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Bu RF & AL Office Agent of
Rockingham NC Jan 25th 1868
Col. J.V. Bomford
Sub Asst Comr 
Sir
I have the honor to report that John Ledbetter (colored) was presented with a horse in March 1865 by U.S. Soldiers and that at the same time procured a mule left on the plantation of Wm. B. Little by these Soldiers and when Mr Little returned to his home in a few days afterwards he took charge of these animals fed & worked them untill full when he sold the horse for $80.00 the mule he still retains in his custody John Ledbetter was formerly a slave of Mr Little and worked for him until the year 1866 when he left him. John asks that these animals or one of them at least may be given up to him Wm Little claims that these animals for the reason that he fed them from the first and they were very poor in flesh also by authority contained in the enclosed communications I respectfully ask that all these Government horses left by Soldiers while passing through these counties in 1865 and when they were secured by the Freedmen may be given back to them The Freemen have worked diligently and faithfully for their former masters and late employers and are now turned off with a 

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most scarcely pittance and with the threat that when they are employed again it will be for their board and clothes alone If the Freedman has a horse he can hire land of certain oner and it seems to be will have a better chance of making something for himself than he has heretofore in case he can not procure forage for his horse he can find a home where forage will be furnished him and his share of the crop or his wages will be greater in proportion. 
Very Respectfully
Your Obdt Servant
(Signed) Wm MacFarland
Agent

Hd. qrs. Freedmans B. Charlotte N.C. Sept 2nd 65
The Negroes on the plantations of W.S. Tillman and Wm B Little are informed that they have no claim whatever on any stock left by the U.S. forces on said plantations no such claim will be sustained by this Bureau By order of
(signed) John C Barnett Capt & Asst Supt Fm. B. 
for South Western District N.C.

Dept QM Office Charlotte NC Aug 16/65
W.B. Little having reported one dark brown horse and one bay mare mule to this office as having been abandoned by the US forces all claims to the same is hereby suspended untill further orders from this office
(signed) CW Liffingwell Capt. A.Q.M.