We have to sift a variety of reports before reaching the truth and that you may compare the foregoing statements with such as may be derived from other sources is the object of this letter.

I am, with great respect, your obedient servant,

R. E. LEE

General.

Abstract from report of companies of artillery, Third Corps, Colonel R. L. Walker commanding, for April 9, 1864; headquarters Camp Taylor.*

Present for duty.

Batteries. Office Men Aggrega Aggrega Servic

rs te te eable

present horses

and .

absent.

G. M. Patterson's + 3 130 148 175 50

H. M. Ross' + 4 132 148 166 75

J. T. Wingfield's + 4 127 149 164 63

William K. Donald's# 3 72 81 110 33

William B. Hurt's# 2 94 111 152 34

M. Johnson's 2 89 103 129 56

[Clutter's] #

R. S. Rice's # 2 107 124 156 52

T. A. Brander's @ 2 66 86 132 26

Thomas Ellett's @ 2 65 80 127 18

Joseph McGraw's 2 85 106 155 32

[Cayce's] @

E. A. Marye's @ 2 84 93 139 27

W. E. Zimmerman's@ 2 66 80 96 25

A. W. Utterback's || 4 47 60 82 35

George Ward's 3 82 94 127 59

[Richards'] ||

A. B. Williams' || 4 93 110 147 60

J. W. Wyatt's || 2 83 97 134 36

C. R. Grandy's \\ 3 88 110 137 28

V. Maurin's \\ 3 87 99 145 37

J. D. Moore's \\ 3 76 92 136 24

N. Penick's \\ 3 72 92 114 26

H. R. Garden's ** 4 57 67 98 53

J. N. Lamkin's ** 2 107 115 128 -

J. R. Pott's ** 4 100 114 157 54

J. A. Ramsay's ** 3 127 136 182 78

In hands

G u n s. of enemy.

Batteries. Napo 3- 10- 20- 24- Offi Men

leon inch poun poun pou cers

s rifl der der nde

es Parr Parr r

otts otts how

itz

ers

G. M. Patterson's + 2 - 2 - - - -

H. M. Ross' + 2 - 3 - - - -

J. T. Wingfield's + - 2 - 2 - - 7

William K. Donald's# - - - - 1 1 10

William B. Hurt's# 2 - - - - - -

M. Johnson's 2 2 2 - - - -

[Clutter's] #

R. S. Rice's # 4 - - - - - -

T. A. Brander's @ 3 - - - - - -

Thomas Ellett's @ - 2 - - - - -

Joseph McGraw's 4 - - - - - 13

[Cayce's] @

E. A. Marye's @ 2 2 - - - - -

W. E. Zimmerman's@ - 3 - - - - -

A. W. Utterback's || 2 - - - - - 6

George Ward's 4 - - - - - 3

[Richards'] ||

A. B. Williams' || 1 2 1 - - - 4

J. W. Wyatt's || - - 2 - - - 2

C. R. Grandy's \\ 1 1 1 - - - 3

V. Maurin's \\ 3 - 1 - - - 5

J. D. Moore's \\ - - 4 - - - 3

N. Penick's \\ 1 2 - - - 1 3

H. R. Garden's ** 3 - 1 - - - -

J. N. Lamkin's ** - - - - - - -

J. R. Pott's ** 2 - 2 - - - 1

J. A. Ramsay's ** 2 1 3 - - - -

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF WESTERN VIRGINIA,
April 9, 1864.

General R. E. LEE,

Commanding, &c.:

GENERAL: I received your communication of the 4th instant, inclosing a letter from a deserter in Floyd County to a soldier in your command, and am fully impressed with the importance of the views expressed. I regret that I cannot immediately carry out your wishes in regard to this matter. The great scarcity of forage has compelled the dismounting of nearly all of the cavalry of this department and the horses are some distance to the south of this place. I have, indeed, no mounted men, except the few in my front, whose places

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*Original signed by Colonel R. L. Walker and Assistant Adjutant-General Richard Walke.

+Cutt's battalion.

#McIntosh's battalion.

@Pegram's battalion.

||Poague's battalion.

\\Richardson's battalion.

**Haskell's battalion.

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