Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-27
Union and American.
Freedmen's Affairs.
First Official report OF Major
Gen. Howard.
HISTORY OF THE ORGANIZATION
OF THE BUREAU.
The Obstacles And DiscOur-
aSements Encountered.
Important Recommendations for Fu-
fure Action.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
BUREAU REFUGEES, FREEDMEN AND Al.

CUllSlutfdtlOi. vi lOol-
dent of the United States, the following re-
port, called for by an act OF Congress, ap-
proved March 8, 1865:
In compliance with General Orders No.
81, current series, Adjutant-GeneraPs office,
| relinquished command of the Army Of the
Tennessee, and assumed, as Commissioner,
the direction and organization of this bu-
reau.
The act of Congress, above referred to,
charges me with "the supervision and man
agement of all subjects relating to refugees
and freedmen from rebel States, or from any
district or territory embraced within the
operations OF the army, under such regula-
tons as may be prescribed by the head OF the
bureau, and approved by the President"
On entering upon the discharge of these
duties, l separated the Bureau into four di-
visions. One of lands; embracing ADAM
doned, confscated and those acquired by
sale or otherwise. One of records; embracing
official acts of the Commissioner, touching
labor, schools, Quartermaster and Commits
sary supplies.
Another of financial affairs, and the fourth,
the Medical Department.
To each of these divisions | assigned an
officer, and secured the required number OF
clerks by appointment, and by detail from
the ranks OF the army. -...
You directed the building which have
used for an office, already under rent Tor
military purposes, to be used by the Bureau.
The entire outfit was procured by requisi-
ton from the QuartermaSter's Department.
Prior to any further action, | issued Cir
cular No. 2, of May 10, 1865, as a kind of
exhibit OF my purposes under the law.
Before the organization of the Bureau,
freedmen's affairs had been intrusted to De-
partment Commanders, Treasury Agents,
and other officers of the government This
occasioned a diversity OF syjtem in different
localities. Their Operations were confined
to points on the sea coat, and to sections
protected by our military forces, until the
surrender of all the insurgent armies opened
up the interior of the discretionary States.
In fact, the work of surrender had not been
completed when | took the charge. Large
accumulations of negroes who had escaped
from the enemy's lines, or who had followed
our armies in our expeditions, were found at
Fortress Monroe, NOrfork, Wilmington,
Newbern, the sea islands OF South Carolina,
Nashville, Vicksburg, New Orleans, and at
many other points in the Southern States.
Superintendent of freedmen had worked,
industriously, to prevent suffering, to regu-
late labor, and to introduce and sustain
schools. Really wonderful results were ac-
complished, through the disinterested efforts
of benevolent associations, working in con-
junction with government agencies.
In order to encourage all that was being
done in behalf of the freedmen and refugees,
and to extend the same privileges through
out the interior of the States, and, further,
with view to settle the important question
OF labor as quietly as possible, deemed it
best to appoint the Assistant Commissioners,
authorized by the law, and send them at
once to their respective fields of duty These
appointments were made by detail from the
army, with the exception of the Assistant
Commissioner OF Louisiana, who had been
in the army, but whose term of service had
expired. The appointment for Texas was
delayed until official notice could be received
as to the military situation in that State after
Lees and Johnstcn's surrender became
known.
/ sent, however, my circular to the Depart
ment Commander, as soon as he had estab-
lished his headquarters, with the request
that he do everything necessary to protect
the interests OF the freedmen till an Assistant
Commissioner should arrive.
The appointee for Texas, General Gregory,
left for his post the latter part OF July.
In order to confine myself to Ten Assistant
Commissioners, according 10 lew, | gave one
General Rufus Saxton, to South Carolina and
Georgia; one, Gen. c. 3. Fiske, to Kentucky
and Tennessee, and one, General J. w
Sprague, to Missouri and Arkansas. The
rest of the insurrectionary States had
each one. Unfortunately, owing TO severe
sickness, General Saxton was absent Tor thirty
days soon after his appointment.
Some OF his agents, sent to Georgia, iaileC
to establish any organization in that State
| and numerous reports represented everything
concerning the freedmen in very bad condi
ton, except at Savannah and along the coast
thought it advisable to diminish Gen. Sax
tons labor by sending an experienced Office
to take the immediate charge ofGeorgia.
Just as far as the safety of the agents would
allow, the Assistant Commissioner procured
a citizen, or military officer, for each district
county or parish. The evident hostility of
portion of the citizens, and their ability, il
I the absence of troops and civil law, to out
rage or takethe life of an agent, hindered tn
extending OF operations, except by occasion
al inspection by an officer, in connection witt
patrol.
The principal reason for combining the or
ganization of the bureau so much to militar
! officers, arose from the omission, on the par
! of Congress, to make any specific appropria
I ton to carry out the objects of the law. Tn
; manner in which certain expenses have bee
met, is shown under the head of finances.
So many benevolent associations were in
| dustriously establishing and aiding schools
often overlapping each other, and sometime
conflicting, that resolved, for the benefit c
the freedmen, to appoint single School Su
perintendent for each State, who should b
! under the supervision and direction of III
Assistant Commissioner.
Owing to the muster out of most of the vol
| unteer army. | have not been able TO secur
the services of as MANY officers, for sub-agent:
as was necessary, and frequently an office
detailed would be but few days on dut
before he had to be replaced.
Again, many officers have had the care {
their company, or detachment, or other mil
itary duty imposed, besides that in my dc
partment.
Most of the Department Commanders hav
rendered me hearty support, and given ever
|
cept one, the headquarters of the Assistar
Commissioner and Department Commando
at the same place. Thus it will be seen tbs
the Assistant Commissioner is the centre {
the system of each State. Through his off
GERS and agents he disseminates his orden
instructions and assistance to the freedme
and refugees, rs well as the planters or pro
perry holders connected with them. Al
pended, see list of Assistant Commissioner
and stations.
LAND DIVISION.
| Under this head l cannot do better tina
quote from the explicit report of Maj. Fov
Ter, who has the immediate charge of th
Land Division.
l. What Property is Under the Control {
the Bureau?
The act of Congress- approved March
1865, which establishes the bureau, intrust
with the supervision and management Of a
abandoned lands, j. e., lands taken by Ii
government while their lawful owner ";
voluntarily absent from them, engaged
arms, or otherwise, in aiding or encouragin
the rebellion.
On June 2, the President ordered all of
GERS OF the government, having property
the character specified in this act, to turn
over to this bureau. In compliance wit
this order, the Secretary of the Treasury, G
June q, issued circular, directing his su
ordinates, who had in their possession,
under their control, any abandoned or col
tlscable lands, houses or tenements, to tran
fer them to some duly authorized officer
this bureau.
The greater ,,ort;on of Abandoned urouer,