have shown greater firmness and resolution in danger, or more reckless daring and disregard of personal safety, and I doubt not many of their deeds will live in history and tradition along the lines of our Western rivers, as have the stories and deeds of partisan chiefs of former times. It was by the services of such men that the Government was enabled so rapidly to concentrate re-enforcements at Donelson and Shiloh; that with seven days' notice it was enabled to embark 40,000 men under Sherman in mid-winter for the movement against Vicksburg, and subsequently to precipitate the same force upon, and capture, the Post of Arkansas. It was their courage that piloted our transports past the batteries of Island No. 10, Vicksburg, and numberless other places along our Western waters; and all who have seen the unblanched cheek and steady arm by which the pilot at the wheel or the captain on the hurricane roof have discharged their duties in hours of danger, cannot fail to acknowledge that they justly deserved a page in the history of the events of the war. I also acknowledge with pleasure the services of Capt. J. V. Lewis, assistant quartermaster, an able officer, recently in charge of transportation at Cincinnati, who, at my solicitation, though he had tendered his resignation and was relieved from duty, again resumed his former position and labored incessantly, and rendered most valuable assistance in effecting the transfer at Cincinnati in the movement by rail. I would also acknowledge the very valuable assistance rendered by Capt. Arthur Edwards, assistant quartermaster; Capt. J. H. Wilson, assistant quartermaster; Capt. A. C. Woolfolk, assistant quartermaster, and Capt. Gus. Artsman, assistant quartermaster, at their respective posts of duty. Herewith I transmit copies of all orders, instructions, communications, and reports of the superintendents of the several roads, forming a complete record of the movement. 1.] I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, [Inclosures.] Copies of orders, letters, and telegrams. Col. LEWIS B. PARSONS, WAR DEPARTMENT, Chief of Rail and River Transportation, Washington, D. C.: COLONEL: It having been decided that the Twenty-third Army Corps, Major-General Schofield commanding, shall be transferred from the Tennessee to the Chesapeake, you will immediately proceed westward, and take the general supervision and management of its transpor tation. If the navigation of the Ohio will admit, it is deemed best that the transportation shall be by boats to Parkersburg, W. Va., thence by cable, the troops should be transported by rail from Cairo, Evansville, Jeffersonville, then by rail to Bellaire, and over the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. or Cincinnati, as navigation of the Ohio will permit, C. A. DANA, Assistant Secretary of War. 2.1 Hou. C. A. DANA, QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Assistant Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.: SIR: In accordance with your instructions I will leave here so as to connect with the first train from Baltimore to Wheeling. I should arrive at Wheeling about 5 o'clock to-morrow evening, and at Cincin nati via Columbus early the next morning, and Louisville the next afternoon. Would it not be well to advise General Allen of the contemplated movement, so that in case he learns General Thomas is in readiness to move, he could be gathering the necessary boats at Louisville, and also direct him to open any dispatches to me. Very respectfully, LEWIS B. PARSONS, Colonel and Chief of Rail and River Transportation. 3.1 Col. J. A. POTTER, QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Assistant Quartermaster, Chicago, Ill.: We may want 200 or 300 cars at Cairo within three or four days. See the Illinois Central that they may have it in view, as we could not probably give more than twelve to twenty-four hours' notice. I go direct to Louisville; answer to Wheeling, care of Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. By order of Quartermaster-General: LEWIS B. PARSONS, Colonel and Chief of Rail and River Transportation. 4.1 CHICAGO, January 12, 1865. Col. L. B. PARSONS, Chief of Rail and River Transportation: The Illinois Central says everything depends on the speedy unloading of the 150 cars already en route to Cairo, as they would have to be relied on to fill the requisitions. 5.1 W. PRESCOTT SMITH, J. A. POTTER, Colonel and Quartermaster. FAIRMONT, VA., January 12, 1865-3 p. m. Master Transpt. Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, Baltimore, Md.: Cannot you consent that Mr. Coffran should come to Louisville to-morrow in case I telegraph back for him? He is willing to go if you think proper. I think it might be very useful to your road by giving you early and correct information. Have you no reply from Gray or Lough? LEWIS B. PARSONS, Colonel and Chief of Rail and River Transportation. 6.] Col. LEWIS B. PARSONS: BALTIMORE, MD., January 12, 1865. Gray says he and Lough will meet you at Columbus or Cincinnati. Coffran can go with you, if desired. 7.] W. P. SMITH. RAILROAD NEAR BENWOOD, January 12, 1865. Capt. ARTHUR EDWARDS, Assistant Quartermaster, or Capt. L. S. METCALF, Assistant Quartermaster, Saint Louis, Mo.: Can Captain Edwards, with Mr. Downs and Hendricks, meet me at Louisville day after to-morrow in case I telegraph for them to do so? Answer care of General Allen, Louisville, and Captain Lewis, of Cin cinnati. LEWIS B. PARSONS, Colonel and Chief of Rail and River Transportation. 8.1 Col. LEWIS B. PARSONS, 9.1 Quartermaster: SAINT LOUIS, Mo., January 13, 1865. (Care of General R. Allen, chief quartermaster.) We can meet you any place you may direct. ARTHUR EDWARDS, Captain and Assistant Quartermaster. Received at Louisville, Ky., 10 a. m. January 14, 1865. Mr. JEWETT, RAILROAD NEAR CAMERON, VA., January 12, 1865. President Ohio Central Railroad, or Mr. CALDWELL, Superintendent, Zanesville, Ohio: Could not Mr. Caldwell come out a few miles on this evening's train to consult with me about a matter of importance to the Government and your road? LEWIS B. PARSONS, Colonel and Chief of Rail and River Transportation. 10.] Col. LEWIS B. PARSONS: ZANESVILLE, OHIO, January 12, 1865. Your dispatch received too late for me to meet you on the road. If you wish I can see you here, when train arrives. Received at Bellaire 8 p. m. January 12. D. W. CALDWELL. 11.] Col. MCKIM, or RAILROAD NEAR BENWOOD, January 12, 1865. J. V. LEWIS, Quartermasters, Cincinnati, Ohio: I desire to see Captain Lewis and some representative of the Little Miami Railroad, on important business, on my arrival at Cincinnati to-morrow morning on my way direct to Louisville. By order of Quartermaster-General: LEWIS B. PARSONS, Colonel and Chief of Rail and River Transportation. 12.] Capt. A. C. WOOLFOLK, CINCINNATI, OHIO, January 13, 1865. Assistant Quartermaster, Cairo, Ill.: How many and what boats could you furnish on from twelve to twenty-four hours' notice, with ten days' stores, fuel for 500 or 600 miles? What boats are in the Tennessee or Cumberland? Answer, Louisville, care General Allen, as particularly as practicable. How many cars could you furnish at Cairo on the same notice if necessary? LEWIS B. PARSONS, Colonel and Chief of Rail and River Transportation. 13.] CAIRO, ILL., January 14, 1865. Colonel PARSONS: (Care General Allen.) I can furnish transportation for the 10,000 men asked for by General Allen, without material damage to freighting up Cumberland. The Kennett, Brilliant, Marmora, Decatur, Des Moines, and some others in Cumberland. Izetta and others in Tennessee. I am assured by railroad agent that there will be no trouble about cars. Let me know in time. Is this the same as General Allen's? 14.] Capt. L. S. METCALF, WOOLFOLK. CINCINNATI, OHIO, January 13, 1865. Assistant Quartermaster, Saint Louis, Mo. : Is the river open to Cairo? If so, how many, and what boats could you furnish, on from twelve to twenty-four hours' notice, with ten days' stores and fuel for 600 miles to be sent to Cairo? I have just arrived, and leave on mail-boat for Louisville. Please request Captain Ernst to ascertain the names of all boats on the Tennessee and Cumberland, as far as practicable. LEWIS B. PARSONS, Colonel and Chief of Rail and River Transportation. 16.] Hon. C. A. DANA, CINCINNATI, OHIO, January 13, 1865. Assistant Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.: Missed connection. Leave for Louisville at noon. River at Pittsburg sixteen feet, falling; Cincinnati thirty-seven feet, rising. LEWIS B. PARSONS, Colonel and Chief of Rail and River Transportation. W. PRESCOTT SMITH, LOUISVILLE, January 14, 1865. Master Transportation, Baltimore, Md.: Shall not require Mr. Coffran at present. Everything looks well so far. 19.] LEWIS B. PARSONS, Colonel and Chief of Rail and River Transportation. Hon. C. A. DANA, LOUISVILLE, KY., January 14, 1865-2 p. m. Assistant Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.: Arrived here last night. Nothing here from General Thomas or Schofield. The telegraph will not be open beyond Nashville till to-morTow. The necessary boats are ordered to rendezvous at Paducah. I go to Paducah to-night. Will be there to-morrow night, and move up Tuesday, unless counter orders come: Is it decided about moving artillery? The horses can be moved so far as the boats go without much difficulty. Rivers all high, and still rising slowly. Present prospects good. Telegraph can reach me at Paducah. LEWIS B. PARSONS, Colonel and Chief of Rail and River Transportation. LOUISVILLE, January 14, 1865. 20.1 Hon. C. A. DANA, Assistant Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.: SIR: I inclose herewith copy of dispatch sent you this day.* I am disappointed in finding nothing from General Thomas, but learn from two of General Schofield's staff that he is expecting to move, and on consultation with General Allen it is deemed best for me to proceed at * Probably next, ante. |