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Surry C.H. Va.
July 31st 1866

Col O. O. Brown A.A.G.

Colonel
In obedience to Genl Order No *_ Hd. Qrs. Asst. Comr. dated Richmond Va - I have the honor to make the following Report of Freedmens affairs in the County of Surry for the month of July.

During the month nothing has occurred to change the opinion I expressed in my previous Reports in regard to a good state of feeling existing between the Whites and Blacks towards one another. In saying this I am speaking of relations in general, for there are exceptions to the rule - fortunately very few in number.

One event has occurred which I apprehended would tend to mar our harmony, but from which I have not yet perceived any mischief or dangerous results. It was the arrival from the North of a colored woman named Mother Howard to open a school for colored children, and to preach, in the southern end of the county. On no other subject are the white citizens so sensitive as on that of educating the Freedpeople, although many of the more sagacious are ready to advocate it when conducted with propriety or, in other words, without instilling bad manners and prejudices against their former owners into the minds of the Blacks, or encouraging in them habits of indolence or disobedience of lawful orders.

On my arrival here last May I soon learned that there were no colored schools, and discovered that