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Office Supt R &c 9th Dist
Fort Monroe, Va. Sept 25, 1865

Respectfully returned to Col. O. Brown, Asst. Comr. &c. State of Virginia, with the following statement.

I cannot learn that the depredations, mentioned within, have been committed, certainly not with my sanction. To save issuing "cord wood" to the colored people, I have always allowed them with the full sanction of every General commanding this Post, to get the "broken" and and "down-wood" on abandoned and confiscated lands for their necessary use only: never to cut a tree without a written permit, and that, very seldom. I append a copy of Lt. Hawks order, which you will perceive, differs very materially from the statement within. 

"All persons are positively forbidden cutting wood on any of the abandoned lands in this Co. No fallen timber will be taken off unless by permission from this office. Any violation of this order will be severely punished. Also no buildings or ornamental trees will be destroyed." This order was withdrawn as oppressive and unnecessary, for it compelled

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