<title type="main">James Prentis and J. F. Payne to Thomas B. Fairleigh

Lewisport. Ky Aug 3d 64 Col Fairleigh Sir

We beg leave to warn you & the authorities at Frankfort of an imposition designed to be practised on by the Rebels & Rebel sympathisers here -- You are aware no doubt of the several Guerilla Raids which have been upon us lately in which they have entirely disarmed all the loyal men here, taken all the horses they could & all the money & goods they desired besides causing the rather premature death of Mr S. B. Pell Shff of the County by the effects of personal ill treatment operating on a Constitution already enfeebled by disease -- after their first raid here the loyall men were gratified that Capt Hendrick proposed to become Provost Marshall here & ^that he is^ has also now as ^we^ hear raising a company under a Commission from the Gov to protect the Town & County -- after his appointment of Provost Marshall Capt H-- proceeded on the Gun Boat at Cannelon & brot in down to make some arrest here in consequence of complicity (over to last page)

with the Guerillas when here & the news being promptly carried to this same band they returned here several days post in search of the Capt & a few others swearing that they would take their lives-- The Capt however & the others fortunately escaped over the River -- Now the Rebels here have been just detected in getting up a secret petition to the Gov to countermand the Commission of Capt H-- and ^it^ is against this insidious appeal that we wish to warn you & through the Gov. at Frankfort--

all loyal men here that we are aware of vary much desire that Capt H. be permitted to raise his men & use them for our protection -- and ^if^ any other information reaches you it is false and insidious -- a man by the name of Sanford here considered here as a spy & imposter is named in the paper we saw as bearer of the paper to the Gov-- & in it he is claimed to be a loyal Man-- but all of us consider him as cunning & Yankee Rebel-- For the unconditional loyalty of the first undersigned he refers you to the editor of the "Press" or to J. M. Stephens of your City, and your father in Brandenburg whom he was with a few days past -- ^The^ Public office of the 2d name is surely enough for his loyalty

Resply in haste

Jas Prentis --

J F Payne P. M

P. S. We do not desire our names to be used in public unnecessarily --

J F P

LewisportKyAug 3d 1864 PrentisJames and PayneJ,F,P.M, (Citizens)

Report that Guerillas have in their raids disarmed the loyal citizens taken their horses Money and Goods caused the premature death of S, B, Bell Sheriff of the County by ill treatment and requests that Capt Hendrick P. M. be allowed to raise a Co for our protection, also, report one Sanford as trying to raise a Co who is consider by all as a spy and Yankee Rebel and ought to be treated as such

L B No5 -- 1864 P 371

Recd A G O. 11th Aug 1864

Head-Quarters Military Commanders. P. No 16= M C 8-- 1864 Louisville, Ky., August 8th 1864.

Respectfully forwarded to Thomas I. Bramlette

Gov'r State of Kentucky

Tho. B. Fairleigh

Lieut. Col. 26th Ky. V. V. I., Commanding.

Hancock Co, 50