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Matthews CH Va
Apl. 15th 1867

Gen'l. S.C. Armstrong

Dear General,

There are so many thing wh. I want to say to you relating to affairs in my Sub dis'ct. that I concluded to write you an unofficial letter, which may be but the first of a series- unofficial so far as this, that I don't mean for it to be forwarded-  I shall retain copies of all, unless indeed the series should begin & end with No. 1.  Either for the reson that it may include all I ever have to write in this way- or because of your instant & preemptory order that you don't want to wade through any more of my reports.

With this preface I will commence.

1st.  Dixons affair

I don't think D. has the ghost of a chance to prove the assault as being committed upon him as a U.S. officer.  I talked over this with Hopkins & he understands the points I think.  Dixon (who is by no means an educated man,) sticks to it, that his oath is sufficient, that the trial has to be held in a U.S. Court for that reason, that there the onus of proof will rest with him, & if it fails, its not much

Transcription Notes:
reason is misspelled as "reson" in original.... kept as written. ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-10-10 12:26:44