Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1866-07-31
Letter from Alabama,
Huntsville Ara, July A. '66.
Editor HerQld-SR:


Editor Heraid-SIR
| saw copy of the HERALD
the other day, and as | like it's style
/ pretty Wei, conclude to strike up an
acquaintance. To that end | now
address you in writing, and intend
giving you synopsis Of political and
other affairs in Alabama.
The weather is above par most OF
the time, hence out door exercise is
not resorted to very much in the day
time. Having had no rain for weeks
the corn, which is in silk, begins to
droop, and fears are entertained of
light crop. Cotton is looking well,
where energy and skill are nsed ia
its cultivation, which is generally on
plantations OF northern men,
You doubtless knew the devil was
to pay in politics. Everything is
tt"Ps,- tarNey here. The darkeV has
been turned out of office and has to
support himself, which he makes q
Phiz at doing | assure you. All man
ner OF injustice is done the poor
freedman, outrages are committed
every day, and go unrebuked, and
UNPUBLISHED by the civil authorities.
Only two days ago young blood, an
mated by the hatred which all rebels
feel, toward the negro, assaulted one
OF the latter in such tiendish, brutal
manner (using a larg, club over his
head that his eyes were closed al
most Immediately, and were 50 bad
~ swollen rs to .jeopardlze their sight.
All TINS because the negro in driving
ms mule into a stream TO water
Glanced to splatter few drops on
the good clothes OF the young rebel.
notwithstanding the barbarity of the
whole transaction the young villain
would have escaped without even a
reprimand, had not Col. Calls, whom
| guess you know, the bold and fear
less Supt. Of the Bureau, taken the
case in hand and brought the young
man up standing. And here let me
say the Frcedmen's Bureau is the on
~ friend the darley has in all this
country without it he would speedily
be reduced to Il condition of serfdom
far more helpless and distressing than
when in actual slavery. Let me
enumerate some of the many things
the Bureau does. ia aarixey hires
to planter, and the latter tries to
defl'aud him Of his wages the Bureau
steps in and ulctes ourjustice to whom
it is due If a white man assaults a
negro the Bureau compels the civil
courts to punish him. If the poor
helpless Freedman is hungry, it feeds
him; If naked, it clothes him and
if sick it minietans INTO him Bat in
this charitable work it does not stop
here. For months past the Bureau
(in Col Calls Dist, 13 counties) has
been feeding 5000 or 5000 destitute
whites, in addition to the freedmen.
Many of these people were in the
Rebel army, and are SO abjectly poor
that starvation would inevitably car
~ them Oft. did not the Government
they tried to overthrow, stretch forth
its arm to save. Notwithstanding
all the kindness, these people do not
show either by word or decd that
! they appreciate the favor. They seem
to think it the duty of the Govern
ment to take care of them, and it
would not surprise ne one iota if
they should ask for bounties to be
paid to the Rebel soldiers.
Since President Johnson has gone
forward so recklessly in eulogizing
every body and everything pertain
ing to the south, the people mere be.
gin to think they are just as good, yea
a great deal better than the north, and
they frequently attempt to pursue
the same domineering course they
did of yore, but / assure you when
they run afoul Of Col, Jno b. Calls,
they are very apt to finch, for he
tells them just what he thinks of
them exactly, and his words are not
very complimentary as q general
thing. His life has been threatened
many times, and deadly weapons have
been drawn upon him on several oc-
casions but his wonderful GOODNESS
and presence Of mind with some
thing he generally carries in his side
pocket inevitable covers MS 2Ssal,-
ants, who can't stand the fire of his
flashing eye.
The darlleys for miles around al.
most worship him. They look upon
the Col. as being about the best, and
best looking man that lives. Ii they
were Catholics, DO would surely be
their patron saint.
A more efficient officer of the army
cannot be found, and Why the Senate
delays the confirmation of his ap
pointment rs Bret. Brig Gen. we do
not understand
IF you care to hear from the under.
signed occasionally say SO.
Yours truly,
CHARLEY MINER.
--ras~s q -es---
RagA-'The milwaukee, Sentinel. OF