Freedmen's Bureau Records: W. Storer How to Orlando
Brown, May 5, 1866
Summary:
How writes to Brown before what appears to be his resignation from the Bureau.
How proposes a reorganization of the Sixth District due to conflicts with
General Terry, the Military Commissioner for the Valley. He suggests that two
counties be placed under the jurisdiction of West Virginia, where much more
progress has been made in terms of laws protecting the rights of free blacks,
and further splitting the district into two parts, one of which would be
commanded from Staunton. His letter constantly alludes to conflicts and
misunderstandings between the Bureau and the Military Commissioners.
May 5th 1866
Winchester, Virginia
My Dear General
It seems to me that it will soon be necessary to modify the organization of this District and change its present anomalous relations to the Command of General Terry, to that of General Hancock and to the state of West Virginia. By the [unclear: deposition] of General Ayres the command of a District [unclear: embracing] Rockingham, Shenandoah, Page, Warren, Frederick, Clarke, Buckley, Jefferson and Linden Counties [deleted: ] upon a Major, United States Army who is apparently desirous of fixing the [unclear: precise] relations in which Bureau officers stand to him and he to them. And he does not understand how, for instance, I can be in and exercise jurisdiction within the command of General Hancock yet be under the direction of yourself and General Terry.
This is my interpretation of his remark that he does not understand the Bureau arrangements and has written for instructions, and it [unclear: seems] to me that the [unclear: ordering transactions] of the Bureau are irregular enough without the continuance of such a complication as this.
[unclear: These two then] are Buckley and Jefferson Counties in the State of West Virginia.
So long as Harpers Ferry was a Military Post and occupied as such I felt secure enough in the exercise of Bureau funtion with proper care and caution, but now that the [unclear: sunflower] of Military Authority is withdrawn I feel that the jurisdiction of the Bureau in these counties is liable to be questioned.
By a law of West Virginia passed February 27th 1866 it is enacted that "no person shall be incompetent as a witness on account of race or color," and there is also a law establishing free schools for colored children. These laws are not in full operation but soon will be, I trust, and there will be no need for Bureau supervision, in fact it may now be advisable to withdraw. Should this District be reorganized I suggest a Superintendent at Winchester for Frederick County and in charge of Clarke, Warren, Page & Shenandoah. Also a Superintendent at Staunton for Augusta with (4) assistants for Rockingham, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath, adding Highland to Augusta.
This as I think would be the best arrangement until the Valley RRoads shall be completed, probably a year hence
I have given this information and [unclear: thrown] out these suggestions in an informal way so that you might initiate any action in accordance with your own opinions and desires.
I have hitherto managed to avoid conflicts that I now think are likely to occur, for since I began this I have [illeg.] that General Terry had succeeded you, as I had expected.
It is a fact as far as my experience goes that the absence of an understood organization of the Bureau has [unclear: constituted] its effectiveness. The Army couldn't understand it and were afraid to oppose it. The people couldn't understand it and were afraid to oppose it.
If only they could have promoted to distinct, comprehensible positions they could have kept us within them and given us trouble. As an illustration, just so soon as orders come here from General Terry which affect this post commander they will be referred to General Hancock while an order from you as " Assistant Commissioner " would be respected That - incomprehensible "Assist Comr" does the business.
I am sorry your relinquished command but should yet never regret it did I not think it a wise thing to do, and were I to remain.
I hope soon to hear of your action in my behalf and that you will send [unclear: Capt. White] in [unclear: Maj. Bates] to relieve me sometime between the 15th & 25th.
With best wishes
yours faithfully
W. Storer How
[illeg.]
