Viewing page 205 of 219

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

NARA 817

doorway three white men passed by him having come from the direction of the Creek. He states that he did not recognize the parties, still I am of the opinion that he could give more information on the subject, and thereby be the means of bringing the guilty parties to justice, were he not afraid of his life to do so.

Before closing this Report I deem it my duty to call your attention to the fact that many of the Citizens, and I am reliably informed that at least ⅔rds. of the residents of the County have been in the habit of and still persist in the practice of carrying deadly weapons in direct violation of Par. 12. Gen. Order No 10 from Dist. Hd Qrs. of Aprl 11. 67. not-withstanding they all seem to be cognizant of the Order referred to. I took the names of a few of the parties so offending (noted characters &c.) as also Witnesses to the fact in case you should deem it advisable to arrest the guilty parties. James B. Murphy. (White) Wm A. Brand, Deputy Sheriff Green Co. both I am told carry deadly weapons. It further appears that a miserable fellow by the name of Wyat Churchill who resides 7 miles from Snow Hill went through the Streets of that place on Saturday last (May 11) firing a revolving Pistol at random thereby jeopardizing the lives of the Inhabitants. The witnesses to the occurance are Edmund Harper, Luke Shepard, a Dr. Jones, and Wm Sugs, the two first named Witnesses are Col'd men the two last, white men all residents f that vicinity - Having gained all the information I could in compliance with my instructions I returned to my Station arriving here at a late hour this P.M.

Very Respectfully
Your Obt. Servant
Sylvester Soper
2d Lt. 40th U.S. Infy.

Soper
boro N.C. May 14. 1867
Sylvester Soper
Lieut't 40th U.S. Inf'try