Dale County AlArchives News.....The Freedman's Bureau in Dale County November 6 1985
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Southern Star
The History Corner (Southern Star Wednesday, November 6, 1985 -18)

  The Freedmen's Bureau in Dale County
     By Creel Richardson

On May 4, 1865, all of the slaves in Dale County- approximately 1820-
became the wards of the Freedmen's Bureau. This Bureau was created by
an act of Congress, March 3, 1865,and given the responsibility for the
general welfare of the freedmen in Dale County and throughout the Con-
federate states. Major General 0.0.Howard was selected as commissioner,
with headquarters in Washington. Brigadier Gen. Wager Swayne was ap-
pointed assistant commissioner for Alabama. He arrived in Montgomery
in July, 1865 to begin his work on behalf of the former slaves of
Alabama. Shortly after his arrival in Montgomery he wrote to General
Howard that he was pleased with the "reasonable temper of the planters
and the general behavior of the Freedmen".
  Other observers, however, were not as optimistic. One researcher noted 
that "some" of the former slaves "remained" on the farms and plantations and 
were treated kindly. "Others felt impelled to test their new freedom by 
changing their employers and leaving their old homes, and still others were 
taking a violent and lawless holiday. The whites were fearful of the future and 
uncertain of their tenure on the property which remained in their possession." 
Many of them had lost everything "and had to begin over again in the midst of a 
completely disorganized society." James McKinnie, largest slave owner in Dale 
County in 1860 with 90 slaves and 14 slave houses, suffered the greatest loss 
in the county.
   For Bureau administrative purposes Alabama was divided into several 
subdistricts with subassistant commissioners in each subdistrict to supervise 
all Bureau activities within the area. Shortly after the Reconstruction Act of 
March 2, 1867, was approved by Congress, Southeast Alabama was designated as 
one of those subdistricts with headquarters in Eufaula. In late May 1867, W.E. 
Connelly was appointed as Subassistant Commissioner for the region. Barbour, 
Pike, Coffee, Dale, and Henry counties were included in this subdistrict. 
Commissioner Connelly arrived in Eufaula in late May 1867. After some 
difficulty he was able to rent a small house with a good stable on the premises 
for $20 per month. He was "convinced that by having" his own stable he 
could "save half the expense that would incur by keeping a horse at livery" for 
$1 per day. Forage could be purchased and shipped by "boat from Columbus" much 
cheaper than it could be secured locally.
  In addition to his responsibilities for settling controversies between whites 
and blacks, Connelly was required to supervise the registration of all male 
citizens who were qualified to vote and to provide at an election for delegates 
to a Constitutional Convention in Montgomery, and that in the election voters 
were to "vote for or against holding" such a Convention.
  In a letter to Col. O.D. Kinsman, Sub. Assistant Commissioner in Momtgomery, 
dated July 5, 1867, Connelly reported as follows his visit to Dale County on 
June 30.
  "Left Elba at 6 a.m., and arrived at Pleasant Hill Church in the corner
of Dale County at 2 p.m. Sent out notices immediately that I would address the 
colored people at 5 p.m. It being a densely populated settlement, a large 
number of both races assembled in the church and I addressed them at some 
length. My reception here was quite complimentary and from general cheering at 
the close of my speech, I infer that all, especially the colored people were 
well pleased. J.C. Matthews, a citizen of this place, who is a true and tried 
Union man, says this part of the county is all right. Freedmen are faring well 
and doing well. All will register and vote convention.
  July 1- accompanied by Mr. Matthews, I set out for Newton, where I
arrived at 10 a.m. I immediately gave notice that I would address the people at 
night.
  Spent the day in town inquiring into freedmen's affairs, registration and 
other matters. A few of the disqualified are disposed to discourage
registration; but no disposition to debar freedmen. Probate Judge Car-
michael is supplied with orders, and disposed to observe them strictly. He 
thinks the county will vote largely for convention. The white citizens are and 
desire aid to establish a day school. I think I will soon be able to forward 
the name of a true Union man for Agent for this county".
  By August 10, 1867, a total of 1669 whites had registered in Dale, and a 
total of 362 blacks had registered.
  In a report of October 8, 1867, Connelly noted that he had not had 
an 'official' report of the vote in the recent election in Dale County, but had 
heard "that the vote stood about four to one in favor of the Republican ticket".

      From the Newspaper files of Harold Stephens.
      Scanned and submitted by Christine G. Thacker
      Permission to post any Southern Star article or pictures given            
by Mr Joseph Adams, Owner, April.23, 2004.

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