The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1865-05-03
: THE CRYING NECESSITY
an Appeal from Wilmington.

An Appeal from Wilmington.
LETTER FROM REV. IL. JAMES,
WiLMlNGroS, n. c., April 5, 1865,
REV. G. c. LEIGH
Dear Brother IL have bceh three DAYS
i'll Wilmington, and find a world of work
10 do in settling, clothing. feeding. and
educating the colored people and refugees
of this new district. brought with iuu
from Morehead, Mrs L. l.. Piper, one
Of your teachers. and we came in COM
pany with several sent by the Ain Miss.
Association, all Of whom will immediate
ly enter on duty, under The supervision Of
Mr.. Samuel 5. Ashley, who is my assist
ant superintendent for this district, and a
man long and layorably known by the
Christian community. How many leaciI-
ers will be needed for the Cape Fear
River, ! cannot yet tell \ census will
be taken as soon as the surging waves of
population uccome still. Six are ON the
ground, not less than three times that
number will soon be wanted. But the
most pressing want just now is presented
in the enclosed letter Of Brig. Gen Haw.
ley, who commands the district. and is A
man Of warm synpathics with the freed
men, and one who will give us all needed
facilities in carrying on our work
We do not propose to collect these
thousands Of refugees into the town. nor
put them into camps, but settle them Oh
some fine, large, abandoned plantations OF
corn and lice, lying near the river, in the
vicinity of Fort Anderson. some eight or
ten miles down from Wilmington. ON the
west bank Of the Cape Fear River. But
the rice season is upon Us, some have al
ready planted, though it will do to put
in this crop as late as June l0th. We
want notC quantities OF axes, heavy hillinc
hoes, the narrow hoe TO make trenches
for the rice in the top Of the prepared
ridges, good strong spades, and hammers
and nails for cabin building few plows
for the corn land, and few lroes with
which TO rive out boards, also some butt
hinges for doors and windows
w n'at't set these people at wo'R on tiee
rich amt ample ldntattoaS Immediately. 1t
will not do to lose this season. The new
treedmeus Bureau will not get running
before dog days, by present appearances,
and we can't wait for it, DO, my dear
sir, stir up our friends at the North to
give us some help at once, with which to
help ourselves. Government will have
TO feed these people till their crop is Sc
cured, but no longer, # arc yice t,eA noiD
u htt in tools and material.
Blankets, shoes, and clothing are also
needed for the people from the country,
who are very destitute indeed, though the
colored people in town seem pretty well
clothed.
We intend 10 issue tools, etc, TO these
people, charging them at cost price. they
to pay the same after their crop is made,
but, it unsuccessful, not TO he collected, Of
course. Send every thing direct to Capt.
Horace James, A. Q. NJ" and if possible
d6ect, it is 50 hard to get things through
Moreheud OF Ncwbern, now that
all supplies for Sherman's army
90 through that way. shall be here
often, and oversee the whole work Mr..
Ashley will act efficiently in my absence
This settlement at Fort Anderson will be
a grand place for schools, but | will write
you more OF this after have visited tho
spot.
Our first and CRYING necessity Is tool,
and supplies. Wilmington is perfectly
dcnuded of such things and the govern