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Head Quarters Department of Virginia,
ARMY OF THE JAMES,
Richmond, Va., May 12th 1865.

Brig. Genl. George N. Gordon
Comdg, District of Eastern Va.

General.
In reply to your note on the subject of issuring rations to families of negro soldiers, I have to reply that it is not deemed proper to stop the issue suddenly by any general order, simply because it might raise a cry at the North, but you can issue orders to the various superintendants to open intelligence offices, in each, to gather the unemployed women and hire them out, and in case no means of employment offers, to try and find work for them, as nurses to hospitals, to make clothing or wash for prisoners, or for the other negroes, detail them as

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