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Lexington Va June 16/67
Phil Carter colored-having been duly sworn before me J.W. Sharp Brvt Major & Military Commissioner for the county of Rockhedge deposeth and saith
On the morning of the 16 June 1867 at about the hour of 8 A.M. I was setting in the kitchen of the James River Supply boat. Joseph C. Cabell I heard a noise in the freight room. It changed to the captains office. I heard Wm James Lyle in a choking voice call "Phil!" "Phil!" I looked through an open door into the office and saw Captain Tager beating Lyle. He was choking him with the left hand and pounding him on the right cheek and temple with his right fist. I saw him strike three very hard blows. The captains little boy Willy was calling to his father to not beat him anymore. After the Captain had stopped beating William but was still holding his head against the window frame I heard him ask said William what he had called me for. William answered that he called me to take him the captain off him. The captain then said "If Phil had come I'd have shot him". I also heard the captain call William an "impertinent son of a bitch"

Phil X his mark Carter
J.W. Sharp
Brvt Major & Military Commissioner
Rockbridge Co Va.