that selections of the best mounted men from the different commands be made for the purpose. In such service as the troops are called upon to perform in a raid or in covering a retreat, every man who is dismounted by his horse giving out falls into the hands of the enemy and swells the list of our losses. They very best horses should, therefore, be used on this service.

Should a raid be contemplated at this time in the direction of James River or Lynchburg, a strong diversion in its favor should be made by an attack of the enemy in force, or a demonstration to his opposite flank, for he is watching us closely; his cavalry force at this time is considered as large-and by some of the division commanders larger-than ours, and no raid could succeed if attacked and compelled to fight at its outset.

To prepare and start a raiding party after a general action has commanded, and when the enemy's attention is diverted, would be much more favorable for its success.

I am, very respectfully,

A. PLEASONTON,

Major-General, Commanding.

ARTILLERY HDQRS., ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

October 25, 1863.

General R. O. TYLER:

GENERAL: I have received your report of the means of transportation for the Artillery Reserve, by which it appears that there are on hand a total of 254 wagons. I cannot understand whether the 20 wagons mentioned by Colonel Morford as belonging to the ammunition train, but used by him in the supply train, are included in the 254. They should have been turned over to the ammunition train.

By reference to the chief quartermaster of this army, he reports to me the following as the allowance of wagons for the Reserve Artillery on October 1:

Seven six-gun batteries, including siege. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Ten four-gun batteries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Supply train for them, 3 wagons each. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

(This manifestly excludes Huntington's. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5)

Headquarters Artillery Reserve and supplies for employes. 7

Four brigades, including hospital. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Sixth New York Foot Artillery, baggage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Hospital. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Supplies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Ammunition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

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Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

This is exclusive of artillery ammunition wagons. Ammunition train required for the guns in the reserve, viz, 28 light 12-pounders, 25 rifles, 6 20-pounders, 16 10-pounders, 8 siege guns to complete the prescribed number of rounds.

For 28 light 12-pounders, 122 rounds each. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

For 41 light rifles, 3-inch and 10-pounders,

2,050-140 rounds,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

20-pounders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Siege guns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

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79