The truth is, it was a Reign of Terror. Volunteer patrols rode in alldirections, visiting plantations. "It sometimes was with the greatest difficulty,"said Gen. Brodnax before the House of Delegates, "and at the hazard ofpersonal popularity and esteem, that the coolest and most judicious amongus could exert an influence sufficient to restrain an indiscriminateslaughter of the yellows who were suspected." A letter from the Rev. G. W.Powell declares, "There are thousands of troops searching in everydirection, and many negroes are killed every day: the exact number willnever be ascertained." Petition after petition was subsequently presentedto the Legislature, asking compensation for slaves thus assassinatedwithout trial.