REPORT OF PUBLICATION OF WAR RECORDS. WAR DEPARTMENT, WAR RECORDS OFFICE, To the SECRETARY OF WAR: SIR: I have the honor to report progress in the publication of the military records of the War of the Rebellion since my report of October 12, 1881. The examination and copying of the files of the Union records for 1861-1865 is almost completed, and the book records for 1864 are now being searched. The examination of the Confederate book records for 1863-1865, and of the files pertaining to these records for 1864, is progressing. Volumes III, IV, and V, Series I, of the Official Rebellion Records, have been given to the public; Volume VI is now being bound; the index to Volume VII is in the hands of the Printer, and the book will doubtless be issued before Congress reassembles. The text of Volumes VIII, IX, X, and XI has been stereotyped, and the stereotyping of Volume XII is nearly completed. The cost of printing and binding the volumes already issued has been: The composition, stereotyping, &c., of volumes still in the hands of the Printer has cost: I, Series IV. Indexing, proof-reading, &c., for the fiscal years 1880-1882* * Under current appropriation this expense is provided for in the allotment for salaries. The expenditures of this office for salaries and incidental expenses during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1882, have been as follows: The War Department agent for the collection of Confederate military records continues to be successful in obtaining valuable documents. A memorandum of his collections during the past twelve months is submitted herewith. Some of the documents thus reported are duplicates of those already in the possession of the Government, and are therefore of no special value; but there are yet many original documents relating to the war scattered about the country, and I recommend that the agency for collecting them be maintained while yielding, as it now does, a commensurate return. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, ROBERT N. SCOTT, Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel, U. S. A. [Inclosure.] Memorandum of Confederate military papers received by Marcus J. Wright, Agent of the War Department, from October 17, 1881, to September 12, 1882. October 17, 1881. From General Joseph E. Johnston: Book of telegrams sent from May 9 to August 21, 1863. October 23, 1881. From Mrs. Hampton: Diary of Maj. Henry Hampton of General Hood's Tennessee campaign. October 26, 1881. From General T. T. Munford: Roster of Munford's brigade and official correspondence. November 9, 1881. From General Samuel Jones: Telegrams, letters, lists of casualties, &c., November to December, 1864. November 10, 1881. From Maj. W. A. Goodman: Letters, orders, and dispatches of Generals Forrest and Chalmers, February to May, 1865. November 11, 1881. From Capt. Hugh T. Douglas: Daily reports of August 5, 1864. November 14, 1881. mining operations in front of Petersburg, Va., from July 13 to From John D. Martin, esq.: Battle reports and correspondence (Martin's brigade), September, 1862. December 15, 1881. From Col. Thomas L. Snead: Book containing roster of Missouri State Guard; book containing roster Army of the West; roster field and staff Missouri State Guard; official reports (twelve in number) of battle of Lexington, Mo., September 20, 1861; official reports (nine in number) of battle of Wilson's Creek, Missouri, August 10, 1861; General Hindman's report of Prairie Grove, December 7, 1862; letters, telegrams, orders, &c., of General Price, 1861-1862. January 15, 1882; March 28, 1882; May 18. 1882; September 12, 1882. From Mrs. M. Pemberton: Battle reports, correspondence, and routine office papers of General J. C. Pemberton from his entrance into the Confederate Army to the surrender of Vicksburg, July 4, 1863; copies from official letter-books, order-books, and telegraph-books having previously been obtained. April 18, 1882. From Southern Historical Society, Richmond, Va. : Six official reports of the battle of Gettysburg, July, 1863. April 18, 1882. From O. L. Cottrell: Orders and correspondence of Confederate Conscript Bureau, April 21, 1882. From General William B. Bate: Official report of General W, B. Bate of the battle of Missionary Ridge, November, 1863. May 11, 1882. From Capt. W. L. Ritter: Muster and pay roll of Ritter's battery of artillery, February, 1865; correspondence, telegrams, &c., 1864-1865; diary of Capt. W. L. Ritter. May 15, 1882. From General L. McLaws: Battle reports, correspondence, telegrams, returns, and routine office papers covering the entire period of service of General McLaws in the Confederate Army. May 19, 1882, From H. W. Archer: Reports of battles (four), correspondence, telegrams, &c., of General J. J. Archer. May 22, 1882. From General H. P. Bee: Report of battles of Mansfield, La., and Pleasant Hill, by General H. P. Bee. July 1, 1882; August 8, 1882. From Dr. William M. Polk: Letters, telegrams, and returns of General L. Polk. August 29, 1882. From Col. T. A. Faries: Orders Trans-Mississippi Department, 1864-1865. The catalogues of these papers embrace several hundred pages. They are not intended to be set out here in detail, but only briefly mentioned. WASHINGTON, October 19, 1882. MARCUS J. WRIGHT, Agent of War Department. |