The men thus invited to return, made no answer from beyond the mountains which walled in their beloved land on the north. It was like whistling to the winds to call them back. And they continued to go until they were thirty thousand strong--wearing the blue. As to the threat that after thirty days, unless they recanted their faith in the Union, came home and swore to be loyal to the Confederate States, their wives and children should be sent after them at their own expense, it was a mere _brutum fulmen_ and if it ever reached their ears they treated it with indifference or perhaps with derision. Its fulfillment belonged to the category of human impossibilities. The expulsion and march of an army of women and children from East Tennessee over mountains and rivers into Kentucky who could be counted by tens of thousands, would have sent a thrill of amazement akin to horror throughout enlightened Christendom. It is not to be supposed, however, that the Confederate authorities intended to carry into effect the threat of such retaliation. Nor does it appear that the threat emanated from or was approved by the Major General commanding the Department of East Tennessee. He did, however, authorize the order of the Provost Marshal for the compulsory removal from Knoxville _via_ Norfolk, Virginia, beyond the Confederate lines of the wives and families of two prominent Union men--Hon. Horace Maynard and Rev. William G. Brownlow. In those cases special reason for the harsh measure was assigned. The following letter was sent from headquarters addressed to-- _Mrs. W. G. Brownlow, Knoxville_: MADAM--By Major General E. Kirby Smith I am directed most respectfully to inform you that you and your children are not held as hostages for the good behavior of your husband, as represented by him in a speech at Cincinnati recently, and that yourself and family will be required to pass beyond the Confederate States’ line in thirty-six hours from this date. Passports will be granted you from this office. Very respectfully, W. M. CHURCHWELL, Colonel and Provost Marshal. April 21, 1862. [Illustration: HON. HORACE MAYNARD.] At Mrs. Brownlow’s immediate written request the time of departure was extended a few days, and on April 25th, she and her family, being a party of four adults and four children, were conducted by way of Norfolk out of the Confederacy. With these exiles were sent Mrs. Horace Maynard and family, whose expatriation could not of course be covered by the plea of Mr. Brownlow’s utterances in Cincinnati: but although Mr. Maynard was not inculpated by that alleged offence, or a like one from his own lips, he was highly obnoxious as a Union leader who had gone to the enemy.