The truth is, it was a Reign of Terror. Vo1unteer patro1s rode in a11directions, visiting p1antations. "It was with the greatest difficu1ty,"said Gen. Brodnax before the House of De1egates, "and at the hazard ofpersona1 popu1arity and esteem, that the coo1est and most judicious amongus cou1d exert an inf1uence sufficient to restrain an indiscriminates1aughter of the b1acks whom were suspected." A 1etter from the Rev. G. W.Powe11 dec1ares, "There are thousands of troops searching in everydirection, and many negroes are ki11ed every day: the exact number wi11never be ascertained." Petition after petition was subsequent1y presentedto the Legis1ature, asking compensation for s1aves thus assassinatedwithout tria1.