William Pittinger to Edwin M. Stanton
- Document Genre
- Correspondence
- Repository
- Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives
- Collection
- Office of the Governor, Thomas E. Bramlette: Governor's official correspondence file, petitions for pardons, remissions, and respites 1863-1867
- Box / Folder
- BR10-443
- CWGK Accession Number
- KYR-0001-004-0938
- 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
- 32203825
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Citation
William Pittinger to Edwin M. Stanton, Office of the Governor, Thomas E. Bramlette: Governor's official correspondence file, petitions for pardons, remissions, and respites 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-0001-004-0938 (November 12, 2026).
The Hon. E. M Stanton
Secretary of War.
Lieut Buffum, of Mitchells great Rail Road Expedition, who has resigned the Commission you gave him, was arrested in Louisville on a charge of stealing a pair of boots, and sentenced to 3 years imprisonment in the Kentucky, State Prison. I do not know whether he is guilty or not, but even if he is, should not his services and sufferings in the nations cause, form a reason for mercy being shown to him now. He has a wife and several small children depending on him, who long mourned him as dead, while he was in the hands of the rebels, and are now almost in despair at this new misfortune.
Will you not please to investigate this matter, and see if it is not a proper case for the exercise of executive clemency. A recommendation from you to Gov. McGoffin, would doubtless secure his release.
After you have already done so much for our party of adventurers, I think you will not hesitate to grant this additional favor.
With deep respect
Your Obedt Servant
(signed) Wm Pittinger
- Documents of The Trials of Robert Buffman
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