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War Department,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands.
Washington, Oct 23 1865.

Col. O. Brown,
Asst. Commissioner for Virginia
Richmond, Va

Col.
I have the honor to invite your attention to the subjoined copy of an endorsement from the Judge Advocate General, U.S.A., with reference to the character of the oath of office that should be required from contract Surgeons prior to their entering upon the discharge of their duties under their contracts. 

War Department
Bureau of Military Justice
October 12th 1865

"Respectfully returned to the Adjutant General.  Although this Surgeon employed to furnish attendance and medicines to soldiers and "contrabands'  by a Post Commander

Transcription Notes:
He classified the escaping slaves as contraband of war. This term meant that once the fleeing slaves crossed Union army lines, they were classified as property. All enemy property that fell into Union hands constituted contraband and would not be returned.