170.] CINCINNATI, January 22, 1865.

Captain J. V. LEWIS,

Assistant Quartermaster, Cincinnati, Ohio:

Colonel McKim having expressed a desire that you should take supervision of the movement of the Twenty-third Army Corps from this place, and also a desire that proper authority should be given, you are hereby instructed to take general supervision, and see that the troops are properly and safely shipped on cars of the Hamilton and Dayton or Little Miami Railroad, via Columbus, and the Central Ohio to Bellaire. You will use great care in seeing that the proper orders for transportation are given, and that the Government receipts for no more transportation than is received. As soon as the entire transportation is completed you will please make a report to me at Washington of the number of troops and time moved, and everything of interest pertaining to the expedition.

By order of Quartermaster-General:

Very respectfully,

LEWIS B. PARSONS,

Colonel and Chief of Rail and River Transportation.

171.] CINCINNATI, January 23, 1865-6 p. m.

W. PRESCOTT SMITH,

Baltimore, Md.:

Following dispatch received from Captain Kelley at 2 o'clock; "Ice running heavy; quite a snow-storm; no boats running to-day. " In consequence of which I have ordered boats not to start till further news from Parkersburg. Shall get off 4,000 to-day by rail, and probably send as many more to-morrow. Coming at this rate I presume you can move them without trouble.

LEWIS B. PARSONS,

Colonel and Chief of Rail and River Transportation.

172.] CINCINNATI, January 23, 1865-6 p. m.

C. A. DANA,

Assistant Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.:

Four thousand men gone by rail to-day, making over 12,000. The following dispatch received from Captain Kelley, assistant quartermaster at Parkersburg, to-day: "Ice running heavy; quite a snow-storm; no boats running to-day. " In consequence of which I have ordered boats not to leave till further orders. I shall keep shipping by rail to-morrow. Trains all moving well through Ohio.

LEWIS B. PARSONS,

Colonel and Chief of Rail and River Transportation.

173.] CINCINNATI, January 23, 1865-7 p. m.

J. B. FORD,

Agent Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, Wheeling, Va.:

The ice is so bad I think we shall keep shipping to-morrow and next day by Wheeling. How many trains have arrived? Telegraph me every twelve hours how matters progress.

LEWIS B. PARSONS,

Colonel and Chief of Rail and River Transportation.