<title type="main">Brutus J. Clay to Thomas E. Bramlette Edition created from new transcripts of this manuscript. Initial upload of this work's facsimile images and metadata to FromThePage for editing Kentucky Historical Society Digital Collections Administrator of the CWGK Migration transcription project on FromThePage Kentucky Historical Society Digital Collections Kentucky Historical Society Digital Collections made 4 edits between June 21, 2025 and June 21, 2025. Flatfoot95 made one edit on October 25, 2025. Dynamic TEI export from FromThePage (version 22.10)

This image and transcription is publicly accessible. The image appears courtesy of the repository named in the Source Description. The transcription and annotation were undertaken by Kentucky Historical Society staff, volunteers, and interns. If referencing this document title, accession number, and permanent URL.

 November 11, 2025 Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives Office of the Governor, Thomas E. Bramlette: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Military Correspondence, 1863-1867 KYR-0001-003-0050 BR5-73 to BR5-74

Washington, District of Columbia Thomas Elliott Bramlette (KY governor 1863-67, atty, D.A., col 3rd KY Inf) N001000 1817-01-03 1875-01-12 Categories: People

Twenty-third governor of Kentucky, attorney and soldier. Cumberland County, Kentucky, native. Married to Sallie Travis Bramlette in September 1837. Father of James T. Bramlette, William L. Bramlette, Eugene Bramlette, and Corrina Bell Bramlette. Practiced law in Clinton County, Kentucky, and Columbia, Kentucky. Represented Cumberland and Clinton counties in the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Kentucky from 1841 to 1843. Commonwealth's attorney of the 8th Judicial District of Kentucky from 1848 to 1850. Owned two enslaved persons in 1850. Circuit judge of the 6th Judicial District of Kentucky from 1856 to 1861. Owned nine enslaved persons in 1860. Served as colonel of the 3rd Kentucky Volunteer Infantry Regiment (U.S.A.) from 1861 to 1862. District attorney of the United States District Court for Kentucky in 1863. Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky from September 1, 1863, to September 3, 1867. Owned law firm of Bramlette & Van Winkle in partnership with Ephraim L. Van Winkle.

Seventh Manuscript Census of the United States (1850), Population Schedules, Kentucky, Clinton County, District No. 1, p. 181A. Seventh Manuscript Census of the United States (1850), Slave Schedules, Kentucky, Clinton County, District No. 1, p. 335 (p. 2 of 2 on microfilm). Eighth Manuscript Census of the United States (1860), Slave Schedules, Kentucky, Adair County, The Town of Columbia 1st Division, p. 13 (p. 2 of 3 on microfilm). Ninth Manuscript Census of the United States (1870), Population Schedules, Kentucky, Jefferson County, Louisville Ward 8, p. 83B. Ross A. Webb, “Thomas E. Bramlette (1863-1867)” in Lowell H. Harrison, ed., Kentucky’s Governors (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 2004), 93-97 Lowell H. Harrison, "Bramlette, Thomas Elliott" in The Kentucky Encyclopedia, John E. Kleber, ed. (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1992), 112-13. Brutus Junius Clay (Representative) N00000821 1808-07-01 1878-10-11 Categories: People

Bourbon County, Kentucky farmer and politician. Married to Amelia McClanahan Field Clay. Father of Martha Clay, Brutus Junius Clay, Christopher Field Clay, Brutus Junius Clay, Green Clay, and Ezekiel Field Clay. Married to Ann Marie Field Clay. Father of Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. Graduated from Centre College in Boyle County, Kentucky. Member of the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Kentucky from Bourbon County in 1840. Farmer in Bourbon County in 1850. Owned eighty-eight enslaved persons in Bourbon County in 1850. President of the Kentucky Agricultural Association from 1853 to 1861. Farmer in Bourbon County in 1860. Member of the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Kentucky from Bourbon County in 1860. Member of the House of Representatives of the United States from the Seventh Congressional District of Kentucky from 1863 to 1865.

Relationships Political: United States House of Representatives Political: Government of the United States of America Political: William Owsley Boyle (Boyle County, Kentucky, soldier - Lt. Col. 11th Ky. Cav.)

Seventh Manuscript Census of the United States (1850), Population Schedules, Kentucky, Bourbon County, District 1, p. 303B. Seventh Manuscript Census of the United States (1850), Slave Schedules, Kentucky, Bourbon County, District 1, p. 520-1. Eighth Manuscript Census of the United States (1860), Population Schedules, Kentucky, Bourbon County, Eastern Division, p. 623. Eighth Manuscript Census of the United States (1860), Slave Schedules, Kentucky, Bourbon County, Eastern Division, p. 121B-122B. Charles Lanman, Biographical Annals of the Civil Government of the United States (Washington: J. M. Morrison, 1887), 97. “Clay, Brutus Junius,” The Kentucky Encyclopedia, ed. John E. Kleber (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1992), 199. “Clay, Brutus Junius,” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, accessed December 16, 2016, http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=C000479. Zachariah Frederick Smith, et al., The Clay Family, 14, (J. P. Morton and Company, 1899), pp. 120-121. “Brutus Junius Clay (1808-1878),” Find A Grave, Memorial 15490047, accessed December 16, 2016, http://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15490047. Washington, District of Columbia P00001134 Categories: Places

Seat of government of the United States of America. Located on the Potomac River.

38.9072, -77.0369 Jeane Mason Fogle, "Washington, D.C." in Encyclopedia Britannica, (https://www.britannica.com/place/Washington-DC) (accessed May 22, 2017). USGS: Earth Explorer, "Washington, D.C.," https://earthexplorer.usgs.gov/ (accessed on August 8, 2019). Kentucky P001800 Categories: Places

State in the upper south of the United States. Capital at Frankfort. Located on the Ohio River.

38.2009, -84.8733 "Frankfort, Kentucky," USGS: Earth Explorer, accessed June 14, 2019, https://earthexplorer.usgs.gov/. The Kentucky Encyclopedia, ed. John E. Kleber (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1992). Commonwealth of Kentucky O001025 1792 Categories: Organizations

Administrative body of the state of Kentucky. Capital at Frankfort, Kentucky. Governor(s): Beriah Magoffin (1859-1862), James F. Robinson (1862-1863), and Thomas E. Bramlette (1863-1867).

Paul Blanchard, "Office of Governor" in The Kentucky Encyclopedia, John E. Kleber, ed. (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1992), 380. Malcolm E. Jewell, "General Assembly" in The Kentucky Encyclopedia, John E. Kleber, ed. (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1992), 366. Paul J. Weber, "Court System" in The Kentucky Encyclopedia, John E. Kleber, ed. (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1992), 233. United States Army O00001186 1775 Categories: Organizations

The organization of infantry, cavalry, and artillery military units in the United States government. Commander(s): Winfield Scott, George B. McClellan, Henry W. Halleck, and Ulysses S. Grant.

Relationships Military: James Olney (possible U. S. soldier) Military: Joel Adams (Lincoln County, KY, farmer & pvt 19th KY Inf USA) Military: Joseph Innes (possible Lincoln County, KY, soldier) Military: Richard D. Cunningham (Colonel, U.S. Army) Military: Edward Baker, Jr. (Caldwell County, Kentucky, soldier and saloon owner) Military: Crawford C. Adams (Paulding County, Ohio, resident and soldier.) Military: 14th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment (U.S.A) Military: Office of the Quartermaster General of Kentucky Military: J. K. Edwards (Kentucky, aid to Bramletter, "colonel") Military: Jeremiah Tilford Boyle (Union general, Boyle Co, KY attorney, pres Lou City Railway Co) Military: Marcellus Mundy (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Louisville, Kentucky, attorney and soldier) Military: Army of the Ohio Military: Military District of Kentucky Military: Luther Thayer Thustin (Louisville US Army Paymaster) Military: Hartwell T. Burge (Muhlenberg, Kentucky, Meth minister; chaplain 3rd KY Cav; colonel 48th KY Inf; comd'r Dpt of OH 1864) Military: Alexander Magruder (Jefferson County, Kentucky, merchant and soldier) Military: Charles David Pennebaker (Louisville, Kentucky, attorney, KY state rep & senator; col 27th KY Inf USA & state military agent) Military: John F. Lay (Breckinridge, KY, soldier) Military: James Murrell Shackelford (Hopkins County, KY, attorney, colonel 25th Inf, 8th Ky Cav, and brig gen. in 1863) Military: Washington Seawell (Union Army, colonel and mustering officer) Military: John William Finnell (Adj Gen'l, Kenton Co. State Rep, attorney) Military: Edmund A. Starling (Hopkinsville, Christian County, Kentucky, resident and Colonel (U.S.A.)) Military: 35th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry Regiment (U.S.A.) Military: Edwin McMasters Stanton (US attorney general and secretary of war) Military: Thomas McCurdy Vincent (US Assistant adjutant general, Brigadier General (U.S.A.) ) Military: William Forman (Clark County, Kentucky, laborer and soldier.) Military: Presley Kimbrell (Powell County, Kentucky, carpenter and soldier.) Economic: William Bird Holeman (Frankfort City Marshal and KY Public Printer) Political: Government of the United States of America Military: Marion Larrison (Switzerland County, Indiana, private 2nd IN Cav) Military: John W. Houze (Switzerland County, Indiana, private 2nd IN Cav USA) Military: John Royalty (Barren County, Kentucky, barkeeper) Military: Henry W. Royalty (Barren County, KY, resident) Military: John Mason Marcus (Grant County, Kentucky, farmer) Military: Edward Davis Townsend (Assistant Adjutant General (U.S.Army)) Military: Adjutant General's Department (U.S.A.) Military: Office of Quartermaster of U. S. Army Military: United States War Department Military: Horatio Phillips Van Cleve (Todd County, Minnesota, farmer and soldier (2nd Minn. and General U.S. A.)) Military: [Unknown] Johnson () Military: Wiley Taul Poynter (Clark County, Kentucky, farmer, banker, and soldier) Military: Lowdy Howard (Jefferson County, Kentucky, apprentice ship carpenter, tobacconist and soldier) Military: Thornton Williams (Scott County, Kentucky, soldier. Formerly enslaved by Urias Offutt, accused of attempted murder.) Political: Urias M. Offutt (Scott County, Kentucky, farmer. and slaveholder.) Military: Robert Crooke Wood (Washington D.C., assistant surgeon general, 1854-1865) Military: Madison Mills (New York County, New York, surgeon. US army medical director in St. Louis, MO) Military: Charles Carroll Gray (Ontario County, New York, surgeon. ) Military: Henry Wager Halleck (U.S. Army soldier) Military: Andrew Jackson Smith (United States Army career soldier and commander) Military: Thomas Harvey Harris (Jefferson County, Indiana, book rubber and soldier. Military mayor of Memphis, 1864-1865.) Military: Stephen Augustus Hurlbut (Belvidere, Illinois, lawyer, representative, and soldier) Military: Edward H. Green (Dearborn County, Indiana, attorney and soldier - Cpt. 11th Ky. Cav)

Richard W. Stewart, ed. American Military History (Washington, D.C.: Center of Military History, United States Army, 2009). Government of the United States of America O00002945 1776-07-04 Categories: Organizations

Administrative body of the United States of America. Comprised of the Legislative Branch, Judicial Branch, and Executive Branch. Capital at Washington, District of Columbia.

Relationships Military: 68th Regiment Kentucky Enrolled Militia Economic: Hiram Barney (New York attorney and customs collector) Political: Leonard B. Cox (Fleming County, Kentucky, attorney and judge) Political: William Scott Botts (Fleming County, Kentucky, attorney and politician) Political: George Jackson (Bullitt County, Kentucky, laborer) Political: Hillary G. Jackson (Bullitt County, Kentucky, laborer & private 26th KY Inf USA) Legal: William J. Wadlington (Caldwell County, Kentucky, farm laborer. ) Military: Thornton Williams (Scott County, Kentucky, soldier. Formerly enslaved by Urias Offutt, accused of attempted murder.) Political: Urias M. Offutt (Scott County, Kentucky, farmer. and slaveholder.) Military: George W. Rasure (Floyd County, Indiana, resident and soldier.) Military: Amaziah "Samuel" Rasure (Washington County, Indiana, resident and soldier.) Military: David Rasure, Jr. (New Albany, Floyd County, Indiana, resident and soldier.) Political: Nelson Trusler (Connersville, Indiana, attorney, politician, and soldier) Political: Robert Alexander Dowell (Crittenden County, Kentucky, farmer) Political: Oliver P. Morton (Fourteenth governor of Indiana, attorney, judge, and politician.) Political: John Walter Rutherford (Crittenden County, Kentucky, barkeeper and merchant)

"America's Founding Documents," https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs (accessed on December 1, 2017). Washington, District of Columbia 1864-01-15 Correspondence English Version 1 of page "2": Empty transcript -- probably initial upload of page facsimile. Version 1 of page "3": Changes to page transcript. Version 2 of page "3": Changes to page transcript. Version 2 of page "1": Changes to page transcript. Version 0 of page "3": Empty transcript -- probably initial upload of page facsimile. Version 1 of page "1": Changes to page transcript. Version 0 of page "2": Empty transcript -- probably initial upload of page facsimile. Version 0 of page "1": Empty transcript -- probably initial upload of page facsimile.
1

Washington D. C. Jay 15th 1864. Thos E. Bramlette Gov. Kentucky Dear sir,

There is a subject, which has been upon my mind, for some time, and I had intended to address you, before this in regard to it.

It is: this; The subject of recruiting Negro soldiers for U S service, in Kentucky. Now, my Dear sir; I would urge upon you the importance of resistance to this measure in every legal way, the recruiting of Negroes, the property of our Citizens in the Military service, and more particularly by Agents sent from other states for that purpose- if they are to be recruited at all, it should

2
3

be in behalf of & for the state of Kentucky and be credited to the quota of troops called for --

It is rumored here that Agents have been sent from other states for that purpose. This thing of plundering our people ought & should be stopped if possible, even recruiting for our own quota would be injurious & demoralizing to our Slave population by the consent and approval of the owner himself I think a firm stand taken by you against it, would have a good effect and even prevent the U. S. government, from attempting it in our State.

The North is disposed to encroach upon our Constitutional rights and & interest in every possible way she can. & if we truely submit there is no telling when this encroachment will stop. I believe a firm & decided resistance in all legal ways will have a beneficial effect here.

Yr most Obt. Srvt Brutus J. Clay