Viewing page 199 of 262

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

me; but upon charging them with it, they have, to a man denied it: and the poor Whites are opening their eyes to that fact and about as many throng my office for instruction as do the Freedmen. While I say nothing political, they urge me so to do and seem dissatisfied that I, in the position I hold, cannot speak to them of their political rights as they should understand them in connection with the colored.  There is a strong Union sentiment in my District among the poor and uneducated and a willingness to cooperate with the Freedmen, were proper instruction given. It is surprising how fast the Freedmen are learning to read and write, considering there are no schools yet started. They are building houses in every part of my division which are to serve for both churches and school houses. Teachers are very much needed here and should be immediately sent. I can say with safety that the morale of the Colored is advancing with the greatest rapidity

Very Respectfully, 
your Obedient Servant, 
Henry K.W. Ayres
Lieut VRC. & S.AS. Com'r 4th Div 6th Dist Va