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a bureau of the War Department of the United States Government, established by Act of March 3, 1865, to have general charge of the interests of the enfranchised negroes of the Southern States. Its title was " bureau of refugees, freedmen and abandoned lands," and it was authorized to assign to the freedmen allotments of confiscated or abandoned lauds given over to it by the President for such purposes. It was to continue one year. A bill continuing it for two years more was vetoed by President Johnson in 1866, but was passed over the veto. Its general work continued till 1869, its educational work till 1870. It expended in its work over $15,000,000.