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Schofield, if carried out as designed, it seems to me will afford all the protection guaranteed by the reconstruction laws, or the several acts relating to the organization of this Bureau. I am satisfied that all the wants in this direction, suggested in your report, can and should be met by the Post Commanders through the orders of the Commanding General. In fact that if the whole responsibility rests with him, he can afford better protection than is now afforded where the responsibility is divided between him and the Assistant Commissioner. The Post Commanders or other military officers on duty in your State can very properly be intrusted with the same duties now performed by Bureau officers. 
The distribution of rations in Virginia for the last year has been principally confined to Richmond and the large cities. The same necessity may exist the coming winter. It is