Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1866-06-15
COL. FORSHEY BEFORE THE CON.
MITTEE ON RECONSTRUCTION.

COL. FORSHEY BEFORE THE com.
MITTEE ON RECONSTRUCTION.
On the application Of the Hon. Reverdy
johnson, of Maryland, Colonel Forshey, Of
Texas, was summoned to sppear before the
COMMITTEES to testify to the condition and
disposition of the States alately in rebellion"
SWORN BY THE CHAIRMAN OF TIE COMMITTEE.
@. OF what State are you resident and
how long2 A. have resided twelve years
in Texas.
Q. From what State did you emigrate to
Texas2 A. claim to be virgin'an, though
chiefly reared in Ohio, whittier my father re-
moved from Virginia in my childhood; re-
ceived my collegiate education at Kenyon
College, Ohio, my military and scientific ed
ucation at West Point my life of manhood
has been passed In Louisiana and Texas.
@. Have you been in the rebel service, and
10 what way2 A. have served during the
war; was Lieutenant Colonel Of Engineers,
chiefly engaged in the defenses west of the
Mississippi.
Q. What knowledge have you of the con.
dition aud disposition of the people of the
States lately in rebellion agcinst the Un ted
States2 A. think have pretty good
knowledge as to the three Southwestern
States, in which my acquaintance Is very
extensive, and, perhaps, may assume to have
fair degree of general knowledge as to the
other Confederate States; at least have made
the matter continual subject of inquiry and
observation, and without knowing the kind
sc ;nc, - .x,;n xvho, 7
can.
Q. What is the state of public order and
obedience to the United States authorities in
Texas, and the other States of which you
have knowledge2 A. Good order and obe-
dience are universal in Texas and elsewhere
as believe. 1t has never been otherwise in
Texas, unless probably on the Rio Grande
among the turbulent characters that have
no special habitation either side of the bor-
der
Q. Please state whether that good order
you describe is due to the presence and au-
thority of the United States troops, and
whether, upon their removal there would
not be disorder and disloyalty? A. 1t is GER
tainly in no degree due TO the presence of
troops. In fact any exceptions to the re-
mark may be imputed to the Irritating fact
that soldiers are about. Their removal would
be everywhere public blessing, unless need
ed on the frontier to guard against Indians
or Mexican robbers.
Q. Why do you say ''irritating," are they
not well-behaved2 A. Generally they are,
but their presence is understood as an eu-
blem of submission. Every bayonet is q
symbol of our subjugation, and is viewed as
an evidence that our surrender and parole
are not received in good faith. We need nc
watching, and naturally dislike the guards
that watch u.s.,
@. Would loyal men be safe among VOC
without Federal protection? A. All men
were safe before there was any Federal au-
thority among us. Aher the surrender we
were months without officers or law. A
military order vacated or annulled all Off.
cial functions, and deprived us of every spe-
cies Of legal restraint, and for months fur,
nished no substitute for the authority sup
pressed. Troops have not at any time reach
ed our interior generally, and yet, through
cut the vast area of Texas, just replenished
by the return of fifty thousand disbanded
soldiers, there was as good order as in any
Northern States or elsewhere. ! regard 1t ~
great test of our civilization; ! wish thu
fact to be put on record in our favor. Tht
came was true, as believe, in most of the
Southern States. Not single resistance tt
Federal authority has ever taken place t.
the present day; and when it is considered
half million Of men have just returned
from coDfct of four years, in which they
have fought for national life and honor, w
think they should claim respect that shoulI
remove sentinels and disband the armies
white and black, that watch US.
Q. Is it generally believed that the troop
are kept to humiliate the people? A. Per
haps that would too strongly express It. TheJ
feel it calculated TO humiliate and that thos
who order il are reckless of this fact. w
believe it to be obvious to all, both Nortl
and South, that negro troops placed to guar
their late masters, is viewed with repugnanc
, and proper Indignation by every man, wo
man and child of trne spirit IL the South
and some Of the military treatment Of tn
South is accepted by them as intended t
degrade them.
Q. Have negro troops been genarally sen
as garrisons in Texasl A. Fortunately the
have not. On the frontier they have bee
sent in great numbers, but we have very lit
tie population there, and do not feel it. A
y
sing to and from other service. fear tina
the results would have been serious had the
been generally sent through Texas. Their
are some things our returned soldiers woul
|. not bear, and believe that is one. Th
question as to the safety of loyal men hav
not fully answered. From the time of SUI
render there were agents and drummers, an
!, cotton buyers from Northern States ali owe
Texas; and at this time they and other EN-
grants and travellers from the loyal State
so-called, probably number thousands !
> Texas. In no case have they been interrupt
ed, 80 far as / know. Ifthere have been e.
ceptions, they were doubtless the result I
imprudent meddling, or censorious languag
This will provoke individual retor aad cha.
tisement anywhere in Texas. Those wh
mind their own business will be unmoleste'
J. II Is one Of our habits to mind our own bu
ipess, and to expect aud require it of other
We are glad TO receive men who bring cap
tai TO help us revive our shattered fortune
- and do not care whence they come. | b.
lieve these remarks hold good for all Il
y, late Confederate States.
Q. Do your people view the Freedmen
Bureau as valuable and needful institution
and profitable in the re-establishment Of n
gro laborl
& A, do not. According TO my own o
servation and the testimony of acquaintanc
with whom have justcompared views fro
p five distant portions of our great State, Il
influence Of the Freedmen's Bureau is uu
versally pernicious, and the institution
viewed by the peOple almost unanimousI