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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