Personally appeared before me the Subscri-
ber W.W. Edwards a Loyal Citizen ofthe
United States. and after being duly sworn
[Says?]
	That [IW.N?] Edwards was in the town
of Panola. County of Panola, State of Mis-
issippi on or about the 20th of July 1864
and that I made an application to the
Confederate States Quarter Master one
Mr Rankin for Transportation to or
near the Mississippi River, and that
the Quarter Master Mr Rankin refer-
ed the case to the Commandant of
the post Capt Taylor who after Exam-
ining my papers. refered me back
to the Quarter master who gave me an
order upon one Maj Clarke the agent
for the C.S.A. for Transportation on 
a Wagon that would leave that Even-
ing Loaded with Cotton in Com-
pany with 20 or 25 others, and the
order stated that [I W. N.?] Edwards
would act as a gaurd for the afore-
said Cotton.
	We departed on the Evening above
refered to and Crossed the Talahat-
chee River At the Panola ferry.
We had Twenty two Waggons. A Com-
pany of Scouts Commanded by one Capt.

Saunders C.S.A. as an Escort_. 3 Waggon
Masters, and Twenty two Teamsters
in the Company we camped about ten Miles
from Panola and proceeded again on
the Hernando Road. which we left after
about a day and a half. travel and
then proceeded in the direction of
Commmerce on the River. we Crossed the
Cold Water at Mathews Ferry. and
Come on and Camped for two days in
the Woods about Seven miles from Com-
merce. for the purpose as I was inform-
ed of Scouting the Neighboring Country
for Federal Soldiers and if giving
a Steam Boat time to meet us at
Commerce. which would bring out
supplies in Exchange for the Cotton.
	After the expiration of the two
days. above stated. we heard through
one D.F. [Hungerson?] who was direct-
ly from Memphis (this City) that 
the Steam Boat was doubtless Ready
at Commerce. to deliver supplies, and
take on the Cotton. and about 2 hour.s
by sun we started from Camp.
to go to Commerce which was distant
severn miles. we started about two hours
by sun so as to get there in the 
night. which was by [Hungersons?] &