Freedmen's Bureau Records: James M. Paul to G. B.
Carse, October 10, 1866
Summary:
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.
To the Freedmans Bureau
Lexington Va
Oct 10th 1866
Near Waynesboro, Augusta Co. Va.
Gent'mn
This forenoon Wm Hunter called at my house, to try to get a horse to hunt a man [deleted: named] by the name of Fitzgerald, who had murdered a Freedman in your place a few days ago.
While at dinner a man called at my house filling the description of Fitzgerald given me by Hunter, I questioned him very closely & was immediately satisfied that it was he and asked him his name which he gave me - I determined to arrest him and in order to do so strategically I proposed to go with him a mile or two (to Mr Hunters father who is on the district road to the place that he (F) was enquiring for) & put him in the right road it was raining very hard & I prevailed on him to remain till it would cease a little, he did so, during which time he took me apart from my family
and divulged to whole case to me making me his whole confidant seemingly as such, seeing Mr. Hunter riding up I advised him to walk out of the porch into my parlor (which is strongly protected) until I could get my horse.
At this juncture Mr Hunter came up and asked me where he (F) was, I showed him into my parlor where he arrested him without any resistance.
Yours Respectfully
J. M. Paul
[A true copy G.B. Carse, Bt
Colonel V.R.C.]
The object
of this note is to say to you that if the Government or your Bureau have
offered any reward for Fitzgerald, that I think I am as much entitled to it
as Wm Hunter for I had him (F) though Wm Hunter bears the honor of placing
him under custody. Yours Respectfully, J.M.
Paul
GB Carse Bt Col
V.R.C. &c
