NEW YORK, August 25, 1846. SIR: The "Neptune" sailed yesterday, having on board the ponton train, (about 60 tons,) 64 wagons, and some 15 or 16 soldiers, with their stores. She took on board 140 tons coal, in all (exclusive of fuel) about 3,000 barrels. She will touch at Charleston for additional fuel, (say 50 or 60 tons,) and, without accident, will make Point Isabel in 12 days. The harness did not come in time to get on board. Captain Clark informs me that a quantity of extra harness is on board the "Edith," to sail this evening. THOS. B. EASTLAND, Maj. Gen. THOMAS S. JESUP, Washington. [Extract.] QUARTERMASTER'S OFFICE, GENERAL: Your order of September 23, in duplicate, one via Louisville and one via Nashville, were both received last evening at same time. My arrangements are made to execute the order for horses and teamsters with as much despatch as possible. Major General T. S. JESUP, NATHL. ANDERSON, Quartermaster U. S. Army. Quartermaster General, Washington, D. C. MEMPHIS, October 10, 1846. GENERAL: 1 commenced the purchase of horses under the order of department of 22d September, on 7th instant; up to last evening I purchased 142 horses, which are all ready for shipment as soon as I can get a boat, which, owing to low water, I find difficult. I enclose a transcript of my purchases, to which I refer for prices paid. I was compelled to stop purchasing in consequence of not being able to procure stabling for more horses until Monday next. I have engaged 48 teamsters, which I shall send off with the horses on Monday, if possible, or on first boat that I can charter. The purchase of mules will be commenced as soon as I can arrange for taking care of them upon favorable terms. The Missis sippi is extremely low, and the supply of corn and hay very limited and prices high. Ours is a cotton country, and our planters raise but little surplus, which renders it difficult to take care of stock. NATHL. ANDERSON, Quartermaster U. S. Army. Major General TH. S. JESUP, MEMPHIS, October 15, 1846. GENERAL: I have completed the purchase of 200 horses ordered, and enlisted the fifty teamsters, and got them shipped on yesterday, by the steamer Bulletin, to Colonel Hunt, deputy quartermaster general at New Orleans. On Monday I commenced the purchase of mules, which I shall hold in reserve here, as ordered. Major General TH. S. JESUP, NATHL. ANDERSON, Quartermaster General, Washington city. MEMPHIS, TENN., October 16, 1846. GENERAL: On the 15th instant I advised you that I had shipped, on the 14th instant, two hundred horses and 50 teamsters to Lieutenant Colonel Hunt, at New Orleans, under your order of 22d September last. I now enclose one of the contracts under which they were shipped on board the steamer Bulletin and flat boat in tow. You will also find the contract as made and signed by the teamsters, with my agreement, on the part of the United States, at bottom. I have given extensive notice of the purchase of mules, as per order of the 27th September, and shall commence buying on Monday, 19th instant. Owing to the great advance in cotton, and all the products of the western country, the price of mules have advanced considerably; but I shall use every exertion to purchase, at as moderate prices as possible, mules suited to the service, and hold them subject to further instructions. NATHL. ANDERSON, Quartermaster United States Army. Major General TH. S. JESUP, Quartermaster General, Washington. MEMPHIS, October 21, 1846. GENERAL: I have just received a letter announcing the loss of 58 horses which were shipped by the steamer Bulletin, and her boat in tow, on 14th instant. There were also lost six bales of hay and five buckets; (I suppose there was about one ton of hay.) As soon as I can obtain a copy of the protest of the boat, and further particulars, I will report more fully. General Jesup and Captain Hetzel were here on the 20th, and I reported the fact (then verbal) of the loss of the horses, &c., and inquired whether the lost horses should be duplicated. The general said he would write from New Orleans. I have purchased about 90 mules, under the order of the 27th September for 200 to 400 mules to be bought and held in reserve here. If the order is to be extended to the full number of 400, it will require an additional remittance. The mules bought are full size, well broke, and of suitable age for service. They average in cost about $80 to $82. NATHL. ANDERSON, Quartermaster United States Army. Major General Th. S. JESUP, Quartermaster General, Washington. MEMPHIS, TENN., November 6, 1816. SIR: On the 21st October I addressed the department advising the loss of 58 government horses, shipped by the steamer Bulletin, and flat boat in tow, on the 14th October last. I now hand enclosed a certified copy of the protest of the steamer Bulletin, made on 17th October lost. Also the certificate of Wm. F. Allen, agent quartermaster's department appointed by me, and . who was in charge of the 200 horses and 50 teamsters shipped by the steamer Bulletin, and flat boat in tow, on 14th October last. I also hand you enclosed duplicate receipt of Lieutenant Colonel T. F. Hunt for horses, forage, &c., delivered by Wm. F. Allen, agent, on 19th October last. You will perceive that 58 government horses were lost Ly the accident to the flat boat. An agent was left with authority to search for and receive any of the horses that might escape by swimming ashore, and send them to Lieutenant Colonel Hunt, New Orleans. I have as yet no report of the recovery of any horses after the steamer left. NATHL. ANDERSON, ASSISTANT QUARTERMASTER GENERAL U: S. A. [Extract.] Washington city. MEMPHIS, November 7, 1846. SIR: I have to inform you that, under the order of the department of 27th September to purchase 200 to 400 mules, "and hold them in reserve at this place or vicinity," I have purchased 270 mules of proper size and age, well broke, which are ready and subject to the future orders of the departient. Should you wish the purchase of mules continued until 400 are purchased, it will require an additional remittance to enable to do and I shall have to go to some other point to purchase, or ap point an agent or agents to do so, as I believe I have purchased. nearly every mule suited to the service to be found here. NATHL. ANDERSON, Quartermaster United States Army. ASSISTANT QUARTERMASTER GENERAL, Washington city. MEMPHIS, TENN., December 16, 1846. COLONEL: I have the honor to enclose agreement with Captain. A. W. Tufts, of steamboat Sultana, for transportation of 150 horses, 40 teamsters, &c., from this city to New Orleans, as per orders from Major General T. S. Jesup, quartermaster general United States army; also the agreement with the teamsters for six months' service. I also enclose the agreement made with 56 teamsters employed and sent off with Captain Harry Toulmin, assistant quartermaster, with 350 mules, en route for Camargo or Matamoras, Mexico; all by order of Major General Jesup. NATHL. ANDERSON, Major and Quartermaster United States Army. COL. HENRY STANTON, Assistant Quartermaster General U. S. A., Washington city. MEMPHIS, TENN., December 24, 1846. COLONEL: I have the honor to enclose roll of 35 teamsters, enlisted and sent to New Orleans on yesterday, 23d; also contract with steamer Bulletin for transportation of 50 horses and the 35 men, to be delivered to Lieutenant Colonel T. F. Hunt, deputy quartermaster general, New Orleans; sent in charge of A. J. Harry, esq., agent appointed by me. You will also find bill of lading per steamer Bulletin for 3 boxes, containing 24 riding saddles, 18 bridles, 13 surcingles, 7 common tents, 6 camp kettles, and 12 mess pans, received from Captain Harry Toulmin, assistant quartermaster United States army, now en route to Mexico, via Little Rock, Arkansas, in charge of 350 mules purchased by me here. NATHL. ANDERSON, Major and Quartermaster United States Army. Col. HENRY STANTON, Assistant Quartermaster General U. S. A., Washington city. MEMPHIS, December 31, 1846. COLONEL: I have the honor to enclose roll of 20 teamsters, and contract for transportation and subsistence of 21 teamsters by the steamer Sultana, Captain A. W. Tufts, consigned to Lieutenant Colonel T. F. Hunt, deputy quartermaster general, New Orleans. One of the teamsters, Richard N. Graham, was enlisted on 1st December, and left with Captain Toulmin and the 350 mules for Mexico, but was taken sick and left on the road. He has reported. to me, and I thought best to forward by way of New Orleans. I still have to employ 100 teamsters to complete the last order of Major General T. S. Jesup, quartermaster general. NATHL. ANDERSON, Major and Quartermaster United States Army. Col. HENRY STANTON, Assistant Quartermaster General, U. S. A., Washington city. MEMPHIS, January 7, 1847. COLONEL: I have the honor to enclose roll of 25 teamsters employed by me, and, forwarded by steamer Bulletin, Captain Church, to Lieutentant Colonel T. F. Hunt, deputy quartermaster general, New Orleans, by order of Major General Jesup, quartermaster general. One of the teamsters included in the 25 will report to Colo nel Hunt, at New Orleans, which will explain why only 24 are reported on board the Bulletin. NATHL. ANDERSON, Major and Quartermaster United States Army. Col. HENRY STANTON, Assistant Quartermaster General, U. S. A., Washington city. OFFICE W. R. IMPROVEMENTS, SIR: In accordance with instructions from the quartermaster general United States army, of which I herewith send you a "copy extract," I have made the requisite preliminary arrangements for the construction of two light draught steamers for service in the Rio Grande. Triplicates of the contracts entered into for this purpose on the 14th ult., and to be concluded in due form as early as practicable in the current month, also drawings explanatory of the principal parts and dimensions of said boats, will be prepared and forwarded as early as practicable. In the meantime I take leave to request that funds for the prosecution of the work of construction during the current month, and to the amount of ten thousand dollars, (which is one-half of the probable cost of both of said boats, exclusive of rigging and other |