Freedmen's Bureau Records: Frederick S. Tukey to
Orlando Brown, February 28, 1867
Summary:
Tukey's report discusses wage levels for freedmen, labor disputes, and efforts to
aid the sick and destitute among the population through clothing donations and
the possible employment of a physician.
Bureau of Refugees
Freedmen & Abandoned
Lands
Sub-District Augusta &
Highland
Brevet
Brigadier
General
Orlando Brown
Acting Assistant Adjutant General
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands
Department Potomac
Richmond Virginia
Through Headquarters
February 28th 1867
Staunton Virginia
General
I have the honor to submit in compliance with Circular Number 6 C.S. 1866 the following Report of Bureau Affairs in this Sub-District for the Month of February 1867.
The Freedmen are generally at work, at an average rate of wages of ($10) ten
dollars per month and board for males and ($5) five dollars and board for
Females. There are but comparatively a few cases of extreme destitution among
them. them, and these are generally confined to the Aged, Sick and Crippled, and
those who have very large families of small children. About fifty person have
been assisted, by the gratuituous distribution of Clothing, during the month
sent here by the Pennsylvania
Freedman's Union Commission
[page 2]
There is a general complaint among them that they cannot collect
their wages when due which of course is a great disadvantage to them, and the
only assistance which can be rendered them by the Bureau
Agent
is to draw off their Bills, and put them in the hands of an Officer for
collection. And this often results in judgement being deferred from one Court to another until their patience becomes
exhausted, and perhaps their families suffer for bread.
There is considerable suffering among the Sick, for want of proper medical attendance, and I would earnestly recommend the employment (by the Bureau) of one of the local Physicians, to attend to such as are unable, on account of extreme destitution, to pay a Physician. Am of the opinion that one could be employed at a salary of ($25) twenty-five dollars per month, who would attend to all such cases, and to this point I would respectfully invite your special attention.
I am General with much Respect
Your Obedient
Servant
F. S. Tukey, Assistant Superintendent
