How writes to the Superintendent in Winchester, describing some of the general duties and responsibilities of a Bureau officer.

How reports that he is unable to provide DeLamater with medical information about his district because he does not have enough personnel to gather it.

How requests that the Bureau pay the traveling expenses for several destitute blacks who wish to join family members elsewhere. The letter's wrapper details the channels through which the request passed.

Tukey writes on behalf of two teachers, a Miss McLeane and a Mrs. Dunn, and pleads for the Bureau to not overlook the Shenandoah Valley where there has been no schooling at all (presumably for newly freed slaves).

How submits a request for supplies for the coming winter, including heating stoves for Bureau offices and fuel for gratuitous distribution.

How recounts his organization of his sub-district, and gives a general evaluation of the condition of former slaves, including their developing relations with whites.

Hunt informs Manly that the American Missionary Association will be sending the two teachers requested by Frederick Tukey to Staunton, via Richmond. He also alludes to difficulties the organization is facing, but does not elaborate.

How's letter refers to the physician who he employed to tend to some of the poor in Augusta County. How instructs Tukey on how to file a request to have the doctor paid for his services.

How files a brief report on the need for medical services among poor blacks in Staunton and Lexington, and suggests how doctors may be employed to meet the medical needs of the communities.

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

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 reports on the condition of medical affairs in his district.

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

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

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.

John P. How requests transportation for a woman currently receiving Bureau support from Staunton to Richmond where friends are willing to provide for her.

Peck, President of the Augusta County Overseers of the Poor, explains what resources the county may be able to provide to help support poor blacks. He seems optimistic that the county will be able to provide such support through a tax levy.

Augusta Jordan asks for aid on behalf of Eveline Stuart, an African-American woman living in Staunton. Her husband James, living in Ohio, is afraid to return to Staunton because he served as a Union guide during the war, and wishes to bring Eveline to Ohio.

How requests transportation for an indigent Staunton woman to Albermarle County, where her parents will care for her.

Tukey requests transportation for an elderly woman and her sick grandchild to Bath County. According to Tukey the woman, Betty Scott, was abandoned in Staunton by her former owner.

How's letter refers to the provision of transport for a Staunton woman.

How acknowledges receipt of transportation for a Staunton woman and child.

Cook reports no current cases of need in his district, but writes that since he only just assumed command of Augusta and Highland Counties, he is not entirely sure that none exist.

Cook reports on the County taxes assessed for 1866, including the levy for poor relief.

Peck acknowledges receiving a circular from the Bureau.

Cook inquires as to whether the black community in Staunton may expect assistance from the Bureau to build a school building. Cook writes that without help, the building will be poorly constructed and would be an "embarrassment" to the community.

Cook notes the acknowledgement of a War Department Circular by the overseers of the poor in Augusta County.

Brackett reports on the schools in his district, which encompasses the Shenandoah Valley. According to Brackett, Staunton has the most black students in the Valley, and Waynesboro still needs a place to hold classes.

McDonnell forwards a list of disabled blacks in his district.

McDonnell's report of disabled blacks in his district, including five in Augusta County.

Tukey responds to a request from the Assistant Commissioner, and provides a list of six whites and six blacks who can possibly serve as community leaders. Tukey comments on the political attitudes and loyalty of the white citizens, and on the literacy and general character of the black citizens he lists.

Peck, the Overseer of the Poor, submits a list of poor whites needing assistance, and makes a comment about the number of freedmen attending schools in Staunton.

Brower asks for transportation to Staunton for a Ben Beal, who had surgery at Howard's Grove Hospital in Richmond.

McDonnell requests a report on how many white people in Jackson's district who need food but are not supplied by either the county or the Bureau.

Stover sends Jackson a list of needy persons outside of Staunton.

Jackson describes the school buildings available throughout Augusta County, including those in the process of being built.

Brackett asks for financial help from the Bureau to open schools in several locations, including Waynesboro.

McDonnell reports to Brown about the need in Staunton for rations and clothing to distribute to the poor. McDonnell writes that he has instructed Jackson to make the proper application for such supplies.

Whittelsey issues a transportation order of Nicholas Johnson, whose transport had been requested by Thomas P. Jackson, agent in Staunton.

McDonnell requests that Jackson send him a list of rations and clothing needed in his district, noting that he has not received such a report in several months.

Whittelsey forwards transportation order for Elizabeth Smith.

Newton informs Jackson of the shipment of seeds for distribution in Augusta County.

Howard urges that steps be taken to stop intemperance among blacks in Virginia and South Carolina. In the view that certain temperance societies refuse to organize in black communities, he proposes the formation of new temperance societies, named for Lincoln. McDonnell forwarded a copy of the circular to Jackson.

A list of destitute whites for whom Jackson requested rations.

McDonnell explains the procedure for purchasing rations for destitute persons in Jackson's division.

Walford responds to Jackson's request about providing books for schools in Augusta County, and he refers Jackson to their representative in the county, Cyrus Fry.

Schreiner details the foodstuffs sent to Jackson for rations.

Jackson asks Alexander if he knows of anyone who can provide transportation for an elderly man and his disabled daughter.

Jackson's somewhat unclear letter talks about the situation of several orphans in Staunton.

McDonnell authorizes Jackson to purchase rations for destitute whites in his Division, and describes in detail, how Jackson is to account for and report these purchases.

McDonnell asks Jackson to clarify his report on the rations distributed in his district, and impresses upon Jackson the need for consistency in his reporting procedures.

Smiley asks Jackson to help him get an extension on some of his debts, because he is disabled and does not want to lose his livestock to pay the debt.

Brower asks for transportation home for an elderly Staunton resident after his surgery in Richmond.

Jackson writes on behalf of Benjamin Frazier, who is looking for his four older children because he is unable to support his four youngest children without assistance. Hector Sears, the Agent in Fredericksburg, reports that Frazier's eldest son is the only one in a position to help him.

Stover asks Jackson to provide aid for a needy man, John Crisman, and his family in Churchville. Several members of Crisman's family appear to suffer from mental illness.

Jackson informs McDonnell that he will not need any rations for the coming months, and McDonnell tells Jackson in the accompanying endorsement that he is required to submit the proper form in a timely manner even if no rations are required.

McDonnell tells Jackson that he cannot authorize the issue of clothing in his district.

Garber reports on the condition of one of his former slaves (presumably in response to an inquiry from the Staunton Bureau office).

This letter's author explains the bureau's policy on providing medicine to indigent freedmen.

Jackson asks McCue how many poor freedpersons Augusta County is able to support.

Johnson, of the Lincoln Temperance Association, sends Jackson information about his group, at Jackson's request. Johnson asks that Jackson report on his progress in formed local associations.

Peck informs Jackson that the Overseers of the Poor are prepared to help indigent blacks in Augusta County, but only those who were residents of the county at the end of the war.

Jackson reports on the number of rations issued to blacks during previous months.

Whittelsey forwards transportation order for Margaret Frazier and other children, requested by Thomas P. Jackson.

Jackson reports the case of a woman and her two children who will soon become homeless in Staunton. He asks that the Bureau provide them with transportation to Winchester, where her husband and other friends live.

Jackson informs Manly of the availability of a school room in the basement of the Methodist Episcopal Church and asks $100 for supplies. He also states the community's preference for a male teacher.

Jackson writes that, considering the desperate need for a school in Staunton, the community will gladly accept the female teacher N. C. Brackett has offered to send. Jackson requests a few days notice of her arrival so that he can find a place for her to board.

Manly tells Jackson that the only teacher he has available at the moment is a woman, and because the charitable societies have a shortage of teachers, it is unlikely that Jackson will find a male teacher for Staunton.

McDonnell asks Jackson for an estimate of how much clothing he will need for distribution during the coming winter.

Manly informs Jackson that Mary Rowell is available to teach in Staunton. He writes about the limited resourses available for teacher support and that the local community will be expected to provide for her board.

Jackson writes about Benjamin Frazier, an impoverished man with family in Fredericksburg. He details the Bureau's efforts to locate Frazer's family and to get them to send him some help.

McDonnell gives Jackson permission to issue clothing to destitute freedmen.

Jackson asks that the Bureau furnish transportation for York Kidd and his wife to Tennessee, where their children will be able to provide for them.

Brackett writes that he will be able to provide tuition and board for a girl named Martha Strange, at his school in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, apparently at the request of Thomas Jackson.

Kennedy writes to Jackson about the bill for certain supplies used by teachers supported by the Freedmans Union Commission. Kennedy notes their financial difficulties, and urges hard work and economy on the part of teachers.

Peter Hanger, Jr. writes Jackson that the Bureau may use a five dollar donation how they see fit.

Montgomery, the Justice of the Peace in Deerfield, writes on behalf of the local black school, which just opened. He writes that financial assistance is urgently necessary to keep the school open and to prevent the teacher from poverty, as the community is very poor and most students cannot afford the tuition.

McDonnell describes the procedures by which Jackson is to keep account of the Bureau's supply of clothing for gratuitous distribution to the poor.

Jackson inquires about transportation from Florida to Staunton for a woman and her daughter.

Lee, the Sub Assistant Commissioner for the 10th Virginia Sub-District, sends Jackson a supply of women's clothing.

Jackson asks for information about Gabriel Brown, whose daughter lives in Augusta County, and is dependent on friends for the support of her and her children.

Jackson asks Trout to provide transportation for Betsey Brown and her children to Winchester.

McDonnell asks about the status of Jackson's request for transportation for Betsey Brown and her children from Staunton to Winchester.

Fay writes to Jackson asking for help, as she is destitute.

Jackson asks if Albermarle County is prepared to support Martha Butler, who will be sent there from Staunton. Higgs' reply is attached as an endorsement.

Jackson asks for aid for a school in Deerfield, an isolated town in Augusta County.

Jackson asks for an appropriation from the District office to help complete a school house being built on land donated by a black man, John Reed, whose daughter is a teacher.

McDonnell writes Jackson concerning his accounts of clothing distributed by the Bureau.

Brower requests that Edward Brooks be discharged from the hospital so "that the government may be relieved of the expense of his support." Jordan investigates the possibility that Brooks' son, living near Staunton, is willing and able to support him.

This letter concerns the circumstances of an insane man from Nelson County, who is being sent to the asylum in Staunton, where Dr. Stribling will hopefully be able to treat him.

Manly recommends that Corliss (who is apparently interested in a teaching post) go to Staunton, which is currently without a teacher because the agency which supplied them last year is unable to do so again. Manly highly recommends Staunton as a pleasant place to live, and points to the relative prosperity of its African American community.

The original letter, from Ohio, inquires after a woman and her children living in Augusta County whose husband lives in Ohio. The letter asks about the possibility of the family coming to Ohio to be reunited. The attached endorsements describe the situation of Catharine Crawford White, and the possibility of procuring Bureau support for her transport.

Wissler writes on behalf of Benjamin Frazier, a disabled man in need of support. In the letter, Wissler testifies to both Frazier's need, and his deserving character.

Frazier writes to Waldo for material assistance for the coming winter. Frazier notes that he requested help last year also, but did not receive the aid due to the "rascality of Henry Keys," although what he means by this is unclear. The letter appears to be written by Jacob Wissler, who also submitted a letter to the Bureau on Frazier's behalf.

Waldo offers some clothing to a man who claims that his family is destitute.

McDonnell's letter describes the articles of clothing being shipped to Waldo for distribution. McDonnell explains to Waldo how he should account for and distribute the clothing.

McDonnell asks Waldo to issue certain articles of clothing just received from Richmond.

Scott alludes to the ongoing problems in Staunton with finding space for school rooms, noting that he and his school were "driven out" of the church they were using by the minister himself. Scott asks about the Peabody Fund and if they would be able to get money to build a school house on land already owned by the black community.

Manly asks for relief to help pay the rent on a school room in Staunton.

Scott reports on the end of the school year in Staunton, and writes about the unlikely prospects that the black community will be able to afford to construct a school house due to lack of funds. Scott inquires about the prospect of receiving government assistance.

Manly reports that due to a shortage of funds, he will be able to provide limited to support to Boulding's school in Mt. Solon.

A Waynesboro resident pleads for food assistance, although his request appears to have been rejected.