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and the Blacks or the two sections late engaged in War, until this influence is in some measure or way, distroyed.

It is an undenyable fact that every Southern man in my Division who espouses the reconstruction measures of congress are cut by the leaders here and they are persecuted so far as these leaders dare to go forward in their meanness.

Speeches of the most disloyal character are made by these leaders and also setting up the poor whites to oppose the negro in the right of suffrage congress urges them to grant

There are a few Whites here of great respectability - some of them were in the Confederate Army - who accept the situation in good faith and urge others to do so, but the powerful influence exerted by these first mentioned prevents their accomplishing a great deal

I am rejoiced to to inform you that temperance is greatly on the increase in my Div. among the colored but not among the Whites. with the latter it is unfortunate.

I am General 
with great respect &c 
Henry K.W. Ayers, 
Lieut V.R.C. & A.S.A. Com'r &c 4th Div 6th S D. Va

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