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plantations Saturdays & not be coming in here. permited forming detachments march around now with Guns Pistols &c, a red flag with blue Star, at head of column, such meetings I stopped (as I thought it my duty so to do.

It was this that caused the order May 16th prohibiting the carrying of weapons in the city limits. I did not order these meetings stopped but quietly advised & proved to the freedmen the folly of such meetings they having no earthly cause but the loss of discipline

It must be that some interested citizen not understanding my motives has misinformed the General thro personal motives

However I trust this explanation will prove to the General the falsity of such reports of my willfully prohibiting public meetings
I am Sir
Very Respy