Ben Jackman to Beriah Magoffin

KYR-0001-019-0082.xml

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Accession Number

KYR-0001-019-0082

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

MG5-152 to MG5-153

Place of Creation

Samuels Depot, Nelson County, Kentucky

Date of Creation

11 June 1861

Dates Mentioned

1861-06-11

Ben Jackman to Beriah Magoffin, 11 June 1861, Office of the Governor, Beriah Magoffin: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Military Correspondence, 1859-1862, MG5-152 to MG5-153, Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, Frankfort, KY. Accessed via the Civil War Governors of Kentucky Digital Documentary Edition, discovery.civilwargovernors.org/document/KYR-0001-019-0082, (accessed April 24, 2024).

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Samuels Depot Ky.
June 11^th 1861
(Nelson County)
Gov. B. Magoffin
Hon. Sir:

I have not been idle since I saw you. My improvements have advanced considerably in the way of fire arms- I am now able to meet five to one in the field, armed with the guns now in use. On these terms we can claim the victory. The belligerents, all told, can not Muster over three to one against the party that is striving for right and liberty. With Justice, and these improvements, we can maintain our rights against the oppressor!

Not knowing to what conclusion the Commissioners have come in arranging for a state armory, I take the liberty to write you on the subject
and solicit your Honor to inform me if any thing will be done in respect to establishing a Cannon foundry in this state. If it will not be done here, I must go to some other place where it will be adopted. There is no time to be lost in availing ourselves of all the advantages that can be had for our defense against oppression. If Kentucky is disposed to "Submit" to Misrule, and stand quiet to receive the bonds that will forever sever her from right and liberty, let her do so- There is a people that will not Stoop to receive the yoke of tyranny; and That people will take chances as they come and defend themselves against injustice- To make it doubly sure, give them the best weapons you can get, and in this way you save life, which is dear to all -- You protect the army from exposure and bring the enemy to terms much sooner. and with this means you
terminate the war in half the time.

I have three classes of guns: the shoulder, hand, and Cannon. All of them can be used to great advantage in the field, or woods- They range from one to five miles, and can be discharged from fifteen to twenty times per Minute, if required, with entire safety.

If your Excellency will be so kind as to answer this, you will confer a great favor on your

Obt. Serv.
Ben Jackman

P.S. by J. R. Jackman-
Gov. B. M.
Dr Sir:

I have transcribed the above for Father, and I would be pleased to see an answer to it from you, in relation to the progress of Commissioners. We have formed a "Home Guard" in this vicinity, and
we wish to obtain arms from the State. We think they will be needed here, as "Servile insurrection" is feared, there being some indications.

Respy
J. R. J.

Ben Jackman

Sec will answer nothing can be done until we get Money.

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