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Abraham Lincoln Papers Abraham Lincoln papers 1 From Mason W. Benjamin to Orville H. Browning [With Endorsement by Lincoln] , December 12, 1863 1 Lieutenant Benjamin, who sends this assessment of affairs in Arkansas, was the post adjutant at Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Head Quarters Post of Pine Bluff Pine Bluff Ark Dec. 12” 1863 Dear Sir Since I wrote you last the Capitol of this State has fallen into our hands and the rebels have been driven to the South West corner of the State. A very large proportion of the citizens of the State who are now at home — especially those south of the Arkansas River are loyal and radical Administration men and are very anxious to have the President appoint a Military Governor for the State expecting thereby to be able soon to establish a civil Government that will once more permit them to enjoy those Rights and blessings which the United States along guarantee. The people voted over ten thousand majority against seceeding — still the State Officials forced it to join the Rebelion and inaugerated as perfect a “reign of terror” as ever existed in the world. But I believe this State is, today, more loyal than the State of Missouri. But it has no Executive — no one to officially act or speak for it Who shall be appointed? In my opinion the Military Governor should be Anthony A. C. 2 Rogers of this place and I earnestly ask you to solicit the President to make that appointment. I 3 know of but two men who are talked of for that position, Mr Murphy and Mr Rogers — Mr Murphy's friends claim it for him because he was the only man in the Convention who did not finally vote for secession: he is a good man but too old and feeble for so laborious and responsible a position. I have known Mr Rogers well for the last three months — he is one of the most firm, high minded, honest, and patriotic Gentlemen I ever knew. He has always been a merchant and not a politician — still he was always an ardent supporter of Henry Clay and his doctrines. When there was a call for a Secession Convention in this State, Mr Rogers stumped his district as an Independent Union Candidate and was defeated by a small majority! He is the only man that I know that did not at some time succumb to the Rebel Authorities; he was always known among them to be an unconditional Union Man! He was once arrested by them, and carried before their Grand Jury to be indicted for treason but they did not succeed. He is now one of the most zealous and radical Administration men that I know and I firmly believe that if he is appointed Governor of this State that he will soon Abraham Lincoln papers http://www.loc.gov/resource/mal.2861900 succeed in bring it back, to its Allegiance to the Federal Government. The prominent Citizens, I 4 understand have already recommended him for that position and Genl. Steele has approved the recommendation and forwarded it to the President. I know your aversion towards interfering with affairs in any other State but your own — but hoping that you view the Restoration of a State or any thing that tends thereto, differently, I therefore again earnestly ask you to solicit the President to make the appointment 2 In January 1864 a state convention selected Isaac Murphy as the provisional governor of Arkansas. Rogers and two other Unionists were elected to Congress that March, but the House of Representatives did not allow them to take their seats. 3 Isaac Murphy 4 Frederick Steele I am Very Respectfully Your Most Obt Serv't M. W. Benjamin [Endorsement:] Please attend to this at once. You know Benjamin is as true as Steele. He is a noble fellow I have not the Slightest doubt but every Statement he makes is Strictly true. The young one is writing you now. I will write in a day or two I am over head and ears in pork to day [Endorsed by Lincoln:] Arkansas. Abraham Lincoln papers http://www.loc.gov/resource/mal.2861900.
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