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Fort Monroe, Va.
May 15th 1867
General S. C. Armstrong
Agent in Charge

General,

In obedience to your request that I should state in writing the reason that I did not proceed to Matthews C. H. on the morning of the 14th. instant, I beg leave to say that after having put my wife on board the Steamboat "[[Evlers?]]" with the certain intention of  accompanying her, naturally unwilling that I would allow her to proceed alone to a strange place, the Agent of the Steamboats called me to speak to him on business of importance, and whilst engaged in conversation, the boat cast off and left the wharf unperceived by me. i exceedingly regret that this should have occurred, especially for fear that my apparent neglect of duty might have caused your displeasure, which, considering your great kindness both to Mrs. Howlett and myself, I should most earnestly deprecate.