How writes that the officers he expected are being mustered out of his District, and will therefore need more. He notes that "it will be impossible to establish the relations of the Freedmen to their former masters without the aid of the military."

How informs General A. F. Terry of his plans to travel with General Ayers through parts of western Virginia. He gives instructions for Frederick Tukey in his absence.

How reports on outrages committed against blacks in his district. Most of the incidents he describes happened in Augusta County.

How forwards an article from the "Valley Virginian" that relates to a case he forwarded earlier, although the details are not clear from the letter.

Writing from Staunton, How's letter refers to a murder committed in Clarke County.

This letter from Frederick Tukey asks for intervention in what he perceives to be a case of injustice against a black plaintiff in a legal case. The attached wrappers trace the case's progress through the bureaucracy--it was decided not to intervene.

W. Storer How, although based in the Winchester Bureau office, reports on the workings of the legal system in Augusta County.

Cook recounts a case where a white man was acquitted in a case of blatant assault against a young black hotel porter.

Cook's report details two legal cases that he states are representative of the injustices suffered by freedmen in the local courts.

Nelson Irwin writes a very poignant and wrenching letter to General Schofield, the head of the Potomac Military District, pleading for justice and protection for blacks. He refers to an upcoming trial in Staunton and claims that blacks live under a "reign of terror". Irwin asks Schofield to use military power to intervene on the side of the law, writing, "We gave to the rich white man our best years, our strength, our youth, our sweat, and now that we are free, we get in return meanness, tyranny and injustice." Judging from the papertrail, this letter was passed all the way to Orlando Brown.

Carse, the Bureau Agent in Lexington, sends a telegram from Staunton to military authorities informing them of the murder of a black man by a white law student and alerting them to the suspect's escape.

In his letter, James Paul of Augusta County describes how he helped capture a fugitive from Lexington. There appears, however, to be at least one page missing from the letter, as the story does not seem complete. Paul states that because of his part in capturing the fugitive, Fitzgerald, he is entitled to at least part of any reward.

Carse updates Brown on the murder case of Patrick Thompson and the escape of his killer, J. C. Johnson, about which he originally notified authorities from Staunton. According the the October 16 Stauton Spectator, Johnson escaped from Lexington to Augusta County, where he was arrested in Fishersville.

Carse reports that Johnson, the accused murderer, has been arrested. According to newspaper reports, Johnson was arrested in Fishersville and initially held in the Augusta County jail.

Cook's report expresses surprise at the level of fairness in criminal trials, but also notes that several cases of assault will come before Grand Juries in February 1867.

Jackson refers an assault claim to Trout.

Jackson's letter to Joseph Milsted relates an accusation against Milsted's wife, who beat the child of Peyton Harris, a man whom Milsted employs. Jackson also states that Milsted has no right to beat anyone, and that he must supply reasonable cause in order to breach a contract.

Jackson refers an assault case to Trout for resolution.

Jon Kline writes Jackson to request that he remove James Bell from his property, whom Kline accuses of being abusive to him and his family.

Jackson's report mentions two pending cases involving freedmen: one of attempted rape, and the other of disorderly conduct.

Wilson's letter to Jackson indicates that he will initiate proceedings in a suit between Frank Harris and Newton Wilson involving assault.

Jackson asks McDonnell for advice on how to handle three assault cases against freed blacks, noting high levels of negative feeling towards them. He also mentions James Bumgardner's (Commonwealth Attorney) refusal to prosecute one of the cases.

Thomas Jackson refers a case involving an assault against the wife of a colored man to James Bumgardner (whose name Jackson misspells), an attorney for the Commonwealth.

Jackson reports on the progress of several cases of assault against blacks in Augusta County. Regarding one case, Jackson notes that the complainants fear they will have to leave their homes if they prosecute the case.

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.

Jackson gives details of a criminal case in which the jury returned a guilty verdict despite the lack of evidence, and he also describes the effects of excessive bail charges.

Jordan inquires about the status of a case against six men.

McCue summarizes the results of a case against six men for assault and battery. It appears as though the case against some of the parties involved was dismissed, while it will be continued against others.

In his report, Jordan describes his efforts to mediate legal disputes between whites and blacks in Augusta County in the hopes that it will "save much unkind feeling between the races."

This deposition of Nancy Burns, written by the witness and marked by Burns, describes the circumstances in which Peggy Soyers attacked Burns with a pitchfork. An attached memo notes that the deposition pertains to an assault case between Peggy Soyers and John Edmunds.

Huff, the Justice of the Peace in Churchville, details what he knows about a dispute between a Mary Minor and a Mr. Coleman. He describes Minor's personal situation, as well as her demeanor, characterizing her as a woman "of high temper."