Fielding Hurst
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Fielding Hurst to Andrew
Johnson, Military Governor of Tennessee
29 April 1864 Memphis Tenn
April 29" 1864 Governor Andrew Johnson Dear
Sir I take pleasure in thus introducing to you Major
Robert M. Thompson of my regiment, who is ordered to report to you
on Business connected with the recruiting Service. Major
Thompson will give you in detail the deplorable State of affairs
which now, and exist in West Tenn, but I cannot
help giving you a few facts Forrest is now and has
been for forty days in the counties between the Mississippi and
Tennessee Rivers, carrying devastation and destruction as he goes. West
Tennessee has furnished a number of men for the United States
Service, who entered the Service for the purpose of defending their
homes from the invasions of the enemy; and yet these men are
compelled to Stay here, and at other points remote from their homes,
while the Rebels are allowed to float at large, Sacking, burning,
and plundering, their families of all they have to Subsist upon. This
State of affairs has existed to a more or less degree, ever Since
the war began, and yet the military authorities do nothing to
alleviate their Sufferings, but on the contrary, frequently taunt us
with being "Conquered Rebels" and insinuate that they had
just as well have us on the other Side as not. This
does not at all suit me. I don't like to be compelled to Keep my
Regiment, where a Rebel has more influence over the authorities than
a loyal man, neither do I like the idea of guarding Rebel Property,
whilst the owners of Said Property are living luxuriently under the
protection of my Government, and at the Same time plotting treason
against that Government, neither do I like to be under the immediate
Command of men who have "Cotton on the brain" to Such an
extent as to cause them to neglect their duty to the Government. Now,
what I desire is, to be Stationed at Some point on the Tennessee
River, above Fort Henry, where I can be of Some Service to the
families of the men in my Regiment. I know I cannot go there now,
but I do not think the time is far distant when I can, and I
therefore earnestly request you, to use your influence to
that effect and if possible have us ordered there. I
have nearly a full Regiment yet numbering (969) Nine Hundred and
Sixty Nine enlisted men, I had on the 2" March (1026) one
thousand and twenty-Six, we have been in Several engagements, in one
of which the loss was forty and three officers. For
further information I refer you to Major Thompson, who can give you
a correct history of the Suferings of the Union families in West
Tenn I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully
Your obt Servant, Fielding Hurst
Col 6th Ten Cavalry Source:
Andrew Johnson Papers, Account No. 124, Miscellaneous Collection.
Tennessee State Library and Archives.
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