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202 (Sgd.) James A. Bates Bvt Maj. and A.A.A.Genl. Official. Garrick Mallery A.A.A.Genl. (4.V.720.) (Telegram) Richmond Va. May 5th 1866 To President of Military Commission Norfolk Va. (Care Maj. Stanhope Norfolk Va.) Major J.H Croft will communicate all information in his possession concerning the late riot to the Military Commission now sitting at Norfolk, Va. investigating the cause of said riots. (Sgd.) James A. Bates Bvt Maj. & A.A.A.Genl. Official. Garrick Mallery A.A.A.Genl. (4.V.721.) Richmond Va. May 5th 1866. Merrell Lieut H.S. Superintendent Lieut, I have the honor to enclose order for transportation No. 569 to cover your request dated 4th inst. Please acknowledge receipt. (1 enclosure) By Order of Bvt Brig. Genl. O. Brown (Sgd.) James A. Bates Bvt. Maj. & A.A.A.Genl. Official. Garrick Mallery A.A.A.Genl. (4.V.722.) Richmond May 5th 1866 Bradford Mr. S.S. Culpepper C. House Sir I communicate to you the substance of communication from Maj. Gen. O.O. Howard Comr. on the subject of your complaints against Lt. Chase Asst. Supt. of Culpepper Co. as follows. It does not appear that the motives of Lieut. Chase were incorrect or that what he did is of sufficient importance to warrant his removal. There is no evidence of wrong on the part of the officer further than indiscretion in the form of his letter. It will not be right to condemn an officer upon that kind of ex-parte testimony, particularly when collected by one who in his last communication to the Hd. Qrs. of the Bureau uses the following words. "During the late war though perhaps less vociferous and abusive of "the Yankee soldiers and the then called Yankee Government, I was not less sincere in "my aversion to them or less intense in my sympathy with the Confederate Cause "than Mrs. S. (who writes a letter for Lt. Chase) and her immediate friends, and proba"bly now that the battle has been fought and lost, I am not much less loyal "in truth, to the new condition of things, but I don't happen to have any "interest in proclaiming it or in affecting a special concern for the rights and "comforts of those I so lately despised. Neither the officers or soldiers of the Federal Army have conferred any benefit pecuniary or otherwise on me since the war and I am insensible to any obligation to become a champ"ion of their dignity or of the supposed prerogative 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 expouse the cause "and to flatter the prejudice of those in authority and of those fancied "to have influence with them." By Order of Bvt. Brig. Genl. O. Brown (Sgd.) James A. Bates Bvt. Maj. & A.A.A.Genl. Official. Garrick Mallery A.A.A.Genl. (4.V.723.) Richmond Va. May 6th 1866 Barnes Captain Stuart A.Q.M. and Supt. Captain, In reply to your communication dated March 4th The Asst. Commissioner directs that you forward the Asst Supt reports as fast as received. I am Captain, Very Respectfully Your Obedt. Servt. (sgd) James A. Bates Bvt Maj. & A.A.A.Genl. Official Garrick Mallery A.A.A.Genl. (4.V.724.) Richmond Va. May 6th 1866. How Bvt. Major W.S. A.Q.M. and Supt. Major The Asst Commissioner directs that you forward at once your "Report of Persons &c discharged" for the month of March, our report has been delayed some time on this account. Two communications have already been written on this subject by Captain G.Q. White. I am, Major, Very Respectfully Your Obt Servant (sgd) James A. Bates Bvt Maj. & A.A.A.Genl. Official. Garrick Mallery A.A.A.Genl.
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Reopened for Editing 2023-11-29 14:18:23
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Reopened for Editing 2023-11-30 18:27:02
Quite a bit of editing needed.