C. H. Spilman to James F. Robinson

KYR-0001-027-0007.xml

Metadata
Citation
Download

Accession Number

KYR-0001-027-0007

Document Genre

Correspondence

Repository

Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives

Collection

Office of the Governor, James F. Robinson: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Military Correspondence, 1862-1863

Item Location

R2-7 to R2-8

Place of Creation

Harrrodsburg, Mercer County, Kentucky

Date of Creation

18 August 1862

Dates Mentioned

1862-08-18

C. H. Spilman to James F. Robinson, 18 August 1862, Office of the Governor, James F. Robinson: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Military Correspondence, 1862-1863, R2-7 to R2-8, Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, Frankfort, KY. Accessed via the Civil War Governors of Kentucky Digital Documentary Edition, discovery.civilwargovernors.org/document/KYR-0001-027-0007, (accessed December 26, 2024).

Download XML

Harrodsburg KyAug 18^th 1862
Hon James F. Roberson

I am constrained to address you, although personally unacquainted, from a mingled feeling of apprehension & surprise. Apprehension from the most palpable evidence of the peralous position of our state which has been thickening & accumulating every hour since the evacuation of Corinth; & will manifestly, in ten days, without immediate energetic powerful resistence overwhelm us. Surprise, because with all this danger stairing us in the face for weeks & months we are to day permiting, without resistance marauding bands to pillage & lay waste many portions of our state; -- capture
& destroy the supplies sent to Our brave army, & almost desolate those very sections that that have been render'd defenceless by the, generous & patriotic volunteeering of our brave citizens.

Unless there is a large force sent forward this week to relieve our little army at the Cumberland Gap, they will not only be cut off from supplies but the whole force will be captured In heaven's name if any thing can be done let it be done quickly for there is not a moment to lose. Instead of sending what force we have forword to check the headway of the invaders, they are being withdrawn to the interior thus inviting invasion.

If those whose duty it
is to expedite this matter are supine under existing cuircumstances, let them be relieved & their places supplied by those who apprehend & appreciate, the situation.

The material for successful resistance is not wanting, All the people want is armed & skillful daring leaders & the work will soon be done.

In this section public confidence in those whose duty it is to lead off in this matter begins to falter,

I have a deep conviction that without more energy can be thrown into our military operations our state is gone.

Excuse this out-burst of a mind profoundly solici-
tous on this important subject.

very Respectfully
Your obt. Svt.
C.H.Spilman

C. H. Spillman
No [...][...]

Civil War Governors of Kentucky is always evolving. Help us improve the edition by suggesting a correction or addition to this record.

Suggest a correction