July 10th, 1918.

Col. F. H. Fries,
Winston-Salem, N.C.

My dear Col. Fries:-

I thank you for your very kind and generous letter of the 8th. It is indeed gratifying to me that my action on the Ashe county situation meets with your approval and the approval of so many good men throughout the State. You will be interested to know that practically all the delinquents and deserters in Ashe county have voluntarily come in and I think that the few who still remain out will come in in a few days.

The second paragraph in your letter indicates that you are under an erroneous impression in regard to the position of Gen. Young. It is due to him to state to you that he had nothing whatever to do with the Ashe county situation until some of the local authorities in Ashe asked for Federal troops. Thereupon I sent General Young to Jefferson myself to see exactly what the situation was. He reported to me by wire and in person that conditions did not warrant the calling out of troops. It was then I made my engagement to speak to the people. The visit of Gen. Young to Ashe was very helpful according to the testimony of the people up there. I know you will be glad to learn this.

Very truly yours,

[unsigned]

B_G