Officer in a Missouri Black Regiment to the Superintendent of the Organization of Missouri Black Troops

Benton Barracks Mo  Feb 1^st 1864

Sir,  Complaint has been made to me, by Martin Patterson, of Co. “H,” 2^d Missouri Vols of A[frican]. D[escent]. that he has direct and reliable information from home that his family is receiving ill treatment from James Patterson their master, of Fayette, Howard Co. Mo

He says, that his wife is compelled to do out door work,–such as chop wood, husk corn &c. and that one of his children has been suffered to freeze, and has sinc died

Further complaint has been made by W^m Brooks that his wife and children are receiving ill treatment from Jack Sutter their master, of Fayette, Howard Co. Mo.  He says that they are required to do the same work that he formerly had to do, such as chopping wood, splitting rails &c

The said Martin Patterson and W^m Brooks request that permission be granted to remove their families to Jefferson City   Yours Respectfuly

William P Deming