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280 1st In case of assault or other outrage, if the local County Officers do not act promptly and spontaneously the "Bureau", Agent calls their attention to the matter, and invite the proper legal process being issued and a trial follows just exactly as in the case of white men. 2d In case of murder, I employ lawyers to prosecute the murderers selecting those known to be friendly of the freemen, and pay their fees out of the Refugees, & Freedmen's fund. 3d Disputes about wages and crops, are frequently settled by arbitration of the Agent; or if this cannot be done, the case is brought before a local magistrate. 4th In cases of beating by "Ku Klux bands" or other ruffians in disguise, the Agents are ordered to try to detect the guilty and have them proceeded against according to law. I also lay the matter before the "Military; Commanders", and request troops to be stationed in the neighborhood to protect colored people & colored schools. 5th In cases of threats against teachers of colored schools, I request Maj General Thomas, or his subordinates nearest the place to send troop to the point. I have recently required this to be done in case of the schools at "Spring Hills & Smyrna". Genl. Thomas, replies in effect that orders for the "President" will not permit it. Mr John Lawrence, attorney at Nashville, an old Bureau Agent, has attended to the prosecution of four or five murderers of freedmen and still has several cases in charge, especially that of James Bestel for murder of Greene, colored. Lt. Col. Palmer, employs a firm at Memphis, to defend the legal rights of all freedmen. Agents, themselves frequently act as counsel. If this is not sufficiently specified, I will forward to the commissioner the full history of several cases. Please see inclosures. Very Respectfully Your Obt. Servt. W.P. Carlin Bvt. Maj. Genl. & A.C. 338 and 339. 41 Bureau Refugees Freedmen & Aband. Lands State of Tennessee Assistant Commissioner's Office Nashville, April 3rd 1868 Howard Maj. Genl. O.O. Commissioner &c Washington, D.C. General: 281 By instructions dated March 16th from Hon E.M. Stanton, Secretary of War, I was required to investigated a large claim against the United States. The unusual pressure upon my time just then rendered it impossible for me to leave Nashville, to conduct the investigation in person. Consequently, I appointed Michael Walsh, Esqr. (late Capt. V.R.C.) a special agent to take testimony in the case. His appointment is dated March 23rd. His duties are not yet completed. He should receive at least ($5.00) five dollars per day for thirty days. Will you please give him an appointment as Inspector, or special agent for that time? If not, how will I pay him? I am, General, Very Respectfully, Your Obedt Servt. W.P. Carlin Bvt. Maj. Genl. & A.C. 340 42. Bureau Refugees, Freedmen & Aband Lands State of Tennessee Assistant Commissioner's Office Nashville April 4th 1868 Howard, Maj. General, O.O. Commissioner Washington, D.C. Dear General: I have received your letter of the 31st ult inquiring if I turn over bounty claims (cold) that have been sent to me for transmittal to claim agents, and directing me to forward to you a copy of any orders issued from my office by Capt Walsh, or other office making such a transfer. In reply, I have the honor to state that I have never turned over my claims to a claim agent; not has any officer in my office. Capt Walsh, asserts that he has never done so. No orders of the kind can be found in Capt Walsh's office or mine. Mr J.B. Coons, attends to all such matter for this office without interference from me General Balloch, can tell you how Mr Coons transacts this business. I am, General, Very Respectfully Your Obedt Servt, W.P. Carlin Bvt. Maj. Gen. & A.C. 341
