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War Department, 
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands
Washington, August 24, 1865

To the Assistant Commissioners
Bureau of Refugees Freedmen & Abandoned Lands, 

   Reports have been received that Officers of this Bureau have taken into their possession personal property abandoned by disloyal owners. 
   The only species of abandoned property over which the Bureau can legally exercise control is abandoned real property __ houses, lots, lands &c. with the rents and profits accruing from these. 
   In all cases where personal property has been received it should be returned to the Treasury Department or other authority from which it was obtained. 
By order of Maj Genl O O Howard
Commissioner &c. 

Wm. Fowler
Asst. Adjt. Genl

Asst. Commr. for Va.