Circular No. 3 - General Rufus Saxton
Abandoned Lands and Freedmen FarmersMay 22, 1865
    In reading through this circular, it becomes very evident that during the early stages of reconstruction, many of the freedmen in states of former rebellion were merely trying to survive. Using lands that were abandoned by their former owners made the most logical sense, as it was the most fertile, well maintained, not to mention the fact that many of the newly freedmen knew the land as well, if not better than those who owned it previously. This circular gives the newly freedmen shelter and grounds to at least be able to finish their current year's harvest, or it allows returning owners the right to purchase the harvest in its entirety from the refugees/freedmen. Basically, it makes sure that the people cultivating the crops, don't end up with nothing to show for their labors. What this circular also states, is that no freedmen with age, or affliction may be removed from a property until the federal government can provide them with an equal alternative.
    Survival of the refugees and freedmen during this time is what was paramount. No different than in other times where there were countless refugees and displaced peoples. The point I make is that we as a humans need to realize and help those in less fortunate situations than ourselves, especially here in our own country. Before we as a nation go out to solve all the rest of the worlds problems, we need to fix our own, charity starts at home. This has been an ongoing issue for the American people as a whole, from civil rights and liberties of former slaves, through today with the questioning of the legality of same sex marriage. These people are just as much American as any other, they were bred, born, and raised here, they have the same unalienable rights as anyone else, whether they be black, white, Latino, gay, straight, transsexual etc. We must be able to set aside our differences, and look at the bigger picture in order to survive as nation.