Formerly enslaved Matilda Johnson petitions the Freedmen's Bureau for the return of her children and household goods, after which the agency waived her right to her children
Series of complaints around property rights and apprenticeship for Black residents of Anne Arundel County. Of special interest are the two complaints by Matilda Johnson relating to her children and household goods being held illegally by James Boyle. Resolution of the case indicates that while the Freedmen's Bureau had intervened to have her children returned, Boyle was successful in getting permission to retrieve them under previous apprenticeship proceedings.
Black residents of Baltimore petition for redress after they are prevented from renting a concert hall to host a lecture by Frederick Douglass
B.R. Hawley to Edwin M. Stanton (sec of war) writing that Black residents of Baltimore have been unable to rent either the Maryland Institute Hall or the Templers Hall for a lecture meeting at which the announced speaker was Frederick Douglass. The reason given for the refusal was that Black resdients would ather in the street in front of the hall. Hawley claims discrimination against Black residents of Baltimore and "against the colored nattion."
Union officer orders local officials in Havre de Grace to permit Frederick Douglass to give a lecture there
Brig. Gen. H.H. Lockwood to Lt. Col. Lawrence (AAAG) opposing intention of town authorities of Havre de Grace to prevent Frederick Douglass from speaking there. Says Douglass's speeches are sensible and would do much good.
Black Marylander reveals the location of hidden rebel arms on the property of a future Maryland state senator
Brig. Gen. H.H. Lockwood to Lt. Col. Lawrence (AAG) reporting that in the summer of 1861 he obtained information from a Black Marylander that Mr. [William B.] Stevenson had a quantity of guns stored in his barn. Mr. Stevenson is now the senator-elect from Harford Co, MD.
Two escaped Black Marylanders reveal hidden rebel weapons cache to the army
Lt D. C. Clark to Capt Chas Corbit enclosing two affidavits from formerly enslaved Black Marylanders revealing the location of a hidden cache of rebel weapons as well as the details of their escape to join the Union Army.
The deputy provost marshal for Kent County reports that local officials used state indenture laws to facilitate the theft of Black children by former enslavers
Bartus Trew (Deputy Prov. Marshal for Kent Co.) to Major Este informing Este that over one hundred free Black children have been bound out by the county Orphan’s Court without the consent of their parents. Trew reports receiving numerous complaints from parents.
Several surgeons of Black regiments write to Lincoln complaining about having to serve under a Black officer, Surgeon Alexander Augusta
J.B. McPherson et. al. to Lincoln protesting the assignment of Surgeon Alexander Augusta. Claim their commitment to "bettering" Black Americans but assert that it is beneath their dignity to serve with him as their superior officer. A subsequent letter from one of them, Asst. Surgeon Joel Morse of the 7th USCT, implores Senator John Sherman "to right this wrong, which to my mind is grave, unjust, and humiliating."
White officers discuss how to handle a Black New York soldier who enlisted in a white unit stationed at Fort McHenry
William Lee (capt NY vols) to Adj of NY Vols writing that he received a group of 46 men in which there was a Black man, George Tankard of NY. Lee states that he has put Tankard to work in the kitchen, and he feels that it would be unsafe to drill or house the Black soldier with the white ones. Asks that the man be moved immediately to USCT—request granted.
Kitty Bowland claims her son was illegally arrested and forced into the Army
Statement of Mrs. Kitty Bowland that her son was arrested and then impressed into the army by the local justice of the peace.
Case of white women hissing at Black troops in Baltimore
"Lt. Col. John Woolley (prov. Mar.) to Maj. Gen. Lewis Wallace (com. Middle dept) reporting that some ladies were hissing at the passing of colored troops on Exeter Street. They endeavored to make a dog bark at the troops to "show further their sentiments." Woolley would like to take some action (a fine) so that "such people feel that they cannot sneer and hiss at their government or its troops without being brought to account for it." Includes statements of witnesses to the incident.