HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF
THE POTOMAC,
October 25, 1862.
(Received 12 m.)
Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK,
General-in- Chief:
The following is an extract from the report of Col. Robert
Williams, First Massachusetts Cavalry, late of Regular United States Dragoons,
now commanding a detachment of cavalry on duty with General Newton's division,
at Cherry Run:
I have in camp 267 horses, belonging
to officers and men; of these, 128 are positively and absolutely unable to
leave the camp, from the following causes, viz, sore-tongue, grease, and
consequent lameness, and sore backs. For example, the Fifth U.S. Cavalry has
now in camp 70 horses; of these, 53 are worthless from the above causes. Out of
139 horses, the remainder, I do not believe 50 can trot 80 miles. The other
portion of my command, now absent on picket duty, has horses which are about in
the same condition, as no selection, unless absolutely necessary, has been
made. The number of sore-back horses is exceedingly small. The diseases are
principally grease and sore-tongue. The horses, which are still sound, are
absolutely broken down from fatigue, and want of flesh. I will also remark that
the men in my command are much in want of clothing.
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major-General
SOURCES: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of
the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume
19, Part 2 (Serial No. 28), p. 484-5
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