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Captain J. W. Barlow, brevet lieutenant colonel United States Army.During the year staircase bastion C has been raised to the height of 39.78; the adjoining pier completed; the south end of parade wall of curtain III raised to 39′.58, and that of the west end of curtain II to 38′.33. The last main arch and drain of curtain III and the remaining two of bastion C have been turned. The second floor arches of one suite of rooms in the quarters, and the roofing of curtain III and bastion C, have been completed. The terreplein of the former and a part of the latter have been filled with earth. The stone facing of the west salient of cover-face has been raised to its full height, and the coverface embanked with earth.

It is proposed to replace the wooden floors of curtains I and V, and bastions A and E, with masonry; rebuild counterscarp, and make some other necessary repairs.

Appropriation asked for the next fiscal year, $65,000.

Fort Knox, Bucksport, Penobscot River, Matne, in charge of Lieutenant Colonel George Thom, brevet brigadier general United States Army, and Lieutenant Colonel James C. Duane, brevet brigadier general United States Army. During the past fiscal year the exterior slope of the north covered way was rebuilt with a stone facing of rough granite to a reference of eight feet below the interior crest, and repairs of the northern and western exterior slopes of the northeast place-of-arms were completed.

Appropriation asked for the next fiscal year, $25,000.

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Fort Popham, mouth of Kennebec River, Maine, in charge of Lieutenant Colonel George Thom, brevet brigadier general United States Army, and Lieutenant Colonel James C. Duane, brevet brigadier general United States Army. The appropriation for this work having been exhausted, operations were suspended and no expense, except for the care and preservation of the work, has been incurred. At the close of the year ending June 30, 1869, a board roofing was built over the unfinished casemates of the fort to protect them against the weather.

Appropriation asked for the next fiscal year, $25,000.

Fort Gorges, Portland Harbor, Maine, in charge of Lieutenant Colonel George Thom, brevet brigadier general United States Army, and Lieutenant Colonel James C. Duane, brevet brigadier general United States Army.— During the past year the two magazine traverses on the gorge, and the bomb-proofs on fronts I, IV, and V, of the barbette tier, were completed. On the completion of these operations-the appropriation having been exhausted-fronts II, III, IV, and V, and the angles I-VI and V-VI, as well as the finished bomb-proofs and magazines, were covered with a substantial board roofing for protection against the weather. One hall and six rooms in the quarters were finished during the year. Appropriation asked for the next fiscal year, $25,000.

New Fort Preble, Portland Harbor, Maine, in charge of Lieutenant Colonel George Thom, brevet brigadier general United States Army, and Lieutenant Colonel James C. Duane, brevet brigadier general United States Army. During the past year the magazine traverse in the south battery was completed. The excavation for the new magazine in the old inclosed work was executed; the foundation walls built, and the walls of the magazine carried up to the spring line of the arches. A portion of the parade in the rear of the water fronts was filled in. Scarps A and B (new fronts of old inclosed work) and gun platforms and recesses were pointed. A considerable quantity of stone was dressed for the maga zine, and the brick barracks in the inclosed work were demolished. Appropriation asked for the next fiscal year, $50,000.

Fort Scammel, Portland Harbor, Maine, in charge of Lieutenant Colonel George Thom, brevet brigadier general United States Army, and Lieutenant Colonel James C. Duane, brevet brigadier general United States Army.During the year magazine traverse C in the main work was built and the excavation for the drains leading from the magazine was completed. The site for magazine traverse B has been excavated.

Appropriation asked for the next fiscal year, $50,000.

Fort McClary, Portsmouth Harbor, Kittery Point, Maine, in charge of Lieutenant Colonel J. G. Foster, brevet major general United States Army. No work has been done during the fiscal year except the receipt of materials previously contracted for, and guarding and preserving the materials and machinery on hand.

Appropriation asked for the next fiscal year, $75,000.

Fort Constitution, Portsmouth Harbor, New Hampshire, in charge of Lieutenant Colonel J. G. Foster, brevet major general United States Army. No work performed except guarding and preserving the machinery and materials on hand.

No appropriation asked for the next fiscal year.

Fort Warren, Boston Harbor, Massachusetts, in charge of Colonel H. W. Benham, brevet major general' United States Army.-The work of the fiscal year comprises the completion of the masonry and earth-work of the bomb-proof traverse of the cover face of front 2. The repairs of the casemate leaks in the officers' quarters, at each flank of front 3; the repairs of several land slides on the ravelin, upon cover-face of the gorge, (front 3,) and on the interior, below the ramps; the commencement of extensive repairs of leaks over casemates of front 2; the rebuilding of a carpenter's shop, and the essential completion of the rebuilding of the quarters of the engineer workmen. It is very important that this fine work, occupying so favorable a position for the defense of the anchorage of Nantasket Roads and the main outer channel, should be prepared, at as early a day as practicable, for as many of the most powerful sea-coast guns as can, with adequate protection, be placed in it without too great cost. A project for its modification in accordance with this view has been prepared. It is proposed to modify the principal barbette earthen batteries of the work in a manner to furnish emplacements for a large number of heavy guns, with the requisite magazine traverses and parados for protecting them against enfilade and reverse fires.

Estimated cost of modifications, $402,400. Appropriation asked for the next fiscal year, $200,000.

Long Island Head, Boston Harbor, Massachusetts.-The United States having, under the act of Congress approved March 28, 1867, acquired possession of this headland, well situated for the defense of Broad Sound and the main ship channel, it is proposed to construct upon it a barbette earthen battery for heavy guns, with the requisite magazine traverses and parados.

Estimated cost of battery, $175,000. Appropriation asked for the next fiscal year, $175,000.

Fort Winthrop, Boston Harbor, Massachusetts, in charge of Colonel H. W. Benham, brevet major general United States Army.-The operations at this work during the year have comprised the completion of the long bomb-proof tunnel-way, connecting the tower ditch and the south battery with its covering of asphalt and earth, and the construction of a bomb-proof traverse opposite the entrance to the tunnel (to protect it) on the south battery. The grading and sodding of the earthen counterscarp slopes on the north and west sides of the tower were finished, and

the grading of these slopes on the remaining sides has been nearly completed. The open covered way, or stairs, between the south and southwest batteries, has been constructed, and the surplus earth arranged in a parapet embankment for further protection. Several earth slides of the traverse slopes have been repaired, and the earthen parapet of the west front of the work around the tower has been commenced. It is expected that the whole west half of this outwork, except its breast-height wall, will be completed during the present working season. It is proposed to construct a sea-wall to protect the bluff in front of the east battery, and to arrange the covered ways of the keep for the reception of a battery of very large guns; to fit the east battery for a like armament, instead of its present artillery; to make similar alterations of the south and west batteries, and to provide new and modify existing magazines, traverses, and parados of the work, for the reception of larger supplies of ammunition, and for the better protection of the work against reverse or enfilade fire.

Estimated cost of the modifications, $138,000. Appropriation asked for the next fiscal year, $138,000.

Fort Independence, Boston Harbor, Massachusetts, in charge of Colonel H. W. Benham, brevet major general United States Army.-The work of the year has been essentially as follows: The construction of a magazine to the southeast exterior battery, and the completion of the bomb-proof traverse adjacent, with the regulation of the ground near; the repair of the slopes of the northwest exterior magazine, and the temporary protection of the southeast shore by an "apron" facing of rough stone. Plans for the modification of this work have been prepared. It is proposed to substitute for the present barbette armament a number of the largest guns, thoroughly protected by traverses, parados, and parapets of increased thickness.

Estimated cost of modifications, $106,000. Appropriation asked for the next fiscal year, $106,000.

Permanent defenses at Provincetown Harbor, Massachusetts.-The preparations of a project for the defense of this harbor will be undertaken by the board of engineers for fortifications as soon as practicable.

No appropriation asked for the next fiscal year.

Fort at Clark's Point, New Bedford, Massachusetts, in charge of Captain J. A. Smith, brevet major United States Army, and Major D. C. Houston, brevet colonel United States Army.-The work on this fort during the past year has been as follows: The first and second tiers have been completed, except quarters; the mastic covering of roof surfaces and magazines has been completed; the three barbette magazines have been finished excepting the wood work; the breast height wall, parapet and terreplein of gorge, and the two rectangular stair towers have been completed, the roof of one being occupied by the lantern of the lighthouse placed there during the year; the two circular stair towers have been temporarily roofed and windows closed; the iron railings in front of magazine doors have been constructed and put up with one exception, and the pointing of the entire masonry completed. The amount estimated to complete the work, exclusive of additional batteries, for which plans have been prepared, is $50,000.

Appropriation asked for the next fiscal year, $50,000.

Fort Adams, Newport Harbor, Rhode Island, in charge of Major D. C. Houston, brevet colonel United States Army.-The work on this fort has consisted in building shot beds, repointing masonry, uncovering and asphalting two arches in west front, repairing terreplein on east front, repairing sea-wall in front of fifteen-inch gun battery in southwest

cover-face, completing new guard-house in place-of-arms east front, refacing embrasures of west front, repairing permanent wharf, making new postern gates, repairing water-closets and pumps, building in southeast bastion, earth closets and urinal for soldiers' use, and hot-bed for drying earth for same, lackering iron railings and repairing sidewalks in main work, together with general repairs. The work contemplated for the year ending June 30, 1870, will consist in completing the earth-closets for soldiers' use, repairing brick embrasures of the fort, repointing the masonry where necessary, and making such other repairs as are necessary for the preservation of the work. To construct permanent quarters for officers, and effect necessary repairs and alterations of the fort, an appropriation is desired.

Appropriation asked for the next fiscal year, $150,000.

Defenses of Dutch Island, western entrance to Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, in charge of Major D. C. Houston, brevet colonel United States Army. The operations on these works during the past fiscal year have consisted in altering the upper barbette battery to adapt it to an armament of fifteen-inch guns, constructing two service magazines, completing permanent wharf, repairing buildings, boats, and temporary wharf, and grading and draining in rear of fifteen-inch gun battery. No appropriation asked for the next fiscal year.

Fort Trumbull, New London Harbor, Connecticut, in charge of Major D. C. Houston, brevet colonel United States Army.-The work at this fort during the year has consisted in repointing the parade wall, and in the care of the work by a fort-keeper.

No appropriation asked for the next fiscal year.

Fort Hale, New Haven Harbor, Connecticut, in charge of Major D. C. Houston, brevet colonel United States Army.-Nothing beyond making and hanging a gate at the entrance to the reservation has been done during the year. The work has been cared for by a fort-keeper. No appropriation asked for the next fiscal year.

Fort Schuyler, East River, New York, in charge of Major H. L. Abbot, brevet brigadier general United States Army.-Operations during the past year have been confined to completing the work on the new magazines, and gun platforms of the cover-face, to making necessary modifications of the casemates of the second tier to adapt them to receive the new iron carriages of the eight-inch guns, to supplying the main magazines of the fort with wire gauze gratings and galvanized iron shutters, and to minor repairs. The appropriation for the work is entirely exhausted. It is proposed to extend the casemates of the water fronts of the main work so as to admit of a sufficient terreplein for heavy guns with their magazine traverses, behind: earthen instead of the present stone parapets, to arrange the cover-face for additional fire, to provide splinter proof traverses in the place of arms, to place a battery on the glacis at the north end of the covered way, and to erect a new battery with magazine traverses and parados beyond the glacis.

Estimated cost of these modifications, $308,000. Appropriation asked for the next fiscal year, $160,000.

Fort at Willet's Point, eastern entrance to New York Harbor, in charge of Major H. L. Abbot, brevet brigadier general United States Army.-The funds available for this work being nearly exhausted, operations have been restricted to preparing the foundations for a large storage magazine, to fitting up a service magazine for the reception of powder, and to caring for the property on hand. The experiment of employing soldiers of the batallion of engineers upon the work has been tried to a limited extent with success. It is proposed to construct upon the bluff

an earthen barbette battery for heavy guns with the necessary magazine traverses and parados. Estimated cost of battery $180,000. Appropriation asked for the next fiscal year, $180,000.

Fort Columbus, Governor's Island, New York Harbor, in charge of Major N. Bowen, brevet colonel United States Army, and Lieutenant Colonel John Newton, brevet major general United States Army.-Operations have consisted in the repair of the glacis, the slopes, roads and banks, the drawbridge, magazines and engineer buildings, and in making a new portcullis. It is proposed to construct an earthern barbette battery for heavy guns, with its magazine traverses on the glacis of the work, at an estimated cost of $104,000.

Appropriation asked for the next fiscal year, $104,000.

Castle Williams, Governor's Island, New York Harbor, in charge of Major N. Bowen, brevet colonel United States Army, and Lieutenant Colonel John Newton, brevet major general United States Army. The brick floors of the ground tier have been relaid, the casemates of upper tier, galleries and railings of second and third tiers, terreplein of barbette tier and magazines, repaired.

No appropriation asked for the next fiscal year.

Fort Wood, Bedloe's Island, New York Harbor, in charge of Major N. Bowen, brevet colonel United States Army, and Lieutenant Colonel John Newton, brevet major general United States Army.-The pavement of the sallyport has been relaid, and the masonry of the sea-wall pointed. It is proposed to modify the exterior earthen battery of the work for the emplacement of heavy guns with their magazine traverses, at an estimated cost of $32,000.

Appropriation asked for the next fiscal year, $32,000.

Fort Hamilton, New York Harbor, in charge of Lieutenant Colonel Jno. Newton, brevet major general United States Army.-The work during the past year has consisted in altering embrasures on the east and north fronts, pointing scarp and counterscarp walls, rebuilding a portion of counterscarp wall, filling, grading, and sodding slopes in front of same, and in making several necessary small repairs.

New Battery near Fort Hamilton, New York Harbor, in charye of Lieutenant Colonel John Newton, brevet major general United States Army.— During the year the north and south magazines have been completed, with the exception of some work at entrances; nine magazine traverses have been finished; 3,464 lineal feet of drain built; 991 lineal feet of rubble sea-wall rebuilt; 3,407 square yards of slopes repaired and sodding re-laid. It is proposed to construct an additional earthen barbette battery, with magazine traverses for heavy guns, below the channel front of Fort Hamilton, and to extend the existing battery to supply additional emplacements for guns of like caliber, at an estimated cost of $135,000.

Appropriation asked for Fort Hamilton and batteries for the next fiscal year, $92,000.

Fort Wadsworth, New York Harbor, in charge of Major Q. A. Gillmore, brevet major general United States Army.-The only operations at this work, during the past year, were the removal of three hundred and thirty cubic yards of earth, which washed down into the road from the main slope, in rear of the fort.

No appropriation asked for the next fiscal year.

Fort on site of Fort Tompkins, New York Harbor, in charge of Major Q. A. Gillmore, brevet major general United States Army.-Operations at this work were confined to the completion of the south soldiers' latrine, the construction of drains, and the general repairs upon the slopes in

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