here. What arrangements are made? How soon will the troops be ready to embark? Is there an ample number of boats up the Tennesse? About twenty-five more are at Paducah and here under orders to be ready to go up if required, and can start to-night if necessary. Do you take all your artillery, horses and guns? Please reply as fully as consistent. Say where another dispatch can reach you. It is best to take enough boats to mke the troops comfortable.

LEWIS B. PARSONS,

Colonel and Chief of Rail and River Transportation.

38.] CAIRO, ILL., January 16, 1865.

Colonel LEWIS B. PARSONS,

Chief of Rail and River Transportation, Cairo, Ill.:

Major-General Schofield directs me to inform you that boats now at Clfiton, Tenn., can bring down not over half of his command. He wishes boats enough sent up to accommodate 10,000 more. There are five mounted batteries to be embarked. Dispatches will reach me here until 7 p.m. ; after that at Louisville. I am on my way to Louisville to make arrangements for the transportation of the troops from that point east.

WM. J. TWINING,

Captain and Aide-de-Camp.

39.] LOUISVILLE, January 14, 1865.

Colonel LEWIS B. PARSONS:

Please telegraph me the decision in regard to taking mules and horses.

G. W. SCHOFIELD,

Lieutenant-Colonel, &c.

40.] WASHINGTON, January 15, 1865.

Colonel PARSONS:

Major-General Thomas telegraphed on the 11th that he would have Major-General Schofield's corps assembled at Eastport by yesterday. Of the artillery, the men alone are to be moved.

C. A. DANA.

41.] PADUCAH, January 16, 1865.

Colonel L. P. PARSONS:

I am directed, by command of Secretary of War, to send a cipher operator with you up the river. Please furnish him such accommodations as you can.

S. BRUCH,

Captain and Assistant Quartermaster,

Asst. Supt. U. S. Mil. Tel., Division of the Mississippi.