Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1866-07-26
THE SOUTHERN PEOPLE.
Prof. Forshey Before the
Reconstruction Com
mitto0.

mlCG00.
On the application of the Hon.
Reverdy Johnson, of Maryland,
Col. Forshey, formerly of New Or
leans, now of Texas, was summon
ed to appear before the Reconstruc-
ton Committee, to testify to the
condition and disposition of the
States 'lately in rebellion" He
told them, in a very straight-for-
ward way, a good many truths:
Question. OF what State are
you a resident, and how long?
Answer. / have resided II years
| in the State of Texas.
@. From what State did you
emigrate to Texas? A. | claim
to be Virginian, though chiefly
reared in Ohio, whittier my father
removed from Virginia in my
childhood; l received my collegi-
ate education at Kenyon College,
Ohio, my military and scientific
education at West Point; my life
of manhood has been passed in
Louisiana and Texas.
@. Have you been in the rebel
service, and in what way? A. L
have served during the war; was
Lieutenant Colonel Of Engineers,
chiefly engaged in the defences
west of the Mississippi.
| @. What is the state of public
order and obedience to the United
States authorities in Texas, and
other States of which you have
any knowledge? A. Good order
and obedience are universal In
Texas and elsewhere, as | believe.
It has never been otherwise IN
Texas, unless probably on the Rio
Grande frontiers there may be oc-
casional exceptions among the tur-
lbulent characters that have no
special habitation either side of
the border.
| @. Please state whether that
good order you describe is due to
the presence and authority OF the
United States troops, and whether,
upon their removal, there would
not be disorder and disloyalty? A.
1t is certainly in no degree due to
the presence of troops. In fact,
any exceptions to the remark may
be imputed to the irritating fact
that soldiers are about. Their re-
moval would be everywhere apub-
lie blessing, unless indeed on the
!frontier, to guard against Indians
or Mexican robbers.
Q. Why do you say Irritating"
are they not well-behaved? A.
Generally they are, but their pres.
lence is understood as an emblem OF
our submission. Every bayonet is
symbol of our subjugation, and is
viewed as an evidence that our
surrender and parole are not re-
ceived in good faith. We need nc
watching, and naturally dislike the
guards that watch us.
@. Would loyal men be safe
among you without Federal protec.
ton? A. All men were safe be-
fore there was any Federal author
, ity among us. After the surren
der we were months without offi
! GERS or law. A military order va
, Gated or annulled all official func
tions, and deprived us of all spe
: cies of legal restraint, and tol
, months furnished no substitute fol
, the authority suppressed. Troops
have not at any time reached oul
) interior generally land yet, through
!, out the vast area of Texas, JUS
replenished by the return of fifty
, thousand disbanded soldiers, there
!, was as good order and as much re
: spect for rights and morals as IL
any Northern State or elsewhere
$ | regard it as a great test OF ou
, civilization; wish the fact to b
put on record in our favor. Th'
same was true, as | believe, il
: most of the Southern States. No
i a single resistance to Federal au q,
5 thority has ever taken place to tn
!, present day; and when it is ) con
) sidered that half aSmillion OF mel
!, have just returned from a eontilc
: of four years; in-which they nav
fought for national life and honor