POSTED TO OUR LIST FOR HISTORICAL CONTENT JOHNSTON COUNTER-ATTACKS FEDERAL INVASISON The control of Kentucky in 1861 would take on a deliberate competition of sorts during the late summer. After Buckner captured Bowling Green, Confederate General Johnston in a matter of hours would issue his own manifesto in direct confrontation with one issued by Buckner at Bowling Green Whereas the armed occupation of a part of Kentucky by the United States, and the preparations which manifest their in- tention of the government to invade the Confederate States through the territory, has imposed it on these last as a ne- cessity of self-defense to enter that state and meet the in- vasion upon the best line for military operations. And whereas, it is proper that the motives of the government of the Confederate States, in taking this step should be fully known to the world: Now, therefore, I, Albert Sidney Johnston, general and com- mander of the Western department of the army of the Confed- erate States of America, do proclaim that these states have thus marched their troops into Kentucky with no hostile in- tention toward its people, nor do they desire or seek to con- trol their choice in regard to their union with either the Con- federacies, or to subjugate their state, or hold its soil against their wishes. On the contrary, they deem it to be the right of the people of Kentucky to determine their own position in re- gard to the belligerents. It is far better for them to say whether they will join either Confederacy, or maintain a sepaerate ex- istence as an independent and sovereign state. The armed occupation of their soil, both as to its extent and duration will therefore, be srictly limited by the exigencies of self-defense on the part of the Confederate States of America. TO BE CONTINUED