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War Department Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands.
Washington February 20". 1867.

Circular
No. 5

For the more complete organization of schools for Refugees and Freedmen, it is ordered that the Sub. Asst. Commissioners and Agents of this Bureau, in each sub district, will, in connection with their other duties, visit the schools now in operation in their several fields, inducing teachers to report promptly on the blanks furnished by the General Superintendent of schools for this Bureau. 
They will also observe the various plans on which these schools are conducted, suggesting improvements, or noting defects. 
They will gather information as to places now destitute of schools the number of youth and children therein between the ages of six and twenty one years, the encouragements and the obstacles existing to new schools being opened if means are furnished.
They will also ascertain what more can be done for the improvement in knowledge of the adult freedmen, - all of which will be reported to the Assistant Commissioner for the State Superintendent of Schools.
Care should be taken by the officers and agents of the Bureau in the performance of the above duties, not to interfere with the province of the local Superintendents or Teachers of the several Educational Associations. But it is essential that both work together in mutual consultation and sympathy. 
Great care will be taken to forward to this office all information gained by this Circular.
O. O. Howard
Major General, Commissioner

Transcription Notes:
edited: don't use [[illegible]] if you cant transcribe word, use [[?]] -transcribers who have worked on lots of these documents know that signature as O. O. Howard (not illegible) as the Commissioner - other corrections