Correspondence

John M. Johnson to Benjamin F. Cheatham

1861-05-29

Date of Creation
May 29, 1861
Place of Creation
Fulton Station, Fulton County, Kentucky
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
MG5-111 to MG5-112
CWGK Accession Number
KYR-0001-019-0059
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
32208313
People
Cheatham, Benjamin Franklin
Gardner, John Almus
Johnson, John Milton, Sr.
Places
Columbus, Kentucky
Fulton Station, Kentucky
Kentucky
Memphis, Tennessee
Union City, Tennessee
Dates
1861-05-29
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Citation

John M. Johnson to Benjamin F. Cheatham, 1861-05-29, 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-0001-019-0059 (February 11, 2026).

[Page 1]

(Copy)

Fulton Station Ky.
May 29th 1861,

To Genl Cheatham Commanding forces at Union City
Sir,

I have just been informed that several large cannon are now en route for Columbus Ky, said to have been sent up from Memphis Tenn. and that a force of several hundred men is now collecting to [plant] them, and that to day and to night, is the time selected for such purpose. I hope sir that you will arrest this enterprise and not permit either men, or the guns in question, or munitions of war of any kind to be sent to Kentucky without ^the consent^ of the regularly constituted authorityies, but that you will respect the position Ky has assumed, of neutrality, and prevent as far as it may be in your power to do so the rules of good neighborhood, under the circumstances surrounding us now, from being departed from.

I am not a military man, but I do think it would be highly impolitic to send forward the cannon without an adequate force to protect them. I refer you to a copy of note to the Hon Jno A Gardner, Confidential agent of His Excellency the Governor of Tennesse, which is herewith sent.

I have the honor to be very Respectfully
(signed) Jno M Johnson