Ben Jackman to Beriah Magoffin
1861-06-11
- Date of Creation
- June 11, 1861
- Place of Creation
- Samuels Depot, Nelson 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
- MG5-152 to MG5-153
- CWGK Accession Number
- KYR-0001-019-0082
- 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
- 32208336
Citation
Ben Jackman to Beriah Magoffin, 1861-06-11, 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-0001-019-0082 (November 12, 2026).
Samuels Depot Ky.
(Nelson County)
Gov. B. Magoffin
Hon. Sir:
I have not been idle since I saw you. My improvements have advanced considerably in the way of fire arms- I am now able to meet five to one in the field, armed with the guns now in use. On these terms we can claim the victory. The belligerents, all told, can not Muster over three to one against thepartythatisstrivingforrightandliberty. With Justice, and theseimprovements, wecanmaintainourrightsagainsttheoppressor!
Not knowing to what conclusion the Commissioners have come in arranging for a state armory, I take the liberty to write you on the subject
and solicit your Honor to inform me if any thing will be done in respect to establishing a Cannonfoundry in this state. If it will not be done here, I must go to some other place where it will be adopted. There is no time to be lost in availing ourselves of all the advantages that can be had for our defense against oppression. If Kentucky is disposed to "Submit" to Misrule, and stand quiet to receive the bonds that will forever sever her from right and liberty, let her do so- There is a people that will not Stoop to receive the yoke of tyranny; and That people will take chances as they come and defend themselves against injustice- To make it doubly sure, give them the best weapons you can get, and in this way you save life, which is dear to all — You protect the army from exposure and bring the enemy to terms much sooner. and with this means you
terminate the war in half the time.
I have three classes of guns: the shoulder, hand, and Cannon. All of them can be used to great advantage in the field, orwoods- They range from one to five miles, and can be discharged from fifteen to twenty times per Minute, if required, with entire safety.
If your Excellency will be so kind as to answer this, you will confer a great favor on your
Obt. Serv.
Ben Jackman
P.S. by J. R. Jackman-
Gov. B. M.
Dr Sir:
I have transcribed the above for Father, and I would be pleased to see an answer to it from you, in relation to the progress of Commissioners. We have formed a "Home Guard" in this vicinity, and
we wish to obtain arms fromtheState. We think they will be needed here, as "Servile insurrection" is feared, there being some indications.
Respy
J. R. J.
Ben Jackman
Sec will answer nothing can be done until we get Money.