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obligation to become a champion of their dignity or of the supposed prerogatives of those 'who have fought the battles of the country.'  I was a heavy sufferer by the Fed. Army and I may yet have some claim to prefer against the Govt. and some favors to ask of the Yankees.  If so human frailty and selfishness may control my conduct also, and I too may find it convenient to ignore my antecedents and to vehemently espouse the cause and to flatter the prejudices of those in authority and of those fancied to have influence with them."  

You may communicate to Mr. S.S. Bradford the substance of this letter.  For the sake of ending an unprofitable controversy, it may be better to make an exchange between Lt. Chase and some other officer under your direction.  If possible let it be by his own request.

I am, General.
Very Respectfully,
Your Obedient Servant
A.P. Ketchum
Actg Asst. Adjt. General.

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-09-24 00:52:05 Unsure if the repeated quotation marks along the margins should be included within the transcription or not