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14
I am General
Very Respt. Your Obt. Servt.
(Sgd) O.Brown Col & Asst Comr.

Official
J.A. Bates
Brvt Lt Col & A.A.A.G.

(20) Norfolk Va. June 17. 1865
Howard Maj Gen'l
O.O. Commissioner &c.

General:
I was forced to leave Richmond unexpectedly this morning on account of difficulty in the (Norfolk) District. I think it best to take this District in the hands of the Bureau, which I propose to do at once or as soon as I can return to Richmond and procure the order from Genl Terry.

Miss management of these people for a few days past defeats our plan of sending families of colored soldiers to Texas.

Quite a meeting occurred among some of the colored troops while on board a transport lying in the harbor. It is thought by my officers here that recent District orders reducing the ration one half, the non payment of a part of the troops for the past 8 or 10 months together with stories set afloat by the inhabitants that they were to be colonized in Texas, (of which these people have a great horror) is the reason of their refusing to go. None of these families are now willing to go and I would not advise that the matter be pressed until the present excitement has passed.

I have had Lt Keatly appointed Act Asst Quartermaster and propose to put him in charge of the Freedmen within Genl Gordon's command.

Shall return to Richmond today.

I am General
Very Respty Your Obt. Servt.
(Sgd) O.Brown
Capt A.Q.M. Asst Comr.

Official
J.A. Bates
Brvt Lt Col & A.A.A.G.

(21)
Telegram. Richmond Va. June 21. 1865
Howard Maj Gen'l O.O.
Commissioner &c.

Number of negroes in Amherst Co Va under twelve years - Eleven hundred. Over twelve and under fifty-five - Forty two hundred and twenty. Over Fifty five Three hundred & thirty. Over twelve and under fifty-five unable to support themselves-Two hundred and forty.

(sgd) O. Brown
Col & Asst Comr

Official
J.A. Bates
Brvt Lt Col & A.A.A.G.

(22)
Richmond Va. June 21. 1865
Howard Maj Gen'l O.O.
Commissioner &c.

General:
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 16th inst, and in reply would state that this Bureau could aid in paying the salaries of Teachers or could furnish a fund for schools to be appropriated as the Commissioner might direct, if allowed to cut and saw wood and lumber on Abandoned and confiscated Lands. Gen'l Terry will detail officers for the Bureau as possible. His inability to do so at present occasions delay in organizing the Bureau. I am satisfied that Genl T will do evry thing in his power for us. I regret the imperfections in the "List of Lands"

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