Correspondence

James P. Martin to Beriah Magoffin

1861-01-08

Date of Creation
January 8, 1861
Place of Creation
Fort Bragg, Mendocino County, California
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
Box / Folder
MG5-40 to MG5-41
CWGK Accession Number
KYR-0001-019-0005
Rights
This image and its transcription are freely available to the public. Images appear courtesy of Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Transcriptions and annotations were created by Kentucky Historical Society staff, volunteers, and interns. When referencing this document, please use our preferred citation.; The use of transcriptions, images, or annotations from this collection beyond the exceptions provided for in the Fair Use and Educational Use clauses of the U.S. Copyright Law may violate federal law. Permission to publish or reproduce any material on CWGK is required.
FTP Identifier
32208259
People
Magoffin, Beriah
Martin, James P.
Places
Fort Bragg, California
Frankfort, Kentucky
Kentucky
South Carolina
Organizations
6th U.S. Infantry Regiment
Kentucky State Guard
United States Army
Dates
1861-01-08
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Citation

James P. Martin to Beriah Magoffin, 1861-01-08, Office of the Governor, Beriah Magoffin: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Military Correspondence, 1859-1862, Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Accessed via the Civil War Governors of Kentucky Digital Documentary Edition, https://discovery.civilwargovernors.org/document/KYR-0001-019-0005 (November 12, 2026).

[Page 1]

Fort Bragg, California
Jan. 8th 1861.
Sir

I have just this moment heard that South Carolina has left the Union. I do not know what Kentucky has done, nor what she intends to do, but she cannot go wrong and I am with her heart soul and body.

When She requires my services they are at your commands.

Whilst she is in the Union I am an officer in the United States Army, when she goes out please enroll my name as a private in one of the companies of the Kentucky State Guard, report me "absent with leave," order me to my post and I will obey immediately.

Very respectfully
Your Obt. Svt

Jas P. Martin

Bat. 2d Lt. 6th Infty
U. S. A.

His Excellaency B. Magoffin
Gov. of Kentucky
Frankfort
KY —

[Page 2]
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[Page 4]

Lieut Martin