Paducah August 19 1865
Govr Tho^s E Brimlitt
Frankfort Ky
Dear Sir

In May Last I was appointed Sheriff of McCrackn County to Fil a vacensey causd in the office by R A Bacan Rifusiry to Give bond & Qualify and the office was vacant & had ben ever since about July 1864 and the county Judge could get no one to take the office & at the Solitations of many citizens and Judge C Marshal our circut Judge who felt a great intrest in the Execution of our Sibvel Laws & to Restore pease in our County and I Became a candtate for the office at the august Eliction up to that Time I had bin Executing the duties of My office with out [Tunder] up to Saturday at 3 OClock P^m before the Election I was arested by the Destrict Provost Marshal and Put in the Military Presen and I aplyed through a Freend to Col Mcarthur our Destrict ^Comander^

For bail who Refused me Bail Stating that he had no power but on Sunday M^r John Johns who was supasd to be a candidate for same office he was arested the same day I was was permited to give a Bond in the sum of $1000 and the order of arest was the same that I was arested on & Same charges for I saw it on tusday after the Election I was informed by the Provist Marshal that I could get out of Presen by Giving Bond in the sum of $5000 — and that I will not Leave the Limits of the Milarty Post of Paducah I inclose you a copy of Said Bond as to the charges I only can say that they are false and only got up to beat me in the Election a Mr. Stanton Friday night before the Election was nominated as a candidate for Shefiff and was my oponent who was nominated by a clique who has given our place so mutch trouble during the ware if I have bin gilty of violating the Sivil Laws I am ameniabil to them a Lone & the military has no Right to interferor if this is to be the cause persued by the Military Kentucky

Had as will Dism^s all of her Sivil officers and Let the Military have full controle I do not object to the Military Executing the Military Laws in no way I Send you some Liters which I hope will place me in a proper position before you I hope you will Sea Genl Pasmer amediatly and have me Releast and go on to attend to the duties of my office as it is importent to the State & county that the Sheriff Should be [pen] I only have got my tax Books and have but Litle time to collect and our court comes on 2 Monday in October and I dont no That I can get Ready for it I was Elected at the august Election by amajority of some 200 have given band & takin the oath of office your — Early attention to this will mutch oblige

your obt servint
J C Calhoun

J. C. Calhoun
1865