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Office of Agt of Bureau R.F.
& A.L. Eatonton Putnam
Co. Ga. 20th Dec. 1865.

Sir
Such a variety of cases amongst the freedmen arise that I must trouble you for instructions in regard to them at least a part of such as have been presented & to ask for general instructions in relation to such cases as may yet arise for which no provision is made.  

Some men have abandoned their old wives by whom they have several children & taken new wives & are trying to get possession of the older who are able to assist the mother leaving the helpless ones to the mother. in such cases it is impossible for the mother to find employment which will afford subsistince.  There are many women whose husbands left last Nov. 12. months  with the army of Gen. Sherman  Leaving the mothers with several small Children,

Then there are many helpless and diseased men & women whose children cannot take care of them 

Now where are those to be sent? & by what means? There are no Hospitals or Asylums here.

Believing that human sagacity [[strikethrough]] could [[/strikethrough]] can not foresee all the cases that may arise out of this new state of things is the reason that general instructions & powers is asked for In all cases not perfectly clear. It is preferred that the Agent call to his aid two intelligent mind.

Respectfully
Wm. B Carter
Agent. of Bureau of R.F. & A L. for 
Putnam County.