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When I said it was an ungentlemanly act to insult me knowing as they did that I was alone and a stranger in the place, and added, that the man who would insult a gentleman as they had me, was not a gentleman but a scoundrel, With one accord they both flew upon me and struck me several times, I put my hand into my pocket and attempted to draw my pistol, when both retreated in good order__

I did not use my pistol as I believe it would have cost me my life on the spot to have done so

And I felt that it would have been unofficerlike for me to have returned their blows__
And even had I done so I know I should have been unmercifully dealt with for I beleive that not only the cadets but many of the students of Washington colledge would have taken a hand in the affair, And under the circumstances I considered "discretion the better part of valor"

Mayor Edmondson caused the arrest of one of the young men and bound him over to keep the peace, I called upon the magistrates of the place and demanded that my assailants be arrested, they posatively refused to take any further action in the matter, my demand was that the young men should be arrested and bound over to appear at the next term of court
This would prevent them from leaving town

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-08-12 15:33:06 please do not trun-cate words that break across lines.