How's letter describes the need for medical care among the poor black population.

How reports the creation of a board for trials involving free blacks in Staunton.

How submits a summary of conditions in the Sixth Sub-District, of which Augusta County was a part at this time. Although he does not mention Augusta County, directly, How discusses the problem of poor relief, and the need to have troops stationed in each county, if the Bureau's work is to be effective.

This Circular instructs Assistant Superintendents to confiscate the firearms of those blacks who hunt on the Sabbath.

How circulates his instructions to his agents in the field regarding their duties for the Bureau. The instructions urge vigilance and efficiency in the execution of their responsibilities, and also communicates an optimistic and paternalistic attitude toward free blacks.

How sends his estimates for supplies needed for the upcoming quarter and justifies his requests for fuel and a wagon each for Winchester, Staunton, and Lexington.

How submit his ration reports, and explains why they are incomplete.

Woodhull refers to a letter from Thaddeus Stevens about three black children who were taken from his property by Confederate forces during the war.

How writes about how best he may procure his needed supplies.

How informs Bureau Headquarters of his intention to travel to Staunton, although on what business is not known.

How's monthly report refers to a case in Augusta County of E. P. Walton, described in detail in Tukey's report to How. How also refers to the problems resulting from the lack of a sufficient military presence in the region and requests a military detachment to be stationed in Staunton. Such a detachment would then be capable of deploying to surrounding counties when necessary.

How reports recent court cases involving free blacks. The case in Staunton involved a woman who sued her former owner for traveling expenses back to her home in Kentucky.

Clay forwards a deposition regarding Thomas Wholey's claim to the War Department.

How reports on outrages committed against blacks in his district. Most of the incidents he describes happened in Augusta County.

How summarizes conditions throughout the Sixth Sub-District. In reference to Augusta County, he mentions a riot on Christmas day, and the intransigence of the white community.

How reports on the condition of medical affairs in his district.

Wholey writes to the War Department about property of his in Staunton that was seized first by the Confederate Army, and then by the Union Army. The lot was since turned over the to Freedmen's Bureau, and Wholey requests the return of the lot and compensation for lumber he stored on the property.

Clay (in a statement copied and appended by How) turns the barracks in Staunton over to the Freedmen's Bureau. The property on which the barracks stand is the subject of Thomas Wholey's claim.

How's letter expresses grave concern that most of the Federal troops are being mustered out of the Shenandoah Valley. He believes that it will be nearly impossible to sustain the Bureau's activities without military support because of the high level of local opposition.

How requests a detachment of troops with a commissioned officer, to be stationed at Staunton, and at Lexington, to support and aid Bureau agents.

Tukey asks for transportation for a woman and her five children to get to Howard's Grove Hospital in Richmond.

How recommends that a Thomas Wholey be allowed to take lumber from an abandoned barracks in Staunton, and that the black community should use the remaining lumber for the construction of a church.

How asks Tukey to estimate how much wood he will need for distribution to those too poor to afford wood during the winter, even though, as How points out, he does not know whether or not he will be able to procure any.

Tukey's monthly report summarizes the condition of blacks in Augusta County. In the report he discusses the practice of making employment contracts, the "flourishing" state of schools, and attacks against the Bureau in the newspaper, The Valley Virginian. Tukey also gives the details of the Walton case, in which Walton refused to abide by a court decision against him. Tukey recommends that he be arrested and sent to Richmond to demonstrate that laws and court decisions will be enforced.

Tukey acknowledges a transportation order.

Ordway writes about the letter of Priscilla Marshall, from Franklin County, Pennsylvania, concerning her missing children.

How's letter endorses Frederick Tukey's decision in the E.P. Walton case (although said decision is not disclosed in this letter). He also asserts that he needs a detachment of at least 30 men stationed in Staunton for that area of the sub-district to be able to function properly.

How submits his reports concerning officers and civilians employed by the Bureau.

How submits corrected receipts for "medical services rendered the Freedmen" in Staunton, appearing defensive in his assertions that the expenditures were "necessary" and "pressing."

How forwards a claim by a man named Robert Brick, and asks for more information about how to assist freedmen submitting claims for losses sustained during the war.

How informs Brown that he will be traveling through part of the District, ending up in Staunton.

How temporarily places Captain George Wells in charge of Bureau affairs while How travels to the upper portion of his district, namely Staunton.

How alerts Brown to his upcoming tour to Staunton and the upper portion of his district.

How responds to an order that appears to relate to his transportation supplies in the district. In response, he relates the shortage of transportation available to his agents, emphasizing the danger of Bureau agents traveling alone. He also describes the problems arising from the fact that his district spans two separate military departments.

Schilling gives information about an unnamed woman who was once a slave in Staunton, owned by James Trotter. The Bureau correspondence regarding this case revolves around an effort to find employment for her in Staunton, so that she can move there, but Tukey claims that there are no jobs to be found at present.

Invoices of clothing and other supplies Superintendent Frederick S. Tukey received from the Freedmen's Relief Association in Philadelphia.

How writes Brown from Staunton regarding a problem with cashing U.S. government checks in the area, necessitating that he and other Bureau employees pay additional fees. He also requests information about his desired promotion to Major.

How's letter attempts to settle account balances with Headquarters.

Tukey submits a report on the condition of free blacks in Augusta County, noting the efforts to build a school, as well as some of the problems faced by the poor.