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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, petitions for pardons, remissions, and respites 1863-1867 KYR-0001-004-2653 BR16-266 to BR16-267

Petition English Version 1 of page "4": Changes to page transcript. Version 1 of page "3": Changes to page transcript. Version 0 of page "4": Empty transcript -- probably initial upload of page facsimile. Version 1 of page "2": Changes to page transcript. Version 0 of page "3": Empty transcript -- probably initial upload of page facsimile. Version 0 of page "2": Empty transcript -- probably initial upload of page facsimile. Version 1 of page "1": Changes to page transcript. Version 0 of page "1": Empty transcript -- probably initial upload of page facsimile.
1

To His Excelency Thos E Bramlette Gov of Ky

Your Petitioner Wm M Riddle would respectfully represent to your Excelency, that with many other natives & residents of this State in the fall of 1862 he Joined Chenaults Rebel Regt 7th Ky Cavalry as a chaplain

He then resided in Irvine Estill County Ky. He went out of the State shortly afterwards, with the Rebel Forces under Kirby Smith. He remained attached to the Rebel forces a short time and after his connexion with the Rebel forces ceased. He remained in East Tennessee practicing his Proffession -- being also a Physician until last winter when he returned to Ky -- and is now residing in Richmond Madison County Ky

He never bore Arms against the State of Ky -- or the U States

For Joining & going off with said Rebel Forces in the fall of 1862 he was Indicted by the Estill Circuit Court for Treason and has given Bail for his appearance -- the case never having been tryed.

He was Guilty of no Crime

2

and violated none of the rules of civilized warfare while connected with the Rebel Army or at any other time. His only offence being as before stated in Joining and going off with said Rebel Troops which Act he now much regrets and having taken the oath of allegiance to the U S Government he intends in good faith to keep it & hence forth to be a true Loyal citizen to the State of Kentucky and the U States

His life has been threated by some evil disposed persons in Estill County -- to whom he never done any injury and he is realy afraid his life will be taken by said persons if he is compelled to attend said Trial which comes off in November next

He therefore respectfully and Earnestly requests your Excelency to Grant him a Pardon, from said Indictment

We the undersgined Loyal

3

Union men of Estill County Ky have heard the foregoing Petition of Dr Wm M Riddle for a Pardon read, and Unite with him in requesting your Excelency to Pardon him We know of know act of his to complain of except the fact of his Joining the Rebel Army as he has stated

Andrew Shepherd James M Witt Harrison Cockrill J. P Harris J H Gardner Ausie Daniel John Park J P Tipton M V Harris E. L. Cockrill F M Parks Simon Cockrill Burges Elliott Joel F. Reed T C Harris

4

Estill Cir Ct vs Dr Wm. M. Riddle Petition for Pardon Respited until end next General Assembly 1st Nov 1865