After such a long and bitter war, it is unavoidable that there will be bitter feelings between the sides.  We cannot use that as an excuse to mistreat any of the people of the south.  I have been made aware of excesses by one of our officers in charge of the Freedman’s Bureau in Georgia.  I wrote Sec. Stanton,

Galena Ill 11 a m

Aug. 30. 1865.
To Hon. Edwin M. Stanton

Secy of War,

Highlands N. J.
I would respectfully recommend the removal of Genl. Wilde from the Freedman’s Bureau in Georgia, Men should be appointed who can act from facts and not always be guided by prejudice in favor of color.
I would further recommend that Gen. Comstock be ordered on an inspection tour into Georgia, Alabama & Mississippi to report upon the situation and management of the freedmen in those States, He would give facts as they exist and probably enable Gen. Howard to correct abuses if there are any.
U. S. Grant

Lt. Genl.

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 15, p 310