Brig. Gen. William Sooy Smith to Lt. Col. Binmore, March 27, 1863

                       Lagrange, Tenn., March 27th 1863. 

Sir   I wrote a few days ago asking instructions with regard to the large number of contrabands now finding their way into our Camps–– The evil is a most perplexing one.   Whole families of them are stampeding and leaving their masters, and I am applied to daily for the return of those belonging to loyal Masters.   I know that our General Orders do not permit me to yield to such applications: but something should be done to shield our service from the charge of furnishing an Asylum to the Servants of loyal men living in districts not affected by the emancipation proclamation.   Very Respectfully Your obedt Servt. 

              Wm Sooy Smith