Viewing page 58 of 264

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

the alleged murder of one James Barnes during the War.  The circumstances are as follows, Stephen & Henry Lowry who were brothers, together with a number of other Freedmen, had taken to the woods in Robeson County to avoid being obliged to work on the Rebel Fortifications.  They had a Rendezvous for escaped Union prisoners from Florence & Salisbury, and aided a number of them.  The man Barnes was one of a party engaged in hunting for escaped Union prisoners, there is no evidence whatsoever that Henry Lowry killed him, and the Indictment was found against him by the Grand Jury to punish him for the aid it is now known was given by him to escaped prisoners.  The Father and one of the brother of Lowry were taken from their own house and killed by a party of Rebels, a short time before the end of the war, because they were suspected of aiding Union Prisoners to escape.  The above are but sample Cases of the number brought to my attention.

I am satisfied by my own experience that justice will never be done to the White Union men or to the Freedmen by the Civil Courts.

The fact that a man has been a Union Man, is prima facia evidence of his guilt of any charge that may be brought against him in the Civil Courts, which are entirely under the control of those who were active participants in the Rebellion.  I have myself heard the intention expressed to drive the Union men out of the Country, and altho' they are few in number - I believe they are entitled to some assistance from the Government and should not be turned over bound into the hands of their enemies.

Allan Rutherford
Lieut Col. VRC
(Bvt Brig Genl USV)
Supt. So. Dist NC