Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1863-11-19
Missions and Schools for the Freed.
men of the South.


10 the Elitor o. fthe Belmont Chronicle.
SIR-For the sake of those who feel an
interest in Missions and Schools for this
class OF poor and destitute, we deem it pro-
per to make q statement Of facts, many of
which have been CLEANED during a, recent
tour South, particularly at Memphis, Tenn,
and Corinth, Miss. i'd bs-.or, 'b.', lsIl :
There are now about 800, 900, perha ps
nearly l,00O,000, of this unfortunate, Glass
freed from slavery since the commencement
OF the war. There are about loo, 900 color
ed soldiers enlisted 10 the Union army, be-
s,dos the many thousands employed as wood
choppers, teamsters, laborers on farms and
eonfiscated lands, and in various other ways
serving in the Union cause Their numbers
are rapidly increasing daily. Aud TO all
these there is free access for the Christian
missionary and teacher. ,.f .,fit ....r.
AT an, early period of the war the friends
OF the slave turned their attention to the
Eastern and Atlantic borders, and as a Mis-
slonary field the East il in advance OF the
West. AT almost all tho important points
in the valley OF the Mississippi from Cairo
to thG Gulf the freedmen are grouped by
thousands. AT Ficksburg, tits said, there
are some twenty or thirty thousand. Of
Memphis and Corinth we can speak more
particularly and from personal observation.
In Memphis and vicinity there ars about
6.5Op. or those loo are on the Island
about two miles below the City. They have
Chaplain, one Missionary, u minister ac-
companied by five other teachers,, four of
them teinales. In Camp Fiske, opposite
the Island. and on high bluff. there are
over 700. Ol this camp the school numbers
400, mostly children. Rev. Stevenson of
West Alexander, Pa, has charge NJ Mis-
sionary, of this and the school, assisted by
one male and four female teachers three of
these teachers have but recently julned the
Mission. of the scholars who commenced
with the alphabet in May, 81 can now read
the Bible well, The attendance upon the
Sabbath school is much fuller than the day
school, as nearly all classes, old and young,
can attend. Nearly all those who cannot
attend the school are receiving instructions,
more or less, IN various ways; as in night
schools, one instructing another, in classes
ut extra hours, tEu. ~ .n.;I rlI III I
The teechers have instituted kind OF
Normal School, in whioh they have num-
ber in tIsining for teachers. Rev. Steven
sou has also class Of Theological students.
These were formerly preachers among the
slaves, illterate and very Ignorant Of the
meaning of the Bible, Of the rules of in.
depreciation. aud of the rules of sermonis-
ing. In addition to teaching in the schools
Ito intellectual, moral and religious In.
struction on the Sabbath and week dsys,
our teachers visit The sick, enquire into the
wants OF the INDECENT and naked, and as
they can give relief Instruction is given to
the women, tnany Of whom were feId hands
taught to nothing but to handle the heavy
hoe in tho cotton 6eld), in everything be-
longing TO wolnan's sphere in house-keep- o.
ing--such are the labors of our friends
among these poor people, till recently chat
tells and thlngs--now immortal aud account
able beings, subject to law both human and
divine, and as such now treated. l 1. |
y Camp Shiloh, situated above Camp Fiske,
and separated by deep ravine, contains
some four or five hundred, fine school with
some two OF three teachers. .fT q -,
ln the Fort and City where there ara
said to be three or four thousand, there are
no sch0ols-msny are needed. ~ M l.t
. AT Corinth, Miss, about 100 u,iles South
East OF Memphis, there arc 5000 freal,aea. |
Of these, 500 children Aro in the schools. =
One NJ Visionary, Rev. ODDS from Jefferson.
Ashtsbnla County, Ohio. lo Twomnle teach,
ers, aud 1--we female. These friends are do
ing a good work. Some sixty children in |
their schoots eau read The Billie. III, wi
haye in Corinth model camp aud model
schools: Friends Of the cause viii lind
themselves pleasantly rewarded in visiting
the friends and their schools in .th at place,
: In the oolored Regiments . new and wide
field Is now being opened calling the stten-
tion Of teachers aud friends Of the Feed
man. The officers of these Regiments., All
OF course men Of the right type, are resoly-
ing to have Q teacher for every company.
Then, IL there be one hundred Regiments.
and ten companies in each Regiments the
number Of teachers is easily determined. -
But it half the Regiments are prepared to
receive teachers, five hundred are now need.
ID 10 supply the demand just now eighteen
.eachers are wanted for two Regiments At
Uorinth, for which will be given by the con- .
pauies aud their officers US per month sal
Try, nd,byl the Government ratiops and
odgings. So at Memphis, teachers will
ind employmsRt at once, and their wages
n the same way. fnl -s1 fsI Tae
!. None but male teachers should 70 to the
aegimsno None but females should 20 to !
he camps as teachers, and there from four !
Q ton with minister and family with vhem q
hey should bosrd. These will i0rm ! Dis I