Manuscript Database
Creator/Title
Johnson, E. Polk (Edward Polk), 1844-1924. Papers, 1862-1924. 22 items.
Call No.
Mss. C J
Content
Edward Polk Johnson (1844-1924) was a Jefferson County-born Confederate soldier in the 1st Kentucky Calvary. After the war he became a prominent figure in Louisville, serving as managing editor of the Courier-Journal, as well as assistant clerk of the Kentucky House of Representatives and President of the Kentucky Press Association. The collection consists of two letters written by Johnson to his family during the Civil War, which contain news about military life, well wishes home, and ideas glorifying the Confederacy and insulting the Union, specifically black soldiers. The collection also contains one letter written by Jefferson Davis to Johnson in 1888 asking Johnson's opinion of a man Davis hopes to employ. Also included are articles written for the Courier-Journal, the Lexington Herald-Leader, the Jeffersonian, and the Danville Messenger by Johnson commenting on past and present politics, articles written about Johnson's many lectures and speeches, and obituaries commemorating Johnson's death. A few articles have to do with other members of the Johnson family, including H. G. Johnson.