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Maredian March the 19th 1866
Gen E.M. Gregory

Sir in complyence of your wishes for information for E.M. Wheelock Supt. of Freedmens Schools &c I have to say there is no schools for Freedmen in the countys of Bosque or, Hill nor in the adjoining Countys to Bosque - the freedmen is vary anxious to have schools, and to educate their children - and the Blacks is doing all that any people could do to improve themselves in this Section of the State - they are after me to buy Books for them, which I have done and distributed them out of my own means and as to the whites hostility to the Freedmens being educated there is a large majority in favor of their being educated- it is true that there is some who is very hostile to the Blacks and the Govoment of the United States - I am not able to say how many Schools could be established - I know there could be one on J.J. Smiths plantation and one at Kimbleville in this county - as to bord [[board]] for teachers there can be [[strikethrough]] board [[/strikethrough]] good Boarding had at private Houses at from 8 to 10$ per month. I have been so vary much pressed with my duties of office and such a large terrytory to attend to I have not made the enquirys I should have done I will try and get the desired information and report it to you at as early a day as I can. I am fearful that the Presidents vetoing the Freedmen Bureau Bill will encourage bad men to a considerable extent and we have some of they worst of men in this Section brigades from Missourie and Arkansas and other States out laws in the strictest sense of the word

Respectfully your obedient Servant 
Philip Howard Sub. Asst.
Commissioner of F.B.