B. F. Davis to McClure, March 6, 1863

Major McCLuRE, Commanding Outpost of First Cavalry Brigade:

Mayor: The colonel commanding directs that you send to these headquarters to-night a sketch showing your picket-line, the position of your small and main reserve, and all the various roads leading to and from your position. He also desires that, in addition to patrolling the Telegraph road, as heretofore requested, that you patrol all the roads leading toward the enemy, so as to obtain reliable information of what is going on in front. These patrols are to be sent out often, especially at night, and on the best horses.

Orders from division headquarters require the line thoroughly observed and patrolled; and the colonel directs that if your present force is not sufficient, you make application for the number which you may consider necessary.

The colonel commanding expects that your command will meet with no disgraceful surprise, such as occurred the other day in the Eighth New York.

very respectfully,