R. M. Martin, Oath
1865-10-12
- Date of Creation
- October 12, 1865
- Place of Creation
- Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky
- Document Genre
- Legal/Financial
- 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
- BR16-171 to BR16-173
- CWGK Accession Number
- KYR-0001-004-2604
- 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
- 32205488
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Citation
R. M. Martin, Oath, 1865-10-12, 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-0001-004-2604 (November 15, 2026).
State of Kentucky.
County of Jefferson. City of Louisville.
I Rob't M Martin of the County of Muhlenberg & State of Kentucky. do solemnly swear in the present of Almighty God, that I will henceforth faithfully support protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the Union of the States thereunder; and that I will in like manner abide by and faithfully support all laws and proclamations which have been during the late rebellion with reference to the emancipation of slaves.
So help me God.
R M Martin
Sworn to and subscribed before me, at my Head Quarters, at the Military Prison. in the City of Louisville. County of Jefferson. & State of Kentucky. Witness my hand this
Lorenzo Day
Capt Co F 125th U S C I in Charge the Prison
To
Hon Andrew Johnson.
President of the United States,
I have the honor to make application in accordance with the provision of the Amnesty Proclamation issued under date of [...]army of the socalled Confederate States, has been classed among the exceptions of said Proclamation under the designation of "Raiders from Canada". I enlisted in the army in
After this disreputable affair reflecting odium alike upon all in the eyes of the Southern public, I decided that if I could honorably do so I would dissovle my connection with the command.
2
Having information that a few young officers were operating in the Northern States in connection with a secret military organization, with a view to success of our cause and having a fondness for adventure and a partiality for secret service I at once felt that this duty would afford me the opportuity to pursue a career suited to my inclination.
I accordingly procured the endorsement of influential friends and made application to Hon. James. A. Seddon, Secretary of war for assignment to this service, on the grounds that my regiment having been captured on Morgan's raid through Ohio in
My application was successful and I was ordered to the North and allowed to pass through the lines of the army
Hearing that a party of confederates who had made an unsuccessful attempt on Lake Erie against John-
3
ston's Island, had fled to Canada, I immediately set out to connect myself with them for any similar service that might be attempted thereafter. I was not connected with nor had I any knowledge of the raid of Lt Bennett H. Young upon St Albans Vermont, but I was associated with persons (Confederate soldiers) called "Raiders," in various adventures and expeditions into the United States. none of which ever proved successful. and after several ineffectual efforts to harass and injure the Government of the United States and the people mostly upon the Northern border, I became convinced that this service was of very little benefit to the cause of the Confederate States, and decided to rejoin my old command, which had reorganized under the auspices of Brig Gen'l Basil W. Duke (Gen'l Morgan's successor). I passed through Ohio & Kentucky, and found my command encamped at Abingdon Virginia, where I arrived
4
since I appeared before the proper authorities in Nashville. Tennessee. and subscribed to the oath of Amnesty prescribed by the President's Proclamation of
To my profound surprise immediately after my return to my Father's house. — whilst on a visit to my Father (who from "first to last" has been a staunch & devoted Union man.) and two brothers both of whom have seen honourable service in the Federal Army. I was suddenly arrested by an officer at the head of a squad of armed citizens. & am held now in prison, shackled, and enfeebled as I am from the effects of seven consecutive wounds. with vague charges impending over me which even were they true, I certainly feel are unauthorized & impossible in the face of my parole, the pledged protection of the Government, & the faith therein placed by myself, which led me so unfearingly to my boyhood's home. Above I have given a brief and correct statement of the character of the offence, which seems to exclude me from the benefit of Executive clemency as granted in the Proclamtation aforesaid.
I have not attempted to conceal the willingness with which for four years. I have striven to uphold the unfortunate cause of the Southern people, and you will not I trust deem me less earnest or less honest in making this application for pardon, on account of that acknowledgement; for with the same sensitive spirit of honour which nerved my fortitude during the trials & privations of the war, do I now accept the result achieved by the arms of the Government of the United States, and in good faith, & all sincerity, pledge myself to abide by the constitution and laws, in like manner with every citizen of the country.
Pardon & release. I most earnestly & respectfully petition.
I have the honour to remain,
Respy. Yr ob'd't S'rv't
R M Martin
Louisville. Ky.
