William T. Sherman to J. H. Hammond, July 22, 1862

No. 60. } Memphis, Tenn., July 22, 1862.

While negroes are employed on public works, fortifications, driving teams, and such public work, they will be subsisted by the officer in charge by a provision return, specifying number and how employed, which return must be approved at headquarters. As the negro receives no specific wages the commissary may issue to the negroes at the rate of one pound of chewing-tobacco per month, the bills of purchase for which are to be sent to the chief engineer of the district for payment.

The engineer in charge of the fort will purchase necessary clothing, such as shoes and pants, for the negroes, and issue to them, keeping an accurate account of the issues that the value of the clothing may be charged to the proper party on the final settlement of accounts. The bills of purchase will be sent to the chief engineer of the district for payment. ;

A register and time-table of the negroes employed on the fort will be kept by the engineer in charge or by some one under his orders, giving the name and description of the negro, whether a slave or refugee, and the neme of master, that a fair and equitable settlement may be made at the “end of the war.”

By order of Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman: