Viewing page 161 of 281

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

interior, which has been ordered will in my opinion expose the freedmen to increased violence and outrage at the hands of the lawless desperadoes who infect the interior and North Eastern Counties of this State. A vigorous and rigid enforcement of all laws designed to protect union men and freedmen by the military authority is required for the safety of such in Texas.

The official reports for the month of March, show twenty freedmen and fifteen white men to have been murdered and eleven freedmen and five white men to have been murderously assaulted. Probably not more than two-thirds of the crimes of this nature were reported officially. The Governor and Military Officers stated that crimes had increased, and the reports for April would probably show a much larger number. None of the criminals had been indicted, but two or three arrested. Until the trial of such offences by Military Commissions, murder will go unpunished. 

The Officers and Agents of the Bureau so all in their power to secure justices for the freedmen, they are able however to accomplish but little in the present state of affairs in this interior.

The Agent for Dallas County was murdered in a neighboring county while I was in the Stated, his murderers had not been arrested.  

There are two commissioned Officers and their civilians on the staff of the Asst. Com's. Those whom I met are efficient and faithful Officers. For report of investigation of the charges against the Lt. Col. Sinclair, I refer to my special report of April 30th. I did not meet Mr. Welch the Supt' of Schools, he was