John Brennan to John W. Finnell

KYR-0002-024-0013.xml

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Accession Number

KYR-0002-024-0013

Document Genre

Correspondence

Repository

Kentucky Department of Military Affairs

Collection

1st - 20th Regiments Kentucky Infantry Primary Source Documents

Item Location

Box 7, Folder 3rd Ky Inf - Misc

Place of Creation

Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, Tennessee

Date of Creation

10 April 1863

Dates Mentioned

1863-04-10

1863-01-10

John Brennan to John W. Finnell, 10 April 1863, 1st - 20th Regiments Kentucky Infantry Primary Source Documents, Box 7, Folder 3rd Ky Inf - Misc, Kentucky Department of Military Affairs, Frankfort, KY. Accessed via the Civil War Governors of Kentucky Digital Documentary Edition, discovery.civilwargovernors.org/document/KYR-0002-024-0013, (accessed January 6, 2025).

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3rd Ky Infty Vols.
Murfreesboro Tenn
April 10^th 1863
Brig Genl John W Finnell
Adjt Genl State of Ky.
Dr Sir:

Can there not be some plan adopted by which elections, for Field Officirs in the old Regiments can be dispensed with?

We have just had another bad result from it in this regiment. A Lieut Col or Major, who do their duty, & enforce dicipline, are sure to be superceded byin the event of a vacancy, by some unprincipaled officer, who takes advantage of every little cause of complaint, to make capital and votes, for himself, among those who feel aggreived.

Maj Bullett has been defeated for Col (Vice Col Spencer resigned. Lt Col Collier having also sent in his resignation) upon just such principals. -- He refused to solicit votes, while his successful compititer, electioneered most strenously for the position. -- Maj Bullett is his superior as a tactition, & disciplinarian & in every respect. He fought gallantly at Munfordsville under Col Wilder, as his asst Adjt Genl, when their forces were captured by Bragg, & was most flateringly
mentioned by his Brigade Commander, for gallantry at the Battle of "Stone River", while his successful competitor, has never been in an engagement.

It at least looks hard, that men who have won their laurels, upon such fields as "Munfordsville" & "Stone River" should be thrown aside for transient favorites.

I write this Communication to you General unofficially, pointing out, what I believe at least, an error in the management of affairs in this regiment. -- It has been customary since the resignation of Col Bramlette, for the officers of the Regt to say who shall be their Field Officers; & I think it is calculated not only to reduce officers to low electioneering tricks, but to breed dissatisfaction & hatred among the officers of a regiment.

I most respectfully submit the above facts to you, hoping that if they meet your concurrence, that some plan may be adopted to avoid them in the future.

Most respectfully
Your Obedient Servant
John Brennan
Capt Comdg Compy "F"
3rd Regt Ky Vol Infty.

< 3 >
Murfreesboro. Tenn.
April 10"/63.

Brennan Jno.
Capt. 3^rd Ky. I.

Conc^g Colonelcy of 3^rd Ky.

Concurring Colonelcy of 3rd Ky Vols.

John Brennen

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