the spirit of your orders to do so. I shall therefore remain for the Arago, which leaves Hilton Head next Monday, the 9th. I have already had an opportunity to meet Generals Slocum, Howard, and numerons other officers of rank, and am very much pleased with the spirit and feeling which seems to pervade with all. Every day the mag- nitnde of results of Shermans great march, combined with Hoods dis- comfiture, impresses itself more and more upon me. I think we shall see daylight this coming spring. At the time Ii left City Point I was about renewing my examinations of the Fort Clifton lines in view of an enterprise upon them. I feel, however, as if matters were approaching a certain result with such strides that it is inexpedient to run risks, and perhaps lose men on uncertainties. Still, circumstances might occur which would render such an enterprise expedient. If Major Michie gets his pile bridge done in a week or ten days we shall have some fifty more available boats for such an operation. I presume I shall reach City Point on the 12th. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. G. BARNARD, Brevet Major- General, d~e. HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE Mississi~~i, Maj. Gen. M. C. MEIGS, AS1avannah, Ga., January 2, 1865. Quartermaster- General U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.: GENERAL: I wrote you on the 30th ultimo* in regard to sending to this place sixty days grain for 35,000 animals; also requesting you to send me six very light-draught steamers and twenty Schuylkill barges. I am now instructed by General Sherman to say that he contemplates a very important move, and desires the sixty days grain and subsist- ence for 70,000 men for sixty days sent forward as rapidly as possible, one-half the grain and one-half the subsistence (thirty days) to be sent into Wassaw Sound in steamers drawing not over twelve feet of water, and the other half to Hilton Head in such vessels as can be procured, but the lighter they are the better. T~iere is but thirteen feet water from Wassaw Sound to this place, at the highest tide. It is important in selecting the vessels that as many as possible be fixed upon that have capacity and conveniences for carrying animals, and I request that they may be selected with that view. Time is a very important consideration, and I suggest that such sail vessels as it may be neces- sary to use in this work be towed by the steamers in order to save as much time as possible. Send all grain and no hay. Harry forward all the clothing and other stores I have asked for as soon as possible. The sixty days grain will be required at the commencement of the move. In addition to this we must have grain to last us until that time, say fifteen days. The light steamers and barges asked for in my letter of the 30th ultimo I still require. The animals of this army are in great jeopardy at present for the want of grain, as but little has as yet arrived, and the animals have been without for several days. Grain should be pushed forward with the utmost dispatch. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, L. C. IEASTON, Brevet Brigadier- General and Chief Quartermaster. *~ee Vol. XLIV, p. 837.