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Headquarters Dist. West Tennessee
Memphis, Tenn. June 11 1865

Col. T. S. Bowers,
A A. General
Washington DC.

Colonel!
Under the ruling of Atty Gen'l James Speed, paroled prisoners of war cannot return to their former homes in the loyal States. The paroles of these men make no exceptions, and they think they are entitled to go to their homes by the terms of the surrender of the Rebel armies. Many of them arrive at this point daily, destitute, expecting to go to Missouri, Kentucky and elsewhere, and have been told by officers that transportation would be furnished by the Government.

While it is true that they are not entitled to transportation or subsistence by the Government, yet I would respectfully submit the question if it would