About Pearce's amnesty request -- I love finding little bits of Civil War history and sharing them on the board. They put a human face on the "big picture". Pearce was apparently staying with his father-in-law, who had moved his family to Texas during the war. Here's a letter from his father-in-law --
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Independence, Texas,
October 25, 1865.
To His Excellency Isaac Murphy, Gov. of Arks, Little Rock.
Gov.—Herewith enclosed please find a communication from Maj. Pearce in relation to obtaining your recommendation for his pardon & amnesty.
Gov., circumstances more than our will has compelled with Maj. Pearce & myself to occupy the positions we have thro the painful struggle we have just passed thro. We are now anxious to return to our homes, to our loyalty and to good citizens, to try to assist in building up what has been torn down by the ruthless hand of war—our own beautiful N.W. Arkansas.
Gov., by the good act of President Johnson, myself & both my sons have received pardon. Maj. Pearce, my son-in-law, being in the excepted class, is still liable to the law and its penalties, besides being prevented from any business pursuit. This war, Gov., has left us all with quite limited means & it is actually necessary to enter into some kind of business for a support. You, Gov., can comprehend the whole ground without my entering into painful particulars.
May I hope, Gov., you will be so kind as to extend us a helping hand in this our hour of need.
I am, Governor, Your Most Obt. Servant,
JNO. SMITH,
of Osage Mill, Benton County, Arkansas.