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As their where-abouts cannot be ascertained, it is impossible to deal with the parties thus offending. There are other cases where the man leaves his wife (only in a very few instances) and takes up with another woman, who go off together- and are not afterward heard from. These cases cause anxiety and occasional suffering, by the wife being left, with a large family of children to provide for, without any possible opportunity of receiving redress, for the wrong committed against her. If some arrangement could be made to ferret out these parties, and bring them to punishment it might have a salutary effect- but in nearly every instance, they do not stop short of Kanawha Valley, West, Va., or the State of Ohio. Up to the present though the presure of my official duties, have been unable to take any action in regard to the temperance movement, further than to urge upon the colored people its great importance, and the fearful consequences which often results from the free use of ardent spirits. As stated in my last report, cases of drunkeness, are rare occurrences among the freedmen of this County, also throughout this Division and only a few instances have come to my notice of their appearing upon the streets in a state of intoxication, or engaging in disorderly rows at their labors. It is expected during the fall months, and after the heaviest part of the field labor is over, that the work of organizing a temperance union, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent in our power. No further cases of dismissal from service have been reported, on account of freedmen uniting themselves with certain political organizations.

Transcription Notes:
some misspellings in the letter.