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HeadQuarters Military Commissioner
Surry and Sussex Cos. Va
Waverly Sussex Co Va October 16th 1867

Lieutenant Geo. H. Burton
A.A.A Genl Sub Dist of Petersburg

Lieutenant,
I have the honor to forward herewith enclosed proceedings of the trial of James Deal charged with shooting James Wilson (colored) and also a copy of recognizance of bail given by James Deal and I would very respectfully request that he be tried before a Military Commission for the offense. I consider it a cool and deliberate case of Shooting, and there is no doubt upon my mind but that he James Deal armed himself for that purpose when he went in the direction of James Wilson's house.

I would most earnestly request that the civil authorities be not allowed to try the case as it is an impossibility to impannel a jury that would convict a white man for shooting a negro. There has been two cases of cool and deliberate murder of colored men in the vicinity of Cabin Parish and the civil authorities did not