Freedmen's Bureau Records: Frederick S. Tukey to
Orlando Brown, February 9, 1867
Summary:
Tukey submits additional statemtents 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.
Bureau R
F & A
Lands
Sub Dist. Augusta &
Highland Cos
Bt. Brig.
Gen'l O. Brown
A A A Gen'l
B R F
& A L
Richmond Va.
Through Hd.Qrs.
9th
Dist.
Dept. Potomac
Feb 9th 1867
Staunton, Va.
General
I have the honor to transmit herewith the Statements of several parties in reference to complaints made against me, and bearing testimony to my conduct during my former period of service in the Bureau. Unfortunately for me, these parties who make the statements were, with two exceptions, out of Town when Capt. McDonnell was here. I therefore take the liberty (in self defense) to forward them to you.
The statements, as you will see, are nearly all from US Government Officers, and those that are not are from reliable Union men, and with two exceptions are from men who were here during the whole of my former period of service, and consequently I think much better qualified to judge of my conduct that several who have given their testimony on the other side, some of whom were almost entire strangers to me, and not only me but to the whole community.
I also beg leave to refer you to the Rev. James Mitchel who came here early in the Spring of 1866, as a Preacher, under the Baltimore Conference, M. E. Church, and remained until about four weeks ago, when he went to Richmond and (I suppose) is now a local Preacher there. Mr Mitchel is an Illinois man, and was for several years commissioner of the American Colonization and Emigration Society, under the lamented Lincoln at Washington D.C.
I regard it as somewhat important that you should see him and talk with him face to face upon this subject, and hope you will be avail yourself of the opportunity to do so if it is in your power.
I am Gen'l, with much Respect
Your
Obedient Servant
Frederick S. Tukey
Asst.
Supt.
B.R.F.
& A.L.
P.S. The statement of Mr Herr is the Assr of Inl. Rev. refered to in your order of investigation or rather I should say he is the Assessor to whom you were refered. F.S.T.
