Harpers Ferry W. Va.

Chaplain

I have the honor to report that the schools under my charge were generally very prosperous during the month of November. The following places, have each about one hundred different pupils in day and evening schools, viz. Harpers Ferry, Martinsburg, Shepherdstown, and Front Royal. They are all making commendable progress. 

Staunton, Va

Captain

I respectfully forward copy (evidently imperfect) of indenture Punch Fox to John H. Rippitoe. Both parties reside near Staunton. Fox claims that Rippitoe so far from teaching him the trade of "brick mason" hired him out year after year as farm hand and received and kept the whole amount of such hire.

Both in default to teach him the trade of "brick mason" & settlement subsequent to the expiration of apprenticeship Fox claims that Rippetoe has defrauded him.

Can you have the copy enclosed compared with the original on record in Nelson County and the omission between the words "Punch Fox" and "in the craft" &c supplied or correct copy made.

Yr obt servt

Through Capt. J. A. McDonnell
Sub. Asst. Com^r 9^th District

Staunton, Va.

"I desire to know if you in your official capacity, cannot employ me as a teacher, under the Auspices of the Bureau. If this is impossible, will the Bureau furnish me with a building in which to teach, provided I do it gratuitously?"

Harpers Ferry W. Va.

Richmond

Miss Rowell has 96 scholars, 150 entered which number will come in as soon as assistant arrives

Winchester, Va.

General

I have the honor to report that in the 1st Division of this Sub District about fifty able bodied freedmen, for whom employment cannot be found. In the other Divisions the demand for labor is still equal to the supply.

Witness [illeg.]

Clark, the minister of an African Methodist Church in Staunton, makes a statement to Jackson about an unspecified complaint that had been made about his congregation's occupancy of the church building.

Staunton, Va.

Dear Sir,

Feeling that I have been unjustly dealt with in regard to School matters at this place, and hoping you will pardon the liberty I take in thus addressing you upon the subject, I have concluded to submit a plain statement of the facts in the case, for your kind consideration. First then permit me to say that this is my third year in the work, the first two being under the A.M.A. and this, the third, under the Baptist Home Mission Society and I think I can truly say that I have labored as earnestly, and zealously, as perhaps any other teacher, and been as deeply interested in the education of the freed children, as I possibly could have been, and never to my knowledge has there been one word

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of fault found with me until now. And even now the Supt. of the Schools here informs me, that he has no fault whatever to find with me as a teacher. What then, may I ask, have I been guilty of, that should cause my dismissal? - before answering this question however, permit me to state the facts in the case, everything so far as I know, up to the time that Capt. McDonnell came here, was going on smoothly, when I was called upon, in connection with all the rest of the teachers, to state what I knew about Lieut. Cook's conduct while here, and my answers to the questions put to me, necessarily cast some reflections not only upon him, but some of the teachers, and perhaps the general conditions of the Schools - but I only answered such questions as were asked me, volunteering nothing, and leaving out much that I might have said.

Soon after the Capt. left here, I receieved a letter from the [unclear: rooms] at New York saying that Mr. Brackett had informed them, that I could be spared from the Valley and assigning me to Goldsboro N.C. and saying that my transportation would be forwarded in a few days. To this I immediately replied requesting them to withhold my transportation a few days. In the meantime I had a conversation with Mr. Brackett (the Supt.)

Staunton, Va.

Capt.

I have the honor to call your attention to certain demonstrations made by an organization here known as the "Ku Klux Klan" and which have caused a vast deal of dangerous excitement, especially among the colored population and which if not promptly suppressed will culminate in serious and deplorable disturbances of the public peace.

This Klan made their appearance in the Streets of Staunton about 1 o'clock Sunday morning last, mounted and the Klan being enmasked in white sheets or something of the kind, and being armed caused no little consternation among the colored people and much serious annoyance to the respectable whites. Their operations were attended with the discharge of pistols and

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also by cheers or yelling, which of course occurring as it did almost in the center of the town aroused almost the entire population.

On yesterday I addressed a formal communication to the Mayor upon the subject who has informed me that every effort is being made by the Civil Authorities to ferret out the guilty parties in the matter, who I am assured will be brought to punishment and the operations of the Klan suppressed at once.

The colored people are very much excited upon the subject and but little is needed to bring about a serious state of things here. I would also remark that I have reported the facts to the Military Comr for this Division also.

I am Capt
Your obt Svt

Staunton Virginia

General,

In compliance with your order December 4th 1867 to report what action was taken in the "four cases of attack with pistols" alluded to in November report under Circular 6, I have the honor to transmit copies of letter addressed by me to James Bumgardner Commonwealth Attorney in reference to cases of Baker Jackson and Wallace, to William Chapman Justice of the Peace in reference to case of Levi Middlebrook and to John M. Huff in reference to case of Mary Minor. On receipt of instructions from Captain John A. McDonnell Sub Assistant Commissioner to refer cases of Wallace &c to county magistrates, I proceeded to Mt. Torrey Furnace some 25 miles from this place, but found Wallace from home. I have however directed his wife to apply to Justice Chapman for a warrant against Ford and Sarah A. Epps, to Justice [unclear: Koiner] for a warrant against Robert [unclear: Loving] Hugh Jackson I could not find.

Staunton, Va

Colonel

I have the honor to report that a young freedman named Robert Carter was tried for an attempt at Larceny by the Hustings Court at Staunton, Va on the 8th of this month.

He was just taken before the Provost Marshall, Capt. J.M. Collins 58th Pa. Vols., to whom he confessed his guilt. He was then turned over to the Civil Authorities for trial. A Counsel was assigned by the Court, Mr. Cochrane, who managed the case with commendable zeal and ability. He contended and I think proved that the confession was not voluntarily made. The other evidence would not convict. The Court thought otherwise, received the confession, convicted and sentenced him to (1) one year in the penitentiary. The case will be sent to Gov. Pierpont for [unclear: revision].

I am &c