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1026

49 V2 /68.

Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands,
OFFICE 4TH DIVISION, 9TH SUB-DISTRICT, VIRGINIA.
Staunton, Va., March 24 1868.

Brig. Genl. O. Brown
Asst. Comr District of Va
Richmond (Thro. Hd. Qrs. 9th Sub Dist Va)

General

In compliance with C.O. No. 6 S. 1866 B.R.F. & A.L, I have the honor to make the following report of condition of Bureau Affairs in 4 Div. 9th. Dist Va. comprising the counties of Augusta & Highland.

Settlements of wages for labor in 1867 are generally concluded, still this office is much sought by freedpeople asking aid and advice on the many questions of account which ever arises between employer and employed.  With some exceptions - more than is desirable, but less than could be expected, considering their recent condition of ignorant servitude, freedmen in this Division are industrious and orderly

Surplus earnings of last year have been largely expended in bridging over the long winter, but save in cases of sickness or desertion there has not been much actual suffering.  There is much diversity of employment in this Division - farming - coaling, in connection with iron mining, rail road repairs