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miles from the road. A squad of five men well mounted took off my mules - What chance had I to have broken down stock left in my inclosure under these circumstances?
My care is that of many others. We have been lulled by the uniform military decisions in all these cases & now the F. Bureau - seeks to reverse them & give all this stock to the negroes. This at this season unsettles every thing. The Govt. sales are over and stock is not to be had in the county. 
Genl. Swayne in his note to Genl. B, Feb 10" seems to realize the awkward position in which he has places himself & seems to suggest these are individual cases where an appeal to higher authority would afford redress. I now General make that appeal to you in full confidence that the plighted faith of a Military department at least, will be faithfully preserved. I send this by my son, my own infirmities not allowing me the pleasure to appear before you in person. 
Very Respectfully
J. Bragg

[[left margin]] Recd Dept Ala Feby 20. 66
(one enclosure) [[/left margin]]

[[right margin]] B. 99. Dept Ala 1866 
Feby 16/66 [[/right margin]]