July 11, 1862 (Saturday): Andrew Johnson's Wrath

Andrew Johnson

WAR DEPARTMENT, July 11, 1862.

Hon. ANDREW JOHNSON:
    MY DEAR SIR: Yours of yesterday is received. Do you not, my good friend, perceive that what you ask is simply to put you in command in the West? I do not suppose you desire this. You only wish to control in your own localities; but this you must know may derange all other posts. Can you not and will you not have a full conference with General Halleck? Telegraph him, and meet him at such place as he and you can agree upon. I telegraph him to meet you and confer fully with you.


A. LINCOLN.

WAR DEPARTMENT, July 11, 1862.

Major-General HALLECK, Corinth:
    Governor Johnson, at Nashville, is in great trouble and anxiety about a raid into Kentucky. The Governor is a true and a valuable man - indispensable to us in Tennessee. Will you please get in communication with him, and have a full conference with him before you leave for here? I have telegraphed him on the subject.


A. LINCOLN.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 16, Part 2, Page 122.

The future President of the United States had recently been appointed military governor of Tennessee.  A native of North Carolina, he was awarded his post for his loyalty to the Union.  Johnson was made a Brigadier-General along with his commission as military governor.  This commission was not intended as a warrant to control military affairs, although Johnson did not understand this and butted heads with Buell and his staff.  The raid Johnson was concerned by was Morgan's first raid in Kentucky.  As Buell moved toward Chattanooga, Morgan's raid covered 1,000 miles, captured or paroled 1,200 men, and caused upset among Unionists in the region.