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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands,
Washington, Jany 22d 186 [[strikethrough]]7 [[/strikethrough]] 8.

Brevet Brig Genl Julius Hayden
Assistant Commissioner for Alabama

Dear General

Your communication with reference to a chief surgeon has been received.  The appointment has already been made by recommendation of the Assistant Commissioner, Dr. Kip and others. I am much pleased with your comments, and glad to see that you take so high a stand with reference to political affiliation.

In these days when it is so necessary to sustain loyalty we should be careful not to lean over backwards employing men who profess no politics, but whose whole sympathy and interest are against the faithful, persistent,