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Forest Hill Plantation
Burke Co. Waynesboro PO -
Ga. June 7, 1866

Major Gen. Tilson.
Comdg Dept Ga.

General

I have the honor of making you the following communication in regard to four (4) coloured men that I hired last week in Augusta.

On the 29th of May through a coloured man that I carried to Augusta for the purpose, I hired 4 hands on the following conditions - one was to remain with me for a month for $14 Dols and his food and lodging the others to work for ten (10) days at the rate of 75 cts per day, and their food and lodging. This morning they left the field and came to me to complain that the foreman had tasked them, and that they were unwilling to work any longer. But wished me to pay them up and let them go - this I refused to do unless they worked out the time agreed upon. They still refused - one saying he had rather go & loose the money - I then informed them I would give them a letter to you, which I would read to them before sending it, they refused this also - My reason for tasking them was that the hands did not work equally, one doing more than another - and some of the hands more anxious to be tasked