In the spring of 1862, the authority and power of the United States throughout East Tennessee, were thoroughly supplanted by those of the Confederate States. Any benefits, however, which might result from the substitution to that region and all its people did not presently appear. There was no violence going on within its borders, except that inflicted by Confederate soldiers; and the actual strife between hostile armies was far away. The general condition of things was most deplorable. As a large majority of the able-bodied men had fled or were fleeing under the impulse of patriotism and duty to another State, that they might stand beneath the folds and uphold the staff of the American flag, many fields were left untilled. The fruits and grains gathered in by farmers from their labors in 1861, had been or were being consumed by the military who occupied the country, and no just expectations were indulged of an ordinary harvest in 1862. The outlook, indeed, in every respect of the people’s welfare was discouraging. One conclusion it favored--that secession, as a remedy for real or imaginary ills, resulted for the time in greater evils. About this date Gen. E. Kirby Smith was appointed to the supreme command at Knoxville. He had been at the battle of Manassas, and was reported as wounded, but not seriously. He was reputed to have firmness, decision of will and other qualities of character required by his office, and also of as great humanity and kindness as consist with the vigorous conduct of war. A marked contrast in his favor was observed between his general bearing at the town and that of some Confederate officers who had chief command there. In scholarly attainments he surpassed them all, in personal morals he was without reproach, and his manners were quiet and unpretentious. It will bear mention in this connection that two distinguished Generals of the Confederate army--Joseph E. Johnson and Braxton Bragg--briefly tarried on their way at different times in the town. There were little incidents in their respective visits that afterwards entered into the talk of the citizens and were thought to be characteristic. Gen. Johnson ranked very high in people’s esteem for both modesty and ability, and had the credit of being a natural, as contra-distinguished from an artificial, man. During his stay he was called on by an aged colored woman who had nursed him in childhood. Some men would have been indifferent or repellent to the hearty greetings she gave him in presence of stern warriors: but her words of love and blessing made way through his coat of mail, and to the surprise of by-standers, filled his eyes with tears.