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and that the fight would commence in that if a gun was fired the [[strikethrough]] then started.

On the said Tuesday I came to Hempstead to attend the funeral of Mr. Wm B. Young on my return home (I live four miles north of Hempstead) I saw as I emerged from the woods some (about 50) freedmen in the prairie about 500 yards distant. As they discovered me, three fell in line and prepared for action, and made a movement as to flank or surround me, which I evaded by hastily retreating to the woods - when I reached home I was told that the freedmen were to meet in Hempstead that night to a big meeting and if they were interfeard [[interfered]] with they would break up the town.

I know of courious [[curious]] going & coming to my neighborhood from all directions and have on occasion intercepted or over heard a partial conversation between a White man & some freedmen - the freedwoman told him "if that was what he wanted to go back to town, there was plenty of men that would do it" - I know this white man - this was the friday night Springfield was to be taken.  

and Yesterday I was told they were coming to town that day and have the prisoners with them that was rescued from the Sherriff the night before and defend any persons to take them.

And was informed last night and this morning there would be a large gathering in Hempstead this day (Saturday) and that they were going to drill in defiance to Citizens Yankeys or any person else, and if any attempt was made to arrest the said prisoner blood would run knee deep.

The information I here with give & derived from freedmen in whom I have the most perfect confidence some of whom work on the farm with - and on said farm since last work every night the freedmen leave for some place unknown and remain away all night.

And further on the said Friday night Springfield was to be taken the Freedmen [[strikethrough]] therefore [[/strikethrough]] on the place I stand up with their arms ready, and watching and about 11 o'clock that night I heard two forearm reports when the Freedman raised a cheer and said the thing had commenced 

Transcription Notes:
[[bottom half of last line is cut off]] (pls put notes here) I'm pretty sure "fired the [[strikethrough]] then started" is wrong. Specifically Fired looks like something else but started looks like stacked. add "50)" after "(about" from the second paragraph ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-04-03 08:29:10