Alfred Pleasonton to Seth Williams, June 22, 1863

Brig. Gen. S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant-General, Army of the Potomac:

GENERAL: I have the honor to state for the information of the commanding general that, in the various engagements in which my command has been since the 8th instant, it has lost very heavily in both men and horses, some 800 of the latter being killed and wounded, besides those that have been rendered unfit for service by the very hard labor to which they have been necessarily subjected, so that it will take at least 1,500 horses to supply the losses of the last fourteen days.

As an example of the reduction in numbers, I would state that, when the Reserve Brigade, consisting of the First; Second, Fifth, and Sixth U. 8. and Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry, went into action on the 21st instant, it only numbered 825 men, the remainder of the men of this brigade being either dismounted or at the mouth of the Monocacy with Captain McKee, who has or should have 1,100 men. Under these circumstances, I have the honor to request that Captain McKee’s command and all other effeetive men of this command may be ordered to join me at once, and that prompt measures may be taken to supply the number of horses that I need.

I beg most respectfully to impress upon the commanding general the necessity of sending me re-enforcements, to supply the losses in battle and the withdrawal of the regiments with Generals Hancock and Slocum, in order that I may successfully engage the enemy, who, I cee cleny reason to believe, has massed his whole cavalry force in my front.

If it is deemed necessary that a force from this corps should remain on the Upper Potomac, I would request permission to relieve Captain McKee by a regularly organized force, but would respectfully suggest that some of the cavalry which is in Washington may be put upon that duty.

In conclusion, I would most respectfully and earnestly request that my force may be augmented by some regiments drawn from other commands, at least until I shall have been able to scatter or destroy the enemy’s cavalry, which now so largely outnumbers me.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,