on n.'^^^i 
 
 7a An, 
 
 Duke University Libraries 
 
 Communication o 
 Conf Pam #445 
 
MESSAGE OF if IE PRESIDENT. 
 
 Richmond, Va , Feb. 8, 1865. 
 
 To the Ifnuse of Reprascniativcs : 
 
 ^n rcpponse to your resolution of the 2otli ult, 1 herewith trans 
 mit a communication from the Secretary of War, covcrinfj; a list of 
 the Qu^rtermastera and Asgitstant Qiiartormastera now in the service 
 and indicating the lank of enoli officer and the duty on which lie is 
 employed. 
 
 JEFFERSON DAVIS. 
 
 COMAir'NlCATION OF SECRET AK^' OF WAR. 
 
 Confederate States ok Ameuica, ) 
 
 War Department, [ 
 
 Richmond, Ya., Feh. 7, 1804. ) 
 
 To the President 
 
 Sm : — I have received the following lerfolution of the House of 
 Rei>rcsentatives, referred by yosr PLvcellency to this Department : 
 '■ Resolved, That tlio President be respectfully requested, if not 
 incompatible with the public interest, to communicate to this House 
 the number of Quartermasters now in the employment of the Con- 
 federacy, designatisg the number in active serrice in the field, and 
 also the number in post and other duties, with their respective ranks." 
 In response, I have the honor to transmit herewith a repoit from 
 tlie Quartermaster General, containing the iftformation desired liy 
 the House. 
 
 Vcrv respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE, 
 
 fc'ccretary of War. 
 
REPORT OF QCARTERMASTER GENERAL. 
 
 COKFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA. ) 
 
 Q'/arfermaster Ge.neraVs Office, \ 
 Richmond, Feb. 4, 18G5. ) 
 
 ilon. J. A. Seddon, Secretary of War: 
 
 Sill :— I have tlic Iionor to acknowledge the reference b}' you to 
 this office of a coi)y of the resolution of the House of Representa- 
 tives of the 25th January, 18G5, requesting the President, if not 
 incompatible with the public interests, to communicate to the House 
 "The number of Quartermasters now in the employment of the Con- 
 federacy, designating the number in active service in the field, and 
 also the number in post and other duties, with their respective 
 ranks," and in accordance with your instructions, to submit the fol- 
 lowing report, viz ; 
 Whole number of Quartcraiasters now in the employment 
 
 of the Confederacy, 13iG 
 
 Quaitermasters with the rank of Lieut-Colonel : 
 
 Cliief Quartermasters of armies, 2 
 
 Inspector of Railroad transportatioji, 1 
 
 On General Inspection duty, 1 
 
 On Post duty, ' I 
 
 — 6 
 Quartermasters with the rank of Major : 
 
 Number in active service in the field, east of the Mis- 
 
 sissipjii river, I73 
 
 Num))cr on like duty in Trans-Mississippi Department, 30 
 " assigned to Post and other duties, east of tlic 
 
 Mississi))pi river, GG 
 " on like duty, west of the Mississippi river, lO 
 Engaged in providing, inspecting and repair- 
 ing field transportation, east of the Mississif)])i, 21 
 " on like duty, west of same, 4 
 " inspectors of Railroad transftortation, f) 
 on Tax in kind duty, east of the Mississijjpi, H 
 *• '• " " '• v/cst " " :j 
 unassigned, closing accounts for linal settle- 
 ment, under arrest, Ac., 4 
 " on Eorage duty, 5 
 " on duty as i'rovost Marshals, Exchange 
 
 Agents, <tc., A-.c, 
 
 •' Prisoners of Waj-, 3 
 
 " on general insjx'ction duly, 2 
 
 " on duty abroad, o 
 
 — 345 
 
rvy 
 
 Quartermasters with the rank of Captain : 
 
 Number in active service in the field, east of the 
 
 Mississippi river, 590 
 
 " on like duty, west of the Mississippi, 47 
 
 " Post and other duties east of the Mississippi, 128 
 u » .. u ^est " •' 18 
 
 " engaged in providing, inspecting and repair- 
 ing field transportation, east of the Mississippi, 42 
 " on like duty, west " " 3 
 
 " on Tax in kind duty, east " " 7l 
 
 " *' «' " west " " 14 
 
 " unassigned, closing accounts, (fee, 
 
 " on duty collecting and forwarding forage, «fec., 27 
 " Prisoners of war, 12 
 
 " on duty as Inspectors of Railroad transporta- 
 tion, 6 
 
 966 
 
 Total number, l3lC 
 
 RECAPITULATION. 
 
 Whole number of oflicers on duty with troops in the field, 842 
 
 " " on duty as Inspectors of Transportation 
 
 and collecting forage, 112 
 
 " " on duty in connection with the tax in kind, 96 
 
 " " on Post duty proper (including those in 
 
 charge of manufactories, purchasing sup- 
 plies, tfec.,) 223 
 
 " " Prisoners of War, 15 
 
 " of all others, 28 
 
 1316 
 
 It is deemed proper to add, that of those officers reported as on 
 post duty, a considerable number are known to be over forty-five 
 years of age; of the remainder not a few arc officers who have 
 been transferred from field to post duty, on surgeon's certificate of 
 disabilily for the former, wliich disability was caused, in many in- 
 stances, by exposure in the service, and in others by wounds re- 
 ceived either prior or subsequent to their appointment as qaarter- 
 jnasters. The policy of the Department has been to assign such 
 officers to ])0sts, relieving, at tlie same time when practicable, there- 
 from active and robust men wlio have been assigned to field duty to 
 supply vacancies. 
 
 Another class of officers on post duty, comprises those who have 
 acquired valuable experience in the discharge of important duties, 
 and whose familiarity witli the resources of the country and the 
 wants of the army, coml^ned with remarkable energy and efficiency 
 renders them almost indispensaltlo to the public service in their 
 present positions. 
 
 It may also be added that a number of the officers included in 
 
the foregoinp: summary, are known to he aliment- from their com- 
 mande on sick leavi^ and on fiirluuj^liH. 
 1 have the honor to be, very rcspcctriilly, 
 
 Your ohodictit servant, 
 
 A. H. LAWTON, (i. M. Gcneial. 
 
pH8.5