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7

the success of the freedmen - trying to build up a reputation and make a fortune at their expense.

I heard a great many complaints with regard to his management of the schools. He has been accused of too much supervision and there has been intense feeling on the part of the Christian Associations of the North, on account of the Colonels assuming the entire control of the Schools, and because he would not allow them to be managed under their direction, as they thought most proper.

As to the first charge.

Col. John Eaton was first placed in charge of freedmen at La Grange, Tenn. sometime in November 1862 by Maj. Genl. U.S. Grant, then commanding the Army of the Tenn. It was at the time Genl. Grant was about to begin the "Central Mississippi Campaign". The right wing under Maj. Genl. McPherson (now deceased) had moved Southward from Bolivar, Tenn. and the left wing under Maj. Genl. Hamilton had moved from Corinth, Miss. The entire Army was massed in the vicinity of La Grange and Grand Junction. Immense numbers of negroes had congregated around the Army, and were in the most destitute and unfortunate condition - without clothing, food or shelter - no one to care for them & no possible way for them to earn a living. As many as could be