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Nichols, who has charge of our schools at Stevenson Ala. urging me to do something to relieve the distress there. Gen. Howard told me that an appropriation had been made for Ala. for this purpose & while I have just sent some extracts from Mr. Nichols' letter, to Gen. Howard I conclude to send to you also as perhaps the more suitable & direct channel to obtain the desired relief - as I believe the agent of the Bureau at Stevenson has been removed. I know too that it is so far out of the way of your Head quarters as to be in danger of being overlooked. Mr. Nichols writes thus "I regret exceedingly that you are unable, at present, to make an appropriation for rations for the colored people of Stevenson for you can have but a faint idea of the suffering here. Stevenson as you are aware is