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0878

Bureau R. F. & A. Lands
Rockbridge Bath and Alleghany Cos Va
Lexington Va Sept. 30th 1867

Brvt. Brig Genl O. Brown
Asst. Com. State of Virginia

General
In accordance with Circular No 10. Hd. Qrs. Asst. Com. State of Virginia dated Richmond Va March 12th 1867, I have the honor to make the following Report, for the month of September, as to how the transfer of criminal cases in which Freedmen are parties from the Bureau to the civil courts has effected the interests of the Freedmen in the counties of Rockbridge, Bath and Alleghany.

With the exception of one particular case, my report for August will answer for the present month.

The exceptional case is that of the Commonwealth vs James A. McKendry for shooting Wm Late - colored - on the 10th of last January.

At the September term of the circuit court of Rockbridge the Jury brought in a verdict of "Guilty of willful shooting, but not malicious with intent to kill". The last clause of which was affirmatively charged in the indictment.

This is the case to which I referenced in my report for February or March. The skill of McKendry's lawyers I believe saved him from more severe punishment, as four (4) months imprisonment in the county