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18 what you purpose doing- I am, General, Very respectfully Your Obdt Servt. W.P. Carlin Bvt. Majr Genl. Asst. Commr. 591. & 592. 30. Bureau Refugees Freedmen and Aban'd Lands. State of Tennessee Assistant Commissioner's Officer, Nashville, Jany. 3d, 1868. Green, Rev. Wm Agent, Bureau R.F. & A.L. Winchester, Tenn. Dear Sir: Your letter was received several days ago. In regard to your duties please bear in mind that your chief duty is to aid freedmen in procuring their rights as citizens in all cases where injustice is done to them. This has to be done through the civil power, according to the laws of the State and of the United States. Sometimes arbitration or compromise will be the best mode of settling disputes. You should urge the Freedpeople to do their duty towards their employers and all others. You should encourage by speech and counsel, and by punishment if necessary (according to Law) morality and prudence of living, education and respect for law. A negro who abandons his family and neglects to support them should be punished as white men are, or should be. You should aid them in procuring employment whenever you can do so. The collection of wages due them is of course very important and should receive your prompt and constant attention when their employers fail to pay them. Beware of Politicians, who will try to use the Bureau solely to carry out their selfish purposes, without caring in the least for the real welfare of the negro or the Bureau. It is best not to take any active part in politics -- I am, Sir, Very respectfully - Your Obedt. Servt. W.P. Carlin Bvt Maj. Genl. & Asst Commr 19 31. Bureau R.F. and A.L. Office of Sub. Asst. Commr. Nashville, Tenn, Jany 30th, 1868. Eastman Henry A Esqr Agent B. R. F. & AL. Columbia Tenn. Sir: I am directed by the Asst. Commr. - Bvt. Maj. Genl. W.P. Carlin, to direct you to have each and every person connected with the "Ku-Klux Klan" prosecuted in the Civil Courts for any outrages that they may or have committed upon citizens in your District under your charge. You will if possible get the good officers of the Civil Authorities extended you in this matter, and if the Magistrates and other Officers will not aid you in the performance of this duty, you will if possible get their objections in writing, why they will not, and have same forwarded to this office for the information of the General. 595 I am Sir, Your Obedt Servt, (Sigd) Michl Walsh Sub-Asst. Commr. Official W.H. Bower. Lieut and A A A Genl. 32 Bureau R. F. & A. L. Office of Sub Asst. Commr. Nashville Tenn. Jany. 30, 1868 Judd, Captain Geo. E. Sub-Asst. Commr. Pulaski, Tenn. Captain: I am directed by the Asst. Commr. - Bvt. Major Genl. W.P. Carlin, to direct you to have each and every person connected with the "Ku-Klux Klan" prosecuted in the Civil Courts for any outrages that they may or have committed upon Citizens, in your District under your charge. You will if possible get the good offices of the Civil Authorities extended you in this matter, and if the Magistrates and other officers will not aid you in the performance of this duty, you will if possible get their over)
Transcription Notes:
W.H. Bower is listed in Military Records in Nashville, Tenn. A.A.A.G. in 1868. His name is right below that of Jos. GELRAY, whom we also see in these letters at times. GELRAY's name is misspelled in the Staff List as "Gilray".
