To his Excellency Thomas E. Bramlette Gov. of Ky.

Your petitioner states that sometime in the year 1861. he was indicted in the Monroe curcuit Court for foregoing forgery, very unjustly,

The circumstances were as follows. Another man named Speer and himself were partners in buying some horses to drive to the south, each one however haveing some horses of their own, But there was a particular horse in the neighborhood, which your petitioner bought and executed his note and Speer's jointly, as he thought he had a right to do by the understanding between himself and Speers, but which right Speer afterwards denied, and caused your petitioner to be indicted as aforesaid, whilst said indictment was depending one Hamilton a gurilla burnt the Court house Clerks offis in Monroe County and all the records amongst which was said indictment and which has never been recovered and perhaps never will be, but he is desireous to have the matter fully settled so that no enemy can distract him upon that score, He states that since that time he has served three years and seven months in defending his county and aiding to put down the rebellion

as a member of the 5^th Ky cavalry, the most of the time under that glorious and galliant Sherman, he traveled with him through his daring campaign from through Georgia and until he reached goldsboro N. Carolina on the 10^th day of last month,

He has now come home, and wishes to remain a private and peacible citizen and take care of his family and enjoy that peace and quietude for which he has risked his life for the last three years and seven months,

The note to which he put the name of Bennet Speer was for $125. and was payable to James Payne

He now most respectfully asks your Excellency to pardon said offence, though he is perfeclty innocent of any wrong in the matter

Milton. B. Hays

Sworn to before me by Milton B. Hays May 18^th 1865

W. F Evans J. B. C. C.

{Revenue Stamp}W F E
May 18 1865

Gov. Bramlett

I hope you will pardon Mr. Hays, I know him well and I never believed from what I heard of the case whilst the indictment was depending, that he was guilty, he has made an active and good soldier, I saw him several times whilst he was in the service, he was cheerfull and full of hope, and beloved by his comrades in arms I hope you will grant his petition I suppose he could get at least two thirds of the people in Monroe County to sign his petition, perhaps all except a few rebels, but I have advised him as he is here now just to send his petition to you at once

Your friend
W. F. Evans

Glasgow
May 18. 1865

Monroe Co
Milton B Has
Pardoned
301^st May/65