Viewing page 72 of 82

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

136

that he treats with disrespect and contempt my instructions to him to make a statement explanatory of his failure to comply with orders given him, but only forwards an extract of an endorsement from Hd Qrs District of Mississippi (dated Nov 3. 66) transmitted to him thro' this Office same day as received Nov 15'. 66, but first received at his office — as he states — Nov 21. 66.

I now most respectfully and urgently recommend that this Officer be relieved from duty in this District. Not alone has he never been of any earthly assistance to me, although assigned to duty as my assistant, but he has, as already before complained of, tried on all occasions to disregard his duties, and by his late disrespectful conduct proven that he is unable to comprehend the meaning of the various reprimands lately administered to him. 

Mr Walls, the Supt of Howard Orphan Asylum at Lauderdale — whose loss will be irreparable to that Institution — has, as I understand requested the Committee, by which he has been placed in charge of the Asylum, to be relieved on the ground that he cannot any longer stand the treatment which he, without any provocation on his part has been subjected to from the Officer stationed at Lauderdale  I likewise have on good authority that "matters there need an investigation terribly".

Very respectfully,
Your obdt Servt,
Henry E Rainals
Capt VRC Sub Com. DM.


Bu R. F and A.L.
Office Sub Com. Dist Meridian,
Meridian, Miss. Dec 2", 1866.

General Adjutant
United States Army.
War Department.
Washington, DC

General, 
I have the honor to

137

report that I am on duty as Sub-Commissioner District of Meridian, Miss, by Special Orders No 73, Headquarters Dept of Miss, Bu R.F and A.L, Office Asst Com'r for State of Miss. Vicksburg, Miss, dated July 20", 1866

My Post Office address is: Meridian, Miss

I am, General,
Very respectfully
your obedient Servant
Henry E Rainals
Capt VRC. Sub Com DM, Bu R. F. and AL.


Bureau R.F. and A.L.
Office Sub Comm'r Dist. Meridian
Meridian, Miss, Dec 1", 1866.

Preston Bvt Major A. W.
A A A Gen. Bu. R.F. and A L.
Vicksburg, Miss.

Major, 
I have the honor to submit herewith my Report for the month of November, 1866.

Nothing of importance relative to the affairs of freedmen has occurred here during the month save the kidnapping case already reported. Some complaints have been made on the part of Employees in regard to non-payment of wages, and a few in which Employers have been charged with ill-treatment of their hands. These complaints were of the usual character and have been disposed of as usual. 

The desire to locate land under the late Homestead Law manifests itself strongly every day. Hon Rob. Leachman of this place informs me that he has already secured entries for a large number of freed people, and he and his son are still busily engaged in this business. The providing of homesteads for freedmen meets with little favor on the part of planters and farmers, who argue that it will greatly reduce the laboring force with few if any advantages to the Settlers themselves; that the lands set aside for this purpose are so poor that the Settlers cannot make a sufficient support for themselves and their families

Transcription Notes:
confirmed existence of Howard Orphan Asylum at Lauderdale via www.lauderdalecountymsarchives.org/uploads/2/6/2/1/2621480/415.pdf "A History of Lauderdale Springs, Mississippi" by Betty Lawrence ---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-06-28 14:24:34 changed "refuse" to "reduce"