|
Records of the Assistant Commissioner for the State of Georgia
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, 1865 - 1869
National Archives Publication M798 Roll 36
"Unbound Miscellaneous Papers"
Affidavit of Jno. D. Allen in regard to the citizens of Madison, Ga. refusing to allow hands to be removed from that place.
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands
Office Act. Ass't Commissioner, State of Georgia
Augusta, Ga. February 13th, 1866
Personally appeared John D. Allen of Memphis, Tenn. and on oath says, that he was at Madison, Ga. with Lieut. G. H. Pratt about the first of the present month, that he hired a number of hands, about fifty, that he was waited on by the "Town Committee of Public Safety" who informed him that the hands he had hired should not be moved; that there was no authority that would allow them to go away, that no military authority had a right to take the hands away, and that they had a right to keep these hands. They, the Committee refused to allow the hands to go on the train, but Lt. Pratt telegraphed for orders and upon receipt from Genl. Tillson the train was allowed to proceed. The Committee at first intended to arrest the whole party, soldiers, hands and all. The streets of the town were patrolled by armed citizens the night previous to the receipt of Genl. Tillson's dispatch. The citizens further stated to the freedman that those who were seeking to employ them were imposters and were conspiring to take them out of the County to sell in Cuba &c.
(signed) John D. Allen
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 13th day of Feby. 1866 at Augusta, Richmond Co., Ga.
|
