importation of contagious or infectious diseases. In view of the apprehensions entertained in regard to the Asiatic cholera, now devastating the shores of the Mediterranean, this becomes a significant fact.

For recommendations of measures tending to the greater efficiency of the Medical Department you are respectfully referred to the special report from this office called for by circular dated War Department, Adjutant-General's Office, October 7, 1865.

In conclusion, I desire to bear testimony to the ability, courage, and zeal manifested throughout the war by the officers of the Medical Department under all circumstances and upon all occasions. With hardly an excepting they have been actuated by the highest motives of national and professional pride, and the number who have been killed and wounded bears most Honorable testimony to their devotion to duty on the field of battle.

To the medical directors of armies in the field and of military geographical departments especial praise is due for the successful execution of their arduous and responsible duties.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOS. K. BARNES,

Surgeon-General, Brevet Major-General, U. S. Army.

OFFICE OF THE SIGNAL OFFICER, Washington, October 20, 1865.

Honorable E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.:

SIR: In answer to your communication of the 7th instant, I have the honor to submit the following annual report of the operations of the Signal Corps for the year ending October 20, 1865:

On the 1st of November, 1864, the corps was represented in the field by the following detachments, thoroughly equipped, active, and energetic, to wit:

Detachment Officers of Acting Non- Privates.

. Signal officers. commissione

Corps. d officers.

Office of 3 .. 2 9

the Signal

Officer..

Department 6 1 5 66

of

Washington

Signal 16 4 3 86

Camp of

Instructio

n

Army of 12 3 13 167

the

Potomac

Department 15 8 14 137

of

Virginia

and North

Carolina

Department 7 .. 13 39

of the

South

Department 9 10 10 87

of the

Cumberland

Department 6 7 7 140

of the

Tennessee

Department 4 4 1 42

of the

Ohio

Military 10 15 10 210

Division

of West

Mississipp

i

Department 2 5 2 51

of Kansas

Middle 8 8 2 168

Military

Division

Department 4 1 2 64

of the

Susque-

hanna

Total 102 66 84 1,266

168 1,350