In conclusion, I believe the duties of the division are being satisfactorily performed, and am pleased to report that the officers and clerks have labored not only harmoniously, but with the most commendable zeal and fidelity for the public interest. Some of them, I think, are fully entitled to advancement, which I trust may be given them. To Mr. Wallace, chief clerk of the railroad diebted for many suggestions and valuable improvements. His observation and experience in railroad business, combined with this energy and devotion to his duty, render him a valuable assistant.

Very respectfully,

LEWIS B. PARSONS,

Brigadier General and Chief of Fourth Div., Q. M. General's Office.

Numbers 23. RAIL AND RIVER TRANSPORTATION, FOURTH DIVISION.

List of steamers and other vessels at Mobile and on the Mississippi River and tributaries belonging to the United States June 30, 1865.*

RECAPITULATION.

Side-wheel steamers............................ 34

Stern-wheel steamers........................... 37

Center-wheel steamers.......................... 3

Screw tugs..................................... 16

Ferry-boats.................................... 1

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Total steamers...................................... 91

Steam-boat hulls.................................... 2

Model barges................................... 74

Gunwale barges.................................226

Small wood barges.............................. 26

Box barges..................................... 3

Barges not classified.......................... 23

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Total barges.........................................352

Wharf-boats.................................... 18

Canal-boats.................................... 3

Coal-boats..................................... 60

Yawl-boats..................................... 56

Sail-boats..................................... 1

Metallic boats................................. 1

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Total boats..........................................139

Skiffs......................................... 9

Floating docks................................. 1

Small flats.................................... 2

Sectional docks................................ 3

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Total..........................................599

ALEXANDER BLISS,

Bvt. Colonel and A. Q. M., in Charge Fourth Div., Q. M. General's Office.

Numbers 24. OFFICE DIRECTOR AND GENERAL MANAGER, MILITARY RAILROADS OF UNITED STATES, Washington, D. C., October 31, 1865.

Bvt. Major General M. C. MEIGS,

Quartermaster-General U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.:

GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following brief statement of operations of U. S. Military Railroads for year ending June 30, 1865:

A more full and comprehensive report will be made as soon as the necessary statistics can be compiled.

These operations were conducted in six different fields, as follows:

I. Virginia.

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*Omitted, except the "Recapitulation."

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