230.] BENWOOD, January 29, 1865-10. 40 a. m.

Captain J. B. FORD,

Wheeling:

I have telegraphed Prescott Smith fully as to loading cars, and am sure you and he both will concur with me even as a matter of policy. If any package comes for me after I leave please send it to me at Washington, care of Quartermaster-General, and oblige.

LEWIS B. PARSONS,

Colonel and Chief of Rail and River Transportation.

231.] BENWOOD, January 29, 1865-10. 45 a. m.

Captain GUS. ARTSMAN,

Wheeling:

Four more trains of artillery go up to Bridgeport at once. Please see them well cared for and aid Captain Ford in loading them.

LEWIS B. PARSONS,

Colonel and Chief of Rail and River Transportation.

232.] BENWOOD, January 29, 1865-10. 45 a. m.

J. B. FORD,

Agent, Wheeling:

Two more trains of artillery are in and go to Bridgeport at once. Two more will be in soon and also go up. I would like one or two cars of infantry to go with each artillery train as a guard. How soon will the first train be ready to start? I would like to get all off to-morrow if consistent.

LEWIS B. PARSONS,

Colonel and Chief of Rail and River Transportation.

233.] BALTIMORE, January 28, 1865.

Colonel LEWIS B. PARSONS,

Benwood:

I telegraphed you an answer to you dispatch last night. You have my message now. Secretary of War, Halleck, Dana, and Schofield all greatly pleased with the movement, and think highly of your efforts. Mr. Garrett saw them yesterday and they were full of praise. Indeed they have good cause to feel well considering the condition before us and the difficulties overcome.

W. P. SMITH.

234.] BENWOOD, January 29, 1865-11. 20 a. m.

W. PRESCOTT SMITH,

Baltimore, Md.:

Your dispatch of yesterday received. It gives me great pleasure to know the difficulties of our movement are appreciated at Washington. You and I know full well what they are. I venture the assertion such long movement of so large a force in severe midwinter was never so