Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1866-03-16
Texas Correspondence.
HoUgroN, TENAs, LIE n, l866


HOUSTON, TEXAS, FER IL, 1866.
MEssRs. EDEroRs:-
Having received detail in the Freed
mems Bureau. have necessarily changed
my situation leaving Brownsville on Tues
| day morning in an ambulance for Whites
Rancho, the terminus of the Rail Road with
Brazos Santiago. This road has been built
since our arrival in Texas to obyiate the bar
at the mouth of tho Rio Grande, which was
serious barrier to commerce in transit with
Brownsville and the various detachments up
the river. On our arrival at Brazos We
found the Alabama with steam up ready to
leave. Going on board we found the Ind
Colored Cavalry on its way north being mus
tered out Of service Had rather a pleasant
trip until the morning Of the 14th when it
blew cold and ice froze on board almost an
inchinthickness. Owing to the storm we had
to lay outside the bar at Galveston sound six
hours being unable to cross. Having repor-
ted to Gel. Gregory was Immediately as
signed to duty and ordered to report to
Beaumont Jefferson County, where | am to
assume the duties incident to the Bureau. .
found Galveston q very pretty little city
of some Is or 1S. 900 inhabitants, with a very
brisk business. What astonished me most
was the immense piles of cotton every where
lining the warts, besides a continual chain
of drays and Wagons employed in conveying
it to the landing where there was awaits g
an hundred Steamboats,, Eehooners and all
other kinds of vessels, busily engaged in
loading this precious articles of merchan-
dize. Considering the vast quantities Of
this staple, which I saw along my entire
route, | think there is much more of this
valuable article In the country than has been
supposed. The planters are busily engaged
hunting labor, and through the industry Of
the 'F'reedmen's Bureau the freedmen,
have all obtained employment at fair prices,
and / am certain from the best Data, that,
were the freedmen twice as numerous, they
could still find plenty of work. As to prices,
good field hands receive $40 per month
and found. Females 81. No where does
vagrancy show itself among this people as
was predicted by the Solons, who argued
slavery blessing, and that to abolish it
would reduce them to worthlessness. From
theagent at this point, 1 learn thatone ofthe
greatest annoyances to the Bureau, is oeca-
stoned by applicants for laborers. 0fcourse
the freedmen look upon the Agents as their
friends, and lend ready obedience to their
suggestions or advice, applying to them for
settlement of contracts with their former
masters, and the formations of new ones.
Schools are being stationed all over the
state for their benefit. OF course the meas
ure received little countenence from the
ardent rebels of the state who still protest
that they are whipped but only resting or
awaiting another opportunity. In fact they
glory in their efforts at rebellion, and one fel-
low Dragged, in my presence, that he could
travel over the whole state and it would
not cost him cent by informing the citizens
that he served in the rebel aemy; while
Yankee could not get drink OF water to
save his life. The better order of citizens
accept Gas they say the situation making
the most of it. Just now this city is CON
yulsed with the oil excitement, as oil is
said to show itself in several places, especial
ly in Bell and Hardin Counties. As I viii
be stationed within 20 miles of Lover Lake
the latter so called from the oil supposed
to be floating on its surface, l shall visit and
give you the result of my observations at
my earliest convenience. Everything but
merchandise Is very high, especially board,
which ranges at from 8 to dollars per day
specie. Greenbacks have not been accepted
as the basis of exchange as yet. In the
central counties they do not accept of them
at all. Much money is made on them in con-
sequence by the army of Jews now infesting
the State.
Youps 60 u II