, 1863-11-06

eA"A1 eA~AA0~N+A0 ~ 4&1"SsS ~SSs = ~ 'V1* |
Your Committee beg leave to report, after
such inquiry as a short time permlts them to
make Of the Government Commissioners and
citizens Of Vicksbu1g, the folloaing results,
to-wit:
Not lets than 5000 are gathered on the
banks Of the MississIppi, from Helena to
Natchez. OF these, about 1000 are within |
twelve miles OF Vicksburg, of whom only
500 are men, except those enlisted in the |
who are entirely dependent on Government,
or charity, for support-ths able bodied be- |
ing enlisted in the army, or employed as
cooks, grooms and teamsters, Is the Cause Of |
this inequality. OF the 8. 900 near Goodrich's |
Landing. La. 1000 have been employed on
agents eultlvating these, paying ;he men $40 |
month, including 50 IN clothing; children |
between the ages Of twelve aud fifteen years,
half price; Ia1ions provided for all, Those |
under the sgc Of twelve are not required to |
work in the held, but are to have tbs privilege
Of schools. Rebel raidB on the leased planIa- 4
tions, 1ast June, deatroyed the crops Of many
planters, ard nseq1ently the uncertainty Of
SECURING their crops did not justify the prom. |
ise Of larger wages At pteaent, or such IS VIII
Beside ,hese Thousands under the supervision
of Government ngents, there are many trying
to support themselves. living US they can In
| vacant huueea and novels.
Second-Healh.
That there has been fearful mortality am moug
| the Freedmen. both the enlisted soldiers aud
| camps of the infirm-the women and children
we have agonizteg ely felt.
The cause appears to us to be:
| !. BtiDg congregated in great numbers In.
camps and lodges. without suitable emploSs.
| nenf or regular exercise. - ~
3. Unusual and unhealthy food ). the SUI.
| den change from corn bread to wheaton;
sometimes overeating aud sometimes painful
destitution Of suitable nourishnent, espe-
ciall5 for the sick.
5. ChaDge Of water. Clstefn mater is usu.
ally drank in 8outhsrn cities md on p1auta.
rIone. Deprived Of this, the fngitIves hare,
Of necessity, drank tic aters Of the Miasfs-
sippt, or from springs In ualar1ous districts.
Acdtd to these, almost entire desti!ution of
physicians and medicines.
/. Miserable apologies for tents or she1ter
to protect them from The heat Of day and the
deWs and storms Of night; and the fact that.
driven from their homes With only garments
almost worn out, they have suffered from
culd6 already, some even unto death, and
hence the living are wholly unprepared for
the chilling WINDS and the storms Of autumn
ard winter.
Several thouaard Of tho strong men are now
soldiers in the United States army, and are
doing coed service Rs soldiers. Olhe1 are
cultivating plantations Of the Government,
as we have already shown, and some have
done well raising cotton and corn for them
stlyes, unmolested by our enemies. Many
Of those encamped in Louisiana are hired 70
cut fre.Nood, and the contractors pay both
men and women suitable wages for this work.
At present thousands are too feeble aud aick
for military duty, or fuz work, and muat be
clothed al d fed and nursed chiefly By the
Government, or by charity Of Individuals; OF
be left, as the man who fell among thieves
Was, by the Priest and the LeVlte, to die Of
want. What good 8ama1itan will como to
pour oil and wine into their wounds? >;
Fonrth-Schools
These have been commenced at Memphis,
Corinlh, lsland Ten, Helena mud this place.
One Of 1856 scholars u opened in Vicksburg bY
two missionaries Of the !" United Brethren In
Christ" OF the State Of Indiana. In all fhese
schoo1s, young and old manifest much enthuzs:
siAem and determination to learn, and one Of
our sources Of grief now is, that when they
! ask daily for their spelling books and prim-
ers, We are obliged to say, "0ur stock Is
gene, and those on their way to q. or order
: cd BY us, have rot Jet come" Schools, to
some extent, will ba Taught by colored men,
and self supported, under advice and aid Of
| r1iite fricrds.
There facts coming to our eyes aud eass,
irom the benevolent 1t the North, to appeal
, to them. and to the agents, military and civil,
Of our Government, to meet these wants nt
OF ce; by eendiDg to them,
l. Suitable aud strong garments for: NO
men aud children, under and outer, including
, shoes, strong and new.
!, 9. Providing them houses or tents that will
shelter them rom The cold.
+ 3. Uealthful ard nutritious food, adding to
the Gorernme Mt zatlons what tho sick aud In
such as can buy.
q 4. Send them pbysIciaus, who love that