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Records of the Assistant
Commissioner for the State of Georgia
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, 1865 - 1869
National Archives Publication M798 Roll 36
"Unbound Miscellaneous Papers"
Affidavit of Jno. D. Allen in regard to the
citizens of Madison, Ga. refusing to allow hands to be removed from that place.
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands
Office Act. Ass't Commissioner, State of Georgia
Augusta, Ga. February 13th, 1866
Personally appeared John D. Allen of Memphis, Tenn. and on
oath says, that he was at Madison, Ga. with Lieut. G. H. Pratt about the first of the
present month, that he hired a number of hands, about fifty, that he was waited on by the
"Town Committee of Public Safety" who informed him that the hands he had hired
should not be moved; that there was no authority that would allow them to go away, that no
military authority had a right to take the hands away, and that they had a right to keep
these hands. They, the Committee refused to allow the hands to go on the train, but Lt.
Pratt telegraphed for orders and upon receipt from Genl. Tillson the train was allowed to
proceed. The Committee at first intended to arrest the whole party, soldiers, hands and
all. The streets of the town were patrolled by armed citizens the night previous to the
receipt of Genl. Tillson's dispatch. The citizens further stated to the freedman that
those who were seeking to employ them were imposters and were conspiring to take them out
of the County to sell in Cuba &c.
(signed) John D. Allen
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 13th day
of Feby. 1866 at Augusta, Richmond Co., Ga.
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