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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"
Hd. Qrs. 2nd Sub. Dist. M. D. C.
Somerville, SC Oct 15th 1865
Major O. S. Kinsman A. A. Gen.
I respectfully call attention to my report of 8th Oct. concerning the operation of a squad of so called regulators in Dist. of Barnwell. That report will explain the following.
Today came "Frank" one of the four men whom I saw on Huttal's place. I have sent him to my hospital to have bullet extracted from left fore arm. He states that on Monday last while at work in the same field before attended to---he was suddenly fired upon by the same party mentioned in previous report, one shot striking him in the arm. That he ran but was captured & confined at house of the William Patrick named in last report. That his guard having fallen asleep he escaped on Tuesday a.m. before light & made his way as soon as possible (he is crippled in one hip) to Ridgeville which is inside my command.
I learn also that "Cato" freedman on George Patrick's (brother of Wm.) plantation escaped with a ball through the knee & got as far as Branchville where he gave out and was left behind. On authority of Capt. Gates 35th US (illegible) who was formerly in command in Barnwell and by whom contracts were made on these plantations by my direction, I learn that these same proprietors were very bitter & troubled and that frequent threats were made that when Gates was gone they would have out of the niggers. I do not know that the Bureau can do anything in the case but put the above report on record by way of information. One freedman has been killed in addition to the one mentioned in my report of 11th inst. I would gladly give one month's pay for 10 days command in that district.
Respectfully yours,
James C. Beecher
Col. Commis.
S. Asst. Commr. F. B.
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