From the Richmond Dispatch, 3/24/1866, p. 1, c. 3

THE NEGROES TO EVACUATE CHIMBORAZO BY APRIL 1ST. – AN IMPORTANT ORDER. – After the evacuation of Richmond, the meritorious “emancipated,” who, like shoals of porpoises, came leaping and gamboling into Richmond, found themselves somewhat at a loss in regard to a local habitation and a name. The latter they obtained from their former masters and mistresses, or “Holy Writ,” and the former they procured by taking unceremonious possession of all the vacant Government buildings around this city. Chimborazo Hospital was one of the first to be selected, and those long wards which had so frequently echoed with the low moan of pain, the shriek of agony, or the death-rattle of the expiring soldier, were soon answering to the coarse gutturals and rude words of the ebon children of “Africa the Blest.” This reign was long and peaceable, except when they took it into their heads to fight each other, or quarrel and mutter and mutiny; but this Chimborazo Elysium could not last forever. Woe is me, ye niggers! An order has been issued by the Freedmen’s Bureau in this city, that all negroes now inhabiting any of the Government quarters at Chimborazo, and who are able, by working, to support themselves, shall vacate their lodgings by the 1st of April. Those, however, who are too old or infirm, or who have families or children dependent on them, will not be disturbed. At the present time there are about one thousand negroes at Chimborazo, and it is expected that not more than one hundred and fifty will be allowed to remain under the new order. Those who are old and infirm, or who have large and helpless families, will be permitted to stay, but all others will be unceremoniously ejected. It is but right to state that from the time that the Freedmen’s Bureau entered into operation here, no negro has been allowed to take up his quarters at Chimborazo without permission, and those who desired to leave, were directed to obtain permission from the Bureau to do so, that a proper record of the number of settlers might be retained. It is necessary that mechanics and laborers who desire an occupation shall remain near Richmond and Petersburg, and we trust that our own railroads will be able to give employment to them, so that they may not be compelled to leave Virginia and go elsewhere for a support; which would be terrible!

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