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Private

1st Sub District 
Dept. Negro Affairs
Norfolk May 9, 1865

Capt. O. Brown AQM
Sir
In reference to William Johnson Hodges a colored man now residing in Norfolk. I have a very decided opinion as to his character, but having gathered it [[strikethrough]] more [[/strikethrough]] from a number of incidents rather than any special transaction which has come under my notice I can scarcely give weight to any single allegation which would show him to be an unsafe man for the times.

In his dealings with colored persons complaints have repeatedly been made to me of failure to carry out the trust committed to him, but as there was no documentary evidence to prove the charges against him, no chance has ever presented itself to connect him. As a preacher his influence with his people seems entirely lost. I think as much from his habits as any other cause, and perhaps also aided by his recruiting operations of which however I know nothing special.

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-01-17 20:23:30 corrected a minor typo