| Location | Salisbury, Maryland |
|---|---|
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Names Mentioned | – |
| Date | June 4, 1864 |
| Document Title | Commander of an Ohio Regiment to the Headquarters of the Middle Department and 8th Army Corps |
| Document Description | Colonel A. L. Brown to Captain, 4 June 1864, enclosed in Major General Lewis Wallace to Colonel E. D. Townsend, 7 June 1864, letters received. ser. 360, Colored Troops Division, RG 94 [B-567] . Brown, the writer, commanded the 149th Ohio Volunteers. In a draft letter included in same file, the Bureau of Colored Troops directed the superintendent of Maryland black recruitment to accept all slaves desiring to enlist, assigning to the Quarter-master's Department any men unfit for active duty. (A.A. Genl. C. W. Foster to Col. S. M. Bowman, 17 June 1864). (From the Destruction of Slavery, 382.) |
| Transcription |
Salisbury, Md, June. 4th 1864. Captain Yours of the 2nd I have. I beg leave to refer a subject to the Brigr Genl Commanding, that promises me no Small degree of Annoyance. Many Slaves have been recruited in this district, who upon examination, were rejected and sent home— the masters of these men wish to reclaim them. They come to me for protection, and refuse to go back to their masters. Under the Act of Congress and Gen Orders, what Shall I do with them— The master claims them under the laws of Maryland— And they claim they are fugitives. In one instance, and I learn there are many others, Masters have refused to feed and clothe their Slaves, and have beaten and illtreated them. They come and claim protection What shall be done. I do not fully understand to what extent I am to interfere in this matter. All those who conduct themselves in this manner are openly or covertly sympathisers with the Rebellion. I want to do my whole duty in this Command, and Shall, if by possibility I can learn what it is . Lt Fearing of Smiths Indt Cavalry has reported, and the telegraph line is Safely Guarded. I have stationed fifty men on the lower end of the line from this point, and have the remainder of his Command, 49 Men & 2nd Lt with me here— In the absence of more definite instructions I have notified parties in the negro difficulties to abstain from all unlawful practices. Very Respectfully Your Obd Svt. AL Brown |
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[Author (if known)], Documents from the Freedmen and Southern Society Project, [Date (if known)], Enduring Connections: Exploring Delmarva’s Black History, Nabb Research Center, Salisbury University.
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