From the Richmond Enquirer, 4/26/1862, p. 2, c. 6
MR. FRANKLIN STEARNS. – This gentleman who for some weeks past has been incarcerated in Castle Godwin, on the charge of being a disloyal citizen, has been examined before the Court martial now sitting and entirely exhonerated. He was released yesterday and permitted to return to "Tree Hill," his residence, in Henrico county. It is thought that his well known friendship for Hon. Jno. N. Botts, first turned suspicion on him as probably unfriendly to the South. Be that as it may, he is now at liberty, and his friends have reason to rejoice at the result.