Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-05-18

FREEDNEN's CAMP, CORINTH.
. To the Leader ~ desire through the col
umns Of the LEADER to acknowledge the re-
ceipt at this camp of some boxes Of clothing
from the "CIeveland Freedmen's Relief As
sociation - and I wish also to say that the
clothing thus received was not that which
the donors had worn SO long that they we're
glad to get rid Of it, but it was all good and
substantial; and for it they have the thanks
of many grateful hearts. And, too, it came
most opportunely, for within the last ten
days we have received an accession TO our
camp Of nearly 900 persons, very many of
whom came with only what they could carry
on their peraons. In going among them to
learn their wants, many mothers have said
to me, " Massa, me had my baby to tote,
(carry), and me no able to bring my clothes,
and so you see we have nottin' only what we
got on" And on looking in their tents
have found oil they said true. We have just
now fair supply of mems clothing except
shirts, yet this will soon be all gone but Of
wOmen's and girls ware, We are deplorably
deficient. doubt not there are here one
hundred women and girls that have not
change Of garments We also need bedding,
substantial quilts and blankets. In our
straits we went around among those who
have been longer here, and appealed to them
to contribute and in this way we got about
! 40 quilts and blankets that helped us some.
Yet we are needy.
Our camp is increasing in numbers beyond
| our expectations. Scarcely a day since /
/ have been here bat some have come in, and
on some days there have been hundreds.
| On the return Of General Dodge's expedi-
ton about five hundred came in from the
region between here and Tuscumbia and
\ Florence. Last evening on the return Of the
kansas Jay-HaWkers," which by the way
| is perhaps the most efficient regiment of cay
airy and the one that the enemy fears the
most Of any in the service; about $50 came
/ to our camp. This morning 1 nave been
among them, looking after their wants as far
as possible. Of course we find many whose
wants We cannot meet, especially among the
women. And yet among the most needy we
find an abOunding cheerfulness and joy in
view Of their escape from slavery. I think
it Would thaw up even the frozen body and
soul of Copperhead and produce something
like an emotion Of Joy, to witness the pleas
I
| people receive the boon Of freedom.
We also who are laboring among them are
cheered by the prospects We have of seeing
them elevated from their degradation to
position Of a true Christian civilization. 0ul
school is succeeding we'll with about thret
hundred pupils. And although we have has
, but about i've weeks of school, many tia
had to learn their letters can now read il
words Of one and two syllables.
OF course We meetwith difficulties and dis
: couragement-things that try our patience
But these are only what we have a right t.
expect. He who supposes that slavery ha
transformed these creatures into perfect be
ings, a kind Of angels in the flesh, has mos
. falsely read the system. he does not ye
understand its first principles. Hence
have to say that no other difficulties or trial
, have come before me than those that a rea
. | sonable person should expect. And he VII
has a fair amount Of Christian philanthropy
|, and finding himself in such field as thiI
viii joyfully seek to labor on and oYereom
even greater obstacles than have found
}, rejoice to say to the friends of this caus
4 in Northern Ohio, we have much to eneOul
age US in this good work, and my prayer
: that we may not faint or be weary therein.
D A. D. OLDs.