Letter about Joseph Taylor by George Taylor

 Comp 13th U.S. G. I.  Johnsonville, Vernon
September 3rd 1864

Sir:

      By direction of Major Wm Inness Commander 13th U. S .G. I. I respectfully submit the following statement in relation to alleged complaints against me in _____ taken from the premise of Joseph Taylor on or about the 25th of July 1864, "Those horses, three mules, a lot of corn, a quantity of honey and a number of chickens."

On the day referred to, by command of Capt. Fallon, 1st Missouri Eng. & Mechanics, Comdg Troops at Sec. 61, N & N R. R.  I went with a detachment of twenty-five men to the premises of Mr. Joseph Taylor to search for Railroad iron, said by the slaves of Mr. Taylor to have been taken by him / Mr. Taylor / from the Railroad bridge on Sec 61, N.& N. W. R. R.

A large quantity of iron had been taken fro the above named bridge by citizens of the surrounding country, and Captain Patten had issued an order requiring it to be returned.  All had complied with this order except Mr. Taylor and one other name unknown.

Mr. Taylor had denied having any of this iron on his premises.  In searching we found, buried to the depth of eighteen inches, a bar of two-inch iron about twelve feet in length, and weighing above seventy0five pounds.  We also found in his dwelling a pistol, poser balls and caps.

My instructions Captain Patten were if I found any Government iron on the premises of Mr. Taylor, to burn his house.  But in consideration of his age, I did not carry out these instructions, but indeed, took live two horses, two mules, and about eight bushels of corn. I also allowed my men to take some half a dozen chickens and some _____.

The houses and mules were turned over to the Quarter Masters Department

                                                                              I am very respectfully
                                                                                      Your Obedient Servant,
                                                                                               George Taylor,
                                                                                                  2nd Lieut. Co. F, 13th U. S. G. I.
                                                                                    Late Comp Detach, at Sec 61, N & N W. R. R.

Lieut James C. Babbitt
        Act. Adjutar 13 U. S. G. I.                                                                                          

                        .