Webquest Documents
Freedman's Village Arlington Heights Virginia May 7,1864Selected Documents about Freedman's Village and Reconstruction.Ý Most of the citations here refer to the collection at the Freedom and Southern Society project which is housed in the history department at the University of Maryland in College Park.
B-100 Box on Virginia #1 Section on Freedman's Village, Virginia
Supt. of Freedman's Village D. B. Nichols to Lt. Col. Greene, 2 April 1864, Letters Received series 360, Colored Troops Division, RG 94 [B-100]Arrest of An illegal Recruiter
Green Heights (Arl. Va)
Various USCT units send black troops into the contraband camp at Freedman's Village and impress the men at will. The black soldiers were offered a bounty for each recruit the soldiers were able to enlist. They went at will about the county to pick up some men. Some are engaged in the Engineers Department, some from the Army of the Potomac while others are servants of officers or employed a the Government Farms.
The director has forbidden these soldiers to enter the camp but they continue to do so. The occupants are ready to retaliate and beat soldiers etc. People are filled with fear. Communication has broken off between this village and Camp Todd (another of our camps bordered on the government farms under this command. This camp being situated beyond the barracks where the Colored Regiment is situated.
ÝÝÝÝ Some of the people mentioned are 23rd Reg. USCT-Lt. Warren T. Ward. Private Henry Smith Co. F. and a Maj. Ball. One of the soldiers took 5 or 6 men by force. On the 22 of March there were 407 persons who recently returned from the Island of A'Vache in Hayti. Newcomers were given clothing and other necessary supplies. An illegal recruiter was arrested. Some issues are raised such as how could Nichols who was a civilian arrest a military recruiter and prevent able bodied men from entering the military service of the United States. The superintendent was directed to not interfere but he saw recruitment from a different vantage point. Green encouraged recruitment but insisted that recruiters receive his permission. That way he could be sure they would receive the bounties owed to them and arrange to have a portion directed to support their family.
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In a part of the letter they describe the camp as shut in by natural boundaries, being a ravine between our camp and the camp of the Engineers.There was a guard placed inside of Hamlin Circle. Colored soldiers were in the habit of coming to the camp to attend church services. Enlisters were coming without the sanction of the proper authorities to enlist men. The men were threatened that if they go quietly they would receive a dollar bounty, but if they refused they would get no money and would be drafted.
Some of the inmates of this village have been stopped by Colored soldiers and threatened if they will not enlist, and the only manner they saved themselves from being pressed was because they possessed greater physical strength.
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Also B-100 Threatening remarksCapt. Robert C. Perry to Lt. Col. E.M. Greene, 3 April, 1864, Letters Received Ser. 360. Colored Troops Division
RG 94 [B-100]
Commander of a Union Regiment stationed adjacent to the camp who reported recruiter's threats to Clean out the Village'," and warned that there "would have been some Colored soldiers less if the attempt were made."
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[A-10609]Note: Entry means series on a document
Rations, fuel and accommodations for teachers in contraband schoolsCapt. J. M. Brown to Maj. Gen. M. C. Meigs, 10 December, 1864, vol.60, Press Copies of Letters Sent, ser 527, Asst. Quartermaster Records, RG 105 [A-10609]
"It has been the custom in this military district to issue rations and fuel to teachers of contrabands directly under the charge of the United States." They also provide accommodations for schools.Brown submits a report to Meigs in relation to an application by Freedman's association for fuel, accommodations and rations.The School House at FV was erected and the school is sustained by the private funds of the American Tract Society.Ý
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At other camps vacant buildings with some alterations have been used for school purposes.
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A-10611
* Try and look up this document at the Archives
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Capt. J. M. Brown (AQM) to Capt. Geo. B. Carse (sup FV) 11 Feb 1865, Press Copies of Letters Sent, vol 60. p. 55, Assistant Quartermasters Office, RG 105 [A-10611]This letter concerns questions of the American Tract Society which is in charge of a school and home at Freedman's Village. Questions submitted to Sec of War. They make many difficult points in the letter.
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A-10500
Supt. of Schools John Kimball to Rev. J.W. Alvord 1 January, 1867, Unregistered Letters Received, ser. 155, Education Division, R.G.105 [A-10500]
States that the work of education among the colored people in this Department is progressing finely. The number of schools has not increased but the quality is better than the last years. The teachers are enthusiastic. Many attend the monthly teachers meeting for consultation, to fill our reports and for mutual acquaintance. He finds the meeting useful. Northern Societies are probably more thoroughly occupying this department than any other part of the South.
There is complete harmony among societies with the help of the Bureau the school (he hopes ) will be carried on by the Colored people themselves the next year as they will have the proportionate share of money rising from taxation for the support of schools.
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[Y-77] Theme of article: Closing the VillageÝ Note: folder has lots of documents
James E. Clement, Commonwealth's Attorney for Alexandria County to Hon. W. Endicott, Sec. of War, 21 Jan. 1889 Box 318, Consolidated Correspondence File, Series 225, Quartermaster General Records, RG 92 [Y-77]
ÝÝÝÝ County and State Courts have withdrawn all jurisdiction, civil and criminal because the land has been purchased by the United States for several months. The people on the Estate have had no form of government over them. There is concern that the estate "will become a polluting spot filled with lawlessness and crime." Nine hundred acres comprises Freedman's Village.
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Opening How to handle runaway slave...vA policy--------Title: L-3 16 Nov 61Operator: LL/IBAuthor: Wool to DixComments: ContrabandLast Edit Date: 012181
Commander of the Department of Virginia to the Commander of the Department of PennsylvaniaFort Monroe [Va.], Nov 16. 1861.
Dear General, I have received your note in favor of Mr Jessup, who came here to obtain a slave who was taken from him by the Indiana regiment, as he says.
I have determined to have nothing to do with returning slaves to those who claim them until I have been instructed on the subject by the Secretary of War.
All I have to do with that species of property is to see them taken care of, as follows, viz:
All parties called contrabands employed as servants by either officers or citizens within my military jurisdiction are to be subsisted and paid at least eight dollars per month, from which is to be deducted the necessary clothing to be furnished by the Quartermaster of the Department. Those employed as laborers on public works, ten dollars and subsistence, clothing to be furnished as above. All that remains after furnishing them with clothing is to be reserved as a fund to support such as are unable to work--including women and children. In other words the contrabands are to support themselves. All able bodied men and women are compelled to work.
I have thought proper to make this statement to you in order to prevent applications like that of Mr Jessup Very Truly yours,
HLS John E Wool
ÝÝÝ Major General John E. Wool to Major General J. A. Dix, 16 Nov. 1861, D-263 1861, Letters Received, RG 107 [L-3]. An officer of the Indiana 20th Infantry had taken the slave of George Jessep, "one of our best Union citizens of Baltimore county," to Fortress Monroe, and Dix had attempt to procure her return. (J. L. McPhail to Simon Cameron, 6 Dec. 1861, M-726 1861,
ÝGreen had a clear vision of what Freedman's Village should be.C:\FV\FB.doc
[Y-155]
Green looks at Freedmans' Village and describes his vision of what the Freedman's Bureau should for in future Freedmen's camps. bs
Lt. Col. Elias Green to Brig. Genl. M.C. Meigs, 9 Jan 1864, Consolidated Correspondence File, Bureau of Emancipation, Ser.225 RG 92 [Y-155]
ÝThe American Tract Society erected a school house and chapel at Freedman's Village on the Arlington Estate. The village children go to school. Also a home for the aged and infirm was built. Only the most intelligent boys were chosen for employment in the workshops where they would be taught the skills to become carpenters, blacksmiths, wheelwrights, harnessmakers or other mechanical occupations. The women and girls would be taught by instructors in the manufacture of clothing and at the same time learning the art of sewing by hand and with a sewing machine.
For the sick was the hospital. The aged and infirm are in the Home provided for them and all are properly taken care of.
Every Camp established for Freedmen should be a self-supporting school of instruction. This camp not designed or intended to furnish a home for life. It was intended that the contrabands would be trained, given basic maintainance and work until they could obtain more profitable work elsewhere.
Large vegetable gardens were cultivated by younger and more infirm colored people.
"A large number of the colored people transferred to me were aged, infirm and children."
We have a large proportion of helpless contrabands in this department as will probably be found in any section.
The vast majority of colored men are ended in public service in the Department of Washington and as teamsters and laborers receive equal pay. Before Nov. 27, pay was $ 25 per month and rations, increasing to $30.00 plus rations. Teamsters lodge with their teams and are furnished with messkits to cook their food, while the laborers are lodged in public Quarters and have their food prepared in public mess-houses.
Five dollars per month was deducted from the pay of the colored teamsters and laborers in the Quartermaster's Department and Subsistence department.
Public charity and needsC:\FV\USCT.doc [Y-45]George E.H. Day, James J. Ferree and Wm. Slade to the Hon. Secretary of War E.M. Stanton, 30 December 1864, Freedmen, consolidated Correspondence File, ser.225, RG 92 [Y-45]Agents of the National Freedmen's Relief Association to the Secretary of War
Washington Dec. 30, 1864
The undersigned learning from the faithful and Energetic Agent of the Freedmen's Relief Association of this city Mrs. Griffin and other reliable sources of information that,
Among the Freed people of the city of Washington there was great destitution and suffering in the winter of 1864. Agents of National Freedman's Relief Association asked the Secretary of War that a room in some of the QM or Commissary buildings be granted to their society for three or four months to prepare and dispense soup to the families of the Freedmen who are in a starving condition. Most of the heads of these families are in the army while many others are absent in the QM service. There is pressing necessity for the immediate establishment of the Soup House and we ask for immediate action upon this petition and that the government by his honor secretary Stanton will further grant such facilities for the preparation of the soup Such as kettles, cauldrons or boilers as are on hand but not in use belonging to the government.
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Col. QMD G.G.Dana
The Contraband Fund was created for the express purpose of giving relief to those freedmen in need. Extensive arrangements have been made under the direction of the quarter Master's Department, at Arlington, Virginia to provide for the necessities of the destitute wives and children of colored employees of the Government. Application for relief from this source should be made to Capt J. M. Brown, AQM at his office on 14th Street near New York Avenue in Washington,DC.
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TransportationC:\FV\MD.doc
[B-569] Transporting Contrabands from Baltimore to FV
Maj. Gen. Lew Wallace to Col. E.D. Townsend, 22 June 1864
M-475 Letters Received, series 360, Colored Troops Division,
RG 94 [B-569]Several parties of Contrabands, consisting of men who had been disqualified for the Military Service, along with women and children, arrived recently in Baltimore from the direction of Fortress Monroe, Virginia , with papers to this place but without orders.(and with no money and no provisions once they got to Baltimore).The Secretary of War ordered that all colored men in Maryland fit for any military duty should be enlisted. Rejected recruits came into the military posts in that State for protection fearing to return to their owners, who had in some instances treated them with great cruelty.
The object of the order was to shield the negroes from the violence of masters, and put them in a position where they could render some return for benefits received. The negroes referred to within, coming from Virginia, and beyond the reach of their masters, and it was recommended that Maj. Gen. Wallace be instructed to forward them to the Freedman's Village in Arlington. The contrabands want to proceed to the Freedman's Village at Washington City. The military furnished them with transportation, as they were destitute. He requested instructions as to the course he should follow in the future and was told to continue to send them to Arlington.
C.W. Foster to Lewis Wallace, 28 June 1864,
ÝFoster says to continue forwarding these people to Arlington Virginia
ÝTitle: C-4725 9 July 63Operator: Sue/MHAuthor: Sherburne to MartndlComments: DC/emancipationLast Edit Date: 063088Assistant Inspector General of the Military District of Washington to the Military Governor of the District of Columbia
Washington, D.C July 9.th 1863A.A. Genl & Act. A. Insp. Genl. John P. Sherburne to Brig. Genl J. H. Martindale, 9 July 1863, vol. 99 DW, pp. 162-63, Letters Sent, ser. 642, Military Dist. of Washington, RG 393 Pt. 2 No. 12 [C-4725]. The instructions said to have beeGeneralÝÝ I have the honor to make the following report with reference to contrabands employed in this District--showing how they have been employed--and the amounts received by them for their labor, also reference to the accumulation of funds in accordance to enclosed instructions.
Lieut Carroll 2d D.C. Vols & A.A.QM. of contraband party has now employed 290 contrabands--Ý Eighty (80) are employed at 40¢ per day, working on streets of the city, under overseers furnished by the Mayor.Ý one hundred and fifty one (151) are employed as labors at Hospitals &c at 40¢ per day,Ý fifty nine (59) are employed as scavengers at 80 cents per day, they doing double duty working day and night--Ý No stoppage has been made against their pay, as the enclosed instructions are not applicable to them.
Brig Genl Rucker and Capt Tompkins of the Quarter Masters Dept have a large number employed as teamsters and labors at a salary of $2500 per month--Ý From each man $500 per month has been stopped on the rolls, and in the U.S. Treasury--Ý none of this money has been collected--Ý The amount as far as can be ascertained amounts to full $10,000.--
Col Beckwith, Commissary Dept has a large number employed at $2500 per month.Ý He has collected and has now in U.S. funds $1903.74--Ý He states that the Commissary officer at "G" St wharf has about $3000.Ý none of this has been used--
Lieut Col Green, Chief Quarter Master, Dept of Washington states, that he has collected some funds from the contrabands, and expended it in clothing for their use, which they will repay by work, thereby having the same amount on hand.
He also states that the Secretary of War has issued an order directing all funds accumulated in this manner to be turned over to him, to be used for the benefit of infirm contrabands, and children--and for the sick.
He states that he has sent notification to the different Dept's, to turn over such funds to him, and will in a week be able to state the whole amount on hand.Ý I am General Very Respectfully Your obt Servt
HLcS (Signed) John P Sherburne
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HOUSINGTRANSFER FROM DC TO fV
Testimony by a Surgeon at Freedmen's Village[Washington January? 1864]
Q. Dr. Webster please state the condition of these colored people who have been removed from Washington since they have been here, and what reports you have made to Mr Nichols, & how he has responded to any report respecting their condition and also to your requests for their comfort?
A. I cannot give you the exact number of reports and times concerning the condition of these colored people. However, many cases of suffering have came under my notice. One was that of a woman who was out of health, and really very much sick; She had no bed not even straw for a bed, she had a blanket however; upon my own request and remonstrance with Mr Nichols; she received yesterday morning for the first time a bedstead and some straw but no tick.
The Old Gentleman you saw, Uncle Charles as he is called, died last night on the floor. He was a very old man; he had a blanket and an old Coat, but no bed to lie on. I do not know that he caught cold coming over. I know that many of them say they caught cold when they were removed. I was present when they came over from Washington, it was very chilly weather, a raw cold day. I saw Abraham Dyson a very sick old man this morning lying with no straw or even a bed under him, he lies upon his old coat and blanket, he has been very feeble ever since he came over, and was exposed to the weather I speak of. He has not been able to walk about for a week.
War Department to the Military Governor of Washington
ÝRemoval of Villagers
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Washington, July 9, 1864.Sir, The Secretary of War directs the prompt removal to the village at Arlington Heights of all the Freedmen now crowded in large numbers in the northern suburbs of this city. Please report execution of this order. I am, Sir, Very Respectfully Your Obdt. Servant,
HLS E D Townsend
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Assistant Adjutant General E. D. Townsend to Colonel Wisewell, 9 July 1864, Letters Received, ser. 646, Military Dist. of Washington, Mobile Units in the Dept. of Washington & 22nd Army Corps, RG 393 Pt. 2 [C-4780]. An endorsement dated July 18, 1864 observed that it was "impossible to secure the necessary transportation at present." Other endorsements.
ÝC:\FV\Hosp.docJ-5 Ambulance Freedman's Village
Lt. Col. E. M. Green (Chief QM Dept. of Wash.) to Lt. Col. J. H. Taylor (chief of staff and AAG, 16 May, 1864, G-1 Letters Received, series 15, Records of the Office of the Inspector General RG 159 [J-5].
In reference to the ambulance borne on my returns and reported to Colonel James. A. Hardie, Inspector General U.S. A. by Captain H. B. Hendershott, USU? as having been used by Mr. Benedict the Agent for the American Tract Society, resident at Freedman's village. I have the honor to report as follows:
Mr. Benedict while in charge of the Home for Aged and infirm contrabands at Freedman's Village some months since, found it was necessary to have an ambulance in connection with said home, which is in fact a hospital for contrabands, and one was granted him for temporary use by Captain C. H. Tompkins A.Q.M. on the order of General Rucker. The ambulance horses and driver were subsequently transferred to me.
I was so careful in regard to the use of ambulances that although I thought that this one might properly have been used in connection with the Home, I nevertheless when the order was issued containing the Act creating the Ambulance Corps, gave directions not to use it.
Mr. Benedict obeyed by instructions but shortly afterwards was relieved and his Successor or Mr. Simmons, I learn, on inquiry has used the Ambulance once, thus ignorantly violating my orders on that occasion.
I now propose to transfer the Ambulance to the Surgeon in charge as its use will be necessary on account of the Contraband laborers on Govt. Farms, being scattered over an area of several miles.
Title: C-4757 jan 1864Operator: LL/mhAuthor: surgeon testimonyComments: dc emancipationLast Edit Date: 111287Old FolksTitle: A-9947 30 June [1867]Operator: LL/LRAuthor: Steward to OComments FAMILY Last Edit Date 052985
The Old Folks Home in the Village was available for those in need.
Washington D.C.Ý June 30thGen. O. O. HowardÝÝ I present my self to you in behalf of my Husband who is a cripple for life.Ý I have been hard at work ever since I have been free and have brought him a house to live in but I need clothes and he needs clothes and my wages is not enough for all so I ask you if it is in your power to let him have rations.Ý then I think we can get a long we are both old.Ý If you choose to you can send a man to see to the correctness of my storyÝÝ my Husbands name is Loyd Steward.Ý living at the village on the Fairfax farmÝÝ Please let me hear from you what you will doÝÝ very Respectfully
Amelia Steward
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Ý[Endorsement]Ý Freedman's Village Va July 24" 1867Respectfully returned to Asst Commr D.C. with the information, that after investigating the within mentioned case--I find that this Man is entirely unable to support himself;--is supported by his wife--and I respectfully recommend that rations be issued himÝÝ H. H. Howard A. A. Surg. SuptÝ Freedman's Village Va
[Endorsement]Ý Bureau Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Head-Quarters Asst. Commr., D.C, WASHINGTON, JUL 25 1867ÝÝ Respectfully returned to Dr. H. H. Howard, Supt. of Freedmen's Village, Va.Ý These people can be admitted to the "Home for the Aged and Infirm" at Freedmen's Village, Va.Ý By Order of Bt. Brig. Genl H. H. Howard.Ý Wm. W. Rogers.
Title: C-4113 20 July 63Operator: LL/IBAuthor: Ferree to MartindaleComments: Emancipation/DWashington, D.C., July 20th 1863.General The Guard which has been on duty at the Contraband Camp has been taken elsewhere because of the scarcity of troops in the city. The presence of a guard is always more or less necessary in the camp but at this time it becomes imperative in view of the threatened outbreak of popular violence here, similar to those so recently occurring in New York and other Northern cities. I desire you to endorse an application to Gen Casey for a company from the Colored Regiment on Mason's Island to act as guard for our camp and I also desire a hundred & fifty muskets with ammunitions to place in the hands of our laboring men who quarter in the camp, so that in case of riot we may be able to defend ourselves Yours very Respectfully
ALS James J FerreeÝ
1864 ContrabandsÝ in DC
Title: B-102 18 Mar. 64Operator: Sue/MHAuthor: Lowell to MartinComments: DC/emancipationLast Edit Date: 100785Commander of Depot at Gisboro, District of Columbia, to the Chief of the Cavalry Bureau
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ÝGisboro, [D.C.]Ý Mch. 18 /64First of all they should be made to clothe themselves properly--the most practical way of securing this is to provide the Q.M. with a supply of clothing for issue to them--clothing suitable for their work, uniform in appearance, to be issued at fair prices & not liable to be taken from them by Provost Marshals as Govt. property when they leave the Depot. They do not know enough to keep themselves clothed, and would willingly draw clothing if an opportunity were given. If 500 or 1000 suits of such clothing could be purchased & issued to employees--the cost stopped from their pay to be re-expended--clothing again purchased & again issued; the original cost would be the only outlay, & a large part of this could very soon be replaced; for after the first purchase & issue, there would be no necessity for having on hand more than say 100 suits--which could be issued & replaced fast enough to supply current demands. I again suggest that authority be asked for the ____________________Captain, I have again the honor to call attention to the importance of doing something about the Contrabands here. They have no idea how to take care of themselves--their ragamuffin appearance & want of personal cleanliness is discreditable to the Depot--while the excessive mortality among them in spite of good rations, good quarters & good Hospital attention is alarming.
Other Locations of Contraband CampsTitle: Q-216 15 June 65 (5076A)Author: SueComments: MS valleyLast Edit Date: 012090
230: Mississippi Freedpeople to the Supervising Agent of the Treasury Department 2nd Special AgencyYour petitioners respectfully alledge that they have by their labour saved what would have been entirely lost to the Government.
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ÝTallahatchie river--Ý State of Mississippi--Ý [June 15?, 1865]
To General W. W. OrmeÝ Superintending Special Agent, Memphis--Ý Your petitioners would respectfully shew, that they are men of colour of African decent, who have been recognized by their late owners as free, under the proclamation of President Lincoln, and as freed-men are labouring for their own support and benefit, and that of their families;Ý that about the close of the late military campaign in the state of Mississippi, the Rebel Soldiers were permitted to seize, or did, in their own strength, seize upon, and convey away, what remained in this locality of the Cotton that had been purchased by the Rebel Government of Richmond;Ý that said Cotton from having been exposed for one year without any shelter, had wasted & become rotten & worthless to the extent of 5/6th of its bulk and value, and that out of what was left by said Rebel Soldiers, or not burnt, your petitioners picked by hand, & with arduous labour, separated from the decayed & decaying Cotton, conveyed to the nearest Gin, repacked, rebaled & repressed, to the extent of Twenty six (26) Bales Cotton, which they herewith surrender upon your authority, to Erskine & Co, agents, & James Davis, Govermt aid, to be delivered to you at Memphis
SchoolsTitle: Y-73 22 Dec. 64Operator: Sue/MHAuthor: Dana to MeigsComments: DC/emancipationLast Edit Date: 060482Washington Quartermaster to the Quartermaster General of the United States Army
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ÝWashington City, December 22d 1864General: With regard to the application of the agents of certain Freedmen's Associations &c, for rations and fuel and school accommodations for teachers, and schools (colored) in the District of Columbia and Alexandria, I have the honor to state that Captain J. W. Brown, AQ.M. reports that it has been the custom in this Military district to issue rations and fuel to teachers of contraband children, directly under the charge of the United States. He states that the School house at Freedmen's Village, Arlington was erected and the school is sustained by the private funds of the American Tract Society. At other contraband camps, vacant buildings with some alterations have been used for school purposes. He knows of no vacant buildings or barracks in the District or Alexandria suitable for the purpose desired.
In my opinion it is inexpedient to furnish the accommodations requested, except to those under charge of the Government. Very Respectfully Your obt Servt
HLS J J Dana
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ÝColonel J. . Dana to Bt. Maj. Gen. M. C. Meigs, 22 Dec. 1864, Freedman's Village, Consolidated Correspondence File, ser. 225, RG 92 [Y-73]. Brown's report is located in the same file.
Cls:\FV\Life.doc
A-10634
Receipt signed by Capt. J.M. Brown (Asst. QM) Jan. 1866,, Press copies of Letters Sent, req. & receipts, ser. 528. , Assistant Quartermaster Records RG 105 [A-10634]
It is a receipt for rent of a house at Freedmen's Village for the month of January 1866.
Received at Washington D.C. Jan. 12 of Lieut. A. U. ? ($41 50/00), Forty one dollars and fifty cents, being amount received from rent of homes at Freedmen's Village. It will be recorded in his received Funds for the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned lands, month of Jan, 1866
The villagers paid rent for the use of the homes in Freedman's Village. In the month of January, 1866 a total of $41.50 was collected.
[A-10618]
Capt. J. M. Brown (AQM) to Capt. Geo. B. Carse (Supt. Freedmen's Village) 14 July 1865, Press copies of Letters Sent, Ser.527, Records of the Assistant Quartermaster RG 105, [A-10618]
Brown writes to Captain George B. Carse
The collection of Cabins and the immediate surroundings near Arlington known as "Camp Todd", will hereafter constitute a portion of Freedmen's Village " and be under your direct charge as Superintendent the police and sanitary Regulations now established at Freedmen's Village to be at once enforced . You will please notify the person in charge of this addition thereto.
The Stable at Camp Todd being at present required for the horses on the Government farms will continue under the charge of the Superintendent's Government farms who will be responsible for its police.
You will provide the quarters in the cabins for the laborers on the Capt Todd Farm. Mr. Hon Dean, Supt. furnishing ann accurate list of the lame.
Miss Emily Howland, the school teacher is to remain in her present quarters and in charge of her school as heretofore.
Ý
Ý[Y-201]
Capt. J. M. Brown to Gen M. C Meigs, 9 December 1864, Box 318, Consolidated Correspondence File, ser.225, Central Records, RG 92 [Y-201].
Captain J.M Brown informs that many destitute contraband women and children are in need of blankets and clothes, and asks for permission to provide them with the blankets and clothes now in his hands. In the city of Washington there are a large number of destitute contraband women and children not under the charge of the United States who are suffering for the want of blankets and other covering. It is estimated that 1000 blankets and 300 overcoats will make them comfortable. Brown has on hand one thousand blankets purchased from the Contraband Fund which I could issue if authority was given and a plan for distribution planned. If deserted or rejected overcoats to the number of 300 could be issued to the women from the quartermasters' department, they would be a most suitable covering for the women out of doors.
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ÝEndorsement: War Department to the QM General, 15 December 1864,
The request was approved.
Sibley TentsQr. Mr. Genl. M.C. Meigs to Brig. Gen. L. Thomas, 28 May 1864, Consolidated Correspondence File, ser.225, Central Records, RG 92 [Y-76]
Letter requesting approval for 50 worn Sibley tents for the shelter of contrabands arriving at the Freedman's Village until quarters can be erected for them. It is approved. Endorsements included.[Y-76] Sibley Tents Qr. Mr. Genl., to Brig Gen. L. Thomas, 28 May 1864,Consolidated Correspondence File, ser. 225, Central Records, RG 92 [Y-76]
Ý
Approval given for requisition of 50 worn Sibley tents for the shelter of contrabands arriving at FV. endorsements.As of spring of 1864, new arrivals and still not enough accomodations.
Treatment of the People67: Testimony by a Northern Woman
[Washington, D.C.? January 14, 1864]
The case of Lucy Ellen Johnson Luisa Jane Barker (wife of Rev Stephen Barker Chaplain of 1st Mass. Heavy Artillery) testifies,Ý I was living in the house of Lieut Chas H. Shepard, Provost Marshall of said Regt at Fort Albany on the 18th of November, when Lieut Shepard brought to my room Lucy Ellen Johnson in a state of great agitation,Ý she was weeping violently and rubbing her hands and arms which she said were in great pain.Ý Her thumbs were scarred across with welts showing the marks of cords by which she had been tied.Ý Her wrists bore similar marks but largerÝÝ Her bonnet was torn and one of her sleeves was torn in two--Ý In reply to my inquiry she said she had just been released by the guards of the camp near Arlington--the colored village--who had tied her up to a tree and subjected her to gross abuse--Ý I took down in writing what she said; but it required about two hours to soothe and collect the distracted mind of this outraged girl.Ý I put her upon her conscience not to add to nor diminish one atom from the truth.ÝÝ The substance of her account is as follows
"I came from Fredericksburg during the bombardment,Ý Served two months as chambermaid on the Steamboat Zephyr, Capt Wheeler,Ý Then came to Washington, found my mother and went with her to live on the Arlington estate.Ý whilst there married Louis Johnson--Ý soon after went to live in the service of Major Draper. 1st Mass. Heavy Artillery at Fort Albany--Ý my husband found employment with Lieut Hart of same Regiment.Ý Remained in these places until taken sick: and after some time finding I could not work, we left our employers.Ý My husband found work near the Long Bridge and hired a shanty on the riverbank where we lived peaceably until disturbed at night by soldiers.Ý In consequence of these attacks my husband obtained work at the Gov't Corrale, and asked leave of Mr Nichols to place me under his protection in the camp whilst he continued his work at the Corrale--Ý I was to earn my food and clothing like the other contrabands, it was on this understanding that I entered the contraband camp--Ý I was sick at the time and for the first week was not able to work,Ý when the day came for drawing rations I applied--and also asked for a bed tick, a blanket, a pair of shoes and a dress--Ý Mr Nichols had been sick for the last two months and had not seen me until this time.Ý He enquired what I had done--Ý I told him I had been too sick to begin work, but hoped to do so next week.
QÝ Have you a husband?
AÝ Yes.
QÝ How much does he earn a month?
AÝ Twenty five Dollars.
QÝ What do you want anything of me for?Ý You can't have anything, you must pay your board.
AÝ I am here to earn my board and the same clothes that others have--Ý If I have to pay my board I might as well pay it anywhere else as hereÝÝ But I need the articles and if they are to be paid for my husband will pay for them
AÝ You cant buy them of me--you cant have anything.
At this I replied that "if this was the case Mr Nichols ought to have explained it to my husband when he asked to bring me into camp"--Ý Mr. Nichols became angry and ordered me to come into the room--Ý I was afraid of him and hesitated--Ý He then siezed me by the shoulder and forced me along into a chair--Ý I rose up, Mr Nichols forced me down a second time--Ý I again rose up--Ý He forced me down a third time with the order to "sit there."Ý This time I obeyed and remained until a guard entered--Ý He siezed me by the shoulder and gave me a push saying-- "G-d d--n you come out of here.Ý I'll have you in the guard house bucked and gagged."Ý At the door they were joined by a corporal, a sergeant and some soldiers who took me to the guard tent,Ý on the way some pushed me and some kicked me and one siezed me by the throat till I was almost choked.Ý They fastened a rope round my two thumbs and passing it over the limb of a tree raised me from the ground so that my weight was suspended by the thumbs--Ý The Lieut walked into his tent--Ý I eased the cord upon my thumbs--Ý They then took it off and tied it on my wrist--again raising me as before with arms outstretched and without any power to relieve myself--Ý In this position one kicked me--another choked my throat--another stuffed dirty wool in my mouth--Ý After nearly half an hour they released me and the Lieut advised me to leave the camp--Ý I said I had no other place to go.Ý He then advised me to keep out of Nichols sight"
Witness (Mrs Barker) subsequently learned from Miss Draper that their family were so well satisfied with Lucy E. Johnson that they hired another woman to do her work whilst she was sick, still paying her wages in hope of securing her services after recovery from sickness--Ý Her excellent disposition, kindness to children and willingness to work were mentioned in terms of high recommendation.
HD
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ÝTestimony of Luisa Jane Barker, [14 Jan. 1864], Miscellaneous Records, ser. 5412, Dept. of Washington, RG 393 Pt. 1 [C-4757]. Filed with the testimony of nineteen other witnesses in a packet labeled "The case of Lucy Ellen Johnson who was tied up by the Thumbs November 18 1864 [1863] at Arlington Colord Camp." The same date (including the same erroneous year) is noted at the end of Barker's testimony. The testimony regarding Johnson is in turn filed with testimony by more than thirty other people, all regarding the treatment of freedpeople at Camp Barker and at Freedman's Village. The file provides no information about the composition or mandate of the investigating body; it may have been established by Colonel Elias M. Greene, chief quartermaster of the Department of Washington, in response to complaints about Danforth B. Nichols, superintendent of contrabands at Freedman's Village. (See below, doc. 71.) Among the other testimony about Lucy Ellen Johnson is that of her father, Fielding Lewis, also taken on January 14, 1864. By that date, he reported, her husband had died of smallpox. Lewis had witnessed his daughter's punishment in November 1863, when "she was treated very barberously indeed." Observing the guards dragging her to the tree, he had begged them to stop. "One of the soldiers took his sword and put it on the end of his gun and then told her if she didn't go on he would run it into her. I just stepped up and told him 'I reckon not.'" When one of the guards asked Johnson what she had done, she replied, "I aint done anything but ask Mr Nichols for some clothing," whereupon that soldier refused to participate further. Describing in detail the steps taken to tie up and gag his daughter, Lewis testified that the guards had next whipped and beaten her. "I stood down there until I cried about my child; she was hanging up by a limb--tied by her thumb and wrist. One of the guard took their foot and kicked her right under her clothes." "Lucy kept on begging them to let her alone as long as she could speak; she spoke as long as She could, and when they stuffed and crammed so many rags & things in her mouth that she couldn't speak--then she said ah, ah, ah." Questioned as to how long she had remained in that condition, Lewis replied, "She was hung up a right smart time and while they were beating her I could have walked a mile."
Ý
ÝWashington [Jan. 1864?]Patcey Scott.
Q. (By Mr. Lathan.) Patcey will you inform us as to any conduct of Mr. Nichols towards you: when it was and what he did?
A. I came up on the hill at the time we were being placed in the new rooms, and asked Mr. Nicholls for a ticket to draw my room. He said to me go off and dont bother me. I send them down as fast as I see proper. I asked him again, and he told me to go down into the camp I turned round and said: Mr. Nicholls I aint no dog for you to drive me that way. and then I told him Mr. Nicholls you call yourself a minister, but it does not look very well for a man who preaches the gospel like as you do to drive me about like a dog for that is more than my old master would do. This seemed to pester him; he had a tin kettle and a bake oven in his hand, and with them he struck me in the back, and threw me right down. When I arose I told him I would report him. He said: I dont care anything about your report; certainly sir you do or you would not spoke as you did in the church. You told us then that we would have strangers, visitors and enemies to see us who would ask us questions, and you prayed us to beg God Thursday morning to be a guide over our lips that we might not speak that we ought not to speak. He wanted to know who we were going to report to--and thank and praise God he sent us strangers and visitors to report to.
Q. That is what he said; now what did he do?
A. He struck me in the back as I told you before; then slew me down. I rose up and went down the hill.
Q. How long were you going down the hill?
A I was as long going down the hill as you would be walking from here to Long Bridge. I was so long because I was hurt so.
Q. What was your condition of health at that time?
A. My condition at that time was in the family-way about 4 1/2 months gone; about 3 days after that I was taken on my lower floor in such a painful way that I was not able to get up stairs. I called Becky Plummer, and before I could get up to my bed I was delivered. I thought I should die. I was in dreadful distress. I called Becky and begged her to send for Dr. Garland for to please God my strengh seemed to be all gone. Dr. Garland came and attended me, and when he came he said: Patcey you have delivered, but I will not give you any medicine. The Doctor pulled the pillow from under me and said: I must lay on my back for three days. It is very disgreeable but you must do so
Cross-Examined by Mr. Nicholls:
Q. Where were these remarks made in relation to any ones answering questions about the treatment of the Contrabands?
A. They were made up here in this new church.
Q. What part of the day--in the morning or afternoon?
A. You preached on the forepart of the day Word was sent to us that Mr. Nichols had someting to tell to us all.
Q. What did I say to you?
A. You told as we would have strangers and visitors and enemies to question us.
Q. In what business was I engaged at the time you came on the hill?
A. You was putting stone materials away.
Q. Who was there with me?
A. John Elliott and Stephen Gordon
Q. Did not you people receive tickets for houses?
A. I never. You would not give me any.
Q. Had your husband had his house picked out several days before the assignment of houses?
A. He picked it out and gave it to me
Q. Was Isabella Mitchell attending on it sick at the time?
A. Yes, she was, and she went after the Doctor. But she did not wait on me. Becky Plummer was the first that got to me.
Q. What do you mean by the bake-oven?
A. I mean the one you had in your hand when you pushed me down. You call it an oven, it goes clear across the stove; you call it iron
. . . . Betsy Brown
(Called by Mr Latham)
Q What have you to say as to a charge of Mr Nichols abusing you at any particular time.
A Well Sir, I went to Mr Nichols one time and asked him for some clothing. He asked me what I did. I told I had not done anything but to wash for a man who gave out the rations. Then he says--You can not get any clothes here unless you go to work and behave yourself as others do. I says to him, "Mr Nichols I give up my child upon the word and honor of the government to go and tote his musket and he has gone and lost his life. I think Sir that is enough" He said, "You go then to him and let him support you" Then I told him "How could I go to my son when he was toting his musket and loosing his life blood" Then he looked at me and grinned, and said "Yah, you talk about your son toting his musket and loosing his blood". I told him then I would let him see I would have my right. He said "We will see about it". I told him we would see about it I reckoned. I talked right smart to him. I shook my fist at him and said--"You old villain you" I waited for my clothing but did not get any, I went again for them and he would not notice me. Then I went again and asked him for clothes and he told me I had got to go to work before I could get anything. I told him I had given the government enough for me to have my living and I gave him some more of my mind--when he jumpped up and run to me and shook me by the two shoulders as though he would shake my life out. I had a spell of sickness because of that and Dr Garland attended me.
Mr Nichols called the guard after he shook me. & Capt Parry come to me to arrest me. I told him, "Capt you talk about putting me in the guard house when I am only talking about my rights." The Capt and the guards left and I staid and talked with Mr Nichols to my satisfaction & then I went to my tent. I think Mr Nichols treated me very mean and disrespectfully.
Hd
ÝTestimony of Patsy Scott and Betsey Brown, [Jan. 1864?], Miscellaneous Records, ser. 5412, Department of Washington, RG 393 Pt. 1 [C-4757]. The incident with Patsy Scott took place at the end of November or early December, 1863, at Freedman's Village in Arlington, and was confirmed by the camp doctor. The incident with Betsy Brown appears to have occured at Camp Barker, some time in 1863.
Title: A-9805 1 Jan. 1867Operator: SueAuthor: Laws et al to BFR&AL
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Ý[Arlington, Va.] Jan 1st 1867Please sign the paper & return it the or write a communication.Committee of three was appointed to wait on the friends of the bureau at Washington to Gain some inforation from our appeal will you not under condition permit us to Get Some of our People to Gather it is not our design to Get them here for the Govn't to go to one cent expend for them we wnats them to come back to the Village. they shall not go back on you Sir to Give Good feeling you admit them to return and You will id to better for us all the bad Spirits that are now existing among the People will never suit becaues the oold people you had brought from Alexandria and Washington are here inall the Cold and Some has not even Shirt to their name all here no Seats even to Set upon it is a Shameful thing but I know you can have all you can put Confidence in what is said and you will find all things Suitable you will let them come in the Village and Stay untill they feel the need of going out to seeking work you need not find them one ration or clothe let them go for what bring but to let there men come here and driveing all every body off in the way will never do the People are Complaiting that the bureau hav already done them wrong and your officers Capt A. A. Lawrence telle me the bureau are not going to notice our complaints do my frends are you to care for us or shall we look for another I say of all duties in joined upon you there is Greater than of the Poor freedmans condition I or we shall never get tierd Complaining untill we see our dependent treated as they auth to be you know what we wants respond to our appeal our Convention met again friday evening Jan 4 1867 we wants a satisfactory to the People. the friends of the bureau are invited some of whom we hope will address the People Sign this paper and reurtn it by request of the Committee bove mentioned
Rev R. S. Laws
Nelson Wormby
Simon S. Robison
Ý
Title: C-4757 [Nov. 63]Operator: Nichols TestimonyAuthor: Jan 64 IB/cdComments: Contraband/DCLast Edit Date: 110987
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ÝTestimony of the Superintendent of Freedmen's Village [Washington January? 1864]The Breaking up of the Contraband CampCENSUSQÝÝ Do you know anything about the history of the removal of a number of contraband families in your vicinity?
AÝÝ There was a number of families that had located themselves close by here; part of their houses are now standing; I gave them advice in having their houses built with regard to uniformity of size, shape, and location. They were useing commendable efforts to support themselves; & while there successfully did so; they came back & forwards into & through my camp, but I never had any trouble from their visits.
Some time after this Col Tannatt was here on a visit with some Bostonians & he told me these persons were getting to be a nuisance from stealing from fort to fort; said he should have them removed or else get them into this campÝÝ I heard no more about it until the day Genl Hientzelman, Lord Lyons, Secy Seward & others came over to Green Heights. At that time Col Tannatt named the subject to me in the presence of Gen: HientzelmanÝÝ The General told me then & there, to refer the matter to Lt. Col. Greene & he would attend to it. I heard no more of this thing until General Hientzelman was relieved, and General Augur came into power. Greene was absent at the time; Capt King, one evening sent a military order to remove this camp immediately.
(Mr Nichols hands in the order referred to & it read as follows;)
"Headquarters Department of Washington, Office of Chief Quartermaster, Washington D.C. November 31. 1863. Doctor; The General commanding has issued imperative orders that the Contrabands who have located themselves near Fort Albany, be removed at once.
I enclose an order to the Captain Commanding detachment 111 N.Y. Vols to execute the Generals command.
Such of the negro families as are worthy & fit to be received into your camp you will receive, and take charge of, & the rest will be sent under guard to this city. Please accompany the military & see that the order is firmly, but humanely carried out. They must be removed today. The Capt commanding has orders to compel the abandoned white women at that camp to remove at once. By order of Major General Augur.
HD
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Testimony of D. B. Nichols, [Jan.? 1864], Miscellaneous Records, ser. 5412, Dept. of Washington, RG 393 Pt. 1 [C-4757]. In the same file are transcripts of testimony by some fifty other witnesses regarding the treatment of the freedpeople in and around the District of Columbia. Internal numbering suggests that still more testimony was taken but is missing from the file. Similarly absent is any indication of the composition or mandate of the investigating body, and a search of indexes to War Department correspondence and to the records of military commissions and courts-martials revealed no further information. Nichols's testimony is located in a packet with the title of "Destruction of a contraband billage near the colord camp at Arlington." Nichols had earlier been superintendent of contraband for the District of Columbia. In early October 1863, Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton alerted the commander of the Department of Washington of the impending visit by Secretary of State William H. Seward, British ambassador Lord Lyons, and several British naval officers to the contraband camps around Washington. (Edwin M. Stanton to Major General Heintzleman, 11 Oct. 1863, W-43 1863, Letters Received, ser. 5382, Dept. of Washington, RG 393 Pt. 1 [C-4557].)
Quartermaster General to the Secretary of WarCol. Greene states that the Contraband Camp in this City has been a temporary one since the 5th of May last, when his application to the Major General Commanding the Department of Washington to have the unemployed Contrabands there transferred to him to be employed in cultivating government farms &c. was approved by him, and forwarded with the recommendation of the Quartermaster General to the Secretary of War, who also approved it.Ý He has had Contrabands profitably employed during the summer, and is now building on the Arlington estate, comfortable quarters for each family, besides hospital, and workshops.Ý A benevolent association is erecting at the same point, commodious and well ventilated school rooms and additional accommodations for invalid Contrabands without expense to the government.Ý For these reasons Col. Greene recommends the removal of the buildings from the Camp in this city to the government farms, South of the Potomac, retaining only enough here to serve as a depÙt for the temporary shelter of Contrabands arriving in this City, until they can be removed to the permanent
Ý
ÝWashington, D.C.Ý May 8th. 1865.
Sir:Ý I have the honor to transmit a copy of the report of Capt. J. M. Brown A.Q.M., in charge of the Bureau of Freedmen, Department of Washington dated March 9th, 1865, covering a census, taken under his direction, of the Colored Refugees (not including house Servants) in the District of Columbia; also of a copy of his report, dated March 18th 1865, submitting a Census of the Colored population, at Alexandria, Virginia.
District of Columbia Total Number of Colored Persons 7.754
Number over 12 years, 4.395
Number under 12 years, 3.359
7.754
There are about Freedmans Village 1.400, and at Mason's Island 500 in addition.
This does not include Colored persons employed by the Quartermaster's Department, and living in the Mess. Houses of the United States, but does include those living in their own or hired houses.
ÝActing Quartermaster General to the Secretary of War
Ý[Washington]Ý October, 23d [186]3
Sir,Ý I have the honor to submit herewith certain papers relating to a proposed introduction of water into the Contraband Camp in this City, and to certain other improvements asked for at that Camp together with the report of Lt. Col. E. M. Greene, Chief Quartermaster of the Department of Washington, thereon.
Problems
81: Surgeon in Charge of an Army Hospital to the Provost Marshal General of the Defenses of Washington South of the Potomac; and an Assistant Provost Marshal to the Headquarters of the Provost Marshal General of the Defenses
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Fairfax Seminary Va. November 1. /64
Col:--Ý I have the honor to address you, to endeavor to have removed from the vicinity of this Hospital, a colony of Negroes whose depredations upon the Hospital Property have been carried on of late upon an enormous scale.I have recently recovered from these Hovels, over one hundred (100) Army Hospital Blankets, together with other valuable articlesÝÝ As far as I know, these people have no claim to the property they have settled upon, and they are a source of constant anxiety to me.Ý Very Respectfully Your Obt Servt,
HLSH. Allen
Ý
Alexandria, Va, Nov 1st 1864.
Capt,Ý I have the honor to report that the "colony of negroes" mentioned in the communication of Surg. Allen--Fairfax Sem. Hosptl are, so far as I can learn from white people--other than those at the Hosptl--an industrious community and almost all the males are at work, one place or another, for the Govt.Ý Some ofthem have little garden spots with vegetables yet in the ground and it would be, in my opinion, rather hard to eject them from the premises at present,Ý They seem clean, orderly and well disposed.The Govt. blankets mentioned by the Surg. were, no doubt, purchased by them from soldiers in the Hospital & vicinity as all the white people in the neighborhood say that they have had blankets offered them, by soldiers, very often and frequently for a mere trifle--they refusing to take the blankets, however, knowing them to be Govt. property.
One lady who lives in a large house only a few steps from the negro quarters told me that she had frequently left clothing out doors on the clothesline all night and frequently left her doors unlocked but has never missed any thing and she thinks if the negroes would steal from any body they would from her.
Surg. Allen says he offered them work which they refused, probably because they could get better wages at Fort Ward and the block houses on the rail road which have been building all summer and wher most of them say they are at work.Ý I am Capt Very respectfully your obt. sert.
ALSGeo. R. Alvord
Asst. Surg. H. Allen to Lt. Col. H. H. Wells, 1 Nov. 1864, filed with 1st Lt. Geo. R. Alvord to Capt. W. W. Winship, 1 Nov. 1864, Records of the Provost Marshal, ser. 1468, Defenses South of the Potomac, Provost Marshal Field Organizations, RG 393 Pt. 4[C-4771]. Endorsement. Alvord signed as a lieutenant in the 1st Michigan Cavalry. No reply to Allen has been found in the volumes of letters sent by the provost marshal general of the defenses south of the Potomac.
A-10607 Peddlers and pilferingCapt. J.M. Brown (AQM) to Capt. Geo. B. Carse (cmdg at Freedmen's Village) 3 December 1864, ser.527, Press copies of Letters Sent, RG 105, [A-10607]Brown, the Assistant Quartermaster instructs the guard to arrest any peddlers about Freedman's village selling or buying any rags or old clothing from the contrabands at Freedman's Village. Also they are advised to be diligent in preventing the contrabands who leave the camp from carrying off any of the government property such as stoves, pipes, bed ticks, bedsteads and etc. without a written permit from the Superintendent.
Washington, December 29th 1866.Colonel: I have the honor to submit after a thorough investigation, the following report on the matters referred to in the accompanying papers, Three complaints are made; First; That unnecessary severity has been exercised in the execution of the order requiring all unemployed freed people to leave Freedmens Village, and that the intent of the order has been violated; Second; That the people in the "Home" suffer from a lack of sufficient heating accomodations; Third; That the rations issued to the dependents, are insufficient, in quantity.
After a patient examination of numerous parties who have been required to move from the Village, it is my opinion that more care should have been used in the execution of the order; that its requirements were not sufficiently explained to the people; and that more of them might have been induced by proper management to accept situations offered them through the Agents of this Bureau. In two or three instances persons were required to leave who claim to have been at work at the time.
Several families that owned houses on the Arlington farm outside the village, were compelled to pull them down, and move them elsewhere; but as they did not leave the immediate neighborhood, no good resulted, but instead loss and damage to them, inasmuch as they are now compelled to pay an exorbitant ground rent, besides the expense and trouble of moving their houses. William Conway one of these parties, asserts that Lieut Bergevin called his mother in law "a damn fool," because she asked him where they should go if they pulled down their house. I have not had an opportunity to communicate with that officer since this assertion was made and can only introduce it as a statement neither denied nor confirmed. In one case a colored woman, whose husband was absent was evicted from her house and compelled, she says, to remain out doors until morning. In no other instance, does unnecessary severity seem to have been used, and I cannot learn that any suffering has been caused by the execution of the order. The difficulties attending it, have been very great and I believe that the complaints are more in consequence of these, than the result of unusual severity on the part of the Superintendent.
The complaint of insufficient heating accommodations at the "Home" is not without foundation. There are 231 dependent people, 90 of them have 18 Stoves; 17. One Stove, 22. One Stove, 53 Five Stoves and 43. Two Stoves and two "drums," these latter being supposed to warm two large rooms in the upper story of one building. Almost everyone of these stoves is broken and worthless. At the time of my visit, the people were huddling over the fires and none of the rooms were comfortably warm. A requisition for ten new Stoves was made to day.
I do not think the complaint of insufficiency of the rations, is just The rations in the "Home" being the same as those issued to Hospitals the hospital diet table is followed, in cooking, as nearly as practicable. I observed a general lack of necessary supervision and cleanliness in the "Home," in fact, the people seemed to receive very little attention.
In my opinion the comfort of the people would be much increased by the general repair and alteration of the buildings, most of which being designed for other purposes, are not adapted to their present use.
In conclusion, it is respectfully recommended, first, that Capt Lawrence be requested to reexamine the cases of thosepeople who have been required to move from the village, and if the circumstances show that they can earn an honest livelihood while living there, that he be authorized to allow them to occupy houses; but no further modification of the order is deemed advisable, Second, That he be instructed to improve the heating apparatus in the "Home," making it sufficent for the comfort of the inmates; Third, that a good Carpenter be employed under his direction, to make such repairs and alterations of the buildings as are necessary; and Fourth that measures be taken to secure a better performance of the Matrons duties, that being regarded as absolutely necessary to the comfort and well being of the people Very Respectfully Your Obt Servt.
S. W. Clark
Ý[Enclosure]
An Appeal from the Colored People of Arlington Va the colored people in a convention assembled resolved to have at washington a delegation of Colored men to induce Genl C H Howard that if it were his design to have them all turned out as if they we were brutes. if so that he may reconsider his a or adaption. because they are all scattered all over the whole place. and are making awful complains and are Suffering like brutes on the field. and if possible do Something for us because we are not cared for as we ought be because we who pays our house rents. they oughten had a disturbens. we are in the first place working People as a general thing our People are honest. in the other hand they ae not conceited people, but are compose with good manily class of people. we sir are wrongfully delt with in the first place they we hat your Supts and they would not yeild to appeal but went on abruptly as if they were Glad of their conition, and the People despond of hope, often times they have Said Surely these men are not doing what the Genl Says because if so he is not only Prosecuting the law but he are perecuting the People and that will never do for us. we do demand Protection as other Citizens of this united in the place they taken all of our Peoples wages away from them those who they have in the Govnt Service with exception to Six or Eight that $10.00 as any man gets even those who drives the wagons four horses 2d Place they have turned off some women which have been washing for the Govnt for three years and were discharged and driving off our out of the Ville. and the People say if there were any law of Justice or reconsideration they would have it resolved
that the names of the delegates be appointed to wain on the Genl
Rev R S. Laus Samuel Jones
Nelson Wormly John L. Peterson
Solomon Howard John Jackson
Wormly amor John Taylor
Ý[Enclosure] Arlington Va Dec 26 1866
Dear frind we do hereby introduce the investgation which urge desire upon us to have at washington a Colored delegation. the most of your representatives you have sent here they have not discriminate in Judgeing our People they Judge them all by the Same Standard and that was emphatical law leave us to be Judges in this matter as a body of divine Character Christians and allowe us to discriminate them and Collect your rents and you Shall have it. we do Say that here are the refined persons among us as any where and we contains that they oughten had been turned out of house here are Poor women wich husband & Son bvoth have been Shot on battle field dead for our liberty and we possible demand their protection they carry up they complaints but in apply made as yet, they were turned out without discrimination we believes in discrimiantion the dependent are not treated as they ought be whey my dear Sir you believe that a half of a Salt fish & dry bread & coffee can keep these People alive no never Capt A. A. Lawrence confesses himself that the bureau had cut the rations dow to low because the 27 cts Said he ids down to 17 cts & Says it isnot enagh for them again they have no Compfort of liveing on account of not having fire the houses that are the officers knows that the were only to Suit before and now taring all the petitions down and turning them in 15 halls one little stove a two feet long for a 28 feet hall will that keep it war no sir the homes uper flows about 90 or 100 feet & no stove the poor men who were working on wages they to be turned out to work for ration and clothes and never get them as we do exspect to have convention friday dec 28 you can Satisfactory indose this and return it that we may exonarate the Compalints Complosed delegation
John L Peterson
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ÝFreedmans Village Va. January 7th 1867
General: I have the honor to call your attention to the following statement, in reference to a meeting held by the colored people of this Village and Vicinity, for the purpose of discussing their grievances, and taking measures to alleviate them. The first information I had of the meeting was a line from Capt. Clark, asking aout it, and upon inquiring of Mr. Laws in regard to it. he said Oh: yes we are going to have a meeting and all the officers of the Bureau are invited and I would like tohave you come up. When I reached his church where the meeting was held he was speaking to a crowded house, and I stoped at the door and heard him through. He stated to them that all who could get a living could nw return to te village, and without a pass; (alluding to the line I had required of them from their employer, to show that the person asking to rent a house, had employment as then required by the order.) He said they used to have to get a pass from their masters the rebels, and that the "Bureau" had got into the hands of the copperheads, and had compelled them to leave the Village, and that many of them had this cold weather to live in shanties which they had spent nearly all their money to build, and which were not fit for stables, while theouses the Government had built for them, were empty, and the village lonesome, and deserted. But there was a higher authority than the "Bureau," and that they were free and just as good as anybody and should notsubmittosuchtreatment, and especially not to the authority of the petty officers in command of the Village. He said the village belonged to the Government, and that they should petition congress for the right to live in it. He was loudly cheered by the audience at these remarks, which I have given not in his exact words but in substance as near as I can write it, and without exageration. When he was through speaking I made my way through the crowd to the front. Others spoke: most of them in opposition to Mr. Laws and in favor of the "Bureau," and they finally passed a resolution to petition the Bureau. I had previously takne occasion to refute the charges against the bureau, and to correct their mistatements, and I now raised the questionas to what they wished to petition for (the last instructions allowing all to rent houses who could get a living) and after much more talk in which some said that the colored people (employed by Gov't.) had been taxed five dollrs per month to build this village, and that they ought to live init without rent, the meeting broke up at a late hour without deciding what they wanted to petition for or any further action in regard to it. I wish also to state that there is a great deal of dissatisfaction among the "Home" people about work which I think is mostly caused by the influence of those outside. This has made it difficult to get the work done even to the cleaning of their own houses. This is but one of the many difficulties which you can readily perceive must necessarily be the result from such speaches and teaching as has been before stated.
The foregoing statements are respectfully submitted for your consideration. I am Sir Very Respectfully Your Obedient Serv't
A. A. Laurence
ÝArlington Village Va Jan 14. 1867
dear Sir I have the honor of making certain reports in regard to our way of manageing business here and our design of doing business after receiving your order on the 12 in reference to moveal of the people out of the Village we can but congratulationuponour part to congratulate you for your kindness toward us do turn your thought to god our supreme beam who dus dose good to all men--but leaving all that hehind us we all now propose to take up the Subject about the late reports made from here we do not mean Genl to compalints against you Genl for our being badly treateed because it isen parlamental to do thinkgs of the kind because we have an inclination for the bureau and it supearer officers. but Genl you willin a feu words agree with me here your design is to good character but you have sent men negroes as his wife call them if it were every any rebles in the word itis the class of White people here now ans our Pastor has been to work in geting them Poor People to North and Capt A A Laurence has hold back his wood from him would nt give him a stick for I know full well he burn five fires in the office dineing room two office rooms one fire one inLieut room bed room one up in his room & yet our Pastor can not get and he has been in gaged nealy three monts will you let him have his home rent free of last do Genl responce to our appeal in the thus made to you I do Say to you Genl our pastor all the hospital& home to administer all missionary work to do do let him have his house free do & oblge your obedt by an order of Counsel Servants
Simon S. Robison
Nelson Wormly
Rev. R. S. Laws
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Ý____________________________________________Who lived in the village?Title: A-9735 12 Jan 66Operator: Sue/SHAuthor: Syphax to HowardComments: Land and LaborLast Edit Date: 022384Arlington Black to Freedmen's Bureau Assistant Commissioner of Washington
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ÝWashington Jany. 12th 1866.
Sir:-- I have the honor to bring to your notice the following case: My Father and Mother,--Charles and Maria Syphax,--have resided on the Arlington estate all their lives. In the year 1826, the late Mr. G. W. P. Custis manumitted my mother and her children, and at his death my father became free by the terms of Mr. C's. will. At the time my mother was freed (1826,) Mr. Custis gave to her, for the use of herself and heirs, a small parcel of land,--about ten or twelve acres, lying on the southern bondary of the Arlington tract, where my parents continue to reside.
This estate has recently been sold, according to law, and bought by the Government.1 My parents have no written evidence of this gift of land made to them by Mr. Custis, but can establish by parole evidence the facts herein alleged. They have resided on the tract referred to, for more than forty years, and they now desire if possible to acquire the legal title, in fee simple, to the same, so that, for the few remaining days of their earthly existence, and their children after them, they may enjoy the security and benefits, which Mr. Custis benevolently designed they should possess. Should you desire it and will be kind enough to inform me, I will be pleased to accompany any one, you may designate for point out the boundaries of the tract referred to.
Your attention is also respectfully called to the fact, that owing to the occupancy of the Arlington estate, by our armies, during the rebellion, the fencing around the premises referred to has been entirely destroyed.
If any assistance can be rendered by you, towards acquiring the title as above stated my parents and myself will be most grateful.
You will please to be kind enough to inform me, if anything further is desired from me, or of any action that may be taken on this subject. I have the honor to be, with great respect, Your obedient Servant,
William Syphax.
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Washington March 14th 1866
Special Orders No 21 1. In accordance with instructions from Maj Genl O O Howard Commissioner dated Washington March 13th 1866 The following described property, being prt of the Arlington Estate situated in Alexa Co Va is hereby released so far as Jurisdication over it of this Bureau extends
To Maria Syphax (Col'd) who will be secured in quiet occupation of the same the said Maria Syphax claiming to be the legal owner thereof by virtue of a title by prescription gained by an
undisturbed possession for a period of upwards of (30) thirty years
Viz (17) seventeen acres of land contained in a triangular plat adjoining land formerly owned by Basil Williams now occupied by John Johnson, bounded south by the south boundary of the Arlington Estate and North West and East by land of the said Estate By order of
C H Howard
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ÝWilliam Syphax to Maj. Gen. O. O. Howard, 12 Jan. 1866, and Special Orders No. 21, Hd. Qrs. Asst. Commissioner D.C. Bureau R.F. and A.L., 14 Mar. 1866, Letters Received, ser. 456, DC Asst. comr., RG 105 [A-9735-. Syphax was employed as a messenger in the Interior Department.
1. The United States took possession of the Arlington Estate of the Custis family (descendents of George Washington) owned by G. W. C. Lee (a Custis grandson) in 1861, for use as a military fort (first named Ft. Whipple and later Ft. Myer). In 1864 the U.S. bought the estate at public auction for $26,800, alledging Lee's failure to pay back taxes; Lee challenged this in court and in 1883 was paid $150,000 by Congress for the Estate. ("Fort Myer, Virginia (Arlington)," Arlington Estate, Consolidated Correspondence File, ser. 225, RG 92 [Y-137].)
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Title: C-4757 [Jan. 1864]Operator: Sue/MHAuthor: Shepard testimonyComments: DC/emancipationLast Edit Date: 061682Testimony of a Northern Soldier at Freedman's Village
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Ý[Arlington, Va. Jan. 1864]Destruction of the Colord Settlement1 Lieutt Chas H Shepard--of the 1st Mass Heavy Artillery
Says. These people were located in the front of the Arlington House--had built their cabins there-- Lieut Col Lathrop complained to the Adjt Genl., of Genl Heintzlemans staff that these negros ought to be removed; that they injured the look of the Estate which the government intended to sell at the best advantage
Genl de Russy wished me to locate these people in some other place; accordingly. I located them just back of the Contraband Camp and gave them permission to build there; and some fifteen or twenty houses were erected, & 60 or 70 & perhaps a 100 people lived there; after they had been established some time Col Lannatt complained to Gen. Hientzleman that they were stealing & that he did not want them so near to his fort: he got an order to have them removed; I endeavored, through Gen DeRussy, to have the order recalled, but in vain; & after it was decided to remove them I advised them to remove their property as they might all be arrested. & be put into the contraband Camp; Miss Donnalson--a white woman came & said she had been arrested as a woman of bad character; I objected to her being arrested and taken to Washington as such, for I knew her to be a very respectable woman; the colored people were marched over to
Washington that night, and were obliged to stay out in the cold; I know that one, if not two of the number, living there at the time, died at the house of Cyfax, in consequence of that removal.
It was nearly sundown when they were removed; & in the beginning they were completely surrounded by a guard; one man said he thought
About that time I found a number of contrabands had settled more than a mile above here; and among them, were several very bad cases of disease; I scattered them in all directions, but I have reason to doubt the truth of the charges that such things existed in the camp that was broken up. The man I conversed with concerning these matters was the chief mover of the settlement, a pious man & interested in schooling the children. I think they were treated very unjustly.
HD
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Testimony of Lieut. Chas. H. Shepard, [Jan. 1864], Miscellaneous Records, ser. 5412, Department of Washington, RG 393 Pt. 1 [C-4757]. Lt. Shepard was the Provost Marshal of the 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, stationed next to Freedman's Village. Also in this file D.B. Nichols testified that this incident occurred following the tour of contraband facilities made by Secretary of State Seward along with high-ranking British officials. According to the wife of a chaplain of the 1st Massachusetts, the freedmen in this village had saved money and supported themselves, buying the materials for the shanties they lived in, and wanted to avoid being placed in a contraband camp at all cost. A school was being organized in this self-supporting colony when soldiers cleaned it out. Male occupants of the village returned from work to find their wives and children gone with no explanation. The visit of Seward and others took place in October of 1863. (Edmund M. Stanton to Major General Heintzleman, 11 Oct. 1863, W-43 1863, Letters received, ser. 5283, Department of Washington, RG 393 Pt. 1 [C-4557]).
CounselorsUnited States Colored Troopstransmitted through military channels to the War Department and thence to the commander of the Department of Washington, who on March 31 had forwarded it to Colonel Elias M. Greene, chief quartermaster of the department; Greene in turn referred it to Nichols. In the same file are copies of letters by Lieutenant J. M. Lattin and Captain Robert C. Perry, commanders of the guard at Freedman's Village and the government farms. Lattin gave an account of the recruiter's arrest similar to that of Nichols and asserted that "[t]he effort to recruit by Col'd Volunteers, in or about this Camp has . . . been exceedingly deleterious to the good order and quietude of this Village." Perry reported that he had for months been "exceedingly annoyed" by soldiers of the 23rd USCI, who, after entering Freedman's Village "under various pretences, such as visiting friends and relatives attendingSchool and meeting . . . clandestinely attempt to get men away." In response to such "irregular and outrageous" tactics, he had ordered his sentries to deny admittance to black soldiers; thereafter, recruiters "would hover around and just outside the Camp, and had it not been for the vigilance of the Guard would have succeeded in enticing men with them." "My resistance, and the vigilance of the guard," Perry added, "has incensed and provoked these Recruiting-Officers, beyond measure. They have threatened to 'Clean out the Village' a threat which fortunately for the parties concerned, was never attempted to be enforced. There would have been some Colored Soldiers less." (1st Lt. J. M. Lattin to D. B. Nichols, 3 Apr. 1864; Capt. Robert C. Perry to Lieut. Col. E. M. Greene, 3 Apr. 1864.) On May 25, Greene submitted the reports of Nichols, Lattin, and Perry to the headquarters of the Department of Washington, together with his own conclusions. "Freedmans Village is necessarily under Military Government," he pointed out, and it was therefore entirely proper to refuse "indiscriminate entrance . . . of unauthorized persons, who would at their own discretion, seize, and carry off the inmates with or without their consent, and without the Knowledge of the Officers commanding the Camp." By regulating recruitment, he could ensure that enlistment bounties were paid to the recruits "and not go to enrich Agents and Speculators," and he could also make arrangements to have "a portion of their pay devoted to the support of their families." (Lt. Col. Elias M. Greene to Maj. C. H. Raymond, 25 May 1864, in the same file.) Endorsements returned all the documents to theWar Department, which, on May 30, 1864, pronounced further action in the case "unnecessary."75: Superintendent of Contrabands at Freedman's Village to the Chief Quartermaster of the Department of Washington, Enclosing a Map of Freedman's Village
Freedman's Village Greene Heights [Va.]Ý April 2nd 1864.
(Copy)Colonel:Ý I have the honor to report, in relation to a complaint, made by Lt. Warren F. Ward of the 23rd U.S.C.T, that Private Henry Smith Co "F," of his Regt was arrested in the discharge of his duty, conducting a detatchment of recruits to the said quarters, by a sentry said to be acting under my direction, as Supt of "Freedman's Village." Smith being at the time without the line of my sentinels.Ý He the said Smith, was soon after released, but the recruits were detained and have not since been returned to his charge.Ý He further asserts that similar cases have occurred before.
I have the honor, to reply to the several allegations as follows:Ý On the second day of March last, as I was engaged with two Clergymen, three privates, one wearing the dress of a sergeant of the Colored Regt, forming at Casey, applied for admission into this Camp to see their friends, which of course was readily granted and they went in:Ý immediately after this I had occasion to go outside the Camp on business and was absent about an hour, and when I returned I was met by a crowd of the women in great distress, saying that colored men had been inside and taken away five or six persons by force, entirely againsttheir will: that they had escaped between the posts of the guard and had taken off the men to the camp.Ý Upon reaching my quarters, I immediately reported the affair to the Lieut in command of the guard and made out a despatch to Major Ball of the Colored Regt and sent it by an orderly, which communication and endorsement was transmitted to you in a report of the affair the next day (March 3d).Ý This affair had a most unfortunate influence upon the minds of the inhabitants of "Freedman's Village," so that many of them were kept from night Schools and meetings, for fear of being pressed into service against their will.Ý I did all that I could to quiet the people, informing them that they would be protected and that I would immediately order renewed vigilance in keeping improper persons from the camp.Ý Thus a written order was given to the guard by Capt. Perry, instructing them to admit no Colored soldier to the camp, unless upon a written order, except it was to attend church on the Sabbath; nor could any white person be admitted if it was thought that the object of the visit was to interfere with the order and regulations of the Camp.Ý Thus things passed until the 22nd of March, when I received at the Camp 407 persons, recently returned from the Island of "A'Vache".Ý These were disposed of, late in the afternoon and on the next morning (the 23rd,) quite early, a number of colored soldiers came down to my quarters and asked permission to enter the camp for the purpose of enlisting men from those recently from Hayti.Ý I replied that I had been instructed to send all persons to the Head Quarters of the Chief Quarter Master of the Dep't of Washington, who might desire toenter the Camp for the purpose of recruiting: thus, I could not admit them into the Camp for that purpose; that I did not know as yet the intention of the Government in ordering these people here.Ý The next day I was engaged the entire day in issuing clothing and other necessary supplies to the returned people from Hayti, but I had given no additional order in relation to the guard excepting the old order, as there was such an increase of people and this would require an increase of vigilance on the part of the guard.Ý Some time during the day, Lt Hurd, the one who here complains, came to my storeroom, in the presence of my assistant Mr Johnson and Lt. Lattier, the one who commanded the guard, and while he condemned the first transaction and said all the men connected therewith had been properly punished, and while he acknowledged that I had a perfect right to keep his men out of the camp, yet he said, a transaction had just occurred which would subject the parties to censure, who allowed it; that he had sent a private, with a number of men, for the purpose of recruiting on the borders of our lines, which he regarded as outside of the beat of our Sentinels.Ý That a number of recruits had been obtained from the number of returned Haytiens and that while in the act of marching the same away, there were forcibly taken possession of by our guard and brought inside the village.Ý I told him that I knew nothing of the transaction, that the guard had only acted upon the general order that I had given some days before; that this case had not come to my ears.Ý He next asked how far our lines extended; I remarked that we were shut in by natural boundaries, the boundaries being a ravinebetween our camp and the camp of the engineers; that our guard was not posted on the outside of the lines, but owing to the scarcity of men, we were obliged to place the guard inside of Hamlin circle.Ý (see map of ground accompanying this paper.)Ý I further remarked to him that it was my preference that these men should go into the U.S. Service; that I would do all in my power to further this end, but that I was under orders from the Chief Quarter Master Lt Col Greene, and that I could do nothing without his sanction and direct authority.Ý I requested the Lieut who was commanding the guard to inquire into the affair, whose report is herewith transmitted, also the Capt of the Guard Detachment for the "Government Farms."Ý If these people are permitted to come here without the Knowledge or sanction of the proper authorities and enlist men, by saying to them, "if you go quietly you will receive fifteen dollars bounty, but if you refuse, you will get no money and we shall draft you."Ý This is the manner in which one of my teamsters was addressed, who has been in the employ of the Government for eleven months.Ý It has filled these people with such fear that the communication is most entirely broken off between this Village and "Camp Todd" (another of our Camps bordered on the "Govt Farms" under this command) this Camp being situated beyond the barracks where the Colored Regt is situated.Ý Some of the inmates of this Village have been stopped by colored Soldiers and threatened, if they would not enlist; and the only manner they saved themselves from being pressed, was because they possessed greater physical strength.
I would call attention to the evil of sending out squads ofcolored men, with a promise of a bounty for each recruit to go at will about the country to pick up men, some who are engaged in the service of the FÝÝÝÝÝÝ some in the Engineers Dept some who have come from the Army of the Potomac, as servants of Officers, to see their friends and others are employed on the Government Farms.
We felt that we were acting under instructions, for the protection of these people, to see that they were fairly dealt by.Ý If they know what they are do