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War Department, BUREAU REFUGEES, FREEDMEN, AND ABANDONED LANDS, OFFICE CHIEF DISBURSING OFFICER, Washington, D.C., May 8 1867 Brvt Brg. Genl. O. Brown Asst. Com. Richmond Va Sir The mystery relative to the Retained Bounty of John White, begins to unravel a little. It seems that there are two of the same name (a thing not uncommon especially of John Smith family) The one whose vouchers I sent to Newbern belongs to Co E. while your friend belongs to Co. F. The one at Newbern is alive & kicking and has signed the vouchers, but I have not paid him yet. I see no way to decide the question of identity except by the date of muster in. Will you please let me know when your John White was enrolled, and I will write to Coats to find out the same fact in relation to the one there. If I cannot decide on this evidence I will not pay it to either. Would you? I am very respectfully &c Geo W Balloch Bvt Brig Genl & Chf QM
Transcription Notes:
A. Coats - claim officer in North Carolina
Geo. W. Balloch