To Stephen G. Burbridge1Jump to section
at Frankfort, Kentucky Washington, Feb'y 2, 1865.
Suspend execution of death sentence of W. E. Walker until further orders, and forward record of trial for examination.
A. LINCOLN.
Maj. Eckert
Please send the above telegram JNO. G. NICOLAY Priv. Sec.
Annotation
[1] D, DNA WR RG 107, Presidential Telegrams, I, 321. Nicolay's signature is autograph, but Lincoln's is not. Pierce B. Hawkins ``late Colonel 11th Ky,'' telegraphed Lincoln on January 29: ``In behalf of loyal parents & friends I ask the release of an inexperienced boy named W E Walker recently ordered to be shot without any chance of trial this boy will take the amnesty oath & adhere to every requirement of the same to the fulfillment of the promise I together with his friends pledge our lives'' (DLC-RTL).
General Burbridge replied on February 4: ``Execution of death sentence in case of W. E. Walker, guerrilla, has been suspended. He was ordered to be shot in retaliation for the murder of union citizens.'' (Ibid.).
See Lincoln to Hawkins, February 11, infra.