The National tribune., 1897-07-15
SHERMAN'S MEMOIRS.
Continued from first page.l

enced by the profit they derived from
the large bounties then being paid than
by any love of country or of the colored
race. In the language of Mr.. Frazier,
the enlistment of every black man did
not strengthen the army, but took away
one white man from the ranks"
During Mr.. Stanton's stay in Savan-
nah we discussed this negro question
very fully. He asked me to draft an
order on the subject, in accordance with
my own views, that would meet the
pressing necessities of the case, and /
did so. We went over this order, No.
10, Of Jan. Is, 1865, very carefully.
The Secretary made some verbal modi-
fications, when it was approved by him
in all its details, published it, and it
went into operation at once. 1t provided
fully for the enlistment of colored troops,
and gave the freedmen certain possessory
rights to land, which afterward became
matters of judicial inquiry and decision.
Of course, the military authorities at
that day, when war prevailed, had
perfect right to grant the possession of
any vacant land to which they could
extend military protection, but we did
not undertake to give fee-simple title;
and all that was designed by these special
field orders was to make temporary
provisions for the freedmen and their
families during the rest of the war, or
until Congress should take action in the
premises.
ALI that | now propose to assert is,
that MIR. Stanton, Secretary of War, saw
these orders in the rough, and approved
every paragraph thereof, before they
were made public:
Especial Field Orders, No. ISL
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION orr
THE MISSISSIPPI, IN THE FIELD, SAvAN-
NAH, GA, Jan. 16. 1855.
/. The islands from Charleston south, the
abandoned rice-Helds along the rivers for 80
miles back from the ses, and the country Dor.
dering the St. Johns River, Florida, are re-
served and set apart for the settlement Of the
negroes now made free By the acts Of war and
the proclamation OF the President of the
United States.
2. At Beaufort, Hilton Head. savannsh, Fer.
nandino, st. Augustine, and Jacksonville the
blacks may remain in their chosen or accus.
toned vocations; but on the islands, and In
tho settlements hereafter to be established no
white person whatever, unless military officers
and soldiers detailed for duty, will be permitted
to reside; and the sole and exclusive manage
ment Of affairs will be left to the freed people
themselves. subject only to the United States
military authority and the acts Of Congress. By
the laws Of war and orders Of the President Of
the United States the negro 10 fres. aud must be
corscription or forced military service, save by
the written orders Of the highest military au-
thority OF the Department. under such regula-
tions as the President or Congress may pre-
SCRIBE
Domestic servants, blacksmiths, carpenters,
and other mechanics will be free to select their
own work and residence. but the young and
able.bodied negroes must be encouraged to en-
list as soldiers In the service of tho United
States. to contribute their share toward main
tanning their own freedom and securing their
rights as citizens of the United States.
Negroes so enlisted will be organized into
battaions, and regiments, under
the orders of the United States military
authorities, and will be paid. fed, and clothed
according to law. The bounties paid on en-
listment may. with the consent of the recruit
go to assist his family and settlement in pro.
curing agricultural implements, seed, tools,
boots, clothing, and other articles necessary for
their livelihood
3. Whenever three respectable negroes heads |
of families, shall desire to settle on land, and |
shall have selected for that purpose an island |
Or locality clearly defined within the limits |
above designated, the Inspector Of Settlements
and Plantations will himself, or by such SUBJ |
ordinate officer as he may appoint, give them |
. license to settle such island or district and |
afford them such assistance as he can to enable |
them to establish peaceable agricultural settle.
nent.
The three parties named will subdivide the |
and, under the supervision of the Inspector, |
,mong themselves, and such others as may |
choose to settle near them. so that each family |
shall have plot of not more than 40 acres of |
,iilable ground, and, when it borders on some |
with not more than 500 feet |
waterfront, in the possession Of which land |
,he military authorities will afford them pro. |
lection until such time IS they can protect |
themselves, OF until Congress shall regulate |
heir title.
The Quartermaster may. on the requisition /
u the Inspector of Settlements and Plan tations,
place at the disposal of the Inspector one or /
more of the captured steamers to ply between
,he settlements and one or more of the COM
nerciai points heretofore named, in order to
afford the settlers the opportunity to supply
'ucf HcCc05hIy WdUt5, anu 10 Seli tQ6 plOuQctS
u their land and labor.
4. Whenever negro has enlisted in the
military service of the United States he may
ocate bis family in any one of the settlements
at pleasure, and acquire homestead, and all
other rights and privileges of settler, as
though present In person. In like manner
negroes may settle their families and engage ON
BOARD the gunboats, or in fishing, or i'm the
navigation ef the inland waters without losing
my claim TO land or other ad vantages derived |
rom this system. But no ore, unless an |
Ictual settler as above defined, or unless absent
IN Government service. will be entitled to
'faim any right to land or property in any
by virtue of these ORDERS
5. In order to carry out this system of settle
nent, general officer will be detailed rs In
pector of Settlements and Plantations, whose
luty it shall be TO visit the settlements, to |
md who will furnish personally to each head
# q family. subject to the approval of the
President of the United States, q possessory
title in writing, giving as near as possible the
lescri ption of boundaries; and who shall
djust all claims or conflicts that may arise
lnder the same, subject to the. like approval,
reating such titles altogether as possessory
rhs came general officer will also be charged
With the enlistment and organization of the
Iegro recruits, and protecting their interests
While absent from their settlements: and will
70 governed by the rules and regulations pre-
cribsd by the War Department. for such pur.
Ioses.
g. Brig. Gen. r. Saxton is hereby appointed
Inspector of Settlements and Plantations and