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affidavits of his view.He accordingly made affidavit before the Adjutant of the 9th Cavalry Lieutenant John S. [Leed?] and signed it himself. It was also signed by Corporal [Spriggs?]. With this paper as his justification he provided to Fort Davis, reaching that post on the 21st of December one day after the term of the enlistment had expired. On the next day, December 22nd the discharge of Sergeant Bush made out in due form by the Company Commander Capt. Schriver of the 9th Cavalry and presented to Lieut. Col. Shafter Post Commander for the signature. Lt.Col. Shafter declined to sign the discharge until he would investigate the loss of Lieut. Custer's horse. A fearful storm came up the next day and did a great deal of damage to the garrison. This engaged the attention of Lt.Col.Shafter for two or three days, but on the 25th December he again called up Sergt. Bush and being dissatisfied with his statement as to the loss of the animal he ordered the Sergeant to the guard house as a prisoner as the 1st Sergt supposed that Sergt Bush was a discharged man he had it seems issued no rations since the 22nd and none were given him in the guard house, at least none from the Company Mess. The Sergeant was released on the morning of 26th after one day's confinement. On the 25th Lieut. Col. Shafter wrote a letter which is herewith enclosed to Dept. Hqrs. to enquire if he could hold Sergt. Bush responsible before a military Court for the loss of a Private Horse, the answer was in the negation, when the answer was received,St. Col.Shafter signed the discharge (January 6th 1872) as it was the same paper which had been previously handed him, it still retained the old date of December 22nd 1871 although the discharge took place on 6th of January, 72, it bears the date December 22nd, 1871. The remarks on the Master Roll of Co. [unclear] for November and December 1871 are as follows: James Bush 2nd Mr. Segt. enlisted December 20, 1866 by Lieut. Moore for five years, last paid by Major, [unclear] to June 20, 1871. Present discharge and final statement given December 22, 1871. Discharge withheld by Lt.Col.W Shafter Post Commander until information relative to his case had been received from Dept. Hdqtrs. Due U.S. for clothing $22.70 due. I believe I have now stated the essential facts