Yours very truly,
Nelson A. Miles.
I immediately wrote General Miles a second letter asking him for the name of the affiant and any statement he might be willing to make about the affidavit. I pointed out to him what he very well knew—the prominence given to the story in his own book indicates that—the importance of the affidavit in establishing General Custer’s position and defending him against the charge of disobedience. I received no answer to this letter.
Meanwhile the question of the affidavit was taken up by General Hughes in his several communications to me which appear below.
In order not to break the thread of the discourse I will anticipate events and here insert a third letter which I wrote to General Miles, after carefully considering General Hughes’ remarks. The letter was sent to General Miles by registered mail. I hold the registry receipt showing that he received it. To this inquiry I have as yet received no reply.
455 East 17th Street, Flatbush,
Brooklyn, N. Y., March 30th, 1904.
Lieutenant-General Nelson A. Miles, U. S. A.,
1736 N Street, N. W., Washington, D. C.
My Dear General Miles: