Description:

Johnson George

One page, 7.5” x 9.25”; Richmond, Va.; July 12, 1861. Written on blue lined stationery and signed, “George W. Johnson”. Heavy wear to folds resulting in minor separations at margins, with tiny tears and chips along right side and bottom affecting only a single word. Light soiling on verso.

After the outbreak of the Civil War, Johnson had hoped that his state of Kentucky would remain neutral but proposed a plan by which Kentucky would secede from the Union. Johnson believed that if Kentucky joined the Confederacy, Union and CSA forces would be so evenly matched that the conflict could be averted. However, he also hoped that Kentucky would be allowed to maintain its neutrality in the war.

It is known that he visited Richmond at least once during the summer of 1861 to gain audience with President Jefferson Davis and his Cabinet. After one such meeting he composed the following letter addressed to Robert Toombs, then Secretary of State of the Confederacy: “Since I saw you last night, I have written this, to point out I conceived, we the best and surest means of bringing this war to a speedy and successful issue. If the means here pointed out are approved and adopted I am well satisfied that they will be of service to my country; and if so approved and adopted by you & the President, my highest ambition will be gratified with some honourable connection with their execution. But this request, I regard as selfish, and can readily forgo knowing as I do, so well, the better and higher qualifications of others.”

It is unclear exactly what plans Johnson proposed, but Johnson failed both in his attempts to keep Kentucky out of the war or secede from the Union. He fled Kentucky in September 1861 and served under Simon Bolivar Buckner for a brief time. Lacking both political and military experience, Johnson was clearly out of his depths. However, he was successful in organizing a provisional government in Kentucky and would be elected its first Confederate governor. Johnson’s government was recognized only within Kentucky territory held by the CSA. Never fully able to set up a functional government, Johnson’s fragile political structure collapsed when Confederate forces withdrew from the state in February 1862. Johnson rejoined Confederate forces and enlisted in the 4 th Kentucky Infantry as a private. He died from wounds suffered at the Battle of Shiloh on April 7, 1862.

The letter offered here was written less than a year before his death at Shiloh, and is a direct product of Johnson’s work to protect Kentucky from the ravages of the war. Filing docket on verso reads: “Political / Communication to Confederate authorities touching negotiations for Peace Presented in Richmond Va. July 1861.”

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. ***PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR SHIPMENT TO BE SENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN THE ONE YOU HAVE ON FILE WITH INVALUABLE, YOU WILL NEED TO INFORM US OF THIS AS SOON AS PAYMENT IS SUBMITTED FOR YOUR WINNINGS*** Shipping and handling costs are competitive as we maintain discounted contracts with FedEx. If you have any questions, contact University Archives prior to bidding. After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item. We currently ship via FedEx but if your purchase is shipping to a P.O. Box, we ship via USPS. All items are insured. We ship from our offices in Westport, CT. We may opt to use a third party shipper for very fragile, bulky or oversized items. Items requiring third party shipping will be denoted in the item description. Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. International buyers will be responsible for any customs fees incurred.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 20% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000