Frankfort Ky April 24^th 1864
To his Excellency
Tho^s E. Bramlett
Gov State of Kentucky
Sir

Thinking that you have forgotten me I take this method of recalling to your mind who I am — I take the oath of allegiance at Jonseboro Ill June 13^th 1861 and Joined the 18^th Illinois Reg'^t Vols Commandid by Col M. K. Loller for three years if not sooner discharged. Was a recruiting officer with the promise of a commission at the time of my arrest I left the 18^th Regt in August 1862 and went to the 8^th Tenn with the promise that if I would help to recruit the Reg'^t that I should receive a commission as 2^nd Lieut — Was in a skirmish near Burkesvill[e] Ky and lost my horse and I had to report to my Reg'^t once every month and my tim[e] had almost run out when I should report and to reach my Reg'^t was compelled to take this horse, but not with the intention of appropriating it to my benefit but to the benefit of [the] service for a few days with the full intention of returning it to the owner which you know as you was my counsel at the examining trial —

I left my home in the South, came North and take up arms in the service of the "Glorious old Union" which I felt was my duty — And am I to suffer for a thing that my government uphold^s If you will release me I will return to the service and fight for my country until this rebellion is quelled — My family all live in the Southern

Adair Cir Ct
vs
[Petition of]
J Standeffer
4 years
Horse Stealing
Pardoned
23 Jany/65