John M. Johnson to John A. Gardner

KYR-0001-019-0058.xml

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Citation
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Accession Number

KYR-0001-019-0058

Document Genre

Correspondence

Repository

Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives

Collection

Office of the Governor, Beriah Magoffin: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Military Correspondence, 1859-1862

Item Location

MG5-109 to MG5-110

Place of Creation

Weakley County, Tennessee

Date of Creation

28 May 1861

Dates Mentioned

1861-05-28

1861-05-25

1861-05-30

1861-05-20

John M. Johnson to John A. Gardner, 28 May 1861, Office of the Governor, Beriah Magoffin: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Military Correspondence, 1859-1862, MG5-109 to MG5-110, Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, Frankfort, KY. Accessed via the Civil War Governors of Kentucky Digital Documentary Edition, discovery.civilwargovernors.org/document/KYR-0001-019-0058, (accessed April 19, 2025).

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Weakly County Tennesse
May 278^th1861
To Hon John A Gardner

Sir I refer you to a letter of introduction which you will please find herewith

I called on Govr Harris at Nashville Tennessee on Saturday last 25 Inst. and had a Conference with him, ~~and~~ on the subject of various public reports, to the effect that troops were being concentrated on the border of Kentucky awaiting the action of a Convention Called to meet at mayfield graves County Ky-- on Thursday the 30^th of May Ins^t, to take steps preparatory to seceding from Kentucky, and annexing the seven Counties west of the Tennesse river to the state of Tennessee

Altho this report is simply absurd, yet under the circumstances it is Calculated to exert a Mischieveous influence upon our political affairs in Kentucky and May precipitate upon us and you, troubles which it is to the interest of both to avoid

His Excellency refered me to you as his Confidential agent in this part of the state of Tennessee, and urged me to visit you, and make known more fully his wishes togather with those of the Government and people of Ky

as shown by my letter of instructions from Governor Magoffin, (a copy of which is herewith enclosed) and from other sources within your reach

I have in conclusion to say that whilst the people of Kentucky intend to make the destiny of the Confederate States their destiny, still we must avoid precipitation of any sort and leave that question to the logic of events --

I appeal to your admitted Judgement and prudence therefore, and must be permitted earnestly to hope, that no moove Towards Ky, or over her soil will be made without the consent or at the request of the legally Constituted authorities: It being the policy of Kentucky to maintain a Strict armed Neutrality as set fourth in the proclamation of his Excellency the Governor of Kentucky bearing date the 20th May 1861, to which I beg leave to refer

Hoping to hear from you at Paducah Ky at your earliest Convenience -- I have the

honor to be your obt Servt
Jno M Johnson

Hon John A. Gardner
at Home

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