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[[preprinted]] 454 [[/preprinted]] [[Footnote 1]] The arrangement now made is as follows. Eastern - Eight Sub-districts Central - Nine " "[[dittos for Sub-districts]] Western - Six " "[[dittos for Sub-districts]] Southern - Four " "[[dittos for Sub-districts]] For these twenty seven Sub-districts the whole number of Asst. Superintendents (inclusive of citizen agents) has been thirty three. The largest number at any specific time has been twenty. The number now on duty is fifteen. Thus more than half the State is still without an officer or representative of the Bureau. My organization has been three times almost broken up by the mustering out of Regiments to which my officers belonged. The only permanent officers (and such only can be useful in the service) are those detailed by order of the Secretary of War. With this brief history of my efforts to organize the Bureau, I proceed to state. The design and work proposed In my circulars 1 & 2 Copies of which are herewith enclosed, the objects to be arrived at are fully stated. All officers of the Bureau are instructed. 1st To aid the destitute, yet in such a way as not to encourage dependence. 2nd To protect freedmen from injustice. 3rd To assist freedmen in obtaining employment, and fair wages for their labor. 4th To encourage education, intellectual and moral. Under these four divisions the operations of the Bureau can be best presented. Relief afforded. It was evident at the outset, that a large number were drawing rations who might support themselves. The street in front of the Post Commissary's office was blocked up with vehicles of all descriptions peculiar to North Carolina and with people who had come from the country around, in some instances from a distance of sixty miles, for government rations. These were destitute whites and were supplied by orders of the Dept. Commander. Our own Head Quarters and every office of the Bureau was besieged from morning till night by freedmen some coming many miles on foot, others in wagons and carts. The rations issued would scarcely last till they reached home; and in many instances they were sold before leaving the towns in exchange for luxuries. To correct these evils, orders were issued that no able bodied man or woman should receive supplies, except such as were known to be industrious, and to be utterly destitute. Great care was needed to protect the Bureau from imposition and at the same time to relieve the really deserving. By constant inquiry and effort the throng of beggars was gradually removed: the homeless and helpless were gathered in camps, where shelter and food could be furnished; and the sick collected in hospitals where they could receive proper care. The statistical reports prepared by Capt. Almy C.S. forwarded herewith will show a steady and healthy decrease of the number of dependents from month to month. In July there were issued 215285 rations valued at $44,994.56, in August 156,289 rations valued at $32664.40, in September 137,350 rations valued at $28706.15. Should no unforeseen trouble arise the number will be still further reduced. But we [[end page]] [[start page]] [[preprinted]] 455 [[/preprinted]] [[Footnote 1]] have in our camps at Roanoke & Newberne many women and children families of soldiers who have died in the service and refugees from the interior during the war, for whom permanent provision must be made. Some of the women might earn their support as servants in Northern families, if there were any organized agency for finding them employment, and means for transporting them North. Many children might be collected in Orphan Asylums, saved from death, and properly educated. And I earnestly recommend that the Soldiers bounty fund be expended in establishing such institutions. In this connection may be properly reported the efforts made on behalf of the sick. At the organization of the Bureau many white refugees were found in a wretched condition. These were placed as soon as possible in hospitals. Some have died; others have recovered and been sent back to their homes. But very few of this class now remain under our control. The reports prepared by Surgeon Hogan will show the condition of freedmen's hospitals. In the early part of the summer much suffering and mortality occurred for want of medical attendance and supplies. This evil is now being remedied by the employment of Surgeons by contract. One is on duty at Beaufort, another at Wilmington; and several others are expected soon. The whole number of sick under the care of the Bureau is 5,441. Protection. Regarding this Bureau as the appointed instrument for redeeming the solemn pledge of the nation through its Chief Magistrate, to secure the rights of freedmen, I have made every effort to protect them from wrongs. Suddenly set free, they were at first exhilarated by the air of liberty, and committed some excesses. To be sure of their freedom, many thought they must leave the old scenes of oppression, and seek new homes. Others regarded the property accumulated by their labor, as in part their own, and demanded a share of it. On the other hand the former masters, suddenly stripped of their wealth at first looked upon the freedmen with a mixture of hate and fear. In these circumstances some collisions were inevitable The negroes were complained of as idle, insolent and dishonest. While they complained that they were treated with more cruelty than when they were slaves. Some were tied up and whipped without trial; some were driven from their homes without pay for their labor, without clothing or means of support; others were forbidden to leave on pain of death, and a few were shot or otherwise murdered. All officers of the Bureau were directed in accordance with your Circular No.5 to investigate these difficulties between the two classes; to settle them by counsel and arbitration as far as possible; to punish light offenses by fines or otherwise; and to report more serious cases of crimes to the Military Authorities for trial. The exact number of "Cases" heard and decided cannot be given. They have been so numerous, that no complete record could be kept. One officer reported that he had heard and disposed of as many as 180 complaints in a single day. The method pursued may be best presented by citing a few of the cases and the action therein. From the report of Capt. James for August I quote the following. I forward to you in his own language a report of a case which occurred in [[Footnote 1]] Howard
