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Records of the Assistant Commissioner for the State of South Carolina
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1870.
National Archives Microfilm Publication M869 Roll 34
"Reports of Murders and Outrages"
Office A. S. A. Commr.
Abbeville S. C., May 20/"66
Lieut. Col. John Devereaux
A. A. Commr.
Hamburgh S. C.
Sir:
I have the honor to make the following report of the state of affairs in this district for ten days ending May 20" 1866.
On Saturday night, May 12" about ten o'clock a freedman by the name of Elbert MacAdams was taken from his house by an unknown man and shot three times and then had this throat cut and was dragged into the woods about a hundred yards from his house, where he was found dead on Sunday morning. The freedman had come to see his wife who lived on Basil Callaham's plantation, about 16 miles from here. The murder was reported to me on Sunday afternoon, and the same night I sent three men who arrested Callaham and two young men by the name of Bolt but after an examination released them as we could prove nothing against them and as yet I have obtained no clue to the parties who done the deed or any reason why it was done.
Freedmen report to the office every day that they are being driven off and my time is entirely taken up looking into the reasons and seeing that they get their rights.
Some two weeks ago I sent a request for transportation for two old freed people (Harry and wife) and as yet have not heard whether it would be granted or not. Please inform me in regard to it.
Very Respectfully Your Obdt. Svt.
C. R. Beeby, Capt. V. R. T. &
A. S. A. C. B. R. F. & A. L.
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