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Washington April 2nd, 1866.

Brig. Genl. Howard

Dear Sir,
I would respectfully request your attention to a very important matter, pertaining to your Bureau. About eighteen months ago an order was issued, by Genl Sandborn  Com'd) at Springfield MO, to burn a large number of homes, in Northwestern Ark, to distroy a large band of bushwhackers, who were making raids into Mo. By this order a large number of union families, women and children, made their escape to Springfield, entirely destitute. An order was then in force there, to the effect, that no refugee family could draw rations except upon the recommendation of five good citizens, It was impossible to comply with the order, so women and children were actually starving to death, they were in the woods upon the ground without shelter, &c. Daily applications were made to me, for relief, I devided our scanty means; I made every effort to procure a building to shelter, the sick, and most helpless, they were dying every day. After some time I took a store house belonging to my son, In this, and a ware house, I stowed away fifty six families, and drew rations for them from the Government, I very soon, disposed of all who were able