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Greenville, Butler County, Ala.
June 25th, 1866
Maj. Gen. Swayne
Dear Sir - Yours of the 20th instant I received at the hands of Capt. Arthur. 
I have given him all the assistance in my power, to aid in ferreting out the abuses practiced at this place. I have given him such legal advice as I thought the Law would justify. And I am glad to know that such steps have been taken as will prevent the recurrence of such conduct, both on the part of officials and citizens. 
Being a citizen of this place, I regret exceedingly that so many of its citizens have become mixed up in this matter. But I must say a few words in mitigation of their offence.
In the first place, our territory has been overrun by the armies of the U. States; and the people have been subdued to the will of the conqueror. Hence they have been disposed to receive without question, any thing, coming from an officer of the U. States Army. Captain Steinburg and his predecessors have repeatedly asserted the right to sell the surplus rations. This illegal traffick has been going on under the eye of the commander of the regiment at this place, unrebuked

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last word hyphenated to following page & was completed from this