Raynors HCA 2015-08
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/27/2015
Sherman's March to the Sea exposed two significant weaknesses that existed in the South in late 1864. Most notably, it showed the World that the South was unable to defend itself making their cause a Lost Cause. Additionally, it highlighted the developing problem of what to do with the South's newly freed slaves who sought refuge behind Union lines. By early 1865, the Lincoln administration recognized the need to address the growing refugee problem and Sec. of War Stanton and General Montgomery Meigs were sent to Sherman headquarters at Savannah in order to come up wit a solution. While there, Sherman and Lincoln's men met (on January 12, 1865, four days before this order was drafted) with several prominent black community leaders seeking their advise. Following the community leaders advise that the newly freed blacks needed land, military protection and an ability to separate themselves from their white counter parts this military directive was issued. These "Special Field Orders" outlined the rules of colonization for the newly freed blacks and became the precursor of the United States Government's agricultural reform policy known as "Forty Acres and a mule". On February 3, 1865, this very order was read (by Gen. Saxton) to an overflowing crowd of free blacks at Savannah's Second African Baptist Church and by June of that year over 400,000 acres had been granted to over 40,000 people! A rare war-date Union army document allowing the newly free Blacks colonization in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida following Sherman's successful March to the Sea. These field printed orders, "Special Field Orders, No. 15" were issued, and then subsequently printed, by Union Major General William T. Sherman, 2pp. 8vo., "Headquarters, Military Division of the Mississippi, In the Field, Savannah, Ga., Jan. 16, 1865", reading, in small part: "…the islands from Charleston south, the abandoned rice fields along the rivers for thirty miles back from the sea…bordering the St. Johns River, Florida, are reserved and set apart for the settlement of the negroes now made free by acts of war and the Proclamation of the President of the United States…the black will remain in their chosen…vocations; but on the islands, and in the settlements…to be established, no white person whatever…will be permitted to reside and exclusive management of affairs will be left to the freed people themselves, subject only to the United States military authority and the acts of Congress. By the laws of war, and the orders of the President of the United States, the negro is Free, and must be dealt with as such…but the young and able-bodied negroes must be encourage to enlist as soldiers in the service of the United States, to contribute their share towards maintaining their own freedom and securing their rights as citizens of the United States…whenever three respectable negroes, heads of families, shall desire to settle on land…the three parties will subdivide the land…so that each family shall have a plot of not more than (40) forty acres of tillable land…whenever a negro has enlisted in the military service…he may locate his family in any one of the settlements at pleasure…Brigadier General R. Saxton is hereby appointed Inspector of Settlements and Plantations…". Signed in type "Major-General W. T. SHERMAN" and made official by Major L. M. Dayton. Also included is a field printed, 1p. 8vo., General Orders No. 8, "Headquarters, Department of the South, Hilton Head, S. C., Jan. 21, 1865", issued by command of Major Gen. John G. Foster assigning Gen. Rufus Saxton to command as per Special Field Orders No. 15, in which he will see "to the duties of providing for the well being of the negroes, and…as 'Inspector of Settlements and Plantations'…and will be respected accordingly…". The order goes on to name in detail the regions to be colonized. Signed and made official by Asst. Adjt. General William L. M. Burger. Both minor margin tones, else near fine.
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