| Knoxville Feb 10th 1865 |
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| To his Excelency Andrew Johnson |
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Dear Sir, |
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I wish to make a plane and honest statement of facts
respecting my position since the commencement of the War: and if you
think my conduct has not operated too strongly against the Govt ask
you to assist me in my present condition. As you are well aware I
have been your warm political and I may add your personal friend and
am still the same. You are aware I was the Supt of the E T & Va. R
R. for some time after the War commenced. In Nov 1862, I resigned my
office partly in consequence of the news paper Clamor together with
a partition sent to the Secretary of War at Richmond charging me of
keeping on the Road Union men and asking the Secretary to have me
displaced. I became tired of the clamor and resigned my office and
went to the Salt Works for the purpose of making Salt believing that
to be the most profitable employment I could engage in. I remained
there until the 8th January 1864. At that time the Stockholders and
Directors of the R held a meeting at Jonesboro and Elected me Supt
by all parties, and sent a long Communication to me setting forth
the fact that the Secretary of War had appointed a military
President & Supt to run the R. as a military R. I at once went to
Richmond to see if the Secretary would withdraw his appointment and
let me run the R. which he refused to do Stating to me that he had
no Confidence in the loyalty of an E Tennessean. I returned home and
reported to the Board which caused great excitement in the Board and
with the operatives of the R. They at once instructed me to take
charge of all the stock and property and hold it unless put off by
the bayonet. In about three days Col Owen & Dodamead came out and
demanded the trains, but after taking one trip over the R. and
finding the feeling and excitement with all classes, went back to
Richmond and declined the appointment, and I continued to run the R.
up to the 14th Decr last when Genl Stoneman made his raid on
Bristol. I was there Captured and paroled to report to Gen Carter at
this place which I did as soon as I could ride here. I remained in
prison three weeks, and the military finding no charges I was turned
over to the Civil authorities and indicted for Treason and I am here
under bonds to appear the 3d monday in May next which I expect to do
if life lasts, and will not leave Knoxville at any risk, of
prejudicing, my case in Court or in other words I will not attempt
to pass the federal lines unless I can have permission from the
authorities here and it to this I ask you to assist me if you think
I am deserving. Every thing I have on earth, is at Bristol and
beyond I have pretty much all invested in Domestic & Tobacco and if
I could go through and have it deposited at on this Side of Bristol
I think when the federal lines are extended it would be safe and I
would have at least something left. I have had great trouble with
both parties. Last Summer Genl Morgan sent me to prison for not
running the R to sit him. I can assure you I have taken no part in
the war more than the control of the R R. which I operated with two
thirds Union men. Yet I dont wish to disguise the fact that my
feeling at the commencement of the rebellion was strongly Southern,
but at present if I could get my means or a part of them inside the
lines I would be content to submit & remain a loyal Citizen. I hope
you will assist me in this matter. For the truth of my Statement I
refer you to J. R. Branner Col John Netherland Col T. A. R. Nelson,
O. P. Temple Col Baxer Genl Kyle & Co. All I ask is permission to
pass to Bristol and return again to your lines. I am not confined
here but fear leaving Knoxville without papers to protect me from
Scouts and all parties. I hope you will consider my request
favorably for me and if so I will be under lasting obligations to
you. |
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Yours very respectfully |
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J. S. Goforth |
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