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[[preprinted]] 468 [[/preprinted]] [[Footnote 1]] cases the only ones brought to trial as far as this Bureau has information are those of "Isaac & Wiley freedmen of the town of Salisbury, Rowan County", in the charge of "Larceny", of which they were found "not guilty" & discharged. Several cases reported during the previous quarter have been tried; among them are 1. Emanuel Baxter (Colored) "Assault with intent to commit rape." - Not guilty. 2. John W. Gorman (White) "Assault & Battery." Guilty: fined $50 & imprisoned 30 days. Fine remitted by reviewing officer. 3. Stephen C. Lux (White) "Murder", found guilty and sentenced to be hung. Sentence remitted by reviewing officer, on the ground that malice was not proved. 4. Joseph Cespeving (White) "Assault with intent to kill"; found guilty of shooting with intent to maim". Sentence $500 fine & 90 days imprisonment. 5. Geo. A. Pitts, I.A. [[Prospt?]], Wm Kistler, Alfred Litaker, Thomas Williford, Gibson Kline & Dwight Russell, (White) - "Riot & Assault & Battery". Pitts, Parept, Kline, Litaker & Williford found guilty, fined & imprisoned; Kline & Russell acquitted. 6. Shock (colored) "Rape on colored girl"; finding guilty; sentenced to be hung. Sentence mitigated to one year's hard labour. 7. Monroe Davis (white) "Riot & Assault & Battery". Guilty and imprisoned four months. 8. Privates Bloom, Shannon & Lines 129th Ind. Vols. "Assault upon freedmen &c" Guilty and sentenced to loss of 6 months pay. 9. Henry Brown (colored) "Theft". Guilty and imprisoned 2 months. 10. Guion Earps (white) "Maltreatment of freedmen & Assault & Battery". Guilty; sentenced to hard labor on public works two years. Some of the cases reported during the last quarter are as follows. 1. Willis P. Moore, charged with the murder of a colored man. 2. Reddick Kearney & others Pitt County. Riot and murder of two freedmen. 3. Magistrates of Brunswick County: sentenced two colored men to be sold into servitude for 5 years. This case was acted upon promptly by Gen. Crook, & the freedmen released. Contrary to my fears expressed in a former report there is an increase of dependents as winter advances. The rations issued have steadily diminished. The demands for clothing have been great, but the supplies now on hand from Q. M. Dept. are ample for men & boys. It is more difficult to furnish what is needed by women & children. There are many cases of great destitution among whites, which I should be glad to relieve; but as they are not "loyal refugees" they do not come within my jurisdiction. While there has been a decrease of dependents, there has been a gratifying increase of schools & of pupils attending them, as will be seen in the admirably prepared report of Mr. F.A. Fiske Supt of Schools; showing that though the novelty of the privilege of learning is now gone, the interest of the people in the education of their children has not abated. In some instances planters have established schools for their employees, as a means of promoting good order and contentment. It is also very gratifying to see a few churches organizing Sabbath Schools for colored children. The Baptist Church in this city setting a noble example, has already a large freed- [[Footnote 1]] Howard [[end page]] [[start page]] [[preprinted]] 469 [[/preprinted]] [[Footnote 1]] men's Sabbath School in successful operation. By means of the apprenticeship system comfortable homes have been furnished for a large number of orphans & other destitute children. The system is popular, but I am very suspicious of it. The practice of binding out children is dangerous inasmuch as it fosters the old ideas of compulsory labor & dependence. Still with proper safeguards, it may be useful as a temporary expedient. Under the direction of Surgeon Hogan the Hospital Department is now well organized. His report exhibits fully the sanitary condition of freedmen, and the means used for the relief of the sick. In the Land Reports forwarded herewith will be found a complete list of all farms and town lots restored with their estimated value, and another list of those remaining in the possession of the Bureau. The lands remaining are of but little value, and will afford but small revenue. But the balance in the Treasury will pay current expenses, until it shall be determined by Congress whether the Bureau is to be continued or not, & if so, by what means it shall live. For convenience of reference I present the principal facts gathered from the reports of staff officers and Superintendents of Districts in the following tabular form. Land Reports Restored during the six months ending Dec. 31st 1865 [[line across page]] [[blank]] | No. | Aggregate to no. of acres | Estimated value Farms or Plantations | 149 | 70,000 | $693,920 Town Lots | 422 | [[blank]] | $1900,288 [[line across page]] Remaining on Land Jan. 1st 1866 [[blank]] | No. | Aggregate No. of acres | Estimated value Farms or Plantations | 87 | 13640 | $108200 Town Lots | 33 | [[blank]] | $100,000 [[line across page]] Financial Reports Receipts Balance on hand Oct. 1st 1865 $11001.48 Received for rents &c in October 1241.38 November 2074.85 December 863.88 Total $15181.59 (over) [[Footnote 1]] Howard
