Correspondence

Enoch Kingston to Jacob T. Foster

1865-05-05

Date of Creation
May 5, 1865
Place of Creation
Smithland, Livingston 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, petitions for pardons, remissions, and respites 1863-1867
Box / Folder
BR14-17 to BR14-18
CWGK Accession Number
KYR-0001-004-1906
Rights
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FTP Identifier
32204793

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Dates
1865-05-05
1863-05-10
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Citation

Enoch Kingston to Jacob T. Foster, 1865-05-05, 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-0001-004-1906 (January 20, 2026).

[Page 1]

Smithland Ky
May 5th 1865,
Lt Col Foster
Comdg Post
Smithland Ky

I have the honor to beg your indulgence in soliciting your influence in my behalf, I am now in the employ of the Quartermaster at this Post, but formerly served in the federal Army in the 15th Ky Cavalry — While in said Service, there was an order to take all double barreled Shot Guns in the County & Carry them to military Post's to prevent their falling into the hands of Geuerillas or Rebel soldiers, & in obedience to said order on one occasion, "near the 10th of May 1863" while in Dycusburg Ky, I seized a Gun, of a suspicious individual, to Carry with me to the above named Post,

A few minutes afterwards a noted Rebel, by the name of William Henson Came & demanded the Gun, of me, I refused politely, had told him to Come to Smithland & probably he might get it, He swore he would have it then & there & Seized the Gun, to force it from me, Calling me at the same time a "damn Negro thief, In the scuffle he hurt me (& while I was acting under orders;) I wrenched the gun from his hands & fired at him, Some of the balls taking effect in the face, and not materially injuring him.

[Page 2]
[Page 3]

He was not prevented from labor, in consequence thereof one moment, He afterwards Carried the above named Case to the Circuit Court of his County, which is Crittenden & had me indicted for shooting with intent to Kill, In the meantime I returned to Smithland & turned the gun over to the Commander of the Post, Said Commander ordered me to report under arrest to Brigade Head Quarters at Henderson Ky, Col Foster, 65th Ind Commanding, I did so, under went an examination & was released unconditionally, But now I am to be tried again by the Civil authorities for the same offense

Wherefore I beseech your influence, in getting this paper, presented, through the regular Military channels to his honor Govener Bramlette, of this state, That he [...]may ^i^nterfere by his noted clemency in my behalf, & relieve me of this gross imposition, In substantiation of the above I refer you to the subscribed Certificate I am very Respty

Your obdt Servant
Enoch Kingston
Late, Private Co C
15th Ky Cavalry