Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 12.djvu/263

Rh ported by the dispositions of the navy. The total number of naval vessels in use was 588, of 4,443 guns aggregate, consisting of 46 ironclad steamers for coast service. 150 guns; 29 ironclad steamers for inland service, 152 guns; 203 sidewheel steamers, 1,240 guns; 198 screw steamers, 1,578 guns; 112 sailing vessels, 1,328 guns. The number of seamen in service was over 40,000. Six squadrons were kept along the Atlantic seaboard and the Gulf shores. One flotilla patroled the Mississippi river, and another occupied the Potomac and the James. Other squadrons were stationed on the Pacific coast, and a considerable number of vessels was employed in search of the bold cruisers and privateers who were destroying United States commerce. The squadrons on the Atlantic and the Gulf stood guard over Southern ports to enforce the blockade, in which duties they were often interrupted by bold attacks.

At the beginning of the campaign of 1864 the forces with which General Lee was preparing to meet Grant were, in round numbers, infantry 50,000, cavalry 8,700, artillery 4,850 the total of all arms present for duty not exceeding 64,000. These numbers had been reached since the official return of April 2oth, by the arrival of the divisions of Longstreet. The army then numbering 64,000 of all arms was composed of the First corps, Longstreet; Second corps, A. P. Hill; Third corps, Ewell; cavalry corps, J. E. B. Stuart, containing the divisions of Hampton and Fitzhugh Lee; and the Maryland Line, Gen. Bradley T. Johnson. This force was called the army of Northern Virginia.

The army of the Potomac under General Grant, as reported by the secretary of war, had on May 1st present for duty 120,380 of all arms, which number was increased by the arrival of the Ninth corps, 27,780 strong, to the great force of 141,160 men of all arms a few more than