Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1865-06-14
1mpon ant Rules for the Government Of
the Freedmen in North Carolina.
JI.IEIcy n. c. Nav II. ,lSG

That General Schufield is the right man-in
the right place no one will deny who reads
the following general order. In his capacity
OF virtual Military Governor be has solved
the Gordlan knot of difficulties attending the
liberation of the slaves. With considera-
ton for The puurn whites as we'll as the
.. happy blacks, lie is determined TO regulate
tine system of labor us he finds it n present,
and in such manner that justice will he
one to both aces alike. He is deslrous Of
impressng upon the negroes the truth Of
fact which they seem, as general thing, to
be ignorant oi:-v;z: that they have duties as
well as rights. Here is the order:
GENERAL oRDERs-No. 45.
HEADQUARTERS,
DEPARTMENT OF NoRrH CA=ohlSA, :
Army Of the Ohio, Raleigh, N. G., May Is }
The following rules are published for the
government of. freedmen in North Carolina
until the restoration OF civil gsVernmcnt in
the State:
- L. Tie common laws governing the domes-
tic relations, such as those giving parents
authority aud corfEoi over their children, and
guardians control over their wards are in
iorce. The parents OF guardians authority
and obligations take the place oil those of the
former master.
9. The former masters are constituted the
guardians of minors, and Of the aged and
infrm, in tie ABSENCE of parents or other
near relatives capable of supporting them.
8. Young men and women, under twenty
one years CT age, remain under the control
Ct their parentsor' guardians until they be-
come OF age, thus ding To support their par
ents and younger brothers and sisters.
t. Tie former masters Of freedmen may
not turn away the young or the infrn, nor
refuse to give them food and shelter; 5nor
may the ab!s.bodied men and women 90 away
from their homes, or live in idleness, and leave
their parents, children, or younger brothers or
sisters to be supported by others.
s. Persons of age, who are free from any
of the obligations referred to above, are at
liberty to find new homes wherever they can
obtain proper employment; but they will not
be supported by the government nor by their
former masters, unless they work.
G. 1t will be left to the employer and ser
want to agree upon the wages to be paid, but
freedmen are advised that for the present sea
son they ought to expect only moderate
wages, and where their employers cannot
pay them money, they ought to be conlented
with fair share Of the crops to be raised.
They have gained their personal freedom.
Byindurtry and good conduct they may RAISE
to independence and even wealth.
I. All officers soldiers and citizens are re-
quested to give publicity to these rules, and
to instruct the freed people as TO their new
rights and obligations.
8. All Officers Of the army, and OF the coun.
ty police companies, areautho lied and requir:
ed to correct any violation Of the above rules
! within their Jurisdiction.
.. Each district commander will appoints q
superintendent of freedmen "a commissioned
officer with such number Of assistants loffi
GERS and non commissioned officers as may be
necessary, whose duty it will be to take charge
Of all the freed people In his district who are
without homes or proper employment. The
superintendents will send back to their homes
all who have left them in violation of the
above rules and will cndeavor to find home.
and suitable employment for all others
They will provide suitable camps or q:arter:
for such as cannot be otherwise provided fol
and attend TO their discipline, police, subsis
tence, &c.,
10. The superintendent will hes, all com
plants of guardians or wards and report th'
facts TO their district commanders, who ar
authorized to dissolve the existing relations
of guardian and ward in any case which ina,
seem to require it. and to direct the superin
tendcnt 10 otherwise provide for the wards
in accordance with the above rules.
By command Of
Maor General ScHorIELp.
ia. Campbell, Asst. Adj't Gen.