Preliminary Inventory No. 174, Records of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, Washington Headquarters, Record Group 105

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The Freedmen's Bureau was a part of the War Department whose duties included "the supervision and management of all abandoned lands and the control of all subjects relating to refu gees and freedmen from rebel states, or from any district or country within the territory embraced in the operations of the Army," During the first year of its existence the Bureau issued rations and clothing to destitute freedmen and refugees, operated hospitals and freedmen's camps, provided transportation to refugees and freedmen returning to their homes or relocating to other parts of the country, distributed supplies, found employment for freedmen, established schools for both children and adults, leased or supervised the cultivation of abandoned or confiscated lands, received applications and acted upon the restoration of property, helped black soldiers and sailors file and collect claims for bounties, pay arrearages, and pensions. "When the Bureau was abolished in 1872, its records and remaining functions were transferred to the Freedmen's Branch in the Office of the Adjutant General." The records in this inventory are the Washington office Records which include both the headquarters records of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands and the Headquarter records of the Freedmen's Branch of the Office of the Adjutant General. "The records of the Commissioner and his Assistant Adjutant General are described first, followed by the records of the offices established in 1865, the offices added in 1866, and the special offices created after 1866. Entries describing the records of each office or division are preceded by a brief account of the unit's functions." Elaine Everly (1973), 2024, 8.5" X 11", paper, 46 pp. ISBN: 9780788475061 101-E7506 Show more