To Andrew Johnson1Jump to section
Nashville, Tenn. Washington, Sep. 7. 1864
This is an order to whatever officer may have the matter in charge, that the execution of Thomas R. Bridges, be respited to Friday, September 30, 1864 A. LINCOLN
Annotation
[1] ALS, DNA WR RG 107, Presidential Telegrams, I, 156. There is much confusion in regard to Bridges' name in the several telegrams concerning his case, but the court-martial record of his trial and sentence to death for murder, which Lincoln approved on July 8, 1864, gives his name as Robert T. Bridges (DNA, U.S. Army Court Martial cases, RG 130, White House Office). On August 18, 1864, Colonel George W. Bridges, Tenth Tennessee Cavalry, telegraphed Lincoln from Nashville, Tennessee: ``Wm R Bridges a Lieut in Confed service deserted that army came to his home at Ringgold Ga eighteen hundred & sixty four (1864) in an affray a man was stabbed by the name of Rhodes. Bridges was arrested tried & found guilty by a Com. at Chattanooga & sentenced to be hung on the second of June but his case being before the authorities at Washington they have recently decided he is to be hung on twenty sixth (26) of this month The facts in my possession in my estimation establishes his innocence therefore request a postponement of this execution for twenty days I hope you will grant it'' (DLC-RTL).
Nicolay answered on the same day: ``If Governor Johnson thinks execution of sentence in case of Wm. R. Bridges should be further suspended, and will request it, the President will order it.'' (DNA WR RG 107, Presidential Telegrams, I, 135).
On August 30 Colonel George W. Bridges telegraphed Lincoln again: ``T R Bridges under sentence of death to have been executed on the twenty sixth of this month His case was postponed for fifteen (15) days. . . . In the trial before the Court Martial his witnesses did not come in time . . . their testimony was not admitted If it had he would have been acquitted The Judge Advocate . . . who reviewed the case will recommend indefinite postponement of his case from what he has heard since the trial. . . . If it can be postponed until further orders I feel sure he can establish his innocence I hope you will find it consistent to do so in this a peculiar case I am taking the testimony. . . .'' (DLC-RTL).
On September 6 Governor Johnson telegraphed: ``In regard to the execution of Thos R Bridges on friday next you state in your dispatch to Col Geo Bridges that if I desire the suspension it would be granted I would suggest that it be extended twenty days persons who are reliable inform me that facts & circumstances are being developed which will go a great way in mitigation of the offence if not to entirely exonerate him answer.'' (Ibid.).
See further Lincoln's telegrams to Johnson, September 27, and to Colonel John F. Miller, September 29, infra.