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and they made an assault on his office breaking the windows and generall "cleaning him out."

At my request Col Heally telegraphed to the Comd'r officer at Selma to send down an officer with his company, which has been done. If they interfere again some body will get hurt.

On Friday last Col Harmount sent a guard of three men to Chambers Co near West Point to arrest a man who had shot a negro. The civil authorities had refused to act. The guard in reaching the house found the man concealed and before they could reach him his friends assembled around and a regular fight ensued in which our men were driven off. They think however that they wounded one or two of the party. Col Heally will send up a company tonight with instructions to bring down all the parties concerned. We may not be able to try them by a Commission but we can let them lie in jail awhile.

It is not worth while for me to say anything of the consequences of the withdrawal of the troops. You know what the condition would be. Even now there are not enough soldiers to make the authority of the Gov't respected.

Col Beecher has gone to Mobile on business. Offers are made for the boats but nothing will be done towards their sale until you return. Mr Foote reports an offer for the Mary taking her with such title as the Bureau can give.

Col Freudenberg V.R.C. received his muster out on the 17th and started home. I am glad of it for I don't know what we could

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have done with him.

A few officers of a lower grade are needed.

The local condition of the different offices where is a force sufficient to inspire respect is fair.

I have established the Freedmen's Court in Selma. Have heard nothing from it as yet.

J.J. Martin of Tuskegee called in on Saturday. I think he would be a good witness before the Reconstruction Committee. If he would testify as he talks he would be of some use. Mr Buckley has opened his school with about 300 scholars. Prof Silsby will take charge for the present, Editing the Nationalist at the same time.

Mr Mellen is here in route for his coal mine.

Genl Orders No 147 A.G.O is construed by the Q.M. Dept here (Capt Whetzel) to mean that Q.M. Stoves as well as C&G equipage must be unfit for issue to troops before it can be issued to the Bureau. This includes fuel. Capt W. is however letting us have a little taking the responsibility as he says until the matter can be settled at Washington. The order is rather vague.

I enclose a requisition for one hundred cords of wood and some stationary to be approved by Gen Howard; also a requisition for a printing press which may enable us to get the District press when they are through with it.

A large number of the troops here have been mustered out. Only about 250 men are here for duty.

I understand that they have arrested