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Wilmington N.C.
Octo. 9, 1868

Major Genl
O.O. Howard
Commissioner

General,

The friends of the freedmen - have been somewhat startled to-day - by the announcement that Genl Miles had ordered Genl Rutherford to a place of comparatively, little importance.

That it is the result of rebel maneuvers there can be, I think but little question.

I declined this morning, joining the Mayor and Sheriff in a telegram to you - feeling that as I was only here temporarily, it would not be proper for me to take prominent action in the matter.

For some eight or ten weeks I have been at the Bureau rooms -  and have had excellent opportunity of watching or rather observing -  the course pursued by the officials.

Arnold - whom you may remember - is very actively and influentially engaged in the political movements of this campaign,