Professional Documents
Culture Documents
(Download PDF) Kappa Distributions Theory and Applications in Plasmas George Livadiotis Eds Online Ebook All Chapter PDF
(Download PDF) Kappa Distributions Theory and Applications in Plasmas George Livadiotis Eds Online Ebook All Chapter PDF
(Download PDF) Kappa Distributions Theory and Applications in Plasmas George Livadiotis Eds Online Ebook All Chapter PDF
Theory and
Applications in Plasmas George
Livadiotis (Eds.)
Visit to download the full and correct content document:
https://textbookfull.com/product/kappa-distributions-theory-and-applications-in-plasma
s-george-livadiotis-eds/
More products digital (pdf, epub, mobi) instant
download maybe you interests ...
https://textbookfull.com/product/spatiotemporal-random-fields-
second-edition-theory-and-applications-george-christakos/
https://textbookfull.com/product/handbook-of-statistical-
distributions-with-applications-second-edition-krishnamoorthy/
https://textbookfull.com/product/the-physics-of-laser-plasmas-
and-applications-volume-1-physics-of-laser-matter-interaction-
hideaki-takabe/
https://textbookfull.com/product/low-frequency-waves-in-space-
plasmas-1st-edition-keiling/
Computer Science Theory and Applications 15th
International Computer Science Symposium in Russia CSR
2020 Yekaterinburg Russia June 29 July 3 2020
Proceedings Henning Fernau
https://textbookfull.com/product/computer-science-theory-and-
applications-15th-international-computer-science-symposium-in-
russia-csr-2020-yekaterinburg-russia-
june-29-july-3-2020-proceedings-henning-fernau/
https://textbookfull.com/product/shielding-of-electromagnetic-
waves-theory-and-practice-george-m-kunkel/
https://textbookfull.com/product/c-from-theory-to-practice-
george-s-tselikis/
https://textbookfull.com/product/generalized-fractional-calculus-
new-advancements-and-applications-george-a-anastassiou/
https://textbookfull.com/product/physics-of-dusty-plasmas-an-
introduction-andre-melzer/
Kappa Distributions
Theory and Applications in Plasmas
Edited by
George Livadiotis
Southwest Research Institute,
San Antonio, Texas, United States
Elsevier
Radarweg 29, PO Box 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands
The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, United Kingdom
50 Hampshire Street, 5th Floor, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and
retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Details on how to seek
permission, further information about the Publisher’s permissions policies and our arrangements
with organizations such as the Copyright Clearance Center and the Copyright Licensing Agency,
can be found at our website: www.elsevier.com/permissions.
This book and the individual contributions contained in it are protected under copyright by the
Publisher (other than as may be noted herein).
Notices
Knowledge and best practice in this field are constantly changing. As new research and experience
broaden our understanding, changes in research methods, professional practices, or medical
treatment may become necessary.
Practitioners and researchers must always rely on their own experience and knowledge in evaluating
and using any information, methods, compounds, or experiments described herein. In using such
information or methods they should be mindful of their own safety and the safety of others,
including parties for whom they have a professional responsibility.
To the fullest extent of the law, neither the Publisher nor the authors, contributors, or editors,
assume any liability for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of products
liability, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any methods, products,
instructions, or ideas contained in the material herein.
ISBN: 978-0-12-804638-8
J.A. Araneda
University of Concepción, Concepción, Chile vii
C. Beck
Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
I.H. Cairns
University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
J.F. Carbary
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD,
United States
E.G.D. Cohen
Rockefeller University, New York, NY, United States
University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
K. Dialynas
Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
M.A. Dopita
Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
J. Dudı́k
Astronomical Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ondrejov, Czech
Republic
áková
E. Dzifc
Astronomical Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ondrejov, Czech
Republic
L.A. Fisk
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
R. Gaelzer
Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
G. Gloeckler
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
M. Kane
Harford Research Institute, Bel Air, MD, United States
viii Contributors
L.J. Kewley
Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
S.M. Krimigis
Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, United
States
G.S. Lakhina
Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, New Panvel (W), Navi Mumbai, India
B. Li
University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
G. Livadiotis
Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, United States
R. Mace
University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
B.H. Mauk
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, United
States
D.J. McComas
Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, United States
N. Meyer-Vernet
LESIA, Observatoire de Paris, CNRS, PSL Research University, UPMC,
Sorbonne University, Paris Diderot, Paris, France
P.S. Moya
University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
D.C. Nicholls
Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
C.P. Paranicas
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, United
States
V. Pierrard
Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy, Brussels, Belgium
Université Catholique de Louvain, Louvain-La-Neuve, Belgium
J.M. Schmidt
University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
S. Singh
Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, New Panvel (W), Navi Mumbai, India
R.S. Sutherland
Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
Contributors ix
A.F. Viñas
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, United States
P.H. Yoon
University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Korea
G.P. Zank
University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, United States
Preface
xi
God created everything by number, weight, and measure.
Sir Isaac Newton
distributions on various basic plasma topics, spanning among others, the Debye
shielding, polytropes, superstatistics (superposition of MaxwelleBoltzmann
distributions), linear waves and the nonlinear approach, turbulence, solitons
and double layers.
(C) Applications in space plasmas: This part is devoted to several important ap-
plications of theoretical and analytical developments in space plasmas from all
over the heliosphere and beyond, including the ion and electron kappa distri-
butions; the effect of kappa distributions in planetary magnetospheres, solar
spectra, and radio bursts; shock waves; and beyond the heliosphere, the astro-
physical nebulae. In addition, several mechanisms exist for generating these
distributions in space and other plasmas, where some of them are described in
detail in this book: polytropes (Chapter 5), superstatistics (Chapter 6), turbu-
lence (Chapter 8), effect of pickup ions (Chapter 10), pump acceleration
mechanism (Chapter 15), effect of shock waves (Chapter 16).
The book of kappa distributions is ideal for space, plasma, and statistical
physicists; geophysicists especially of the upper atmosphere; Earth and planetary
scientists; and astrophysicists. However, we claim, by no means, this book to be
the alpha and omega of kappa distributions; many other topics could fill all
three parts. Nevertheless, the book is, indeed, a necessary and sufficient assistant
for accomplishing basic research in the mentioned physical subjects. It should
be used for future space and plasma physics analyses that seek to apply kappa
distributions in data analyses, simulations, modeling, or other theoretical work.
Usage of the involved concepts and equations guarantees results that remain
firmly grounded on the foundation of nonextensive statistical mechanics.
I must certainly thank all the authors and coauthors of this book. The whole
authoring, reviewing, and editing process took about 2years. Parts B and C were
given to be authored by leading experts on space and plasma physics. Each
leading author and their teams of coauthors have numerous collection of
exceptional representative publications related to their chapter.
I will always be grateful to the ever memorable professor Nikolaos Voglis
(1948e2007) for inspiring me the concept of nonextensive statistical me-
chanics. I would also like to thank professor Xenophon Moussas (National and
Kapodistrian University of Athens) for introducing me the usage of kappa dis-
tributions in space physics, as well as professor David McComas (Princeton
University) for the numerous fruitful collaborations on the topic of kappa dis-
tributions. Finally, I could not be less grateful to my wife Eliana for all her
spiritual support, especially the last 2 years when the book was in preparation.
Tέlo2, su εn Triάdi Qεώ dόxa.
George Livadiotis, PhD,
Senior Scientist
Space Science and Engineering
Southwest Research Institute
CHAPTER 1
Statistical Background
of Kappa Distributions:
Connection With
Nonextensive Statistical 3
Mechanics
G. Livadiotis
Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, United States
Chapter Outline
1.1 Summary 5 1.5.2 Continuous
1.2 Introduction 5 Description 28
1.3 Mathematical Motivation 14 1.6 Connection of Kappa
1.4 Nonextensive Statistical Distributions With
Mechanics, in Brief! 16 Nonextensive Statistical
1.4.1 General Aspects 16 Mechanics 29
1.4.2 q-Deformed 1.6.1 Derivation 29
Functions 17 1.6.2 Historical Comments 34
1.4.2.1 q-Unity 17 1.7 Structure of the Kappa
1.4.2.2 q-Exponential 17 Distribution 37
1.4.2.3 q-Logarithm 17 1.7.1 The Base of the Kappa
1.4.2.4 q-Hyperbolic 18 Distribution 37
1.4.2.5 q-Gamma 18 1.7.2 The Exponent of the
1.4.3 Ordinary and Escort Kappa Distribution 39
Probability 1.8 The Concept of
Distributions 18 Temperature 41
1.4.4 Tsallis Entropy 20 1.8.1 The Definition of
1.4.5 The Physical Temperature Out of
Temperature 21 Equilibrium and the
1.5 Entropy Maximization 22 Concept of Physical
1.5.1 Discrete Description 22 Temperature 41
1.1 Summary
Classical particle systems reside at thermal equilibrium with their velocity dis-
tribution function stabilized into a Maxwell distribution. On the contrary, col-
lisionless and correlated particle systems, such as space plasmas, are
characterized by a non-Maxwellian behavior, typically described by the kappa
distributions or combinations thereof. Empirical kappa distributions have
become increasingly widespread across space and plasma physics. However, a
breakthrough in the field came with the connection of kappa distributions
with the solid background of nonextensive statistical mechanics.
Understanding the statistical origin of kappa distributions is the cornerstone
of further theoretical developments and applications, which, among others,
involve (1) the physical meaning of temperature, thermal pressure, and other
thermodynamic parameters; (2) the physical meaning of the kappa index and
its connection to the degrees of freedom and their correlation; (3) the
SackureTetrode entropy for kappa distributions; (4) the multiparticle
description of kappa distributions; and (5) the kappa distribution of a
Hamiltonian with a nonzero radial or angular potential. With the results
provided in this study, the full strength and capability of nonextensive
statistical mechanics are available for the physics community to analyze and
understand the kappa-like properties of the various particle and energy distri-
butions observed in geophysical, space, astrophysical and other plasmas.
Science Question: Is there a connection of kappa distributions with statistical
mechanics?
Keywords: Correlations; Entropy; Nonextensive statistical mechanics;
Temperature.
1.2 Introduction
Numerous analyses have established the theory of kappa distributions and
provided a plethora of different applications in geophysical, space, astrophys-
ical, or any other types of plasmas exhibiting non-Maxwellian behavior. Fig. 1.1
shows the number of publications related to kappa or Lorentzian distributions
and their statistical background, the nonextensive statistical mechanics.
Kappa distributions were introduced about half a century ago to describe
magnetospheric electron data by Olbert and its PhD students and colleagues
(e.g., Binsack, 1966; Olbert, 1968; Vasyli~
unas, 1968); it should be noted that
Binsack (1966) was the first to publish the usage of kappa distributions, but he
acknowledged that the kappa function was actually “introduced by Prof. Olbert
of MIT in his studies of IMP-1.”
The kappa distributions were employed to describe numerous space plasma
populations in: (1) the inner heliosphere, including solar wind (e.g., Collier et al.,
1996; Maksimovic et al., 1997, 2005; Pierrard et al., 1999; Mann et al., 2002;
Marsch, 2006; Zouganelis, 2008; Stverák et al., 2009; Livadiotis and McComas,
6 PART 1 Theory and Formalism
FIGURE 1.1
(A) Number of publications cataloged by Google Scholar since 1960 and related with kappa (red) or Lorentzian (green) distributions,
and the nonextensive statistical mechanics (blue); their total number is also shown (black). (B) A magnification of the last 20 years
showing the exponential growth rates l (on a semilog scale). (C) The inset panel explains the selection criteria: (1) (L) without (SM) or
(K); (2) (SM) without (K); and (3) any (K), where we symbolize: Kappa distribution (K), Lorentzian distributions (L), and nonextensive
statistical mechanics (SM). The total number of publications is w15,000, from which w7000 (SM), w3500 (K), and w4500 (L).
Interestingly, the growth publication rate of the kappa distributions is more than doubled the rates of the Lorentzian distributions and
the nonextensive statistical mechanics.
2010a, 2011a, 2013a,c; Yoon, 2014; Pierrard and Pieters, 2015; Pavlos et al.,
2016), solar spectra (e.g., Chapter 13; Dzifcáková and Dudı́k, 2013; Dzifcáková
et al., 2015), solar corona (e.g., Owocki and Scudder, 1983; Vocks et al., 2008;
Lee et al., 2013; Cranmer, 2014), solar energetic particles (e.g., Xiao et al., 2008;
Laming et al., 2013), corotating interaction regions (e.g., Chotoo et al., 2000),
and solar flareserelated (e.g., Mann et al., 2009; Livadiotis and McComas,
2013b; Bian et al., 2014; Jeffrey et al., 2016); (2) the planetary magnetospheres,
including magnetosheath (e.g., Binsack, 1966; Olbert, 1968; Vasyli~ unas, 1968;
Formisano et al., 1973; Ogasawara et al., 2013), near magnetopause (e.g.,
Ogasawara et al., 2015), magnetotail (e.g., Grabbe, 2000), ring current (e.g.,
Pisarenko et al., 2002a), plasma sheet (e.g., Christon, 1987; Wang et al., 2003;
Kletzing et al., 2003), magnetospheric substorms (e.g., Hapgood et al., 2011),
magnetospheres of giant planets (Chapter 12), such as Jovian (e.g., Collier and
Hamilton, 1995; Mauk et al., 2004), Saturnian (e.g., Schippers et al., 2008;
Dialynas et al., 2009; Livi et al., 2014; Carbary et al., 2014), Uranian (e.g., Mauk
et al., 1987), Neptunian (Krimigis et al., 1989), magnetospheres of planetary
moons, such as Io (e.g., Moncuquet et al., 2002) and Enceladus (e.g., Jurac et al.,
2002), or cometary magnetospheres (e.g., Broiles et al., 2016a,b); (3) the outer
heliosphere and the inner heliosheath (e.g., Decker and Krimigis, 2003; Decker
et al., 2005; Heerikhuisen et al., 2008, 2010, 2014, 2015; Zank et al., 2010;
Livadiotis et al., 2011, 2012, 2013; Livadiotis and McComas, 2011a,b, 2012,
2013a,c,d; Livadiotis, 2014a; Fuselier et al., 2014; Zirnstein and McComas,
Statistical Background of Kappa Distributions CHAPTER 1 7
2015); (4) beyond the heliosphere, including HII regions (e.g., Nicholls et al.,
2012), planetary nebula (e.g., Nicholls et al., 2012; Zhang et al., 2014), and
supernova magnetospheres (e.g., Raymond et al., 2010); or (5) other space
plasmaerelated analyses (e.g., Milovanov and Zelenyi, 2000; Saito et al., 2000;
Du, 2004; Yoon et al., 2006; Raadu and Shafiq, 2007; Livadiotis, 2009, 2014a,
2015a,b,c,e, 2016a,b,d; Tribeche et al., 2009; Hellberg et al., 2009; Livadiotis and
McComas, 2009, 2010a,b,c, 2011b, 2014a; Baluku et al., 2010; Le Roux et al.,
2010; Eslami et al., 2011; Kourakis et al., 2012; Randol and Christian, 2014, 2016;
Varotsos et al., 2014; Fisk and Gloeckler, 2014; Liu et al., 2015; Viñas et al., 2015;
Ourabah et al., 2015; Dos Santos et al., 2016; Nicolaou and Livadiotis, 2016).
Maxwell distributions have also been used in space science (e.g., Hammond
et al., 1996), especially due to their simplicity; for example, they are often used to
fit the “core” of the observed distributions, that is, the part of the distribution
around its maximum.
Table 1.1 contains the representative values of density n, temperature T, and
kappa index k of w40 different space plasmas. The kappa indices were collected
from the results of one or more published analyses. The values of the triplet
(n,T,k) and their processing are shown in Figs. 1.2 and 1.3. We also calculate the
measure M ¼ 1/(k0.5), an alternative of the kappa index k. This is a measure of
how far the system resides from thermal equilibrium (Livadiotis and McComas,
2010a,b, 2011b).
Fig. 1.2 illustrates the parameter values of space plasmas of Table 1.1. Panel
(A) plots the parameters in an (n,T) diagram and uses a color map to illustrate
the values of the kappa index k and the measure M ¼ 1/(k 0.5). Panel
(B) shows a 3-D scatter map of the triplet values (n,T,M), while panel (C) depicts
the histogram of the values of M. In Figs. 1.2A and B, we observe that hotter and
denser space plasmas reside closer to thermal equilibrium (i.e., larger k, smaller M).
The histogram of M values in Fig. 1.2C shows that the most frequent values
are M w 0.25 and M w 0.45, corresponding to k w 4.5 and k w 2.5. The value
of k w 4.5 coincides with that of the most frequent solar wind value (Gloeckler
and Geiss, 1998). The value of k w 2.5 is frequently observed in space plasmas
characterizing a special state called “escape state” (e.g., Chapters 2 and 8;
Livadiotis and McComas, 2010a, 2013d; Yoon, 2014).
Fig. 1.3 shows that the measure M is negatively correlated with both the density
and the temperature. We would like to find out when this correlation is maxi-
mized, that is, when do we consider only the density or the temperature, or when
do we use some combination of both? More precisely, the correlation between
M and logðnT n Þ is examined for various values of the exponent n. A linear relation
is fitted for (a) n ¼ 0, (b) n ¼ 0.6, and (c) n ¼ 1. Then we seek for the maximum
correlation. In particular, panel (d) shows the modified coefficient Rh1 r 2
(where r denotes the Pearson’s correlation coefficient), which is plotted as a
function of the exponent n. The modified correlation R is minimized, and the
correlation r is maximized, for n ¼ 0.55. The error derived from the corre-
lation maximization method (Livadiotis and McComas, 2013c) is dn ¼ 0.38.
Therefore, the fitting for the optimal exponent n ¼ 0.6 (in Fig. 1.3B) gives
8
PART 1 Theory and Formalism
Table 1.1 Space Plasmas Out of Thermal Equilibrium and Characteristic Values of n, T, and k
9
10 PART 1 Theory and Formalism
FIGURE 1.2
Examples of space plasmas with their representative values of density n, temperature T, and kappa index k (Table 1.1). (A) A color
map based on the measure M ¼ 1/(k 0.5) in the n-T plane. This measure M takes values from M ¼ 0 (thermal equilibrium) to
M ¼ 1 (“antiequilibrium,” the furthest state from thermal equilibrium). (B) 3-D scatter map of the values of (n,T,M). (C) Histogram of
the values of M. Adopted from Livadiotis (2015a).
Mw2:27 0:19$logðnT n Þ. This is written as 1 Mw0:19$log nT n 5 106 or
nT n y5 106 $105:26ð1MÞ . If we consider the value n w 0.5, the product nT n can
be thought as the “electron thermal flux,” given by Jhnqe wnT 1=2, where we find
Mw2:22 0:19$log nT 1=2 or J ¼ J0 eaj M with J0 w 2 1015 s1m2 and
aj w 12. Also, near the error bars is the exponent value of n ¼ 1 that corresponds
to thermal pressure nT ¼ P=kB. In this case, the fitting gives
Mw2:43
0:16$logðnTÞ, which is written as 1 Mw0:16$log P kB 0:87 10 9 or
P kB ¼ 0:87 109 ∙105:88ð1MÞ , i.e., P ¼ P0 eap M with P0 w 0.91 108 Pa
and ap w 13.54. Thus the lowest and highest thermal pressure of a space
plasma that is stabilized on a single kappa distribution are, on average, given by
P=kB ¼ 0:87 109 or Py0:12 pdyne$cm2, and P=kB ¼ 1:54 1015 or
Py2:13 105 pdyne$cm2 , respectively. (Note that we used the pressure units
of kB$m3$K, Pa, and pdyne$cm2.) The previously described relations quanti-
fied the existence of negatively correlated trends between M (or the positive
correlated trends between and the kappa index) and the densityetemperature
quantity nT n.
Statistical Background of Kappa Distributions CHAPTER 1 11
(A) (B)
1.0 V=0 1.0 V = 0.6
M=1.82-0.22 log n M=2.27-0.19 log nT 0.6
0.8 0.8
0.6 0.6
M
M
0.4 0.4
0.2 0.2
0.0 0.0
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22
log n [m-3] log n/[m-3]+0.6 log T/[K]
(C)
1.0 V=1
M=2.43-0.16 log nT (D)
0.8
0.9
1 - correlation2
0.6
0.8
M
0.4
0.7
0.2
0.0
6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 –1 0 1 2 3
log P/kB [Km-3] V
FIGURE 1.3
Fitting and correlation between M ¼ 1/(k 0.5) and logðnT n Þ are examined for various values of the exponent n, (A) n ¼ 0, (B)
n ¼ 0.6, and (C) n ¼ 1. Panel (D) shows the modified correlation coefficient (h1 correlation2) and its minimization at n ¼ 0.6
(corresponding to a maximization of correlation). Notes: panels (AeC) apply a fitting that takes into account the errors of both the
variables (e.g., see the fitting method in Frisch et al., 2013); panel (D) applies a correlation maximization method (as defined in
Livadiotis and McComas, 2013c). Adopted from Livadiotis (2015a).
Statistical Background of Kappa Distributions CHAPTER 1 23
W
X
W X
W
G fpk gW
k¼1 ¼ S fpk gk¼1 þ l1 pk þ l2 pk εk ; (1.27)
k¼1 k¼1
where the maximization follows by
v
G fpk gW
k¼1 ¼ 0; cj ¼ 1; .; W. (1.28)
vpj
q q1
XW
v
$pj þ l1 þ l2 εk Pk fpk0 gW
k0 ¼1 ; with
q1 k¼1
vpj
2 3
v 6 7
q q1
v 6 pk 7 qpj
Pk fpk0 gW
k ¼1
0 ¼ 6 7 ¼ $ðdkj Pk Þ; or
vpj vpj 4 P
W
q5 fq
pk0
k0 ¼ 1
q1
q q1 qpj
$pj þ l1 þ l2 $ðεj UÞ;
q1 fq
Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
THE BATTLE OF APACHE CAÑON.
The history of the world has never exhibited more exalted devotion
to an idea, nor a more splendid patriotism than that of the people of
East Tennessee. We may almost challenge the records of religious
history to produce anything more like holy enthusiasm, than the lofty
inspiration which has characterized these people. In no country, and
among no class can be found more heroic persistence or unfaltering
adherence to principle than has exalted the patriotism of this region.
With many inhabitants of the eastern portion of the State, loyalty
and devotion to the Union became in truth a part of their religion.
The rebel leaders knew that they had very little sympathy in East
Tennessee, and took measures to crush out all Union sentiment with
the iron heel of military despotism. Any expression of sympathy with
the Union cause, any co-operation of its inhabitants with the
loyalists, either for their own protection or for the aid of the
Government, was punished as a crime. The presses of that part of the
State had all been silenced or converted to their own use by the
Secessionists, with one exception. The Knoxville Whig remained true
to the Union. Its vigorous defence of the Government, its exposures
and denunciations of the rebel leaders, its unsparing invective
against the rebellion, and its bold, defiant appeals to the people, rang
like a clarion through the hills and valleys of East Tennessee, and as
the echo gathered from thousands of loyal voices, it made itself heard
through all the valleys and mountain passes of that noble border
State.
The heroic editor of this paper was not to be silenced either in his
voice or his press without a vigorous struggle. The Rev. Wm. G.
Brownlow had learned how to denounce and how to endure, for that
is a lesson most Methodist clergymen are called upon to learn; and
being brave in deeds as well as words, he stood forth in defence of
the country he loved, when she greatly needed the power of his
eloquence and the strength of his arm. The popularity which this
man had won by his uprightness, his courage, and firm adherence to
the Constitution, gave his opinions a force that made him an object
of peculiar importance to the enemy—yet they hesitated to lay violent
hands upon a man whose words were more potent than their
bayonets.
He was frequently threatened by soldiers passing through
Knoxville from other States, yet none dared to execute their threats.
His family were inspired with the same lofty heroism, and on one
occasion when a company of rebels came to his house to haul down
the Stars and Stripes, which was kept floating over his domicil, one
of his daughters stepped out to meet them, and by her courage and
decision protected the flag.
The suppression of this undaunted advocate of the Union, and
faithful and fearless witness against secession, became an inevitable
necessity; and at last, in the hope that he would at least become
silent on political affairs, it was resolved to offer him the alternative
of the oath of allegiance or the cell of a prison. He chose the latter,
and in a valedictory to his readers, published October 26, which must
ever be memorable for its heroic defence of the Union, its bold
denunciation of the rebels and their course, he announced to his
readers the suspension of his paper. This remarkable address, which,
under the circumstances, rises to the sublime in its moral courage,
closed with these words:
“Exchanging, with proud satisfaction, the editorial chair and the sweet
endearments of home for a cell in the prison, or the lot of an exile, I have the honor
to be, &c.
William G. Brownlow.”
Mr. Brownlow was sent to prison, and for months occupied a room
with several other patriots who preferred imprisonment to denial of
the government they loved. Here he was in daily expectation of being
led forth to execution. Though suffering from ill-health he was no
way daunted by the dark fate that threatened him. Nor were these
anticipations groundless, for during his stay there, many a brave
man left that prison to meet a violent death, and he had no reason to
expect a happier destiny.
During the closing months of the summer and fall the hopes of the
people were excited by promises of aid from the government. Loud
and earnest appeals were made for help, and with the energy of
despair the people clung to their principles, through every species of
persecution, robbery, arson, and imprisonment. Hundreds were
hung or assassinated, and the records of Tennessee are among the
most heart-rending that this war for the Union will leave to posterity.
The position of the rebel armies in western Tennessee was at that
time very strong, but the importance of keeping their lines of
communication open with the Atlantic States was great, and
thoroughly understood by the loyalists. To cut these lines was to the
Federals a work of pressing necessity; and in view of the probable
redemption of East Tennessee, the loyalists organized, and on the
night of November 8 they destroyed several bridges, and broke the
lines. Two of these were on the Georgia State road, two on
Chickamanye Creek, Hamilton county, and one on the East
Tennessee and Georgia railroad, on Hiawassee river, Bradley county.
Besides these, two bridges on the East Tennessee and Georgia
railroad on Lick Creek, Green County, and another on Holstein river,
were also burned. The rebels were thrown into consternation by
these events, and their leaders took the most active measures to
arrest and punish the perpetrators. A correspondence between some
of the prominent men ensued, and a large portion of the letters was
discovered among other papers and effects captured after the battle
of Mill Spring, which took place on the 19th of January, 1862. This
correspondence, in which the names Colonel William B. Wood and
General F. K. Zollicoffer appear, prove that the majority of the people
were unalterably for the Union, and that they could only be
restrained by the most oppressive and cruel measures. Colonel Wood
wrote to J. P. Benjamin, the Secretary of War, asking what
disposition should be made of the bridge-burners, to which Mr.
Benjamin replied—“All such as can be identified as having been
engaged in bridge-burning are to be tried summarily by drumhead
court-martial, and if found guilty, executed on the spot by hanging. It
would be well to leave their bodies hanging in the vicinity of the
burnt bridges.”
The loyalists were encouraged in their cause by the devotion of
Hon. Andrew Johnson, U. S. Senator, and Hon. Horace Maynard, M.
C., for Tennessee, whose eloquent and powerful appeals, and
confident assurances of aid, cheered the hearts of the people.
Thousands of East Tennesseeans escaped by night, wandering
along unfrequented roads, until they reached Kentucky, where they
organized regiments, under the direction of the Federal
commanders. Their cherished desire was to return to their own State,
with a powerful army, and redeem their soil. The atrocity of the rebel
guerrillas drove them almost to a passion of revenge, and when
disappointed at the announcement that their time had not come, and
that they must await a more favorable condition of the army,
hundreds of them, when ordered to retreat from the border lines of
their State, strayed from the ranks, despairing and heart-sick, and
falling down by the way, wept bitterly. Several of them, exhausted by
hard labor and forced marches, never rose again, but were
afterwards found dead on the road to Mount Vernon.
On the 26th of November the house of a gentleman named Bell
was attacked by an armed party of the enemy and set on fire. The
inmates, a large family of nine persons, were consigned to the
flames. Two alone of the whole household escaped this horrible fate.
On the 29th a band of twenty-one Union prisoners at Nashville
were compelled to take the oath of allegiance, and enter a company
in the rebel army.
Leadbetter, the secession commander in East Tennessee, had his
headquarters at Greenville, and on the 30th of November issued a
proclamation promising protection and pardon to all who would lay
down their arms and submit to the Confederate government. From
this clemency he excepted bridge-burners and destroyers of railroad
tracks. He closed his proclamation with the assurance that “they will
be tried by drumhead court-martial, and be hung on the spot.” This
terrible order was put into execution a few days afterward. Jacob M.
Hemslier and Henry Fry, two Unionists, being tried and pronounced
guilty of these offences, were hung.
The days of hope for the Unionists were weary and prolonged, but
deliverance was drawing nigh. The loyal men of the western part of
the State organized to oppose the measures of the leaders, and early
in January a bold resistance was made in Carroll, Weakly, McNairy,
and other counties, against the conscription act. Rebel troops were
sent into these counties to compel submission, and enforce
obedience.
The defeat and death of Zollicoffer, the breaking up of his army,
and the destruction of his stronghold, at last gave a brilliant promise
to these persecuted people that their deliverance was drawing nigh.
This event, succeeded in a few weeks by the capture of Fort Henry,
Fort Donelson, the evacuation of Bowling Green and Columbus, and
the occupation of Nashville, filled every true heart with rejoicing, and
the good old flag once more swept its folds freely over the houses of
East Tennessee.
February 6, 1862.