Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History & Culture Enduring Connections: Exploring Delmarva's Black History

Record Detail

Record #29 from Documents from the Freedmen and Southern Society Project

Location Baltimore, Maryland
Document Type Correspondence
Names Mentioned Henry Hayes Lockwood, Levin D. Waters, Daniel Jones, Joseph Bratton
Date December 2, 1864
Document Title Headquarter of the Middle Department and 8th Army Corps to the Commander of the 3rd Separate Brigade, 8th Army Corps
Document Description A. A. G. Saml. B. Larence to Brig. Genl. H. H. Lockwood, 2 Dec. 1864, vol. 35 8AC, pp. 169-171, Press Copies of Letters Sent, ser. 2328, Middle Dept. & 8th Army Corps, RG 393 Pt. I [C-4231]. These military orders marked the transfer of General Henry H. Lockwood to Cambridge, Maryland, and highlight an increased focus on tracking down and disciplining Marylanders who were suspected of disloyalty. In addition, it also seeks to reduce/eliminate the practice of illegal, nonconsensual apprenticeships that became a tool to essentially re-enslave black children following Maryland's abolition of slavery. (From The Wartime Genesis of Free Labor, 522-523.)
Transcription [Baltimore, Md.] December 2nd [186]4

General, I am directed by the Major General Com’d’g to inform you that the situation in the Southern Counties of the Eastern Shore is such as to require the presence, for a time at least, of the General Com' d'g the District–

General Lockwood will therefore transfer his Head-Quarters, temporarily, to Cambridge, Dorchester County.

General Lockwood will give particular attention to the conduct of the disloyal inhabitants and take vigorous measures to protect loyal citizens and the colored people recently liberated

He will not hesitate to arrest persons who by threats or actions tend to disquiet or intimidate Union people and families –

He will give special attention to par. I. of G.O. No 112, current series these Hd Qrs, and break up the practice now prevalent of apprenticing young negroes without the consent of their parents, to their former masters. If necessary, he will not hesitate to arrest all masters who refuse liberty to such apprentices, or withhold them from their parents, and keep them in custody until they consent to such liberation. In case the parents of apprentices are not able to support them, and they desire it, he will send them to Baltimore, to the care of Lieut. Colonel W. E. W. Ross 31st U.S.C.T., in charge of Freedman's Bureau. He will endeavor to keep families to-gether as far as possible: but at the same time use his influence to discourage emigration for the present, and only send to Baltimore those who cannot find homes, occupation and labor where they now are–

General Lockwood and will arrest Daniel Jones and Joseph Bratton, of Somerset County, and Levin D Waters of Princess Anne, and send them as disaffected and dangerous men, by steamer to Fortress Monroe, to be sent across the lines, into Confederate jurisdiction–

General Lockwood will resort to the most energetic and vigorous measures to quell the growing turbulence of secessionists in the counties along the Eastern Shore generally–

He will take with him to Cambridge one company of the U.S. regulars, and retain and use the mounted men now on the Eastern Shore under Lieut. Mowbray.

General Lockwood will leave an A.A.A.G., at his office in this city, to attend to the current business - I am General Very Respectfully Your Obedient Servant

Saml B Lawrence

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[Author (if known)], Documents from the Freedmen and Southern Society Project, [Date (if known)], Enduring Connections: Exploring Delmarva’s Black History, Nabb Research Center, Salisbury University.

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