REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR; BEING PART OF THE MESSAGE AND DOCUMENTS COMMUNICATED TO THE TWO HOUSES OF CONGRESS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SECOND SESSION OF THE FIFTIETH CONGRESS. IN FOUR VOLUMES. VOLUME IV. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1888. LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL SIGNAL OFFICE, WAR DEPARTMENT, SIR: I have the honor to submit herewith the Annual Report of the Chief Signal Officer for the year ending June 30, 1888, and in compli ance with War Department circulars of August 12 and November 13, 1886, I certify that all the matter contained in this annual report and the appendices submitted therewith is necessary and relates entirely to the transaction of public business of this Bureau, and that the publication of the same is necessary for the good of the service, and will greatly improve as well as facilitate the performance of current work. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, The Hon. SECRETARY OF WAR. WAR 88-VOL IV— -1 A. W. GREELY, |