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Office Sub Commissioner
District of Meridian
Meridian Miss May 1" 1866

Eldridge Lieut Stuart
A.A.A. Genl F.B.
Vicksburg Miss

Lieut,

I have the honor to call your attention to a communication from this Office dated March 23rd 1866 asking for Transportation for two destitute old Freedmen from this place to Brookhaven Miss. They have been supported here a long time by the Govt. and by sending them to the above place they will be supported and cared for by their children.

Very Respectfully
Your Most-Obt-Srvt
Jno. J. Knox
Bvt. Maj & Sub Commissioner
District of Meridian

Office Sub Commissioner
District of Meridian
Meridian Miss May 1" 1866

Eldridge Lieut. Stuart
A.A.A. Genrl F.B.
Vicksburg Miss

Lieut

In compliance with existing orders I have the honor to enclose herewith reports for the month of April 1866 and respectfully submit the following statement of business and general transactions. The number of Rations issued during the past month in this District was Six thousand two hundred and twenty two (6222) the number needed at Lauderdale Springs will probably increase as I learn a large number of Orphans are en-route for that place to day from Vicksburg. I have thought best to notify the Refugee's or Destitute Whites that the Govt could not support them much longer and shall issue only half rations to them during the present month. Some of them do not seem disposed

to do anything so long as they can draw rations and to that class I shall not issue anymore. For information in regard to the condition of the Schools in my District I would respectfully refer you to my report to the Supt of Education. I think it unnecessary to refer to the other reports in detail herewith Enclosed as each will show for itself. Forty Eight complaints have been made by Freedmen during the past month one killed one stabbed and thirteen beaten the balance were mostly in regard to till treatment or supposed ill usage not of sufficient importance however to report. The burning of the Govt buildings at the Corral has had a beneficial influence upon those lazy negroes who were able and not disposed to work most of them have secured homes and are now working. At the request of some [[crossed out]] citizens [[crossed out]] Freedmen Capt Sunderland and myself went down in Clark Co. for the purpose of assisting the Freedmen to divide the Crop of last year the Freedman and their Employer had been quarreling about it ever since last Winter. We succeeded and apparently to the entire satisfaction of both Parties. While there we met on different Plantations about two hundred Freedmen and talked to them urging upon them the necessity of devoting their leisure time to learning to read and write - the obligation of a Contract - the importance of Establishing a good reputation for industry and honesty - to save their money - to cultivate friendly feelings with the Southern People to many legally &c &c. Capt Chapman and myself have also been out to several Plantations in this County at the urgent request of Planters who feared their Freedmen would leave them our advice to the Freedmen was very kindly received by them and are satisfactory to the Planter. Have heard no complaints from the Plantations we visited. I would again urge upon you the importance of making a term of my District. I think it would have a very beneficial influence over the Freedmen and Planters also. Last Monday night about 10 Oclock a crowd of Citizens (ten or twelve) assembled near our Office from whos' conversation I learned they intended to intimidate us and I ordered them away. The cussed

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