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FREEDMEN'S AFFAIRS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE     3

began to notify the freedmen that they must leave on or before the 20th day of February, and also to notify white men that all tenements rented to freedmen would be burned. These notices produced terror and consternation among the freed people. Many of them, it is reported, began to leave their homes, and it is unfortunately true that they have crowded into towns along the river in great numbers. The while allege that they crowd in villages and towns to escape work; the Negroes claim that they do so to escape persecution.
There is truth on both sides of the story, but 75 per cent. of it is on the negroes' side. It is not found that the negro refuses to work when he is fairly dealt with, honestly paid, and well treated. The notices referred to above are not posted by responsible men; unfortunately they are posted by villainous vagabonds who have no hesitancy in committing crimes, and desire to drive the negro away that wages may advance and that they may live with little or no labor. It is probable, however, that responsible men, rebels, in the bitterness which they feel towards the government for taking away their slaves, encourage these irresponsible men in their evil deeds, but when it comes to be known by these people that the only way to remove the bureau is to show there is no necessity for it, I believe they will mend their ways.

HOSPITALS AND DISPENSARIES.

The number of patients remaining in the Refugees' and Freedmen's hospital on the 31st of December, 1867, was . . . 229
Number admitted during the month of January, 1868 . . . 71
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Total . . . 300
Number discharged cured . . . 49
Number died . . . 11
--  60
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Number remaining in hospital, January 31, 1868 . . . 240
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Efforts have been made to establish a colored orphan asylum at Lexington. It is hoped that this movement will succeed. There are a large number of colored orphans for whom some provision must be made. A house has been rented and a school established. Dr. R. A. Bell, chief surgeon, has been authorized to draw and issue a sufficient quantity of hospital stores for the temporary use of the institution. The purchase of a small amount of coal has been authorized. It is my opinion that the same amount of money could not be expended for a better purpose. Immediately upon receipt of a communication dated January 7, 1868, in which General Howard directed the medical department to be turned over to the civil authorities, your letter, of which the following is a copy, was placed in the hands of the mayors of Louisville, Lexington, Covington, and Mt. Sterling, to wit:
BUREAU OF REFUGEES, FREEDMEN AND ABANDONED LANDS,
ASST. COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE, STATE OF KENTUCKY,
Louisville, Ky., January 10, 1868.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following proposition for your consideration. I will, on the 15th day of February, 1868, (or before if you desire it,) turn over to the city of Louisville the charge of the refugees' and freedmen's hospital in this city, provided the council accept the same. This transfer will include the hospital furniture, stores, and medicines on hand.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. BURBANK,
Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., Ass't Commissioner Kentucky.

Hon. PHILIP TOMPPERT, Mayor of Louisville.

No response whatever has been received to any of these letters.

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