Capt. Charles S. Schaeffer, Christiansburg, Va., to General [Oliver Otis Howard, Commissioner, United States Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands], 31 January 1868.

[To] Head-Quarters of Bureau of R., F., and A. L., [Washington, D. C.]

[From] Christiansburg, Va., January 31, 1868.

General:---I have the honor to make the following report of Bureau affairs in the counties under my jurisdiction[*]. . . . I have, however, been fully engaged in looking after the interests of the freed people in the Third Division, visiting many of them at their homes, and endeavoring to acquaint myself with their condition and circumstances. Some I found in deep poverty and distress, but was enabled to relieve in a great measure their necessities by kind assistance furnished me by friends in Philadelphia, Ohio, and other places, especially in the distribution of women's and children's clothing, which was received with true-hearted gratitude and praise to God. The men's clothing sent me by the Bureau will prove a great comfort and blessing to the aged and infirm.

The cold weather in these mountains has been unusually severe, and those not well provided for, through inability to lay by supplies, have in many instances suffered severely, but have received relief as far as we were able to supply their necessities.

There seems to be a disposition on the part of the whites not to enter into written contracts with these people until after the election, hoping thereby to influence their votes for the parties whom they select, or against the adoption of the constitution framed by the convention now in session. They also in may instances hire them by the day, while others are employed by the month, without any special arrangement being made to continue them in service. They are fearful, however, to turn them off altogether, as they certainly need their labor; notwithstanding many of them are advocating the introduction of white labor to the exclusion of the colored man. This however, will not succeed and I have assured the freed people of its improbability.

Public sentiment among the 'unreconstructed' is bitter against these people. Their schools are denounced, and every effort for their advancement is looked upon with distrust. No sympathy or co-operation can be expected from this source. And even those persons who are favorable to the education and elevation of the colored race are so fearful of public opinion that they are unwilling to take a bold stand for the right.

The poor whites are in a sad situation, and their children are growing up in ignorance and vice. They are willing to mingle with the negroes in their homes, but when asked to avail themselves of their school advantages cannot be induced to enroll themselves among them. Throughout all the counties under my jurisdiction as Bureau Officer I do not know of a single school for poor whites, and I have taken considerable trouble to ascertain the facts in the case.

In regard to freedmen's schools, only two at present are in successful operation, and these are supported by Northern benevolent associations, the one at Christiansburg numbering two teachers and two hundred and thirty-two scholars, including one hundred and forty-five day and eighty-five night scholars. A large class of colored young men receive writing-lessons four nights in the week from your officer in charge.

The Sunday-school at this place numbers one superintendent, twenty-eight teachers, and two hundred and nine scholars. At Newbern, Pulaski County, the school numbers ninety-seven day and twenty-eight night scholars. A large Bible class is taught by the day-school teacher. Both these interests are in a very flourishing condition, and the scholars are making very rapid progress in their studies. At Salem I found a school with one teacher and sixty-eight scholars, but which needs looking after to make it successful. The county schools have all been closed during the past month, owing to the severe weather. As far as I have been able to visit among them, I have found the children studying at their homes, but, of course, making very slow progress.

The Lincoln Temperance Association at Christiansburg now numbers two hundred members and is exerting a powerful influence for good throughout the community. At Newbern the membership numbers ninety, and is as true as steel to the cause. We purpose as soon as we are able to organize divisions in other localities.

Difficulties growing out of the marriage relation have been adjusted without recourse to the civil law, as well as a number of cases of improper conduct, which have been disposed of in a manner which will, we trust, prevent their recurrence and have a salutary influence upon others. . . . The orphan children, as far as I can learn, have been properly cared for, and where an opportunity is afforded attend our schools.

Notwithstanding the malice and hatred of the whites towards the freed people and those engaged in laboring for their welfare, yet there are some who would bid them Godspeed, and would give assistance if they could, and the freedmen themselves are steadily advancing in intelligence, sobriety, and good deportment, desiring to live in peace with all men, and endeavoring to secure by their labor an honest livelihood.

I am, General, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

C. S. Schaeffer,

Brevet Captain, etc., etc.

[As extracted in Charles H. Harrison, The Story of a Consecrated Life: Commemorative of Rev. Charles S. Schaeffer, Brevet-Captain U.S.V. (Philadelphia: published by the author; printed by J. B. Lippincott Co., 1900), pp. 121-124. Transcribed 23 July 2001.]

[*Schaeffer's sphere of oversight for the Freedmen's Bureau changed over time; in 1868, it appears to have included Montgomery, Pulaski, Giles, Craig, Roanoke, and Floyd counties, with his headquarters in Christiansburg, Montgomery County.]

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