Edwin Terrell to Thomas E. Bramlette

KYR-0001-004-1942.xml

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Accession Number

KYR-0001-004-1942

Document Genre

Correspondence

Repository

Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives

Collection

Office of the Governor, Thomas E. Bramlette: Governor's official correspondence file, petitions for pardons, remissions, and respites 1863-1867

Item Location

BR14-68 to BR14-69

Place of Creation

Shelbyville, Shelby County, Kentucky

Date of Creation

17 June 1865

Dates Mentioned

1865-06-17

1863-10-24

1864-12-29

Edwin Terrell to Thomas E. Bramlette, 17 June 1865, Office of the Governor, Thomas E. Bramlette: Governor's official correspondence file, petitions for pardons, remissions, and respites 1863-1867, BR14-68 to BR14-69, Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, Frankfort, KY. Accessed via the Civil War Governors of Kentucky Digital Documentary Edition, discovery.civilwargovernors.org/document/KYR-0001-004-1942, (accessed December 26, 2024).

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Shelbyville Ky June 17^th 65
To His Excellency
Gov. Bramlette
Frankfort Ky.

I have the honor to make the following statement as regards my past conduct, since I have commanded a Company of Independent Scouts, in the Service of the State. On the 24^th day of Oct 1863 I entered the Federal Service as a Private of the 37^th Ky Infty, and was discharged on the 29^th day of Dec 1864. by reason of expiration of term of service. I went home with the intention of staying on my Grandfathers Farm but my life was in danger as the numerous bands of Guerrillas that were roaming through the neighborhood were Killing all Federal Soldiers that fell into their hands. There were some 7 or 8 discharged soldiers in my neighborhood (hiding from the Guerrillas) These I formed into a Company for our mutual defence and proceeded to Louisville and purchased arms paying for them out of my own private means At the same time I applied and rec'd permission from the General Com'd'g the Dep't of Ky to operate against these Guerrillas, as an Independent Company. I afterwards increased my force to 20 men, and with them operated against bands of Guerrillas that outnumbered me two to one and in nearly all my engagements have contended against superior numbers As a proof of the service, my Command
has done, I would respectfully refer Your Excellency to the fact that in the country in which I have operated only five Guerrillas remain who have already acceeded to my demand for their surrender as soon as they are assured that they will be treated as prisoners of war. My command has Killed, and captured more Guerrillas than any organization in the state, I do not state this in a spirit of braggadocio or to boast of my deeds. But to the point, Some weeks ago I rec'd from General Palmer verbal orders to arrest one Herc. Walker (I suppose your Excellency has heard of him by reputation) who had been furnishing Guerrillas with Arms ammunition and information. I went to his place and found him in the field plowing, told him that I had orders from Gen'l Palmer to arrest him, and to go to the house and get ready. On the way to the house Walker made an attempt to escape, was halted and on refusing to comply with my demand was shot at the shot proving fatal.

Your Excellency I Know is conversant enough with military regulations, that in making an arrest where a man refused to halt he is shot at.

At Taylorsville Ky. while on the chase of One-armed Berry I rested my horses, Some of them needed shoeing one horse belonging to a man by the name of Weathers in particular I sent Weathers to the shop of Enos Woodten but Wooden on our arrival in town had
ordered his negro to secrete the iron and refused to shoe Weathers horse called him a d -- d son of a b -- h -- used insulting language to him, and finally became so exasperated that he knocked Weathers down was beating him on the head with a rock. I happened to come along and ordered Woodten to desist as he was beating the man to death. Woodten paid no attention to my request and in orer to save the life of my man I drew my pistol and fired killing Woodten on the spot.

Mr Woodten has during this war been an active rebel. harbored and assisted Guerrillas in every manner in his power. I Know that a great deal of money belonging to Guerrillas is now secreted in his house. There are now plenty of men in Taylorsville who would be willing to swear away my life if had to be done by perjury. if ever I should be brought before a Court. It is for these two acts that I humbly ask your Excellency's clemency and pardon as I have already sacrificed everything I possessed for I have spent over $1,000 out of my own pocket & have been wounded 8 times in the service of Kentucky. and all I ask in return is that this application may meet ~~the~~your immediate attention and approbation, Hoping you will grant it

I remain Sir
most Respectfully
Your Ob'd't Serv't
Edwin Terrell
Late Com'd't Scouts

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