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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-0001-003-0120 BR5-207 to BR5-208

Maysville, Mason County, Kentucky Maysville, Mason County, Kentucky 1865-09-20 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 1 of page "3": Changes to page transcript. 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.
1

Maysville Ky Septr 20th 1865. His Excellency Govr Bramlette.

Allow me to refer you to two resolutions of the Ky Legislature the 1st approved Feby 11. 1860 Act 1859'60 Vol 1. page 180 -- the other approved Jany 29th 1861, Acts called Sessin 1861 page 49, providing Gold medals for the surviving officers and soldiers of the Ky Volunteers ^who were^ present and participated in the battle of Lake Erie. These resolutions have not yet been executed.

I am perhaps somewhat to blame for the delay as Govr Magoffin once gave me a commission to procure the medals. At the time the resolutions were passed there were three survivors of the Ky Vol engaged in that battle to wit:

James Artus Esqr living in the vicinity of this city.

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Dr William I. Taliaferro formerly of Ky now a resident of Cin. Ohio.

John Tucker formerly of this County removed to Ohio -- and since died.

I am personally acquainted with all three, knew them well and there can be no doubt of their being phaving been present, and engaged in the battle --

At the passage of the resolution then there were supposed to be the only survivors -- About a year afterward Govr Magoffin deliverd to me a letter from John Norris at Petersburg Boone Cty Ky claiming that he was in the battle also -- which I enclose herewith -- as also a letter form James Artus in relation to Norris.

James Artus was a Sergeant of his company and was wounded.

Dr Wm T. Taliaferro was a corporal in his Company -- Tucker & Norris were privates I take the liberty of enclosing a letter from Dr Taliaferro to myself upon the subject of the medals= I should have exeuted

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Govr Magoffins commission, but for the troubles which came upon the country, and as in many other instances drew my attention from it.

One of these men James Artus is my neighbor and is now quite an old man of great worth, and I should be gratified if he could get his as early as possible.

Dr Taliaferro is a younger man than Artus, a personal friend -- and a physician of high repute in Cin -- We will see from his letter the interest he takes in it.

Tucker is dead -- I have heard many anecdotes related of his brave conduct in that battle -- His family reside just across the river in Ohio, and will be gratified at this memorial of their father.

JI am not acquainted with Norris. Such appropriate desires as your taste may dictate, inscribed with the name of the source, presented by the state of Ky &c

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in suitable language as may suggest itself to you -- Perry's celebrated dispatch to the secretary of war, "We have met the enemy, and they are ours" might be appropriatly inscribed -- though I never was struck the good taste of the dispatch. I would be greatly pleased if your excellency could find time to have the medals prepared, as early as possilbe for fear some of the others should die.

I am Very Respectfully Your Obt Sert H. Taylor.