<title type="main">John T. Smith to Thomas E. Bramlette

Gordonsville June 14th 1864 Hon Thos E Bramlette Dr Sir

I was selected by the County Court of Logan County Ky as a messenger to confer with you in person for the purpose of explaining more in detail the object of their communication herewith enclosed to you, and to carry out their wishes I started a few days ago to see you. I proceeded as far as Bowling green where I met with Col. C. Maxwell the Commandant of this District with whom I am well accquanted. I intended going to see Gen. S. G. Burbridge also an old friend and acquaintance whose assistance I expected to get. I was told by Col. Maxwell that the General was off on some expedition and was not at Lexington, and being a stranger to you I conluded to defer my trip to a future and more convenient time but ^as^ the circumstances transpiring are such as to render a trip to upper Kentucky rather unpleasant I thought I would drop you a few lines.

Our object is to fall upon some plan so as to have a company organized to act against Guerillas in this part of the Country, having authority from those in power, either Civil or Military

or both. We wish to have a sort of independent Company to act immediately in this vicinity with your sanction or approval provided you can consistently with your position, grant it.

The condition of the most of us is such that we can not be spared long at a time from our familes and therefore can not with propriety volunteer regularly and devote our whole to time to the Service but we can raise a sufficient number to keep off guerillas & robbers by taking turn about with each other. We are compelled to spend a portion of our time in cultivating our crops or we will raise no provisions for our families. Most of our slave laborers have left us and there are none to be hired.

It is also thought by some of us that a sufficient Company could be raised by volunteering for six months provided that you could arrange it so that they would have assurance that they would not be taken from their ownp part of the country. We have soldiers near by us, but they are unacquainted with the country and its citizens and can do but little in catching guerrilas who are well acquainted with both people and country.

It may be that your Excellency can suggest some plan better adapted to carry out the purpose than any named or suggested by us. We would be glad to accept any relief that may be offered. Our country is becoming more and more infested by

thieves and robbers We hear of ^them^ in every part of the Country, at Princeton, and Hopkinsville, and many other parts of the Country. A band of some 15 came to a little village last night (Volney) about 5 miles from us and about 8 miles from Russellville and robbed a merchant of all his goods, with impunity.

Col Maxwell gave us much encouragement and told us that he would give us all the assistance in his power, in furnishing us with arms &c, but we wish to act with proper authority and organized by your approval.

We would refer you to Col. Maxwell or Gen S. G Burbridge who are acquainted both with us and the Country. If you can give us any relief it will be thankfully received. Please let us hear from you at your earliest convenience.

Yours with the Highest Regard Jno. T Smith

P. S. We are troubled by all sorts of Guerillas. Since writing the above, I learn that a squad of federal guerillas or negro Soldiers from Clarksville Tenn. came into the neighborhood of Voleny last night (the place visited by rebel guerillas two nights before) and stripped the citizens of their negroes and horses.

It is a perfect outrage upon our country. The Federal Soldiers at Clarksville are so busy recruiting negroes that they pay no more attention to guerillas and robbers than if they belonged to the same class of individuals. If we are permitted to raise our company, give us instruction what is to be done with negro guerillas. I think we can raise from 150 to 200 men a portion of whom can always be in motion and when necessary all can act.

J. T. S.

Logan Ky State Militia Gordonsville Logan Co Ky June the 14- 1864

Smith J. T. --

Enclosing a petition from the County officers of Logan County to the Gov. and by him referred. requesting that the county court of Logan county be permitted to organize a com. and that the influences of the Gov. be used to get the Legislature to defray expenses &c

Ans. June 18- 1864 on letter book Page 413 in a com,n to A. D. Kennedey Pre. judge of Logan Co. ct.

Rec. I. G. O. June 18- 1864