Tuesday, November 20, 2012

1862 November 21 Deep Run 9.30 A.M.

    Hd.Qrs. Cavalry Division
                   Deep Run, Nov 21. 9.30 A.M.
To Major General Parke
        Chief of Staff--

General--
                 There has been no
signs of the enemy in our rear
& only a few cavalry pickets-
at the fords--on several of
the roads leading to the fords
the enemy has felled timber
across, showing they feared
us more than we have thought-
         The roads in this neighbor=
hood are so bad that this
command will not be able
to remain here much longer--
    The forage is eaten up &
my trains cannot supply forage
& subsistence too--In fact
since September my command
has been foraged on the country
it was in & required no train
                      for forage

[page 2]
The road from Harwood to this
place is now almost impassable
for wagons, & it is absolutely
necessary to remove this com=
mand nearer a depot of
supply to get subsistence alone.
             This creek, Deep Run I
am told is swimming after heavy
rains so I shall cross it as
soon as I can--I do not
think it is necessary to keep
pickets at the fords above this
creek a strong picket here is
sufficient--Please inform
me if I am authorized to with-
draw them? Infantry can
do this service much better than
cavalry for the country is wooded
& the river is very rocky--rendering
it difficult for horseman to
navigate in its vicinity--& with
no forage they will soon be reduced
to infantry-one of my wagon horses
died last night from the effects of the
                               storm
               

[page 3]
My command has only two days
rations & my wagons tho' they
started fro Belle Plain yesterday
will not be able to get back loaded
over the roads around here--
    Would it not be well
to establish a depot at the
town of Rappahannock & throw
the cavalry on the other side of
the river to forage there as
much as possible--at the
same time we can be scouting
towards the railroad to see
what the rebels are about?
   I shall do my best to
shelter the animals from this
storm--There's a great deal
of straggling behind the Army
& this also adds to the duties of
my cavalry--the cavalry of
each corps should keep its
own stragglers up & not
leave them for me to take care
                                  of

[page 4]

My ambulances have been
going constantly bringing up
sick infantry left behind
on the road--I mention these
things not as complaint but
for your information, that you
may understand the state of
the Servise[sic] & make the proper
corrections--

            I am, General, very respectfully
                         A. Pleasonton
                             Brig. General
                                   Comdg Cav: Division


[The dispatch book of General Alfred Pleasonton ends at this point]

MSS 495

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