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Statement of Annie Bell, (colored)
Resides on Broad St near Mayo.

   I was arrested about the 20th of October 1866 on Wall St between Main and Franklin, at my room, for allowing some Yankees, who were visiting me, to dance and sing, at other times and quite frequently, when visited by Citizens who chose to indulge themselves with the same enjoyment, the policemen on asking at the door who was up there, and being told Citizens, they would pass on and never disturb us, but always when there were any Yankees present we would be arrested.  I was kept in Jail only two hours but in that short time, I saw Mr Brooks beat two girls Annie Toddy and Martha Smith; Annie Toddy slapped a girl in the face, and for that Mr Brooks tied her hands behind her back, laid her on the floor, she only having on a single dress, and beat her with an oak stick as large round as a persons arm, for the space of fifteen minutes, and to prevent her screams from being heard, he placed his foot upon her neck and nearly strangled her, she suffered severely and could not use her arm for some time afterwards, I understood.  He next beat one of the girls for refusing to eat Corn Bread having flies baked in it.

Sworn to before me
this 23d day of November 1866

James A Bates
Capt 43d Infty and Supt

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-09-08 10:31:54