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W.C. Webb, Late Col. 52d Wis. Vols. 
Atty &c at Law, 
Stevenson, Ala

Stevenson, Alabama
February 1, 1866

Brev't. Maj. Genl Wager Swayne
Asst Comr of Bureau of R. F. & Ab. Lands
Montgomery. Ala

Sir:- In Dec'r last I addressed a letter to Gen O.O Howard, Comr &c Washington, asking for copies of Orders & Circulars relating to powers and jurisdiction of Freedmen's Bureau, &c. And in reply, Col. Max Woodhull, A. A. Genl, advised me that my letter had been referred to you.- 

I have much needed the information contained in the General Orders & Circulars issued from your Department. Almost every day I am called upon in relation to cases which are within the jurisdiction of the Freedmen's Bureau; but I do not know what to advise, as to the remedy; nor the course pursued by the Bureau in taking cognizance of cases within its jurisdiction:- nor what power the Sub-Agent located here has. Since I have been here - (only a little more than two months) there have been three different sub-agents appointed at this place - and not one of them has any of the "orders" issued by you, nor any from the War Department, nor from the Head of the Freedmen's Bureau at Washington. -

I saw in the "Montgomery Advertiser" an order issued by you, dated "Nov 28th 1860.  

Transcription Notes:
O.O. Howard was Commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau. I am guessing the unknown word is an abbreviation for Commissioner, but am not sure.