No one here seems to know the extent of authority given by the sec. of War. to the officer recruiting this sable Regiment, whether by impressment or voluntary enlistment and whether or not it is left to the discretion of the officer, whose slaves shall and whose shall not be taken, in fine to loose and bind whom he pleases, Indeed it little signifies whether the means resorted to for filling up this Regiment be strictly coercive or not, The artifices employed in the way of threats, promises &c. &c. toward an ignorant and timid class through instrumentality of the most vicious (always the most active and forward in such cases, are equivalent to compulsion. Possibly cupidity and avarice may be a strong motive, We do not know what sum (if any) is is allowed for each recruit. This is true the encampment and vicinity is fast filling up with Women, babies, boys and girls of all ages, the wives children kindred &c of the enlisted soldiers, all of whom living in squalor and idleness are to be supported from some quarter. Not unfrequently a squad of these semi-baboons driving a Gov. Waggon up to some house either in the city or country and in the most insolent manner proceed to pack up whatever they may choose to claim as theirs, and return in triumph to the rendez vous of the Nations defenders —

Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt

A. Bradshaw

Paducah Ky Feby 9^th 1864
Gov. Bramlette

Sir In connection with or in confirmation of the facts and representations made byDr S. P. Cope in a communication of this date to your Excellency, setting forth one example of many wrongs and grievances to which the Citizens of this section are subjected, in regard to the impressment of their slaves into the military service of the U. S. A work which has just begun, and thus far seems to be conducted without any respect whatever to the status of parties, I. E. their loyalty or disloyalty, I would respectfully state that on yesterday, I met a Boy belonging to D^r Cope, only a few hours after he had been sworn in and donned the uniform of the Regiment, D^r Cope being present stated to him distinctly, that if he had taken this step of his own accord and free will, without intimidation threats or compulsion in any form or degree, then he had no more to say on the subject, but if other-wise, he felt it his duty and his right to seek redress in the best practicable way. The Boy disclaimed any disposition or wish to leave him or his service and stated that he was approached on the market square

Paducah Ky Feby 9^th 1864

Gov. Bramlette

Sir

in connexion with or
in confirmation of the facts and representations
made by D^r S. P. Cope in a communication of this
date to your Excellency, setting forth one example of
many wrongs and grievances to which the Citizens of
this section are subjected, in regard to the impressment
of their slaves into the military service of the U.S. A work
which has just begun, and thus far seems to be conducted
without any respect whatever to the States of parties,
J. E. their loyalty or disloyalty, I would respectfully state
that on yesterday I met a Boy belonging to D^r Cope, only a
few hours after he had been sworn in and donned the
uniform of the Regiment, D^r Cope being present stated to him
distinctly, that if he had taken this step of his own accord
and free will, without intimidation threats or compulsion
in any form or degree, then he had no more to say
on the subject, but if otherwise he felt if his duty and his
right to seek redress in the best practicable way. The Boy
disclaimed any disposition or wish to leave him or his service
and stated that he was approached on the market square

[BR5-130]

while engaged in his ordinary duties by several armed
Negro soldiers and forced into the encampment against
his will and consent and there compelled to take
the necessary oath as an enlisted soldier, and if he
did not take it voluntariy, he would be compelled.

Then, lest he might feel under some restraint or
disinclined to communicate his sincere feelings on the
subject in the presence of D^r Cope because of the decided stand
heretofore taken by him, notwithstanding the many, (I might say)
almost daily opportunities for the past 2 or 3 years of deserting
his home with perfect impunity, I called him aside
and assured him he had nothing to apprehend from a
frank full and candid statement of all the motives
and reasons that prompted him to the course he had taken.
He reiterated all that he had said to D^r Cope and others present
and to the question put to him by me, whether if left
to his choice he would remain in the army or return
to his home, He replied that he would return to his
home —

Very Respectfully &c

A. Bradshaw