Tennessee’s wartime governor who arrested pastors and seized railroads

Andrew Johnson’s Betrayal and Rise to Power

Andrew Johnson National Historic Site in Tennessee tells the story of a man who chose country over state and paid dearly for it.

When Lincoln needed someone to bring Tennessee back into the Union in 1862, he picked Johnson, the state’s only senator who refused to join the Confederacy.

Tennesseans called him a traitor, burned him in effigy, and drove his family from their home with nothing but a wagon.

As military governor, Johnson ruled with an iron fist, arresting preachers, shutting down newspapers, and demanding loyalty oaths stricter than Lincoln wanted.

Here’s how one man’s wartime choices shaped a state and where you can see his military governor’s desk today.

Lincoln Picked A Southern Loyalist For The Toughest Job In Tennessee

Union forces took Nashville and Forts Henry and Donelson in February 1862, giving them control of Tennessee’s capital. Lincoln needed someone tough to bring the rebel state back into the Union.

He picked Andrew Johnson, the only Southern senator who stayed loyal when Tennessee joined the Confederacy. Johnson stood out as a rare Southern voice of loyalty in Washington.

The Senate quickly backed Lincoln’s choice, giving Johnson the rank of brigadier general and the job of military governor.

His Family Paid A Steep Price For His Union Loyalty

Confederates hit back hard at Johnson for his "betrayal. " They took his land and freed his slaves as punishment.

They turned his Greeneville home into a Confederate military hospital.

Angry rebels forced Johnson’s wife Eliza and their two daughters out of town with just what they could fit in a wagon. Back home, angry mobs hung fake Johnsons from trees.

Throughout the South, people called him a traitor. His family lost nearly everything while he stayed in Washington with the Union.

The New Governor Found A City On Edge

Johnson got to Nashville in late March 1862 to start his new job. He found a city with danger all around.

Much of eastern Tennessee stayed under Confederate control, and rebel forces often came close enough to threaten Nashville.

Johnson helped set up the city’s defense while dealing with Nathan Bedford Forrest’s constant cavalry raids. He kept pistols with him always, knowing many locals wanted him dead.

He worked from protected headquarters with Union troops guarding him.

Johnson Demanded Total Loyalty Or Else

Johnson quickly showed who was boss. He made all public officials swear loyalty oaths to the Union.

Anyone who refused to reject secession lost their job right away. He closed newspapers owned by Confederate supporters and locked up their editors.

Johnson took control of all Tennessee railroads for military use. His message was clear: support the Union or face the consequences.

His tough approach shocked many Tennesseans who expected milder treatment.

The Governor Filled Jails With His Critics

Johnson locked up anyone who spoke against the federal government. Ministers who gave pro-Confederate sermons ended up behind bars.

Community leaders who questioned Union authority went to jail without trials. Newspaper editors who criticized Johnson’s methods got thrown in prison.

The governor showed no mercy to those he saw as threats.

His jails filled with political prisoners as he worked to silence all opposition in occupied Tennessee.

Money And Military Power Became His Weapons

Johnson ran Tennessee like a military camp from Nashville. He taxed wealthy planters and large landowners heavily to punish Confederate supporters.

The governor went after the Southern elite who had pushed for secession. He collected taxes in Union-held areas and brought back federal control through force.

Johnson decided who could travel, what goods could move, and which businesses could stay open. His grip got tighter as the war went on.

A Family Reunion Brought Some Personal Relief

The Confederates finally let Johnson’s wife and family pass through battle lines in 1863 to join him in Nashville. This reunion gave Johnson some comfort during his stressful job.

Even with his family nearby, he still carried pistols for protection. His wife Eliza helped run their household in Nashville while Johnson focused on his dangerous work.

Having his loved ones close helped him cope with the most challenging job of his career.

Slavery Divided Even The Union Supporters

Johnson first fought against freeing slaves and got Lincoln to keep Tennessee out of the Emancipation Proclamation.

By summer 1863, he changed his mind and started supporting abolition as a way to hurt the Confederate cause. On August 8, 1863, Johnson freed his own slaves to show others what he expected.

This shift split Tennessee’s Union supporters into pro-slavery and anti-slavery groups. The growing divide made Johnson’s job of bringing back civil government even harder.

His Loyalty Tests Got Even Tougher

Johnson created loyalty oaths stricter than what Lincoln asked for in other states. These tough requirements pushed away many moderate Unionists who might have supported him.

During the 1864 presidential campaign, Johnson made the oaths even more demanding. Voters had to swear they opposed any peace deal with the Confederacy before they could vote.

His extreme measures left fewer Tennesseans able to help rebuild the state government.

The Former Slave Owner Became An Emancipator

In 1864, Johnson completely changed course by announcing freedom for all Tennessee slaves. This big shift showed how far he had moved from his earlier pro-slavery views.

Former slaves thanked Johnson with an inscribed watch "for his Untiring Energy in the Cause of Freedom. " Sam and Margaret, who Johnson once owned, stayed with him as paid servants after gaining their freedom.

His public support for ending slavery helped align Tennessee with the changing Union war aims.

The Hard-Nosed Governor Finally Got Results

Relief came when General William Rosecrans beat Confederate forces at Murfreesboro in early 1863, pushing rebels farther from Nashville.

Union troops captured much of eastern Tennessee later that year, giving Johnson control over more territory. By early 1865, Tennessee adopted a new state constitution that banned slavery.

Civil government slowly returned, though many questioned Johnson’s harsh methods.

His three years as military governor ended when Lincoln picked him as his running mate in 1864, setting Johnson on a path to the presidency after Lincoln’s assassination.

Visiting Andrew Johnson National Historic Site, Tennessee

The Andrew Johnson National Historic Site at 101 North College Street in Greeneville offers free admission to explore Johnson’s complex wartime legacy.

You can tour his preserved 1831 tailor shop and see exhibits about his military governorship at the Visitor Center.

The Homestead tour requires free tickets and shows graffiti Confederate soldiers carved into walls while occupying Johnson’s house. Tours run at 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, and 2:30.

Open daily April-November, Wednesday-Sunday December-March, 9am-4pm.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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