Raynors HCA 2015-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/19/2015
A great Reconstruction era Freedmen's Bureau officer's report, 4pp. 4to., submitted by Capt. Edward L. Buckwalter, 53rd United States Colored Troops, on printed stationery, "Office Sub-Commissioner Freedmen's Bureau, Meridian, Miss., Oct. 28, 1865," to Lieut. Ephraim Bamberger as aaag of the Freedmen's Bureau, in part: "I have the honor to make the following remarks concerning the Freedmen's Bureau…by conversing with planters that they are willing to give Free labor a fair trial. They also appear more hopeful and are making arrangements to plant cotton…civil officers are…endeavoring to do their duty…I have learned of several serious cases of abuse by Planters to Freedman in which civil authorities failed to take action…in…Landerdale Springs some few planters have violated orders from this Bureau thinking that civil officers will not interfere with them. The arrest of said persons has been ordered. No reports from civil officers of this Sub. Dist. have yet been received. Mr. Dansby Probate Ck of Newton Co…has failed to send reports to this office…three schools have been established…the number of scholars at Lauderdale Station, Miss. The two Warrens have commenced their schools and have…enrolled 80 scholars. The number will increase to one hundred…the Freedmen seem inclined to collect and remain in and around this post. The number of log buildings erected…intended for their benefit…will prove detrimental. They still come in numbers from…Ala[bama]…they will suffer much from exposure and disease. Hospital buildings in Freedmen's camp are very indifferent. It will be difficult to furnish the necessary [?] without considerable expense. The surgeon…is treating cases of Typhoid…and has no stimulants which are essential in said cases . Dr. Parker and myself have furnished brandy for a number of sick…from private funds…it will be necessary for me to be…rigid with Freedmen collecting around Meridian to prevent suffering among their families…it will be to their interests to procure homes on plantations. I shall endeavor to persuade them to change their present abode…". A rare look into the early days of the newly established Freedmen's Bureau being the Bureau's report for the sub-district of Meridian, Mississippi for October 1865. The first we have seen of this type of report! Near fine.
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.