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 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-0001-003-0083 BR5-142 to BR5-143

Smithland, Livingston County, Kentucky Smithland, Livingston County, Kentucky 1864-04-05 Correspondence English Version 1 of page "4": Changes to page transcript. Version 0 of page "4": Empty transcript -- probably initial upload of page facsimile. Version 0 of page "3": Empty transcript -- probably initial upload of page facsimile. Version 1 of page "2": Changes to page transcript. 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.
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Head Qts U S Forces Smithland Kentucky April 5th 1864 C Maxwell Co C Comdg S, W, Ky Bowling Green Col:

I will lay before you, for your consideration, a matter, which I think should be attended to --

At the August Election, 1863, and in compliance with an order issued by Lieut Col Johnson; who acted under the orders of Col Foster (65th Ind Vols) and who was at the time Comdg the Post here; Judges were appointed and sworn, to act agreeable, and according to Col Johnsons order, the tenor of which, was to let no one vote who was not in every respect, a truly Loyal citizen; unless he would first take the oath This exaction was made by the Marshal law then controlling, and the Judges acted in obedience to its orders

During last cont, all the Judges presented to the Grand jury, which was Entirely secession; and two of the men, who presented the Judges were the, Circuit Judge, and the County Judge -- The Entire Court was one of treason, and numbrd out with traitors; and unless there is measures adopted for the benefit of

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the Judges they will be apt to suffer, from the hands of such treasonable members which invariably form the Court here -- The Judges have appealed to me for assistance from the Military; and I am disposed ^to^ think that it would be nothing more than what we should do; since they were acting in obedience to Military law, and thus got themselves into the predicament; and therefore I think the Military should get them out -- I am anxious to interfere in their be half, if I can legally do so; and information from you will decide that point

The meanest set of secessionists that ever Existed under the canopy of Heaven, live in this immediate section of Ky; and we must adopt means, & severe ones too, to prevent a resistance which is almost sure to take place sooner or later, unless prevented

I will await your suggestions relative to this matter; and will surely try to execute any orders I may receive from you --

If I had another Company here, I could pick up a number of guerrillas across the Tenn river - Can get a Gun Boat to assist me at any time

I am Sir Your Obdt Sevt Volney Baker Capt Commdg Post

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Hd Qrs U. S. Forces Smithland, Ky. April 5th 1864

Baker, Capt. Volney Com'd'g Post.

Relative to the Court at that place -- its members being traitors. Asks permission to interfere in behalf of legal authority, in obedience to appeal from the Judges for assistance.

Head Quarters 2d Div Disrt Ky Munfordville April 22d 1864

Respectfully returned thro. Head quarters 2" Brigade and attention called to the order of Genl Burbridge

By command of Brig Genl Hugh Ewing

E B Harbeson a. a. a. G

Rec'd (D. of K) April 14th 1864

Hd Qu. Dist. of Ky Louisville, April 18. 1864

Respectfully returned.

The prosecution herein referred to being by Indictment, under the penal laws of the state, any fine inflicted would be for the benefit of the Commonwealth and the Prosecuting Attorney. The Governor has the power to pardon the offence Even before Judgment. This paper has been submitted to him and he gives direct assurances that if copies of the Indictments are forwarded to him, he will at once send the parties a pardon. It will be attended to without delay.

By order of Genl Burbridge Thos. B. Fairleigh, Lt Col J a a a G

Recd Back (2d Div D K) April 21st 1864

Head -- Quarters, Second Brigade Second Division, District of Kentucky Bowling green, Ky. Apr. 12, 1864

L. B. 2d Div D o K) 1864

Respectfully forwarded to Brig Gen Ewing it seems to me that the suggestions herein made are only suitible, and while I would not counsel any illegal, improper interferences with the courts something ought to be done if possible to protect loyal men from the machinations of traitors who disgrace the judicial union

C. Maxwell, Col. 26th Ky. Vol's, com'd'g second Brigade Sec. Div., District of Ky. Recd (2" Div. D. K) April 12" 1864

Head Quarters 2d Div Disct of Ky, Munfordville April 12th 1864

Respectfully forwarded for instructions in the prosecution

Hugh Ewing Brig Gen Com Div