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time the white people would suffer but little from the sudden liberation of their negroes. It is not necessary for me to say that it was a difficult task to guard the interests of both classes of people at a time when there was no civil or military law in a large portion of the state - the colored people excited with the prospect of freedom after years of slavery, - the whites chagrined and mortified at their defeat in the field, and with all their class-prejudice aroused - both classes ignorant of their new relations towards each other, or of the intentions of the General Government. It is not strange that confusion existed in the state at that time, and that outrages were committed by both classes. We had military possession of the State, yet it was impossible for the Department Commander, with the few troops at his disposal, to reach remote localities, and restore law and order. The Freedmen were possessed with the idea that their freedom could be secured in no other way than by going to the nearest military post with all their children and effects, and depending on the officers to furnish work and protection. Their old masters excited with the loss of their labor