Viewing page 129 of 298

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

by dint of some management, and a good deal of search. I found it, concealed in a ditch, and covered with pine brush. - Four freedmen were reported to me yesterday, by Messrs. Roseberry and Bear, for stealing some valuable clothing and carpenter's tools; which from the circumstances of the case, I have no doubt they did steal. 

Several cases of ill treatment of freedmen, on the old slavery plan, have resently been reported to me. In one case, I sent to a Mr. Purcell to free some black children whom he was holding and abusing, and to permit them to join their family, who had applied to me for permission to take them, and stop their sufferings. The only attention I received was a good sound cursing, and Mr. Purcell still holds the "d____d niggers". There are various other matters where I could be very useful, and where my interference is demanded by justice and humanity. But I need not detail them. I have mentioned enough to show you that there is business here. Now in this state of things I am utterly helpless and useless, for the want of a horse, and one or two good mounted men. Not only that, I am openly defied. I cannot arrest the man for shooting; the man for stealing the stores; the freedmen for stealing the tools; I can not prevent several parties from abusing freedmen and holding them in slavery; and if I could arrest any offenders, I have no means of confining them, or of enforcing any penalty whatever. It seems to me that it is not only the merest farce, for an officer to be situated as I am, but that it is very hurtful to the interests of the Bureau, and of the well disposed people of the Co. white and black. I therefore earnestly urge, that the help I have applied for be sent me without 
(over)

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-08-10 22:55:09 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-08-11 09:43:06