The Freedmen’s Bureau is especially active in South Carolina, the state formerly home to a large number of the South’s slaves. White residents of the states are already taking steps to restrict the freedoms of former slaves, while Northern relief and charitable agencies, including American Baptist-related organizations, are making efforts to assist freedmen in obtaining…
The Van Wert Baptist Church of Paulding County, Georgia closed its doors in late 1864 due to the battles raging in and around Atlanta. Reassembling in January 1865, the congregation since has struggled. The minutes of a church conference (business meeting) held this day refer to post-war realities. “After the opening of conference as usual,…
During the war many Baptist associations and state conventions, South and North alike, formed committees on the “State of the Country” during annual gatherings. Not surprisingly, Northern Baptist reports commonly voiced support for emancipation of slaves and the Union efforts to defeat the South. Conversely, (white) Baptist groups who offered such reports (and many did…