The Indianapolis daily herald., 1865-12-23
Report of General Meigs, Quarter.
master General.

The cost of the army the last year of the war
was four hundred and thirty-one millions,
seven hundred and six thousand fifty seven
dollars and forty -four cents. From this report
we learn, says the New York Tribune,
That our Government during the war had
at IT. command over 10000 miles of railroads.
Of this, l,i69 miles were exclusively military,
and managed by the Quartermastcr's Depart
ment. During the last year of the war there
were 6,22s miles Of telegraph but as an illus
tratlon of how the armies swayed backward
and forward-never, however, swaying beyond
the grasp of the electric wire-he tells us that
there were 1900 miles abandoned. torn down,
and reconstructed during hOstiities The IA
cility with which these roads were put down
and wires put up may be learned from the
fact, which General Meigs mentions with nat
ural pride, that the Etowah bridge, 625 feet
long and % feet high, was built in six DAYS,
while the Chattahoochee bridge, 40 feet long
and 80 feet high. was built in four days.
During che last year We used PA, l02 horses
and %. SIS mules. These poor. dear creatures
were hardly ridden, especially when the mer-
ciless genius Of sheridan controlled the cavsl-
~ Of the Potomac. How fearfully he rode his
men will be appreciated when it il known
that horse did not last a man more than four
months, and that his army had TO be remount-
Ell three times year. To feed these horses.
when in Grants army. cost 81, OO0, 900 month.
Fifty years ago the whole Government did not
cost more than what was last wear paid for
forage for the horses Of one Of its armies. Ii
our readers are anxious TO know how much
the horses of an army eat General Meies will
inform them. During the war we gave them
nearly 23,0o,OOO bushels Of corn, about 49,
VO,VOO bushels Of oats, more than so. 400
tons of hay. and II 900 tons Of straw This
does not include what was gathered from the
country. twas enough, Heaven knows. for
il cost Us over Sl55. oOO.0o0. Horrible life and
blood exhauster, War. How many schools
this would have built, how many miles OF
railroad 20 the Pacific,
During the last year SIO5. OI9. 4O6 was paid
for clothing and equlpage. The boys were well
clad aud shod They had about 400 900 jackets.
but. being much on their feet, insisted upon
having over 100000 each Of trowsers
drawers, and flannel shirts They were well
protected. too. rs tncle sam gave them l. .f6-
03i wooden blankets 10 keep of the dew, and
rain and snow. Nor were they allowed 10 be-
thirsty for over l.Ou0.OOa of cantsens We're
strapped To their knapsacks- Between 2D,o go
AMI S.Ooo.Uuo OF boots and shoes kept the stones
from cutting their feet. while al least .0aD 900
Of stockings kept their ever-tramping feet easy
and warm. About 2,oo,O00 of knap.acks and
hlverSacAs held their food and clothing. A.
they marched. their country glory was re-
ieeted from 10000 hsgs. while their hearts
We're made merry by the musicof 400 fifes the
shrill call q 40OO bugles. and the rolling II
nearly lG.0oe drums.
e ieti we cannot IouoW the thread or the
Quartcrmasier Generals interesting narrative
without writing an editorial a. long a. his Re-
port. lie giNe- u one or two thoughts which
SIRE full uf truth and even poetry Men ,ay
Napoleon reYolutiouiZcd modern war Gene
raj Meig> shows Ia that stephenson and Morse
and Watt have revsuti0nizci the strategy of
Napoleon. Hereafter new agencies must be
considered. aud the peocefdl engineer who
run, h. road through hill and valley Law.
down military lines OF attack and defense He
give orders 20 future Napoleons. The last
idea we shall take from the report i an argu-
meni on behalf q a Pacific railroad. To carry
a bushea II Germ ever The plsins A. far As
tab. by the present method, costs the Gov
eminent about Sl1, and the movement. Of mill
tary stores over the plains last year amounted
10 more than So.oo0.oOO. This j. alone the in
tercsi on Sleo.ooOoco. - that the item II
military supply alone would almost build the
road. Tan W. make my better argument"