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Parents leave their families for trifling causes and refuse to assist in the support. Cases are found in which the parents do not know to which of his or her partners he or she is legally married. This state of affairs causes much suffering among the children of such parents, and it must be a long time before it can be corrected. This want of connubial affection is most observed among the men who cannot be made to feel that they are under any obligations to live with their wives any longer than it may be to their pecuniary interests or suit their convenience. The requirements of Circular No 11, 1866 in regard to the registering of those who lived together as man and wife in February 1866 have been complied with as far as practicable, but owing to the ignorance and indifference of the people and in many cases the manifest desire to avoid the obligations of a legal marriage, the register is incomplete. The sentiments of the majority of the people are extremely bitter towards white Union people especially those who were residents before the War. 

I am General, 
Very Respectfully Yr Obt Servt,
Wm P Austin
Capt A.A.G. US Supt 1st Dist of Va