He was a chief spokesman for the small group of loyal Democrats known as the War Democrats. He had already been known to be against succession.By early 1862, parts of Tennessee had been occupied by the Union Army. In March 1862, President Lincoln appointed Johnson military governor of Tennessee, with the rank of brigadier general of volunteers. Johnsons purpose was, as he explained to his fellow Tennesseeans, as speedily as may be, to restore the government to the same condition as before the existing rebellion.

The bitterness, hatred, violence, and lawlessness of the times made Johnsons task extremely difficult. Except in eastern Tennessee, he was regarded as a traitor. When Nashvilles mayor and city council refused to swear allegiance to the United States, Johnson replaced them with loyal Unionists.

In June 1864 the Republicans met in Baltimore, Maryland, and renominated President Lincoln. The convention was known as the National Union Convention to attract the support of the W ...more