REPORT

The committee appointed under the resolution of Congress "To inquire into the organization and administration of the Medical, Commissary, and Quartermaster's Departments, and to report what changes in the laws and regulations are necessary and proper," beg leave to report, that after the passage of the resolution they called upon the Secretary of War and obtained his zealous cooperation, and, provided with letters from him, they visited the departments referred to, the principal army corps and posts, hospitals, and depots, every facility being afforded them by the officers in charge for the favorable prosecution of their inquiries.

QUARTERMASTER'S DEPARTMENT.

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Railroad transportation.--The amount of transportation required demands that every legitimate means should be used to increase the capacity of that branch of  the service, and for this purpose the committee recommend that military control be taken of the principal railroad routes terminating at or passing through Richmond, Nashville, Memphis, Atlanta, and all routes leading to the headquarters of our several army corps, which should be placed under the direction of an efficient superintendent, free from local interests, investments, or connection with special railroads. Great delay, inconvenience, and expense is caused by the numerous unconnected tracks, which, if joined by links, short in distance, would not only increase the facilities for transportation and the capacity of the roads, but would save much time, labor, and expense in transferring troops and freight.

There is a deficiency of rolling-stock on the most used and important railways and branches which could be remedied under a proper administration and distribution of stock, taken from roads where there is a superabundance, and adding where deficient, thus equalizing the supply throughout the Confederacy. Wherever desirable for the public defense, the same stock should pass over the longest available route, and when the width of the grades differ the roads should approach to proximity until a change of width would permit the connection to be perfected. With proper management the capacity of the principal routes can be increased to six trains each way per day, with an average speed of ten miles an hour, while the present transportation is not above two trains a day, and the rate of speed not more than six miles an hour.

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All of which is respectfully submitted.