Viewing page 248 of 285
This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.
[[preprinted]] 482 [[/preprinted]] [[Footnote 1]] territory will allow. By listening to ex parte statements of those who are bitterly hostile to the Bureau, or who think themselves wronged by its Agents, and having no time to make a thorough investigation as they admit, these officers have been misled in several important cases. The first which I will notice is the condition of the Settlement on Trent river opposite New Bern. No complaints had been made against the Superintendent of that village until very recently; when, at his request, a board of inquiry was organized consisting of Lieut. Upton Adjt. 28" Mich. Vols. and Lieut Allison, V.R.C. who had just reported to me, and was a stranger to all the parties concerned. This Board gave the case a patient and impartial hearing, and had prepared their report. But before the proceedings had been reviewed, or even forwarded to me, they were demanded by General Steedman "by order of the Secretary of War", and a portion of the record telegraphed to the N.Y. Herald and published. The simple fact that the matter was under investigation with a view to correcting the evils complained of, is a sufficient defence of the Bureau. A full report of the case is presented in the "Proceedings of the Board of Inquiry" appended - marked exhibit "A."; and in my report the same subject to Maj. Genl. Ruger, Comdg. Dept. N.C. marked Exhibit "B." Another matter is referred to by the "Commissioners" under the head of "Missing rations". The readers of their report are led to infer, though no charges are distinctly preferred, that Capt. J.A. Rosekrans C.S., has appropriated to his private use, subsistence stores belonging to the U.S. Govt. Capt. Rosekrans discharges the duties of Post Commissary as well as those of Asst. Supt. in the Freedmen's Bureau. In the former capacity he is directly under the orders of the Dept. Comdr. who had more than a month since ordered an investigation of the business of the Commissary Dept. at New Bern. The result of that investigation has not been made known. I sincerely trust that it may entirely exonerate Capt. R. who has served through the War in positions of great responsibility without a stain upon his reputation. A third subject is reported upon by the "Commissioners" under the heading "Bureau officers shooting down a Freedman". In this paragraph of their report several false statements are made. It is not true that Mr. Boyden is an "employee of Col. Whittlesey", any more than the conductors and brakemen of a R.R. in Maine are my employees, because I own stock in that R.R., or that the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury is my employee, because I own U.S. Govt. Bonds, and am interested in the proper management of the Treasury Dept. It is not true that Genls. Steedman & Fullerton received the statement of the [[Footnote 1]] Howard [[end page]] [[start page]] [[preprinted]] 483 [[/preprinted]] [[Footnote 1]] case from "Mr. James himself"; for as I have since learned he did not meet them, and his statement in writing previously made is materially different. It is not true that the freedman when escaping from the guard under which he had been placed to work his sentence "was pursued by James" or that he was fired upon while attempting "to cross the river in a canoe". These mistakes of the Commissioners may be excusable on the ground that they [[underlined]] "were unable, owing to want of time, to inquire into the matter". [[/underlined]] The [[underlined]] facts [[/underlined]] in the case are painful enough without exageration, and are fully set forth in the report of Lieut. A. Coats, V.R.C. whom I ordered to investigate the affair, as soon as I obtained evidence that the freedman was killed. A copy of this report is appended marked exhibit "C." The original has been forwarded to Maj. Genl. Ruger for his orders thereon. One other subject upon which the "Commissioners" dwell at great length is "Officers engaged in private business." The charge against one of giving false testimony will not be believed by any who know me. No such question as that quoted in the report was uttered in my hearing. It was asked by Genl. Steedman in writing, and answered in writing. The question put to me was "Are any officers cultivating farms, or interested in farms?" I replied "No. Sir, except indirectly by furnishing money, so far as I know." He then in a loud tone, as if to intimidate me, said "We want to know if any officers are concerned in any way directly or indirectly." I replied "If you wish it, General I will put my answer in writing." He assented, and I wrote at once the note appended marked "D." giving a brief but explicit statement which I supposed he desired. But not satisfied, he addressed me a communication (a copy of which is appended marked "E.") requesting more definite information; to which I replied at length, having nothing to conceal or to apologize for in my own conduct, and knowing nothing against any subordinate officers in this relation. This last communication will be found appended marked "F." As to "the evils of the system" there are the same checks and restraints as in every case of temptation to abuse of official position or public trust. On the other hand much might be said of the good effected by this very conduct which is so severely censured. No one thing has given so much satisfaction to the better class of citizens both white and black, as this proff of confidence, on the part of officers stationed among them. The investment of a few thousand dollars, at a time when distrust ruled, and no contracts could be made between planters and freedmen, had the effect of a good example. No intelligent landowner has, to my knowledge, made any objection, and freedmen know that as a result of such investments by Northern men, they secure prompt payment and good wages. I have yet to learn that an officer in the U.S. service has no right to control his private property, or to invest his earnings in any business [[Footnote 1]] Howard (over)
