Alfred Pleasonton was a United States Army officer and major general of volunteers in the Union cavalry during the American Civil War. He commanded the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac during the Gettysburg campaign, including the largest predominantly cavalry battle of the war, Brandy Station. In 1864, he was transferred to the Trans-Mississippi theater, where he defeated Confederate General Sterling Price in two key battles, including the Battle of Mine Creek, the second largest cavalry battle of the war, effectively ending the war in Missouri. He was the son of Stephen Pleasonton and the younger brother of Augustus Pleasonton.
July 4, 1862. Camp at Harrison’s Landing, James River, Va., July 4, 1862. GENERAL: [ have the honor to submit the following report of services of my command, the Second…
July 4, 1862. Camp at Harrison’s Landing, James River, Va., July 4, 1862. GENERAL: [ have the honor to submit the following report of services of my command, the Second…
HEADQUARTERS SECOND CAVALRY, Camp at Harrison’s Landing, James River, Va., July 4, 1862. GENERAL: [ have the honor to submit the following report of services of my command, the Second…
Yorktown, August 20, 1862. GENERAL: Having finished the march from Haxall’s to this place, I have the honor to submit the following report of the service performed by my command…
HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE OF CAVALRY, Yorktown, August 20, 1862. GENERAL: Having finished the march from Haxall’s to this place, I have the honor to submit the following report of the…
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY BRIGADE, December 2, 1862. December 2, 1862. COLONEL : Colonel Gregg, at King George Court-House, reports that a squadron of his regiment, detached and doing duty at Leeds’…
HEADQUARTERS OAVALRY BRIGADE, December 3, 1862. December 3, 1862. GENERAL: Another detachment of some 15 men have returned from the squadron at Leeds, with Lieutenant Baker in charge. This party…
HEADQUARTERS CAVALEY BRIGADE, December 4, 1862. December 4, 1862. GENERAL: Your dispatch of this date received. In answer, I beg to inform you that I sent the Eighth New York…
HEADQUARTERS CAVALEY BRIGADE, December 4, 1862. December 4, 1862. GENERAL: Your dispatch of this date received. In answer, I beg to inform you that I sent the Eighth New York…
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, Jume 11, 1863. Jume 11, 1863—7.15 p. m. Major-General BUTTERFIELD, Chief of Staff: Your dispatch of 5.30 p. m. received. Deserters state that the enemy have 60,000…
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY DIVISION, January 12, 1863. January 12, 1863. COLONEL : I have the honor to report the disposition of the troops composing this command during the operations of the…
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, June 6, 1863. June 6, 1863. Brigadier-General BUFORD, Commanding, near Warrenton Junction: Send all your transportation, excepting the pack-mules and one wagon to each regiment, to depot…
FIELD ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, June 6, 1863. No. 1. Warrenton, June 6, 1863. * * * * * * * III. Until further orders, the First Division and Reserve…
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, June 7, 1863. June 7, 1863—9 a. m. General S. WILLIAMS, Adjutant-General, Army of the Potomac: Have arrived at this place, Warrenton Junction. The command under Duffié…
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, June 10, 1863. June 10, 1863. Major-General STUART, Commanding Cavalry Forces, C. S. Army: GENERAL: I am anxious to obtain information as to the condition of a…
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, June 11, 1863. June 11, 1863—6.30 p. m. Major-General HOOKER, Commanding Army of the Potomac: Two deserters from Robertson’s cavalry, just in, report they were in the…
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, June 11, 1863. June 11, 1863—11.30 a. m. Major-General HooKER, Commanding Army of the Potomac: Have just reviewed my cavalry. They arein fine spirits and good condition…
GENERAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, June 11, 1863. The following arrangement of the Cavalry Corps will take effect as soon ag practicable : I. The First Division will be composed…
PLEASONTON’S HEADQUARTERS, June 12, 1863. June 12, 1863—6 p. m. General D. BUTTERFIELD, Army of the Potomac: Your dispatch of 3.20 p. m. received. There is no news of the…
BEALETON BEALETON, June 12, 1863. General PLEASONTON: Iam near Bealeton, and my command will be in camp by night. Have sent a force to occupy the fords. Can you spare…
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, June 12, 1863. June 12, 1863—10 p. m. Major-General REYNOLDS, Commanding First Army Corps: GENERAL: General Pleasonton directs me to inform you, in compliance with instructions just…
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, June 13, 1863. June 13, 1863—2 p. m. Major-General BUTTERFIELD, Chief of Staff : Your dispatch of 1 p.m. received. The instructions contained therein will be carried…
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, June 13, 1863. June 13, 1863—2.50-p. m. Major-General REYNOLDS, Commanding at Bealeton: Your dispatch received. Thismakes three brigades out, and I have only three left to support…
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, June 13, 1863. June 13, 1863—6 p. m. Major-General REYNOLDs, Commanding at Bealeton: All quiet at Sulphur Springs and Waterloo at 10.30 a. m., when my scouts.left.…