Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-09-14
The Kentucky acknowledgements
C0RrosDOndence.

Correspondence
From the Memphis Avalanche. Sept. l2.
Last week, Confederate forces, under the orders
of Gen. Polk, took possession of Hickman and Col
umbus. Gen. Polk Immediately after inform
ed Gov AagOfin that he had done So in consequences
of positive information that the Federals were
about to seize these important strategic points and
thereby endanger West Tennessee and Memphis; but
that he would withdraw his troops if those Of the
enemy would retire from Kentucky soil.
Ia the meantime GsV. Harris, who was not APP
priced of the urgent necessity which prompted the
move, telegrapeed to Gen. Polk to withdraw bus
troops from Kentucky, which he declined to do.
The Governor then requested the Secretary of War
to order their withdrawal, which he did, but Gen.
Polk replied 70 the order that he was acting under
pressing military necessity, and could not recede
without fatal detriment; whereup0n Secretary
Walker telegraphed to Gen. Buekner Of Kentucky,
that Gen. Polk might act according 70 his own dis
erection in the case.
Gov Harris, also, sent Commissioners to Gov.
Magofin and and the Kentucky Legislature now In
session to ObFiate collision if possible, who have
sent a communication to Gov Msgofin. abiding to
the facts we have reeited, and expressing wish
thai peace may be preserved between Kentucky
and Tennessee, which has been communicated 70
the Kentucky Legislature.
Our readers are aware that simultaneously with
Gen. Folks occupancy of Hickman ard Columbus.
the FeieFsls from Cairo, under Gen. Grant, seized
Paducah, and planted themselves opposite Columbus
with the evident intention to occupy that point but
Aletter from Cairo, dated Thursday, the 9Th, APP
pears in the Chicago Times disclosing the faets that
| Gen. Grant, with large Federal force, had en-
Bgrked at midnight, tine night before, or Paducah;
the other forces had been sent below, AMI that tor
days before, these movements had been COntempla-
ted. the neutrality of Kentucky TO be
longer respected. This letter, also. divulges the
startling fact that Gen. Grant had understanding
with the Union members Of the Kentucky Legisla-
ture that il would pass an act approving Of the
seizure of Paducsh which expected 90 be
toed by Gov. MagOfin, but would then be passed
despite his veto.
These facts present nice complication, beauti-
full imbrogliO for which Gen. Polk has offered the
only admissible solution and that is the withdrawal
of Lincons forces from Kentucky. 1t is in VAN
that the Union members Of the Kentucky Legislature
clamOr for the removal of the Confederate forces
from the position which they occupy until they
obtain the withdrawal of LincOlns troops, introduce
ed into the State at their instance Their nefAriOus
completely LincOln's military movements In Ken
lucky is now fully exposed. They stand convinced
of conspiring with the enemy to surrender Ken
lucky to the occupancy of his forces, while falsely
and hypOcFiticaly pretending TO maintain her neu-
traity. History scarce presents parallel Of such
infamous duplicity. The eOnspirstOrs engaged in
this dabolcsl plot deserve the execrations Of all
who reverence fairness and truth They have shown
themselves to be Z set of despicabe tricksters un
worthy the position or name of legislators. They
have cast a foul blot on the heretofore spotless
escutcheon of Kentucky's honor. They have COM
promised the good faith and integrity OF the State
which they profess to represent They have Tor
feited the respect and confidence Of the South, by
whom they can only be regarded ss the most das-
tardy and sneaking of foes.
1t is evident that no further reliance can be place
ed on the proposed neutrality of the UniOrpsrty of
Kentucky, assumed only mask, under which to
consu1nmate the scheme of precipitatnghsr into the
war against the South. Unless the Lincoln forces
be at once withdrawn the Confederate forces should
promptly advance into the State, seize the imPoi'-
tsut points and give battle to the invader. General
Polk has inaugursted the true policy in regard to
Kentucky and should be followed up with the Ut
most vigor. No vain hope Of peace nor false deli
cacy should induce the Southern COnfederscy to
wait until Lincoln shall get Kentucky under his
feet as he has Maryland and Missouri. II We must
have war there, let seize the advantage Of pre-
occupying. This prompt and vigorous policy we
have steadily advocated and more than ever
convinced of its propriety.
Since writing the above we have received fOrl
publication from Major General Polk, the follow
ing important documents
RESOLUTIONS OF The KENTUCKY SENATE RELATIVE TOl
THE VIOLATION or TIE NEUTRALITY OF KENTUCKY.
Resolved bu the Senate That the specia committed
of the Senate raised for the purpose of cOnsderng
the reported occupation Of Hickman and Otherl
points In Kentucky by the Confederate troops take
into consideration the occupation Of Psducah Sndl
other places in Kentucky by the Federal auhOrities
and report thereon when the true state of the easel
shall have been sscertained That the Speaker ap-
point three members OF senate 10 WISH oOutn-I
eFn Kentucky, who are directed to obtain all rheI
facts they can in reference to the recent OccuptOn
of Kentucky soil by Confederate and Federal fOrees
and report in writing at as early day as practical
BILE.
In Senate of Kentucky, Saturday, September 7,
A. D. 1860.
Twice read and adopted
Attest: J. H JOHNSON. S. S.
In accordance with the foregoing resolution, the |
Speaker appointed as said committee Messrs. John
Tobp I'D nd = hall III
Attest ]. II. JOHNSON, s. s.
LETTER OF HON. J. N. JOHNSON, CHAIRMAN THE CON
MITTEE OF TIE KENTUCKY SENATE TO GEN. POLK.
CoLUMBCs, KY, Sept g. 1861.
To Major General Polk Commanding Forces, DC:
SIR Il have the honor to enclose herewith q res
olutiOn of the Senate of Kentucky, adopted by that
body upon the reception of intelligence of the mill
tary occupation of Hickman, Chalk Bank and Co
lumbus by the Confederate troops under your com
E1and. need not say that the people Of Kentucky
are profoundly astOnished that such act should
have been committed by the COnfederates, and es-
pecially that they should have been the first to do
so with equipped and regularly organized army
The people of Kentucky having, with great una
nimty determined upon position OF neutrality In
the unhappy now being waged, and which they III
had tried in vain to prevent, had hoped that one
place at least In this great nation, might remain un-
invaded by passion, and through whose good office
something might be done to end the war or at least
to mitigate its horrors or, if this not posi-
without disturbance from any quarter. II
In obedience TO the thrice repeated will 81 the
people, as expressed at the polls, and in their name
ask you to withdraw your forces from the soil Of
Kentucky. II
will say, in conclusion, that ali the people Of
the State await in deep suspense your action in the
premises II
have the honor to be, your Obd't serv't, &C.,
JOIN NJ. JOHNSON Chairman of Committee.
LETTER FROM GEN. POLK To THE KENTUCKY COMMITS
sIONERs. II
COLUMBUS, Ky, Sept. 9th, 1861.
To John u Johnston Chairman Of Committee Sen
ate Of kentucky.
Sir: ave the honor to acknowledge the receipt
of your letter of this date conveying to q eOpyI
of resolution Of the Senate Of Kentucky underll
which a committee (of which you are chairmsn)
was raised "for the purpose of considering the re-
ported occupation of Hickman and other points in
Kentucky by the Confederate troops, and that they
take into consideration the reported occupation Of
Psducah and other points in Kentucky by the Fed
ersl authorizes, and reported thereon; that
they be directed to obtain all the facts they can in
reference to the recent occupation of Kentucky
soil BY the Confederate and Federal forces and re-
port in writing, at as early day practicable"I
From the terms of the resolution it appearsl
your office as committee men, restricted mere
" to collecting the facts in reference to the recen
occupation of Kentucky soil by the COnfederstel
and Federal forces and to report thereon in writiuQ
At as early day possible. Ia answer to thessll
have respectfully to say that so far as
the Confederate forces concerned the facts are
plain and shortly stated. The government which
they represent, recO nZing as q fundamental prin-