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[[stamp]] THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES [[/stamp]]

Huntsville, Ala. Jan'y 19, 1869.

Bvt. Lieut. Col. Edwin Beecher,
Supt. Education, Bu. &c.,
Montgomery, Ala.,

Colonel:-
In reference to the matter enclosed I have the honor to state, that the village of Averyville, spoken of in Miss Starkweather's letter, is composed of Freedpeople. I do not know its numbers; but have been informed that it is quite a settlement; and that nearly all composing it are steady in their habits and industrious. The buildings in that whole vicinity are all poor. I cannot tell what the dimensions of a school house ought to be, to accommodate all the col'd children that would attend; but there is no occasion, I think, for any display of elegance, as it is an unusually rude section. A plain house of hewn logs or lumber would be all sufficient, and they would be very broad of it. I do not think brick could be obtained there at any reasonable cost.

Very Respectfully,
D.C. Rugg.