Edwin Terrell to Thomas E. Bramlette
1865-06-17
- Date of Creation
- June 17, 1865
- Place of Creation
- Shelbyville, Shelby 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
- BR14-68 to BR14-69
- CWGK Accession Number
- KYR-0001-004-1942
- 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
- 32204828
Citation
Edwin Terrell to Thomas E. Bramlette, 1865-06-17, 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-0001-004-1942 (November 12, 2026).
Shelbyville Ky
To His Excellency
Gov. Bramlette
Frankfort Ky.
I have the honor to make the following statement as regards my past conduct, since I have commanded a Company of Independent Scouts, in the Service of the State. On the
has done, I would respectfully refer Your Excellency to the fact that in the country in which I have operated only five Guerrillas remain who have already acceeded to my demand for their surrender as soon as they are assured that they will be treated as prisoners of war. My command has Killed, and captured more Guerrillas than any organization in the state, I do not state this in a spirit of braggadocio or to boast of my deeds. But to the point, Some weeks ago I rec'd from General Palmer verbal orders to arrest one Herc. Walker (I suppose your Excellency has heard of him by reputation) who had been furnishing Guerrillas with Arms ammunition and information. I went to his place and found him in the field plowing, told him that I had orders from Gen'l Palmer to arrest him, and to go to the house and get ready. On the way to the house Walker made an attempt to escape, was halted and on refusing to comply with my demand was shot at the shot proving fatal.
Your Excellency I Know is conversant enough with military regulations, that in making an arrest where a man refused to halt he is shot at.
At Taylorsville Ky. while on the chase of One-armed Berry I rested my horses, Some of them needed shoeing one horse belonging to a man by the name of Weathers in particular I sent Weathers to the shop of Enos Woodten but Wooden on our arrival in town had
ordered his negro to secrete the iron and refused to shoe Weathers horse called him a d โ d son of a b โ h โ used insulting language to him, and finally became so exasperated that he knocked Weathers down was beating him on the head with a rock. I happened to come along and ordered Woodten to desist as he was beating the man to death. Woodten paid no attention to my request and in orer to save the lifeof my man I drew my pistol and fired killing Woodten on the spot.
Mr Woodten has during this war been an active rebel. harbored and assisted Guerrillas in every manner in his power. I Know that a great deal of money belonging to Guerrillas is now secreted in his house. There are now plenty of men in Taylorsville who would be willing to swear away my life if had to be done by perjury. if ever I should be brought before a Court. It is for these two acts that I humbly ask your Excellency's clemency and pardon as I have already sacrificed everything I possessed for I have spent over $1,000 out of my own pocket & have been wounded 8 times in the service of Kentucky. and all I ask in return is that this application may meet theyour immediate attention and approbation, Hoping you will grant it
I remain Sir
most Respectfully
Your Ob'd't Serv't
Edwin Terrell
Late Com'd't Scouts
