Viewing page 28 of 308

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

9.
Headquarters
Bureau R.F. and A.L.
State of Texas.
Galveston Sept. 21st 1865.

Howard Major Gen'l O.O.
0./12.
General,
I reached this city on the 5th Inst. was detained Ten days while awaiting transportation, Seven at New Orleans. While here have been making all possible efforts to obtain Officers for duty from the Army here, but one reported, Three others ordered to report and expected daily. Have seen one Hundred on upwards, planters, mostly Eastern Texas. Men who generally express themselves willing to cooperate with us and willing to hire the freedmen and pay a fair compensation for labor. Many have contracted with the Freedmen to feed, clothe, and furnish Medical attention and pay whatever wages we shall consider just and right. The general report of Planters and employers is that the freedmen are not doing as much as under the slave system, and yet most of the present crops will be saved to the country. I called upon the Agent of the Treasury for Lands. Houses and Rents of Houses and Lands was answered he had now got the same reply from Maj. Genl Wright. Comdg the Dept. I cannot learn that property of this kind has been taken possession by any of the Govt Officials - as portations of the state heard from. I find two Collored Churches in this City well attended on the Sabbath, each a weekly prayer meeting. we organized a Sabbath-School in one of them the first Sunday after I got here with about one Hundred in attendence, last Sabbath the house was crowded. Shall organize in the other if I can find the right man to take charge. We have one day and one night school, which I found started when I came here by a Mr Tambing [[Tamberling]] of the Freedman's Aid Society he has two Hundred or more Scholars in attendence, the school is doing well.

7
The churches of white people are but slenderly attended. no prayer Meetings. The Methodists have appointed over this week. Religion is but little talked of and very little felt. We hope for better days soon, we have about Two Hundred troops at this Port. And no Officers that can be placed for our work. I have sent to Houston and other places for Officers' names qualified for our peculiar duty. I have got Gen'l Wright to issue our order which directs District Commanders to indicate five Officers from each making fifteen in all. selecting only such as can be depended upon for duty justice and are qualified for our work. He also directs District Commanders to investigate all cases of ill treatment of colored people, arrest the parties of necessary and report them to him for instruction to trial until we can get our Agents in the fields.

Many applications from different counties in the state are coming in to be appointed Agents recommended by prominent citizens of the state claiming to be loyal, some endorsed by Gov'r Hamilton, as our Bureau has no funds or income of course they cannot be hired except a plan be adapted to support them from work done in the field-

I am Gen'l
Very Respectfully
Your Obed't Serv't
E. M Gregory
Brig. Gen'l and Asst. Com'r

Transcription Notes:
Note: Mr. Tamberling written like this in the INDEX of names found in letters. He is also found on letter page 41.