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Colonel J.C. Degress
Sub. Asst Commissioner

Sir

After I left you, I went immediately on to Hempstead, and reported myself to Lieut R.H. Hathaway. and gave him Mr Wheelock's official Letter, He informed me that there was a flourishing school taught by a Lady at that place, but sent me on next morning to Captain Davis Sub Asst Comm, at Brenham. he told me there was no opening at Brenham, but sent me back as far as Chappel Hill, with a Letter to Doctor Wilkes. who received me very kindly, and offered me the old Building where he holds meeting, to teach in, if I only could obtain a place for Board and Lodge. he also introduced me to the  select men in the Village and told them of my object. I then went round and got the promises of about 50 scholars, and was to have opened school, for the Freedmen, the following Monday. but I could obtain no place for Lodge at. I was offered board and Lodging in a decent coloured family and I carried my clothes to his place, when about 8 o clock, in the Evening there came in several men armed with Pistols, and ordered me out, threatening to shoot me if I remained in town any longer. I then had to walk about the whole night until 1/2 past next morning when the train from Brenham came by, and I paid my passage back to Hempstead, and reported the matter to Lieut R.H. Hathaway and he advised me to hurry back to Galveston, and report the facts, to General Kildor, and Mr Wheelock, he also furnished me with about 7 dollars

Transcription Notes:
Online bio identifies this man as J.C. Degress.