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Smithland Ky. Sept 11th 1865

John Ogden Supt. F.S.
Nashville Tenn.
                     
Dear Sir,
I have the pleasure of receiving your circulars dated Sep 1st and will give you such information as I am in possession of. There has never been any schools in this County for the purpose of educating the blacks with the exception of a private enterprise which I started some 3 or 4 weeks since a man in my employ wants all the cold people old & young twice on the Sabbath & with use of Black board is teaching them to read. I never saw such advancements made by any school during the length of time they have been engaged for the reason they are thursting after improvement, they seem to realize their condition, & put to the lie the old prejudices & notions that they are not capable of becoming enlightened.
           
We are using a church which formerly belonged to Baptists organization but there is no mention here now it could be made comfortable with some repairs. Building materials are to be had here should they be required. The Number of Freedmen in this County at present is hard to estimate without taking a census but