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Head Quarters Dept. of the Potomac
Bureau R.F and A. Lands.
Office Actg. Inspector Genl. Richmond, Va. March 7th 1867.

Bvt: Brig: Gen'l O. Brown
A.A.A. Genl.

General,

I have visited Staunton and have carefully examined all the papers referred to me by endorsement of 20th ult from Hd. Quarters Dept. of the Potomac, Bureau R.F and A.L.  I also held long and patient conversations with Mr. F.S. Tukey, Asst. Supt. for the counties of Augusta and Highland, and took the statements of all persons he desired me to see.

I likewise examined other persons whose opinion and knowledge on the subject of Bureau affairs in the Sub- District, I considered of value.  In order not to increase beyond reasonable bounds the already voluminous mass of papers in this case I state in the following report what was the result of my investigation instead of giving detailed statements of the various parties examined.

I premise by stating that Mr. Tukey has enjoyed a very ample opportunity for defense.  Not only did Capt. and Supt. McDonnell take the evidence of such parties as Mr. Tukey presented, but after the departure of the former, the latter sent on a considerable number of exparte statements which the former forwarded with his report.  Mr. Tukey also prepared an elaborate statement in his defense and after this had been forwarded to Capt.

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