, 1865-08-04
FleednRenss Affairs in 1Ii&snur1 mud
ArSaneas-thtrresttn Official He.

Biig. Gen. John ". Sprague, Assistant
CtmnlleaI ner Ct the Elrtdmeu'5 Bureau 10,
Missouri and ArkAnkas, III letter from ST.
Louis, July 18th, 70 the Freedmen's Bureau
NV y Washington. Ei'es sarac graphic dcscr:p'
tiops q the present condition ct aGlics il
tracts from hia report:
ttund 10 cpetaiion In st. Louis Ref1.
ete's and Freedman's Home, which was sus
tAited jointly by the Government and the
Northwestern Sanitary Commission. fouud
the cost to the Government was upout s. O00
pr month. It was we'll managed, aud was
indtsd h0me fdr the poor refugees aud
tLetdmcp, aud the orpLsa Children Of these
c!asses, hut rfgardiug the expense to tho
GofeInment Us too great Ios the services
rendered, ordered that It be closel by the
lgth of this month, Whi:h was done With the
Gle eiful coz cu1ierce Of NJ. Yeatman, Presi-
dent Of The Sanitary commisslon. The
fo1mar Inmates, both white and colosed, are
now cared fer by the city and county au-
:. On inquiry found that. in the month Of
May last, the Government Issued nations to
i5s white refugees, asd 23G freedmen iu
Aiskouti. In Arhaokas, as the number of
E.rsona l,ats,5 se Ehom rations were Issued Is
refncees, and 40 SIS we're issued to freedmen.
Ma1. Gen. Reynolds, commanding depart
ment Ct ArEansss, eItressed cheerful viii
H1gnEss to aid and assist me to the extent Of
a's power IN the discharge Of my duties.
keingees In large Numbers, and in most piti-
ao.e and destitute condition, have been flock
them are OF the lozNst type Of humanity to
be found In this country; they are ,e;uiay
Eehalcants aFul lnupe1s, Some are worthy
people, suffering the extremes OF poverty
anu elckness. 1t requires officers Of energy,
discrimination and Judgment to deal with
1hese people, to slff them so as to act tor
thelr future welfare, and to prevent inposi-
haTe bsen returned to their homes; some
have been sent to their friends who could
and we're willing to aid them. Strict orders
70 stop the Issue Of all supplies not necessary
TO prevent starvation, and to Issue to none
who were able to work. Tho present har-
yest Fill relieve the Government from the
ssuppoEt OF many who are now fed by Its
bounty; but there are large numbers OF these
vest.
The Freedmen, wherever projected go as
10 enable them to dispose OF their labor and
collect their wages, are exhibiting remarka-
Die aptitude TO support themselves and their
families; They are somewhat beW1ldered BY
the sudden change from slavery to freedom
but vesy few indeed a1e willing to be raupers,
and Notwithstanding the constant teachings
Of slavery for generations, that they were
not responsible for the support Of aged par
ents or helpless children, their care and
affection In these relations are marked char.
acteristcs, highly creditable to this poor and
down-hoddea race but regret to say that
ercn now, In Missouri and Arkansas, Ther.
ever the power OF onr Government ia not felt
through the military arm, the negroes are
Etill held and treated IS slaves, and 1t Is from
their fo1ner slayeowners, now riolarers Of
the laws, from whom the CRY constantly
comes that "the negro will not work j; he
will fotsake the farm aud flock about the
cities and military posts." b theit conduct
and bearing the negro is frightened. h