Handwriting
Steamer letter about Blind Tom, November 1865
Original source · Answer-key source
Public domain in the United States: historical unpublished manuscript created 1865, more than 120 years old. National Archives, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands records; Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture; Smithsonian Transcription Center volunteers.
The answer key
Check numbers below match the grid columns. An absence check requires the stated value to be absent in its stated field.
| Check | Kind | Expected answer | Field / row / column |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | text | From St. Augustine to Savannah | |
| 2 | text | Davis Tillson | |
| 3 | text | Georgia | |
| 4 | text | Dear General | |
| 5 | text | An instance of apprenticing a negro has come to my knowledge | |
| 6 | text | which requires your investigation unless I have been misinformed | |
| 7 | text | I think it worth my while to give you the statement as I received it from | |
| 8 | text | S. G. Cobell | |
| 9 | text | Head quarters at Tallahassee | |
| 10 | text | Blind Tom | |
| 11 | text | I return to Charleston tomorrow or next day |
Model-by-check results
Right and Wrong describe exact checks. No output scores zero. Tab reaches each result.
| Model | Page checks right | Page score / 100 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claude Opus 5.5 | 10/11 | 90.9 | Right | Right | Right | Right | Right | Right | Right | Right | Wrong | Right | Right |
| GPT-6.1 Sol | 8/11 | 72.7 | Right | Right | Right | Right | Wrong | Wrong | Right | Right | Right | Right | Wrong |
| Claude Sonnet 5.5 | 10/11 | 90.9 | Right | Right | Right | Right | Wrong | Right | Right | Right | Right | Right | Right |
| Gemini 3.8 Flash | 7/11 | 63.6 | Wrong | Right | Right | Right | Right | Wrong | Right | Wrong | Wrong | Right | Right |
| Gemini 4 Argon | 10/11 | 90.9 | Right | Right | Right | Right | Right | Right | Right | Wrong | Right | Right | Right |
| Chandra OCR 2 4-bit | 5/11 | 45.5 | Right | Wrong | Right | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong | Right | Right | Wrong | Right | Wrong |
| Mistral OCR | 7/11 | 63.6 | Right | Right | Right | Right | Wrong | Right | Right | Right | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong |
| GPT-6 Luna | 3/11 | 27.3 | Right | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong | Right | Wrong | Wrong | Right | Wrong |
| LightOnOCR 3 1B | 3/11 | 27.3 | Right | Wrong | Right | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong | Right | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong |
| OCRia-1 | 4/11 | 36.4 | Right | Wrong | Right | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong | Right | Right | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong |
| dots.ocr 4-bit | 0/11 | 0.0 | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong |
| Nemotron 3.5 Parse | 1/11 | 9.1 | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong | Right | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong |
| Indra | 2/11 | 18.2 | Wrong | Wrong | Right | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong | Right | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong |
| Granite-Docling | 0/11 | 0.0 | No output | No output | No output | No output | No output | No output | No output | No output | No output | No output | No output |
| PaddleOCR-VL 1.6 | 0/11 | 0.0 | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong | Wrong |
| Tesseract 5.5.3 | 0/11 | 0.0 | No output | No output | No output | No output | No output | No output | No output | No output | No output | No output | No output |
Raw model outputs beside the key
Key reference
From St. Augustine to SavannahDavis TillsonGeorgiaDear GeneralAn instance of apprenticing a negro has come to my knowledgewhich requires your investigation unless I have been misinformedI think it worth my while to give you the statement as I received it fromS. G. CobellHead quarters at TallahasseeBlind TomI return to Charleston tomorrow or next day
Claude Opus 5.5 · 10/11 checks in scoring unit
Scoring unit: hw-steamer. Joined pages use the same full output.
On board Steamer Cosmopolitan From St. Augustine to Savannah Nov. 2 1865 Brig. Gen. Davis Tillson Actg. Asst. Com.r Georgia Dear General An instance of apprenticing a negro has come to my knowledge which requires your investigation unless I have been misinformed; at any rate I think it worth my while to give you the statement as I received it from Capt. S. G. Cobell – now a U. S. Treas. Agent with head quarters at Tallahassee. It is the case of "Blind Tom" who was formerly owned by N. Bethune of Columbus *(Left margin, written vertically:)* P.S. I return to Charleston tomorrow or next day. O. O. H.
GPT-6.1 Sol · 8/11 checks in scoring unit
Scoring unit: hw-steamer. Joined pages use the same full output.
On board Steamer [illegible] From St. Augustine to Savannah Nov. 2, 1865 Brig. Gen. Davis Tillson Act. Asst. Comᵣ — Georgia Dear General An instance of oppression & wrong has come to my knowledge which requires your investiga- tion. Unless I have been misinformed; at any rate I think it worth my while to give you the statement as I received it from Capt. S. G. Cobell — now a U.S. Treas. Agent with Head quarters at Tallahassee. It is the case of “Blind Tom” who was formerly owned by W. Bethune of Columbus [Left margin:] P.S. I desire to [illegible]
Claude Sonnet 5.5 · 10/11 checks in scoring unit
Scoring unit: hw-steamer. Joined pages use the same full output.
On Board Steamer Cormias From St. Augustine to Savannah Nov. 2 1865. Brig. Gen. Davis Tillson Asst. Com^r — Georgia Dear General An instance of apprehending a negro has come to my knowledge which requires your investigation unless I have been misinformed; at any rate I think it worth my while to give you the statement as I received it from Capt. S. G. Cobell — now a U.S. Treas. Agent with Head quarters at Tallahassee. It is the case of "Blind Tom" who was formerly owned by N. Bethune of Columbus *(vertical marginal note, left side:)* Rd. I return to Charleston tomorrow or next day. J. H. H.
Gemini 3.8 Flash · 7/11 checks in scoring unit
Scoring unit: hw-steamer. Joined pages use the same full output.
On board Steamer Cosmian From St. Augustin to Savannah Nov. 2, 1865. Brig. Gen. Davis Tillson Asst. Dist. Com. Georgia Dear General An instance of apprenticing a negro has come to my knowledge which requires your investiga- tion unless I have been misinformed; at any rate I think it worth my while to give you the statement as I received it from Capt. S. G. Cabell - now a U. S. Treas. Agent with Head quarters at Tallahasee. It is the case of "Blind Tom" who was formerly owned by N. Bethune of Columbus --- *(Margin note written vertically along the left side)* P.S. I return to Charleston tomorrow or next day
Gemini 4 Argon · 10/11 checks in scoring unit
Scoring unit: hw-steamer. Joined pages use the same full output.
On board Steamer Canonicus From St. Augustine to Savannah Nov. 2 1865 Brig. Gen. Davis Tillson Actg. Asst. Comr - Georgia Dear General An instance of apprenticing a negro has come to my knowledge which requires your investigation unless I have been misinformed; at any rate I think it worth my while to give you the statement as I received it from Capt S. G. Cabell - now a U.S. Treas. Agent with Head quarters at Tallahassee. It is the case of "Blind Tom" who was formerly owned by N. Bethune of Columbus P.S. I return to Charleston tomorrow or next day. R.K.S.
Chandra OCR 2 · 5/11 checks in scoring unit
Scoring unit: hw-steamer. Joined pages use the same full output.
<div data-bbox="413 22 761 74" data-label="Text"><p>On board Steam Cruiser<br/>From St. Augustine to Savannah</p></div><div data-bbox="534 77 746 100" data-label="Text"><p>Nov. 2 1865.</p></div><div data-bbox="230 120 740 190" data-label="Text"><p>Brig. Gen. Davis Gilmore<br/>Capt. Asst. Com. - Georgia</p></div><div data-bbox="396 195 604 224" data-label="Text"><p>De General</p></div><div data-bbox="220 220 750 520" data-label="Text"><p>The instance<br/>of apprehending a negro has<br/>come to my knowledge<br/>which requires your investiga-<br/>tion unless I have been<br/>misinformed; at any rate I<br/>think it worth my while to<br/>give you the statement as<br/>I received it from Capt.<br/>S. G. Cobell - now a U.S.<br/>Treas. Agent with Lead mines<br/>at Tallahassee.</p></div><div data-bbox="220 515 755 610" data-label="Text"><p>It is the case of "Blind<br/>Tom" who was formerly owned<br/>by M. Bothume of Richmond</p></div><div data-bbox="220 120 270 590" data-label="Text"><p>P.S. I believe to Charlotte Emerson or mother David Gilmore</p></div>
Mistral OCR · 7/11 checks in scoring unit
Scoring unit: hw-steamer. Joined pages use the same full output.
<file name="hw-steamer.pdf"> On board Steamer Conomara From St. Augustine to Savannah Nov. 2, 1865 S. S. Brig. Gen. Davis Tillson Asst. Comr. Georgia Dear General, An instance of apprenticing a negro here comes to my knowledge which requires your investigation unless I have been misinformed; at any rate I think it worth my while to give you the statement as I received it from Capt. S. G. Cobell - now a U.S. Treas. Agent with head quarters at Tallahassee. It is the case of "Blind Pore" who was formerly owned by N. Bothume of Columbus P.S. I return to Chas. C. tomorrow or next day. </file>
GPT-6 Luna · 3/11 checks in scoring unit
Scoring unit: hw-steamer. Joined pages use the same full output.
On board Steamer Cummings From St. Augustine to Savannah Nov. 2 1865. Maj. Gen. [illegible] Davis, Shelton Capt. [illegible] Co. — [illegible] The [illegible] An intimation of approaching an [illegible] has come to my knowledge, which requires some investigation unless I have been misinformed; at any rate I think it worth my while to give you the statement as I received it from Capt. S. A. [illegible]—now a U.S. [illegible] Capt with [illegible] quarters at Tallahassee. It is the [illegible] of “Blind Tom” who was formerly owned by N. Bethune of Columbus [Illegible marginal note]
LightOnOCR 3 1B · 3/11 checks in scoring unit
Scoring unit: hw-steamer. Joined pages use the same full output.
 On Board Steam Carriages From St. Augustine to Savannah Nov. 2, 1865.  H. Brig. Gen. Davis Wilson 7. 3 Dept. Asst. Com. - Georgia 3  Sir General  An instance of apprehending a cargo has come to my knowledge which requires your investigation unless I have been more informed; at any rate I think it worth my while to give You the Statement as I received it from Capt. S. G. Cobell - now a U.S. Treas. Agent with Seal quarter at Tallahassee.  It is the case of "Blind Poor" who was formerly owned by M. Rothume of Columbus  P.S. I return to Charlotte tomorrow or next day.  P.S. I return to Charlotte tomorrow or next day.
OCRia-1 · 4/11 checks in scoring unit
Scoring unit: hw-steamer. Joined pages use the same full output.
On board Illiana Couriers From St. Augustine to Savannah Nov. 2 1865 **Brig. Gen. John Gillen** **Capt. Art. Cdr. & Georgia** **Sir General** The intention of apprehending a Creep has come to my knowledge which requires your investiga- tion. Unless I have been previously informed; do not yet I think it worth my while to give you the statement as I received it from Capt. S. G. Cobell - now a U.S. Officer. Agent with Dead South at Tallahassee. It is the case of "Blind Pork" who was formerly served by M. Bothume of September By J. Palmer & Charlotte Inmates or people there
dots.ocr · 0/11 checks in scoring unit
Scoring unit: hw-steamer. Joined pages use the same full output.
On board Steamer Columbia From St. Austin to Savannah Nov. 2, 1865. Yr. Brig. Gen. Davis Tilton 7 Post. Adjut. Com. E. Morgen Die General An letter of appealing to aizen has told me your knowledge which requires your investiga- tion unless I have been misinformed; at any rate I think it would be my duty to give you the statement as I received it from left. S. G. Cobbe - now a U.S. . Agent with the Indian of Illinois. It is the case of "Blind Pit" who was formerly a by N. Bothume of Columbus
Nemotron 3.5 Parse · 1/11 checks in scoring unit
Scoring unit: hw-steamer. Joined pages use the same full output.
On Good Steam Governor Fron St. Dayustin to deceum Nov. 2, 1865 Brig. Gen. Davis billion 4 Caf. Cast. Con \* Morgan Die General An instance of approaching a ceeyn has come to my kortedge which require your investigation him unless I have been more informed; at any rate I think of costs my able to give you the Vietnam as I received it from Leapt S. G. Cobell- nowa e.s. Dream agent with lead quality at Dulchance. It is the con of Blind Pow" who was formerly owned by n. Bothume of Columbus
Indra · 2/11 checks in scoring unit
Scoring unit: hw-steamer. Joined pages use the same full output.
## M. Asst. Con Georgia Der Enest An intere of apprentering a sen hers were of my huoledge which reguinies come wartigo in wile I her wi and in formed; at buy sol I think it wort my whit the given You the totement I recered A from Lespt. S. G. Cobell - now a de. S. Treas, agent with Heard quarthy at Piklehance. 1 I is the con of Blind Pond who way forment tow by M. Bothama of Tholimber
Granite-Docling · 0/11 checks in scoring unit
Scoring unit: hw-steamer. Joined pages use the same full output.
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PaddleOCR-VL 1.6 · 0/11 checks in scoring unit
Scoring unit: hw-steamer. Joined pages use the same full output.
On Board Machine Accuracy Form of Augustin to Davidson Nov. 2, 1865.
Tesseract 5.5.3 · 0/11 checks in scoring unit
Scoring unit: hw-steamer. Joined pages use the same full output.