The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1863-08-18
OFFICE on THE PRoyosT-MARsHAL,
District of Eastern Arkansas,
Helena. July a


CAPTAIN: You will please show to the
yonng girl who accompanies the order to
your headquarters the coptrahands tlia; were
turned over 10 YOU lg the officer Of the gun
boat last evening"
YOu will allow her fs fetch nine g. back
10 this Office Of the number that were turned
over to you, ans. which viii be recognized as
her mother z negroes by her.
BY order Of Brigadier General Ross.
NJ q. TOWNSEND,
tLtst. and Provost Marshal
- Noaseith, Lieutenant
Immediately on receiving the above the
superintendent directed the writer who re-
presents him to proceed to the office Of the
Provost Marshal and ask Mr. Townsend for q
copy of General Ross's order. His reply was
that General Ross had been at his Office and
made the order verbal it was no written Or
der from the General. The writer stated to
Mr. Townsend that Mr.. Sawyer wanted the
order, as he would give free papers TO the
eolored persons in question. Mr. Townsend
replied that he did not care whether or not
Mr. Sawyer gave them free papers, and said
TO the writer, Tell Mr. Sawyer TO have them
people forthcoming at his office, or that he
(Townsen6) would arrest the superintendent
and fetch him there The nine persons OF
color in question were brought to the office
of the superintendent and acquainted with
thetruth by the superintendent himself; that
they were forever free, and made SO by
the Presidents proclamation, and that
their mistress wished TO take them
back into Missouri, where they would be
slaves. He informed them if they returned
70 Missouri they would do so of their own
free will; that no force could or should be
used to compel them to go with their pre-
tended owner, Mrs. Louisa I. Campbell !;
that the colored persons replied that if they
we're free they would remain free, and did
not ey!nce any disposition whatever 10 go
further than the Office OF the superintendent
with their mistress.
Thereupon Mr. Sawyer addressed Brig.
Gen Ross in the following language
HEADQUARTERS FREEDMEN, !
Helena, Ark, July 24th, 1863.
Brig Gen. Ross, Commanding:
The servants claimed by Mrs. Louisa L.
Campbell are at this office, ana siiey are un-
willing to go with her. Freed by the Presi-
dents proclamation. they are 10th to risk
slavery further Mrs. Campbell says che con
-iders them still as slaves; that she does not
wish or intend to free them ; that she will
hold them rs slaves az long al she can. Inc
servants say that Mrs. Campbelis two sons,
John and Thomas, were III the insurgent ar
nv, and from the manner tneir mistress
speaks thev all ayow their Willingness TO
20 with her unless UlittcI CtlifNASiVA. Any.
say they will try 10 support theinseiVes.-
The whole case is referred 10 your headquar-
ters. @,
Respectfully, SAN h.,, oAMhaa:
The above was considered and re-
turned to the Superintendent with the
following endorsement
Hpo'Rs DEPT EASTERN ARKANSAS,
Helena, Ark, July 4
The case Of these negroes rests wholly
with themselves TO decide. 1t would be far
better for them to return to Missouri than
to remain here. The General commanding
would prefer that they should 20 tor then
own coed and that Of the Government And
since the emancipation ordinance has been
adopted it would hardly be returning to
slavery. Dceming ii proper, however, 10
leave The question with them, he trusts 'hai
no persuasion has been or viii be used to re-
tan. them. BY order of Brig. Gen Ross.
NJ s. KDiBAL, i. A. &.