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War Department
ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE
Washington, D.C., December 24, 1872.

This description, or extract from the official records, is to be considered strictly confidential, and
is furnished to the disbursing officer to enable him to detect frauds. He should question each claimant 
fully as to his military history, and, in cases of deceased soldiers, the heirs should be questioned as to 
the military history of husband, father, brother, or son, as the case may be.

Before making payments the disbursing officer should be fully satisfied that the parties claiming 
the money are the persons they represent themselves to be. In case of doubt as to the identity of the 
soldier, payment will be refused, and the disbursing officer will reduce to writing the questions and 
answers, and at once transmit the same to the Adjutant General of the Army, with a full report.

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Assistant Adjutant General.