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Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen & Abandoned Lands,
Office Supt. Fourth District of Virginia
Gordonsville Va. Oct 24 1865

Col. O. Brown
Asst Commissioner Rich'd

In August several of the Provost Marshalls of this district drew & issued rations to destitutes. They were not acting under any authority from the Bureau, but were receiving orders from their respective Military Commanders. No account of those issued to destitute freedmen were rept. separate from those issued to destitute whites. Either by the Provost Marshalls or the issuing Commissary. It is simply impossible to tell now the number of rations issued to freedmen in that month, nor could I control the matter. I can only guess at the number, & this I presume you do not wish me to do.