Annual Report (or Report) of the Secretary of War

the Missouri; Brevet Major W. J. Twining, department of Dakota; Brevet Major C. W. Howell, department of Missouri, who was succeeded by Brevet Captain C. B. Phillips; Brevet Captain L. C. Overman, fifth military district, who succeeded Lieutenant L. M. Haupt, resigned; Lieutenant M. B. Adams, department of the Platte, who succeeded Lieutenant R. W. Petriken, resigned; Lieutenant George M. Wheeler, department of California. In addition to the above, Captain C. W. Raymond was temporarily assigned to duty in the division of the Pacific for the purpose of an exploration of the Yukon River, Alaska, some eight hundred or nine hundred miles above its mouth.

COLORADO OF THE WEST.

The continuation of the exploration of this river above Calville, Utah, has been postponed in view of the enterprise now in progress under the direction of Professor Powell, the results of whose examinations may have an important bearing upon the further survey of the river, if indeed it should be undertaken. The rapid examinations made by Professor Powell in descending the river may show that little or no practical value will result from the attempt to improve the portion of the river hemmed in within the deep cañons extending from a point somewhat above the junction of the Green and Grande rivers, forming the Colorado River, to a point not far above Calville, on the Colorado.

Below the latter locality it may be important to the mining region in southern Nevada to offer better facilities of communication by way of the river than are now possessed. The results of Lieutenant G. M. Wheeler's exploration, now in progress from the White Pine Mines to the head of navigation on the Colorado, may furnish the necessary information in relation to this subject.

FROM SIERRA NEVADA TO THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.

The geological and topographical exploration of the territory between the Sierra Nevada and the Rocky Mountains, including within its limits the route or routes of the Pacific Railroad under the direction of Mr. Clarence King, has been successfully conducted by him. He reports the results of the exploration subsequent to the close of the last season's operations as follows:

The topography and geology eastward to Salt Lake have been nearly completed; five latitude stations well connected with the system of triangles have been established; three good longitude stations are completed. The topographical and geological work at the close of last season covered a belt one hundred miles wide and over five hundred miles long. The results furnish the proof of a geological unity of structure in the whole zone of ranges west of Salt Lake.

During the winter Mr. King and his assistants were occupied with the reduction of the field work, the examination of ores, &c., and the preparation of the reports. In the spring of this season he resumed operations on the Promontory, Tangent, and Wasatch ranges, and the survey of Salt Lake. The party will move eastward and complete the survey of the hills as far as the Green River divide. The closing labors of the party, Mr. King reports to be especially fruitful in valuable results: first, in relation to the extent of the coal formation; secondly, in the data bearing upon the question of the great Cordillera mountain system; thirdly, in the evidences of immense glacier systems in the Uintah Mountains, and of coincidence with the greater European mountain chains. The collections in natural history are rich and complete.

MISCELLANEOUS.

MAPS OF TERRITORIES, MILITARY DEPARTMENTS, AND DISTRICTS. The recompilation of the map of the territory between the Mississippi River and the Pacific Ocean has been completed, and the map has been extensively distributed. The information obtained from surveys and reconnaissances made since the preparation of the present edition of the map will be promptly compiled and reduced for engraving, and a new edition will be issued. The changes will be mostly embraced in Nevada, Utah, and Arizona Territories, although additional information is expected from most of the military departments and districts where surveys of reservations and military routes are in progress under the direction of the officers at the headquarters of these departments and districts. The limited means at the disposal of these officers have restricted them to ordinary reconnaissances of the country, rather than absolute surveys.

A new map, covering the entire territory of the United States between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, has been compiled and engraved, designed both for military and geographical purposes. The map, in the former sense, indicates the military departments, districts, and posts. The want of a map of this character has been felt for a long time, and it is believed that this want will be satisfactorily met by this map.

MAPS OF CAMPAIGNS AND BATTLE-FIELDS.

The preparation of the campaign maps has been in progress, and the engraving of portions of them has been completed, and of others is in progress.

Brevet Brigadier General Michler is charged with the preparation of the maps of the campaigns of the armies of the Potomac and James, and Colonel Edward Ruger, late of the volunteers, with those of the western armies. The re-survey of the battle-field of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, has been commenced, and has progressed satisfactorily. (See Appendix Y.)

ESTIMATE OF SURVEYS FOR MILITARY DEFENSES.

There will be required for continuing the surveys relating to permanent sea-coast defenses, explorations, surveys, and reconnaissances in the interior, and the collection of topographical and other information of the country occupied by military forces, for the compilation, engraving, printing, and distribution of maps, including campaign maps, the sum of $200,000.

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS.

In the labors of the office I have been assisted by the following officers in charge of its five divisions:

FIRST DIVISION.-Fortifications, &c., Lieutenant Colonel J. D. Kurtz, brevet colonel United States Army.

SECON DIVISION.-Battalion and depots, lands, armaments, personnel, dc., Major T. L. Casey, brevet colonel United States Army.

THIRD DIVISION.-River and harbor improvements, &c., Major J. G. Parke, brevet major general United States Army.

FOURTH DIVISION.-Property, accounts, estimates, funds, &c., Major W P. Craighill, brevetlieutenant colonel United States Army.

FIFTH DIVISION.-Survey of the lakes, explorations, maps, instruments, dc., Lieutenant Colonel I. C. Woodruff, brevet brigadier general United States Army.

ON SPECIAL DUTY.-Experiments relating to iron shields and counterpoise gun carriages, Captain W. R. King, brevet major United States Army.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. A. HUMPHREYS,
Brig. Gen. and Chief of Engineers,
Commanding Corps of Engineers.

The ADJUTANT GENERAL of the Army.

APPENDIX.

APPENDIX A.

Extract from the annual report of Brevet Colonel J. B. Wheeler, corps of engineers, upon the lake harbor improvements in his charge.

UNITED STATES ENGINEER'S OFFICE,

Milwaukee, Wis., August 31, 1869. GENERAL: I have the honor to submit this my annual report of the operations and progress of the works under my direction, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1869.

In the amounts reported as unexpended on June 30, 1869, at each harbor, I give the sums due the harbor from the appropriations and allotments, as shown by my books at that date. Of course there were liabilities incurred previous to that date which reduce these amounts considerably.

In conclusion, I would again urge the great importance to these harbors of consistent and uniform action in appropriating money for these works. I would, therefore, repeat the remarks made on this and other subjects in my report for 1868.

During the year I was relieved by Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Farquhar, captain of engineers, in obedience to orders from the Chief of Engineers, of November 10, 1868, of the works on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, in the State of Michigan, excepting New Buffalo. By orders of the same date, Captain Mackenzie was relieved from duty with me.

Captain Cuyler reported to me in December, 1868, and was assigned to the charge of the harbors of Superior City, Ontonagon and Eagle Harbor, in place of assistant Henry Bacon, who resigned his position to resume the practice of his profession in Indiana. With these exceptions the organization of my office and duties of my assistants remain substantially the same as heretofore given. Annexed is an abstract of all contracts made by me during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1869; also a recapitulation of the amounts required for completion, and for the next fiscal year. It is well to state that the word completion is relative, meaning the completion of a given plan.

My sincere thanks are due to the General commanding, and the officers at the headquarters of the corps of engineers, for the promptness always shown in replying to my requests and requisitions.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

J. B. WHEELER.

Major of Engineers, Brevet Colonel, and Superintending Engineer.

Major General A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Chief of Engineers, &c.

Abstract of contracts made during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1869.