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Bureau R.F and A Lands
Head. Qrs 8th Sub Dist Va
Wytheville Nov. 19th 1868

Respectfully returned to Bvt Capt. Will. A. Coutler Asting Asst. Adjt. Genl. Bureau R.F. and A. Lands District of Virginia  I never served in a state before where there was such an institution as a Milty. Comr. and was naturally anxious to learn the ordinary method of interchange of papers between it and the Bureau.  In as much as cases had been sent to me in which I was to act as Milty Commr, (the request coming from Genl Wilcox to General Stoneman who referred it to Genl Brown with a request that he order me to attend to the case, which he did. 

I thought it probable that the proper course for me would be to send the paper to Genl Brown for him to send to Genl Stoneman if he saw fit, stating that from which I could learn without going to Hillsville.  I should think it well to have the case investigated, by a Milty. Comr, I did not suppose that it was desirable that I should endorse what I should endorse what I could pick up around town?  which led me to this view, which although sufficiently satisfactory to lead me to recommend an investigation, of course proved nothing.  I supposed that the Milty. Comr. if ordered would take the evidence and come to a decision, neither did I think it well to go to Hillsville, nor within