Letter from Robert Gleed and signed by others, to O. O. Howard of the Freedmen’s Bureau, February 21, 1868, followed by internal referrals and replies. (Freedmen’s Bureau Records, Field Offices, Mississippi (M1907), Columbus, Roll 14, Registered Letters Received, Jan-Dec 1868)
Columbus Miss Feb 21st 1868
Gen O. O. Howard
Dear sir
It is with much regret that I write you this letter, but being refused justice in every other quarter where we have applied for it, we now apply to you as our true friend. We went to Capt. Kelly who is the commander of the post here, and the agent of the Freedmans Bureau, in the case of a young lady who said she had been very badly treated by her employer, she said that he had worn out three switches at one time; stomped and choked her; she said that she had rather die than go back to him again.
The Agent ordered her to go back; she said she would die first. I asked what could be done as she did not want to go; The agent said she must go or be sent to the “guard house.” I asked if that was legal that she should be sent to the guard house or go back when we had a place for her to stay until we could hear from her mother who lived twelve miles in the country. I told the Agent that I understood & that there was to be no difference on account of race color or previous condition of involuntary servitude; that we had civil rights granted to us by an Act of Congress, and the Bureau was the place to go for justice when it was refused to us elsewhare.
He replied that “we were treated a damed sight better than we deserved,” and ordered me out of the office. This sir is why I write to you, to ask for justice, and seek to be delivered from such cruel oppression.
I wish to call your attention to another case; There was a man who was accused of being intoxicated, he was with a friend quietly going home; was knocked down by the police and put in the guard house. Next day he was tried before the Mayor and sentenced to work in a chain gang on the streets for ninty days; his case was reported to Capt Kelly; He refused to interfere, and would have nothing to do with it at all. I consider this to be a violation of 2ond Sec of the civil rights Bill to have a chain gang for colored men and put no white men in it for similar offences; White men are not punished in that way at all. I consider that the agent refused to comply with the requirements of the law contained in Sec 4 of the civil rights Bill which says “The officers and agents of the Freedmans Bureau and every other officer who may be specialy authorized by the President of the U. S. A.
Gen, I apply to you for justice I ask not for land nor for money. But I humbly ask to be protected in our civil and Political rights
I am Sir your
Obt servant
Robert Gleed
R. C. Harrison
G. W. Rogers
James Moore
S. C. Harrison
Samuel Duncan
J. Miller
E. Harris
O. Baskervill
Benjamin Harrison
———
War Department,
Bureau R. F. and A. L.
Washington, March 3rd 1868.
Respectfully referred to the Asst. Commr. for Mississippi. The writer has been informed of this reference. By order of
Major Genl. O. O. Howard.
E. Whittlesey
A. A. A. Genl.
———
Bureau Refugees Freedmen &c
Office Asst Comr. for Miss.
Vicksburg March, 7th 1868.
Respectfully referred to Bt. Maj. W. H. Bartholomew Sub Asst Com. at- Columbus Miss. for investigation and report
By order of
Bt Maj. Genl A. C. Gillem
Asst Comr.
S. C. Greene
Capt 24th Inf Bt Maj. U. S. A.
Actg Asst Adjt Genl.
———
Office Bu R. F and A. L
Columbus, Miss, March 12, 68.
Respectfully referred to Capt. James Kelly
W. H. Bartholomew
Bvt. Maj. USA.
———
Respectfully returned to Brevt. Major, W. H. Bartholomew, Capt. 34th U. S. Infantry, Sub. Assnt Com. Collumbus. Miss.
The following is a true statement of the within case. A free colored Lady, a widow with Eight children sent me a note, stating that her daughter fifteen years old had left her place and went to live in a house of questionable character & requested I should send her back if possible. I sent for her daughter who came to the office in company with three young men, I read her mother’s letter to her, & told her she must be advised by her mother, as she was under age, she told me she would not go back to live with this man, that he abused her. I then told her if he would abuse her to complain to the Civil Authorities and if they did not give her redress I would see that Justice would be done her. She then stated that her mother never wrote the letter and if her mother knew how she had been treated by Mr. Phillips she would not send her back. I then stated to her that she should go and see her mother and take her to the office and if her mother and if her did not want her to go back she should not, but if her mother was desirous to send her back she must be advised by her. I further stated, that if the house she was stopping in was a house of bad repute, she would be taken up as a wagrant and put in Jail (not in the guard house) as stated in the complaint. The three young men that accompanied her told me she should not leave where she was, and she had a right to go where she pleased, I then told them if the place she was then stopping in, was a place of bad repute, they might get themselves into trouble by keeping her there against the wishes of her mother. I then directed her to bring her mother to the office and if she did not wish her to return to the place she left, she should not go, these young men that accompanied her stated that she should not go back under any Circumstances. I then ordered them to leave the office as they were inclined to be troublesome, the girl left the office stating she would take her mother back with her in a few days, this is the true statement of the case, and can furnish affidavits to prove its correctness if required.
This ended my interview in this matter till I received this communication.
In relation to the second complaint, I had not Jurisdiction in the matter whatever and could not interfere in it as my duties were confined to settlement of claims between the Freedman & his employer, and not to interfere in cases where the Civil Courts had the power to render redress. In conclusion I would state that I have always endeavoured while Sub. Asst. Com. to render the amplest Justice to the Freedmen of the district I had the honor to have in my charge. Hoping the explanation will be satisfactory
I have the honor to be
Your most. Obt. Servt.
James Kelly
Capt. 34th U. S. Infantry
———
Office Bureau R. F and A. L.
Columbus, Miss. March 23, 1868.
Respectfully returned, attention invited to endorsement from Captain James Kelly, 34th US Infantry.
W. H. Bartholomew
Bvt. Major. USA. Sub. Asst. Commr.
———-
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen &c.
Office Asst. Commr. for Miss.
Vicksburg, March 26th 1868
Respectfully returned to Bvt. Major W. H. Bartholomew, Sub-Asst. Commr. Columbus Miss, with the remark that the report of Capt. Kelly in this matter is perfectly satisfactory and with the request that Major Bartholomew will cause the petitioners herein to be secured in all their “civil and political rights” if in his opinion these matters come within his legitimate jurisdiction
By order of
Bvt. Maj. Genl. A. C. Gillem
Asst. Commissioner