Prepared, for the President, by the
American Freedmen's Inquiry Commission.
__________________
Abstract of Mr.
John Eaton's Report.
He was appointed by
the General commanding in the Department of Tennesee to assume general
supervision of the Freedmen Dec. 17. 1862.
He states forcibly
the difficulties of his new and untried field; and acknowledges the considerate
attention and support ever given to him by the General commanding.
The negroes were
flocking in and swarming confusedly around the military post.
The first thing was
to gather and tabulate the statistics of their number & condition.
Statistics.
There were, or had
been, over twenty-two thousand colored refugees under the care or observation
of the various Superintendents at Corinth, Grand Junction, Memphis, La Grange,
Providence La. Cairo Ill. Jackson Tenn., and Columbus Ky.
Some of these had,
in various ways, gone back to slavery; others had found Northern homes.
General statistics
were gathered concerning 6747 persons at Corinth, Grand Junction and Memphis.
Of these 1372 were men, 2224 women, and 1372 children. About half of these were
Africans; the rest of mixed blood. About a hundred were mechanics; about a
thousand cooks or laundresses. Nearly two hundred could read, and about forty
read and write.
Clothing.
They usually came
within our lines wretchedly clad, some having hardly enough to cover their
nakedness, a few, however, had borrowed good clothing of their
masters, for their journey.
They were generally
soon made comfortable in this respect by supplies from the Government, and by
gifts from the North.
Shelter.
They were sheltered
in tents, in barracks or in old or deserted houses; but in many cases, men made
cabins for themselves.
Rations.
In most cases
soldiers rations were issued to them as soon as they came; at some places
however not until later. The rations seem to have generally been sufficient and
satisfactory.
Property brought
with them.
They brought in with
them horses, oxen, mules, wagons, yokes, chains &c, besides some cotton; of
which they had “spoiled the Egyptians—”.
Much of this
property however was taken from them by officers and soldiers who appropriated
it to their private use; the rest was turned over to the Quarter-master. So
generally were they rewarded for having spoiled their and our enemies, by being
spoiled in return, that it is noted as a remarkable fact, that they were
righteously allowed at La Grange, to sell two ox-teams for their own
benefit.
Hospital
Arrangements.
Many fell sick; and
in most cases, they seem to have been, all things considered, well provided for
in hospitals, and to have been kindly treated.
It is reported
however that at Memphis, there was shameful neglect and mismanagement on the
part of surgeons and officials.
Treatment by
Officers & Others.
Where they were
gathered in Camps, located near our forces, they seem to have suffered a good
deal of brutal treatment at the hands of the soldiers; especially at first,
when white guards alone were employed.
When removed from
the vicinity of the army, and especially since colored guards have been
employed, the evils have lessened.
The Superintendent
generally reports that they have had assistance and encouragement in their
work of beneficence from the superior officers and U. S. Officials.
Too often however,
the soldiers and lower officers, have shown their contempt for the work's of
mercy; and have treated the colored people most brutally. This of course
encouraged vicious and disloyal citizens to follow the bent of their prejudices
and passions, and to heap upon the poor refugees indignities and cruelties of
the most abominable kind.
Labor and Service
It seems by the
report from the various posts that most of these people were supposed to have
merely exchanged masters; and were expected as a mater of course to be hewers
of wood and drawers of water for the United States without pay and even without
clothing.
To a question upon
this matter the following replies were given:
“Corinth “All
men except the infirm, and few for camp were employed. All women, saving those
having large families, or small children; — generally reported industrious and
faithful, when well-treated. Many have worked from 2 to 12 months, and never
received a cent, or a rag, yet, as reward, alike as private servants, and
Government employees.
“Cairo “Many
employed in Quarter Master Department & Post-Hospitals. Cannot give
definite numbers.
“Gnd Junction
“All the men, but feeble, employed by Government, or individuals, or in
camp; — have cut wood and lumber — handled goods, erected defences. One hundred
and fifty went to Vicksburg, — many in Q. M. and Commissary Departments. Women
& children pick cotton for Government & for private individuals.
“Holly Springs
and Memphis. “A large amount
for each.
“Memphis. “Average able-bodied men for the month
eighty-five. Erecting cabins — preparing camp — many have been turned over to
different Departments, sometimes most grossly abused; as for instance, some
worked all day in water, drenched, nearly frozen, and then driven to tents for
shelter, to sheds for sleep without covering and almost without fire and food.
They have come back to die by scores. Wages seldom paid — none in Hospitals.
The services of a large number have been stolen out-right.
“Bolivar.
“None employed by individuals; many for Government; building fortifications;
cutting wood, rolling logs, running saw mills, and in Q. M. Dp'ts. and
Hospitals no general system of pay.
Providence Digging canal — picking cotton.
Assistants.
There is no mention
of any lack of assistants. Besides those regularly employed some have
volunteered and done good service.
Instruction.
There seems to have
been no regular provision for instructions. Some good Samaritans volunteered to
teach on Sunday, and at other times; and there were, at some posts, schools
kept regularly for a few weeks.
Mention is made of
preparations to build school-houses.
Motives for
coming into our lines.
All the testimony
goes to show that the slaves had almost universally a strong desire to be free,
and a vague idea that fleeing to the enemies of their masters would make them
free.
The immediate cause
of their running away, was, in a great many cases, a fear of being baulked of
freedom by being sold “down South”. Many alledge cruel treatment as the
cause. They seldom however manifest any desire of revenge upon their masters.
Some had a clear and
precise idea that the war was to bring emancipation, and acted upon that idea.
They seem to have
left their homes reluctantly, and only to gain freedom; for they all manifest
strong local attachment; they wish to return to their homes if they can go
there as free men; and never wish to go Northward, unless urged by fears of
being re-enslaved.
The fact that,
although free, they are obliged to work does not appear to have surprised them,
or to have made them repent their flight.
Of their
intelligence.
Most of the
Superintendents say they were agreeably surprised at the degree of intelligence
shown by the refugees. They seem to have a concealed stock of ideas and
knowledge, and to draw upon it in case of need. Many who usually seemed stupid,
and were held to be nearly idiotic, showed great ingenuity in shirking what
they deemed overtasks; and they became bright and clever when it came to
contriving means for escaping from bondage.
Their ideas of
freedom,
vary of course with
their degree of intelligence. There was a general idea that freedom would come
as the result of the war. They wished to be free from the necessity of working
for others, but not from the necessity of working for themselves.
Their ideas of
property
varied likewise with
their intelligence, though all had a distinct sense of ownership of certain
property, as their kitchen utensils, and the like. These were “their own,
not master's”. The more intelligent extended the idea of ownership to other
things. Some had been accumulating money for many months in view of their
flight.
Honesty.
The general
testimony is that they had no sense of honesty, as towards their
masters and oppressors. Towards their friends and others, they seem to be
about on the same moral plane as other people of like grade of culture.
One Superintendent
says:
“I verily believe
that their habits in this particular have not been so thoroughly prostituted by
the influence of all the centuries of their degradation in slavery as have
those of our patriot soldiery, in two years of war.”
Their willingness to
work .
when they have any
pay or hopes of pay is almost universally vouched for. In many cases they
worked patiently and faithfully even when not paid, and not fully assured that
they would be paid.
The Superintendent
at Corinth says:
“So far as I have
tested it, better than I anticipated. They are Willing to work for money,
except in waiting on the sick. One hundred and fifty hands gathered 500 acres
of cotton in less than three weeks — much of which time was bad weather. The
owner admitted that it was done quicker than it could have been done with
slaves. When detailed for service, they generally remained till honorably
discharged, even when badly treated. I am well satisfied, from careful
calculations, that the freedmen of this Camp and District have netted the
Government, over and above all their expenses, including rations, tents,
&c., at least $3000. per month, independent of what the women do, and all
the property brought through our lines from the rebels.”
Religion.
The universal
testimony is that they have a strong religious disposition. They have great
veneration. They have in their stock (or race), all the
elements upon which can be grafted true religion, which will bring forth
abundant fruit in good works. As yet however they show only emotional religion.
They pray, sing, shout hallelujahs, and make a great religious display, but
they have never been taught to live religious lives.
The Superintendent
at Holly Springs and Memphis bears striking testimony upon to the
truth of this:
“Great majority
religious.— They are Baptists or Methodists. Their notions of the leading
doctrines of the Bible are remarkably correct— Justification, repentance,
faith, holiness, heaven, hell,. They are not troubled, like educated white men,
with unbelief.
“Notions of doctrine
better than to be expected. Practices not always in accordance with their
notions, as is also true of other colors. Have been taught to make their
religion one of feeling, not necessarily affecting their living. If one finds
himself susceptible to religious excitement or sentiment, he is a religious
man, though at the same time he may lie, steal, drink, and commit adultery.”
Their Marital
Relations,
in the language of
the Superintendent at Corinth, “were all wrong”.
Neither they nor
their fathers had been allowed to marry, “as white folks do.” They understood
that the main object of their masters in bringing the sexes together was to
have them beget children; therefore they argued they might promote that object
out of, as well as in, marriage bonds.
Three of the
Superintendents report thus:
“Most of them have
no idea of the sacredness of the marriage tie; declaring that marriage, as it
exists among the whites, has been impossible for them. In other cases, the
marriage relation exists in all its sacredness without legal sanction.
“The greater number
have lived together as husband and wife, by mutual consent. In many cases,
strongly attached and faithful, though having no legal marriage.
“They know what
marriage is among the whites, but have yielded to the sad necessity of their
case. Generally, I believe the men to be faithful to the women with whom they
live, and the women to reward their faith with like truth. Free and married, they
will maintain the marital relations as sacredly as any other race.
The policy of
Arming the Refugees,
is urged by all the
Superintendents. One says:
“I believe in giving
them their freedom by their swords. Policy and humanity say, Arm the negro.
History affords all the necessary precedents for liberating slaves and arming
them as soldiers, to fight in defence of their county. Blacks fought in the
Revolutionary struggle, and in the War of 1812. Let them fight in the war for
their own liberty.”
The Superintendent
at Memphis takes up the same strain and says:
“Yes, arm him! It
will do him worlds of good. He will know then that he has rights, and dare
maintain them — a grand step towards manhood. Arm him! for our country needs
soldiers. These men will make good soldiers. Arm him! for the rebels need
enemies, and heaven knows the blacks have reason to be that. Once armed and
drilled, the black man will be an enemy the rebels will neither love nor
despise. Arm him, and let the world see the black man on a vast scale returning
good for evil, helping with blood and life the cause of the race which hated,
oppressed and scorned him.”
Finally the
Superintendent at La Grange says:
“Arm them at once.
We can hurt the rebels more by the use of the negro than by any others means in
our power. Arm him — use him; do it speedily. Why leave him to labor for our
enemy, and thus keep up the strife? Arm him — he is a man — he will fight — he
can save the Union. I pledge you and the world they will make good soldiers.”
Mr. Eaton assumes
the facts thus reported to him by various Superintendents as premisses from
which he draws his conclusions and upon which he bases his plan for the
Management of the
colored refugees.
The main facts are:
First, — that nearly
twenty three thousand slaves have fled to our lines in that Departments.
Second.— that, save
a very few returned to slavery, the great majority have disappeared from
official notice by fusing in with the general population, and earning their
livelihood by labor which is profitable to themselves and to the community.
Third.— That a small
proportion only of these have ever been dependent upon the Government; the
greatest number of full rations ever issued being only 5500.
The whole cost of
their support and supervision has been far less than what has been gained by
Government; for if, by stretch of fancy, we suppose them to be paid their
wages, the rate of these wages is so much less than their real value that a
large margin of profit remains. In his words: “if the Freedmen could be, and
were excluded from this Department, and white laborers employed, the Government
would pay out forty-two thousand six hundred and sixty-one dollars per month,
more than it now does for the same work, and the support of all idle and feeble
Freedmen.”
Moreover their
labor, while its loss cripples the rebellion, aids our cause in various ways.
Fourth.— That it is
morally certain that the Exodus from Slavery will largely increase.
In his words:
“Should the knowledge of the Proclamation continue to increase and general
destitution prevail in the rebellious districts, what may we not expect?
Already in certain quarters they receive but one meal of meat pr. day, they
have not had their regular supply of clothing since the out-break of the
rebellion. I have conclusive evidence that in the very centres of Alabama the
slave population is already possessed of no indifferent idea of what the
Proclamation declares in their behalf.”
Fifth.— That there
should be some clear and well defined provision made by Government for the
management of such of the refugees as do not at once fuse in with the
community, and especially during the early part of their sojourn within our
lines.
He then proposes
plan, the main features of which are these: “A distinct class of officers could
be provided similar to the various military corps, the Engineer, medical, the
Chief directly responsible to the Secretary of War, a subordinate reporting so
far as necessary to each Department Commander, and his subordinates located at
Posts or centres of Districts, where the presence of these freed people require
supervision and where their labor on the soil may be safe from guerrilla or
other barbarities.”
x x x
“The supervisors of
freedmen held to most rigid accountability, guarded against any corruption,
also by the presence of the officer of another Department, holding themselves
military rank, vested with competent authority, and supported by a military
organization of blacks at their command either as militia or regular troops or
both, should enroll all blacks, men, women and children, put in the hands of
each the description of his person, location, employment or name of employer;
requiring all not voluntarily engaging according to fixed or reasonable rates
with authorized persons, to labor under the direction of Government agents who
should have charge of camps in which there should be ample provision for the
industry whether mechanical, horticultural or agricultural, of all coming in
and not otherwise employed; also fit provision for sick, for all permanently or
temporarily dependent, whether old, young, or infirm, all contracts should be
made through the proper Superintendent, and recorded, and none should be
changed without his consent, or broken without punishment to the offender;
there should be no change of location without his permit. This supervision
should permit no abuse, should guard all relations between man and man, should
lay at once the foundations of society, providing schools supported by tax upon
property or income from labor alike in communities and in camps, requiring the
attendance of all with certain limitations of age and season; enforcing the
laws of marriage, of the relations of husband and wife, child and parent,
during the minority of the former, opening alike communities and camps for
religious instruction to well disposed and properly authorized persons who
might come to labor among them; should regulate all trade, not only so that it
might not aid the rebellion, but so as to free the blacks from imposition
invited by their ignorance, indeed, should meet according to order every exigency
arising in the affairs of these freed people, whether physical, social or
educational, so far as is possible and is accordant with the genius of our free
institutions, and the spirit of American Christian civilization.
“The exercise of
military authority being entirely under control of the Executive, could not
only adjust itself to all grades of intelligence and enterprise among these
people and to current changes, but be withdrawn in part or altogether at any
moment desirable.”
Mr Eaton recommends
that, whenever feasible the refugees should be put to work upon lands abandoned
and forfeited by rebels.
“In all cities”, he
says, “the management of these people becomes a matter especially important. In
Memphis there are a large number either idle, concealed in byways, in old
houses, or controlled by the money of the disloyal, or otherwise vicious or
criminal. Supt Fisk states probably one third of the blacks about town are
employed by persons in no wise heartily loyal, while the calls of the various branches
of military service, for the labor of contrabands, are beyond any possibility
of supply, and significantly asks ought not the Government interest in the
entire control of all contraband labor be protected! The Plan, suggested among
its other features, by giving every colored man a recorded status, a copy of
which he carries with him, not only protects him against abuse, but meets this
difficulty by allowing him never to change location, or him or his employer to
alter their contract without the consent of the Superintendent.”
Mr. Eaton closes his
Report with the following summary of his plan for the management of the colored
refugees.
“I. Special military
provision, as necessary alike to the full military effect of the Proclamation
upon the armed rebellion; to the interests of the people declared free, equally
with respect to their safe, comfortable and useful conduct through the
transition from slavery to freedom, and their fit preparation for their new
privileges; Also to the security against servile insurrections and the
speediest restoration of Government authority over rebellious States, — of
military in preference to civil form, because martial law must prevail over
these regions during the war; because more simple, avoiding undesirable
questions and complications; and because more easily adjusted to all
necessities and changes.
“II. A district
corps of officers, especially fit in ability and character — the Chief at
Washington, subordinates with Commanders of Departments, and in each District,
where necessary, finding their assistants — as far as practicable, among worthy
soldiers, unfitted by disease or wounds for active field service.
“III. At points of
sufficient security on our coasts or rivers, or near military posts, they
receive, locate, record and furnish a copy of written statistics to every
colored person, without which he is subject to arrest; according to orders and
instructions from the President or Secretary of War, adopt a complete system of
regulations, and adjust them to the individual social and educational
necessities of these people, enlisting as many able-bodied men as is expedient,
either as regular troops or militia, and securing the industry of all as far as
possible.
“IV. These
regulations should provide for the co-operation of the supervisors of freed
people with the corresponding officer or officers of the Treasury Dep't, who
should regulate the possession and use of lands, collect taxes, and disburse
funds.
“These regulations
should provide industry in camps or otherwise for all who did not seek it
voluntarily of those occupying lands by authority of the Treasury Dep't; they
should provide support, by tax on property or labor, of asylums in connection
with camps for all dependent; and of schools in camps and communities, which
all, with certain limitations of season and age, should be required to attend;
they should facilitate the labors of all authorized persons seeking to promote
the good of these people, physically, morally or religiously; employing from
among them teachers for the Government schools, and where their labor is
rendered gratuitously, furnish rations, quarters and transportation. They
should regulate all trade among these freed people, all contracts with them,
and punish their violation; and provide for the investment in lands or U. S.
Securities of their savings; they should specially enforce the sacredness of
the family, of the relation of husband and wife, parent and wif —
child, that these people may be introduced the most speedily to the knowledge
and practice of all the duties and amenities of Citizenship.”
SOURCE: Abraham Lincoln Papers
at the Library of Congress, Accessed November 3, 2021.
