<title type="main">John J. Huffman to Thomas E. Bramlette

Lancaster Ky. 4th Decr 1863. To His Excellency. Gov Thos. E Bramlete Dear Sir:

He would respectfully state that on the 26th day of November 1862, James H Smith was tried before an examining court for Garrard County for Maliciously shooting Joshua Burdett on the 17th oof said Month, and was held to bail for his appearance at the next succeeding Feby Term of the Garrard Circuit Court. in the sum of one thousand dollars -- that the undersigned. John J Huffman, M H Gill, S Hopper. J W. Grant & H Jackman, with one other, Richard West, entered as the sureties of Smith in said bond -- and one of the principal objects we had in view was to enable Smith to return to his command, he being a Captain in the 12th Ky V.I. It was thought on the day of trial that Mr. Burdett was recovering from the wound, but unfortunately it proved otherwise -- he lingered until about the 12th Decr 1862 and died- Smith failed to appear

in discharge of the recognizance at the Feby Term 1863. and thereupon the bond was declared forfeited, and process was awarded to Augt Term 1863. against the obligers in the bond, & was returned by the Sheriff executed on all but Smith and one of the sureties, Richard West- The latter having in the meantime removed out of the State- and at the Augt Term 1863 Judgment was rendered upon the forfeited recognizance against said sureties who had been served with process, towit, Huffman, Hopper, Grant Gill & Jackman

They would further represent that at the time they entered as sureties aforesaid they believed Mr Burdett was in a fair way to recover and that the bond was sufficient to secure the appearance of Smith- Smith has not been heard of since Mr B's death although a large reward was offered for his apprehension.

The amount of the bond & costs for which Judgment was rendered as afsd are about to be, and will be coerced out of the said sureties by writ of execution

or otherwise unless your Excellency interpose the Executive Clemency & remit the same -- Such are the facts, -- a true & plain history of the case.

They therefore petition to be released from the obligations of said bond and the Judgt aforesaid, or so much thereof as is compatible with law & public Justice.

John J Huffman

In view of the circumstances, & the hardships attending the suretyship as set forth in the foregoing petition, we cheerfully Join in the prayer there of to His Excellency Govr Bramlett for to remit the penalty imposed.

Garrett Elkin Jas L Anderson J G C John S Gill D S G C Benj F Duncan Robt,, Elkin J G Sweeney E. H. Burnside W. C Bailey Jas A. AndersonCty Atty. L R McMurtry Jas. H. Hanks R Leslie McMurtry Stephen Mary J. A. Beazley

Garrard Cir Ct vs, J, J Huffman & others

Remit all except costs & fees Tho E Bramlette $1000, 7th Dec/63