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New Orleans
Feb 12th 1868  

Maj. Gen.
W. S. Hancock
Comdg Department &c

General,
Allow me to lay before you: the condition of the State of Louisiana in the Agricultural districts; and to state that planters are not only unable to feed their freedmen; but are equally unable to feed their mules: without which it is impossible to make crops: and to suggest to you the propriety of furnishing to planters the necessary food for mules - The mode of doing this and other details, can easily be systematized so as to afford full protection to the Government.

If Planters could sell mules they might procure some forage: but mules cannot be sold: it seems any price even $25- per head: when $200 was paid last year - upon my plantation in Tensas parish: my mules have not had corn since last September

Very Respfy
General
Your Servt
C G Dahlgren

care
W H Messing & Co 97 Camp St. 
 

Transcription Notes:
not sure about 'very respfy'