From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from Thomas McCarren and Geo. B. McNamara to R. J. Mathews. A reply written to Mathews concerning the case of William Hanlan (also known as Michael Hanlan). The letter states that Hanlan and the man whom he was charged with shooting served in the same military unit stationed in Columbus, Mississippi, in August of 1867. Both men were drunk from liquor and got into a quarrel. Hanlan went to his tent to get his rifle and shot Beau, another man, and was then turned over to local authorities in Columbus.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Ames Collection. Letter from William Handlon, a prisoner at the Mississippi State Penitentiary, to Mississippi Governor Adelbert Ames, describing the events leading to his incarceration for manslaughter and request for clemency.