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War Department,
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands,
Washington, August 10, 1865.

Col. Samuel Thomas
Asst Commr & C
Vicksburg Miss

Colonel
I am directed by my Genl O. O. Howard Commissioner &c to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 29th July enclosing copies of your General Orders and Circulars and forms of marriage certificates &c.

Your report of your organization and the condition of the affairs of the bureau is very gratifying and the circulars and orders evince your clear understanding of the objects to be attained. Reporters of the several leading papers have been allowed to make extracts from them for general information. Your forms of marriage will be adopted by the bureau,