The Valley of the Shadow

Freedmen's Bureau: Frederick S. Tukey Case


Frederick Tukey was a Bureau agent in Augusta County from January-April 1867. After arriving he was quickly embroiled in a dispute where Tukey found himself accused of disloyalty, embezzlement, and improper behavior. While the Bureau ultimately decided that there was no real evidence of Tukey's alleged misdeeds, they felt his local reputation had been too damaged for him to continue serving as the Bureau agent in Staunton. These letters detail the Bureau's investigation and Tukey's self-defense during the controversy.


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  • W. Storer How to Frederick S. Tukey, March 26, 1866
    How's letter appears to relate to Oscar Morris' employment as Bureau messenger, and his accusations against F. Tukey.
  • N. C. Brackett to John M. Schofield, January 4, 1867
    Brackett responds to the news that Frederick Tukey is resuming his post as Bureau Agent in Staunton, replacing George Cook. Brackett is opposed to the change in personnel, citing Cook's service to the schools and Tukey's questionable attitude towards them. The Bureau wrapper contains comment from Schofield stating that Brackett must make more specific accusations.
  • R. M. Manly to N. C. Brackett, January 7, 1867
    Manly forwards to Brackett General Brown's demand for more specific accusations against Frederick Tukey in Staunton, if any are to be made. Manly chastizes Brackett, calling him an outsider, and pointing out that the Bureau has been acquainted with the parties involved much longer than Brackett himself has.
  • Orlando Brown to John A. McDonnell, January 26, 1867
    Brown asks McDonnell to investigate allegations against Frederick Tukey during his tenure as the Bureau's agent in Augusta County.
  • Frederick S. Tukey to John A. McDonnell, February 4, 1867
    Tukey refutes the various charges made against him in this lengthy statement to McDonnell. In it he gives his own account of events, calling McDonnell's attention to various statements and other evidence.
  • Statement of George Partridge, February 6, 1867
    Partridge writes that he has known Tukey for some twenty years, and worked with him in Portsmouth, Virginia before Tukey was transferred to Staunton. He testifies to Tukey's character and reputation among the local population and suggests that the accusations against Tukey are the product of a conspiracy on the part of George Cook and George Graham.
  • William L. Herr to John A. McDonnell, February 7, 1867
    Herr's letter attests that he knows of no accusations against Frederick Tukey, nor of any improper behavior.
  • Statement of J. K. Botts, February 7, 1867
    Botts testifies as to his acquaintance with Tukey, stating that Tukey has always "conducted himself ... in a manner becoming a Goverment officer."
  • Statement of E. P. Phelps, February 7, 1867
    Phelps' states that he considers both Frederick Tukey and George Cook to be good officers.
  • Statement of H. Risk, February 8, 1867
    Risk amends and adds to his statement previously given to John McDonnell.
  • Statement of David Fultz, February 8, 1867
    Fultz, a lawyer in Staunton, offers a statement about his acquaintance with Frederick Tukey. Fultz states that he had the confidence of the local black population, and would therefore have known about any complaints against Tukey, of which, he says, there were none.
  • Statement of William J. Dews, February 8, 1867
    Dews testifies to Tukey's character and comments on what he considers to be the suspicious involvement of George Graham of the Burial Corps in the matter.
  • Statement of Edward Burke, February 9, 1867
    Edward Burke offers a statement on behalf of Frederick Tukey.
  • Frederick S. Tukey to Orlando Brown, February 9, 1867
    Tukey submits additional statements on his behalf to General Brown. Tukey also draws attention to a preacher who worked in Staunton during his tenure, now living in Richmond, with whom he hopes General Brown will meet.
  • Statement of Catherine Cox, February 11, 1867
    Catherine Cox, Tukey's family servant, gives a statement about the alleged consumption of government rations in the Tukey household.
  • John A. McDonnell to Orlando Brown, February 12, 1867
    McDonnell's report sums up his impression of the case against Frederick Tukey in Staunton, and directs General Brown's attention to the evidence submitted with the report.
  • Report of John A. McDonnell, February 1867
    This report from McDonnell is a compilation of testimonies taken by him in reference to the accusations against Frederick Tukey.
  • Garrick Mallery to Orlando Brown, March 7, 1867
    Mallery reviews and considers the available evidence pertaining to the various accusations against Frederick Tukey. He concludes that there is no firm evidence to point to fraud or dishonesty on Tukey's part, but recommends that due to his lack of organization, and the fact that his reputation has been damaged beyond repair, that to allow Tukey to continue on as Bureau agent would further damage the Bureau's standing in the community. Mallery also concludes that the counter accusations raised by Tukey against George Cook and several female school teachers merit further investigation.
  • Annie A. Dunn to Orlando Brown, March 23, 1867
    Dunn contests her dismissal as teacher in Staunton and her transfer to North Carolina by N.C. Brackett, the Superintendent of Schools for the Shenandoah Valley. She claims that her dismissal is the direct result of evidence she gave in the case related to the conduct of Frederick Tukey (her brother-in-law) and George Cook, both Bureau Agents in Staunton. The students and parents of her school would later sign a petition for her reinstatement.
  • Thomas P. Jackson to R. M. Manly, October 7, 1867
    Jackson writes that, considering the desperate need for a school in Staunton, the community will gladly accept the female teacher N. C. Brackett has offered to send. Jackson requests a few days notice of her arrival so that he can find a place for her to board.


Race Relations | Violence | Family | Education | Monthly Reports | Employment/Labor | Mediation | Legal System | Public Welfare | Politics | Loyalty | Church | Franklin County | Administration/Bureaucracy | Tukey Case | Miscellaneous


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