MULES.

From September 1, 1864, to December 31, 1864..... 20,711

From January 1, 1865, to May 9, 1865............. 25,210

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Total purchased from September 1, 1864, to May

9, 1865.......................................... 45,921

There are no records on file in this office by which the number of animals purchased by the Cavalry Bureau prior to January 1, 1864, can be determined.

Reports to this office of purchases of artillery horses and mules date from September 1, 1864.

During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1865, the prices paid for cavalry horses ranged from $144 per head (the lowest contract price) to $185 per head (the highest market price.) From September 1, 1864, to June 30, 1865, the prices paid for artillery horses ranged from $161 to $185 per head, and during the latter period the prices paid for mules ranged from $170 to $195 per head. The average (approximate) prices are given in the tabular statement herewith.

The following is a statement of the number of public animals sold and died at the several depots since the 1st of January, 1864, viz:

CAVALRY HORSES.

Sold from January 1, 1864, to June 30, 1864............ 5,845

Sold from June 30, 1864, to December 31, 1864.......... 8,598

Sold from January 1, 1865, to June 30, 1865............25,627

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Total sold from January 1, 1864, to June 30, 1865......40,070

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Died from January 1, 1864, to June 30, 1864............ 8,434

Died from June 30, 1864, to December 31, 1864..........13,662

Died from January 1, 1865, to June 30, 1865............16, 181

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Total died from January 1, 1864, to June 30, 1865......38,277

ARTILLERY HORSES.

Of artillery horses none were reported as sold from September 1, 1864, to June 30, 1865.

Died from September 1, 1864, to December 31, 1864...... 176

Died from January 1, 1865, to June 30, 1865............ 258

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Total died from September 1, 1864, to June 30, 1865.... 434

MULES.

Sold from September 1, 1864, to December 31, 1864...... 287

Sold from January 1, 1865, to June 30, 1865............13,192

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Total sold from september 1, 1864, to June 30, 1865....13,479

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Died from September 1, 1864, to December 31, 1864...... 1,230

Died from January 1, 1865, to June 30, 1865............ 6,106

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Total died from September 1, 1864, to June 30, 1865.... 7,336

Of unserviceable stock received at depots for recuperation, the returns to this office are not sufficiently complete to enable me to pronounce the exact proportion restored to ability for service. Observations made at several depots during limited periods indicate 60 per cent. as about the proportion so restored. It is a matter of regret that, although several attempts have been jade by this office to procure returns of the destruction of animals in the field, such