Freedmen's Bureau Records: John W. Jordan to Orlando
Brown, May 31, 1868
Summary:
Jordan's monthly report is largely positive and optimistic about the state of
affairs in Augusta County. He does, however, observe that while white farmers
seem to possess "kind" feelings towards freedmen, townspeople possess an
"intense hostility" toward the exercise of civil and political rights on the
part of blacks.
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands,
Office 4th Division, 9th
Sub-District, Virginia.
Brevet
Brigadier
General
Orlando Brown
Assistant Commissioner &c
Richmond,
Virginia
May 31st 1868
Staunton, Virginia
General
In compliance with Circular Number VI from Head Quarters Assistant Commissioner Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands dated at Richmond, Virginia January 29th 1866 relating to the general condition of Freedmens affairs etc. I have the honor to submit the following on the condition of same in the Counties of Augusta & Highland Virginia at this date.
The present state of things especially in Augusta County
indicates a healthy condition of Freedmen's affairs generally in fact I find
them industriously and satisfactorily employed and encountering but
[page 2]
few drawbacks to their material advancement & prosperity. Their
interest in Churches Schools etc. betray a settled
determination to make all possible progress in intelligence and comparatively
but few of them are indisposed to earn their bread by dishonorable employment.
Intemperance among this class does not seem to me to be so prevalent as it was one month ago.
Fair, reasonable wages are paid them for their labor, and as long as the employers acts fairly and justly toward them but little trouble is encountered in their business operations and but little reason is given the employer to complain of.
A fair proportion of the settlements made between the farmers
[page 3]
and
laborers are made in this office and I plainly discern evidences daily of an
improving slate of feeling between the races.
But little time is idled away and very little interest is taken in political affairs by the Freedmen here attributable probably to the fact that they are so sadly in the minority.
I have discovered that among the Agricultural people especially the greatest
possible kind feeling is cherished toward the Freedmen but among the townspeople
there is a vast deal of hatred cherished in fact cultivated against the race
[page 4]
and were it not for the presence of a Government officer here I am
convinced the colored people would meet with serious & frequent
persecution. The most intense hostility is manifested toward the exercise of
either civil or political rights by the Freedmen and from what reaches my ears
daily one would imagine the people here were further away from
[unclear: reconstruction] than in any portion of the South.
I Remain General
Very Respectfully
Your obedient
servant
John W. Jordan
Assistant Sub Assistant Commissioner
4th Division
9th Sub-District
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands
Va
