Report that free Black Marylanders were held in jail to compel them to enlist in the Army

Report that free Black Marylanders were held in jail to compel them to enlist in the Army

Lt. M. Karney (cmdg post at Newton) to Lt. James C. Mullikin reporting on the conditions of the jail in Princess Ann, where several Black prisoners are held, apparently without charges. Some appear to have been enslaved and at least one discharged from the Army, flogged by the man who enlisted him. "There are four others who are confined to get their consent to enter the army."

10/8/1864

Princess Ann, Somerset Co., MD

Commander of the Post at Newton to the Headquarters of the Third Separate Brigade


Newtown Md
Oct 8th 1864
Lieut James C Mullikin
Sir I have the honer to report that numerous Complaints having been made to me conserning the treatment of certain colored persons confined in the jail of sumerset County in Princess Ann. I paid a visit to the jail to day. the jailor at first denied there was such persons confined there but upon my insisting upon being showed over the place I found confined the following persons one free born Colored man who is Confined for the purpose of being forced into
the Army. One colored man who has served six months in the army and has a discharge is confined in a cell and has been flogged untill the b[l]ood ran down on the floor by the same man who enlisted him when he first entered the service.
There are four others who are confined to get there consent to enter the army. these statements have been corroberated by loyal citizens of Sumerset County and I would respecfully urge that some immediate action be taken the premises Very Respecfuly yours Obt Serv
Lieut M Karney
Commanding Post


[Endorsement] Head Quarters 3d Sep. Brigade 8 A.C.
Balt. Md Oct 15. 1864
Respectfully forwd to Dept. Hd Qrs for instructions. My own feelings are to redress the wrongs of these poor men at all hazards, but ignorant of the policy of Maj Genl Wallace which I regard it my duty to carry out, I submit the case as a basis for general action. Many somewhat similar cases in this very county took place a year or so ago but tho’ brought to the notice of the then Comdg Genl. I could get no instructions. Under the laws of Md Masters can confine their slaves at their discretion & this may be claimed in this case. If how ever it shall appear that these men are confined for having been in the Army, or to force them then we have a right & it is our duty to protect them.
H. H. Lockwood
Brig Genl


[Endorsement] [Baltimore, Md., October ? 1864]
Return to Gen. Lockwood, with direction that he send a discreet officer to investigate the affair, and release the negros, if the facts are as represented within.
Future cases of the kind, Gen L. will cause to be investigated, and reported to Hd Qrs. of Dept for orders.
LW


[Endorsement] Head-Quarters, Middle Department,
EIGHTH ARMY CORPS.
Baltimore, Md., Oct. 22d 1864.
Respectfully returned to Brig. Genl. H. H. Lockwood, Comm’dg 3d Sep. Brigade, who is instructed to send a discreet officer to investigate this affair, and if the facts are as represented within, to release the negroes.
In the future, cases of this kind will be investigated, and reported to Department Head Quarters, for orders.— By Command Maj. Genl. Wallace
Oliver Matthews
A.A.G.


[Endorsement] Easton Md, Nov, 9th 1864
Respectfully returned to Lt. Clayton A.A.A.G. with the information that I visited the jail at Princess Anne and learned that the parties within referred to had been confined but all had been released prior to my visit.
J. C. Mullikin
Lieut. & A.D.C.


Lt. M. Karney to Lt. James C. Mullikin, 8 Oct. 1864, K-197 1864, Letters Received, ser. 2343, Middle Dept. & 8th Army Corps, RG 393 Pt. 1 [C-4138].