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of the two first caught, Judge Pitts of the Circuit Court issued a writ of Habeas Corpus to bring the men before him. Maj French returned to the writ that the men were held by order of Maj. Genl. Miles, and afterwards, by the order of that officer, and being satisfied that at least the form of trial would be observed, handed the men over by agreement to the presiding Justice of the County, Mr Thos Lilliston who held them in $100. bail to answer to the next Court. The military force has restrained order and also more discoveries about the "Simon Brown" company, an organization,subversive of law. Justice Lilliston has now issued warrants against about twenty of this gang: it is however to be borne in mind that until the time of my departure, no arrest had been made except by the military. the criminals are well known, their names given, the offences had been committed more than a month previous and yet no actions of an efficient character had been taken by the officers of law: even when driven probably by chance, and the publicity arising from the report of the local Asst. Supt. one justice issued warrants. They were idle and meaningless in any efficient result. A squad of soldiers strangers to the District, made at least some arrests, which neither Constables nor the Posse Comitatus chose to do, although the criminals and their haunts were probably well known to them- I now give the statements of two Justices of the peace taken down by myself from their lips in the presence of Major French.

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-03-04 13:43:09 "Simon Brown" not "Simmon Barrow" ---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-03-04 13:49:32 Census docs for Accomac County confirm that it is "Lilliston" not "Tilliston" ---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-03-05 07:01:18