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freedmen were generally doing very well.  They were remaining at home and generally contented.  The only complaint they made to me (and I conversed as fully with the freedmen as with the employer's) was their separation from their wives and families.  Very many of these freedmen were formerly in the middle and upper part of Chocktaw, in Marengo, Clark and even in Monroe Counties.  Some of these came away leaving their families behind and now are afraid to go for them.  Communication through that part of the state is so imperfect that it is impossible to send for them.

  They were generally contented with the assurance that the Country would soon become more settled when they could obtain their families with safety.  The freedmen are working for a portion of the crop, varying on different plantations from 1/10 to 1/4, besides food quarters clothing and - 

  On Sunday I resumed my march and some 4 or 5 miles from Mt. Vernon took breakfast at the plantation of a Mr. Dabney whom I had met the day before. after breakfast he called his freedmen together when I explained to them their rights as freemen and their duties as laborers.  They appeared much pleased with the interview.  I overtook my train at about 11 o'clk, while nearly opposite McIntosh's Bluff, and just before reaching my train, I discovered by the side of the road a newly made grave, a house standing near.  I inquired whose grave?  I was

Transcription Notes:
this writer's periods look like commas. Have to look at context (if next letter is CAP, it's a period). Also, when words end in "W", it looks like "RY"