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relating to animals belonging to the U.S. and used by citizens in raising food - reciting an order or circular-from the Secy. of War, dated "Nov. 11th 1865." - Is that order now in force? - The Post Q.M.'s  at this place & at Bridgeport, (both in Jackson County) have had a squad of citizens, (perhaps I should say "vagabonds") ranging all over Jackson & DeKalb Counties, gathering up animals that had any brand or mark upon them, - often taking private property & very frequently taking the only horse or mule the farmer had in his possession. In many cases, these animals would be sold back to the parties from whom they were taken - a sham certificate of sale given - & the money put in the pockets of the Q.M's & the tools used to pick up the horses &c. I know well what I say, for I have compelled the "Q.M" to refund the money in some cases, & to surrender the animals in others. Of course the animals picked up, as above stated, are not taken up on the returns of the A.Q.M. nor reported to the Gov't. Recently I have been employed to procure the return of some animals, taken up in January,1866, but the A.Q.M. (his Chf Clk acting for him) says he has "referred the case" to the A.Q.M. at Huntsville. I prepared a statement, claiming that neither the A.Q.M. nor any person in the QM's Dept. had any authority whatever to