Correspondence

J. A. Duncan to Ephraim L. Van Winkle

1865-12-28

Date of Creation
December 28, 1865
Place of Creation
Owenton, Owen 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
BR17-189 to BR17-190
CWGK Accession Number
KYR-0001-004-2882
Rights
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FTP Identifier
32205765

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Dates
1865-12-28
1862
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Citation

J. A. Duncan to Ephraim L. Van Winkle, 1865-12-28, 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-0001-004-2882 (November 14, 2026).

[Page 1]

Owenton Ky Decr 28th 1865
E L Vanwinkle Esqr
Dear Sir

I presume — on our former acquaintance formed in 1855 while we were both members of the Ky Legislature to ask a favor of you —

You will find herewith a petition to the Governor for the remission of a Judgment in favor of the Commonwealth vs T A Berryman and Myself — the petition explains the record —

The facts outside are these — N G Walter was jointly indicted with one Lyter for horse stealing. the offence was Charged to have been committed in the fall of 1862 while Kirby Smith's troops were occupying this part of the State — Walter and Lyter were both Union Men and had to flee from their homes as many others of us had to do — they both left the County on the same night and myself & many others did so too & went to Indiana — they Both Came to court ready for trial without any arrest plff was not ready — & causes Continued — we believed Walter innocent and as he was a poor man with a large family

[Page 2]

which was bound to suffer without his labor we went on his Bail Bond. Owing to the troubles of the County here he removed to Indiana at the next term of the Court he was not able to get here until the Second day of the term in the mean time the recognizance had been forfeited & the cause continued — Since that I heard from at intervals until the last 12 months since which I can hear nothing from him & think he must be dead —

From the proof on the trial of Lyter for stealing the same horse the proof showed conclusively that Walter had nothing to do with the horse. and even then Lyter was not convicted —

It will be a very great hardship on us to have this Money to pay we have both lost heavily by the war in various ways having been compelled to remain away from home durConsiderable time during th Rebel occupation of this Country, loosing many debts and a large number of negroes — &c

[Page 3]

Although our acquaintance was not intimate yet I trust your Kindness to hand this petition to the Governor with a favorable recommendation that its prayer be granted — By so doing you will Confer a great favor which will reciprocated with interest whenever opportunity offers.

Enclosed please find $200 your fee I believe in such Cases —

Very truly Yours
J A Duncan