At the August Term of the Garrard Circuit Court, the Grand Jury of Said County, Indicted James W Ross for the Murder of M^cClure with Malace aforethought. The Circumstances Connected with the affair So far as I Know them, are as follows,

In the fall of 1862, a few days after Braggs Army Pressed through our County on the retreat, Myself & Bro. John L. Slavin were Arrested by a ditachment of Col. Wolfords Redgment at my Fathers House, Some three Miles from our Homes — being Anxious to see our Fameles we ast. of Lt W D Carpenter the Commander of the squad. Permission to go by home, we also requested Ja W Ross to go with us (we feared being arrested by some other Soldier^s& perhaps would. That might not treat us well we therefore wished to be in his Custody) He (Ross) agreed to go by permesson of Lt,, Carpenter, which was granted; on the way, I was detained by Dennis Ryon a few Moments, which gave them (Ross & my Brother) Some distance the start within about fifty yards of them (Brother & Ross)

I met M^cClure ^or a man I learned afterwards was McClure^. I at the Same time Saw that They (my Brother & Ross) had stop^d & Ross tourned back, when I met Ross I ast him where he was a going. He answer: To See who that fellow was. That he beleived him to be a rebel Soldier & perhaps a spy and ast me if I new him I told him I did not, and told him to be careful, that he had a pistole & might shoot him

I did not notice them any moore (not expecting any violence) until I hear^d Ross hollow Halt, I tourne^d my head & saw M^cClure tourn to the left & a cross the road & Ross rode up to him. From their actions I Judged they had Some words, I was not near enoughf to hear what was Said by this time I had overtaken my Brother My attention was next attracted by the firing. at the 2^nd fire M^cClure fell from his Horse. he then rose on his hand and fell over near the fence. Ross then got off of his Horse about the place where M^cClure fell & picke^d up something. that I Supposed was M^cClures pistole

which I afterward understood to be so, he (Ross) then got on his Horse and rode back to his command. I believing the man was dead. and also that he at least might ^be^ the advance of a rebel squads. we did not go back to him but went on home, as we passed we told a neghbour. M^r F J Corne what had, occured.

They had picked up a number of rebel soldiers, & had them under guard before we Left them to go home

Ben F Slavin

Sworn to and subcred before me this by Benjamin Slavin this 13^th day of September 1865

James H Henry J P G C

I concur with the Statement of B, F, Slavin. & also state that B F Slavin was not up with us when Ross [tourned] back to See M^cClure. & also state that we he beleived him. M^cC was a rebel & perhaps a spy & so stated. I was the witness and only one before the Grand Jury

Jno L Slavin

Sworn to & Subscribed before me by John L Slavin Sept 15^th 1865.

James H Henry J P G C

Garrard Cir Ct
vs
W^m Ross
Pardoned 2^nd Octr/65