Seth Kaller, Inc.

Summary:  An unusual Union Army manuscript special order appointing the major of the 1st Mississippi (African Descent) Regiment, Julian Bryant, with oversight of the conditions of contraband slaves who had escaped from their owners and entered army custody, mainly as workers.

[Civil War]. John P. Hawkins, Autograph Manuscript Signed, as Brigadier General. “Special Orders No 14.” Goodrich Landing [La.], September 16, 1863. 1 p.

Inventory # 21809   $1,500

Complete Transcript:
                                                             Hd Qrs. Dist N.E. Louisiana,
                                                             Goodrich Landing. Sept. 16. 1863
Special Orders No 14.
                 Major J. E. Bryant 1st Miss. Vols. is hereby appointed on temporary duty as Inspecting Officer to enquire into the condition of the contrabands in this district including those under the care of Government Agents, the floating population and those in the employment of Government Lessees. He will make his reports in writing to these Hd. Quarters
                                                       John P. Hawkins
                                                       Brig. Gen. Commanding

Historical Background: 
Bryant filed a full and detailed report of his findings to Hawkins on October 10, 1863. In his report he found that the contrabands were nearly always unfairly treated and that government officials ignored contracts with the blacks, treating them as nothing more than a slave labor force. Upon reading the report, General Hawkins commented that if improvements were not made soon then the newly freed blacks would be better off with their former masters.

There existed a great diversity of opinion and policy among Union officers regarding the condition of freed slaves who escaped to Union lines during the Civil War. Whereas Benjamin Butler welcomed escaped slaves, and refused to allow Southern planters to reclaim them, Henry Halleck, in the early years of the war, refused to allow them into camp. Congress passed a confiscation act in 1862, seizing the property of rebels, including slaves, as punishment for treason, a vital step on the road toward full emancipation. As well, Congress approved the formation of regiments of colored soldiers.

John P. Hawkins (1830-1914), born in Indiana, graduated 40th in the West Point class of 1852. He began the Civil War as assistant commissary in St. Louis, was promoted to chief commissary of the XIII Corps, and then chief commissary of the Army of the Tennessee. In 1863, Hawkins was promoted to brigadier general and named to command the District of Northeastern Louisiana, with a division of colored soldiers. He commanded at Vicksburg for much of the rest of the war, and took part in the Mobile campaign of 1865.

Julian Bryant (d. 1865), the nephew of famed journalist, editor, and poet William Cullen Bryant, enlisted in the 33rd Illinois Regiment at the outset of the Civil War. He served in the Missouri-Arkansas theater, then was reassigned to Sherman’s Corps in the Vicksburg campaign, during which he was promoted to major of a newly organized regiment, the 1st Mississippi Infantry (African Descent). He and his green regiment fought at Milliken’s Bend, a brutal engagement where colored soldiers and white officers of colored regiments were targeted by the Confederate Army.  With the help of his uncle, Bryant participated in the campaign to allow colored units equal responsibilities, including combat, with regular white units. Julian Bryant achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel in command of the 51st U.S. Colored Troops (formerly 1st Mississippi) in March 1864. In September he was named colonel of the 46th U.S. Colored Troops. On May 14, 1865, shortly after being reassigned to Brazos Santiago, Texas, Bryant drowned while swimming in the Gulf of Mexico.

References:
Please see April 1983 Civil War Times Illustrated article on Col. Bryant, reprinted at:  http://www.historynet.com/union-officer-julian-bryant-a-voice-for-black-soldiers.htm/5,  accessed 5-27-08.