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him, which indeed was made imperative by recent orders of the Executive, the Quarter Master General and Surgeon General, and which require us henceforth to make bricks without straw.
After a careful study, three applications were forwarded to you
I For the use of all real estate and buildings seized as the property of the late rebel Government and for all monies arising from the sale of the same.
II For an assignment of so much as you should think proper of the irregular, defective and surplus clothing and blankets now in the hands of the U.S. Quarter Master's Department.
III For authority to tender to the Commissioners of each County food and such other assistance as the Army could properly supply, for all destitute persons whom they should otherwise adequately care for and to compel them to unite with me in this method.
Later in the week, upon full consultation with the gentlemen of the Staff, I telegraphed you that I desired to come to Washington, and in company with Governor Parsons, personally urge these matters, if need be upon the President, thinking that through the Executive of the State, just from the field, and earnest about its wants, I might effect more than by more formal applications.
This morning, orders are received in reference to our Medical officers, all of whom, except the Surgeon in Chief, are contract Surgeons detailed to the Bureau by the Medical Director of the Department. All these contracts are annulled from the date of the detail, and payment directed to be made from this office. This will necessitate the discharge of all these officers and of all other hired help, at the close of the month, unless a new source of a supply is opened to revenue has as yet been derived from contracts. Those for this year were made before my arrival or before the

issue of orders requiring a tax. The expectation of a division of lands at Christmas yet prevails to such an extent that no considerable number of contracts have yet been entered into for next year.
I am aware of some unpleasant features in this Statement. Yet I cannot separate them from personal considerations such as have no proper place in a soldier's work or in this correspondence while frankness and necessity alike require that the statement should be made.
Meanwhile we shall not spare the means we have. Major Miller has gone to Selma and Demopolis to see why proper reports have not been furnished, and to re-organize and extend our agencies along the line of that rail-road, and to confer with the County Commissioners upon the plan submitted to you. His town will embrace the most densely populated counties in the State. Chaplain Buckley, Assistant Superintendent here, has been ordered to Montevallo, Talladega and Jacksonville on the same errand. Col Robinson writes from Mobile that he has succeeded in getting troops at nearly all the points in his Sub-District which require attention
I have as yet no reply to my letter to Gen Fisk, asking for copies of his orders and other information about Northern Alabama. I shall perhaps go there this week.
The reports which have been forwarded will give you the statistical condition of the District, which I hope to present to you more fully before long. I shall not add more at this time to the applications which have already had your attention.

I am, General
Very Respectfully
Your Obedient Servant,