Paducah Ky
May 10- 1865
To His Excellency
ToThos E Bramlette
Gov State of Kentucky
Frankfort Ky
Sir

I have the honor to call Your attention to the condition of affairs thro out this District, and impress upon Your mind the necessity of some immediate action in the matter of raising and organizing a Regt of activeMilitia.

Notwithstanding a number of rebel Soldiers and Guerrillas are comeing in and taking the Amnesty oath — still there are ^a^ sufficient number left to keep the country in a very disturbed condition.

The convention here in this Town on Monday last to make a nomination for Congress and Legislature was compelled to adjourn until the 15th of June, in consequence of the condition of the Country being Such that no preliminary meetings had been held thro the Dist to select Delegates.

A number of active Men here are desirous of going to work to organize Cos and Regts —, but they want some assurance of being sustained in their efforts.

Now Sir, in order to effectually and rapidly carry Your plans and orders into execution — I respectfully request that R, D, Cunningham be commissioned Col — and H, Bartling Lieut Col These Gentlemen are worthy and well qualified and will be endorsed by the Loyal Men of this Dist — they have had a great deal of experience, having served over three years in this war.

I propose that the Gentlemen named be commissioned but not to draw any pay until the Amount of men requiste be raised and organized — and the appointments be confirmed by the votes of the Line Officers, as directed by the Militia Law, Hoping to receive Your answer Soon

I have the honor to remain
Very Respectfully
Your Obdt Servant
W M Starks

Paducah, M^cCracken Co.
May 10/65

Thinks immediate steps should be taken towards raising a Regiment of Active Militia; and for that purpose requests that R. D. Cunningham be commissioned Colonel, and H. Bartling, Lt. Col., but to recieve no pay until Reg is fully raised

To the Governor.

Ans. May 17/65. Let. Bk B. p. 220.