E. B. Babbitt to Montgomery C. Meigs, August 16, 1865

Quartermaster-General U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.:

General: In obedience to General Orders, No. 39, July 1, 1865, from the Quartermaster-General’s Office, I have the honor to inclose a report of my money transactions for the year ending June 30, 1865.

My last annual report was forwarded October 1, 1864. My duties during the past year have been confined to this immediate station. Ihe constant supervision of some forty-five posts, widely extended over an area of 1,500 by 600 miles, has left me no time for visiting any of the outposts in the department. Transportation of army sup¬ plies up and down the coast, up the Columbia, Colorado, and other navigable rivers, upon or near which we have military posts, is fur¬ nished promptly by the different lines of steamers and sail vessels, including our own excellent brig General Jesup. It is but necessary to say that the water transportation has been chiefly under the super¬ vision of Major Kirkham, quartermaster, to indicate that it has been promptly and efficiently performed, and with a constant refer¬ ence to all practicable economy. Our land transportation has been performed in part with our own six-mule teams and army wagons, in small part (as in the mountainous portions of the Humboldt district) by pack-mule trains, and upon the longer and principal routes by contract. Forage supplies in Arizona and Nevada during the past year have been very limited and the price very high. In most other portions of the late Department of the Pacific they have been abun¬ dant and much more reasonable in price. At the present period forage of all kinds, except on the extreme frontiers, is 100 per cent, lower than I ever before knew it to be in the Department of the Pacific. We are sufficiently provided with all necessary quartermaster’s stores. Excepting in some few articles, our supply of clothing is ample to meet our warts until the receipt of our annual supply from the East in October. The exceptions can be purchased here on very favorable terms. I have been greatly aided and the Government greatly bene¬ fited by the receipt of funds upon back estimates up to the 28th of February last, inclusive, by which many old claims were paid off, the credit of the Government better sustained, and purchases made on better terms for cash. Owing to the very considerable appreciation of “legal tenders,” I have been able to pay all claims three months ahead of my received estimates, and have been able to omit my esti¬ mate for funds for the month of August, instant. (See my letter of July 10, 1865.) In consideration of the prospect of active service among the Indians in parts of Nevada and Idaho, but especially in Arizona, I respectfully suggest the expediency of forwarding the amount of my estimates for March and April at an early date.

Respectfully submitted.