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According to a report, Staunton has the most black students in the Valley.  It needs more space for the school, however.

Dec. 17, 1866

Harpers Ferry W. Va.

Chaplain

I have the honor to report that the schools under my charge were generally very prosperous during the month of November. The following places, have each about one hundred different pupils in day and evening schools, viz. Harpers Ferry, Martinsburg, Shepherdstown, and Front Royal. They are all making commendable progress.

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In a report about Southern courts, George T. Cook notes that civil courts are generally ignoring claims made by black people against white people.

June 30th 1866

Staunton, V.A.

The result to the interests of the freedman of restoration of jurisdiction to the Civil Courts, has been to make it very difficult for him to obtain preliminary hearing before local Magistrates who seem to dislike taking notice of complaints of Freedmen unless directed to do so by this office. I do not know of an instance in which the complaint against a white man has been noticed upon application of the freedman.

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W. Storer How writes about violence towards Freedmen in Augusta County. He describes the violence and assault and says that the black people won't testify in court out of fear that the violence will only become worse.

Jan. 8th, 1866

Winchester Va,

Colonel

The air is full of outrages on the Freedmen by the Whites, and will be until just laws are made and executed, but I understand you to mean violence, personal assaults, cruelty, of which very few cases have come to my knowledge, and then the facts were not clearly established, because the freedmen dare not testify through fear of yet greater violence.

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John A. McDonnell approves Thomas P. Jackson's request for $150 to repair a school in Waynesboro.

May 20th 1867

Winchester, Va.,

Sir

The application of Wm Echols, forwarded by you on the 3d inst. for assistance in repairing the schoolhouse at Waynesboro has been approved by the Asst Comr and $150 appropriated to that object.

You will please see that the necessary repairs are made and forward the vouchers for services and materials purchased to this office for payment.

The vouchers please have receipted in blank, and forward the bills on a sheet of paper.

Send them in (if possible) before the end of next month.

Very Respectfully

John A. McDonnell
Capt V.R.C. Sub Asst. Comr

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I don't think Freedmen's Bureau Records: Albert Ordway to Orlando Brown, February 1, 1866 was a success because most likely this problem of the mother writing to try and reunite with her two black children who were taken by rebels.

Feby. 1 1866

Richmond, Va.

Gen'l.

From my letter book it appears that the letter concerning the two colored children for whom I advertised was written by Mrs. P. Marshall, Antrim Township, Franklin Co. Pennsylvania -- their Mother who stated that the children were carried off by some rebel soldiers. I have not the original letter on file as it was returned through Gen. Smith's office, July 5, '65

Very resp'y

Your obd't. servant

Albert Ordway

Col. & Prov. Maj. Gen'l.

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Freedmen's Bureau Records: Thomas P. Jackson to John A. McDonnell, November 9, 1867 - Challenge. - Presley Burkley

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Freedmen's Bureau Records: Thomas P. Jackson to John A. McDonnell, November 9, 1867 - Challenge. - Presley Burkley

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Jackson asks McDonnell for advice on how to handle three assault cases against freed blacks, noting high levels of negative feeling towards them.

"Sentiment is so strong against Freedpeople here (not withstanding their quiet deportment) since the election, that I fear unless such outrages are promptly checked there will be trouble between the two classes.

I respectfully ask instructions as to what steps I am authorized to take in such cases."

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According to the report below, the Freedman's Bureau did not make it easily accessible to Black people to see their families. The writer of this letter states that he has not seen his brother for years, indicating the challenge.

July 11th 1868

Staunton, Va.,

General

I have the honor to request "Leave of Absence" for Ten (10) days from this Post for the purpose of visiting a younger brother in Chicago Ill. who has recently met with a terrible accident and whom I have not seen for years.

In this connection I desire to call your attention to the fact that this is only the second time I have requested leave of absence to go beyond the limits of this District since being assigned to duty in this state, Jany 26 1866

I am General
Very Respectfully
Your obt Svt

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Samuel Hunt is introducing two new teachers who are on their way to take up posts in Staunton.

Nov. 8 1865

New York,

Dear Sir

This will introduce you to Misses Williams and Dewey, whom we have appointed for Staunton. If they need any assistance will you have the kindness to extend to them the necessary courtesies they may require, and much oblige,

Very Respectfully yours

Sam'l Hunt
Supt of Ed

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A report from Roswell Waldo to John A. McDonnell tells of rising unemployment and non-livable wages for those who are employed.

Dec 31, 1868

Staunton

Capt: -

I have the honor to report that the number of freedmen who are out of employment is increasing.

While many have good [unclear: wages] for the worker, there are many others who find it very difficult to procure Employment sufficient to purchase the necessaries of life. Among this class are numbered the aged of both sexes and many children who are not old enough to care for themsleves.

Very respectfully
Your obt servant

Roswell Waldo
A.S.A. Comr

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The report shows that various adolescent black students are being educated in Harper's Ferry and many adults have an interest in education.

Aug 31st 1865

Harper's Ferry, Virginia

"and in reply to your note of 24th inst have to say that at this place there are three hundred and sixty six (366) colored children under (14) fourteen of which perhaps two hundred (200) might be gathered into a school. Add those who will probably come, within a radius of five miles, and the adults who will desire to attend, and there will be not far from three hundred (300) pupils."

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This letter requests transportation and support for the daughter and her family by their grandfather/father Gabriel Brown. It address that she needed support due to her being fairly poor. We do not know if they followed through with this request. He asked for them to be transported so they could be reunited.

Jan 30, 1868

Captain I have the honor to refer to a communication made by me to your headquarters under date Dec 26/67 enquirey for Gabriel Brown(c) on behalf of his daughter Betsey Brown, returned to to your Hd Qrs by endorsement at this office Jan 24/68 I hear this morning that Gabriel Brown lives at Stevenson's Depot near Winchester and if transportation asked for has not been received by you Gabriel if found may be able to send for Betsy & her children. She is a charge now upon friends nearly as poor as herself. Very Respectfully Yr obt servt Thos P Jackson, Ass Sub Asst Comm

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In this letter, Isabella Burton inquires about her two sons, who she has not seen since their sale, which indicates the challenge faced.

January 17, 1868

Isabella Burton (Mother)

Horace Bucker sold my two sons (seven & five years age) Benjamin & Horace, sold to Larke & Wright in Maddison County VA. Johnny Gilgarnett & Jeremiah Gilgarnett were playmates.

I am living in Staunton Now a widow & alone, would like very much to see them.

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According to his report, Jackson was not able to be reunited with his older children, as they were all working in other places and could not provide for his father.

Respectfully returned to Brvt Lt Col James Johnson SAC, with the information that Nathan is the only child able to do anything for his father, he says he will send some money to him soon. Benjamin (aged 15) is working for $25.00 per year and will require it all to care for himself. Pamelia (aged 11) is working for Board and clothes, Emily (aged 22) has a child and is a cripple she works for her board and clothes.

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A colored school at Laurel Hill is planning to open and is looking for a colored teacher (So that they can board with a colored family), citing white opposition to the opening of a colored school

Nov. 20/68

Staunton

The colored people of Laurel Hill [added: Augusta Co.] are in need of a teacher for a school [added: which] they are ready to open. They have a comfortable log school house, for the Erection of which this Bureau appropriated $40.00. On account of the poverty of the colored people in that vicinity they could pay the board only of a teacher. On account of hostility of the white population toward colored schools, the people would prefer a colored teacher, as he or she could then board in a colored family.

Can the Bureau or Am. Missionary Association send a teacher to this school? There will be about 25 or 30 scholars.

Schools in other localities could be opened this winter if teachers of any sort could be procured & their wages paid from any other source than by the freedpeople.

Very Respectfully

Roswell Waldo A.S.A.C.

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Staunton, Va

Sir:

Complaint has been made at this office by Peyton Harris (colored) that he was employed by you as a hand during your [unclear: threshing this fall] @ 75 c per day - After performing the Equivalent of 2 days labor and finding himself unable to perform the labor of two hands at the machine, which he was required to do, and your [unclear: refusing] to employ another hand which is usually required to fill one of the posts he filled at the machine, he was obliged to stop work. - and taking that as a pretext you refused to pay what was then coming to him ($1 50 ) - If this statement of the case be correct, you will please remit the amount to this office without delay - as the matter has been referred to me for collection.

Very respectfully
Your obt servant

Roswell Waldo
ASA Comr

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In a letter from J. A. Hefelfinger to Thomas P. Jackson, Hefelfinger informs Jackson that one of his "employers" (a slave) ran away without notice. He then describes the slave as being "utterly worthless." Many slaves began to run away, which can indicate that their working conditions were still not ideal.

Feb 2d 1868

Augusta Alum

Dr Sir

Your favor of Jan 29th is recd. The boy Jesse commenced work for me on the 8th of Oct last, having agreed to work by the month from that date @ $8.00 per mon; Sometime before his month was out he ran away without giving me any notice or leaving me with anyone to supply his place thus breaking his contract & depriving himself of all claim on me. I was away during the most of his stay here & my clerk informs me that he was utterly worthless & did not earn his board

Very Respectfully

J.A. Hefelfinger

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Deft, a slave owner, hired a slave from Kentucky before the Civil War. He promised to pay for her trip back to Kentucky when she left. Deft refuses to pay to send her back to Kentucky.

Jany 6th 1866

Winchester, Va.

Plff claims & Deft admits that he hired her before the war, & brought her from Kentucky, promising to pay her expenses back whenever she wanted to go. Deft now so refuses on the ground of the change in Status of the late Slave. Deft required to furnish funds to defray Plffs expenses to her home on her before the 15th of January 1866.

I am Colonel

Very Respectfully

Your obedt Servant

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In a report, Geo. T. Cook, explains how black individuals have a hard time obtaining hearings and appointments with the courts to bring cases against white individuals because the local magistrates are against black people bringing cases against white people.

June 30th 1866.

Staunton, Va.

Sir:

I have the honor to report in compliance with the requirements of Circular No 10 C.S. from Hdqrs Asst. Comr State of Virginia - that I have attended all Criminal trials to which I have been summoned before the Civil Courts of this Sub-Dist., in which colored persons were concerned. The result to the interests of the freedman of restoration of jurisdiction to the Civil Courts, has been to make it very difficult for him to obtain preliminary hearing before local Magistrates who seem to dislike taking notice of complaints of Freedmen unless directed to do so by this office. I do not know of an instance in which the complaint against a white man has been noticed upon application of the freedman.

In the Circuit Court the Judge has treated all cases in which Freedmen were concerned with impartiality and fairness, and the law respecting their testimony has been carried out in good faith.

I am Sir
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servant

Geo. T. Cook
1st Lt and Asst. Supt

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The letter from George B. Carse to Horace Neide reports an incident involving a white law student JC Johnson who shot a freedmen named Patrick Thompson, a black man. He alerts them about the suspect's escape.

October 9, 1866

Staunton

A law student named J C Johnson shot a freedman named Patrick Thompson on Sunday P.M. - freedman died the day following. Johnson has made his escape six (6) feet high slender fair skin no beard black hair age about twenty (20) years
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Resides Greedwood Mississippi was here this A.M. will be apt to take Tenn RR at Lynchburg.

G.B. Carse
Bt Col.

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George T. Cook describes in his letter to R. S. Lacey how a group of recently enslaved people want to build a school, and requested help from the Freedmen's Bureau, thus showing how much they trusted the Buraeu.

"The freedpeople are making preparations to build and wish to know whether the "Bureau" can give them any assistance - it is essential that they receive the information as soon as possible.

With the assistance recommended they will be able to erect a good building."

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A challenge many former enslaved people faced when working was losing property. Brown, formerly enslaved, worked under Mr. Shaw. If Brown were to quit his job, he could legally be evicted from his own property.

July 20, 1867

Staunton, Va.,

The occupation of the house on Mr. Shaw's land where you now live is dependent entirely upon your working for him in a proper and regular manner. As you have ceased so to work Mr. Shaw has the right to eject you giving you a few days as reasonable notice to provide yourself another home. You will give Mr. Shaw peaceable possession within ten (10) days from receipt of this notice.