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War Department, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, Washington, September 16th 1867. Bvt. Maj. Genl. Wager Swayne Asst. Commissioner Montgomery, Ala. General: Referring to your letter of the 26th ultimo General Howard directs me to say that the Subsistence Stores had better be retained for the present, if it can be done without loss or great damage to the Government. He hopes not to be obliged to resume the issue, tho' it may be necessary to do so to prevent starvation if the local authorities refuse to support the poor. In that event those on hand could be used. May they not be used in part for issue to hospitals and asylums and thus save the purchase from the subsistence Department. Very Respectfully Your Obedient Servant F. D. Sewall Actg. Asst. Adjt. General.