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490

I am, General
Very respectfully
Your obt. Servt.
O. Brown
Bvt. Brig. Genl Vols.
Asst. Comr

69.
Bur. R.F. and A.L,
Hd Qrs Asst. Comr Va.,
Richmond, Va., March 30th 68.

Howard Maj. Genl O. O.
Commissioner,

General,
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of communication No 552, Claim Division, Bureau Head Quarters, enclosing the discharge paper of John. R. Adams, late of Co. D, 36th U.S.C. Tps., whose claim for additional bounty has been allowed.

I am, General
Very respectfully,
Your obt. Servt.
O. Brown
Bvt. Brig. Genl Vols.
Asst Comr
W. 157. R.F.&A.L. Va, 1868.

70 
Bur. R.F. and A.L,
Hd Qrs Asst. Comr, Va.,
Richmond, Va., March 31. 1868.

Howard Maj. Genl O. O.
Commissioner,

General,
In reply to your communication of the 28th inst, I have the honor to report that the "process pursued by Bureau Officers to defend the legal rights of Refugees and Freedmen when complaint is made of assault and outrage" is to bring the case before the proper Civil tribunal: if justice is not secured, the Bureau Officer (whose duty it is to attend all trials where Freedmen or their rights are involved) brings the case

491

with evidence before the Military Commissioner of the Division. If on the hearing of the case before the Military Commissioner the charge of injustice is sustained, a full record of the case is forwarded to the Command'g General of the District with the judgement of said Commissioner, which upon the approval of the Commanding General, is executed.

In cases of great importance, the Commanding General orders a Military Commission for their trial.

In Jury cases, if reasons exist before trial to suspect that injustice will be done, investigation is made by the Military Commissioner, and the accused placed under bonds, or confined until a Military Commission can be convened for the trial.

If injustice has been done by the verdict of a jury, the accused is proceeded against before a Military Commission in an action for damages.

The following will illustrate the cases of most frequent occurrence.

John Doe (colored) made complaint before John Smith, A.S.A. Comr, Bur. R.F. and A.L, against Richard Roe for assault and battery - Smith accompanied Roe to the office of Justice Starleigh who "would not believe the Evidence of a Nigger under oath", and dismissed the case. - Smith then brought the case before Capt. Jones, Military Commissioner of the Division, who after a hearing found Roe guilty and sentenced him to pay a fine of ten dollars and cost. He submitted a full record of the case to the Commanding General, who approved and ordered the execution of the judgment.

The action of Justice Starleigh was reported to the commanding General, who ordered him dismissed, and on the recommendation of the Military Commissioner Serg. Berzfers was appointed a Magistrate in place of Starleigh.

Very respectfully your obt Servt.
O. Brown
Bvt. Brig. Genl. Vols, Asst. Comr

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