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Bureau R.F. & A.L.,
Washington D.C., Oct 30. 1866.
Major General O.O. Howard, Commissioner 

General,
In accordance with Special Orders No. 85., Bureau R.F. & A.L., dated Sept 27. 1866., I left Washington on the 30th ult and arrived at Montgomery, Ala., on the 4th inst., and thence proceeded to make an inspection of Bureau affairs in that State, as directed by the written and verbal instructions given me, and have the honor to submit the following report.

I met Maj. Genl Wager Swayne, U.S. Vols., the Asst. Commr. at Montgomery, Ala.; he afforded me every facility for the prosecution of my inspection.

Gen'l Swayne, in addition to his duties as Ass't Comm'r, commands the Military District of Alabama. He has endeavored to unite both duties with a view to economy in the administration of each. This is certainly commendable, and to some extent feasible, but in many respects, the duties and function of each are so separate and distinct, that an attempt to unite them produces confusion & embarrassment. 

It is doubtless for the interest of the Gov't