List of eighteen iron-clads an deighteen wooden vessels of 1864; showing average complement, number of days in commission, number of sick admitted, &c. a Destroyed by rebel torpedo in action of Mobile bay, Alabama, August 5, 1864. b Drowned. c From typhoid fever. d Drowned. e One of typhoid fever; one of heart disease; one of chronic diarrhoea, and one of concussion of brain. f One drowned by accident, and one drowned by suicide. g From disease. h Drowned. i Drowned. j One from disease; one from drowning. k From disease. From disease. m Ten from disease; three from injuries. n Accidentally shot. o From disease b Drowned. e From acute bronchitis. d One death from drownƒ Ten from disease, two drowned. g From pulmonary consump battle, one by accident. Aggregate of fevers, pleurisy, rheumatism, and debility, occurring on board iron-clads and wooden vessels of 1863, 1864, and THE MARINE CORPS. HEADQUARTERS MARINE Corps, SIR: I have the honor to report that during my recent absence upon duty I visited the marine posts at Portsmouth, Charlestown, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, and Norfolk, Virginia, and from personal inspection of the several commands take pleasure in saying that the order and discipline observed at each was alike creditable to officers and men; and though it has been my unpleasant duty several times during the past year to bring to the notice of the department the escape of prisoners under sentence of court-martial, I desire now to express the opinion that the escapes referred to were not in consequence of inattention to duty, but more from a want of appreciation of the ingenuity sometimes shown by prisoners in releasing themselves from confinement. I trust, however, the experience thus gained will enable us to guard against similar escapes in the future. The barracks at Portsmouth in process of re-construction at the period of my last report have since been completed, and now offer very comfortable quarters for officers and men. The out-buildings to which I then referred as being old and of wood, unsafe and unsuitable, were soon after torn down by authority of the department, and though much inconvenienced in consequence, I have not yet thought it advisable to direct special estimates to be submitted, with a view to replacing them, but have improved the premises as much as possible out of the annual appropriation for repairs of barracks. At some future time the subject of the construction of proper out-buildings will be brought to your notice. At Boston the quarters for officers and men are in good condition, but will require considerable painting to keep them in a proper state of preservation. At Brooklyn the barracks will require only the usual attention to repairs, to keep them in good order. The barrack-grounds have been much improved during the year, and though much is still to be done to make them conform to the present plan of improvement, their present condition and appearance reflects much credit upon the continued efforts of the commanding officer, to make them all that is desirable. The barracks at Philadelphia are too contracted to afford comfortable accommodation for the usual strength of that post, but until the question of a change of location of the yard is definitely settled, I do not deem it advisable to recommend any addition to, or enlargement of the building, but will endeavor to make such disposition of the forces ashore as will prevent too much crowding of the The building can be kept in its present condition without any reference to special appropriation. At Norfolk the quarters occupied by the troops, though of a temporary character, can be kept comparatively comfortable with the means at our disposal. If, however, it should be in contemplation soon to deprive us of these quarters, or if it has been fully determined by the department to re-establish the yard upon its former basis, it would then be desirable to submit to the department for consideration a plan for the construction of proper barracks, with a view to asking for such an appropriation as would be necessary for that purpose. In my last annual report, the fact of Congress not having passed the appropriation for constructing officers' quarters, guard-house, &c., at Mare island, California, was mentioned, and the hope expressed that the subject might again be brought to the notice of that body. The objection then presented to quartering officers and men in the same building is still entertained, and in view alone of the pernicious effects thus likely to be produced upon discipline, the department is asked to favor the legislation necessary to correct that evil, and at the same time give more comfortable homes to officers having to serve at such isolated points. During the past year the strength of the corps has not changed materially, the ordinary means of recruiting having been sufficient to replace the loss occasioned by special discharges and by expiration of service; and though the number of men on shore at present is somewhat greater than is usual, owing to the many vessels having guards aboard that have recently gone out of commission, this temporary accession to the shore force is well employed in being constantly instructed in the duties of soldiers, and in giving additional security to the vast amount of government property at the several navy yards. Most of the year, however, the greater part of the corps have been actively employed in the operations of the several squadrons, and have thus borne an humble part in the gallant deeds of the navy. In closing this brief report I desire to allude for a moment to the great struggle for the Union through which we have just passed, and in behalf of my corps tender my congratulations that during that struggle, and in the final triumph of the government over all its enemies, the navy has borne so honorable a part as to give it new claims to the confidence and support of a great and free people. Respectfully submitted by your obedient servant, Hon. GIDEON WELL.ES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. J. ZEILIN, Colonel Commandant. HEADQUARTERS MARINE CORPS, Paymaster's Office, September 30, 1865. SIR: I enclose herewith estimates, in triplicate, for pay and subsistence of officers, and pay of non-commissioned officers, musicians, privates, &c., of the United States marine corps, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1867. These estimates exhibit an increase of $66,201 50 over the sum appropriated for the present fiscal year; of which amount $51,201 50 will be required for payment of the increase in commutation for officers' rations and servant allowance, authorized by an act approved March 3, 1865, and $15,000 for undrawn clothing, rendered necessary by the advance in the price of clothing. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Colonel JACOB Zeilin, J. C. CASH, Paymaster Marine Corps. Commandant U. S. Marine Corps, Headquarters. A 11 |