Viewing page 100 of 258

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

OFFICE SUB ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER
Bureau Refugees Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, Savannah, Ga., Dec. 28th 1865.
The permission granted from this office to the Freedmen of this city, to Parade their Fire Companies I did not contemplate any interference with the municipal authorities, Fire Engines of Companies under their control, but was intended to give only such rights and privileges to enjoy the Holiday in a proper and orderly manner as white citizens may do, and subject to the same restraints and rules. That permission to Freedmen was not intended for public notice but merely to protect them from the Patrol.  In the event they should interfere with the parade.  No intention to interfere with Fire Engine or City authority, was a moment contemplated.
H. F. SICKLES,
Col. Sub Asst. Com'r R. F. & A. L.

OFFICE SUB-ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, Savannah Ga., Dec 17th 1865
To all Whom it may Concern:
Permission is hereby granted to the several Colored Fire Companies of the city of Savannah (eight in number) to have a public parade through the streets of the City on the 1st day of January 1866. It is distinctly understood that the parade is to be conducted in an orderly and quiet manner. By order of H.F. Sickles, Col. and Sub-Asst. Comr
JOHN S LONG, Lieut & [[?]] [[?]]
Chief Chas. Ripley has the authority to arrest and turn over to the police any person who may attempt to create a disturbance or refuse to obey his orders.

Bureau RF&AL
Oct 29th 1865

I have the honor to enclose you the two copies of notices regarding the parade of colored fire men. The first headed "notice" was not intended for public, but the city authorities seemed to think the negroes would make an outbreak during the holidays, and such representation to Col Kimbell he put on extra guards and patrols. The permission from this office to parade was merely to protect the parade from such patrols, so long as the freedmen were orderly and conducted themselves in a proper manner.

The city authorities seemed to think the negroes ought not to hold any such parade unless through the chief of Fire Dept and city authorities, which was referred to the freedmen, I therefore published the explanatory "card" disclaiming all intention of interference with city authorities or Fire Engines. But this does not seem to satisfy. I understand from the Mayor that the negroes should not have any parade, on the grounds that they will be likely to be interfered with by the citizens, young men who may get intoxicated and interrupt them, in short I believe the objections to the parade consists