J. A. Brents to Thomas E. Bramlette
1865-12-23
- Date of Creation
- December 23, 1865
- Place of Creation
- Albany, Clinton 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
- BR17-262 to BR17-263
- CWGK Accession Number
- KYR-0001-004-2930
- 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
- 32205813
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- Dates
- 1865-12-23
Citation
J. A. Brents to Thomas E. Bramlette, 1865-12-23, 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-0001-004-2930 (November 14, 2026).
Albany, Ky.
Thos E. Bramlette,
Governor of Kentucky
Frankfort, Ky.
Sir;
Enclosed I send you a petition in behalf of James M Smith, who is now confined in the State Penetentiary.
It is signed only by Citizens of Clirton County and mainly by his neighbors. It was not taken to WayneRussell County His Mother informs me that she could get a very large number of names to it there which I believe; but I did not think it necessary to delay for that purpose, for the young man and his mother are made miserable by his present position and I desire to hasten his liberation if it is compatable with your feelings and official duties.
It was returned to me this evening with the names signed except those on the 3d page; which I procured my self. I thought it best to get some names that you knew. I could have procured others.
I, also, enclose the statements of two of Smiths officers, honorable young men, proving clearly that Smith was in the
line of his duty as a Soldier doing battle for his country and not robbing. Perdue & Huff were his officers in the 7th Tenn. Col. Morrison in the 13th Ky. and Capt Stephenson & Lt J. C. Story in the South Cumberland Battalion (State Trops.) What better could he do than obtain the names of his neighbors and the officers in three Regiments of loyal troops under whom he served?
Governor I will add one other remark. Smith proves an alibi that he was at another place at the time of the Robbery, but if it was true that he was present and guilty, yet the crime might not be so great as it would be now, for then officers often taught there men that it was not wrong to take from a Rebel, that rebels forfeited all rights, &c. I do not plead for violators of law for the sake of plunder & money, but I do think that many young men ought to be forgiven for violations under the excitement & stimulation of the war and lessons taught to them by their officers! I do not believe Smith was there, but admit that he was he might have thought it no wrong to take from one who had the name of being a Rebel.
If from the facts and circumstances, it is compatible with your duties and agreeble to your feelings to grant a pardon to young
Smith I believe it will result in great good to the family and work no injury to the community.
Yours truly
J. A. Brents.