Annual reports of the War Department
United States. War Department
583 , 1 1 ^ 10 *H C*3 1 1 l^ ei 01 ^ :SS <?» to -'""SS^g i ^8^ \^ C« k o © — ^ :g- Ol ;-*•« * ^1-1 Ol is 1 — < ■^ i$5£ • .c \ ;a to ,^ i-g i i-'5t*^i-ijh»'«1'©© !?I©«^?I^OO>^©W(MO CO F«< F^ ^ to CO -'-"'SS*8'*"g" .^ r-^ r-^ r* 584 REPOUT OF THE SECBBTABT OF WAK a § t '9961 '08 ounf piraq no •WOX 1 •Q98I 'Of. eanf Sni -pn» JvoX 9q; wunp *"9i^ *;0O[ *popiiedz3 - •S98I •0g8«nf Jifalinp pouQ^snvix 1^055 T^ox. I 1 •9991 "OC 9nnf ^pa» jvoa 9\{% saunp poem^n^ r : •9901 '08 «™f *^ -pa9 j«9^ oq) Sa|iDp -  •«1 fiEPORT OF THE SECRETABT OF WAS. 585 No. 85. OpPICB of THB GhIBP QaARTBRMASTBR, LauuvilU, Ky., October 1% 1865. Gbnbral : I have the honor to transmit herewith a retrospective report of the transactions of the department under my direction for the period commencing October 1, 186 L, and ending June 30» 1865. I regt^t that I have been unable to make it more complete. I am sensible that it is only an outline, and convejs a very inadequate idea of the actual amount of labor performed. I enclose, also, a statement of receipts and disbursements of public moneys for the fiscal year ending on the 30th of June, 1865. Please acknowledge the receipt. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, ROBT. ALLEN, Brevet Major General and Chief Quartermaster. Major General M. G. Mbios, Quartermaster General K jS. jI., Washington, D. C, Official copy: H. A. BOYGE, Captain and A. Q. M. Statement of public moneys received and disbursed by Brevet Major General Robert Allen, quartermaster United States army, for the year ending on ttm 30th of June, 1865. Onhand July 1, 1864 $628,003 99 Received from officers during the year 1,238,594 9B Received from Treasurj Department during the year 37,018,955 86 Total 38,885,553 10 Expended duringthe year K 5,420,101 "" " 18,513.545 4,951,906 65 Total 38,885,503 10 Transferred to other officers during the year 28,513,545 S3 Remaining on hand June 30, 1865. The balance due the United States \b deposited as follows : Central National Bank at New York 1,607,549 28 United States depository at Louisville, Kentucky 3, 047, 837 78 First National Bank in Philadelphia in 7 3-10 bonds 291, 477 41 Office safe, in gold and treasury notes 5,042 18 Total ; 4,951.906 66 I certify that the above statement is correct BOBT. ALLEN, Brs9et Mmor Oeneral and Ckitf f^rtermmsttr, VMfi of Mississipfi, Ofpicb op THB Ghibf Quartbemastbr, LouisviUe, Ky., July 1, 1865. Gbnbral : The close of the last fiscal year being yirtnallj a termination of the rebellion, I deem it proper to take a general bnt very brief retrospect of the transac- tions of the department over which 1 have had control since I entered npon dn^ at St. Louis in October, 1861. To write a full history of these transactions would be> in effect, to write a historj of the war in the west and southwest during this period. The scope of an official report would be insufficient to dve even an index to a full record of the labor accomplished and the duties performed. Gommencing my labors with supplying the scattered and destitute forces under the command of Major General Fremont, I aftenraxda^ \sASiL%Y^^ev^'^QSS&. 686 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OP WAR. to points designated for concentration and organization, when the command of the west devolved upon Major General Halleck. Under the active and ener- getic administration of this officer, the fragments of armies rapidly assumed shape, no time heing lost in preparing them for the field, and trans])()rting them to tne theatre of action; and now commenced the movements along the Tennes- see and Cumberland rivers which resulted in the capture of Forts Henry and Donaldson, the battle of Shiloh, the driving of the enemy from Corinth, and the taking of Columbus, New Madrid, and Island No. 10. Simultaneously I supplied the army under Major General Curtis, moving against the rebels led by Price in Missouri, terminating in the battle of Pea Ridge, and the utter discomfiture of the enemy in that region. Following the order of events in this meagre outline, I furnished supplies to the armies of Major Generals Grant and Sherman in the interior of Kentucky, Tennessee and Mississippi, and to forces operating along the Mississippi river unc^er their command, leading to the battles of Chickasaw blufi^, Grand Gulf, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hills, the investment and fall of Vicksburg and capture of Pemberton's army. Next I supplied and transported the command which moved up the Arkansas river and captured Arkansas Post, outfitting the expedition under the command of Major General Steele which operated in Arkansas, kept it constantly supplied, as also the remote and almost inaccessible depots at Forts Smith and Gibson. I transported the command of Major General Sherman ( on his return from Meridian) to Memphis ; and on his march across the country to join Major Gen- eral Grant at Chattanooga, I had steamers in readiness at Eastport to cross the command over the Tennessee river without an hour's delay — a foresight which facilitated the march, and enabled the command to reach Chattanooga just in season to participate in the battle and victory of Mission Ridge. I fitted out the several cavalry expeditions which operated in eastern Ten- nessee, Kentucky, southwestern Virginia and North Carolina, under the com- mand of Major Generals Stoneman,'*Burbridge, and others. I furnished the supplies for the troops in New Mexico, and on the plains, and fitted out the several Indian expeditious under the command of Major General Sully. The depot at Nashville derives its principal stores from purchases made by myself and officers serving under my orders. It drew heavily upon the resources of the country, already partially exhausted by the requisitions from other quar- ters. The heaviest items were purchased at remote points — remote, I mean, from the base of operations — and the transportation monopolized and taxed to their utmost capacity all the steamboats on the western waters, and all the roUitig stock on the western and southwestern railroads. It was a herculean task to collect, transfer and concentrate at one point horses and mules by the hundreds of thousands, corn and oats by the millions of bushels, hay by the tens of thou- sands of tons, wagons and ambulances by the tens of thousands, fitted out with harness, subsistence stores by the hundreds of thousands of tons, and miscella- neous articles, in the aggregate, proportionably large. At the same time im- mense trains of railroad stock, engines and cars, were brought from the east, crossed over the Ohio river at Louisville, and sent forward to transfer the stores from Nashville to the front. It was from tlie depot at Nashville, thus stocked, that Major General Sher- man drew the supplies for his grand army, from the beginning of its march to the end, save the requisitions he made upon the enemy. The arduous task of transferring these immense supplies to the ever-changing front devolved upon the present Brevet Major General Donaldson, then chief quartermaster of the department of the Cumberland, and how well that task was performed is known to you and the army. I have now given a skeleton outline of the operations of the department REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR. 587 directed by myself, but a more distinct conception of the magnitude of the busi- ness may be derived from an exhibit of the cash expenditure. From the 1st of October, 1861, to the 30th of June, 1865, I have received and expended $106,694,657 24, while there were expended during the same time at St. Louis, under my direction, $90,799,435 88, making an aggregate expendi- ture of one hundred and ninety-seven million four hundred and ninety -four thou- sand and ninety-three and twelve one-hundredths dollars, ($197,494,093 12.) As I have before stated, to enumerate the supplies purchased by this vast sum of money is impracticable, but some of the prominent items may be men- tioned. At the two points of St. Louis and Louisville, alone, within the dates given, were purchased 8,864,173 bushels of corn, 26,234,423 bushels of oats, 377,518 tons of hay, 6,638 wagons, 1,269 ambulances, 60,854 sets of harness, 100,364 horses, and 75,329 mules. But the purchases made by myself or under my immediate supervision, vast as they are, were accomplished with less labor to myself than the task, self- imposed, of revising the vouchers of the inexperienced quartermasters stationed at remote points, or attached to troops in the field. I have not only revised my own accounts, but I have performed the part of auditor in the examination of the accounts of others. Not less than 250,000 vouchers have passed through my hands, and by this system of surveillance millions have been saved to the treasury. It is no fault of mine that I have not served with marching columns. Major General Sherman did me the honor to apply for my assignment to his command, proposing to confide to me a wide discretion at the commencement of his last memorable march, and it was a service which I sought ; but the application was denied, for reasons complimentary to myself — that my services were of more value to the government in the position I occupied as the chief quartermaster of the valley of the Mississippi, in which several armies were operating, than directing the transportation of a single army, already equipped and provided. In the general direction of my whole business I have received most efficient and able aid from the chief quartermaster of the department of the Missouri, Brevet Brigadier General William Myers. The depot at St. Louis, the largest in the west, has been in his immediate charge. His own reports will show the enormous amount of stores of all kinds which have passed through his hands. His disbursements, second only to my own, amount to $90,799,435 88, running through 122,088 vouchers. At the depot a very large amount of clothing has been manufactured, and extensive repair shops have been kept in constant op«. er&tion. More work, with less pretension, has been accomplished at this point than at any other under my control, and I accord to General Myers the chief merit of its performance. He has never been appalled by the magnitude or complication of his duties, but has done his work with cheerfulness and alacrity, every requisition upon him being promptly and successfully met. At the head of the transportation division was General Lewis B. Parsons, of whose capacity and extent of service I have had occasions before to speak. This meritorious officer being transferred to Washington, and reporting directly to you, will render his own account of his transactions. His zeal, devotion to duty, intelligence, and activity in its performance have been recognized by the government in his promotion. As individual reports are made to you by each officer, whether serving at depots or not, I need not recount their services. I may mention, however, that from the second of September, 1862, until the thirteenth of July, 1864, the transportation office at St. Louis was in the immediate charge of Captain Charles Parsons', who went out of service by resignation at this latter date. This offi- cer deserves special commendation. He bore the brunt of the labor in this 588 SEPORT OF THE SECBETART OF WAR. branch when it was ardaous in the extreme ; was never found wanting ; alwajB ready for duty, day and night, and always prompt in its performance. At the depot in this city the duties were divided as follows : Chief of depot for the last nine months — Colonel George F. Clark. In charge of railroad transportation — Captain John H. Ferry, until October, 1864, since which timeJCaptain J. R. Del Vecchio. In charge of river transportation — Captain Franklin Ernst. In charge- of forage and miscellaneous supplies — Captain D. O. De Wolf. In charge of quarters and fuel and miscellaneous disDursements — Captain A. M. Tucker. In charge of clothing, camp and garrison equipage— -Captain G. A. Hall* military storekeeper. In charge of animals, corrals, and ci^ transportation — Captain J. T. Allen for the principal period ; subsequently. Captain J. H. Belcher. All these officers have been faithful public servants, and it affords me pleasure to bear testimony to their merits. At St. Louis there were like divisions : In charge of river and railroad transportation — Captains Charles Parsons and Im 8. Metcalf. In charge of forage— -Captains E. D. Chapman and William Currie. In charge of animab, corrals, city transportation, miscellaneous supplies^ Quarters and fuel, &c. — Captains G. W. Ford, Edmund Wuerpel, F. A. Seely, ohn L. Woods, and D. N. Welch — the latter in charge of miscellaneous dis- bnrsements. In charge of clothing, camp and garrison equipage— -Captains S. E. Meigs and R. 8. Hart. The vast business transacted at this depot is a warrant of the efficiency of these officers, whose immediate chief has, I presume, set forth their several merits. The depot at Memphis was ably conducted by Captain A. R. Eddy, and •ubsequently by Colonel R. E. Clary ; at Cairo by Captain A. C. Woolfolk; at Bowling Green by Captain D. Heaney— officers who deserve well of their eountry. The clothing branch at 8t. Louis, first under Captain 8. C. Meigs and sub- sequently under Captain R. 8. Hart, you will find, makes a highly satisfactory exhibit in the quantity of the clothing, as well as in the quality of the work. The clothing branch at this depot, under Captain G. A. Hall, military store- keeper, has likewise a praiseworthy record. In conclusion, I must be permitted to remark that history furnishes few,' if any, examples of armies so great, traversing territories so wide, and having their every want, at every step, supplied. It demonstrates how vital to the success of military operations is an efficient Quartermasters' department, a department that it has long since become a habit to abuse. Every officer and every private eonstitutes himself its accuser and judge. No failure in this department escapes the Argus eyes of censure or the prolific tongues of reproof. It is not only accountable for its own sins, but it is the great scape-goat upon which blundering generals pack their own errors. In view of these facts, I say, it is a proud reflection for the department in the west that its faults, subject to this ordeal, were " past finding out." Respectfully submitted: ROBERT ALLEN, Brevet Major General and Chief Quartermaster, Valley of the Mississippi^ Major General M. C. Meigs, Quartermaster Oeneral U. S, A., Washington, D. C. 0£cial copy : H. A. ROYCE, Captain and A. Q. M. REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR. 589 No. 86. Hbadquabtbrs Armibs op thk Unitbd Statbs, Washington, D. C, September 28, 1865. General: I have the honor to submit my annual report for the. fiscal year ending June 30, 1865, called for in you General Orders No. 39, of July 1, of the present year. By reference to my report of last year, rendered on the 28th August, 1864, and which you did me the honor to puhlish with your own, together with my report for the previous fiscal year, and the Chancellorsville campaign, it will be observed that on the 1st of July, 1864, I was on duty at Gity I^oint, Yirginiay at the headquarters of the Lieutenant General commanding the armies of the United States, as chief quartermaster armies operating against Richmond. These armies were composed of the Army of the Potomac and Army of the James, and our lines extended from the north side of the James river, near Richmond, to the southeast of Petersburg, a distance of over twenty- five miles, along the whole length of which was almost constant skirmishing night and day. Several attempts had been made before the 1st of July to carry the enemy's works, and to find and turn his flanks, sometimes bringing on severe conflicts, but without material success on our side. I refer to the attacks of the 16th, 17th and 18th of June, and to Generals Wilson and Kautz's expedition to Ream's Station, June 22 to 28, more particularly. It became manifest thai the defence of Richmond and Petersburg would be as protracted and stubborn as the resources and ability of the rebel commander could render it. I proceeded, therefore, under the written orders of the Lieutenant General, to create suitable depots for receiving, storing' and issuing necessary supplies for the armies. The principal depot was established at City Point, on the James, at the mouth of the Appomattox, and was made one of the most convenient, commodious, economical and perfect ever provided for the supply of armies. I have already rendered you a special report, on the 24th June last, of this depot, showing amount of wharfage, storehouses, railroad shops, tracks, &c.« with a recommendation how to dispose of the same. A secondary depot was kept up at Bermuda Hundred, and a still lesser one at Deep Bottom, more especially for the army of the James. There was an average of some 40 steam- boats of all sorts, including tugs, 75 sail vessels, and 100 barges, ^aiiy in the James river, engaged in the transportation of supplies, and plying between that river and the northern ports. With such facilities an army of 500,000 men could have been fully supplied within any reasonable distance of our base. I do not know the whole number of vessels employed in onr supply. A daily line of boats was established between Gity Point and Washington for mail and passenger service. Besides this, our transport fleet was constantly engaged in bringing cavaliy and artillery horses, mules, clothing, ammunition, subsistence* &:c, and in carrying back to Washington broken-down animals and other un- serviceable property. The depot was placed under the charge of Golonel P. P. Pitkin, who held the position of chief quartermaster of the depot until No- vember 7, 1864, when he resigned to accept the position of quartermaster gen- eral of the State of Vermont, and was succeeded by Golonel George W. Brad- ley. B th of these gentlemen were highly experienced, vigorous and accom- plished officers, and performed their very arduous and responsible duties with great credit to themselves and advantage to the service. The chief quartermaster at the principal depot always kept direct charge ot the water transportation in James rifer. The other branches of the department* however, such as employes, forage, clothing and railroad transportation, were in charge of subordinate quartermasters, selected for peculiar fitness, subject to the supervision of the chief depot quartermaster, who was rec^pix^^V^T^Y^^*^ 590 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR. ia writing, every day, such as arrivals and clearances of shipping, receipts and issues of clothing, forage, &c. The chief quartermaster of each army was required to render, on or before the 25th of every month, a detailed consolidated estimate, revised and approved by the army commander, of the supplies required for issue to the army the month following. Upon this data I prepared and sub- mitted my,es«timate for the combined forces on or before the first of each month. Tills method had very many good results. It compelled all interested to ascer- tain the real wants of the troops, and to secure their regular and prompt supply. No quartermasters* stores were permitted to be sent to the armies except over my signature. The funds were generally deposited to the credit of Brevet Lieutenant Colonel William T. Howell, on duty in my oflBce as disbursing officer, on my requisition, and distributed by him to division and brigade quar- termasters, on their estimates duly approved by the various commanders and countersigned by me. My printed orders and circulars in the hands of my sub- ordinates prescribed the manner in which they should perform their duties on all points where the regulations and general orders were silent. An extensive repair depot was established near City Point, and placed in charge of Brevet Lieutenant Colonel E. J. Strang, who received all serviceable animals and means of transportation from the Washington depot, and made the issues to the armies, and who received from the armies unserviceable stock, wagons, atnbulauces, &c., and shipped back all that could not be repaired in his shops. He employed a force of about 1,800 carpenters, wheelwrights, black- smiths, saddlers, corral hands, teamsters, laborers and guards. During the year ending June 30, 1865, he had repaired 3,653 army wagons, and 2,414 ambu- lances. He had shod 19,618 horses, and 31,628 mules. He received 27,116 serviceable horses, and 10,893 mules, 436 wagons, and 36 ambulances. He received from the troops 16,344 'unserviceable horses, 9,684 mules, 1,392 wagons, and 400 ambulances. He received also by the surrender of Lee's army, 400 horses, 1,300 mules, 101 wagons, and 90 ambulances. He issued to the troops 31,386 horses, 18,891 mules, 1.536 wagons, and 370 ambulances. He sent back for recuperation and repair 13,575 horses, 4,313 mules, 743 wagons, and 36 ambulances, besides a great amount of harness and other prop- erty. I mention these items simply to convey an idea of the duties to be per- formed at dejjots ; this was only one branch. As soon as we occupied City Point General McCallum, the able officer in charge of United States military railroads, had a strong construction corps on the spot prepared to rebuild the railroad up to our lines near Petersburg ; and afterward.^, as fast as the army gained ground to the southeast, artomporary extennion was laid close to our forces, until finally it extended to Hatcher's run, a distance of jibout nineteen miles. Along this road were stations, as described in my last report on the Orange and Alexandria railroad, where sidings and platforms were made for the prompt distribution of supplies to the diffiTcnt com- mands. This road saved much wear and tear of the wagon trains, and enabled the Lieutenant General to concentrate troops rapidly at any desirable point. After the surrender of Lee, this road — the new portion — was dismantled and the material placed in depot, to be disposed of in proper time. The great field hospital at City Point has been described in other reports. It was a very perfect one for the purpose. The medical officers in charge exercised great taste and judgment in its management. There was a somewhat similar field hospital for the army of the James, at Point of Rocks, on the Appom:itt()x. The medical department of each army had its own wharves, storehouse's, transports, and hospitals, under the control of its medical officers. The ordnagcc and subsistence departmeifts had special wharves and store- houses ; so also had General Abbott, who had charge of siege guns and material for the entire line — all constructed by the Quartermasters' department. REPORT OP THE SECRETARY OF WAR. 591 Colonel Strang and the other depot officers showed great energy, assiduity, and good judgment in the management of these heavy duties. On the 1st of the fiscal year the organization of the Quartermasters* depart- ment in the "armies operating against Richmond" was complete, and never for a moment has it failed during the year to meet the orders and expectations of the Lieutenant General and the principal commanders in the field, so far as I have had opportunity of being informed. • It is undeniable that the officers of the Quartermasters* department, both in the field and at our depots, have been charged with most important and respon- sible duties during the rebellion. Had they failed at any time we had no general who could have moved an army. I submit that more consideration ift due to a department upon which so much is devolved, and higher grades should be created in order that the chief officers may have a rank that corresponds more nearly with that held by those who fight the troops. It is a noticeable fact that no quartermaster who has served as such during the war has risen by substantial promotion above the old grade. And still there are quartermasters who have done the army and republic as great service as any brigadier general, and, with very few exceptions, any major general. Officers of the department who are old, too infirm, inert, or otherwise disqualified to take their tours of hard work in the Jield and qvl frontier stations, should at least be retired, in order that the active and business quartermasters who have borne the brunt of the service during the war may have the rank due the positions they have occupied. I beg to suggest you will deem it expedient to recommend an increase of the Quartermasters* department in your annual report to the honorable Secretary of War — such an increase as will meet the wants of a peace establishment. There have been 400 or 500 volunteer quartermasters appointed during the war. According to the statutes the last of these 'will go out of service in one year after the termination of the war, which is not yet, however, proclaimed at an end. The increase which I would suggest, and which would be satisfactory, in my opinion, to the principal officers of the department, and would be sufficiently large for the army as it will probably stand in a year*s time, is as follows : 1 Quartermaster General United States army, rank of major general. 3 division quartermaster generals, rank of brigadier general. 3 assistant quartermaster generals, rank of colonel. 4 deputy quartermaster generals, rank of lieutenant colonel. 12 quartermasters, rank of major. 48 assistant quartermasters, rank of captain. This would only add one major general, two brigadier generals, and one major to the present establishment. I suggest three brigadier generals as "division quartermaster generals'* for the three grand divisions, to wit: the Atlantic division, Mississippi division, and Pacific division. The list of majors will be an increxising one under the law that promotes assistant quartermasters for fourteen consecutive years* service. Such promotions will, of course, create vacancies in the list of captains. On the 1st of July, 1864, there were on hand in the armies operating against Richmond means of land transportation as follows : 41,329 hors(»s, ii3,961 mules, 4,440 army wagons, 57 S-horse light wagons, and 915 ambulances. At the beginning of the last campaign my returns show on hand as follows : 24,192 horses, 23,356 mules, 4,071 army wagons, 144 2-horse light wagons, and 907 ambulances. After the* close of the final campaign — say on May 1, 1865 — the means of transportation was as follows : 33,948 horses, 25,093 mules, 4,007 army wagons, 140 2-liorse li<2:lit wagons, and 820 ambulances. This property was used as prescribed in the orders of the Lieutenant General, a copy of whieli accompanied my last report, and most of it came; to Washing- ton with the troops last May and June, and was turned into tW*, vkv-:>^v\\^ *iv% ^^ 592 ' BEPORT OP THE 8ECRETABY OP WAR. troops were discharged, for final disposition nnder jour orders. ^ This transpor* tation was in most excellent condition, and rendered services of vital importance on the last grand campaign from Petersburg and Richmond to Appomattox Court House. There were manj partial movements of the armies from July 1, 1864, to the opening of the last campaign, but they did not render many new dispositions necessary in our department as to the trains. On the 30th of July the " battle of the mine " was fought. On the 9th of Angust, near noon, there occurred a fearful explosion in the midst of the City Point depot, killing and wounding some 250 employes and soldiers ; throwing down over 600 feet in length of warehouses, and tearing up some 180 lineiu feet of the wharf. It was found that a barge laden with ordnance stores had been blown up. Immense quantities of shot and shell were thrown into the air, and much of it fell in the encampment of the Lieutenant General, wounding, however, only one — Colonel Babcock, of his staff. The Lieutenant General him- Belf seems proof against the accidents of flood and field. It was assumed at the time that the explosion was the result of carelessness on the part of some one in or near the barge, but the developments made in the trial of the assassins of the late President would show that it was the dastardly work of that infernal rebel " torpedo bureau " in Richmond. The damages of the depot were soon repaired. August 18 to 20 the Weldon road was seized and thereafter held. An at* tempt was also made on our right at Deep Bottom. September 30 the 5th and 9th corps of the army of the Potomac were engaged at Poplar Grove churchy and the army of the James captured Fort Harrison and one line of works. October 24 and 25 the army of the Potomac was engaged at Hatcher's run. December 5 the 5th corps, supported by the 9th, made a mai'ch towards Wel- don. On such occasions the moving columns were generally directed, in orders, to be provided with a small stated allowance of subsistence, forage and amrnn* nition, wagons and ambulances. The main trains remained parked in safe and convenient positions near the outer defences of the City Point depot, but always loaded and fully prepared to move forward whenever and wherever needed. It was the rule, after having passed the James in June, lb64, that each corps should generally be followed by its own trains. On the evening of the 23d of January, 1865, it was known that the rebels were apparently preparing to make a raid down the James, with their fleet of iron-clad 8 and wooden boats, for the purpose of destroying our depots on the river, particularly that great one at City Point, wheje supplies had been accu- mulated and stored to meet the wants of the armies in case the James river and northern ports should be closed by ice. The weather was already very in- clement, and the Potomac and Delaware were then, or shortly afterwards, ren- dered entirely unnavigable by ice. Early on the 24th the rebel fleet approached our obstructions, and one of the iron-clads passed them, but the one following got foul upon them. Our batteries made obstinate resistance and blew up one of the smaller gunboats. Our men even were led with great effect to the bank of the river, and poured volleys of musketry into the ram that had passed the obstructions. The navy at that point was not prepared at the moment for any effective resistance. Had the rebels persisted at that time, they could, had they succeeded, have inflicted upon us incalculable losses, the result of which no one can pretend now to estimate ; but most fortunately for us they abandoned the raid and retired to their former position. Two or three days later it was impossible for these boats to make a descent. The navy was thoroughly pre- pared, and I had sent, by order of the Lieutenant General, my aide-de-camp, brevet Captain J. W. French, 8th infantry, up the river with vessels laden with coal, who sunk two on the night of the 25th to fill up the gap made in the ob- REPORT, or THE SECRETARY OP WAR. 593 strnctions. He' performed the service under the euemy's gnns with great gallantry. Our lines were extended to Hatcher's ran on the 7th of February. The enemy attacked and carried Fort Stcedman, within the lines of the 9th corps, on the morning of the 25th of March, but were shortly driven out with a loss of some 4,«500 killed, wounded, and prisoners. Meantime, the Lieutenant Gen* eral was preparing to strike the decisive blow of the whole war. The sick were sent to the rear ; the different staff departments were ordered to be in readiness with all necessary supplies for the expected march. The arrangements made by me were similar to those described in my reports of other great battles. The trains were laden with ten days' subsistence and forage, and sixty rounds per man of ammunition. The troops were fully supplied with clothing and were required to carry iive days' subsistence and forty rounds of ammunition on thehr persons. The trains were to remain in park, as usual, until the result of the attack should be known. The movement commenced by the left on the 29th of March. On the evening of April 1, Sheridan overthrew the enemy at Five Forks, and gave us possession of the Southside road. On the next night and morning the 6th corps, under General Wright, carried the enemy's works in its front. The enemy was driven from his works around Petersburg and Richmond, and fled towards the Dan- ville road. He was pursued with such vigor that our forces reached Burk's Junction in advance of him, and obliged him to attempt some other road. At Amelia Court House he lost many of his wagons and troops. Our cavalry hung on his rear and destroyed a great amount of his transportation. The rebel army became utterly demoralized, beaten, dispirited, and was surrendered entire to the Lieutenant General at Appomattox Court House on the memorable 9th of April. Immediately after the surrender I inspected the rebel trains and saw they were in a horrible condition. I gave orders for the supply of forage to the ani- mals, and that the transportation should be sent in to the City Point depot. Permission had been given that all private horses and mules might be taken away by their owners. I was not greatly . surprised to learn afterwards that the greater portion of all the animals, particularly all the good ones, were taken away on this pretext ; it was very natural to expect it, and I am told the same was observed after the surrender of other rebel armies. There finally reached the City Point depot from General Lee's army only 400 horses; 1,300 mules, 101 wagons, and 90 ambulances. Doubtless many animals, wagons, and ambulances were loaned to confed- erate officers to enable them to reach certain points, where they probably turned them over. Having made all the necessary dispositions, the Lieutenant General left on the 10th, to return to City Point. On the 3d, I had directed the superintendent of the railroad to repair it at once as far as Burksville Junction, a distance of 54 miles. The gauge had to be reduced to four feet eight and a half inches from Petersburg. When the Lieutenant General and staff reached Burksville, at noon on the 11th, a special train was in waiting for us, and we arrived at City Point that same night. Supplies were forwarded and the sick and wounded were taken in at once over this road. Subsequently, the road was worked by the government to Danville and Lynchburg. It is proper to record that I personally accompanied the Lieutenant General and staff on all the campaigns of the year past, and was present in all the prin- cipal engagements and battles. I remained on duty at City Point, directing the reduction of employes, the discharge of transports, and the diminution of expenses generally in the Quarter- master's department, until the 8th of May, when I received a telegraphic order from the Lieutenant General, to report in person to him in Waahix^^'^* V reported accordingly on the lOth, and Bince tW. ^\/b\iai^^\i!i^^'m:^^^ ^£ck^^^ 38 w 594 KEPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR. subject to his orders from day to day. I established an office for the settlement of outstanding accounts of the armies lately operating against Richmond, and continued it until yesterday, when Colonel Howell, who was my disbursing officer, was ordered to report to you. The office is no longer necessary for that purpose. The Treasury Department is now engaged in the settlement of my accounts, which have not been entirely settled since 1856. I request the privilege of attending to this duty before I am again assigned to any permanent station outside of this city. It is important to me and to the government that my accounts shall be closed. I am not responsible now, according to my returns, for any public funds or property, so a better opportunitv can never be presented for the settlement. I have stated to you that, in addition, I will cneerfbUy attend to any duty in this city, such as service on boards, to which you may wish to have me assigned. My money accounts for the fiscal year are correctly stated below as follows : On hand July 1, 1864: Received from officers during the year $12, 000 00 Treasury Department 300, 000 00 m Total 312,000 00 Expended during the year : Transferred to other officers during the year $312, 000 00 The officers who have served under me will furnish you the information called for by paragraphs 2d, 3d, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 11th of your order. My duties nave been chiefly administrative. As all the data for a " statistical report" should be in your office, and as such a report of the operations of the Quartermaster's department during the war would be of great interest and value, I would respectftiUy suggest that two or more competent officers be charged with the duty of compiling it. My ob- servations during the past year have only confirmed me in the opinions expressed in previous reports relative to the outfit of our troops and our means of land transportation. Brevet Brigadier General R. N. Batchelder succeeded me as chief quartermas- ter of the army of the Potomac, and continued on that duty until the disbandment of that army. He merited the very high commendations awarded him by all his superiors. He, like myself, has served continuously in the field during the war. Colonel Charles E. Fuller was acting chief quartermaster of the "army of the James" on our arrival at James river. Subsequently, and at different dates» Colonel J. B. Howard and Brevet Brigadier General George S. Dodge were chief quartermasters of that army, and gave me cordial support. I am very thankful to all the quartermasters who served under me for the uniformly cheer- ful co-operation extended to me. I have mentioned them more partictdarly in a special letter asking for brevets, &c. 1 beg to repeat my obligations to you and General Rucker and the officers of the Quartermaster's department in Washington for the support and attention given me in the transaction of my official business during the fiscal year. With high respect, I am your most obedient servant, RUFUS INGALLS, Bvt, Maj, Gen. Voh., Chief Q. M. Armies before Richmond. Brevet Major General M. C. Meigs, Quartermaster U. S» A., Washington, D. C, A true copy: JOHN V. FCREY, Captain and JLsHstant QuartermoiUr REPORT OP THE SECRETARY OF WAR. 595 No. 87. Hbadquartbrs Department of the CaMBERLAND, Chief Quartermaster* s Offlcey Na^hvilhy Tenn.^ June 30, 1865. General: In compliance with General Orders No. 39, Quartermaster Gen- eral's office, current series, I have the honor to suhmit my report of the operations of the Quartermaster's department for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1865. My report for the year ending June 30, 1864, was mailed to you April 28, 1865. The Ist of July, 1864, found me on duty as chief quartermaster, department of the Cumberland, and of the depot in Nashville. The department of the Cumoerland comprised the State of Tennessee east of the Tennessee river, and west of the Hiawassee river, and such parts of northern Alabama and Georgia as were already in possession of our troops, or might be taken possession of by the armies then activelv operating at the front. Large quantities of stores had been accumulated at Nashville, the great depot, and Chattanoo^, Knoxville, and Johnsonville, the minor depots, as well as at Allatoona and Big Shanty, Georgia, along the line of operations. The depots at Allatoona and Big Shanty were intended solely for the imme- diate use of the army. Forage, clothing, ordnance, hospital stores, and repairing material for the trains, were accumulated at these points as they were needed. The depots of Nashville and Chattanooga had been expanded to meet any possi- ble emergency, and buildings were erected at Johnsonville, the terminus of the northwestern railroad from Nashville to the Tennessee river. These buildings were necessary from the fact that the Tennessee river is the most reliable chan- nel of communication at all seasons of the year to this portion of the southwest. Supplies can be safely transported to Johnsonville, and a comparatively small body of troops will suffice to protect the northwestern railroad thence to Nashville. At certain seasons of the year the water in the Cumberland is too low for navigation, and previous raids on the Louisville and Nashville railroad made it expedient to estaolish a third line. This line was obtained by the construction of the northwestern railroad, and the depot at Johnsonville. On the 1st of July, 1864, General Sherman's army was in front of Kenesaa mountain, two hundred and fifty miles from Nashville. He had, in round num- bers, one hundred thousand (100,000) men, and eighty thousand (80,000) ani- mals ; but notwithstanding this formidable force, and its great distance from its base by a single line of rail running through mountain fastnesses, liable to be cut at any time, it never suffered for any essential supply. On the contrary, it had abundance of everything needed from the moment it left Chattanooga to the fall of Atlanta. The Quartermaster's department has reasons to congratu- late itself on this result, for it was a grave question, at the time, whether it would be possible to accumulate sufficient supplies at Nashville, and send them by a single line of rail to a huge army operating at such a distance from its base, so that it would not only be able to take Atlanta, the objective point of the campaign, defended as it was by a powerful army behind formidable earth- works, but be enabled to march thence to the sea. Soon after the occupation of Atlanta, the rebel cavalry, under Wheeler, made a raid on the railroad in rear of the army, and severed its communications be- tween Atlanta and Chattanooga, as also between Chattanooga and Nashville. On the 10th of September communications were restored, and the utmost capa- city of military railroads taken to forward supplies. A fortnight brought news of plenty at all points. The army was equipped in time for the brief campaign against Hood early in October, and the 20th corps, which held Atlanta, did not suffer for anything needed. The great damage sustained by the railroad from Tunnel Hill to Marietta, Georgia, by the movements of the enemy, crippled the department tiem^Qit»r\^ 596 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR. but on the Ist of November everything went regularly forward, and the sea- ward-bound army was preparing for its march. All kind of stores were in At- lanta at the proper time. The nature of the approaching campaign made it necessary to releave the army of its surplus transportation and material. The oflBcer of the Quartermaster's department deserve great credit for the industry they displayed in collecting this property and shipping it to the rear. I have no knowledge that any large amount was lost, although independent com- manders at isolated points, in a few instances, ordered the destruction of stores. In a range of country several hundred miles in extent, with troops using pub- lic property at innumerable points, it was difficult to withdraw them without incurring some loss. Hood threatened Decatur in November, and compelled the evacuation of its garrison. A considerable amount of public stores was sacrificed; but take the thing as a whole, and it may be said that comparatively few stores were lost in a movement of such magnitude, upsetting as it did all the previous arrangements. General Thomas's army, in front of Nashville, drew its suj^plies direct from the depot; and its gallant attack, defeat and pursuit of the enemy's forces (De- cember 15 and 16, 1864,) did not overtask the capacity of the Quartermas- ter's department. It so happened that the army concentrated at Nashville deficient, for the most part, of transportation left behind at Chattanooga and elsewhere; but by the extraordinary foresight and exertions of Brevet Colonel Charles H. Irvin, assistant quartermaster, an officer of great resources, the army was re-equipped and enabled to pursue Hood's shattered forces to the Tennessee river. With the departure of the 23d and 16th corps south and east, the forces re- maining in the department were stationed as follows : the 4th corps at Huuts- ville, Alabama, and the calvary corps at Eastport, Mississippi. Early in March orders were given for a probable campaign in East Tennessee. I directed Captain M. D. Wicker sham, assistant qnartermaster, then inspecting quartermaster army of the Cumberland, to proceed to Knoxville and report upon the wants of the department. He communicated freely by telegraph and letter, and subsequently submitted a full report of affairs in that direction. About the middle of March the 4th corps was transferred from Huntsville, Alabama, to East Tennessee. A switch was built at Knoxville from the main railroad, storehouses commenced, and stores pushed forward. This work was in progress when intelligence came that Richmond had fallen, and the army which had so stubbornly defended it surrendered. The 4th corps was at once withdrawn to Nashville and re-equipped ; and in June a fleet of steamers was collected at Johnsonville to move it to New Orleans. The embarcation was superintended in person by Colonel Mackay, chief quartermaster army of the Cumberland. LOSS AND DESTRUCTION OF PUBLIC PROPERTY. The loss and destruction of public property in the department of the Cum- berland during the past year has been, comparatively speaking, very small. 