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of having fraudulently attempted to obtain the bounty allowed Elizabeth Griffin as mother of John D. Gray. In the case of William Randolph he was found guilt of perjury. Although I was present at both trials I had to leave before the conclusion was reached. I have been since informed by the U.S. District Attorney that previous to their being sentenced by the Court the Attorney for the defence made an earnest appeal for mercy which was responded to to the effect that nothing short of the money being restored to Government would be considered in mitigation of the offence and that they would be allowed until the 1st of October before sentence would be finally passed upon them. I have now the honor of submitting for the information of the War Department two commemorations received by me recently marked respectively "A" & "B", the first being from Cha'p C. Reid Esq claiming to be Attorney for Elizabeth Griffin, the other being from Messrs Benjamin & Barnes, Attorneys for Elizabeth Irvine and WIlliam Randolph, the prisoners. Mr Reid calls attention to the fact that he has reason to believe that efforts had been made to induce his client to sign certain papers releasing her daughter Elizabeth Irvine from restoring to her the bounty fraudulently obtained in the case of Clendenin Griffin. Further that in view of her unfit condition during the past year to transact business application had been made for the appointment of a guardian for her and that consequently he would oppose any settlement based on the plan proposed. I will merely remark in passing that it will be observed Mr Reid acknowledges in said letter (marked "A") that his client, Elizabeth Griffin, shared with her daughter to a certain extent the proceeds of the bounty fraudulently obtained from me. This was further evidenced by one of the witnesses for the prosecution in the trial who stated that not only did the old woman (Elizabeth Griffin) receive a portion but other members of her family also. In connection with the fact of Mr Reid's having filed an application for the appointment of a guardian for his client I would beg leave to call attention to the circumstance that he did not consider it necessary to have her represented by a guardian when I paid her $147. as late as the 27th of February last. Messrs Benjamin & Barnes in their communication [[it?]] marked "B" transmit a paper pinpointing to the receipt of Elizabeth Griffin to her daughter for the sum of $319. the amount fraudulently obtained by her from me in the case of Clendenin Griffin, said receipt being duly executed and witnessed before a regularly constituted U.S. Commissioner. In laying this case before the Department I do in order that I may be advised in regard to the proper course to be pursued. I had indeed thought that the defendant would restore to me in person the amount fraudulently obtained in order that it might be redeposited to the credit of the Treasurer of the U.S. with a view to a new certificate being issued by the Treasury Department in favor of the mother. Possibly this may be done yet upon their being informed by your Department through me that such is the proper course to be pursued. I feel assured that the Court will entertain no settlement that does not receive my official sanction. Very resp'y y'r obed't serv't Geo Gibson Major 5th Inf DO. Memphis, Tenn. June 22' '75 Captain James McMillan 3rd Art'y C.D.O. Captain: I have the honor to transmit herewith vouchers in settlement of the following accounts for the month of June 1875: [[3 columned table]] | To Whom | For what Services | Amount | | --- | --- | --- | | William M Biddle | Services | 125. | | James Joyce | Services | 40. | | John Overton Jr. | Rent | 18. | Very resp'y y'r obed't serv't Geo Gibson Maj 5th Inf. DO. (Indorsement) Memphis, Tenn. Jun 23 '75 Respectfully returning through the Adj't Genl of the Army to the Hon 2nd Auditor of the Treasury the papers in the case of Alfred Booker Co. K 48 C.T. with the information that I have been unable to obtain any information concerning the whereabouts of said soldier. Geo Gibson Maj 5th Inf. DO.
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Reopened for Editing 2024-12-14 06:59:26
12/14 - this has been fully transcribed - pls review
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Reopened for Editing 2024-12-14 10:49:54
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Reopened for Editing 2024-12-15 18:04:03