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. 

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.

Captain:

I have the honor to report that in all the "Criminal Trials" of Freedmen which I have attended during the month of December I have witnessed a degree of fairness I had not expected to see in this Sub Dist.

The only trials I have attended have been in this Town and before Magistrates, I have [added: not] been notified of any out of Town.

Several cases in which Freedmen were interested came up on the 25^th and 26^th inst. but so far as the power of the Magistrates went, justice was administered, it now remains to see whether or no the Grand Jury, which meets in February next, will cause

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whites engaged in assaults upon Freedmen to be indited, and if Juries can be found to try such cases impartially.

Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servant

Geo. T. Cook
1^st Lieut V.R.C. & Asst. Supt.

A lieutenant is writing to an army captain about his experience while attending court trials. The lieutenant says that the trials he have attended have all been fair (which he did not expect) and he also says that white people will be punished for their crimes upon black people. We do have to take the claims of fairness with a grain of salt since the writer could be biased, but overall this letter seems positive.

Oct 5th 1865

Staunton

Sir

Your attention is directed to the enclosed Circular from the Asst. Comr of the State, and you will please at once take steps to carry into execution the provisions of that Circular, and until such agents shall be thus selected and ready to act upon the matters specified, you will continue to adjudicate upon all difficulties that may arise between the whites and the freedmen & among Freedmen themselves, except cases involving fines or imprisonment, which will be referred to the Provost Court or other competent military authority.

I am Sir
Very Respy
Your obedt Servt

W Storer How
Capt & A.Q.M.

How describes the school situation in his Sub-District, finding 366 black children under the age of 14 in Staunton, as well as adults who are also interested in receiving an education.

Staunton, Va

Colonel

I have the honor to report that a young freedman named Robert Carter was tried for an attempt at Larceny by the Hustings Court at Staunton, Va on the 8th of this month.

He was just taken before the Provost Marshall, Capt. J.M. Collins 58th Pa. Vols., to whom he confessed his guilt. He was then turned over to the Civil Authorities for trial. A Counsel was assigned by the Court, Mr. Cochrane, who managed the case with commendable zeal and ability. He contended and I think proved that the confession was not voluntarily made. The other evidence would not convict. The Court thought otherwise, received the confession, convicted and sentenced him to (1) one year in the penitentiary. The case will be sent to Gov. Pierpont for [unclear: revision].

I am &c

W. Storer How
Capt &c

Septr 11 1865

Staunton

Colonel

The question has been raised by a legal gentleman as to whether or not this Bureau has jurisdiction over cases in which free born negroes are concerned; he claiming that they were already free, and not included among those classed as freedmen.

Conceiving it possible that those manumitted and free born, and those who purchased their freedom may not have been embraced in the term "freedmen" I respectfully ask instructions.

I am Colonel
Very Respectfully
Your Obedient Servant

W. Storer How Capt AQM
Supt Sixth Dist Va

July 15 1865

Rock Spring

Dr Sir

At a meeting of the citizens of the county on the last court day they passed a resolution that no one should hire the servant of another without the written permission of his master and as I had done so on the verbal statement of your servant that such permission had been granted but without having any written [added: permission] from you I at the request of the Boy write that he may get your consent to hire to me if you dont want him yourself. I have a great deal of work to be done and am in very great need of a hand being myself very weak handed. The neighbors are very much down on me for hiring him under the circumstances but I assure you I did it in good faith not intending anything wrong towards anyone.

Very Respectfully Your Friend

L. P. Dangerfield

Levi

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

Dec. 31s 1867

Winchester, Va.

General

I have the honor to report that in the 1st Division of this Sub District about fifty able bodied freedmen, for whom employment cannot be found. In the other Divisions the demand for labor is still equal to the supply.

Very Respectfully
Your Obdt Servant

John A. McDonnell
Capt & S.A.C.

Oct. 31^st 1867

Staunton, Va.,

General

In compliance with Cir. [deleted: Ord.] No. [added: 10] [deleted: 6] (BRF & AL) Series 1866 I have the honor to report that during the month of October at the several trials in which the rights of Freedmen were involved, equal justice was accorded, but in matters of controversy between Freedmen and their employers it is nearly impossible to exact justice as the employees are too poor to avail themselves of legal process in the courts, and much of the evidence in proof of their accounts is powerless against the book accounts of employers.

Everything I see goes to show that if not check existed on the action of courts & justices, Freedmen could not obtain justice in this Division.

Very respectfully
Yr. obt. servt.

Tho^s P. Jackson
Agent

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 sortcould be procured & their wages paid from any other source than by the freedpeople.

Very Respectfully

Roswell Waldo A.S.A.C.

Evan

April 16th 1866

Staunton, Va.

Major,

I have the honor to call your attention to what I conceive to be an act of gross injustice practised upon a colored man by one of the Magistrates of this town, under the new order for the trial of criminal cases, and in regard to which I wish to know if an appeal can not be made, in accordance with the wishes of the plaintiff, [illeg.] the Courts having jurisdiction under the Civil Rights bill.

The facts, as brought out upon the trial this morning, are these: on Sunday April 15th, two ladies called at the house of a colored man named Rafe Willis, who lived in the upper part of a house, leading to which, a flight of stairs on the outside is the common thoroughfare for the family of Willis, and also of two others, when these ladies were about to leave, they found the passage obstructed by the defendant, Charlie [unclear: Frayer] [unclear: (Mo)] who was upon the stairs in a state of intoxication, they went back to the plaintiff, Willis, and requested him to have the steps cleaned so that they could get down, he then went partly down to where the defendant was standing and requested [unclear: them] to get off the steps, telling them that if they did not, he would call some one to take them off. [unclear: Frayer] then [unclear: rushed] up the stairs after him, saying that he would have no d----d nigger insulting him, and made a violent attack upon him, driving him up the stairs and into his own, Willis', apartment where the as-

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sault was renewed and continued until the parties were separated by the intervention of a man named Gardner, who dragged the defendant away.

Both parties appeared before the Magistrate this morning: plaintiff, with his face and lips cut and swollen, and the defendant apparently untouched, after hearing of the evidence substantially as above detailed, the Justice dismissed the case, by binding both parties to keep the peace for six months in a bond of $50.00 each.

I am Major,

Very Respy

Your Obt. Serv't

F.S. Tukey

Asst Supt. Sub Dist. "B"

May 11th 1867

Sir

I have the honor at the request of Revd N. C. Brackett who is absent on duty at Harpers Ferry to return your communication of Apl 28th 1867

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with this my report of wants of School accomodation at Staunton and the [unclear: deserts] of the M.E. Church (cold) at this place for assistance in their church building.

1st Interrogatory What number of pupils to be provided with School room accomodation in Staunton Va. "I should reply that if all who ought to go to school were brought in the number could be fully five hundred (500)."

2nd Interrogatory "What facilities are already available by rent or otherwise for the future," of course the power to rent is measured by the means [unclear: as command]" At present the means must come from the Bureau R.F.&A.L. which holds [unclear: one] room capacity eighty scholars at a monthly rent of $8.00 for colored children and one room capacity fifty scholars at a monthly rent of $12.00 for white children. The M.E. Church (colored) building heretofore used free of rent as a Freedmans School [added: has been sold] and Vacated." Capacity was 250 Scholars."

3d Interrogatory. What is extent of the accomodation to be provided in the proposed church building? at Staunton" The building in question is 30 x 50 feet with basement 30 x 30 feet this providing much increased accomodation [unclear: over] the old vacated building. Untill the new building is enclosed the [deleted: ] School of upwards of 200 Scholars must [unclear: suspend] its session. Every effort is being made (and has been made) by the colored people to erect the building but means are inadequate and claims by contractors pressing by terms" The Trustees by M.E. Church discippline are forbidden to [unclear: aleviate] [unclear: or encumber] their church trust by written contract but freely and fully consent that the new building shall be used as a School for all Denominations under management of B.R. & AL Teachers in the [illeg.] [illeg.] aid can be afforded [illeg.] knowing the Trustees [unclear: Rector] and in View of

[page 3]

the great liberality exhibited by them in granting for use of the old building for school purposes so long. I will give any assurance required that the new building shall be available as the old and I do most earnestly recommend that the Bureau R.F.& A.L appropriate a Sum not less than three hundred dollars ($300. 00 ) to be applied by the Trustees of the M.E. Church colored Staunton Va to the completion of their school building under such inspection as the Bureau R F & A L may designate.

In this conviction it may be truly said "He gives twice who gives quickly."

Respectfully Submitted

Yr obt servt

Thos P Jackson

Agent

Septr 11th 1865

Staunton, Va

Colonel

I have the honor to report that a young freedman named Robert Carter was tried for an attempt at Larceny by the Hustings Court at Staunton, Va on the 8th of this month.

He was just taken before the Provost Marshall, Capt. J.M. Collins 58th Pa. Vols., to whom he confessed his guilt. He was then turned over to the Civil Authorities for trial. A Counsel was assigned by the Court, Mr. Cochrane, who managed the case with commendable zeal and ability. He contended and I think proved that the confession was not voluntarily made. The other evidence would not convict. The Court thought otherwise, received the confession, convicted and sentenced him to (1) one year in the penitentiary. The case will be sent to Gov. Pierpont for [unclear: revision].

Cast & AQM

Supt. 6th Dist VA

How describes the school situation in his Sub-District, finding 366 black children under the age of 14 in Staunton, as well as adults who are also interested in receiving an education.

am but just returned from a tour through my District, 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. I can furnish School rooms (in the upper part of the Court House now used by me for office &c three (3) rooms) for one hundred & fifty and can soon, as I expect to arrange for at least a hundred & fifty (150) more.

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

True copy of note sent Dangerfield W. Stover How

“Dr Sir

Your communication of date May 8/67 asking if BRF & AL would aid support of teachers in Valley during the present summer &c is returned with endorsement "such aid cannot be furnished by the Bureau" I trust notwithstanding present discouragement your society will retain several if not all the teachers during this summer, taking advantage of the increasing interest manifested by the Freedpeople in Education and the disposition to tolerate schools on the part of the Whites.”

Izzy Tront

In compliance with Cir. Ord. No. 6, Series 1866 I have the honor to report that during the month of September several trials of Freedmen have been had before the county court. In all of these full justice was accorded by court and jury. In minor cases before Magistrates in their districts, Freedmen, being without counsel, cannot fully obtain impartial justice, but this is more the result of their own ignorance, than wrong action on the part of the justice, basing his decision upon the facts, as presented. To remedy this as much as lies in my power, I shall continue to notify magistrates that if Freedmen request, the examination be postponed until I can be sent for to appear for them.

Jackson reports on the progress of several cases of assault against blacks in Augusta County. Regarding one case, Jackson notes that the complainants fear they will have to leave their homes if they prosecute the case.

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

The Freedmen are generally at work, and for able bodied men, the demand exceeds the supple. Women with 3 or more little children find it difficult to obtain employment and there is no authorized system of apprenticeship by which such children might be permanently provided for, and the mother disincumbered, be able to support herself. Cases of this kind are comparitively infrequent, but difficult to meet when they occur, because there are no vacant habitations accessible in this District and the cases are distributed on a [unclear: territory] which from its extent and difficient communications render relief establishments impracticable.

There will be numbers of infirm and helpless freedmen, besides some among them who were called "free negroes" for whose support some local provision must be made, and I again respectfully suggest that the local authorities, as overseers of the Poor may be made to take care of them -- as they best can for the inhabitants will then have a personal interest in the matter and permit the use of vacant cabins, which they would now rather burn than have them occupied under the auspices of the "Freedmens Bureau" --.

Nov 20th 1868

Waldo asks for a teacher to be sent to Laurel Hill, a community east of Staunton. He specifically asks for a black teacher, so that he or she will be able to board with a black family, citing white opposition to black schools.

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.

WAlker

Wm. R. Morse
Brvt. Maj. & Supt. of Schools
Gordonsville

Jan 12/69

Staunton, Va.

Dear Sir,

The Blanks for Teachers Monthly Reports came duly. I was absent at the time but they are now received.

The schools of which I have controll, I will endeavor to see that are reported to you by the 30 [unclear: es] per request.

The school now kept by Jacklin Strange is not under my controll nor the one kept at Greenville by Miss Emily Rodney.

Nevertheless I will forward them the blanks and [unclear: read] to Strange (who I think has charge of the Greenville school) your request to me.

Very Respectfully

John Scott

P.S. An opinion among the colored people that they are capable of taking the lead in their own educational affairs, roundabout here is working badly against their interest.

15 February 1866.

Parkersburg, W. Va

Sir,

In reply to yours of 7th inst. I beg to inform you that the last Master of the Colord woman and family in question lived in Staunton W. Va. and named James Trotter.

I am Sir
very respectfully

James Schilling

Dec. 31s 1867

Winchester, Va.

General

I have the honor to report that in the 1st Division of this Sub District about fifty able bodied freedmen, for whom employment cannot be found. In the other Divisions the demand for labor is still equal to the supply.

Very Respectfully
Your Obdt Servant

John A. McDonnell
Capt & S.A.C.

Freedmen's Bureau Records: W. Storer How to Orlando Brown, August 8, 1865

Dec. 6, 1867

Harpers Ferry, W. Va.

Dear Sir:

Yours of Dec. 2^nd is before me. We can furnish the girl of whom you speak for tuition, and a good room where she can board herself [added: free of rent] This is all we can do at present. May be we can get some help for her additional from the Peabody fund. We shall try with fair prospect of sucess.

Yours in haste,

N. C. Brackett

We will furnish free tuition and room rent & several more. N.C.B.

Memo of contract for cropping on the shares this year entered into this 1st day of January 1867 between D. Kunkle and Reuben Gouldin as follows. The said Gouldin is to work himself and furnish the necessary labour to put in at least say twenty-five acres each corn, wheat & oats, and cultivate the same in such fields on the place upon which he resides as the s^d Kunkle may designate and the s^d Gouldin is to take good care of & feed all the stock on the premises, to haul & chop ready for use the firewood for s^d Kunkle, work his garden & one additional acre, in cane & potatoes or a part of each and to mend up & renew the fences in such way as the s^d Kunkle may direct, so as to secure the crops, and is to use energy & industry in carrying on the business - and the said Gouldin is to have one eighth (1/8) of all the field crops raised - namely of the corn, wheat and oats, to have his house rent, garden & firewood free of charge and after the 1^st of April the use of one milk cow and for any other work pertaining to the crop, done by the s^d Gouldin or his family for the s^d Kunkle or his family -- the said Gouldin is to have a fair remuneration -- to be settled up at least once each month, and it is understood they are to do all such work when called upon -- said Gouldin is to have one eighth of the wheat crop now in the ground and is to sow [added: & put in] as much and leave it should he remain but one year and he is to prepare all the crops raised for mill or market. It is further understood that should the said Kunkle become dissatisfied with the said Gouldin's way of doing business, he may at any time cancel this contract by giving the said Gouldin thirty days notice & paying him at the rate of twelve dollars per month for his services -- in lieu of any part of the crop, provided however that should he the s^d Kunkle not give such notice before the 1^st day of August S^d Gouldin shall remain the year out & receive a part of the crop as herein before provided, s^d Kunkle to furnish the horse, seed, and all the tools necessary for carrying on the business.

Given under our hands, date above.

D.Kunkle

"Augt 31st 1865

Staunton, Va

Sir

I am but just returned from a tour through my District, 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. I can furnish School rooms (in the upper part of the Court House now used by me for office &c three (3) rooms) for one hundred & fifty and can soon, as I expect to arrange for at least a hundred & fifty (150) more.

The colored people here are anxious that a school may be established, and I heartily second their desire. Winchester also presents a favorable field for efforts in their behalf. There are three hundred and seventy two (372) under 14, and a colored church that will accommodate about half of the pupils. Another church (colored) could be repaired for about $300 -- that would hold the rest, and in reference to which Col. Brown has a statement forwarded by me.

At Harpers Ferry I found a school of 40 pupils established by Miss Mann

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(sister of Horace Mann) and taught by her for four months under every discouragement illustrating heroic charity. She is about to accept a situation elsewhere, and was exceedingly anxious that the school should be continued, and would provide a teacher if desired. I promised that the school should continue. The present room will not do for winter, and as soon as I can get an officer to put on duty there, a place shall be provided - with you will rest the responsibility of enabling me to keep my promise.

At Martinsburgh and Lexington smaller schools will be necessary as I think, and when I know I will write you.

I am Sir
Very Respectfully &c

W. Storer How
Capt & AQM
Supt. 6th Dist Va"