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he then struck the man, the man then drew his knife, and called to another white man to help him, saying, d-n you, I will kill you now, all the Yankees are gone, and we can cut & kill "niggers" just as we please.

I talked with the magistrate & he said they would give the freedman justice, but I have no confidence in them.  I found the negro freedmen very despondent all over the Co. thinking the Bureau had been removed.  I assured them that it was not, & that the gov't would not desert them.  They seemed much rejoiced, & the the universal response was, "you must not turn us loose yet, Massa".  The opinion (for some reason, I know not what) is prevailing, among black & white, that the Bureau is to be removed, and it produces, sorrow to the one party, and joy to the other.

Very respectfully, Sir -
Your obt servt-
J. Arnold Yeckley, Lt.