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Bureau R.F. & A.L.
Martinsburg Va., Feb 28th 1866

Cap't W. Stover How
A.Q.M. Superintendent &c

Captain

I have the honor to report Bureau affairs in the county of Berkeley in a thriving condition.  The freedmen all that are able are at work, for fair wages, and many at profitable wages, a majority of the citizens are disposed to deal fairly with them and to treat them kindly.  The civil authorities seem willing to provide for pauper freedmen so far as they are able.  The alms house is already full.  Their are a few pauper freedmen here from up the vally, to whom rations and clothing ought to be issued. Their are many former slave owners who have old and helpless negroes on their hands, and wish to get rid of them.  I give such persons to understand that they must provide for them.  The freedmens school is progressing finely, there has been no dificulty

Transcription Notes:
writer uses "their" for "there" (cringe!), and misspelled valley as vally, and missed an 'f' in difficulty. Left as written