West Point graduate Medal of Honor recipient Assistant Commissioner of

Freedmen’s Bureau Ardent supporter of land

distribution to freedmen Fired by President Andrew Johnson

January 16, 1866

Brig. Gen. Rufus Saxton

Freedmen’s Bureau vs. President Andrew Johnson:

Framing the Conflict over Land Distribution

By Kristopher Hiser

The Journey• My Outside

Perspective• The Trouble with

Sources• The Path Narrows:

Freedmen’s Bureau and President Johnson

The Abundant Source Material• Freedmen’s Bureau

Documents• Congressional Globe• Thousands of Letters• Body of Literature

Upon Whom to Focus? • Planters attempting to recover their

land• Freedmen’s Bureau officials• President Johnson• Congress• Freedmen

Johnson vs. Freedmen’s Bureau• Numerous sources• Numerous points of view• President Johnson was most vital opponent• Freedmen’s Bureau was the most ardent

proponent

Brig. Gen. Rufus Saxton“In my opinion this [field]

order [15] of General Sherman is as binding as

statute.”