U.S. Bureau of Refugees, Freed-
men and Abandoned lands#
General Orders 1-23 and Circulars 2-7
HEADQUARTERS, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER,
Bureau Refugees, Freedmex axd Abandoned Lands, j
South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, |
Beaufort, S. C., .Tune *20,1865.
General Orders, >
No. 1. )
I. The following Circular from Headquarters Bureau of Freed-
men, Refugees and Abandoned Lands, is republished for the
information of all whom it may concern:
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Bureau Freedmex, Refugees and Abandoned Lands, (
Washington, D. C., May 22,1865. )
Circular,)
No. 3. 5
Whereas a large amount of land in the State of Virginia, and in
other States that have been in insurrection, has beeii abandoned
by disloyal owners, and is now being cultivated by freedinen ; and,
whereas, the owners of such lands are attempting to obtain pos¬
session of them, and thus deprive the freedinen of the fruits of
their industry: It is ordered that all abandoned lands in said
States now under cultivation by the frecdmen be retained in their
possession until the crops now growing shall be secured for their
benefit, unless full and just compensation be made for their labor
and its products, and for expenditures.
The above order will not be so construed as to relieve disloyal
persons from the consequences of their disloyalty, and the appli¬
cation for the restoration of their lands by this class of persons,
Avill in no case be entertained by any military authority.
O. O. HOWARD.
Major General, Commissioner
Bureau Refugees, Freedinen and Adandoned Lands.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Adjutant General's Office,
Washington, May 22, 1865.
All military authorities will sustain the Commissioner of the
Bureau of Refugees, Freedinen and Abandoned Lands, and aid
him in the execution of the above order.
By direction of the Secretary of War :
E. D. TOWNSEND.
Assistant Adjutant General.
II. The provisions of the above Circular will be strictly en¬
forced throughout the States of South Carolina, Georgia and
Florida. Complaints have been made at these Headquarters that,
in many instanees former owners of plantations and slaves, who
are now allowed to remain on their laiids, upon condition that
they announce to their former slaves that they are free, and make
with them fair and equitable agreements, whereby full and just
compensation shall he made for their labor and its products, are.
in defiance of this order, still forcing their former slaves to work
for them, and continue to hold them in slavery, even to the extent
of shooting them down if they dare to assert their freedom, and
fail utterly to admit or announce to them in any way that they
are free. Such acts are disloyal to the Government, and in plain
violation of its policy.
It is hereby ordered that all persons employing the freedmen in
agricultural and mechanical pursuits within the States of South
Carolina, Georgia and Florida, who fail to announce to those in
their employ the fact that they are free, and fail to recognize them
as free men, and to make suitable agreements with them, whereby
a just and equitable compensation will be secured to them for their
labor, will be held as disloyal to the United States Government,
and their property will be subject to seizure and division among
the freedmen, in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 4 of an
••Act to establish a Bureau for the relief of freedmen and refu¬
gees, approved March 3,1865."
III. As the harvest time is near, and the freedmen have been
regarded as free by the United States Government since January,
1863, and as a measure of necessity to prevent them from becom¬
ing paupers on its bounty, the freedmen must be paid for their
labor on all lands, not abandoned, since the commencement of the
preparation of the ground for seed, up to the harvest time of this
year; and unless full compensation is made, to the satisfaction of
this Bureau, the freedmen will be entitled to, and will receive,
one-half of the crop raised.
IV". Any person who shall whip, or otherwise maltreat any
freedman, because he asserts that freedom, or for other cause, will
be held guilty before the law, and punished for assault and
battery; and any one who shall take the life of any freedman for
like cause, will be held guilty of murder.
V. No person will be permitted to drive the aged, infirm and
helpless from their present places of abode; they must be allowed
to remain where they are until such time as the Government shall
make proper provision for their support.
VI. The Assistant Commissioners in the States of South Car-
olina, Georgia and Florida are required to enforce this order to the
extent of their power, and to report to these Headquarters all
violations of it. The aid of every friend of justice and fair dealing
between man and man is also requested to bring to the notice of
the Freedmen's Bureau any failure to comply with its provisions.
"When the rules of exact justice shall be observed in the relations
between all, employer and employed, and each shall regard the
other's rights, then will be practically demonstrated, so clearly
that none can doubt, the advantages of the free labor system.
By order ok
By't. Maj. Gen. E. SAXTOX,
Assistant Commissioner.
Stuart M. Taylor,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Official :
HEADQUARTERS, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER,
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, >
South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, j •
Beaufort, S. C.. June 20, I860.
General Orders. )
No. 2. 5
The following Circular from Headquarters of Freedmen's Bureau,
is republished for the information of all General and Assistant
Superintendents, and others interested, in the States of South
Carolina. Georgia and Florida.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, )
Washington, i). C., .May is», 18(«. ,
Circular, )
No. 2. $
. By appointment of the President, I assume charge of the Bid
reau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands."
I. Commissioners will be at once appointed for the insurrec¬
tionary States. To them will be entrusted the supervision of
abandoned lands, and the control of all subjects relating to refu¬
gees and freedmen in their respective districts. All agents in the
field, however appointed, are requested to report to them the con¬
dition of their work. Refugees and freedmen. not already provided
for. will inform tliem of their wants. All applications for relief
will be referred to them or their agents by Post and District ( om-
inanders.
II. But it is not the intention of Government that this Bureau
shall supersede the various benevolent organizations in the work
of administering relief. This must still be afforded by the benev¬
olence of the people through their voluntary societies, 110 Govern¬
mental appropriations having been made for this purpose. The
various Commissioners will look to the associations laboring in
their respective districts to provide, as heretofore, for the wants of
these destitute people. I invite, therefore, the continuance and
cooperation of such societies. I trust they will still be generously
supported by the people, and I request them to send me their
names, lists of their principal officers, and a brief statement of
their present work.
III. The demands for labor are sufficient to afford employment
to nearly, if not quite, all the able bodied refugees and freedmen.
It will be the object of all Commissioners to introduce practicable
systems of compensated labor: and to this end they will endeavor
to remove the prejudices of their late masters unwilling; to
employ their former servants; to correct the false impressions
sometimes entertained bv the freedmen. that they can live without
labor, and to overcome that false pride which renders some of the
refugees more willing to be supported in idleness than to support
themselves. While a generous provision should be made for the
aged, infirm and sick, the able bodied should be encouraged, and.
if necessary, compelled to labor for their support .
IV. The educational and moral condition of these people will
not be forgotten. The utmost facility will be atforded to benevo¬
lent and religious organizations and State authorities in the main¬
tenance of good schools, (for refugees and freedmen.) until a
system of free schools can be supported by the reorganized local
Governments. Meanwhile, whenever schools are broken up by
any authorized agent of the Government, it is requested that the
fact and attendant circumstances be reported to this Bureau.
Let me repeat, that in all this work it is not my purpose to
supersede the benevolent agencies already engaged in it. but to
systematize and facilitate them.
O. O. HOWARD,
Major General, Commissioner
Bureau Refugees. Freedmen and Abandoned, Lands.
Official : Sam'l. L. Taggakt,
Captain and Ass't. Adft. General.
The provisions of the above Circular will be carried out by all
Assistant Commissioners and Superintendents in these States, and
the co-operation of all benevolent and religious societies, and also
of individuals, is invited to aid the operations of the Freedmen's
Bureau.
By order of
It. SAXTON,
Bvt. Maj. Gen., Asst. Commissioner.
Stuart M. Taylor,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
Official :
HEADQUARTERS, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER,
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, ,
South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, 1
Beaufort, S. C., June 26,1865.
General Orders, >
No. 3. 5
The following Rules and Regulations, issued from Headquarters
Freedmen,s Bureau, are republished for the guidance of all officers
of the Army and Agents employed in the Freedmen's Department,
in the States of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
AVAR DEPARTMENT,
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, (
Washington, D. C., May 30,180.1. ,
Circular, )
No. 5. 5
RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR ASSISTANT COMMISSIONERS.
I. The Headquarters of the Assistant Commissioners will, for
the present, be established as follows, viz.:
For Virginia, .... at Richmond.
u North Carolina, . . " Raleigh,
" South Carolina and Georgia. " Beaufort, S. C.
" Alabama, " Montgomery.
" Kentucky and Tennessee, . "Nashville.
" Missouri and Arkansas, . " St. Louis, Mo.
" Mississippi, ..." Vicksburg.
" Louisiana, ..." New Orleans.
" Florida, . . . " Jacksonville.
II. Assistant Commissioners, not already at their posts, will
make all haste to establish their Headquarters, acquaint themselves
with their fields, and do all in their power to quicken and direct
the industry of refugees and freedmen, that they and their com¬
munities may do all that can be done, for the season already so
far advanced, to prevent starvation and suffering, and promote
good order and prosperity. Their attention is invited to Circular,
No. 2, from this Bureau, indicative of the objects to be attained.
III. Relief establishments will be discontinued as speedily as
the cessation of hostilities and the return of industrial pursuits
will permit. Great discrimination Avill be observed in adminis¬
tering relief, so as to include none that are not absolutely neces¬
sitous and destitute.
IV. Every effort will be made to render the people self-sup¬
porting. Government supplies will only be temporarily issued, to
enable destitute persons speedily to support themselves, and
exact accounts must be kept with each individual, or community,
s
and held as a lien upon their crops. The rations for the destitute
will be that already provided in General Orders, No. 30, War De¬
partment, series 1864. The Commissioners are especially to
remember that their duties are to enforce, with reference to these
classes, the laws of the United States.
V. Loyal refugees, who have been driven from their homes,
will, on their return, be protected from abuse, and the calamities
of their situation relieved as far as possible. If destitute, they
will be aided with transportation and food, when deemed expe¬
dient, while in transitu, returning to their former homes.
VI. Simple good faith, for which we hope 011 all hands from
those concerned in the passing away of slavery, will especially
relieve the Assistant Commissioners in the discharge of their duties
towards the freedmen, as well as promote the general welfare.
The Assistant Commissioners will, everywhere, declare and pro¬
tect their freedom, as set forth in the Proclamation of the Presi¬
dent and the laws of Congress.
VII. In all places where there is an interruption of civil law;
or in which local courts, by reason of old codes, in violation of the
freedom guaranteed by the Proclamation of the President and the
laws of Congress, disregard the negroes rights to justice before
the laws, in not allowing him to give testimony—the control of all
subjects relating to refugees and freedmen being committed to this
Bureau—the Assistant Commissioners will adjudicate, either them¬
selves or through officers of their appointment, all difficulties
arising between negroes themselves, or between negroes and
whites or Indians, except those in military service, so far as recog¬
nizable by military authority, and not taken cognizance of by the
other tribunals, civil or military, of the United States.
VIII. Negroes must be free to choose their own employers,
and be paid for their labor. Agreements should be free, bona ful<>
acts, approved by proper officers, and their inviolability enforced
on both parties. The old system of overseers, tending to compul¬
sory, unpaid labor, and acts of cruelty and oppression, is prohib¬
ited. The unity of families and all the rights of the family relation
will be carefully guarded. In places where the local statutes
make no provisions for the marriage of persons of color, the
Assistant Commissioners are authorized to designate officers, who
shall keep a record of marriages which may be solomnized by any
ordained minister of the Gospel, who shall make a return of the
same, with such items as may be required for registration, at places
designated by the Assistant Commissioner. Registrations already
made by United States officers, will be carefully preserved.
IX. Assistant Commissioners will instruct their receiving and
disbursing officers to make requisitions upon all officers, civil or
military, in charge of funds, abandoned lands, &c., within their
respective territories, to turn over the same, in accordance with
the orders of the President. They will direct their medical inspec¬
tors to ascertain the facts and necessities connected with the med¬
ical treatment and sanitary condition of refugees and freedmen.
They will instruct their superintendents of education to collect the
tacts in reference to the progress of this work, and aid it with as
few changes as possible to the close of the present season. During
the school vacations of the hot months, special attention will be
given to the provision of the next year.
X. Assistant Commissioners will aid refugees and freedmen in
securing titles to land according to law. This may be done for
them as individuals, or by encouraging joint companies.
XI. This Ihireau being in the War Department, all rules and
regulations governing officers under accountability for property,
apply as set forth in the Revised Regulations of the Army. All
other persons in the service of the Bureau are also subject to
military jurisdiction.
XII. Assistant Commissioners will require regular and com¬
plete reports from their subordinates, and will themselves report
quarterly, as directed by law, and correspond frequently with this
Bureau, directing to the Commissioner in person.
O. O. HOWARD,
Major General, Commissioner
Bureau Itefugees, Freedmen and Adandoned Lands.
Official : Sam'l. L. Taggakt,
Captain and Ass't. Adj't. General.
By ORDKIt of
R. SAXTOX,
Bet. Ma}. Gea., Assistant Commissioner.
Assistant Adjutant General.
HEADQUARTERS, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER,
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, >
South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, |
Beaufort, S. C., July 27,1865.
General Orders, )
No. 4. j
The following Circular, from Headquarters Freedmen's Bureau,
is republished for the information of all Assistant and Sub-Com¬
missioners and Agents in the States of South Carolina, Georgia
and Florida.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Bureau Freedmen, Refugees and Abandoned Lands, (
Washington, D. C., July 11,IStto. ,
Circular, )
No. 10. 5
I. The following mentioned reports will be forwarded to this
Bureau by the Assistant Commissioners of the same, as hereinafter
mentioned:
1st. Monthly Report of Refugees and Freedmen, whether they
are self-supporting or not, who are in colonies, camps, depots or
hospitals, and on Government farms, or other lands under control
of the Assistant Commissioners. These reports will contain
statements of the number of persons in each colony, camp, depot,
hospital, or on each farm; the number and value of rations that
have been furnished to agents, employees, refugees and freedmen;
and of tjie -amount and value of clothing that has been furnished,
if any, and whether the same has been obtained by donation or
purchase; also of the number of refugees and freedmen who may
not be in colonies, camps, depots, hospitals or on farms, to whom
rations and clothing may have been issued; and the number and
value of such rations; and the amount and value of such clothing
so issued; and whether such clothing was obtained by donation or
purchase. The statistics of colonies, camps. <fcc., will be entered
s
on separate lines in these reports. Blank forms for the same will
be furnished from this Bureau.
The first of these reports that the Assistant Commissioners
make, must cover the period from the time when they first entered
upon their duties, until the first of the month following the receipt
of this Circular.
2d. Land Beports.—There will be furnished, as soon as practi¬
cable, reports of all lands in the possession or under the control
of the Assistant Commissioners or their agents, that are held for
the use or benefit of loj*al refugees or freedmen, if such reports
have not already been made. They will contain statements as to
whether such lands have been abandoned or confiscated; a brief
or general description of each separate piece or tract, with its situ¬
ation, and the names of the former owner or possessor of the
same. After such reports have been forwarded, monthly reports
of changes will be made, containing brief descriptions of any lands
gained during the past month, with statement as to how the same
were acquired, the situation and names of former owners. These
reports will also account for all lands that have been lost since the
last reports were made, with statements as to how the same were
lost or given up. In columns of remarks will be stated the num¬
ber of refugees or freedmen on each farm or tract of land, how
they are employed, and whether Ihev are self-supporting.
3d. School Beports.—Reports will be forwarded, as soon as
practicable, of the number of schools, scholars and teachers at
present under the general direction of the Assistant Commissioners
of this Bureau, in their respective districts, and afterwards
monthly reports of changes in the same will be made.
4th. Rosters of all officers and civilians on duty with, or
employed by Assistant Commissioners, as Sub-Assistant Com¬
missioners, staff officers or agents, giving the names of such per¬
sons and rank, if they are officers of the army; also stating the
duty performed by each, by what order officers were assigned to
such duty, the rate of salary allowed civilians, and how the fund
for paying such salaries has been raised. This roster will be for¬
warded as soon as possible, and afterwards monthly reports of
changes of officers and agents will be made. All monthly reports
called for in this Circular will be made and forwarded on the first
of each month. All other reports heretofore called for by the .
Commissioners of this Bureau, will be made as usual.
3
II. Assistant Commissioners will forward to this Bureau copies
of all Circulars and Orders that they have issued. They will also,
hereafter, at the time of issuing such, forward copies of the same.
O. O. HOWARD.
Major General. Commissioner.
Official : Sam'l. L. T agg art,
Captain and Ass't. Adft. General.
The provisions of the above Circular will be strictly complied
with in these States, by all persons on duty in the Freedmen's Bu¬
reau. and the reports called for will be forwarded to these Head¬
quarters as soon as possible; and after the first report, they will
be sent as near as may be at the end of each month.
By order of
R. SAXTOX.
Bet. Maj. Gen.. Assistant Commissioner.
Sti art M. Taylor,
Assistant Adjntant General.
Official :
HEADQUARTERS, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER,
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, )
South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, {
Beaufort, S. C., Aug. 9,18G5.
General Orders, )
No. 5. 5
The follow ing Circular from Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and
Abandoned Lands, is hereby published for the guidance of all As¬
sistant and Sub-Conunissioners, and all others whom it may con¬
cern, in the States of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
war department,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, )
Washington, D. c., july 12,1865. )
Circular, )
No. 11. )
Instructions to Assistant Commissioners and other Officers. Each
Assistant Commissioner will be careful in the establishment of
sub-districts, to have the office of his agent at some point easy of
access for the people of the sub-district.
He will have at least one agent, either a citizen, military offi¬
cer or enlisted man, in each sub-district. This agent must-be
thoroughly instructed in his duties. He will be furnished with
the proper blanks for contracts, and will institute methods ade¬
quate to meet the wants of his district, in accordance with the rules
of this Bureau. No fixed rates of wages will be prescribed for a
district, but in order to regulate fair wages in given individual
cases, the agent should have in mind minimum rates for his own
guidance. By careful inquiries as to the hire of an able-bodied
man, when the pay went to the master, he will have an approxi¬
mate test of the value of labor. He must, of course, consider the
entire change of circumstances, and be sure that the laborer has
due protection against avarice and extortion. Wages had better
be secured by a lien on the crops or land. Employers are desired
to enter into written agreements with the employees, setting forth
the stated wages, or securing an interest in the crop, or land, or
both. All such agreements will be approved by the nearest
agent, and a duplicate filed in his office. In case there should be
no agent within reach, the nearest postmaster will forward the du¬
plicate of contracts direct to the Assistant Commissioner for the
State.
£5
Attention is especially called to Sec. IV. of the Law establishing
the Bureau with regard to setting apart land to every male citizen,
whether refugee or freedman, Ac., and the same arrangement is
recommended when it can be effected between private parties. Al¬
ready many farmers have rented land to freedmen and refugees.
This course is a recognition of the general principle in the law.
In order to enforce the fulfillment of contracts on both contract¬
ing parties, the Commissioner of the Bureau lays down no general
rule. The Assistant Commissioner must use the privileges and au¬
thority he already has. Provost Courts. Military Commissions,
local Courts, when the freedmen and refugees have equal rights
with other people, are open to his use. In the great majority of
eases, his own arbitrament, or that of his agent, or the settlement
by referees, will be sufficient.
No Assistant Commissioner or agent is authorized to tolerate
compulsory, unpaid labor, except for the legal punishment of
crime. Suffering may result to some extent—but suffering is pre¬
ferred to slavery, and is, to some degree, the necessary conse¬
quence of events.
In all actions the officer should never forget that 110 substitute
for slavery, like apprenticeship, without proper consent, or peon¬
age. i. e.: either holding the people by debt, or confining them
without consent to the land, by any system, will be tolerated.
The Assistant Commissioner will designate one or more of his
agents to act as the general superintendent of schools (one for
each State) for refugees and freedmen. This officer will work as
much as possible in conjunction with State officers who may have
school matters in charge. If a general system can be adopted for
a State, it is well; but if not, he will at least take cognizance of
all that is being done to educate refugees and freedmen; secure
proper protection to schools and teachers, promote method and
efficiency, correspond with the benevolent agencies which are sup¬
plying his field, and aid the Assistant Commissioner in making his
required reports.
Surgeon C. W. Hokner, Chief Medical officer of the Bureau, will
have the general supervision of medical matters connected with
refugees and freedmen.
The Assistant Commissioners will instruct their medical offi¬
cers, as they have instructed other officers, to make the medical
department self-supporting as far as possible.
All public addresses of a character calculated to create discon-
3
tent, are reprehensible; but tin? Assistant Commissioner and his
agents must explain, by constant recapitulation, the princples,
laws and regulations of this Bureau to all parties concerned. It
is recommended to the Assistant Commissioners, to draw up in
writing, a careful summary, to be publicly and privately read by
agents throughout their respective districts.
O. O. HOWAKD.
Major General. Commissioner.
By ori>er of
Bv't. >la.t. Gen'l. K. SAXTOX,
HEADQUARTERS, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER.
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, >
South Carolina, -GeoiTjta and Florida, j
BEAT-FORT, S. 0.. Aug. 9. 18(55.
general orders. )
No. 6. )(
The following General Order from* the War Department, is
hereby published for the information' of all eoneerned. in the
States of South Carolina. Georgia, and Florida.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Adjutant General's Office,
Washington. July 25. 1865.
General Orders. \
No. 129, y
To secure equal justice and the same personal liberty to the
freedmen as to other citizens and inhabitants, all orders issued by
Post, District or other Commanders, adopting any system of
passes for them, or subjecting them to any restraints or punish¬
ments not imposed on other classes., are declared void.
Neither whites nor blacks will be restrained from seeking em¬
ployment elsewhere, when they cannot obt ain it at a just compen¬
sation at their homes, and. when not bound by voluntary agree¬
ment; nor will they be hindered-from travelling from place to
place on proper andi legitimate business.
Bv order of the secretary of war:
E. D. TOWN SEND.
By order of Bv't. Maj. Gen'l.
Assistant Adjutant General
R. SAXTON,
Assistant Commissioner
Assistant AdjutantGeneral.
HEADQUARTERS, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER,
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, j
South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, j
Beaufort, S. C., Aug. 9,18G5.
Gexeral Orders, )
No. 7. 5
I. To avoid confusion, until otherwise directed, the officers of
the Army representing this Bureau, in chief charge of the affairs
of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands in the States of
South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, will be designated Sub-
Assistant Commissioners, and all other army officers assigned to
duty under their orders, will be known as Acting Sub-Assistant
Commissioners, and all civilians as Agents.
II. The Headquarters of the Sub-Assistant Commissioners for
Georgia and Florida will be at once established at the Headquar¬
ters of the Commanding Generals of those Departments, and the
Headquarters of the Sub-Assistant Commissioner for South Caro¬
lina, will be established at Beaufort, S. C.
III. Brig. Gen. E. A. Wild, U. S. Vols., is hereby appointed
as Sub-Assistant Commissioner in charge of all affairs connected
with the Bureau in the State of Georgia, (his Headquarters at
Augusta.) with the exception of the district of Savannah, which is
placed for the present under the charge of Capt. A. P. Ketchum,
A. D. C.
IV. Brevet Colonel T. W. Osbokx, U. S. Vols., immediately
upon his reporting for duty, will assume a similar control, as Sub-
Assistant Commissioner for the State of Florida—his Headquarters
at Tallahassee.
V. As soon as the details of officers for duty, which have been
requested from the several Department Commanders, have been
made, or agents can be appointed, the Headquarters of such offi¬
cers and agents will be established at each District. Sub-District
and Post in the several Departments of South Carolina, Georgia
and Florida, and at such other points as may be considered requi¬
site.
The senior officer on duty at these Headquarters will be entitled
to assume the chief charge of matters within the limits of his
sphere of duty.
s
VI. All communications intended for the Commissioner of the
Bureau at Washington, will be forwarded invariably through these
Headquarters, and communications relating to affairs connected
in any way with the Bureau emanating from Acting Sub-Assistant
Commissioners or Agents on duty in the Bureau, or from other
persons, will be addressed to the Sub-Assistant Commissioner of
their respective States.
Sub-Assistant Commissioners will address their communications
to the Assistant Commissioner of the Bureau, at Beaufort, S. C.
An officer will be announced as Sub-Assistant Commissioner for
South Carolina in future orders.
Until such announcement, all communications from Acting Sub-
Assistant Commissioners, Agents, or other persons in the State of
South Carolina, will be addressed to these Headquarters.
By order of
Bvt. Maj. Gen. R. SAXTON,
Assistant Commissioner.
Stuart M. Taylor,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Official :
HEADQUARTERS, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER,
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, {
South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, j
Beaufort, S. C., Aug. 11,1805.
General Orders, >
No. 8. 5
MARRIAGE RULES.
To correct as far as possible one of the most cruel wrongs in¬
flicted by slavery, and also to aid the freedmen in properly appre¬
ciating and religiously observing the sacred obligations of the
marriage state, the following rules are published for the informa¬
tion and guidance of all connected with this Bureau throughout
the States of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida :
SECTION I.
Parties Eligible to Marriage. 1.—All male persons, having
never been married, of the age of twenty-one, and all females,
having never been married, of the age of eighteen, shall be
deemed eligible to marriage.
2.—All married persons who shall furnish satisfactory evidence
of either the marriage or divorce of all former companions, ac¬
cording to the usages of slavery, or of their decease, will be eligi¬
ble to marriage again.
;t.—All married persons, producing satisfactory evidence of hav¬
ing been separated from their companions by shivery for a period
of three years, and that they have no evidence that they are alive;
or. if alive, that they will ever, probabljr, be restored to them,
may be allowed to marry again.
SECTION II.
Parties authorized to grant Permits of Marriage. 1.—All re¬
ligious societies or churches of the freedmen or of other persons,
whose organizations are recognized by their respective denomi¬
nations, are authorized to grant permits for marriage, provided:
First. That the parties are of lawful age, and that neither
have never been married.
Second. That if either or both have been married, that such
party has complied with the conditions of See. I.. Rules 2
and 3.
2.—Any society or church, having an ordained pastor, may del¬
egate to him its power to examine applicants and grant permits for
marriage. .Such power, however, may be revoked at any time.
3.—Civil officers may give permits for marriages, if the laws of
the State provide for the same, and such laws are recognized as
in force by the General Government.
4.—Every party on revolving a permit for marriage, or for a re
union, as provided in Sec. IV., Rule 4, shall pay therefor to tin
society or church granting the same, the sum of titty cents.
.SUCTION III.
Parties authorized to Solemnize Marriages. 1.—All ordainei
ministers of the Gospel are authorized to solemnize marriages.
2.—Such civil officers may solemnize marriages as are author
ized by the State, provided the laws of their respective States an
recognized as in force by the General Government.
Dissolving Marriages, Appeals, &c. 3.—Marriage is a solenn
covenant, made by the parties before God, and not to be brokei
till death. For crimes, however, in either party, and for peculiai
prudential reasons, growing out of the injustice of slavery. a.<
hereinafter specified and provided, marriages may be dissolved.
4.—Religious societies and churches, fully recognized by theii
respective denominations, shall have power to dissolve marriage*
of the freedmeu for the following causes:
First.—For moral causes, to wit.: adultery, fornication, prover
against either party.
Second.—For prudential reasons, as provided for in Sec. IV.,
Rules 10 and 11.
5.—Parties dissatisfied with the decision of a society or church,
in authorizing or forbidding married persons to dissolve their mar¬
riage relations, may appeal from such decision to the minister oi
pastor of such society or church, whose duty it shall he to appoint
a CQmmittee of five disinterested male persons, the same not hav¬
ing acted with the society or church appealed from. The party
appointing such committee shall preside over their proceedings,
and report their decision in the case to the society or church
whose action had been appealed from. Such decision will be ac¬
cepted as final, and the action of all the parties must conform
thereto.
6.—If, however, the society or church whose decision is appealed
from, have no minister or pastor, then the appeal may be made to
any other society or churcli organized as above specified, willing
to give a hearing to the party so appealing. The decision of such
society or churcli thus appealed to shall be received as final, and
the party appealing will be required to comply therewith.
7.—Every freedman having only one name, is required to as¬
sume a " title," or family name. It may be the name of a former
owner or of any other person. When once assumed it must al¬
ways ihereafter be used, and no other.
8.—Every minister shall furnish each party married by him with
an authenticated certificate of marriage, for which the party shall
pay him the sum of one dollar.
9.—Every minister solemnizing or confirming a marriage, will
make return of the same with the least possible delay to the office
of the Recording District, which will be hereafter formed and an¬
nounced by the Assistant Commissioner of the Bureau.
10.—Ordained ministers are authorized to give certificates (o
parties married since obtaining their freedom, and having no of¬
ficial evidence of the same, provided such parties furnish satisfac-
3
ton- evidence of their marriage. Returns of all sueh certificates
lor public record will be required, as in all other cases.
1l\ All rjvii officers are respectfully requested to make returns
agreeably to the above rule, of all marriages solemnized by them,
unless the laws of the State direct their returns to be made other-
wise.
SECTION IV.
First Marriages and Reunions. 1.—The marriage of all parties
liviri"- together a« husband and Avife at the time of obtaining their
freedomr<>r solemnized since obtaining it. will be acknowledged
as legal and binding.
2.—All parties Avhose marriage w as only a mutual agreement
belween tliemselAes, with no public form or ceremony, are re¬
quired to have their marriage confirmed by a minister, and obtain
a certificate of the same.
Xo parties having agreed to enter the marriage relation will
be allowed to li\-e together as husband and wife until their mar¬
riage has been legally solemnized.
4.—All parties claiming to have been married, but separated by
slavery, and having no certificate of their marriage, must obtain
from some society or church a permit for their reunion, before
they will be allowed to live together as husband and Avife.
Duties of Husbands to former HVres. 5.—A Avife when restored
by freedom to her husband, if he be living Avith no other, shall be
received by him as his laAvful Avife, except for moral causes, as
provided in Sec. 111., Rule 4.Jirst.
0.—If a man living Avithout a Avife find tAvo Avives restored to him
by freedom, the one having children by him and the other not, he
shall take the mother of his children as his laAvful Avife, unless he
sIioav cause as provided in Sec. III., Rule 4 .first.
7.—If a man living without a aa ife shall refuse to renew the mar¬
riage relation Avith a former Avife restored by freedom. avIio may
desire such renewal, there being no moral or legal objection to the
same proven by him, he shall be held responsible for the support
of such wife, and also of all his children by her so long as they
remain minors.
K.—Xo man failing for want of cause proA-en to obtain a release
from renewing his marriage relations with a former Avife, Avill be
alloAved to marry another aa oman so long as sueh Avife may lhre,
or until for just cause she shall haA'e married another.
fi.—Rvery man marrying a woman having children, shall be re¬
sponsible for their protection and support so long as they remain
minors.
lb.—A husband living with a Avife. having no children by her,
may be permitted to take a previous wife, piwi'led:
First.—He have children by such Avife avIio are still minors.
Set on 1.—That such Avife have no other husband knoAvn to be
living.
Third. That his present Avife assent to such change of their
n i a rriage rel at ions.
11- 'I a former Avife utterly refuse, upon application made by
ttie husband, to reneAv lier former marriage relation with him. he
may notify some society or church of the fact of such refusal, and
4
ask for a release from said wife. It', alter due lattice gi\en by
such society or church to the wife so refusing, she fail to show any
moral or legal objection, as provided for in these regulations, to
the renewal of her former marriage relations with him, then the
society or church acting in the case, shall grant to the man a re¬
lease from all his obligations to her as a husband and for the sup¬
port of all his children by her.
section v.
Bights of Wives and Children. I.—If a woman living alone be
claimed by two former husbands, she shall be free to accept
either, provided there be no moral or legal objections, as provided
in these regulations, against either party. If. however, she has
children who are minors by one only, she will be required to ac¬
cept the father of her children as her lawful husband.
2.—If a wife be released from her husband for a moral cause
proven against him, to wit.: adultery or fornication, she shall be
entitled to receive one-half of his real and personal property and
all the household effects. If the wife have children by him. she
shall have the entire control of such as are minors, and all the
property, personal and real, shall be forfeited to the wife and chil¬
dren.
3.—All children by a former wife deceased, being minors and
without means of subsistence, shall have claim for protection and
support upon their natural father, even if he have another family.
4.—On the decease of a man, all children acknowledged or oth¬
erwise proven to be his by a former "wife, who has not married
another, or by a former wife deceased, if minors and without
means of support, shall be recognized as legal heirs.
The sacred institution of Marriage lies at the very foundation of
all civil society. It should be carefully guarded by all the agents
of this Bureau. It is hoped these rules may do something to cor¬
rect a monster evil which meets us at the very threshold of our
work,
As far as possible they will be rigidly enforced.
By order of
Bv't. Maj. Gen. R. SAXTON,
Assistant Commissioner.
Stuart M. Taylor,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Official :
HEADQUARTERS, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER,
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, t
South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, j
Beaufort, S. C.. Aug. 16,1865.
Circular, )
No. 2. 5
To the Freedmen of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida:
... In entering upon that portion of my duty which relates to your
welfare, I deem it proper to address to you a few words of counsel.
By the Emancipation Proclamation of President Lincoln, the laws
of Congress and the will of God you have been declared " forever
free." At the outset of your new career it is important that you
should understand some of the duties and responsibilities of free¬
man. Your first duty is to go to work at whatever honest labor your
bands can find to do, and.provide food, clothing and shelter for
your families. Bear in mind.that a man who will not work should
not be allowed to eat. Labor is ennobling to the character, and,
if rightly directed, brings,to the laborer all the comforts and lux¬
uries of life. The only argument left to those who would keep
you in slavery is, that in freedom you will not work; that the lash
is necessary to drive you to the cotton and rice fields ; that these
fair lands which you have cultivated so many years in slavery, will
now be left desolate. On the Sea Islands of South' Carolina: Geor¬
gia and Florida, where your brethren have been free for three
years, they have nobly shown how much better they can work in
freedom. Over forty thousand are now engaged in cultivating
the soil, their children are being educated, and they are self-sus¬
taining, happy and free. Some are working for wages, others are
cultivating the land on shares, giving one-half to the owner.
The Agents of the Freedmen's Bureau will aid you in making
contracts to work for fair wages for your former masters or oth¬
ers who may desire to hire you, or will locate you on small farms"
of forty acres, winch you can hire at an easy rent, with an oppor¬
tunity to pui-chase at low. rates any time within three years.
These are splendid opportunities. Freedmen. let hot a day pass
ere you find some work for your hands to do, and do it with all
your might. Plough and plant, dig and lioe; cut and gather in the
a
harvest. Let it be seen that where in slavery there was
raised a blade of corn or a pound of cotton, in freedom there will
be two. Be peaceful and honest. Falsehood and theft should
not be found in freedom; they are the vices of slavery. Keep in
good faith all your contracts and agreements, remembering al¬
ways that you are a slave no longer. While guarding carefully
your own rights, be as careful not to violate your neighbor's.
" Do unto others as you wrould they should do unto you."
In cases where you feel that you have been wronged, it is neither
wise nor expedient to take redress into your own hands, but leave
the matter to be settled by three impartial friends of both par¬
ties. In cases of difficulty between white men and yourselves,
you should appeal to one of the agents of this Bureau in your
vicinity, -who may appoint one referee, the other party one, and
you should appoint a third, and the decision of the majority
should be considered final. By this easy mode of settling diffi¬
culties much trouble may be avoided.
In slavery you only thought of to-day. Having nothing to hope
for beyond the present, you did not think of the future, but, like
the ox and horse, thought only of the food and work for the day.
In freedom you must have an eye to the future, and have a plan
and object in life. Decide now what you are to do next year—
where you are to plant in the spring, and how much—and in the
autumn and winter prepare your land and manure for the early
spring planting. After being sure that you have planted sufficient
corn and potatoes for food, then put in all the cotton and rice you
can, for these are the crops which will pay the best. Bear in mind
that cotton is a regal plant, and the more carefully it is cultivated,
the greater will be the crop. Let the world see ere long the fields
of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida white with thic important
staple, cultivated by free labor.
In slavery the domestic relations of man and wife were general¬
ly disregarded. Virtue, purity and honor among men and women
were not required or expected. All this must change now that you
are free. The domestic altar must be held sacred, and with
jealous care must you guard the purity of a wife, a sister, or a
daughter; and the betrayer of their honor should be punished,
and held up to universal condemnation. You are advised to
study, in church and out of it, the rules of the marriage relation
issued from these Headquarters. Colored men and women, prove
by your future lives that you can be virtuous and pure.
No people can be truly great or free without education. Upon
3
the education of your children depends in a great degree the
measure of your success as a people. Send your children to
school whenever you can. Deny yourselves even the necessaries
of life to keep your boys and girls at school, and never allow
them to be absent a day or an hour while it is in session.
Your liberty is a great blessing which has been vouchsafed to
you. and you should be patient and hopeful. The nation, through
this Bureau, has taken your cause in hand, and will endeavor to
do you ample justice. If you do not obtain all your rights this
year, be content with part, and if you act rightly, all will come in
good time. Try to show by your good conduct, that you are wor¬
thy of all. and whatever may happen, let no uneasy spirit stir you
up to any act of rebellion against the Government. Strive to live
down by your true and loyal conduct the wicked lie and weak in¬
vention of your enemies, that in any event you would rebel against
that Government and people which have sacrificed so many precious
lives and so much treasure in your cause. Could you rise even
against those who oppress you, or against a Government which has
given you a right to yourselves, your wives and children, and
taken from you the overseer, the slave trader, the auction block,
and broken the driver's whip forever? I have no fears on this
point, and trust you to show those who have, how groundless they
are, and that you are willing to leave your cause in the hands of
the Government. Ever cherish in your hearts the prayerful spirit,
the trusting, childlike faith in God's good providence, which has
sustained so many of you in your darkest hour.
The Assistant Commissioners and Agents of this Bureau will
publish this Circular to the freedmen throughout these States, and
ministers of the Gospel are requested to have it read in all the
churches where the freedmen are assembled.
R, SAXTON,
Bv't. Ma). Gen., Assistant Commissioner.
Official :
HEADQUARTERS, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER,
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, )
South Carolina and Georgia, |
Beaufort. S. C., Aug-. 28. 18G5.
General Orders. )
No. 10. 5
In order to secure a prompt settlement of difficulties, and, if
possible, exact justice to all parties concerned, officers of the Army
and agents assigned to duty within the limits of South Carolina
and Georgia, in connection with the affairs of this Bureau, are
directed to report promptly in writing, for the information and
action of the nearest military authority, all breaches of the peace,
outrages upon, and irregularities affecting the well being of, the
refugees and freedmen occurring within the limits of their jurisdic¬
tion, which they are unable to adjudicate themselves. They will
forward at the same time a copy of such report to these Head¬
quarters.
By order of
Bvt. Mat. Gen. R. SAXTON,
Assistant Commissioner.
Stuart M. Taylor,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Official
HEADQUARTERS, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER,
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, |
Sonth Carolina and Georgia, (
Beaufort, S. C.. An#. 28, 1865.
General Orders. )
No. 11. 5
I. It is understood that numerous distilleries are being estab¬
lished within the limits of this Department, for the purpose of
manufacturing whisky from corn, and that the owners thereof are
intending to purchase corn at low rates from the freedmen, for
this purpose. In a time like the present, when starvation and
famine threaten the country, when thousands are without food, or
are being fed by Government bounty, no such waste of food should
be tolerated. All Agents of this Bureau will take measures to
prevent, as much as may be in their power, and discourage in
every way. the freedmen from selling their corn to those who will
use it in the manufacture of whiskj*. Freedmen. particularly
those who have families, should not sell their corn: they will need
it all for food before another harvest.
II. In cases where freedmen have cvltivated lands upon shares,
each crop must be divided at the time it is gathered between the
freednian who cultivated it and the owner of the land, according
to the terms of the contract or agreement.
It is the duty of all Agents connected with this Bureau to see
that fair and liberal contracts are made, remembering that •• the
laborer is worthy of his hire." and that both parties carry out their
agreements in good faith. The best arrangement that can be
made for all parties is the cultivation of the land upon shares—the
owner of the land taking one-half of the crop, and the cultivator
the other half. The freedmen will be allowed to use a portion of
the store houses on the place for storing their portion of the crop.
III. The attention of all Agents of this Bureau is again called
to the law of (■uig ess. as enunciated in Circular. No. 13. from
the Bureau of Refugees and Freedmen, tixing the status and
defining what are to be regarded as abandoned lands.
By order ok
Bvt. Ma.i. Gen. R. SAXTON,
Assistant Commissioner.
Stuart M. Taylor,
Assistant Adjutant General.
OFFICIAL :
HEADQUARTERS, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER,
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, (
South Carolina and Georgia, j
Beaufort. S. C.. Sept. r>. 18(55.
General Orders, )
No. 12. j
Surgeon W. R. DeWitt, Jr., U. S. Vols., is hereby announced
upon the Staff of the Assistant Commissioner, as Surgeon-in-
Chief for the States of South Carolina and Georgia.
All Medical Officers in these States, 011 duty under the control
of these Headquarters, will report without delay in writing to
Surgeon DeWitt, at Beaufort, S. C., stating 011 what duty they
are engaged, and by whose order they were so assigned.
By order of
Bvt. Mat. Gen. R. SAXTON,
Assistant Commissioner.
Assistant Adjutant General.
Ifaflquartes, Assistant Commissioner,
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, (
South Carolina and Georgia, j
Charleston, S. C., Sept. 10,1865.
General Orders, )
No. 33. 5
Bvt. Maj. O. D. Kinsman, Assistant Adjutant General U. S.
Vols., having reported at these Headquarters, in obedience to
Special Orders, No. 458, Par. 2, current series, War Department,
is hereby announced on the Staff of the Assistant Commissioner
for South Carolina and Georgia, and will be obeyed and respected
accordingly.
By order of
Bvt. Ma.t. Gen. R. SAXTON,
Assistant Commissioner.
Stuart M. Taylor.
Assistant Adjutant General.
Official:
HEADQUARTERS, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER,
Bijkeaij Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, >
South Carolina and Georgia, J
Beaufort, S. C.. Sept. 13, 1865.
Circular, >
No. 3. J
Within the limits of this district many destitute freedmen, aged,
helpless and feeble, are Hocking to the large towns, to the sea
coast and to these Headquarters, sent, as they say. by their former
owners, who use as an inducement for such emigration, the state¬
ment that the United States Government, having set them free,
does not desire them to labor, but will gladly furnish them with
rations. Some of these people, who are thus thrown in a starving
condition upon the charity of the Government, it is ascertained,
had crops sufficient raised at their homes to live upon, but were told
they would not need them, as the Government would provide both
food and shelter. Many of these wretched victims of slavery bear
the marks of its cruelties, and, maimed and disabled, they are
now turned off, after a lifetime of toil, from homes where they
have a right to remain. It is the duty of all the Commis¬
sioners and Agents of this Bureau to put a stop to such proceedings.
Those who make these false statements to the ignorant freedmen
are the enemies of the Government, and should be treated as such.
Commissioners and Agents of this Bureau are directed to give as
wide circulation as possible to General Orders, No. 1, of June 20,
1865, and to send to these Headquarters the name of every person
who violates its provisions, and who, by making false statements
to the freedmen, induces them to seek the Government's charity.
The facts in each case should be clearly established.
R. SAXTON,
Bvt. Maj. Gen., Asst. Commissioner.
Official :
Assistant Adjutant General.
HEADQUARTERS, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER,
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, (
South Carolina and Georgia, \
Beaufort, S. C., Sept. 26. 1865.
General Orders, }
No. 14. 5
By direction of Maj. Gen. O. O. Howard, U. S. A., Commis¬
sioner of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned
Lands, Washington City, the Headquarters for the Assistant Com¬
missioner for South Carolina and Georgia will this day be trans¬
ferred to the city of Charleston, S. C. All communications for the
Assistant Commissioner should be addressed to him at that place.
By order of
Bvt. Maj. Gen. R. SAXTON,
Assistant Commissioner.
Stuart M. Taylor,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Official :
HEADQUARTERS, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER,
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, j
South Carolina and Georgia, $
Charleston. S. C., Sept. 28, I860.
General Orders, )
No. 15. 5
The following Circular from the War Department, Bureau of
Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, is hereby republished
for the information of all concerned. It will be substituted in
place of Circular, No. 13, of July 28, 1865, from the Bureau, as
promulgated in General Orders. No. 9, current series, from these
Headquarters.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, j
Washington, d. C., Sept. 12. 1865. j
Circular, >
No. 15. 5
I. Circular No. 13, of .July 28, 1865, from this Bureau, and all
portions of Circulars from this Bureau conflicting with the provis¬
ions of this Circular, are hereby rescinded.
II. This Bureau has charge of such "tracts of land within the
insurrectionary States as shall have been abandoned, or to which
the United States shall have acquired title by confiscation or sale,
or otherwise," and 110 such lands now in its possession shall be
surrendered to any claimant except as hereinafter provided.
III. Abandoned lands are defined in section 2, of the Act of
Congress, approved July 2. 1864. as lands, " the lawful owner
whereof shall be voluntarily absent therefrom, and engaged either
in arms or otherwise in aiding or encouraging the rebellion."
IV. Land will not be regarded as confiscated until it has been
condemned and sold by decree of the United States Court for the
District in which the property may be found, and the title thereto
thus vested in the United States.
V. Upon its appeai-ing satisfactorily to any Assistant Commis¬
sioner that any property under his control is not abandoned as
above defined, and that the United States has acquired no title to
it hy confiscation, sale or otherwise, he will formally surrender it
to the authorized claimant or claimants, promptly reporting his
action to the Commissioner.
VI. Assistant Commissioners will prepare accurate descriptions
of all confiscated and abandoned lands under their control, keep¬
ing a record thereof themselves, and forwarding monthly to the
Commissioner copies of these descriptions in the manner pre¬
scribed in Circular No. 10, of July 11, 1865, from this Bureau,
Thejr will set apart so much of said lands as is necessary for the
immediate use of loyal refugees and freedmeu, being careful to
select for this purpose those lands which most clearly fall under
the control of this Bureau, which selection must be submitted to
the Commissioner for his approval.
The specific division of lands so set apart into lots, and the rental
or sale thereof, according to section 4 of the law establishing the
Bureau, will be completed as soon as practicable, and reported to
the Commissioner.
VII. Abandoned lands held by this Bureau, may be restored to
owners pardonedby the President, by the Assistant Commissioners,
to whom applications for such restoration should be forwarded,
so far as practicable through the Superintendents of the Districts
in which the lands are situated.
Each application must be accompanied by:
1st.—Evidence of special pardon by the President, or a copy of
the oath of amnesty prescribed in the President's Proclamation of
May 29.1865, when the applicant is not included in any of the
classes therein excepted from the benefits of said oath.
2d.—Proof of title.
Officers of the Bureau, through whom the application passes,
will endorse thereon such facts as may assist the Assistant Com¬
missioner in his decision, stating especially the use made by the
Bureau of the land.
VIII. No land under cultivation by loj al refugees or freed-
men, will be restored under this Circular, until the crops now
growing shall be secured for the benefit of the cultivators, unless
full and just compensation be made for their labor and its products,
and for their expenditures.
O. O. HOWARD,
Major General, Commissioner.
Approved:
ANDREW JOHNSON,
President of the United States.
Satisfactory proof will be required of the correctness of all
statement s 011 which applications for restoration of property are
grounded. To facilitate the action of the Assistant Commission¬
ers. the proof of titles should be clearly set forth. The provisions
of this Circular will be strictly enforced throughout the States
of South Carolina and Georgia.
15y oudek ok
Bvt. Ma.i. Gen. R. SAXTON,
Assistant Commissioner.
O. D. Kinman,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Official :
HEADQUARTERS, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER.
Bureau Refugees, Fueedmen and Abandoned Lands, j
South Carolina and Georgia, |
Charleston, S. C., Oct. 3, lS(>r>.
General Orders, )
No. l(i. 5
I. The following named officers are hereby announced on the
Staff of the Assistant Commissioner, and they will be obeyed and
respected accordingly.
Bvt. Brig. Gen. C. H. Howard, Colonel 128th U. S. C. T.,
having reported for duty in accordance with Special Orders No.
481, War Department, A. G. O., current series, is anuounced as
Inspector General and Chief of Staff.
First Lieut. Edw. M. Stoeber, 104th U. S. C. T., having
reported for duty in accordance with Special Orders No. 64, Head¬
quarters, Department of South Carolina, current series, is an¬
nounced as Aide-de-Camp.
II. Mr. Reuben Tomlinson is hereby announced as Superin¬
tendent of Education for the State of South Carolina. All com¬
munications on the subject of Schools will be addressed to him at
these Headquarters.
By order of
Bvt. Maj. Gen. R. SAXTON,
Assistant Commissioner.
O. D. Kinsman,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Official :
Assistant Adjutant General.
HEADQUARTERS, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER,
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, j
South Carolina and Georgia, |
Charleston. S. C.. Oct. 12,18(55.
Circular, )
No. 4. 5
J. In accordance with instructions received from the Commis¬
sioner, all Officers and Agents of this Bureau are hereby consti¬
tuted the guardians of freed orphans within their respective
districts, and are authorized to apprentice them to proper persons,
in conformity with the State laws of South Carolina and Georgia
respectively, regulating the apprenticeship of free white children.
All officers and Agents are particularly cautioned to exercise the
greatest care, that the rights of the freed orphans are not disre¬
garded, and should only bind apprentices to those who are likely
to be kind to them, and fullill in good faith their part of the bond.
The guardianship of these defenceless ones is a sacred trust, and
should be so regarded by those who are called upon to assume the
responsibility.
The following form of indenture, provided by the statutes of
the State of South Carolina, can be adopted:
The State of South Carolina.
This Indenture witnessetli, That liath put self, and by these
presents, by and with the consent and approbation of doth volun¬
tarily, and of own free will and accord, put self Apprentice unto
to learn art, trade, and mystery, and after the manner of an
apprentice to serve the said from the date hereof, for, and during,
and unto the end and term of next, ensuing. During all which term,
the said apprentice, said faithfully shall serve, secrets
keep, lawful commands, every where, readily obey: shall do 110
damage to said nor see it done by others, without letting
or giving notice thereof to said shall not waste goods, nor
lend them unlawfully to any; nor contract matrimony within the said
term. At cards, dice, or any unlawful game, shall not play, whereby
said may have damage. With own goods, nor the goods
of others, without license from said shall neither buy nor sell;
shall not absent self, day nor night, from said service,
without leave; nor haunt ale-houses, taverns, or play-houses;
but in all things behave self as a faithful apprentice ought to do,
during the said term. And the said shall use the utmost of
8
endeavor to teach, or cause to be taught, or instructed, the said appren¬
tice in the trade or mystery of a and procure and provide for
sufficient meat, drink lodging and washing, fitting for an appren¬
tice, during the said term of And for the true performance
of all and singular the covenants and agreements aforesaid, the said
parties bind themselves, each unto the other, firmly by these presents.
In witness whereof, the said parties have interchangeably set their
hands and seals hereunto. Dated the day of in
the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
and in the year of the Sovereignty and Inde¬
pendence of the United States of America.
Signed, sealed, and delivered in the presence of
II. Idleness and vagrancy are discouraged in all well-reg¬
ulated communities; and here, where the entire organization
of society is being changed, and a people is passing from the
darkness of hopeless slavery into a brighter future of freedom,
every effort must be made to prevent these evils, and every encour¬
agement given to faithful industry.
The vagrant laws, made for the free white people, and now in
force on the statute books of the States of South Carolina and
Georgia, will be recognized and extended to the freedmen. The
utmost care must be taken, however, that no injustice is done to
the freedmen who are idle from necessity and inability to obtain
employment, and not from choice. No penalty involving the
reinslavement, even for a time, of any freedman, will be recog¬
nized.
III. The Freedmen's Bureau does not propose to establish
poor-houses. Throughout these States each county, district,
parish, township or city must care for and provide for its own
poor, white and black. Because they are freed, the people of the
State are not relieved from the care of the destitute freedmen.
B. SAXTON,
Bvt. Maj. Gen., Asst. Commissioner.
Official:
c
L. S.
L. 8.'
L. S."
Assistant^Adjutant G#neral.\
1IEADQUARTEKS, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONKR.
IUtrkai; Rev-cokes, Freedmex and Abandoned Lands, |
Soutli Carolina ami Georgia, (
CHARLESTON, S. C.. Oct. 14. 18(55.
General Orders, )
No. 17. 5
J. Bvt. Maj. H. W. Smith, Assistant Adjutant General of
Vols., having reported at these Headquarters, to relieve Bvt.
Maj. Stuart M. Taylor. Assistant Adjutant General, in accord¬
ance with S. O.. No. 501, Par. 9, War Dept.. Sept. 19, 1865. is
hereby announced as Assistant Adjutant General on the Staff of
the Assistant Commissioner.
He will be obeyed and respected accordingly.
II. Bvt. Maj. Stuart M. Taylor, having been relieved from
duty as Assistant Adjutant General, at these Headquarters, will
report by letter to the Adjutant General of the Army for orders.
By order of
Bvt. Maj. Gen. R. SAXTON,
Assistant Commissioner.
O. D. Kinsman,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Official :
Assistant Adjutant General.
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, (
South Carolina and Georgia, j
Charleston, S. C., Oct. 19,1865.
General Orders, >
No. 18. 5
Captain J. P. Rutherford, A. Q. M., U. S. Vols., having re¬
ported at these Headquarters, in compliance witli Special Orders
No. 77, current series, Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Aban¬
doned Lands, dated War Department, Washington, Sept. 27,1865,
is hereby assigned to duty as Assistant Quartermaster, in charge
of the distribution of clothes to the Freedmen in the States of
South Carolina and Georgia. He will be obeyed and respected
accordingly.
By order of
Bvt. Maj. Gen. R. SAXTON,
Assistant Commissioner.
II. W. Smith,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Official:
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, |
South Carolina and Georgia, )
Charleston, S. C., Oct. 19. 1865.
Circular, )
No. 5. 5
I. The impression prevails to a great extent among the freedmen
that on the 1st of January, 1866, the U. S. Government is to give
them lands—homesteads of forty acres—and that for the coming
year it is not necessary for them to contract with their former
masters, or other employers, for their labor. To correct this error,
all Officers and Agents of this Bureau in South Carolina and
Georgia, are hereby directed to give notice to the freedmen within
their jurisdiction, that such expectations on their part are errone¬
ous, and that the U. S. Government has no lands to divide among
them.
To provide for the cultivation of the soil, give a proper direction
and organization to labor, and insure the raising of sufficient of
the necessaries of life to prevent suffering and starvation, the
freedmen are urged at once to make contracts for labor for 1866;
the contracts to commence on the 1st of January, 1866, and termi¬
nate with the year. To facilitate the making of contracts, the Assis¬
tant Commissioner directs that the Sub-Assistant Commissioner or
Agent of the Bureau in each District, shall be associated with two
citizens, residents of the District, each selected to the satisfaction of
the respective contracting parties, the three to constitute a Board
whose duty it shall be to arrange equitable contracts between the
employers and employees for the labor of the freedmen. In districts
where there are no Agents of this Bureau, the civil authorities are.
requested to constitute the Board as above, the two citizens
choosing a third to replace the Agent, to act as Agents of the
Bureau for the same purpose. All contracts should be in dupli¬
cate, one for each of the contracting parties; and a correct copy
must be sent to the office of the Assistant Commissioner.
II. The following form of contract is adopted as applicable to
the labor question, subject to the necessary modifications to
xt
meet individual eases andpcculiar circumstances of contracting
parties.
ivltOW it 11 £t'1lcn lljl tl\C,That , of the County
of , State of * . hold and thinly bound to the United
States of Ameimoa in the sum of Dollars, for the payment of
which bind Heirs, Executors and Administrators, firmly by
these Presents in this Contract: That to furnish the persons whose
names are subjoined, (freed laborers,) Quarters, Fuel, substantial and
healthy Rations, all necessary Medical Attendance ami Supplies in case
of sickness, and the amount set opposite their respective names per
month, (luring the continuation of this Contract — the laborers to be
paid in full before the final disposal of the crop which is to be raised by
them on plantation, in the County of , State of
xo.
NAMES.
AGE.
RATE of PAY
per month.
dolls.
ct8.
This Contract is to commence with this date and close with the year.
Given in duplicate at this day of , 186
Sup'dent of District.
Witness :
Registered at , 183
III. When fair and equitable contracts are made, they must be
kept both by employer and employed.
11, SAXTON,
Bvt. Maj. Gen., Asst. Commissioner.
Official :
Assistant Adjutant General.
Iwdpadw, Assistant gmumiMtoiuir,
Bureau Refugees, Freedmbn and Abandoned Lands, )
Sooth Carolina and Georgia, \
Charleston, S. C., Nov. 3,1865.
General Orders, )
No. 19. 5
I. Chaplain J. H. Fowler, 33d U. S. C. T., having reported
to these Headquarters in accordance with Paragraph 3, Special
Orders No. 105, Headquarters, Department of South Carolina,
October 25, 1865, is hereby announced as Chaplain in charge of
the Department of Marriage Relations in this Bureau, for the
States of South Carolina and Georgia, and will be guided in his
actions by Circulars and General Orders issued from these Head¬
quarters. He will be obeyed and respected accordingly.
By order of
Bvt. Maj. Gen. R. SAXTON,
Assistant Commissioner.
H. W. Smith,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Official :
wMjuartmi, g^teteat CammteiiUmM,
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, j
South Carolina and Georgia, t
Charleston, S. C., Nov. 19,18C5.
Circular, )
No. 6. 5
It having been reported to these Headquarters that some of the
agents of this Bureau are in the habit of trafficing or trading with
the Freedmen, it is hereby ordered that no trading of any kind
shall be allowed between agents of this Bureau and the Freed¬
men.
All civilian agents of this Bureau will be required to bind
themselves by an oath, the form of which will be furnished them,
to obey all orders and circulars issued for the governance of the
Bureau from these Headquarters and the Headquarters of the
Commissioner. This oath will not be required from officers on
duty with the Bureau, as they are all required to take the oath
before being mustered into the service of the United States.
By order of
Bvt. Maj. Gen. K. SAXTON,
Assistant Commissioner.
H. W. Smith,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Official :
wdquartmi,
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and abandoned Lands, {
South Carolina and Georgia, j
Charleston, S. C., December 4th, 1865.
General Orders, >
No. 20. 5
D. F. Towles, and M. A. H. Evans, agents of this Bureau,
having been found guilty by a Military Board, of combining
together to defraud the Government, the following sentence is
announced in their cases:
********
The findings and recommendations of this Board are approved
and confirmed.
Mr. M. A. H. Evans will be made to refund to Captain J. P.
Low, A. Q. M., the money obtained by the fraudulent transac¬
tions, amounting to (#190.00) one hundred and ninety dollars.
Mr. Evans ceases from this date to be an Agent of the Bureau.
Mr. D. F. Towles, having been found guilty of combining
with another party to swindle the Bureau, is hereby dismissed
from the service of the Bureau, to date from November 29th.
1865.
********
By order of
Bvt. Maj. Gen. B. SAXTON,
Assistant Commissioner.
H. W. Smith,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, \
South Carolina and Georgia, i
Charleston, S. C., December 5th, 1865.
Circular, )
No. 7. S
I. The following Circular is published for the information and
governance of all concerned:
Wat Dtjrartmtnt,
Uureau of i&tfugceg, Jrertmen anh J
Sbantootub lanbg, {
Washington, Nov. 27. 1865.
Circular, )
No. 19. 5
Paragraph II., Circular No. 8, current series, from this Bureau,
is so far modified as to allow the Assistant Commissioner of a
State to draw upon proper ration returns supplies for a month,
according to his estimate, and have the stores sent to each Sub-
Depot, as he may designate, for issue, in accordance with existing
instructions.
[Signed,] O. O. HOWARD,
Major General, Commissioner.
Approved.
OFFICE COMMISSARY SENERAL OF SUBSISTANCE, )
November 27,1865. )
[Signed,] A. B. EATON,
Com. Gen. of Subsistence.
Official: [Signed,] Max Woodhull,
AssH Adjt. Gen1!.
By order of Bvt. Maj. Gen. R. SAXTON,
Assistant Commissioner.
H. W. Smith,
Assistant Adjutant General.
gkswtttout 0oramtei<ra«,
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, {
South Carolina and Georgia, f
Charleston, S. C., December 8th, 1865.
General Orders, )
No. 21. 5
The following Circular Letter is published for the information
and governance of all concerned. All Officers and Agents of this
Bureau are urged to carry out the provisions of this letter to the
extent of their abilities.
* * * *
Ruitau of Refugees, JFreetomen anft (
abantonefl Hants, J
Jackson, Miss., November 11,1865.
Circular Letter.
It is constantly reported to the Commissioner and his agents
that the freedmen have been deceived as to the intention of the
Government.
It is said that lands will be taken from the present holders, and
be divided among them next Christmas or New Year's. This
impression, wherever it exists, is wrong. All officers and agents
of this Bureau are hereby directed to take every possible means
to remove so erroneous and injurious an impression. They will
further endeavor to overcome other false reports that have been
industriously spread abroad, with a purpose to unsettle labor and
give rise to disorder and suffering. Every proper means will be
taken to secure fair written agreements or contracts for the com¬
ing year; and the freedmen instructed that it is for their best in¬
terest to look to the property holders for employment. The
Commissioner deprecates hostile action, and wishes every possible
exertion made to produce kind feeling and mutual confidence
between the blacks and the whites.
[Signed,] O. O. HOWAED,
Major General, Commissioner.
Official :
[Signed,] Max Woodhull,
Col. and Ass't Ddjt. Gertl.
By order of Bvt. Maj. Gen. R. SAXTON,
Assistant Commissioner.
H. W. Smith,
Assistant Adjutant General.
dtomntofowper,
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, \
South Carolina and Georgia, j
Charleston, S. C., December 8th, 1865.
General Orders, )
No. 22. 5
I. The following' Circular from the War Department is pub¬
lished for the information and governance of all concerned:
Wnv Jlfpvtnwnl,
Bureau of Brfugees, jfttelimen antr {
SbantjoneQ Hanbe, j
Washington, Nov. 30.1865.
Circular, )
No. 20. 5
It is reported that in some cases, upon the restoration of lands
and tenements, under orders from this Bureau, refugees and
freedmen have been summarily excluded from their homes by the
owners of the lands. Hereafter, officers and agents of the
Bureau will prevent everything of this kind; and sections 7 and
8, of Circular No. 15, current series, will not be construed as
authorizing the restoration of lands and buildings before complete
and careful provision is made for the resident refugees and
freedmen.
In all cases of doubt on this point, careful reports will be for¬
warded to this office, with the opinions of the Assistant Commis¬
sioners, based on the facts of the case, before any order of resto¬
ration is made.
[Signed.] O. O. HOWARD,
Major General, Commissioner.
Approved.
[Signed,] E. M. STANTON,
Sec. of War.
Official: [Signed,] Max Woodiiull.
Ass't Adjt. Gen'l.
II. A careful compliance with the provisions of this circular is
earnestly enjoined upon all the officers and agents of this Bureau
in this Department. All cases conflicting with its spirit, and
which have caused the necessity for its issue, must be promptly
reported to these Headquarters, the reporting officer at the same
time taking immediate action in the case.
By order of Bvt. Maj. Gen. R. SAXTON,
Assistant Commissioner.
H. W. Smith,
Official : Assistant Adjutant General.
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, (
South Carolina and Georgia, >
Charleston, S. C., Dec. 14, I860.
General Orders. >
No. 23. 5
Captain Geo. T. Bassett, Commissary of Subsistence, U. S.
Vols., having reported to these Headquarters in accordance with
Special Orders, No. 606, A. G. O., dated War Department, Nov.
18,1865, is hereby announced as Chief Commissary of the Bureau
for this State. He will have charge of the issues of llations to
destitute Refugees and Freedmen, and will be obeyed and
respected accordingly.
By order of
Bvt. Maj. Gen. R. SAXTON,
Assistant Commissioner.
H. W. Smith,
Assistant Adjutant General.