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Men of good business capacity will not take a clerkship which is so laborious for common soldiers’ wages. Every effort has been made to procure a first-class clerk, but without success.
SCHOOLS.—There are connected with this department six schools, five in the city of Helena and one in Camp Freedmen. These are suspended during the months of July and August. During June there were in attendance: Soldiers, 19; adult females, 7; girls, 110; boys, 103. The number who can read, 158; those who study geography, 4; those who are in arithmetic, 37; the number who can write, 56; attendance, 213. The teachers for the month of June were: John S. Roberts, superintendent of schools; Miss Joanna Moore, Miss Mary Fox, Miss Henrietta Baldwin. 
ORPHAN ASYLUM.—This Institution, located in the city of Helena, has been established now about four months, and is under the care of Mr. and Mrs. Clark, of Indiana. The buildings are neat, and somewhat commodious, but not large enough to accommodate all the children that might be gathered in. Excellent disciple is maintained, and the children are learning rapidly. We have in charge this month 50 children. 
HOME FARM.—This is situated about three miles from the city, and includes a part of the old Gen. Pillow estate. There is a fine fort erected on the Home Farm for the protection of the camp and farm. We have in cultivation about one hundred acres in cotton, which looks very promising, and 50 acres in corn and garden vegetables. The labor done on the Home Farm has been by the infirm and children of the camp.
CAMP FREEDMEN.—This camp is situated on the Home Farm, near the fort, and is in as healthy a locality as could be selected, with plenty of water convenient. Each family has a small garden connected with their house. We have reduced the number drawing rations from the government since the 16th of March, from 2,000 down to 260. Some sickness prevails in the camp, but the people appear to be happy and contented with their educational and religious privileges. 
FREEDMENS’ WOOD-YARD.—The number this month who have been employed in chopping is small. The great heat in the woods, and the pressure on the cotton farms for hands, have reduced our number in the wood-yard. The sanitary condition at present is excellent, ample provisions being made for the health and comfort of the laborers; medicines being furnished them from the sanitary fund at the wood-yard. There are 23 men, 9 women and 13 children. Instruction is given daily to the children belonging to the families at work. All persons of adult age are expected to maintain themselves, except in transient sickness, when they are supplied with food and medicines.
LESSEES.—There are thirty white lessee firms in this district whose contracts with the freed laborers are made and are on file in this office. There are also about forty colored persons who have rented lands of the government and are cultivating them with their own means. There are also a number of colored persons who are cultivating them with their own means. There are also a number of colored persons who are cultivating lands on shares on the plantations of their former owners.
J.R. Locke,
Capt. and Supt. Freedmen.

CHRISTIAN COMMISSION.