Viewing page 107 of 255
This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.
182 Quite strenuous applications are made for Hospitals in other places than where they now exist, but I have not felt at liberty to enlarge the number. The freedmen seem to have little disposition to purchase Government land, the instances being more frequent where they purchase that which is improved, several of them uniting often in the purchase of one tract for subdivision. The demand for labor however leaves them but little inducement to set up for themselves when their wages are paid promptly. The vagrant law of the State operates most iniquitously upon the freedmen. Sometimes the law makes no distinction on account of Color, but in practice the distinction is invariable. I am satisfied that the law would be annulled if fairly tested. I have taken up their cases under it by Habeas Corpus, but in every case the prisoner was discharged for informality in the commitment, without reaching the merits of the case. The severity of the Cotton tax gives this people just now a glimpse of the suffering incident to a disfranchised population, and perhaps when the Legislature meets again it will be more inclined to protect those who are not permitted to protect themselves. In the matter of preparing and transmitting Claims of Soldiers white and colored for back pay and bounty due 516 applications have passed through this office during the past month either going or returning. There is reason to believe that this convenient and gratuitous assistance is almost indispensable to the parties in interest. The preparation of the varied and particular information called for by resolutions of the last Congress has taxed the clerical force of this office. The principal items have alrady been sent forward. Most of the property transferred to the Bureau in this State by the Section of the law of last Winter was at the last term of the District Court ordered to be sold at public sales. 183 Little difficulty however is apprehended, when the Court meets in giving effect to that provision of the Bill. The collection and reinterment of the remains of Soldiers buried in different parts of the State has progressed during the month. Hot weather and the danger of disease have now compelled a suspension of the work. A cordial acknowledgement is due to the Mayor and City Council of Montgomery for a large and eligible lot in the City Cemetery, a good will offering conveyed by deed to the United States, and in which over four hundred interments have been made. The above is a resume of the principal matters of interest at this date. The changes in the personnel of the Bureau have been made the subject of seperate communication. I am General Very Respectfully Your Obedient Servant Wager Swayne Major General Head Quarters District of Alabama Montgomery Sept 4th 1866 [[left margin]] Braddle 169 [[/left margin]] Bvt Lt Col James Comdg Post of Mobile Mobile Ala Colonel Your communication of the 1st inst asking whether action has been taken in regard to your communication of the 30th July forwarding changes and specifications against certain Enlisted men of your command has been received, and has been forwarded to Hd Qr Dist of the Chattahoochee with the following endorsement. "Respectfully forwarded with the information that the communication within referred to was forwarded to Hd Qrs Dept of the South on the 4th Ult. and has not been received back. Very Respectfully Your Obedient Servant J.F. Conyngham 1st Lieut & A.A.A.Genl
