will be
temporarily supplied, as far as practicable, upon application to
the nearest provost-marshal, by loans of the captured property in
possession of the quartermaster's department. The needy will also
be supplied, for the time being, with subsistence stores from the
commissary department. . . .

"By command of Major-General Schofield:
"J. A. Campbell, Assistant Adjutant-General."

On May 4, I issued a circular to this effect:

"Local commanders and provost-marshals will encourage all refugees,
white and colored, to return to their homes; and for this purpose
will furnish them the necessary railroad passes and subsistence.

"Such persons must not be given passes to Raleigh or points on the
sea-coast, nor be permitted to congregate about towns or camps,
there to live in idleness."

On May 5, I wrote to General Sherman:

"When General Grant was here, as you doubtless recollect, he said
the lines had been extended to embrace this and other States south.
The order, it seems, has been modified so as to include only Virginia
and Tennessee. I think it would be an act of wisdom to open this
State to trade at once. I hope the government will make known its
policy as to organization of State governments without delay.
Affairs must necessarily be in a very unsettled state until that
is done. The people are now in a mood to accept almost anything
which promises a definite settlement. What is to be done with the
freedmen is the question of all, and it is the all-important
question. It requires prompt and wise action to prevent the negro
from becoming a huge elephant on our hands.

"If I am to govern this State, it is important for me to know it
at once. If another is to be sent here, it cannot be done too
soon, for he will probably undo the most of what I shall have done.
I shall be most glad to hear from you fully when you have time to
write. . . ."

Two days later I wrote to General Halleck:

"I have received your despatch concerning slavery, the treatment
of freedmen, etc. I will send you my orders issued some days ago,
which agree perfectly with your views on this subject. I have not
recognized in any way any of the civil officers of the State--not
being willing to act in such matters in the absence of any indication
of the policy of the government, and taking it for granted that
instructions would be given soon. In this connection, I desire to
suggest that the sooner a military governor is appointed