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87

Georgia

General Tillson is fully convinced from personal
examination, that the question over which there has
been so much dispute, as to whether or not the freed
people shall retain these lands for a few years, has
ceased from the cheapness of land and the scarcity of
labor, to be of the slightest of consequence to them and
says "I earnestly recommend that if this is an obsticle
in the way of the passage of some suitable bill to en-"
law and to obtain justice."

South Carolina

On the 13th instant,
the Bureau is in receipt of Brevet. Lieut. Col. John
D. Everoux's (S. Asst Comm'r) report to General Scott
of the 28th ult, forwarded by General [Sctot?] to this office
on the 7th instant.

Col. DEvereaux mentions the preliminary offi-
cial steps taken by him on his arrival in Edge-
field District, and calls the attention of his superi
ors to the following facts relating to the condi
tion of affairs therein by him [illegible].

"1st. The total military force in Edgefield District
is nineteen Enlisted men of the 25th Ohio Vet
eran Volunteers" commanded by a Lieutenant,
seven men of which force are stationed at Edge-
field Chourt House, and twelve at Hamburg.
Edgefield being one of the largest and most un-
ruly Districts in the State, this small force is
utterly inadequate to exact the proper respect
for the United States Authorities."

2on. There are two organized bands of outlaws,
one consisting of eight men, and the other
of thirteen men led by an ex-confederate
major, named Coleman, at present raiding

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