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And I telegraphed for troops and I most respectfully recommend that they be allowed to remain their at least two weeks, or until the officers there can execute the orders given them with reference to the acts of cruelty that have been reported from that section  I would also respectfully call your attention to the publicity which appears to be given to telegraphic dispatches placed in the hands of the operators & also to the negligence of some of the operators in either not forwarding or the operators not delivering the messages sent. While at Griffin I had not delivered my message (calling for troops) more than 15 minutes than the citizens approached me & begged me to withdraw my application. I asked where they had obtained their information, & they replied it was the rumor on the street - a day or two previous to this occurrence troops had been ordered from these Head Qts, from Atlanta to report at Griffin, the troops were not there & I understand no such telegram was received at Atlanta. Such negligence or malfeasance deserves in my opinion sever censure & reprimand as the prompt execution of orders are delayed & possibly life may be endangered by such neglect of telegraph operators & employees.

In the case reported July 21st by Capt Ehlers relative to the beating and attempted execution of the freedman (Jack Henry) I found upon investigation that there existed in the adjoining county (Henry) a set of lawless desperadoes who style themselves