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Appomattox County Va.
July 25th 1866

Gen. Ed W. Smith
A.A.G. Dept of Va.

General
I most respectfully ask your attention to the Statement of fact, which I now present.

A citizen of this county, residing near this place, named John Sears, is claiming and trying to gather up, a large number of cattle, scattered among our citizens, which were at the time of Genl Lee's Surrender, in possession either of the Confederate or the U.S. Forces.  I understand that the ground of his claim are the following: viz  That while the armies were at this place, he sustained large losses, and that as some compensation therefor some General of the U.S. Forces gave him verbal permission to hold and keep a large number of cattle which were collected on his premises, and though some of these cattle have since been otherwise distributed and disposed of by Officers filling the Post of Provost Marshall at this place, he is still entitled to the possession of them by virtue of his original authority.  He sustained large losses it is true, but he sustained them in common with all others living at and near this place. I know of no circumstance that makes out his case a peculiar one, nor do

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