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3 Statement of US Commission 2B

Middleton Leon Co Texas
February, 20th 1867

I John H Potts of the County of Houston and State of Texas, and US Commissioner for the Western District of said State, having visited the plantation of Mr Green K Cessna which was occupied by some freedmen in his absence, and there found the most horrible sight that my eyes ever beheld, his dwelling house together with all his household furniture and several Cabbins or out houses were burnt to ashes, one freed boy about 17 years old shot and murdered so near the house that his clothes were burnt entirely up, and his body horribly burned, a little boy ten years of age burnt to death. In the house his bones found among the ashes, and two freedmen were shot (and the Physicians say mortally wounded) at the same time by three lawless desperadoes. One of whom claims to be a resident of Leon County the other two claim to be residents of Kauffman County. I will further certify that I believe the arm of the Civil Law to be too short to apprehend and bring those persons to