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There seems to be no one here whose business it is to look after the wants of the freedmen. So that we have felt compelled to do what we could for the suffering around us since Christmas we have provided for 23 persons 4 widow women and 19 orphan children 11 of the children have mothers the others are full orphans and all entirely destitute of every thing Chap Wright sent us a few things from St Louis and we have had a few small contributions from friends at home beyond that we have had to furnish them ourselves and it takes no little to provide food clothing fuel and house rent for such a family. We do not know what to do with them but we cannot see them perish I write those things to you because [[crossed out]] you because [[/crossed out]] you have the power to act and hope some good

Transcription Notes:
No punctuation in letter. Added in as [[.]] but I don't know if I should remove it Don't add any punctuation. Just transcribe as written.