PrincetonKentucky December 7" 1863
Gov Thos E Bramlette
Frankfort Ky
Dr Sir

At the November Term 1863 of the Caldwell Circuit Court a Judgment was rendered in favor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky against Newman Estes John Lewis and William Wells for the sum of Seven Thousand Dollars $7000= as the sureties and bail for One James A Johnson on a charge of Murder= I have examined and read the Petition of said Newman Estes John Lewis and William Wells= addressed to you and find the statements made therein substantially correct= said James A Johnson was sent out of the country and then sent south and exchanged to Military Order as I was informed and believe= I know that he was arrested and carried off to Colonel A,, P,, Henry15 Kentucky Calvalry

and I afterwards heard that James A Johnson hadbeen sent to Johnson= Islandand from there sent south and exchanged and I Know that he has never beenback in the country since he was arrested and carried Off to Colonel Henry in November Or December 1862= that I have ever heard of= and there is a report in circulation here that said James A Johnson is nowdead Whether true or not I am unable to say with any certainty= WilliamWells one of the parties in said — Judgment is utterly Worthless and insolvent and can not pay one Dollar= Newman Estes is anoldman and has a family John Lewis also has a family= and it will takeabout all both Estes and Lewis have to pay said Judgment for said sum of $7000= and there is very little hope or chance for indemnity from Johnson if he is either now living Or dead and I am Well satisfied that they have no indem

nity from Johnson to [serve] them from loss and liability on said bailbond and Judgment for $7000= and in consideration of the above and foregoing facts I wouldask in behalf of said Newman Estes John Lewis and William Wells Your interposition and that you= release said parties from the payment of said Judgment except all fees and costs thereon=

I am Yours Respectfully
E P Campbell
Comth Atty 2nd District