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This document serve as a testament to the FB's success as the reunion of enslaved families is not only permitted but encouraged.

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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according to this letter. Marston finally found a home for his family, and asks Jackson to report when his wife leaves. it really shows how it helped them find a home and connect the family.

Dec 2n -67

Loudon, Franklin Co. Pa.

Dr Sir

With many thanks for your kind favors I enclose you ten dollars for my wife Martha ann please send her on to Chambersburg without delay I can meet here there almost anytime as I only live sixteen miles from there If you write to me amedeately on receipt of this I ought to receive the letter in four or five days Please to let me know in your letter when she will start that I may know when to be there to meet her or send her that she may arrive in Chambersburg on the 11th of Dec. and I will be there to meet her.

Direct your letter as usual to Loudon Franklin Co. Pa.

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care of Mr. Eli McCullock. Please except my thanks for your kind favors

yours truly

Anthony Marston

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Pursell reports what he knows about N. Johnson, who abandoned his wife in Ohio to move to Virginia.

April 17, 1867

Washington C.H., Fayette Co. O.

Dear Sir

Yours of 9th inst. was Recd N. Johnson. Left some money in bank when he left here, be also left his wife poor and helpless, and our authorities ordered me to use the money for her benefit, which I did. There is about $19.00 yet in my hands, in currency, & the note on Alex. Anderson, not paid, I think it can be collected. I think Johnson acted badley towards, his wife, he sold everything he could, from her & left her destitute, I advised him not to go to Virginia, but stay with his wife, I think he was slightly deranged, when he left.

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In this report Opie speaks about a breach of contract and his dissatification with the workers that he hired from freedman

Sept 8th 1867

Your communication concerning Robert Napper (col) & Richard Vaughn (col) was received late last evening. On last Thursday I met the above mentioned freedmen on the Valley Pike & they told me they wanted work. I told them I had about two dozen stumps I wanted dug up & would give the customary price (ten cents a stump) or fifty cents a day when they finished the job. They agreed to take the job at fifty cents a day to be paid when the job was finished. They commenced work & continued to work for one day & a half getting all of the stumps [added: up] but about eight which would have taken a little over a half day. They then came over & told me they would work no longer & demanded their pay. I told them if they would return & finish as agreed upon I would willingly settle with them. That they refused to do. Richard Vaughn said he was sick & could not work whereupon I paid him a part of his wages (65 cents) & told him when the rest of the work

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was done the remainder would be paid. As to Robert Napper, he gave no reason whatever for not fulfilling his part of the contract consequently I paid him nothing. Now sir I think you will agree with me that the said men are not entitled to their pay until they perform the labor agreed upon. In regards to digging the stumps, which are old locust & consequently not particularly difficult to get up I helped myself a great part of the time they were at work & assisted in getting up at least half of those that were gotten up. I suppose you know nothing of me. I will refer you to any & every gentleman in Staunton in regards to my character &c &c. Hoping that you will sustain me in what I have done

I remain Sir
yrs &c

John N.Opie

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The letter below shows how employers were able to hire any black person without the consent of their former slave owner. The last sentence shows how the rights of all are respected and maintained, which I thought was important.

Aug 7th 1865

Staunton Va

Sir

You are quite at liberty to hire any colored man without the consent of his former master, as he is also at liberty to engage his services without such consent.

The "citizens" who "resolved that no one should [unclear: hire] &c" would seem to have been quite willing that white men should lose freedom of action, if only black men could be hindered in the exercise of the freedom they have acquired and cannot lost. Your government however will see that the rights of all are respected and maintained.

I am Sir Very Respectfully

(signed) W. Storer How Capt.&AQM
Supt 6t Dist.Va

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Kendel Cottrell

This document reports on the state of employment for black people, explaining that unemployment levels are rising despite efforts of the Freedmen's Bureau.

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.

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In the letter, Tukey lists the books and supplies he is willing to provide to the Freedmen's schools in Staunton. This is evident that people will have access to more materials, improving their education.

October 20, 1865

Staunton Va

Chaplain

I have the honor to request that you forward to me for use of Freedmen's Schools in Staunton the following Books one hundred coppies of the Green Backs fifty coppies each of first Readers & Spellers twenty five mental Arrithmetic, some Alphabet cards (large size) fifty slates & twenty five outline maps together with anything else you may think we need. Please send these with a list of prices.

I am Chaplain with
much Respect your
Obt Servt

F.S. Tukey
Asst Supt Freedmen

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According to a report, judge McDonell authorizes Jackson to spend $300 on repairs for a school in Staunton, Virginia. McDonell also explains how to process the payment vouchers.

May 27, 1867

Winchester, Va.,

Sir

The expenditure of $300 is hereby authorized, for repairs of Schoolhouse at Staunton "provided the expenditure of that sum will supply the necessities of education in that locality."

I enclose vouchers for purchase, and labor. If the work is not completed in any one month, send in vouchers receipted, for the month, a few days before its expiration, that the service may be repeated. The vouchers for purchases should be sent in as early in the month as possible, in order that services and Receipts may be exchanged with Maj. White, before the end of the month in which they are purchased. If the services of more than one man are had, vouchers should be made for each, so that the rate of pay may not appear exorbitant.

Very Respectfully, Your Obed Svt

John A. McDonnell
Capt & Sub.Asst.Comr.

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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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According to the report, there are many teachers who are available to teach in certain areas, and students also, but they just need a payment from the Bureau to help make these schools.

May. 4. 1867

Staunton Va.

Permit me to ask of you whether the Bureau can do anything toward establishing schools in destitute places in this Valley. On account of scarcity of funds the Society will be obliged to discontinue its labors the last of June, for the present season. There are several important places by Bloomsbury, Waynesboro, New Market and Port Republic where there have never been schools. We have some teachers who are so accustomed to the climate, that they would stay through the summer and open schools at these places if they could be supported. If the Bureau would aid to the amount of $20.00 twenty dollars per month, [added: (for each teacher)] with what the people themselves could do, we could start several new schools during the Summer.

Very Re'y Yours

N.C. Brackett
Supt. Schools Valley of Va.

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In the report, Thomas Jones confirms that he has received $4.15 in wages owed to him by Henry Doom.

Received of Roswell Waldo ASAComr Bureau RF&AL Staunton, Va Dec 1, 1868 -- the sum of four dollars & fifeen cents in full for wages due me from Henry Doom for shucking corn &c

Thomas [added: his X mark] Jones

Witness [illeg.]

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According to the record, there are general improvements in court proceedings and they have decreased in number. However, the public view still prevents fair trials.

Oct. 31st/66

Staunton Augusta Co.

Captain:

I have the honor to make the following report of Criminal Trials in this Sub-Dist for the Month ending Oct. 31st 1866.

The number of trials has been very light this month and I think the Magistrates are improving in their manner of conducting such trials.

The evidence of colored persons is accepted with more fairness but the sentiment of the community is still such as to prevent impartial trials.

Very Respectfully

Your Obt Servant

Geo. T. Cook

1st Lt V.R.C. and Asst. Supt.

(Avani)

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Brackett reports that the schools in his district in Virginia are having high records of students attending. There's also requests for even more schools to open up in the area.

Chaplain:

I have the honor to report that the schools in my district have been in successful operation during the past month. We have opened one new school in Charlestown W.Va. with two teachers, one at Woodstock Va. with one, since the beginning of the year '67.

I have not yet received a report from Woodstock. Without it, the number of pupils in our day schools, at Staunton, Lexington, Harrisonburg, Front Royal (Va.) and Harpers Ferry, Martinsburg, Charlestown and Shepherdstown (W.Va.) is eight hundred sixty seven, average attendance six hudnred thirty six, average attendance at night schools, three hundred thirty one.

We have met with no opposition from citizens during the last month, whilst we have urgent application from difference places to open more schools both for colored and white children.

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In this report, W. Storer explains that he received allegations of domestic violence later than he should have and because of that they can not interfere due to the possibility of further violence.

Jany, 8th 1866

Winchester, Va.

Colonel

I did not receive the communication relating to outrages until Thursday Jany 4th and as it was dated Dec 27th and the report desired by the end of that week I simply dismissed it as an impossible thing to do. Generally, 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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This document describes how the military was taking a person's property, more specifically planks, that cost that person a lot of money. This complaint came from another person which possibly also shows that Thomas Wholey wasn't able to do it himself.

June 15/65

Pro Mar Office
Staunton Va

Personally appeared before me Thos S. Johnson Capt & Pro Mar, who after being duly sworn deposeth and saith that on or about the last of April, the military authorities seized and used a lot of Boards & Plank belonging to Thomas Wholey. Said Boards & Plank were inside the barricks, the amt taken is estimated at twenty two Hundred feet (2200 feet)

Sworn to and subscribed before me this (15th) day June 1865
Thos S. Johnson
Capt & Pro Marshall

Patrick Hassete

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In this document written by Roswell Waldo to John A. McDonnell, Waldo asks McDonnell if a runaway father who abandoned his family can't be forced to take care of their three year old child that their mother is unable to support. This demonstrates that the laws that black people had to be in a family led to disfunctional situations.

Nov 23/68

Staunton

Capt: -

Mary Peters [added: (c)] of Staunton complains that her husband Wm Peters deserted her about one year ago & left their child now about 3 years old for her to support & she finds herself unequal to the task.

Cannot this man be made to support his child? He is now living in service at Hill's Hotel in Harrisonburg Va

Very respectfully

Roswell Waldo
A.S.A. Comr

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In this report by Thomas P. Jackson, it is said that most of the trials in Augusta County were fair and impartial, showing that black people were getting similar trials to those of white people.

June 3, 1867

Staunton Va

Captain

In compliance with requirements of Cir. 10 S. 1866 (B. R. F. & A. L.) I respectfully report that I have been present at several examinations of Freedmen before Mayor N. K. Trout and other magistrates and in every case the action of the presiding justice has been impartial. Before the County court the only case tried of the same character was Comm v. [unclear: Hill] for the theft of Corn which resulted in conviction of Bell> to be imprisoned for 60 days in the County jail. Of this case the Defendant's counsel informs me that although the circumstances hardly warranted the severity of the sentence still the court acted with the utmost impartiality.

Yr obt Servt

Thos P. Jackson
Agent

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(Jack Ferrill) In this report, John W. Jordan reports about how a Ku Klux Klan riot has caused immense tension and dangerous excitement between black and white people.

Staunton, Va.

Capt.

I have the honor to call your attention to certain demonstrations made by an organization here known as the "Ku Klux Klan" and which have caused a vast deal of dangerous excitement, especially among the colored population and which if not promptly suppressed will culminate in serious and deplorable disturbances of the public peace.

This Klan made their appearance in the Streets of Staunton about 1 o'clock Sunday morning last, mounted and the Klan being enmasked in white sheets or something of the kind, and being armed caused no little consternation among the colored people and much serious annoyance to the respectable whites. Their operations were attended with the discharge of pistols and
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also by cheers or yelling, which of course occurring as it did almost in the center of the town aroused almost the entire population.

On yesterday I addressed a formal communication to the Mayor upon the subject who has informed me that every effort is being made by the Civil Authorities to ferret out the guilty parties in the matter, who I am assured will be brought to punishment and the operations of the Klan suppressed at once.

The colored people are very much excited upon the subject and but little is needed to bring about a serious state of things here. I would also remark that I have reported the facts to the Military Comr for this Division also.

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In this report it is confirmed that J. C Johnson who was accussed of shooting a Freedman named Patrick Thomson was Succesfully arrested and awaiting trail.

Oct 15th 1866

HdQrs Lexington Va

General

I have the honor to report that J. C. Johnson the man whom it is believed shot Patrick Thompson (Freedman) on the night of Sunday the 7th inst has been arrested and is now confined in the county jail -- awaiting trial.

I am Sir
Very Respectfully
Your obdt Servant

G. B. Carse
Bt Colonel and
Asst Supt Bureau of R.F. and A.L.

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In this letter a black teacher is specifically requested for a school. This shows that they are not only allowed to have jobs but they are in demand for jobs.

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.

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In this report, George T. Cook explains that criminal cases in which blacks are involved have been conducted fairly and impartially.

May 31, 1866

Staunton, Va

George T. Cook

I have the honor to report in compliance with the requirements of Circular No 10 from Hdqrs Asst. Comr State of Va. Richmond Va March 12th 1866, that in the trial of criminal cases in this District in which Colored persons were concerned the proceedings have been conducted with impartiality and fairness and the law respecting their testimony carried out in good faith.

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George T Cook, wrote to R. S. Lacey on June 30th, 1866, reporting that judges were reluctant to hear cases of freemen filing complaints about white men, meaning that many freemen did not get justice.

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.

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This letter is about a woman who had been a teacher at a school for a few years, but was dismissed with no reasoning other than that other teachers in the building united against her. After writing this letter, students and parents signed a petition for her reinstatement.

March 23rd 1867

Staunton, Va.

Dear Sir,

Feeling that I have been unjustly dealt with in regard to School matters at this place, and hoping you will pardon the liberty I take in thus addressing you upon the subject, I have concluded to submit a plain statement of the facts in the case, for your kind consideration. First then permit me to say that this is my third year in the work, the first two being under the A.M.A. and this, the third, under the Baptist Home Mission Society and I think I can truly say that I have labored as earnestly, and zealously, as perhaps any other teacher, and been as deeply interested in the education of the freed children, as I possibly could have been, and never to my knowledge has there been one word

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of fault found with me until now. And even now the Supt. of the Schools here informs me, that he has no fault whatever to find with me as a teacher. What then, may I ask, have I been guilty of, that should cause my dismissal? - before answering this question however, permit me to state the facts in the case, everything so far as I know, up to the time that Capt. McDonnell came here, was going on smoothly, when I was called upon, in connection with all the rest of the teachers, to state what I knew about Lieut. Cook's conduct while here, and my answers to the questions put to me, necessarily cast some reflections not only upon him, but some of the teachers, and perhaps the general conditions of the Schools - but I only answered such questions as were asked me, volunteering nothing, and leaving out much that I might have said.

Soon after the Capt. left here, I receieved a letter from the [unclear: rooms] at New York saying that Mr. Brackett had informed them, that I could be spared from the Valley and assigning me to Goldsboro N.C. and saying that my transportation would be forwarded in a few days. To this I immediately replied requesting them to withhold my transportation a few days. In the meantime I had a conversation with Mr. Brackett (the Supt.)

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in which he informed me of his action, but said he had found no fault with me as a teacher, and the only reason he had given for my removal was that some of the teachers had united against me on account of my evidence. I then wrote to N.Y. again stating to them that I was twelve hundred miles from home, and was boarding with my Sister here, and I thought it very hard to be sent away for no other offense than simply telling the truth, which to answer my question, is the only crime of which I have been accused. To this letter I received a response in substance saying that they had been informed by Mr. Brackett that I was not needed here nor in the Valley. Notwithstanding this, one new teacher has been brought here since, and one school now stands adjourned for the want of a teacher. I was, as you will readily see, forced either to go to Goldsboro, or give up my school. And in deciding which to do, I took it into consideration that I was the only teacher here that was here last year, and that I had a Sister here with whom I was boarding, and not one of the others had any family connections here whatever. And as I had been guilty of nothing for which to be transfered, painful as it was to me, I could not make it appear to be my duty

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to go. And now in conclusion, I desire to know if you in your official capacity, cannot employ me as a teacher, under the Auspices of the Bureau. If this is impossible, will the Bureau furnish me with a building in which to teach, provided I do it gratuitously? I had a very large school of 95 Pupils, and to which I had become very much attached. Now if you can do me the favor to arrange matters so that I can stay with it, you will place me under great obligations to you. Hoping to hear from you at an early date.

I am Very Respectfully Yours,

Mrs. Annie A. Dunn

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In the following report Nelson Irwin pleads for justice, and protection for the black population. He claims that black people are living under a "reign of terror".

Oct. 8th 1866

Staunton

General

Living within your military department, I am forced to appeal to you in my own behalf. My case and cause are those of thousands and just as I am effected they will be effected also. There is a deep laid organization here that governs and controls every thing by might in defiance of truth and justice. On any, even the least pretense a black man is taken up and imprisoned. His color is his condemnation, and every lawless act committed he is accused of. At present my brethern are living in a reign of terror and many of them are locked up in Stauton Gaol.

An act of theft has been committed here by one or two black men and lo! four are taken up and all of us are accused. Some of us had to fly, who were and are as innocent of the crime as you are. The Freedmen's bureau is ineffective, laughed at and despised. On the first Monday of November these men are to be tried, and in view of their case we cannot expect justice unless the strong arm of military protection is reached out to us. We gave to the rich white man our best years, our strength, our youth, our sweat, and now that we are free, we get in return meaness, tyranny and injustice.

And now General, instruct the officers of Bureau and let them insist on justice. Some of our men are in a state of perpetual terror. If you turn your back on us, who can we appeal to. If we have commited a violation of law let us be judged impartially by the laws, but let us not be condemned with out a cause. From this depth of degredation we look to you, and in the name of suffering humanity, I trust I do not write in vain.

The name of those imprisoned are Reuben Hill, James Burgy, Joe Wilson is out as State evidence, and mind you a black man's oath before the war would not be believed and now they would degrade him to be a liar. General we only ask for justice. See that we will have it and all will be yet well. There is no accusation against me and there never was. I am black but in my heart there is not stain of infamy.

I am General
Your very humble Srvt

Nelson Irwin

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Nov 29, 1867

Staunton, Va.

Captain

James Harris (col'd) left his wife Elizabeth and child at this place and went to Danville. He writes to her from that place, Sept 23/67, stating he had found a home and would send for her to join him. Since, Elizabeth has not heard from him and asks enquiry be made for him and he either send for send for her or return her to take care of her.

He speaks in his letter of his "uncle John's people" at Danville, which may be a clue to his whereabouts.

Office Bu. R. F. and A. L., Danville, Va Jan. 9th 1868
Respectfully returned to Capt. R. S. Lacey with the information that Joe Harris Cold does not reside at Danville and that no such person is to be found here.
Andrew Mahoney, 1st Lt. 45th U.S.I., A.S.A.C.

This document suggests the Freedman's bureau was generall

Very Respectfully
Yr. obt sevt

Thos P. Jackson
Agent

This document indicates that the Freedman's bureau was generally somewhat impotent to reunite families broken apart by slavery. While they were able to keep track, to some extent, of the whereabouts of freed persons, and were able to arrange for their transportation, the Freedman's Bureau was simply not well-resourced enough to be able to reunite every severed family

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In this report, W. Storer describes the various reports of violence he received that were delayed due to the fear of more violence from white people to freed black people.

Jan 8th, 1866

Generally, 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. Sam Crawford, black, 60 yrs, living with Andy Crawford near Mt. Solon, Aug. Co., says that in May 1865 Pat McCarly, white, living with A. Crawford, struck him over the head with a corn-knife for [unclear: sacicing] him