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Office Bureau R.F. and A.Lands Mount Pleasant So.Carolina  
19th June 1867


To S. Mc L. Crawford USA. 
Provost Marshal
Lieutenant,

I have the honor to inquire to what extent the Freedmen, or other persons are to be allowed to organize and avail themselves, and to state that on the 17 Inst, complaint was made at this office that a Band of Freedmen frequently drilled in front of a house occupied by two invalid ladies here, keeping at their drills from 10AM until past midnight.
At 11 oclock last night information was received that they were again drilling, and Major O Brien Mr. Gregorie    and myself  "closed in" on them succeeding in capturing 10 or twelve, the rest taking "to their heels"- They were being put through the facings and manual of arms very well according to "Hardie"- All had sharpened sticks, about 4 ft long, made to resemble bayonets, and which they term lances  The following