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

Colonel L. P. PARSONS,

Quartermaster, Cairo, Ill.:

COLONEL: By telegram from Captain Bruch, assistant quartermaster and assistant superintendent military telegraph, I amordered to report to you as "cipher" clerk and wait your further instructions.

I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN A. CASSELL,

United States Military Telegraph Operator.

43.] CAIRO, ILL., January 16, 1865-11. 30 a. m.

Commodore LIVINGSTON, Commanding,

Mound City, Ill.:

Can I have a convoy for fifteen trnaspors from Paducah to Eastport this evening? Time is important.

By order of the Quartermaster-General:

LEWIS B. PARSONS,

Colonel and Chief of Rail and River Transportation.

44.] MOUND CITY, January 16, 1865.

Colonel LEWIS B. PARSONS,

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

Have no vessel here fit to novoy. Apply to Lieutenant Saltonstall, U. S. S. Black Hawlk, at Paducah.

J. W. LIVINGSTON,

Commodore and Commandant Naval Station.

45.] CAIRO, January 16, 1865-3 p.m.

Captain WILLIAM J. TWINGING,

Aide-de-Camp, Odin, Ill.:

Your dispatch is received. I start for Paducah immediately. Expect to leave there in the morning. Everything looks well for compliance with your dispatch.

LEWIS B. PARSONS,

Colonel and Chief of Rail and River Transportation.

46.] CAIRO, January 16, 1865.

General ROBERT ALLEN,

Superivising Quartermaster, Louisville, Ky.:

Yours of this date received. I do not think we shall require all the Cincinnati boats, but for perfect safety they had best come down at once. I hope to leave paducah to-night.

LEWIS B. PARSONS,

Colonel and Chief of Rail and River Transportation.