Genl, I have received
a letter from Washington stating that the Duncan estate has been visited by the
Press Gang or recruiting parties from your District, and their negroes carried
off. The Duncan's have been loyal from the beginning of the rebellion and as
loyal persons have had safe guard given them by myself and Admiral Porter; and
I have further received instructions from Washington to protect all loyal
persons found in the South and mentioning the family of Duncans in particular
as being entitled to protection. They have gone so far as to acknowledge the
freedom of their slaves, and made as I understand regular contracts with them
to pay wages and employ them, just as negroes are being employed on the leased
plantations, I want the matter fully investigated, and a report made to me.
Send some officer immediately to Duncans to inquire for the facts. If their
negroes have been carried off, find out where they are and who carried them
off. Return to them as far as possible everything that has been taken. Arrest
the parties engaged in this transaction, and all officers among them send to me
under guard.
SOURCE: John Y.
Simon, Editor, The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant, Volume 9, p.
39
