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3.
beg that you will believe me when I say that
this communication was purely voluntary- totally
unsolicited. Indeed at it's date I had not
the remotest hint that my head was so soon
to fall from the block.
  If the mandate has gone forth to exterminate the whole brood of volunteers, of course all appeals will be in vain; but if any are to be spared, I respectfully ask that I may be of the number.
  I regret that I have not the honor of knowing General Grant, the Sec. of War ad interim, or rather, that he does not know me; for I had an interview with him in the spring of 1863 at Millikan's Bend LA, but of course he has no remembrance of it. At that time his head was occupied with mighty issues, which his genius and good fortune brought to a successful conclusion. But I believe him to be a just man, and I flatter myself [?] if my case were fairly brought before him, he would consent to [?a recind]  or, at least, suspend the order for the present. Though a mighty man of war I am sure that he is not bloodthirsty nor