Charles B. Cotton to Thomas E. Bramlette
1864-01-06
- Date of Creation
- January 6, 1864
- Place of Creation
- Louisivlle, Jefferson County, Kentucky
- Document Genre
- Correspondence
- Repository
- Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives
- Collection
- Office of the Governor, Thomas E. Bramlette: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Military Correspondence, 1863-1867
- Box / Folder
- BR5-84 to BR5-85
- CWGK Accession Number
- KYR-0001-003-0044
- Rights
- This image and its transcription are freely available to the public. Images appear courtesy of Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Transcriptions and annotations were created by Kentucky Historical Society staff, volunteers, and interns. When referencing this document, please use our preferred citation.; The use of transcriptions, images, or annotations from this collection beyond the exceptions provided for in the Fair Use and Educational Use clauses of the U.S. Copyright Law may violate federal law. Permission to publish or reproduce any material on CWGK is required.
- FTP Identifier
- 32202783
- People
- Cotton, Charles B.
- Stanton, Edwin McMasters
- Hitchcock, Ethan Allen
- Cotton, Frank P.
- Bramlette, Thomas Elliott
- Hoffman, William
- Places
- Frankfort, Kentucky
- Kentucky
- Louisville, Kentucky
- Washington, District of Columbia
- Woodford County, Kentucky
- Organizations
- Camp Douglas
- Confederate States Army
- Government of the United States of America
- United States War Department
- Dates
- 1864-01-06
Citation
Charles B. Cotton to Thomas E. Bramlette, 1864-01-06, Office of the Governor, Thomas E. Bramlette: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Military Correspondence, 1863-1867, Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Accessed via the Civil War Governors of Kentucky Digital Documentary Edition, https://discovery.civilwargovernors.org/document/KYR-0001-003-0044 (February 11, 2026).
X Frank P Cotton
Louisville Ky
Dear Sir.
I have a personal favor to ask of you — which I trust will meet your approval. Should you grant it — I can only pledge my honest efforts as a loyal man — and as a brother — that your assistance shall not be abused if in my power to protect it.
To do so I think and trust will be in my power and hence I pledge my efforts to you personally — with a Considerable degree of Confidence.
Suffice it to say — that I have Just returned from Washington Cty — where I visited — for the sole purpose of relieving a youthful half brother — X
from the Military prison at Camp Douglas.
He went into the Confederate Service when about 17 years of age — is yet a minor — and Since his capture — some six months ago — he has made written application to the Dptment — for the privlege of taking the oath and giving bond for his good behavior &c and for his release from prison.
That petition lies there for months & no action. Respectable — loyal men of Woodford — where he was born — unite in a petition requesting his release — first upon the ground of his youth and Secondly on
the ground of the loyalty of his nearest relatives.
So matters have stood for months and now stand — having never yet been brought before the Sec of War. I went there for that purpose however and had the papers refered by Col Hoffman to Maj Gen E A Hitchcock — Commer of Exchange — who examined my personal recommendations &c and kindly advised me to have your recommendation for my brothers release forwarded to him and he would specially refer the petition to the Sec of War — with the recommendation that he be discharged upon Taking the oath to the U S Government.
I therefore make this application for your letter of assistance as advised by the General And when in my power I will manifest an equal friendship.
My intention is to send him off to school — upon his release — when I trust he will be taught the blessings of a free & United Government.
You will please address me at Louisville
Yours Truly
Hon Thomas E Bramlett
Frankfort
Ky