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United States Commissions Office 
Selma Ala June 30th 1867

Wm E. Parsons Statement

I heard on the 18th of June that General Swayne had ordered my arrest. I was informed of the fact by John McLaughlin about 9 o clock a.m. McLaughlin is clerk in the Quarter Masters Office at Selma  He informed me of the fact at Captain Groves place about 15 miles from Selma and advised me to get away as lively as possible. He said that he came out from Selma to advise me to leave. Did not say he acted within upon instructions or advise. When I asked him wheither or not Capt Groves sent him he replied no. 

William Redpath who lives upon Captain Groves place also advised me to leave. Redpath is a partner of Captain Groves.

I left the place about one o clock p.m. and walked to Mr Kings plantation about 1/2 mile from Captain Groves place. Saw Captain Groves the same night the soldiers were in pursuit of me which was the evening of the 18th of June about 8 oclock  Met him on the road  it was dark  He said who is there  I said Parsons, he then told me that he had just met the guards going into Selma and that they were agoing to obtain permission to come out during the night and catch him in bed and that I had better keep on to Cahaba and take the boat to Mobile. Offered me no money to pay my expenses. Captain Groves has been telling me to leave the country ever since I left the Quarter Masters Office where I was formerly a clerk. He desired me to leave the country I think because about the first of April he was complained of before the Dept. at Washington and from that time until I left his office he was