President Abraham Lincoln had named former United States Senator Andrew Johnson of Tennessee as military governor of his state, with the rank of brigadier general, earlier in the month. Arriving in Nashville, Johnson made strenuous use of the loyalty oath to ensure a successful Union occupation. On this day, the Nashville mayor and the city council voted 16-1 refused to take the oath. Johnson instantly removed all of them and filled their vacancies with those that would swear allegiance to the United States. (By John Osborne)
Source Citation
Frank Moore, ed., The Rebellion Record: A Diary of American Events, with Documents, Narratives, Illustrative Incidents, Poetry, Etc. (New York: G.P. Putnam, 1862), IV: 68.
Record Data
Date Certainty
Exact
Type
Lawmaking/Litigating
