Cleveland Morning Leader

It will be remembered that Major Phelps, of the 5th Virginia regiment, was lately shot by one Major Dayton for an alleged seduction of his (Dayton's) sister. By the following spunky letter it will be seen that the charge was groundless:

PARKERSBURG, Va., Nov. 3.

EDITOR IRONTON REGISTER—SIR:—I have been acquainted with Major Phelps, of the 5th Virginia Regiment, since the 10th of last January. At that time he took boarding at my father's house, near New Creek, in Maryland. While at my father's house, he never said he was a preacher, or made any pretensions of the kind. He never deceived me with relation to his being married, for within a week from the time he came there to board, he informed me himself that he had a wife and two children at Burlington, Ohio. He never induced me to leave my father's house, but I left because my father was attempting to force me to marry a man whom I did not love. I left home of my own free will and accord without any compulsion or inducements whatever, except as above stated. I expect to earn my living by the labor of my own hands, as I always have done. I am able to take care of myself, being twenty-three years of age, and I thank no one to write or shoot for me. I learn that Major Phelps is lying very low from wounds received from my brother, Major Dayton. The assault of my brother upon Major Phelps was positively unjust and uncalled for upon any principle whatever. I wish you to give this a place in your paper, in justice to Major Phelps.

MISS R. C. DAYTON.