108.] CINCINNATI, January 21, 1865.

QUARTERMASTER, or

AGENT BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROAD,

Parkersburg, Va.:

Please advise me immediately the condition of the river as to ice and navigation. I telegraphed you yesterday and got no reply.

LEWIS B. PARSONS,

Colonel and Chief of Rail and River Transportation.

109.] CINCINNATI, January 21, 1865.

Honorable C. A. DANA,

Assistant Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.:

One train started last night. We hope to get off from 5,000 to 6,000 to-day and 4,000 to 5,000 to-morrow. It is reported there is difficulty on the Baltimore and Ohio road preventing a rapid transportation. Please ascertain the facts from Mr. Garrett. Would it not be well to direct the military officers commanding along that road to use extraoridnary care in guarding bridges, &c.? Time from here to Wheeling will be about twenty hours. I shall remain here to-day and to-morrow.

LEWIS B. PARSONS,

Colonel and Chief of Rail and River Transportation.

110.] WASHINGTON, January 21, 1865-8 p.m.

Colonel L. B. PARSONS,

Cincinnati, Ohio:

Mr. Garrett informs me that there is nothing to cause delay on any part of his road.

C. A. DANA,

Assistant Secretary of War.

111.] CINCINNATI, January 21, 1865.

QUARTERMASTER, or

AGENT BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROAD,

Wheeling, Va.:

Please advise me immediately the condition of the river as to ice and navigation. I telegraphed you yesterday and got no reply.

LEWIS B. PARSONS,

Colonel and Chief of Rail and River Transportation.

112.] WHEELING, VA., January 21, 1865.

Colonel L. B. PARSONS,

Chief of Rail and River Transportation:

(Care Colonel McKim, Cincinnati, Ohio.)

Five feet of water in the channel. navigation is entirely suspended by floating ice.

GUS. ARTSMAN,

Captain and Assistant Quartermaster.