Page 2 August 9, 1861

on so great a force? I cannot account
for it, unless the supposition wich I en-
tertain is true. It is this: That Tyler,
who is in command, either expects rein-
forcements, or designs to lead on this
handful of men into the lion's jaw, that
he may devour them! But I hope the latter
part of this supposition is unfouned; for
Tyler is shurely a brave man, and per-
haps the best acquainted with
this part of Virginia. [the] [My] reason
for forming this latter part of this
supposition is, that a letter was
found, in which there were knews,
intened to be carried to the rebel
commander, and Tyler was suspe-
cted of being its author. ^HoweverN nothing was
proved against him; and he was acquit-
ted on the verdict, that some one, who
had a spite at this commander,
dropped the letter, so that he might
gratify his villainous self.
Whether he was justly acquitted,