partisans operating in this vicinity, furnishing their own horses and arms. What shall I do with them? Answer soon. Am killing off bushwhackers gradually, and have taken about 20 Confederate prisoners.

EDWARD M. McCOOK,

Colonel, Commanding.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington City, August 17, 1863.

Major General LOVELL H. ROUSSEAU,

Washington, D. C.:

GENERAL: The proposition* submitted by you to-day for mounting division upon mules, subject to the approval of Major-General Rosecrans, and arming them with Spencer or Sharps rifles, is favorably considered by this Department; and its efforts will be directed to accomplish that object as speedily as it can be effected consistent with the engagement of the service. Directions will be given to the Ordnance and Quartermaster's Departments to make investigation, and report in regard to the practicability of furnishing the arms and mules, and the period within which they can be procured. As soon as these reports are received they will be considered, and you will be notified of the result.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington City, August 17, 1863.

Brigadier General M. C. MEIGS,

Quartermaster-General:

GENERAL: You will please report to this Department the practicability of furnishing 5,000 mules for the purpose of mounting infantry in General Rosecrans's army-the mules to be of large size, suitable for such service-with an estimate of the probable expense and the time within which they can be furnished.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Washington City, August 17, 1863.

Honorable E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

SIR: As requested this morning, I inclose copy of a letter# from General Rosecrans to the General-in-Chief in relation to the supply of horses and mules to the Army of the Cumberland between 1st December, 1862, and 27th April, 1863. By this it appears that between these dates this army received by transfer, capture, or pur-

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* See Rousseau to Stanton, Series I, Vol. XXIII, Part II, p. 598.

# See Series I, Vol XXIII, Part II, p. 281.

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