Correspondence

John M. Johnson to John A. Gardner

1861-05-28

Date of Creation
May 28, 1861
Place of Creation
Weakley County, Tennessee
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
MG5-109 to MG5-110
CWGK Accession Number
KYR-0001-019-0058
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
32208312
People
Magoffin, Beriah
Harris, Isham Green
Gardner, John Almus
Johnson, John Milton, Sr.
Places
Graves County, Kentucky
Kentucky
Mayfield, Kentucky
Nashville, Tennessee
Paducah, Kentucky
Tennessee
Weakley County, Tennessee
Dates
1861-05-28
1861-05-25
1861-05-30
1861-05-20
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Citation

John M. Johnson to John A. Gardner, 1861-05-28, 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-0001-019-0058 (November 12, 2026).

[Page 1]

Weakly County Tennesse
May 278th 1861
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 30th of May Inst, 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

[Page 2]

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 Kentuckyintend 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

[Page 3]
[Page 4]

Hon John A. Gardner
at Home