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and clothing only, and those willing to work upon these terms find a difficulty in obtaining places where their families will be fed.

[[left margin]] Sick, Old & Infirm [/left margin]]

The number of Freedmen who are too old, sick or infirm to work, and who apply for relief at this office, increase as the winter advances. Their sufferings are very great and there is no present means of relief open to them. Three helpless old men, have died of hunger and exposure since my last report, and temporary shelter has been given at this office to others, who wandered off after a night's rest and food, to seek for charity elsewhere. I would respectfully and urgently recommend that a hospital be established at this place for the immediate relief of the helpless, both aged people and orphaned children. Three of the latter, left motherless a few days since, the oldest but eight years old, and two of the three stone blend have applied for relief at their office, and are perfectly destitute and friendless. 

A hospital could be established at this point at a trifling expense, as there is now an acting assistant surgeon in charge of the Freedmen of this Sub-District. Even if temporary, and limited strictly to the use of those utterly helpless, it would be of inestimable value to the Freedmen of this time. Many come to this office are in almost dying condition, starving, pennyless, and without any prospect of shelter. The duty of caring for the old and feeble was by no means neglected by the younger Freedmen, when employment could be obtained, but while the latter are themselves suffering, they cannot care for the helpless and old.