During the month of September, 1864, there died in the corral fifteen mules.  In October, six died.  In November, three; and in December, eight.  They were all two and three years old.

On the 1st of May, 1865, we had on hand four thousand and twelve head, and received, during the same month, seven thousand nine hundred and fifty-eight.  We issued, during the same month, fifteen thousand five hundred and sixty-three, leaving us on hand, on the 1st of June, six thousand four hundred and eighty-seven.  During this month we received seven thousand nine hundred and fifty-one, and issued eleven thousand nine hundred and fifteen.  Our mules during these months were sent out to be herded, and the total number of deaths during the time was twenty-four.  But two of them were over four years old.  Now, it occurs to me that it would be a great saving to the Government not to purchase any mules under four years old.  This statement of deaths at the corral is as nothing when compared with the number of deaths of young mules in the field.  It is, in fact, well established that fully two-thirds of the deaths in the field are of young animals under three years of age.  This waste of animal life carries with it an expense it would be difficult to estimate, but which a remedy might easily be found for.

Now, it is well known that when a mule has reached the age of four years, you will have very little trouble with him, so far as sickness and disease are concerned.  Besides, at the age of four he is able to work, and work well; and he also understands better what you want him to do.

The committee appointed to report on this subject say many mules have been lost by feeding on cut straw and corn meal.  This is something entirely new to me; and I am of opinion that more Government mules die because they do not get enough of this straw and meal.  The same committee say, also, that in no instance have they known them to be inflicted with disease other than inflammation of the intestines, caused by exposure.  I only wish that the members of that committee could have had access to the affidavits in the Quartermaster-General’s department—­ they would then have satisfied themselves that thousands of Government mules have died with almost every disease the horse is subject to.  And I do not see why they should not be liable to the same diseases, since they derive life and animation from the horse.  The mule that breeds closest after the jack, and is marked like him, is the hardiest, can stand fatigue the best, and is less liable to those diseases common to the horse; while those which breed close after the mare, and have no marks of the jack about them, are liable to all of them.