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Richmond Aug 14th, 1865

Richard Bryant, states that on Friday afternoon the 11th inst, while in the line of his business as driver of a Wagon for hire within this City, and Porter for the Olive House, standing on the Steam Boat Wharf at Rocketts Landing, just as the Steamer, Tho's Colyer was coming in to the Wharf he was ordered by a soldier, name unknown, who was there on guard, to fall back, that he immediately turned to obey the order, saying at the same time that he had a wagon there and desired to stand where the other Porters were- that while he was in obedience of the order mo[[strikethough]]o [[/strikethrough]]ving, he was struck twice in the back by the said soldier with the butt of his musket_ that after being struck he told the soldier that he should report him to his Captain.  The soldier then took him before an Officer wearing the badge of a first Lieut of the U.S. Army and reported that he (Bryant) had threatened to report them all - meaning the guard - to the Provost Marshal.  This Bryant denied as being untrue  The Lieut then told him that if he came again within his picket line, he would have a stone hung to his neck and have him thrown into the River, Bryant replied that he had not before known of his picket line and that if it might be shown to him he would hereafter respect it- that he had only on this occasion gone as far on the wharf as the point where others in the same business as himself, were standing.  The Lieut then said hush, I am going to tie you up now and keep

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