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Whenever an opportunity has afforded, our batteries have been located, intrenched, and handled in the most skilful manner.
Quite brisk artillery duels transpired after our investment of Savannah, where my attention was particularly called to the artillery of the command, and when I have had occasion to admire the skill and bravery of its officers and men.
Major E. Whittlesey, Judge-Advocate of the department, has afforded me substantial aid by carefully revising all the courts-martial and records of military commissions, beside doing ably other important duties connected with different departments of the service.
Captain D. H. Buell, Chief of Ordnance, receives my commendations for his carefulness in regulating the ordnance supplies in such manner as to occasion me no trouble or anxiety.
Captain E. P. Pearson, Jr., Commissary of Musters, assisted me heartily, in various ways, during the campaign, and always has performed the duties of his department with fidelity and the clearest apprehension of its requirements.
My Chief Quartermaster, Colonel J. T. Conklin, has performed cheerfully all the duties devolving upon him, omitting no exertion to secure animals and forage as needed.
My Chief Commissary, Lieutenant-Colonel David Remick, has anticipated the wants of the command, and regulated the supply in such manner that no real want has been felt by any soldier of this army during our lengthy campaign.
I commend him for cheerfulness, fidelity, and ability in discharging the duties of his department.
Captain D. W. Whittle, Assistant Provost-Marshal General, receives my hearty approbation for his activity in discharging the public duties of his department; for his careful record and disposition of prisoners, and for his unremitting attention to the comfort and interest of myself and staff, while acting in his capacity of Commandant of Headquarters.
No department of this army has been better conducted on this campaign than the Medical.
To Assistant-Surgeon D. L. Huntington, Acting Medical Director, is due great praise for his diligence and eminent success.
To him and to Dr. Duncan, the staff surgeons, the officers and soldiers at headquarters of the army are indebted for all the medical aid they require.
Major C. H. Howard, Senior Aid-de-Camp, is commended for his diligence in causing my orders to be executed; in bearing despatches by perilous and distant routes; and for affording me the sympathy and moral support of one who identifies himself completely with the interests of the service.
Captain W. M. Beebe, Acting Aid-de-Camp, receives my thanks for his generous assistance, being ever anxious to undergo any risk or perform a gallant action.
Captain F. W. Gilbreth, Aid-de-Camp, is always at the post of duty, and has spared no pains to carry my orders promptly, and see them executed.
Lieutenant E. Blake, Staff Quartermaster and Commissary of Subsistence, has shown himself remarkably efficient, and has often received my special thanks.
Captain E. H. Kirlin, Chief of Scouts, has carefully reconnoitred the country, through Captain William Duncan and the other scouts, and kept me well advised of the movements of the enemy.
Lieutenant J. A. Gladen has cherfully aided me, writing at my dictation, bearing despatches, and keeping important records.
My recommendations for the promotion of general and staff officers have already been for-warded, and will be found separate, in duplicate, accompanying this report.
The General-in-Chief has been enabled, under a providential care not to be mistaken, to conduct our noble army, thus far, to results that one year ago seemed scarcely possible of attainment.
He has secured our complete confidence, and therefore it may not be improper for me to express the faith that it is our mission, under his direction, to give the finishing blow to this hated rebellion.
Please find accompanying this, a statistical record for the campaigns.
Respectfully,
O. O. Howard, Major-General.
