Identifier: pictureofdesolat00trow (find matches)
Title: A picture of the desolated states; and the work of restoration. 1865-1868
Year: 1868 (1860s)
Authors: Trowbridge, J. T. (John Townsend), 1827-1916
Subjects: Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885 Colfax, Schuyler, 1823-1885 Reconstruction (U.S. history, 1865-1877) Southern States -- Description and travel United States -- History Civil War, 1861-1865 Anecdotes
Publisher: Hartford, Conn., L. Stebbins
Contributing Library: New York Public Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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s generally supported by firm and efficient ;officers ; although, like all the Assistant - Commissioners I saw, he complained that the law establishing the Bureau did ;not permit him to choose his own agents. He had to take isuch army officers as were given him ; some of whom were jalways found to be incompetent, or neglectful of their duties,or so prejudiced for or against the blacks that they were ren-dered incapable of administering justice. A few were in sym-pathy with slavery. Others, meaning to do right, Avere seduced ;from a straightforward course by the dinners to which theywere invited by planters who had favors to ask. With such,the rights of the freedmen were sure to suffer, when into theopposite scale were thrown the aristocratic Rebels flatteringattentions and the smiles of his fair daughters. It was the practice of the agents of the Bureau to makefrequent tours of their counties, and General Fiske himself was \ ^iii/ .,j^^(fr^\!K7c, //„i//7/,„ H I—I 1—t r—( tz5
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/ /; . I/( \ OLD WRONGS RIGHTED. 339 in the habit of running off every few days to visit some Impor-tant point, where his organizing and concihatory influence wasnecessary. Often he would find the planters and the freedmenseparated by hedges of animosity and distrust. Usually hisfirst step was to call together as large an audience as could beobtained of both classes, and explain to them the object of theBureau, and the duty each class owed the other. In nearlyevery instance, earnestness and common sense prevailed; thefreedmen came forward and made contracts with the land-owners, and the land-owners conceded to the freedmen advan-tages they had refused before. Sometimes excltlno; and dramatic scenes occurred at thesemeetings. Not long ago, said General Fiske, I addresseda mixed audience of three thousand persons at Spring Hill.The meeting was presided over by a black man. Rebel gen-erals and Federal generals sat together on the platform. Imade a short speech, and afterwards answered qu

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