Viewing page 117 of 256

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

357

See E.B
page 168

Bureau Refugees Freedmen and Abandoned. Lands
Hd Quarters Southern District N.C.
Wilmington N.C. July 16th 1866

The enclosed paper is respectfully returned with the following Report. The case of Jeff. James, is substantially correct as stated. I retained Jeff. James in possession of his property until ordered by Genl Ruge to rescind any order I had issued retaining him in possession. I believe that the property actually belonged to Jeff. In the case of Stephen Elkins (white) I would refer you to the enclosed report of Lieut E.H. McQuigg who was Asst. Supt. of the Sub. Dist. of Columbus County. The case of Elkins was reported by me to Genl Ruge sometime since but was returned to me with an Endorsement that there was no cause to interfere with the Civil Law.

Outrages referred to us having occurred in Duplin & Sampson Counties have some of them been brought to my knowledge and I have used such provisions I had to obtain justice for the Freedmen. But with the very uncertain and limited power I now possess no stop could be put to such cases. I take this opportunity to refer to these other cases lately brought to my attention viz:-

Case of John Thompson of Columbus County, a white Union citizen who has lately been convicted in (what I think) a trumped up charge of Larceny, supposed to have been committed during the war he was sentenced to be imprisoned and to be publicly whipped has already [[text illegible]] lashes and is yet in Jail. Having positively