Terrible Doings at Jackson Tennessee.
The “Militia” Shoot Down an Unoffending Citizen.
Alarm of Populace.
T. S. Regulars come to the Rescue.
The Negroes Call for Reinforcements
The Courts Set at Defiance –A General Outbreak Dreaded.

(From the Nashville Gazette of Sat.)

Last evening we received information that on Wednesday a squad of the militia at Jackson, West Tennessee, called upon Maj. Hartemus, a dry goods merchant of the town, and demanded him to give up all his arms, in his possession.  In view of their number, and for the sake of peace, he gave them his pistol –the only weapon he had—but questioned their authority and remonstrated against this high handed outrage.  They bade him shut up his rebel mouth, or they would shut it up for him.—Suiting the action to the word, one or more leveled their pieces and fired on him wounding him mortally.

The Circuit Court was in session at the time, and Judge W. P. Bond immediately ordered the arrest of the murderers.  But the militia refused to give them up, and assumed so hostile an attitude that the officer desisted.  A suggestion to collect a posse of citizens to overcome this obstacle to the laws, was dismissed as impolitic and likely to result in bloodshed.

Maj. H. being a quiet and worthy citizen, the news of his terrible fate spread like wildfire through the town, and created no little alarm as well as indignation.  Men said to themselves and to each other: what security have we that it may not be our turn next?  A town meeting was held and messengers were dispatched to the nearest point for U. S. regulars, two companies of whom were immediately sent to protect the citizens from further outrage.

The indignation of the soldiers was so great on learning the circumstances that the militia captain fairly quaked in his boots, fearing utter annihilation at their hands.  Therefore he telegraphed to Trenton for reinforcements, and we understand that a company of negroes is en route for the seat of war.

Trouble between the regulars and negroes is momentarily feared.  At last accounts they still refused to give up the murderers of Maj. Hartemus.  The deceased, we understand, was a single man, without any relatives dependent upon him for support.  He had served with distinction in the Confederate army and since the surrender has conducted himself as a peaceful and honest man.