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116

must be under an assumed name, 
Sg'd Benj. C. Cook
Bvt. Capt & Asst Supt

Cook B. C. 
Bvt Capt

H'd Qrs Dept of the Potomac 
Bureau of R F & A L
Richmond Va Feb 24th/67
Respectfully returned to Genl S. C. Armstrong Supt &c inviting attention to endorsement of Bvt Captn B. C. Cook Asst Supt.
By order of Bvt Maj Genl Schofield Asst Comm
Sig'd O. Brown
A A A G
Official 
Garrick Mallery
A.A.A.G.
The first endorsement was not recorded in this Book


S.75.1.V.67.
Stone J. R. 
Bvt Maj &c

H'd Qrs Dept of the Potomac
Bureau of R F & A L
Richmond Va Feb 20th/67
Respectfully returned to Bvt Maj J. R. Stone Supt. 
Through an error of the office Maj Stone did not receive notice of the extension to leave, which was granted as herein stated.
By order of Bvt Maj Genl Schofield Asst Comr
Sig'd  O. Brown
A A A G
Official
Garrick Mallery
A.A.A.G.

M.55.1.V.67.
108/

Rec'd back Feb 20th/67
Bureau R.F. & A.L.
Office 3rd Dist D of P
Richmond Va Feb 18th/67
Respectfully returned to Bvt Brig. Genl. O. Brown A.A.A.G. Bureau &c
I was not aware when I informed Mr McNeil that he was entitled to sugar under Circular 8 War Dept Bureau &c that Major W.N. Felt late C.S. Bur R.F. & A.L. Dept of Potomac had issued instructions that sugar should not be issued to Refugees and Freedmen who were not sick. These instructions have not been revoked by Lieut Scheiner A.C.S. Hence the reason why McNeil did not receive his sugar. It has been my aim since I assumed charge of this District to make Refugees and freedmen do something towards supporting themselves & relieve the Govt of some expense. To do this I have directed the Asst Supt to issue seven (7) 

117

days rations in fourteen (14) to such are in need at the same to enjoin the persons to whom issues are made that they must earn money sufficient in the week in which the Bureau provides them with food as will supply their wants the following week. 
Some time ago Mr. McNeil upon representing that if transportation was furnished him to New York, he could find employment and relieve the Govt of the support of himself and family - the transportation was furnished. He went on to New York and remained about two weeks, when he returned again to this city to become again a burthen on the Bureau.
I feel that too much consideration has been given to the communication of a man who with his health and strength, is so utterly worthless, that he can't make half provision for himself, wife, and one child.
Sg'd James A. Bates
Capt 43d Infy & Supt

H'd Qrs Dept of the Potomac
Bureau of R F & A L
Richmond Va Feb 20/67
The last sentence of the above endorsement of Capt Bates does not exhibit that proper spirit of subordination and respect required of Army officer towards their Commander.
The "consideration" to which Capt Bates refers has been given, not to the communication of McNeil but to the failure of Capt Bates to make the reports required of him in the endorsement of Feb 14th. 
The reply of Capt Bates dated Feb 15th is not pertinent to the subject. No one is "entitled" to rations. They are issued purely as an act of charity. If Capt Bates believed that McNeil was not a proper object of such charity, he should have so stated and given his reasons therefor without reflecting upon his Commanding Officer. 

The attention of Capt Bates is called to the impropriety above attended to.

Sg'd J.M. Schofield
Maj Genl
Official 
Garrick Mallery 
A.A.A.G.

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