APPENDIX F THE FREEDMEN'S BUREAU The Freedmen's Bureau was created by Act of Congress, passed March 3, 1865, and signed by President Lincoln, one of the last acts prior to his second inauguration. General Oliver O. Howard was named as Commissioner. Although not put in operation until after the cessation of hostilities, it was the evolution of plans employed by different commanding general army officers and the outcome of legislative effort on the part of Congress made for nearly two years, to provide for the solution of problems affecting the labor, the health, the education and legal and property rights of the many millions of blacks that the fortunes of war had brought within the Union lines and national control. General Howard proved to be the man for the position, and his choice of Assistant Commissioners displayed comprehensive knowledge of the conditions prevailing in the South and the men and methods equal to the unique situation. Through the agency of the Bureau, tribunals were established for the trial of minor disputes and crimes where the freedman was a party. Landed estates were in many instances leased and labor given to the Negro, who hitherto was without either experience or knowledge in such matters. Elementary schools were established in nearly all the larger towns and cities in coöperation with the religious and benevolent associations in which all the Protestant denominations were represented, and the foundation for the colleges and normal schools at such places as Atlanta, New Orleans, Nashville, Raleigh, Richmond and Washington were laid. Although the Freedmen's Bureau, according to the statute was to terminate one year after the close of the War, it was continued until June 30, 1872. Opinions differ as to the value of the Bureau in this transitional period, when the North and South had just left the battlefield and there was the need for adjustment and patience, as well as a wider outlook for the freedmen, but its work in the founding of the schools and colleges must remain its greatest monument. Grant's Memoirs. Autobiography. O. O. Howard. The Freedmen's Bureau. Paul Skeets Peirce, Ph.D. APPENDIX G MEDAL OF HONOR MEN The following men received medals of honor from the United States Government. The reasons assigned are in every instance those given in the official records: CIVIL WAR CHRISTIAN A. FLEETWOOD.-Sergt. Major 4th U. S. Colored Troops. Chapin's Farm, Virginia, Sept. 29, 1864. Seized the colors, after two color-bearers had been shot down, and bore them nobly through the fight. ALFRED B. HILTON.-Sergt. Co. "H." 4th U. S. C. T. (Regimental Color-Sergeant) Chapin's Farm, Va., Sept. 29, 1864. In the charge when his associate sergeant was killed, caught up his flag also, and carried both until himself shot down, when he held up the flags and shouted: "Boys, save the colors!" CHARLES VEAL.-Corpl. Co. "D," 4th U. S. C. T. (Regimental ColorGuard) Chapin's Farm, Va., Sept. 29, 1864. Seized the regimental colors after two color-bearers had been shot down, close to the enemy's works, and bore them through the remainder of the battle. MILTON M. HOLLAND. Sergt. Co. "C," 5th U. S. Colored Troops. Chapin's Farm, Va., Sept. 29, 1864. Took command of Co. "C," after all the officers had been killed or wounded, and gallantly led it. JAMES E. BRONSON.-First Sergt. Co. "D," 5th U. S. C. T. Chapin's Farm, Va., Sept. 29, 1864. Took command of his company, all the officers having been killed or wounded, and gallantly led it. POWHATTAN BEATTY.-First Sergt. Co. "G," 5th U. S. C. T. Chapin's Farm, Va., Sept. 29, 1864. Took command of Co. "G," all the officers having been killed or wounded, and gallantly led it. ROBERT A. PINN.-First Sergt. Co. "I," 5th U. S. C. T. Chapin's Farm, Va., Sept. 29, 1864. Took command of Co. "I," after all the officers had been killed or wounded, and gallantly led it in battle. THOMAS R. HAWKINS.-Sergt. Major 6th U. S. Colored Troops, Deep Bottom, Va., July 21, 1864. Rescued the regimental colors. ALEXANDER KELLY.-First Sergt. Co. "F," 6th U. S. C. T. Chapin's Farm, Va., Sept. 29, 1864. Gallantly seized the colors which had fallen near the enemy's line of abattis, raised them and rallied the men at a time of confusion and in a place of great danger. MILES JAMES.-Corporal Co. "B," 36th U. S. Colored Troops. Chapin's Farm, Va., Sept. 30, 1864. Having had his arm mutilated, making immediate amputation necessary, he loaded and discharged his piece with one hand and urged his men forward, this within thirty yards of the enemy's works. JAMES GARDINER.-Private Co. "I," 36th U. S. Colored Troops. Chapin's Farm, Va., Sept. 29, 1864. Rushed in advance of his brigade, shot a rebel officer who was on the parapet, and then ran him through with his bayonet. EDWARD RATCLIFFE.-First Sergt. Co. “C,” 38th U. S. Colored Troops. DECATUR DORSEY.-Sergt. Co. "B," 39th U. S. Colored Troops, Petersburg, Va. (mine explosion). Bravery while acting as Regimental Color-Sergeant. WILLIAM HARVEY CARNEY.-Sergt. Co. “C,” 54th Mass. Enl. Volunteers, Fort Wagner, S. C., July 18, 1863. When color-sergeant fell, threw away his rifle, seized the colors and led the assault. Planted the colors on the parapet and kept them flying there for half an hour. Retreated under a storm of shot and shell, being three times wounded, but refused to be sent to hospital or to surrender the flag, until it could be placed in the hands of the survivors of his own regiment, and when they cheered him in doing so, simply replied: "Boys, I only did my duty. The old flag never touched the ground." REGULAR ARMY JOHN DENNY.-Sergt. Troop 9th U. S. Cavalry. Los Animas Canyon, New Mexico, Sept. 18, 1879. Removed a wounded comrade under a heavy fire to a place of safety. BRENT WOODS.-Sergt. Troop "B," 9th U. S. Cavalry. New Mexico, Aug. 19, 1881. Saved the lives of his comrades, and the citizens of the detachment. THOMAS BOYNE.-Sergt. Troop "C," 9th U. S. Cavalry. Mimbus Mountain, New Mexico, May 29, 1879. Cuchillo Negro, New Mexico, Sept. 27, 1879. Bravery in action. CLINTON GREAVES.-Corpl. Troop "C," 9th U. S. Cavalry. Florida Mountains, New Mexico, Jan. 24, 1877. Gallantry in a hand-tohand fight. HENRY JOHNSON.-Sergt. Troop "D," 9th U. S. Cavalry. Milk River, Colorado, Oct. 2, 1879. Voluntarily left fortified shelter and under heavy fire at close range made the rounds of the pits, to instruct the guards. Fought his way to the creek and back to bring water to the wounded. EMANUEL STANCE.-Sergt. Troop "F," 9th U. S. Cavalry. Kickapoo Springs, Texas, May 20, 1870. Gallantry on scout after Indians. MOSES WILLIAMS.-First Sergt. Troop "I," 9th U. S. Cavalry. Foot Hills of the Cuchillo Negro Mountains, New Mexico, Aug. 16, 1881. Rallied a detachment, skillfully conducted a running fight of three or four hours, and by his coolness, bravery and unflinching devotion to duty in standing by his commanding officer, in an exposed position, under a heavy fire from a large party of Indians, saved the lives of at least three of his comrades. WILLIAM O. WILSON.-Corpl. Troop "I," 9th U. S. Cavalry. Sioux Campaign, 1890. Bravery. AUGUSTUS WALLEY.-Private Troop "I," 9th U. S. Cavalry. Cuchillo Negro Mountains, New Mexico, Aug. 16, 1881. Bravery in action with hostile Apaches. GEORGE JORDAN.-Sergt. Troop "K," 9th U. S. Cavalry. Carrizozo Canyon, New Mexico, Aug. 12, 1881. While commanding the right of a detachment of nineteen men, stubbornly held his ground in an extremely exposed position and gallantly forced back a much superior number of the enemy, preventing them from surrounding the command. THOMAS SHAW.-Sergt. Troop "K," 9th U. S. Cavalry. Carrizozo Canyon, New Mexico, Aug. 12, 1881. Forced the enemy back after stubbornly holding his ground in an extremely exposed position, and prevented the superior numbers from surrounding his command. WILLIAM MCBRYAN.-Sergt. Troop "K," 10th U. S. Cavalry. Arizona, March 7, 1890. Bravery in action with Apache Indians. DENNIS BELL.-Private Troop "H," 10th U. S. Cavalry. Tayabacoa, Cuba, June 30, 1898. After a force had succeeded in landing and had been compelled to withdraw to the boats, leaving a number of killed and wounded ashore, he voluntarily went ashore in the face of the enemy and aided in the rescue of his wounded comrades, who would otherwise have fallen into the hands of the enemy; this after several attempts had been frustrated. FITZ LEE.-Private Troop "M," 10th U. S. Cavalry. Tayabacoa, Cuba, June 30, 1898. Record same as that of Dennis Bell. WILLIAM H. THOMPKINS.-Private Troop "M," 10th U. S. Cavalry, and GEORGE WANTON, same troop and record as two preceding. ISAIAH MAYS.-Corpl. Co. "B," 24th U. S. Infantry. Arizona, May 11, 1898. Gallantry in fight between Paymaster Wham's escort and robbers. BENJAMIN BROWN.-Sergt. Co. "C," 24th U. S. Infantry. Arizona, May 11, 1898. Although shot in the abdomen in a fight between a paymaster's escort and robbers, did not leave the field until again wounded in both arms. JOHN H. LAWSON.-Landsman U. S. S. Hartford. Mobile Bay, Aug. 5, 1864. Was one of the six men stationed at the shell whip on the berth deck. A shell killed or wounded the whole number. Lawson was wounded in the leg and thrown with great violence against the side of the ship, but as soon as he recovered himself, although begged to go below, he refused and went back to the shell whip, where he remained during the action. AARON ANDERSON.-Landsman, U. S. S. Wyandank. Mattox Creek, March 17, 1865. Rendered gallant assistance, loading howitzer |