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War Department, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, Washington, August 24th, 1865 Col. John Eaton Jr Asst Commissioner Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands Colonel; The property occupied by the Government in St. Mary's Co., Md., and known as the "Government Farms" comprises three plantations situated on the Patuxent River; the Sothoron Farm owned by Col. John H. Sothron who murdered Lieut White of our army, and the Sand Gates and Cole's Creek Farms owned by Joseph Forrest who raised a company of men and joined the rebel army in 1861. These lands were seized by the military authorities in May 1864. In November 1864, Lieut E.F. O'Brien, V.R.C., was detailed to take charge of them. Prior to that time little had been done