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Fort Monroe Dec 26/65 Col. O. Brown Asst. Com. Col. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 23rd stating that Gen Howard writes that the President "has not the power to set apart lands in Florida" &c. That we do not ask & I so informed Genl. Howard. The Homestead Law gives us all we want, but transportation & 100 days rations or their equivalent. This will cost the Govt. much less than to support them here. I am Col. Very Respectfully your obt. servt. C.B. Wilder Capt & A.Q.M Supt. 9th Dist.