| From the Galveston Daily News |
| |
| February 23, 1865 |
| |
| By Command of Maj. Gen. J. G. Walker |
| W. A. Smith, Capt and A. A. General |
| Headquarters, Commandant Negro Labor |
| District of Texas |
| Houston, Feb. 15, 1865 |
| |
| Special Orders, No. 30 |
| I. The Presidents or
Superintendents of the following Railroad Companies, viz: |
| Buffalo Bayou, Brazos &
Colorado Railroad; Galveston, Houston & Henderson Railroad;
Washington County Railroad; Texas & New Orleans Railroad; Houston
Tap & Brazoria Railroad; having complied with Paragraph II.
Special Orders, No. 4, of January 6, 1865, from these Headquarters,
requiring them to file in this office a statement, under oath, of the
number of negroes in their employ and the number they require to
constantly to keep their Roads in good order, the following number of
negroes are hereby exempt to each of said Railroad, viz: |
| To the B. B. B. & C.
Railroad, 75 permanently, and 150 for four months; G. H. & H.
Railroad, 60 permanently; W. C. Railroad, 25 permanently; T. & N.
O. Railroad, 2556 permanently; H. & T. C. Railroad, 145
permanently; H. T. & B. Railroad, 30 permanently. |
| Enrolling officers, and Agents
of the Labor Bureau, will in nowise interfere with any negro upon any
of said Roads, where the number so employed does not exceed the number
exempted to any Road. They will also allow credits for such negroes as
are, or may be, employed on said Roads, as if they were in government
services, so long as the number so employed does not exceed the number
herein exempted to any Road. |
| In order that Enrolling
officers may ascertain when such credits are to be allowed, they may
act upon the affidavit of the President or Superintendent of any Road,
setting forth that they have not more than the number of negroes
exempted to this order; or, will refer such application for credit to
the Commandant of Negro Labor of the Sub District in which such credit
is claimed. |
| H. McKay |
| Capt. & Act'g command't of Negro Labor |
| District of Texas |
|