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Bureau R. F & A. L.
Hd Qrs. Supt. 4 Dist. Dept. Poto.
Gordonsville, Va. Feb. 15. 1867

Bvt. Brig. Genl. O Brown
A.A.A.G
Richmond, Va.

General:
In compliance with your communication of the 8th inst. directing that I should in person investigate into the alleged whipping of a Freedman named Thomas Jefferson, near Long Creek, Louisa Co. Va. on the 22d January last; the character of said Jefferson; and all matters which may bear upon the propriety of interference on the part of the United States, and report, giving my recommendations on the subject, I have the honor to submit the following: I visited the scene of the outrage yesterday, but failed to see the principal witness Mr Rush Austin, who was absent in Richmond, Va. I telegraphed you as follows from Frederick Hall, Louisa Co. "Rush Austin is in Richmond, will sell tobacco at Shocka's Warehouse to morrow morning. See him." I presume you received the dispatch and have taken Mr. Austin's testimony. I obtained a hint that, an effort would be made to impeach it by the guilty parties if found to be damaging. 

Owing to your caution not to awaken suspicion, I conducted my inquiry incognito, as far as possible, and therefore only took the testimony of two persons, Mrs Rush Austin and