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Office Asst Coms'r
B.R.F. & A.L.
Mont. Feb 10th 1866

R.W. Russell
J.P. Lowndesboro, Ala

Sir;

Your communication of the 6th inst is rec'd.  This office has jurisdiction over all cases that relate to freedmen.

By General Orders No 7 from this office that jurisdiction was confided to Civil Magistrate who became agents of the Bureau for the purpose of administering justice when they had accepted jurisdiction.  You are therefore to be guided only by the orders from this office.  This can result in no conflict between Gen Woods & myself as you will see by the enclosed order from that officer.  He will not reverse a decision made by me, and if he should wish any ruling in any case reversed you would receive such orders as he might make only through this office, and not through Braxton Bragg.

If you need any assistance in carrying out your decision in this case it will be furnished you from this office.

Very Respectfully,
Your Obt Servt
Bt Maj Gen


Office Asst Coms'r
B.R.F. & A.L.
Mont, Ala. Feb 10, 1866

Capt J.W. Cogswell
Asst Supt R.F. & A.L.
Tuscaloosa, Ala


245

Sir;

In reply to your communication of Jany 29th I am directed by Maj Gen Swayne to say, that your action in the cases to which you refer is fully endorsed.  

In regard to the "Owl Committee" if you can obtain sufficient evidence against these parties to make the arrest, do so, and report facts to this office.

Act your own pleasure concerning the turning over of cases to the J.P. if you have time to devote to such matters.  

It would be well for you to inform parties who bring to town aged and decrepid freedmen, that they must provide a place for them upon their plantations till one can be found.  This matter is in the hands of the County Commissioners.  You can issue rations to these poor freedmen.

You are at liberty to employ a clerk at a salary not to exceed ($75.) seventy five dollars pr month.  Make an estimate of the funds necessary for his payment and forward to Maj Edwin Beecher, Receiving and Disbursing officer at this office

Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt,
M.C. Wilkinson
Capt & A.A.A.G. 


Office Asst Coms'r
B.R.F. & A.L.
Mont. Ala. Feb 10. 1866

Benj F. Porter, Esq'r
Intendant Greenville

Sir;

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