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Temporary. Headquarters. 2' S.D. M.D.C.
James Island. S.C.
March 20th 1866.

Lt Col W.L.M. Burger. A.A.G.
Colonel.
In compliance with endorsement upon communication of Bt Maj Gen'l Scott. Ass't Com'r &c, returned herewith, and dated March 16" 1866, I report as follows.
In February last it became necessary, in carrying out Gen Ords. No. 1. Dept. S.C. on the Islands, to discriminate between valid land titles and certain fraudulent forms of the same brought to my notice.
No definition of valid Land title having been furnished from any source, I was obliged to define what was required to establish validity of title. My suggestion was approved by Maj Gen'. Devens. I was ordered to proceed in carrying it out and have done so.
No freedpeople have been interfered with except upon restored plantations and in compliance with Gen Ord No 1. Dept. S.C. and in extended consultation with Maj Gen'l Scott in presence of Maj Genl Devens, no instance was or could be adduced in which a valid land title has