form a junction with Deputy Hendrix's force north of the mountains, as arranged, I immediately dispatched Deputy Collector Wilson with fifteen good men to join Deputy Hendrix's party at Ellijay, Gilmer County, and thus render him sufficient aid to enable him to act independent of assistance in the event the re-enforcements failed to make connections. I then proceeded to Toccoa City and started Deputy Collector Shepard for Clayton with a good force, with orders to work cautiously through Rabun County. I then went to Walhalla, S. C., and accompanied Deputy Collector Jillson's force from there to Clayton, Ga., where we arrived on the 18th and met Deputy Shepard's party. En route from Toccoa City to Clayton, Deputy Shepard's force seized four illicit stills, one of them within four miles of the famous "Berrong" settlement, in Towns County. Owing to the guides' miscalculation as to distance to the last distillery seized the force was delayed twelve hours in reaching Clayton. They were out eighty-five hours without sleep, having worked all night on the 15th making seizures. On the morning of the 16th, firing began on the party from the mountain sides and was kept up at intervals all day; but the long-range carbines carried by the revenue officers kept their assailants at such a distance that no one was hurt. Soon after nightfall the party felt compelled to halt for the night, as the firing was so continuous that it was impossible to proceed without being placed at great disadvantage with their resisters, who could have approached in the darkness near enough to have made their weapons effectual. The revenue officers took possession of an old stable in the valley in which to spend the night, but the owner soon informed them they could not occupy it. They then moved to an old outbuilding farther down the valley, and soon after they had taken possession of this the firing commenced on them from all sides. The deputy then deployed his men around and at some distance from the quarters, H. Ex. 62-2 for the purpose of protecting his stock, and had his men to return fire wherever they saw the flash of a gun, and at once change position slightly, so as to deceive their antagonists as to their numbers. This state of things continued during the entire night without intermission, the illicit distillers at times venturing to approach within close range and discharge their pieces at the spots where they supposed the revenue officers were concealed. At daylight the party moved on toward Clayton with comparatively little opposition, and reached there almost simultaneous with deputy marshal's posse from Gainsville and force under Deputy Collector Jillson from South Carolina. Deputy Jillson's force is composed of first-rate men, well mounted and equipped. The guides from "Dark Corners" in Rabun County, who were to have met us on Sunday, 18th, in Clayton, failed to report, owing to the "reign of terror" which exists in that section; and I doubt our ability to make further seizures until other guides can be secured. The combined forces begin immediately a thorough policing of the infested sections, accompanied by a deputy United States marshal, with a large number of warrants for violators of law in that county, and, while the immediate results may not be very satisfactory, I feel assured that the presence of so large and respectable a force of revenue officers there will serve to impress the people with the power of the government to protect its officers and enforce the law at any hazard. Lest it should be noticed that the deputy United States marshal's posse from Gainesville reached Clayton without opposition, I will state that it was not the marshal's purpose to attempt any arrests until after the respective forces had united, and he therefore studiously avoided en route the localities in which he had warrants to serve, and traveled by circuitous routes in order to throw off suspicion and deceive the people as to his destination or purposes. So far as my observation and experience extend, the illicit distillers respect neither politics nor persons in their opposition to law. The latest advices from Deputy Hendrix's party are dated Canton, Cherokee County, 2 a. m. 15th instant. He reports that, owing to failure of guides to meet him as per appointment, no stills were seized in either Cherokee or Cobb Counties. He, however, reports the seizure of a "blockade" team with two casks of spirits in transport, and the arrest by the marshals of two notorious violators of law, one of whom subsequently escaped. In the mean time my deputies have been at work elsewhere in the district. Deputy Pool reports the seizure of two illicit stills in Walker County, and Deputy Post is doing good service on the line of Georgia and Alabama. Whether I succeed in capturing stills or not (this I will, of course strenuously endeavor to do), I now have matters in such shape as to make the business of violating the law extremely hazardous for some time to come, and I propose to make the best use possible of the means in hand. I returned home last night via Mount Airy, on the Air-line Railroad, having been accompanied over the most dangerous part of the road by a detachment from the force at Clayton. I will communicate with you as often as practicable. Very respectfully, Hon. GREEN B. RAUM, Commissioner, &c., Washington, D. C. ANDREW CLARK, Collector. [Telegram.] ATLANTA, GA., January 29, 1880. Hon GREEN B. RAUM, Commissioner Internal Revenue: Deputy Shepard, in charge of raiding force in Rabun County, just reports seizure six distilleries since 21st instant; 3,000 gallons beer and mash destroyed. Revenue officers have the county under control. ANDREW CLARK, Collector. SIR: After leaving Ellijay, Gilmer County, on the 19th instant, the combined forces of Deputies Hendrix and Wilson proceeded on toward their destination. On reaching Morgantown, Fannin County, Deputy Hendrix, as was previously ar ranged, delivered to John A. Stewart, esq., his commission as deputy collector, and my instructions to him to take charge of Fannin, Union, and Towns Counties, which comprise my new transmountain division. Deputy Stewart immediately joined the raiding force, and the sheriff of Fannin County, who is his friend, accompanied the party through that county, rendering them assistance, for which he received compensation, and promising to exert his influence to suppress lawlessness in his section. A few good citizens gave promises of moral support to the officers of the government, but it is a noticeable fact that these expressions do not generally find vent except at times when the power of the government to enforce its laws is manifested in force, and vigorous measures are on foot looking to that end. Passing out of Fannin, the officers began to encroach upon some illicit strongholds in Union County, known as "Ivy Log" and Choeston. Here, although accompanied by guides, the revenue officers made no seizures, as it appears the news of their approach preceded them, thus enabling the distillers to pull out their stills and hide them away in the woods. Groups of armed men were frequently met in the roads and seen upon the bluffs near the road-side, occasionally assuming very threatening attitudes, but not venturing to attack my officers. It is and has long been obvious that the presence of a goodly number of carbines in the hands of cool and determined men exerts a very soothing influence upon the average "moonshiner," and in these instances it was this fact alone which deterred resistance and prevented bloodshed; for it was clearly apparent (if hostile demonstrations mean anything) that there was no lack of disposition on the part of the law-breakers to precipitate a collision under circumstances favorable to them. The force moved forward, policing as they went, through Union and into Towns County. When Hiawassee, the county site of Towns, was reached, matters assumed a more serious and threatening aspect than at any time previous on the trip. Just before arriving at Hiawassee a suspicious-looking person was seen riding a horse which several of the party recognized as the property of the famous "Berrong," and from his movements it was decided that he was carefully estimating the strength of the raiding force. The deputies immediately began to collect information and take notes of the condition of affairs with a view to determining the proper course to pursue under the circumstances. It was at length determined by the officer in charge that Berrong's support consisted of not less than 100 sturdy men, well armed, and with all the advantages of a strong defensive position in their favor; and after consultation Deputies Hendrix, Wilson, and Brown decided the revenue force was rather weak to cope with such heavy odds, (being less than 40 effective men). After surveying the field in all its bearings Deputy Hendrix decided not to attempt to carry out the details of our plans in relation to the "Berrong" settlement, and the force was accordingly brought out of Towns County to Gainesville, from which point, to my utter suprise, Deputy Hendrix telegraphed me to come up by first train. Í went to Gainesville on the 25th ultimo, and after hearing the representations of Deputy Hendrix, the officer in charge, and other officers, I decided to disband the force and await intelligence from the deputy, Mr. Stewart, before making an effort to dislodge "Berrong," the outlaw, and his followers, who have thus for the third time defeated my plans for the capture of his illicit distilleries. Deputy Hendrix assigned as an additional reason for his sudden withdrawal from Towns County that Deputy Shepard's force from Toccoa had penetrated the mountains to within a few miles of the "Berrong" settlement and thoroughly "stirred them up." This movement on his part I regret, as my arrangements were complete to have Berrong" stirred up" from both sides of the mountains at the same time. The force under Deputy Hendrix traversed the counties of Cobb, Cherokee, Gilmer, Fannin, Pickens, Union, Towns, Lumpkin, and Dawson. The results of this trip as to seizures were one large distillery and one team conveying illicit spirits. Deputy United States marshals accompanied this force and made some arrests. In the mean time Deputy Shepard, with his force in Rabun County, was pushing matters vigorously and effectively; and, although formidably opposed on every hand, was accomplishing the best of results, penetrating the illicit strongholds and destroying stills. This officer reached Toccoa on the 29th and disbanded his force for the present. The results of operations by Deputy Shepard's force in Rabun County are (partially) the seizure of eleven illicit distilleries and the destruction of over 7,000 gallons of mash, beer, low wines, &c. Several arrests were made by deputy marshals who accompanied this force a portion of the time. Deputy Shepard in his official report speaks in the highest terms of the force sent by Collector Brayton to assist him, characterizing them as worthy gentlemen and most excellent officers. From my personal intercourse with this force I can fully concur in Deputy Shepard's views. The general results of this combined movement cannot now be determined, but I trust and believe they will all tend to improve the condition of affairs in my immediate district and to benefit the service generally. It is to be regretted that the employment of armed force should be necessary to protect the officers of the government in the discharge of their official duties and deter armed resistance to the enforcement of the law in any State of this United States; and I hope the time will soon come when such measures will be rendered unnecessary by the peaceable and law-abiding attitude of the citizens. The respective forces while out on duty conducted themselves in a most creditable and becoming manner-gentlemanly and officer-like in their bearing and faithful in the discharge of every duty required of them. I sincerely regret being called upon to inform you that J. M. Starnes, a member of Deputy Hendrix's raiding party, lost his life through the accidental discharge of a carbine in the hands of a friend. They were riding side by side in the road, each of them having his piece lying across his saddle in front of his body. The cause of the discharge cannot be clearly determined, but it is believed to have been purely accidental. The ball took effect in the thigh, completely shattering the bone. The accident occurred in Towns County, and a surgeon had to be procured in Gainesville, who, when he arrived on the scene, found that amputation was necessary, as mortification had already taken place. The limb was accordingly amputated at the hip, but the poor fellow died shortly after the operation was completed. Mr. Starnes was at one time a deputy United States marshal, and has done some good service for the revenue department. He was a resident of Atlanta. Very respectfully, Hon. GREEN B. RAUM, Commissioner, &c., Washington, D. C. ANDREW CLARK, Collector. UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE, COLLECTOR'S OFFICE, SECOND DISTRICT OF GEORGIA, Atlanta, Ga., February 4, 1880. SIR: I have the honor to report the following seizures during the month of January 1880, viz: Nineteen illicit distilleries, and about 20,000 gallons of mash and beer (the latter destroyed for want of transportation); 200 gallons of crooked whisky; 4 wagons; 8 head of horses and mules engaged in removing the illicit whisky. One of these teams, one illicit distillery, and 15 gallons of illicit whisky was seized by Deputy Collector John C. Hendrix, who was in charge of one of the detachments of the raiding force during the month of January. Deputy Hendrix reports that the distillers had been notified of his coming and pulled out their stills, which accounts for the small number of stills seized by his force. Twelve of the nineteen stills were seized by Deputy Collector W. O. H. Shepard, who was in charge of the other detachment of the raiding force; and the seizures were made under very trying circumstances, the officers having met with armed resistance by the law-breakers, who ambushed them at every turn of the road during the entire trip, and only by the use of the long-range carbines were the officers enabled to police the country without the loss of life. It will be remembered that it was in this county (Rabun), only a few months ago, that I had three revenue officers wounded on one trip, and the large force with superior arms prevented the re-occur.rence of these outrages on revenue officers. The other six of the nineteen distilleries, three wagons, six head of stock, and 185 gallons of illicit whisky, were seized by other officers, and at other times, during the month. While the number of seizures for this month is smaller than for the same period of last year, the cost of seizure is somewhat greater, owing to the remote sections in which the stills were located, and the armed resistance of the distillers, who were confined to narrower limits, and had grouped their stills in mountain gorges in order to act in concert to resist revenue officers. This was particularly the case in Towns, Union, and Rabun Counties, where small numbers of officers were almost invariably fired upon, and in many instances driven out by superior numbers of illicit distillers. While there have been fewer violations of law in some parts of my district (in fact I have entirely put a stop to illicit distilling in large sections), in other counties there is little, if any improvement; the law-breakers resorting to not only armed resistance, but to assassinating men whom they suspect of giving information to revenue officers. I call to mind an instance where a stranger came to me for employment as informer, and was sent to locate stills, and return in fifteen days. He did not return, and about four weeks afterwards I noticed in a newspaper that an unknown man had been found in the woods with his head severed from the body, and otherwise mutilated in a bar |