Wilmington
FROM NORTH CAROLINA.; Ill Feeling Between the Freedmen and White Soldiers. Another Proclamation by Gov. Holden Expected. PREPARATIONS FOR THE STATE ELECTION.
The New York Times /From Our Own Correspondent.
Aug. 2, 1865
RALEIGH, N.C., Friday, July 28, 1865.
Dark and mysterious rumors come up here from Wilmington. It is said that the freedmen there have been drilled by the black soldiers, who are on garrison duty in that section, and that they have arms in their houses, which they intend to use to protect themselves with, when the protection now afforded them is withdrawn.

FROM NORTH CAROLINA.; Ill Feeling Between the Freedmen and White Soldiers. Another Proclamation by Gov. Holden Expected. PREPARATIONS FOR THE STATE ELECTION.
The New York Times /From Our Own Correspondent.
Aug. 2, 1865
RALEIGH, N.C., Friday, July 28, 1865.
Dark and mysterious rumors come up here from Wilmington. It is said that the freedmen there have been drilled by the black soldiers, who are on garrison duty in that section, and that they have arms in their houses, which they intend to use to protect themselves with, when the protection now afforded them is withdrawn.
Many other things of like import are said; but, as near as I can learn, these rumors had their rise in an ill-advised article published in the Wilmington Herald, the editor of which has not dropped his former sensational proclivities, as one of the correspondents of a cotemporary of yours.
That there is ill-feeling between the whites and the blacks in that vicinity no one can deny, and that there exists a small -- a very small -- minority in this State, who would like to see the freedmen rise in insurrection, is equally true. For the gratification of saying, "We told you so -- the nigger can't be trusted with freedom," they are willing to see blood flow; and the article above-mentioned, although actuated by no such motive, is the result of the continuous fault-finding and evil prophesying of this detestable clique of unsubdued traitors.
Their influence is limited, and no sensible man apprehends any danger therefrom; for the negro, now that he is free, exhibits as much docility toward those whom he respects as ever, and will continue to do so, if the crime of insurrection is not forced on to him by those oft-repeated tales of what he "is about to do."
Reports of ill-treatment of the freedmen are diminishing, and it is the publicly-expressed opinion of the officers of Gen. HOWARD's bureau, and of all other persons well informed on the subject, that the large majority of the inhabitants of North Carolina are willing to deal honestly with their former slaves, acknowledging them to be free and treating them as such. Nevertheless, many instances of bad usage occur.
Whipping, paddling and other customs, peculiar to the palmy days of the institution, are practiced, and the negro finds, to his heart's sorrow, that his sore-headed master is both to give him up. There is fault on both sides and equal exaggerations in the representations, of difficulties, by both master and servant.
The Superintendents of Freedmen, who, under the provisions of the War Department circular on the subject, are made the adjudicators of "all difficulties arising between the negroes themselves, or between negroes and whites," have their hands full.
One horrible case is reported from Wilmington, and is now being investigated by the proper authorities. As near as I can learn, the truth is as follows: A colored woman, very light, formerly the slave and concubine of a man in the country near there, left his plantation to take up her abode in the city. He visited her and asked her to return. She refused, whereupon he ordered her to do so, and on her refusing again, he drew a pistol and shot her through the heart.
The crops in this State are being harvested now, with a fair return for the labor invested; but with the harvest arises a difficulty that many have foreseen, and which unfortunately has not been provided against in numerous instances. The freedmen, who have worked for a share in the crops, or for wages during planting, raising, and reaping, now that they have got the wherewithal to fill their stomachs, have in some cases, refused to continue at work.
With a half filled larder, they feel independent, and neglect the necessary duties of the farms and plantations in preparing for Winter and the next year's crops. This might have been obviated by making contracts to work by the year, and if the property owners profit by their experience in the experiment of this season, they will do so in the future.
This, matter of contracts with the freedmen is one of great importance, exerting, as it does, a material influence on their welfare and advancement. The old and helpless are to be supported, and while there exists a moral obligation on the part of the former owners to keep that class, arising from the fact that they have labored for them all their lives, yet there can be no legal claim to that effect.
A man who uses a horse -- if I may be allowed such a comparison -- until he is worn out, cannot, with a due regard for humanity, turn him into the streets to die without care.
The moral sense of any civilized community would denounce such an act as barbarous. Nevertheless, there are those in North Carolina who are disposed to treat these people in this manner, and when they make bargains with the able-bodied men and women on a plantation, they tax all alike for the support of the decreped, whether of the same family or not. This abuse is being rectified.
The responsibility should be divided between the master and the relatives of the dependents. Human nature and a lack of money -- the love of it too -- combined, results in shrewd and grinding bargains between the master and servant. In many instances the latter work for merely their victuals, rent and clothing. In others, the contracts are liberal; in one or two cases that I know of, even extravagant.
It is a little premature, perhaps, to say that the experiment of crop raising with freed blacks in this State has been successful, but I venture the prediction that a favorable conclusion will be reported when the harvests are fully past, and all the facts collected.
Free labor will, in the future, be the great advantage of the South, as, in the past, slave labor has been its curse. The freedmen have many crude notions, but suffering, such as many of them are now enduring, will be the effective agent in teaching them that they must labor patiently, and with a due regard for the prejudices of the whites, until the time shall come when they will be allowed extended and liberal privileges.
It may not be generous to call attention to such things as the following; but a prominent "secesh" suggested the matter to me. I saw a large lot of furniture under the auctioneer's hammer, which was being sold at fair prices, consisting of French box bedsteads, mahogany wardrobes, marble-topped tables, bureaus, stands and dressing cases.
The gentlemen above referred to remarked that "they hain't got a nigger to put up now when they want to raise the wind." Who "they" are I leave the reader to surmise, and merely mention that a change in the manner and style of living may be expected in some quarters here.
Dainty fingers will now be forced to do things heretofore held in abhorrence; but to their praise be it said, both men and women take hold manfully, and, "accepting the logic of events," are rapidly adapting themselves to their altered condition.
-End article-
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/.../from-north-carolina-ill...
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The Hawley Museum is passionately committed to uncovering and sharing the fascinating family stories that have influenced our state's and nation's history. We believe that every family has a unique story to tell, one that adds depth to the rich tapestry of North Carolina and U.S. History.
We encourage you to reflect on your own family narrative—did your ancestors play a pivotal role in these historical events? We invite you to become a part of our family curator team by sharing your family's history, whether it be through photos, videos, articles, or documents.
Let’s work together and weave a more comprehensive narrative that honors the roles families have played in our collective past to inspire future museum visitors.