Viewing page 328 of 344

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

should about it. Some prefer hiring their children out to sending them to school, but I think I can persuade them out of that when I get the school started. Some few manifest zeal in the matters I have instructed them all over the county to set up schools and that the government will help them at Cold Springs they told me they would but I have heard nothing of it since - Gen they do give me. Bringes here because I try to rescue the freedmen by advice against Rebel influence and tell them plainly their rights and duties. 

They say I am a worse man than Thad Stephens. This always was a hot hole, however they are learning to keep away from getting with me and do more of that with the freedmen - therein at any former time - the presence of my squad of soldiers here is necessary and almost indispensable

It is now stated that the man spoken of when I forwarded my report of May as having been hung is a deserter from Maj Tanyer's Co at Woodville so I learn today - yesterday I dispatched a messenger to the Maj. to cooperate with me in investigating the affair Their was about 30 persons engaged in the hanging I learn and they threatened to hang every damn Yankee and Unionist in the county before they stoped, they'll have a merry time of it, threats are pretty plentiful around here once in a while too we learn - No Body scared though

Respy your Obt Svt  M H Goddin
Sub Ast Com
Polk Co.

Gen Garitsons draft in favor of Bught for Jas Lowrie reached me today also

[[right margin]] Jurys can be got if they will try to get them. That is the Hobby 13 Kills them off [[/right margin]]

[[upside down on top margin]] civil authorities are all refusing to act and are just in the way except J O Stephens - that I know of they want [[/top margin]] 

[[left margin]]order 13 Revolvers and will do all they can to get it done[[/left margin]]

Transcription Notes:
The narrative continues along the margins. A first transcription effort is done. A second effort is needed to see if the blanks can be filled.