HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS,
February 28, 1863.

General S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Army of the Potomac:

GENERAL: There are now in the cavalry corps about 12,000 men, and 13,000 horses, present for duty. The last return showed 11,955 enlisted men and 13,875 horses. The line this force has to guard is but little less than 100 miles. One-third on duty at one time gives 40 men to the mile on post at one time, and one-third of these gives 13 to the mile on post at one time. Considering the condition of the roads, it is a good day's march to get out to the line and another to return, so that actually the horses are out one-half the time or more. Added to this the fact that frequently the whole cavalry force is in the saddle for several days together, and it will be perceived that but little more than one-third of the time is allowed the horses in which to recruit.

I consider it my duty to call these facts to the attention of the general commanding for his information, which I should have done before, perhaps, but for the thought that I might possibly be considered as complaining. Should the general consider it expedient to diminish the amount of duty at present being performed by the cavalry, either by weakening or contracting the lines as now established, or by substituting a system of patrols for stationary vedettes, or in any other mode he may prescribe, I shall most gladly do so, and consider that the interests of the service have been benefitted thereby.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEORGE STONEMAN,

Brigadier-General, Commanding Corps.

Abstract from consolidated morning report of the Army of the Potomac, Major-General Joseph Hooker, U. S. Army, commanding, for February 28, 1863; headquarters, camp near Falmouth, Va.

Present for duty

Command Officers Men Aggregate

present

General and staff 64 2 66

Oneida Cavalry

Company, Captain D.

P. Mann 2 32 35

Provost-guard,

Brigadier General 151 2,144 2,706

M. R. Patrick

Regular Engineer

Battalion, Lieutenant

Charles E. Cross 2 360 423

Volunteer Engineer

Brigade, Brigadier

General D. P. 31 802 976

Woodbury

U. S. Signal Corps,

Captain Charles S.

Kendall 22 69 126

Artillery Reserve,

Captain G. A. De 42 1,286 1,502

Russy

First Corps,

Brigadier General 955 15,482 20,171

J. S. Wadsworth

Second Corps, Major

General D. N. Couch 929 14,658 19,976

Third Corps,

Brigadier General 967 16,900 21,223

D. E. Sickles

Fifth Corps, Major

General George G. 798 14,862 18,830

Meade

Sixth Corps, Major

General John 1,132 21,682 26,617

Sedgwick

Eleventh Corps,

Brigadier General 660 13,337 16,643

A. von Steinwehr

Twelfth Corps, Major

General H. W. Slocum 637 11,446 15,160

Cavalry Corps,

Brigadier General 599 12,265 15,755

George Stoneman

First Massachusetts

Cavalry (Company F),

Captain T. L. Motley ....... ....... .......

Total 6,991 125,327 160,209

Command Aggregate Aggregate Pieces of

present and last return artillery

absent

General and staff 66 66 .....

Oneida Cavalry

Company, Captain D.

P. Mann 78 198 .....

Provost-guard,

Brigadier General 3,421 3,623 .....

M. R. Patrick

Regular Engineer

Battalion, Lieutenant

Charles E. Cross 474 471 .....

Volunteer Engineer

Brigade, Brigadier

General D. P. 2,073 2,085 .....

Woodbury

U. S. Signal Corps,

Captain Charles S.

Kendall 196 196 .....

Artillery Reserve,

Captain G. A. De 1,706 1,950 58

Russy

First Corps,

Brigadier General 28,166 27,903 52

J. S. Wadsworth

Second Corps, Major

General D. N. Couch 30,963 31,311 48

Third Corps,

Brigadier General 29,329 30,309 60

D. E. Sickles

Fifth Corps, Major

General George G. 26,411 26,749 42

Meade

Sixth Corps, Major

General John 34,618 35,004 60

Sedgwick

Eleventh Corps,

Brigadier General 20,996 21,250 42

A. von Steinwehr

Twelfth Corps, Major

General H. W. Slocum 21,252 21,495 34

Cavalry Corps,

Brigadier General 20,420 17,292 22

George Stoneman

First Massachusetts

Cavalry (Company F),

Captain T. L. Motley ...... 101 ......

Total 220,169 220,003 418