wind the greater part of the loss would have been avoided. Captain Howland, however, is reported by General Donaldson, chief quartermaster Department of the Cumberland, as an energetic officer, while Colonel Sinclair in his report considers him responsible for an unnec essary destruction of valuable property. Under these circumstances, and in view of the great amount of property destroyed, I respectfully recommend that the officers responsible be brought before a courtmartial which can convict those who may be guilty and honorably acquit those who did their duty. Your obedient servant, M. C. MEIGS, Quartermaster-General U. S. Army, Brevet Major-General. [Inclosure No. 1.] OFFICE OF THE CHIEF QUARTERMASTER, Bvt. Maj. Gen. M. C. MEIGS, Louisville, February 3, 1865. Quartermaster-General U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.: GENERAL: Your letter of 10th of December instructing me to inquire into the extent of the loss of public property by the destruction of Johnsonville was duly received. As there were several investigations on foot I thought it advisable to wait until others had reported. Captain Howland, the assistant quartermaster in charge at Johnsonville, had already submitted his statement, and it was understood that a board of survey had been ordered from Nashville, with power to summon witnesses, and that from this source a more thorough inquiry would result. Subsequently I was advised that the board was in session, but that its proceedings were suspended on account of the senior member, Captain Reynolds, having been summoned as a witness before a court-martial at Cincinnati. At this date I am not informed whether Captain Reynolds has returned to Johnsonville. I have myself been making inquiries from every available source, but have arrived at no satisfactory conclusion. I had detailed an officer, the only one available, to enter individually into the investigation, but was obliged to withdraw him for service at Eastport. I inclose you an extract from Captain Howland's report. I am satisfied that he greatly underrates the loss. I have questioned a great many persons, who were present, and I would estimate the actual destruction of stores, and property for which the Government is responsible, at not less than $2,500,000. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. ALLEN, Brigadier-General and Chief Quartermaster. [Inclosure No. 2.] Extract from report made by Capt. Henry Howland, Assistant Quarter master. OFFICE OF THE CHIEF QUARTERMASTER, Louisville, February 3, 1865. * I cannot at this time state with accuracy the whole amount of loss, yet from our most careful estimate (including the transports and barges) I am confident the loss will but little if any exceed $1,000,000. A board of survey will soon be called to examine into and report the whole amount of losses sustained. The boats destroyed were the transports Moun taineer, Doane No. 2, Arcola, Aurora, Duke, Goody Friends, Venus, J. B. Ford, with the barges Whale No. 8, Ú. S. 44, T. H. Ú. S. 57, Chickamauga, Kentucky, J. H. Doane, Eagle Coal Co. No. 22 U. S., Josephine, Čeleste, and an iron barge without a name. The large warehouse with the engine and machinery for hoisting freight from the boats and levee is comparatively uninjured, although a large number of shell passed through the building in all directions. * * * [General GRANGER:] FEBRUARY 20, 1865. MY DEAR GENERAL: The ten regiments marked in the inclosed special order* with an O will leave this city to-day and to-morrow. You have already two of the Massachusetts batteries with you. The other Massachusetts battery, the Connecticut, and the two New York batteries will leave to-day. This will make the entire Thirteenth Corps complete, with the exception of the Twenty-third Wisconsin (marked X), which is hourly expected from Helena, and shall be forwarded to you immediately. Please let Emery check the list off, and inform me if it is all correct. The five colored regiments now in the District of West Florida and South Alabama, viz, the Twenty fifth, Eighty-second, Eighty-sixth, Ninety-sixth, and Ninety-seventh, will be detached from that district, the three former to Hawkins' division of colored troops, the two latter to form a separate engineer brigade. According to my calculation, that will leave for permanent garrisons in your old district: Please let Emery verify this also. The following general officers are now with you or under orders to report to you, viz: James C. Veatch, William P. Benton, Elias S. Dennis, C. C. Andrews, James R. Slack. This list is made out according to seniority. As to merits, they rank thus: Andrews, Veatch, Slack, Dennis, Benton. The rank question will of course have to rule, and your division commanders will, therefore, I suppose, be the three seniors. You know them perhaps as well as we do. Please let me know as soon as your decisions are made. Until we can furnish more general officers you will have to appoint seven colonels as brigade commanders. At present I know of no other general officers coming except Eugene A. Carr, now in Arkansas, who ranks all the others. He is said to be a very good officer in the field. Your staff selections so far as made are very excellent. I am glad for your as well as my own sake that Emery is your assistant adjutantgeneral. I know he will keep his part of the business straight. You can rely, so far as we are concerned, general, on a hearty co-operation at all times, and if it will save time for your staff officers to communi *Not found as an inclosure. cate direct with me on any matter of particular interest to the service, please let them do so, waiving all formalities. With my best wishes for your success, I am, general, very truly, yours, C. T. CHRISTENSEN. SPECIAL FIELD Orders, | HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE CUMBERLAND, Nashville, Tenn., February 20, 1865. No. 45. XIV. The One hundred and eighty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry is hereby relieved from duty with the Second Brigade, Fourth Division, Twentieth Army Corps, but will remain on engineering duty in accordance with previous orders. All reports and returns called for by existing orders and regulations will be made to Brig. Gen. John F. Miller, commanding post of Nashville, Tenn. XV. The Forty-fifth Wisconsin Infantry is hereby assigned to the Second Brigade, Fourth Division, Twentieth Army Corps, and will report to Col. E. C. Mason, One hundred and seventy-sixth Ohio Infantry, commanding, for duty. By command of Major-General Thomas: Major-General THOMAS: HENRY M. CIST, Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General. HUNTSVILLE, [February] 20, 1865. Are Guide returned from Blountsville. Patterson's force, 300 or 400 strong, shot nine Union men, and deserters, at Blountsville, and fourteen at Sand Mountain. Are conscripting every man and horse. now ordered to Talladega and Augusta. They take all who are at home and burn the houses of those who are absent. Numbers he thinks would come into our lines if assured they would be permitted to remain in North Alabama. R. S. GRANGER. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Brig. Gen. R. S. GRANGER, Huntsville, Ala.: Telegram of this date received. All deserters and refugees who can give you reliable assurances that they will abide by their oath will be permitted to come in and remain in North Alabama or Tennessee. They must, however, be sent to Nashville to have their names properly registered. GEO. H. THOMAS, Major-General, U. S. Army, Commanding. LOUISVILLE, KY., February 20, 1865. Capt. R. MORROW, Assistant Adjutant-General, Lexington, Ky.: Push on the regiments as fast as possible. When you think you have done all you can, you will report back here. By command of Major-General Stoneman: G. M. BASCOM, Major and Assistant Adjutant-General. LEXINGTON, KY., February 20, 1865-9 a. m. Brigadier-General HOBSON, Campbellsville, Ky.: General Burbridge not here yet. Cavalry moving off. Mount Sterling left unprotected. Thought would have to evacuate for want of troops. Re-enforced it last night with three companies Fifty-fourth and Fifty-third Kentucky. Richmond has no troops. Many dispatches and petitions from citizens. We need two companies Thirtieth here by rail, if possible. Have ordered Buckley to be active. Close managing, unless have more troops immediately. J. S. BUTLER, Assistant Adjutant-General. Brigadier-General HOBSON: LEXINGTON, KY., February 20, 1865. No special news. Sent long dispatch to you to Campbellsville. Major Harrison reports several fights. the killed. Capt. J. S. BUTLER, Lieutenant Harding among J. S. BUTLER, Assistant Adjutant-General. ELIZABETHTOWN, February 20, 1865. Assistant Adjutant-General: Major Barnes has arrived. Had several little skirmishes. Killed several. Among the killed Lieutenant Harding. Sent company to Hodgensville this morning. Major Hamilton not arrived. Maj. J. B. HARRISON, J. B. HARRISON, LOUISVILLE, KY., February 20, 1865. Commanding Twelfth Kentucky Cavalry, Elizabethtown, Ky.: Major-General Stoneman directs that you remain where you are. Get your regiment together as soon as possible; then report to him for orders. When your regiment gets here it will be paid off up to the end of last year. Have the rolls ready. G. M. BASCOM, Major and Assistant Adjutant-General. U. S. NAVAL HEADQUARTERS, No. 148 Canal street, New Orleans, La., February 20, 1865. Major-General CANBY, Commanding Military Division of West Mississippi: GENERAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of this date. One of our supply vessels will go to the mouth of the Rio Grande, upon the arrival of the mail from the North, which we shall be happy to place at your disposition. I have heard nothing of the monitors or tin-clads from up river, though I have telegraphed several times to be informed when they passed Morganza or Baton Rouge, without having elicited a reply. Acting Admiral Thatcher has arrived in Pensacola, and will probably be here in a few days. I learned this in a letter from the commodore to-day. I think the latter will also be here in a few days. I shall not send the Arizona, the flag-ship, to Mobile Bay until I hear further from bim. I had intended going in her myself to-morrow, but shall now wait. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, . S. R. FRANKLIN, Fleet Captain, West Gulf Squadron. Maj. Gen. GEORGE H. THOMAS: CAIRO, February 21, 1865. I just arrived with eight squadrons regiment Merrill's Horse, ordered to report by telegraph to you. C. B. HUNT, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding. SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS, Į HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE CUMBERLAND, Nashville, Tenn., February 21, 1865. No. 46. XII. The One hundred and fiftieth Regiment Illinois Infantry, Col. George W. Keener commanding, having reported at these headquarters is assigned to duty in the District of the Etowah, and will proceed to Bridgeport, Ala., and report to Maj. Gen. J. B. Steedman for duty on the line of Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad. The quartermaster's department will furnish transportation. GRAVELLY SPRINGS, [February] 21, 1865. Brigadier-General WHIPPLE, Chief of Staff: A loyal man just in from Fulton confirms the report of Forrest's movement southward to West Point, if not beyond. The man has been sent back for further information. A citizen from Tuscaloosa reports, at Florence, that Mobile has been evacuated, and the rebels defeated, with heavy loss, in a two days' battle, at Branchville. Major-General THOMAS: J. H. WILSON, HUNTSVILLE, February 21, 1865. The following telegram has just been received from Colonel Conrad, commanding post of Decatur, whom I ordered to send out scouting |