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the two parties, by the freedmen, the latter frequently refusing to do any work whatever.  By a little tact and firmness however, both parties can generally be satisfied.  There are also many complaints of unjust and inhuman treatment, some of the parties journeying over thirty miles to obtain justice.  The want of Cavalry has prevented many of the County Commanders, hitherto, from enforcing obedience.  The arrival of the 4th Mass Cav. will however, remove this defect.  Rations have been issued to forty six hundred destitute persons and there have been five oaths of allegiance administered at this place.  The returns from the different counties have not yet come in; owing to the fact the bridge across the Staunton river is destroyed.  I have been informed however, that in taking command, my officers found no rations on hand for the destitute; and affairs generally were involved in considerable confusion.  In a few days I hope to be able to report improvement.  I have received information that there is quite a large amount of tobacco, late the property of the so-called Confederate Government, stored in Halifax

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---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-01-20 16:49:52