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The idea of the Bureau ceasing at the close of the year startles the Freedmen and almost all the Whites who are Refugees or Northern men settled on settling in this division.

The Freedmen are striving hard to get along,but many will be out of subsistance before the winter will be half gone. In fact some are without a grain of corn now; will be obliged to seek new homes at the close of the year. The River for fish and oysters, and the Rivers for game, and well filled corn cribs will be the only succor for many. Stealing is numerous already. 

Temperance is about the same as per my last report: They will drink.

Education is on the increase. They feel its need more and more and are earnestly seeking it.            

I am General,
Very Respectfully 
your obedient servant
Henry K. W. Ayres
A.S.A. Com'r
2nd Div 5th S. Dist. Va.      

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-03-31 12:28:54 Eliminated manual line breaks. Corrected mistranscriptions