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A Black church elder reports the destruction of his church and the army investigates
Brig. Gen. H.H. Lockwood to Capt. O. Matthews reporting that James Ross, and elder of Western Md Circuit, reports that a Black church near Reisterstown was torn down and its members harassed. Includes endorsements from Gen. Lewis Wallace and others…
A Black recruiter explains that enslaved Marylanders want to join the Union Army, but only if they are paid and treated equitably
G.A. Hackett to Col. Lawrence (AAG) relating his experiences in recruiting Black soldiers (slave and free) in and around the area of Middle River, Baltimore County. Following up on Gen. Wallace’s advice that recruiting expeditions should take place…
A White Unionist testifies on the abuses of the apprenticeship system to bind large numbers of Black children
John Graham to Majr Genl Lew Wallace on the scale of the apprenticeship crisis: Black children in Worchester County are "carried from different portions of the County in ox Carts, waggons, and carriages to the County town (Cambridge) to be carried…
Amid widespread abuses of the apprenticeship system to bind formerly enslaved children, Governor Bradford complains about oversight efforts
James C. Mullikin (ADC) to H.H. Lockwood (3d sep brig) notifying him on abuses of apprenticeship system and suggesting the implementation of martial law in relevant counties on the Eastern Shore. Followed by A.W. Bradford (Gov of MD) to Gen. Lew…
Army officials levy a tax on rebel sympathizers to raise money to rebuild Black churches burned down by arsonists
Lt. J.E. Mobray to Brig. Gen. Lockwood recommending taxation of rebel property in order to raise money to rebuild Black churches that were burned in Somerset County. Subsequent order implements recommendation, taxing disloyal and "disaffected"…
Black drummer boy Reason Brown petitions for furlough to visit his family in Maryland
Reason Brown to the Sec. of War Brown is a 14 yr old drummer boy. He has been in the army for 14 months, has applied 3 times for a furlough and cannot get one. He wants to visit family in MD-officers tell him he is too young to want to visit his…
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…
Black nuns in Baltimore petition Black Superintendent of Schools William Howard Day for support for their school and orphanage
Oblate Sisters of Providence to William H. Day (supt of F Schools) gives a history of the school, which the Black sisters established for the education of Black children. Opened a free school and orphan asylum since the war. Petition for financial…
Black pastors petition the Secretary of War to partner with the A.M.E. Church
A.W. Wayman, D.A. Payne, John M. Brown, M.F. Stuby, & James Lynch to Edwin Stanton responding to Stanton's order authorizing the Methodist Episcopal Church to oversee all Southern Methodist Churches. Wayman et al. inform Stanton of the existence of…
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…