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[[stamp]] THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES [[/stamp]]

501
Bureau R.F.& A.L. City Point, Va.
August 10th 1866 -

Bvt. Lt. Col. Jas A. Bates
A.A.A. Genl.

Sir:
I have the honor to report that I have assumed charge of this (Pr. George Co.) in obedience to Special Order No. 189, Hd. Qrs. Asst. Com'r Va.

I find much work to do, not a marriage having been registered in the county, I have ridden considerably already, and am fearful that there will be great destitution among the freedmen this winter - Almost the only crop is corn - And there are whole fields of this, now tassled out; that will not average one good ear to ten stalks, and it so far advanced more, that rain will do but little good. There are said to be several bands of robbers roving about the county, and I see the that the Petersburg papers charge their existence to the Bureau. I have offered the civil authorities any assistance in my power, towards the apprehension of these parties, although it is not known whether they are white or black. I wish to mention a case that occurred on the second day after my arrival here, A man named Birchett, who has lately been guilty of some outrageous conduct towards the freedmen came in and complained to Maj. Putnam Comd'g the post, that his house had been [[strikethrough]] assaulted [[/strikethrough]] assailed and fired into the night before by a gang of negroes, and wanted the major to send out and have them arrested and confined in the guard house. Major Putnam referred the matter to me, saying the civil authorities
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