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you in regard to the arrest and I respectfully request that you will defer action until you receive my full report and testimony in the premises. The civil authorities know all the circumstances and refused to notice them, and the trial of Freedmen and Union men by the court of the county is a mere farce for justice can not be delt out by judges now presiding over the Court when their own hands are reeking with the blood of the innocent  a short time ago a murder was committed in this county by one Cogell or Cogwell, he in cold blood shot a Freedman. The Court was then in session, and although two Freedmen were witnesses to the murder and so swore the Grand Jury refused to find a Bill of indictment against him, and I think notified him so when I sent a detail to arrest him, he made his escape such are the courts and such is Justice in Texas.

I am General
Very Respectfully Your Obdt Serv
A.F.Manning V.R.C
Sub Asst Comr