Freedmen's Bureau Records: George T. Cook to R. S.
Lacey, December 31, 1866
Summary:
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.
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands
Office Assistant
Superintendent
Sub-District
Number 10 7th District
Department Potomac - Comprising
the Counties
of Augusta and Highland
Captain R. S. Lacey
Superintendent 7th
District
Virginia
Lynchburg, Virginia
December 31st 1866
Staunton Augusta County Virginia
Captain:
I have the honor to report that in all the "Criminal Trials" of Freedmen which I have attended during the month of December I have witnessed a degree of fairness I had not expected to see in this Sub-District
The only trials I have attended have been in this Town and before Magistrates, I have [added: not] been notified of any out of Town.
Several cases in which Freedmen were interested came up on the 25th and 26th inst. but so far as the power of the
Magistrates went, justice was administered, it now remains to see whether or no
the Grand Jury, which meets in February next, will cause
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whites
engaged in assaults upon Freedmen to be indicted, and
if Juries can be found to try such cases impartially.
Very Respectfully
Your Obedient Servant
George T. Cook
1st
Lieutenant
Veterans' Reserve Corps & Assistant
Superintendent
