Carolina
only 5,000 were receiving aid from the Government in the fall of 1865.
Each month witnessed a wonderful reduction of the rations issued to
the freedmen. In the month of August, 1865, Gen. C. B. Fisk had
reduced the number of freedmen receiving rations from 3,785 to 2,984,
in Kentucky. In the same month, in Mississippi, Gen. Samuel Thomas, of
the 64th U. S. C. I., had reduced the number of persons receiving
rations to 669. In his report for 1865, Gen. Thomas said:

"The freedmen working land assigned them at Davis's Bend, Camp
Hawley, near Vicksburg, De Soto Point, opposite, and at
Washington, near Natchez, are all doing well. These crops are
maturing fast; as harvest time approaches, I reduce the number of
rations issued and compel them to rely on their own resources. At
least 10,000 bales of cotton will be raised by these people, who
are conducting cotton crops on their own account. Besides this
cotton, they have gardens and corn enough to furnish bread for
their families and food for their stock till harvest time
returns. * * * A more industrious, energetic body of citizens
does not exist than can be seen at the colonies now."

Speaking of the industry of the freed people Gen. Thomas added: "I
have lately visited a large portion of the State, and find it in much
better condition than I expected. In the eastern part fine crops of
grain are growing; the negroes are at home working quietly; they have
contracted with their old masters at fair wages; all seem to accept
the change without a shock."

From June 1, 1865, to September 1, 1866, the Freedmen's Bureau issued
to the freed people of the South 8,904,4511/2 rations, and was able to
make the following financial showing of the Refugees' and Freedmen's
fund. From November 1, 1865, to October 1, 1866, the receipts and
expenditures were as follows:

Amount on hand November 1, 1865 $313,796 62

Received from various sources, as follows:

Freedmen's fund $367,659 93
Clothing, fuel, and subsistence 2,074 55
Farms (sales of crops) 109,709 98
Rent of buildings 48,560 87
Rent of lands 113,641 78
Conscript funds 140 95
Transportation 1,053 50
Schools (tax