Freedmen's Bureau Records: Report of E. M. Webber
regarding assaults against blacks in Augusta County, February 20, 1868
Summary:
Webber reports on the activities related to several cases of assault against
blacks in Augusta County, noting that the courts rarely took action to prosecute
the cases.
February 20th 1868.
Richmond, Virginia
November 1st 1867. Thomas P. Jackson Bureau Agent, Staunton Augusta County Virginia.
Reports cases of Assaults upon Freedmen
December 4 1867 Instruction from [unclear: this] Head Quarters to Report what Action had been taken in the four cases of Assault with Pistols.
December 11 1867 T. P. Jackson in answer to Instructions from [unclear: this] Head Quarters dated December 4, 1867.
Reports the case of Patrick O'Toole
for Assault on
Hartley Balent (Colored) with a Pistol. Also that he had presented the
same to the County Attorney of that County for
Presentation to the Grand Jury for their action.
January 13th 1868. Communication from County Attorney, stating that he thinks the Town Authorities
had taken up the case. (It appears that no action was taken by Grand Jury
[page 2]
Also reports
the case of James S. Spencer for Assault on Hugh Jackson (colored)
November 1st 1867. Presented the case to the County
Attorney who had witnesses summoned and after a
hearing of the case, the Grand Jury declined to make a
presentment.
Also--
Case of Henry Ford for an
assault on Abraham Wallace (Colored) with a Pistol, discharging the same three times at his Wife
Eveline Wallace.
November 9th/67. Presented the above named case to the County Attorney - Augusta County for his action.
January 13 1868. County Attorney states that he "saw the Complainant and after examining him closely, well satisfied that an indictment could not be sustained in the case,-- that he informed him of the time of the sitting of the Grand Jury, and directed him to appear and make his complaint, that he did not do," _____
Reports case of W Coleman for threatening the life of Mary Minor with a Pistol.
November 26, 1867. Referred to John M. Huff Justice of the Peace for Warrant, & notice of him and plan of that.
January 14th 1868. Communication from John M Huff Justice of the Peace stating that "Mary Minor [added: considered an Indian] called on him & made a statement of the cases,-- that she refused to make Oath to his complaint, that he made no Warrant, consideres her a woman of high temper, has threatened several persons to beat their [unclear: brains] out with Stones, threatened Coleman in the same manner, and Coleman said that if she struck him, he would shoot her, her Husband has since requested me not to Warrant Coleman" ----- (No action taken)
December 7th 1867. Reports case of seven assaults upon [unclear: Levi] Middlebrook (Colored) by Henry Fisher William Ross, John Craig, William Craig, Absalom Ross & Daniel Ross.
December 7th 1867. Reported case to William Chapman Justice of the Peace for Warrant and arrest of the parties implicated, also notice to me of time and place of trial.
December 11 1867 (No action taken in the matter.)
December 12 1867 Thomas P. Jackson reports that Middlebrook was terribly beaten: that he and the others (except Baker) live in a neighborhood where they could not remain if they prosecute the assailants.
December 16, 1867. Returned from [unclear: their] Head Quarters, to Captain McDonnell Sub Assistant Commissioner Winchester Virginia for the action of the Military Commissioner of Augusta County
December 19, 1867. Forwarded to Walter S. Franklin Captain
21st
Infantry
[page 5]
for action of Military Commissioner.
December 20, 1867. Forwarded to Military Commissioner Augusta County for his action in the matter.
February 6th 1868 Returned to Walter S. Franklin Captain 21st Infantry commanding Sub District by J.T.H. Hall. Stating that no personal investigation had been made by him as his duties as Military Commissioner ([illeg.]) on the 1st ult. -- also replies from County Attorney and J. M. Huff Justice of the Peace --- detainee [unclear: report] to hear from William Chapman Justice of the Peace______ (no reply received)
February 8, 1868. Returned to Captain J.A. McDonnell Agent of this Bureau at Winchester, inviting attention to above communications.
February 10, 1868. Returned to this Head
Quarters with the following [unclear: endorsement], "No action appears
to
[page 6]
have been taken by the Military Commissioner to whom the same was reported in accordance
with instructions, &c.______
Respectfully submitted
E.M. Webber
Inspector
