Amos T. Akerman to William W. Belknap, 30 October 1871

Oct. 30, 1871. Hon. Wm. W. Belknap, Secretary of War. Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27th inst. relative to the case of Rufus Dowdy, who is under indictment for murder in the Circuit Court of Overton county, Tennessee,—and in reply to inform you that in compliance with your request the Attorney of the U.S. for the Middle Dist. of Tennessee has been directed to take such steps as may be necessary to remove the case to the Circuit Court of the U.S. in his District, and to take charge of the defence thereof. I desire to add, in this connection, that the transcript of the proceedings in this case in the Circuit Court of Overton County, which you say is enclosed with your communication, did not accompany the same. Very respectfully, A. T. Akerman, Attorney General.