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Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands,
For the States of Missouri and Arkansas
Little Rock, Ark, Dec 15th 1865

Maj Genl O.O. Howard
Commissioner &c
Washington D.C.

General
I regard Hospitals connected with this Bureau where they are not a necessity as a great evil - and when they could be dispensed with had asked Doct Taylor to have them broken up - some were accordingly being closed.

Doct. Taylor recd. a dispatch this morning from Surgeon J.M. Horten directing him not to close his Hospitals - Telegram signed by your order  I respectfully ask for instructions as to my duties in controling the opening or closing Hospitals.

Very Respy Your obt Sevt
J.W. Sprague
Brig Genl Asst Com.