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Statement of all the proceedings to Richmond - and further he feels fully pursuaded that the Boys only acted in Self defense; having been followed up and fired upon by Mr Preston, when leaving his premises. He also thinks with his experience of the case, that they cannot get justice awarded them in Montgomery County.

Since their discharge from the Army, they have been living in the vicinity of Mr Preston's; but have never ventured upon his property, or molested him in any way, but tried to avoid meeting him as much as possible. On Wednesday the 6th inst. while working (one building a Log House for this Family - the other in the Field) they were arrested by the Sheriff of this County, On a Bench warrant issued by Judge Fulton, Some four months Since, for the offence herein Stated; and brought to Christiansburg for examination before a Magistrate. The case instead of being examined at once, was postponed until the following Saturday - and the Boys incarcerated in the County Jail. On Saturday for some trivial Cause it was postponed until Wednesday of the present week- On Wednesday postponed again until Saturday; and thus three months may again elapse without a trial, while their families are Suffering, and their Employers deprived of their labor.

Transcription Notes:
11.6.2023 - Transcribed per guidelines (spelling transcribed as is) and marking for review ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-11-07 10:12:27