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Freedman's Village Va.
August 10th 1866

Bvt Brig. Genl. Saml. Thomas 
Act Asst Commr
Washington D.C.

Genl. I have the honor to report that one of the tenement houses at this village, was destroyed by fire on Tueday August 7th/66. The fire originated in the chamber of the tenement occupied by Mrs Harriet Chinn, who is employed as nurse at the hospital. Bed and clothing were rapidly burning when first discovered, and the building burned so quickly that but few of the articles belonging to other tenants were saved. 

The hose was attached to the fire plugs, but owing to the large leaks in the main pipe, there was not sufficient force to throw the water through the nozzle; we immediately detached the pipes and used buckets and by great exertion prevented the fire from communicating to other buildings.

I am unable to learn the cause of the fire, there having been no fire kept in the room where it started.

I am Genl
Very Respectfully
Your Obedient Servant
A.A. Lawrence
Capt V.R.C. Supt &c