United States, National Archives, Freedmen's Bureau, Officer's Manual

The Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands was created March 3, 1865 and was an agency within the War Department. Its record keeping was similar to other agencies in the department of the "book period."

To assist military personnel and civilians assigned to the Bureau an officer's manual published by the War Department in 1866. The manual was published "...for the information and government of the Officers of this Bureau." The manual identifies the records, forms, reports, etc. bureau agents and other personal were required to create and use in the day to day operations of their offices. Sample images of bureau forms begin on page 29 or image 40.
 * "Each Assistant Commissioner, or other officer or agent of the Bureau, having charge of an office, will preserve and accurate record of his official acts.

The manual contains the following sections:
 * Officers' manual : Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands Washington, 1866
 * Article I - Book keeping and official correspondence
 * Article II - Accounts and expenditures of public property
 * Article II - Disbursements of public funds
 * Article IV - Medical Department
 * Article V - Subsistence
 * Article VI - Miscellaneous Provisions

See also Col. Samuel Thomas. Assistant Commissioner for State of Mississippi. '' Digest of Orders and Instructions to Sub-Commissioners. Bureau of Refugees, freedmen and Abandoned Lands. Vicksburg, Miss.: Freedmen's Bureau Press Print, 1866. DGS 7677404 image 458. This volume provided guidance and direction to bureau agents in Mississippi from the state Assistant Commissioner. Organization of the Bureau General View of Duties Forms of Business Book-Keeping Administration of Justice Orphans Vagrancy Marriage Medical Department Conclusion
 * "The duties of a Sub Commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau are delicate, difficult, numerous and important."
 * "Every officer of this Bureau, in charge of an office, will be required to keep an exact and full record of all business transacted. That these records may be correct and uniform, the following instruction, on the basis of those issued by the War Department to Adjutant Generals and others of kindred duties, will be strictly obeyed:"
 * Letters Received; Letters Sent; Endorsement and memoranda; Indexing; Reports; (Advice to Freedmen - Circular No. 2 - Jan. 2, 1866); Contracts