From the Holly Springs, Mississippi Reporter of the 3rd inst.; “We saw large numbers of freedmen in town during the recent holidays, and never before have we seen them looking so ragged and friendless. They had no money to enjoy the Christmas with, and stood about upon the corners and sidewalks looking forsaken and pitiful. Their clothing was in patches, unclean, and in many cases scarcely covering their nakedness. They had no homes for the present year, no money or provisions to live upon, and yet they seemed indifferent as to the future.

The Bolivar Bulletin. (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.), 11 Jan. 1868, Page 1. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.