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[[preprinted]] 450 [[/preprinted]] Reports Bureau of Refugees Freedmen &c Hd Qrs Asst Commissioner Raleigh N.C. Aug. 21st 1865 Howard Maj Genl O.O. Commissioner Washington D.C. General In accordance with Circular No. 10. Bureau of Refugees &c. July 11, 1865 I have the honor to report that during the month of July the whole number of rations issued in this Department was 215285; as shown by the report of Capt. Almy C.S. a copy of which is herewith enclosed. From this statement it would appear that the number dependent upon the Bureau for support is only 7176. But as a large number have not received full rations, it is probable that the whole number supported entirely or in part, will not fall short of 10000. No separate accounts have been kept with different classes as described in Par. 1st of the above circular, which was not received at these Hd. Qrs. till after Aug. 1st. Nor have the statistics of Colonies, Camps &c. been kept with sufficient accuracy to furnish materials for a full report. Until a much larger corps of Officers and men is issued for these duties, it will be impossible to obtain all the items required by Circular No.10. Some who were detailed have been mustered out of the service, & their places have not been filled. Many districts have not been supplied at all. This want of a sufficient force, greatly embarrasses the operations of the Bureau. Could an energetic officer be stationed in every county nearly all the evils now complained of could be corrected. So far as our organization extends, its power is felt, & its good influence acknowledged. Many cases of cruelty toward freedmen have been investigated, and several offenders are now awaiting trial before Military Commissions. Employment has been found for a large number of laborers; and we are about commencing the work of making contracts for the coming year. Upon the Government farms there is a prospect of fair crops; although on some lands rented by freedmen there is evidence of bad management. Most of the schools were closed early in the month. A few in Raleigh and the adjacent country are in successful operation. The testimony of all teachers is that negroes are eager to learn, and as easily governed & taught as any other people. The spirit exhibited by the former masters is far from commendable. While some treat the black man fairly and kindly; many seem disposed still to oppress & abuse him. Some refuse to employ negroes except at very low wages. Others claim the right to whip & "buck" them at will, as in former times. And a few openly declare that they will either have them slaves again, or exterminate the whole race. A general prejudice exists against the education of freedmen, and an almost unanimous determination is expressed to make them politically and socially an inferior & degraded caste. Nor can the spirit manifested by the former slaves be always commended. Some are willing to be dependent. Others refuse offers of steady employment and roam from place to place. Very many will work for any one else rather than for their former masters. And nearly all are so full of suspicion, that it is difficult to gain their assent to a fair contract. [[end page]] [[start page]] [[preprinted]] 451 [[/preprinted]] [[Footnote 1]] But these prejudices and hatreds will wear away. Mutual interest will compel the two classes to live together as friends. To the promotion of just and friendly relations between them, this Bureau will contribute its influence and devote its entire energies. Very respectfully E. Whittlesey Col and Asst. Commissioner. [[Footnote 1]] Howard [[line across page]] Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen &c Hd. Qrs. Asst. Commissioner Raleigh N.C. Sept. 28th 1865 Ruger Bvt. Maj. Genl. Commanding the Department General In compliance with instructions received from Dept. Hd. Qrs. Sept. 23rd 1865, I have the honor to submit the following report of the conduct of this Bureau, for part of the month ending Sept. 28th 1865. The State is divided into four Districts each under the supervision of a Superintendent. The Districts are divided into Sub Districts of two or more counties, each under the supervision of an Asst. Superintendent. The Eastern District under the supervision of Capt. Horace James is divided into eight Sub. Districts. The muster out of U.S. Col. Troops has taken five of eight officers assigned to him as Asst. Superintendents. Roanoke Island is the largest freedmen's camp in the State. There are some 2,374 freedmen there who receive support from the Govt. There is a large mill upon the Island which is now under the supervision of the Bureau and is becoming very profitable, and beneficial to the freedmen. It seems however desirable to remove at least the helpless from the Island and send them inland upon plantations & farms. Such is now being done by Capt. James. Already large numbers are being moved from the Island to the mainland. Trent Settlement. This camp is outside the City limits, and the freedmen living there pay a tax and ground rent for their houses, which goes toward the general support of the Bureau. The condition of this camp is good & bids fair to be self supporting. Beaufort. Small Pox has broken out quite extensively in this section. A surgeon has been ordered to report there, under contract with the Bureau. The number of cases reported is thirty. Southern District. Under Bvt. Maj. Chas. L. Wickersham Supt. comprises four Sub. Districts. Two officers have been assigned to Maj. Wickersham, but the muster out of the 6. x 27" U.S.C.T. has taken them both away & Maj. Wickersham is without Assistants. Fort Anderson. This is quite a large camp, much suffering and sickness is reported here. Dr Hogan started to inspect this camp this morning & will place over it a surgeon, and remove all who may be able to work for their support. There are 27 plantations in this District worked by freedmen under the supervision of the Bureau. These laborers receive rations and a lien
