Report of the commissioners of investigation of colored refugees

 in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama

Headquarters Commanding Organization U.S. Colored Troops

Nashville, Tennessee, August 14, 1864.

“GENTLEMEN:  I have been informed  that a military commission,

of which Colonel Siebert, 7th  Pennsylvania cavalry, was president,

sitting at Columbia, in this State, called to try several cases of  enormous

and flagrant abuses of colored men and women by citizens of that place,

has been dissolved, leaving several cases untried; that in those cases

where accused were found guilty the findings have been disapproved by

the reviewing officer upon a legal technicality,  while in those where the

parties were acquitted they have been approved.

The reviewing officer is Major General Rousseau, and he has all the

Papers, I earnestly entreat you to investigate them; not only these

Particular cases, but the management of that post, relative to the

‘contraband’ question, under the former commander, Colonel Meizer,

14th Michigan volunteer infantry, and Colonel Frankhouse, 98th Illinois

volunteer infantry.  I am convinced that an investigation will show that:

First.  Slaves were surrendered to their owners by Colonel Meizner, in squads.

Second.  Those owners whipped and shot to death their slaves, and were not

molested.  Third.  Extraordinary favors were granted to secessionists.

  Fourth. Displays of loyalty by blacks were frowned upon.  Fifth. 

A white man and his wife were banished from the post for buying a flag

for the negroes to display upon the 4th of July.  Sixth.  The whole economy

of the post commanders meeting the approval of Major General Rousseau,

which was to discourage freedom and nationality.  Among the cases referred to

by me are those of Major Andrews and young Pillow.  The banished family

is named Hoffman.  The reliable men in Columbia are Colonel Stipes, 7th

Pennsylvania cavalry, the jailor Trewhill, the post quartermaster Wheelaw, or

Some such name.

       “I have the  honor, gentlemen, to be your obedient servant,

                                                         “ R. D. Massey,

   “Colonel 100th U. S. Colored Troops, Comm’r   Org’n  Colored Troops

“Messar. Hood and Bostwick,

                 “Special  Commissioners.