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Before me personally appeared the undersigned Albert Butcher and being duly Sworn deposes as follows,

My name is Albert Butcher. I reside in the City of Memphis Tenn ~

On the evening of the 1st of May 1866 I was standing near the corner of Causey and South Streets ~ My attention was called to some Colored solders (about 30 or 40 in number) who were laughing and Shouting and making considerably noise ~

About this time two buggies came up in one of which was a gentleman whom I was told was recorder Creighton ~ This man ordered some 3 or 4 policeman to arrest the Soldiers

The Soldiers refused to be arrested but used no violence towards the Police. They (the Policeman) came by where I stood accompanied by 3 or 4 Stout Men (Colored) who appeared to be aiding the Police. After the Police had gone some distance they fired back into the crowd of Soldiers and they returned the fire. I am not positive who fired first. There was a great deal of firing going on ~. I came up into the City and seeing a crowd going in the direction of South Memphis. I again went down " near Morris Cemetry But the crown was too far away to see who were engaged in the firing which was