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"A"

These troops remained with me for two days and then returned to Palestine - although I protested against their departure, and requested the continuance of their sojourn at this place, at least for such a lenght of time, as would take for me to report to you, and learn whether you could furnish troops for the permanent protection of life and property in this County. The people of this county are desiring of & absolutely require the armed protection of the Government. The citizens of this county have made application for assistance to the General Commanding at Austin, and I have taken the liberty to endorse the same believing that now, contrary to my former report that the necessity exists, for stationing not less than one Company of Infantry at this place, the lives of Union men and colored citizens are daily threatened, and several of both races have been mobbed, and severely injured. There are a large number of evil disposed citizens of both this Town and County, who deny the civil rights of Union citizens of both races, and unless the government give them, the latter, such protection as Troops alone can furnish, I must say and that with regret, that the indications of the present, will be followed by riot and murder. Owing to the inefficiency of the present Sheriff, to arrest, and the fear of the colored as well as white persons molested, from making complaing, and my want of military or constabulatory force to bring parties to trial, are among many other reasons why