H. C. Thorburn to W. H. Taylor, September 9, 1864

September 9, 1864. Lieut. Col. W. H. TayLor,

Str: In obedience to your order of the 7th instant I went to Richmond yesterday in the habeas corpus case of Thomas Vaden, jr., and in the absence of Mr. Aylett presented your letter of instructions to Messrs. Sands and Neeson, who were acting in his place, and stated to them all the facts in my knowledge with regard to the case. They informed me that several similar cases have been decided in favor of the applicants for discharge after having been fully argued by Colonel August and Mr. Neeson, and that an appeal had been taken to the court of appeals. After a hearing in the case of Vaden the judge decided to discharge him from the service. An appeal will also be taken in his case.

I was accompanied to Richmond by Lieutenant Fry, of Utterback’s battery, the company to which Vaden belonged, who gave all the assistance in his power in protecting the interests of the Government in this case.

I have the honor to be, major, with much respect, your obedient