Mays Lick Ky Sept 6^th 1865 —
Lieut Col Patton
Sir

Your note is before me asking of me to give you in writing what I know about the authority given you to raise troops in Ky by Genl Jn^o S Willliams

In the Summer of 1863 Genl Sam Jones (then Commanding the Dept of SW V^a & East Tenn^e Rec^d authority from the Sec^t of War of C. S. A. to raise troop in Ky & South W V^a, that authority was handed to Genl J S Williams and he ^was^ ordered to the border of Ky for that purpose. His order was a "Cart Blanch" to raise them as he Williams though best; on Genl Williams arriving at Saltville V^a he gave authority to C^ol A J May, ^C^ol^ Henry S. Bowen to raise two Reg^mts in V^a which they did, C^ol May had a small battalion of Kentuckians at that time from Ky, he raised 6 Companies from the County of Buckhannon ^V^a^ which completed 10 companies for him making what is known as the 10^th Ky

C^ol Bowen under that authority raised the 22^d V^a Cavalary and C^ol Peters the 21^st V^a C Genl Williams gave you, C^ol John D Morris (of Christian C^o Ky) and myself, the authority to raise Regiments in Ky, you and C^ol Morris come to Ky to fulfill your Mission, and I afterwards learned, you were both Captured

I was engaged in the Medical department and could not leave at the time you did, which I think was fortunate for me or

in all probablity I should have shared your fate — I have my authority I suppose still in my trunk at wWytheville V^a and I will write for it

truly yours &c
B C Duke