The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1862-03-21
Governors Message.
LNECuTIyE OFFICE,
Memphis, FebCuary 20, iSI2. !
GentismeR Of he .Senafe.

Obuef your JOINT res0fttson adopted the 10Th
Of February inst, providing chat the Governor
and Heads Of Executive Departments NAV at any
time during the prese1s war, by proclamation Of
the Governor, temporarily change the seat Of
government, remoreSh the papers and records in the
Executive Departments, and the Governor by
proclamation, shaf convene the Legislature when
he deems II EeccSssry, at the place determined
upon as the Temporary seat Of government" and
the report IF a legislative committee frou the
House, which called upon me on the l6th inst, 20
inform pse tia the Legislature was ready to meet
at sscs time and place as l might designate, I
deemed it my duty TO remove the records Of the
government to, and convene the Legislature, at
thts city for the following reasons: TIE disaster
b our arms at Fishing Creek bad biraed the right
asnk Of our army and left the country from Cum
b7rland Gap to Nashville exposed 10 the advance
Of the Federal army.
The fall Of Fort Henry had given the enemy
tSefree navigation OF the Tennessee river through
which channel he lsd reached the Southern boun-
darv OF Tennessee. and the fall Of Fort Donel.
son left the Cumberland river open TO his gun
boats and tran ports enabling him to penetrate
the heart Of the State, and reach its capital at
any time, within few hours, when be should see
proper TO move upon II.
Immediately upon hearing Of the fall Of Fort
Donelson, / called upon Gen. Johnston to tender
him all the resources Of the State which could be
made available. With my full cooperation in any
and all measures of defense Of our State and
capital. Gen. Johnston informed me that under
the circumstances which surrounded him, with
the small force then under his command, he re-
gar,led il as his duty TO the army he commanded
aud the government be represented. to fall hack
With his army South of Nashville, making no de-
Tense Of the city, and that be would do SO imme-
diately upon the arrival Of the army from Bowling
Green. The necessity for this retrogade move
ment am certain, was deeply regretted by Gen.
Johnston. None could have deplored h more Sc
risusly than myself.
You have, for months past, witnessed the CON
slant and earnest efforts which | have made to
raise troops, collect arms, and prepare them for
the field for the defense of dur long line Of from
tier, but it is evident that the country has not
been sufficiently aroused to a full sense of the
dangers with which it was menaeed. While it
is true that Tennessee has sent large numbers of
her sons to the field, who are performing their
duty nobly, and her people have shown high
degree of energy in developing all the resources
of the State, which could aid the government in
this struggle it is equally true that there is scarce
ly locality within our limits which could not
have DONE and which cannot now do more. Many
weeks before this crisis in our affairs, Gen. John
ston sent highly accomplished and able engi-
neer, Major Gilmer, to Nashville reconstruct for
tifcations for the defense Of the city. Laborers
were need for their construction. Joined Major
Gilmer in an earnest and urgent appeal to the
people to send in their laborers for this purpose,
offering full and fair compensation. This appeal
was so feebly responded to that I advised Gen.
Johnston to impress the necessary labor, but ow-
ing to the difficulty in obtaining the aborers, the
works we're not completed; indeed, some of them
little more than commenced when Fort Donelson
fell.
Under the act Of 9th May, 1861, raised, or
ganized, armed, and equipped a large volunteer
force, but under the military league and the act
of the General Assembly, it was made my duty
to transfer that army, with all Of our munitions,
to the government of the Confederate States,
which did on the Slst day Of July, 1861.
Since that time have had no authority TO
mise, or means of subsisting State army, being
only authorized to raise, organize, and put into
the field such troops as were demanded of the
State by the government of the Confederate
States, that government having control of the
deltnses of the State rs well as our munitions
andmeans Of defense.
Since tue passage Of the act of May, 1851,
haveorganited and put into the field for the Con
federate service fifty mine regiments of infantry
one regiment Of cavalry, eleven cavalry battalions
and over twenty independent companies, mostly
artillery. The Confederate government has arm
ed about fifteen thousand of these troops, bat TO
arm the remainder Of this large force, have had
to draw heavily upon the sporting guns Of our
citizens.
Having bent every energy to fill the requisitens
made upon me by the Confederate States for
troops, when Fort Donelson fell there was not .
single organized and armed company in the State
subject to my command, the only force under my
control being an undisciplined, unarmed militia,
which, under our inefficient and sadly defective
militia system, / have had no power TO discipline,
drill and prepare for service in the field. Under
these circumstances, when the Confederate army
fell back from the capital, leaving it exposed to
the assault of large army of the enemy, it
would have been worse than folly in me to have
attempted its defense.
There was no alternative left but for the officers
of the government to remove the public records
to place ef greater security, or allow themselves
and those records to fall into the hands of the
Federal army, resulting in the subversion of the
State Government and the establishment Of n mil
itary despotism or provisional government, un-
der Federal authority, over the people of the
State. could not doubt or hesitate as to my
duty under such circumstances.
Having assembled here at period when o. part
of our territory is overrun, and other portions Sc
rously threatened by the invader, the one great
duty which devolves upon us is the immediate
sdoption of such measures as will concentrate CIV.
cry possible energy and all the resources of the
State in determined effort to drive back the in.
vader, redeem every inch of our soil, and main.
tain the independence Of our State
80 inna i'm mn ~ W.
have voted ourselves free and independent peO.
pie. Shall we faler now in maintaining thai
declaration at any cost or at any sacrifice The
alternative presented to us is the maintenance o.
our independence, however long and bloody the
struggle, or suhjugation, dishonor, and pOlitica
slavery trust there are very few Tennesseeani
"who can long debate which of the two t
choose"
The apprehonsions which expressed, and the
dangers of which / warned you in my specia
message of the LIST inst, have been fully realized
by the country, and the necessity for prompt, en-.
erretic and decided action is even more impera
tive now than at that time. | now respectfully
repeat to you the recommendations of that mes
SAGE. and earnestly urge that you SO amend oui
militia sys EN- as will not only enable the Exeou
tive to fiji promptly all acquisitions made by the
Confederate government upon Tennessee for her
lust proportion of troops, but also give full pow
or to discipline and prepare for efficient service il
the field The whole military strength of the State
classifying the militia so that the burthens of oui
defense will fall upon the young and vigorous
who are best able to bear them, | also recon
mend that you authorize the organization of {
part of the militia into cavalry and artillery corps
as well as infantry, and in all instances where i
Is deemed proper to call ont the militia authorize
the reception of volunteers in lieu of the militi'
as far as they may present themselves, and for tb'
present defense Of the State ! recommend Thu
passage of bill authorizing the raising, armiEg
and cquipping of provisional army of voun
teers, appropriating ample means for this purpose
Believing that ut least fourth Of the presen
militia strength Of the State can be armed by col
Letting all the sporting guns in the country, have
ordered that proportion to be placed in camp i'm
mediatcly. Appropriations to equip, pay, subsis
and clothe this force while engaged in the public
defense, will be necessary.
While there is much TO regret in the past Their
is much to hope in the future. Our fathers of thu
first revolution experienced more serious reverse