BEGINNING OF THE THIRD SESSION OF THE FORTY-SECOND CONGRESS.

VOLUME II.

BOSTON

Ex. Doc. 1,
Part 2.

THENEU

WASHINGTON:

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.

18,72.

REPORT

OF

THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS.

REPORT

OF

THE CHIEF
CHIEF OF ENGINEERS.

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, Washington, D. C., October 19, 1872. SIR: I have the honor to present for your information the following report upon the duties and operations of the Engineer Department for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1872:

OFFICERS OF THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS.

The number of officers holding commissions in the Corps of Engi neers, United States Army, at the end of the fiscal year, was 103 on the active list and 7 on the retired list; the latter, however, under the law of January 21, 1870, not being available for duty. In the duties devolving upon the corps by law, and its organization, the employment of a number of scientists and civil assistants has been necessary.

Since my last report the corps has lost by death, retirement, and resignation, three officers, namely: Major Nicolas Bowen, died July 11, 1871; Major Frederick E. Prime, retired September 5, 1871, and Major Junius B. Wheeler, resigned October 10, 1871, to accept the position of professor of military and civil engineering at the Military Academy. There have been gained by transfer under the provisions of the act of June 10, 1872, six lieutenants.

On the 30th of June, 1872, the officers were distributed as follows:

On duty, office of the Chief of Engineers, including the Chief..
On duty, projection and construction of fortifications....

On duty, construction of fortifications and light-house duty...

On duty, construction of fortifications and river and harbor works, and surveys for

....

same...

On duty, construction of river and harbor works and surveys for same.

On duty, construction of river and harbor works and light-house duty, and surveys for same

On duty, survey of northern and northwestern lakes....

On duty, explorations of country west of Rocky Mountains.

Ou duty with battalion of Engineers...

On duty public buildings and grounds, District of Columbia..

Off duty, sick......

Detached, on duty with generals commanding divisions, departments; Light-House establishment; Military Academy; and survey of northern boundary-line under State Departmeut .......

...

Total.......

The officers detached were on duty as follows:

Colonel I. C. Woodruff, engineer third and fourth light-house districts....
Major George H. Elliot, engineer-secretary to the Light-House Board.
Major J. W. Barlow, on staff of Lieutenant-General commanding Military Division
of the Missouri..

Major P. C. Hains, engineer fifth and sixth light-house districts..