George Stoneman to A. J. Alexander, February 12, 1863

No. 4. February 12, 1863.

I. The artillery now serving with this corps will be assembled together and parked at some point, hereafter to be determined, in the vicinity of the depot at the mouth of Aquia Creek, and as near the railroad as circumstances will permit, and will constitute the Artillery Brigade serving with the corps, and the senior artillery officer present for the duty will command the brigade. He will see that his batteries are at all times in complete order for field service, and will hold them constantly in readiness to move at a moment’s notice. An officer will be detailed to act as acting assistant quartermaster and acting commissary of subsistence, who wiH use every endeavor to keep the brigade well supplied with everything necessary to make it efficient, and at all times available, being particular to keep at all times a supply of forage constantly on hand.

I. I. The cavalry of the corps will be organized and commanded as follows:

First Division, Brigadier-General Pleasonton commanding.—Highth New York, Sixth New York, Ninth New York, Eighth Ilinois, Eighth Pennsylvania, Seventeenth Pennsylvania, Third Indiana, and First Maryland (one squadron).

* Telegraphed by Fry to Hooker, February 19, 1863.

Second Division, Brig. Gen. W. W. Averell commanding.—First Massachusetts, First Rhode Island, Fourth New York, Sixth Ohio, Third Pennsylvania, Fourth Pennsylvania, and Sixteenth Pennsylvania.

Third Division, Brig. Gen. D. McM. Gregg commanding.—First Pennsylvania, First New Jersey, First Maine, First Maryland, Second New York, Tenth New York, and independent company.

The Reserve Brigade, Brig..Gen. John Buford commanding.—First United States, Second United States, Fourth United States, Fifth United States, and Sixth United States.

The regiment of Lancers, Sixth Pennsylvania, Col. R. H. Rush, will, for the present, act under special instructions from these and superior headquarters, [and] all detachments and details now serving away from their proper commands, unless especially excepted by instructions from general headquarters. Those regiments, squadrons, or troops not now serving with the divisions or brigades to which they have been assigned will be reported at once by their respective commanders for duty with their proper commands. Each division will consist of two brigades as nearly equal in effective strength as possible, the selections of regiments, &c., to be made by the division commanders; regard for efficiency superseding all other considerations.

III. The First Division, General Pleasonton, will constitute the right, headquarters near Aquia Creek Church; the Second Division, General Averell, the center, headquarters near Brooke’s Station; and the Third Division, General Gregg, the left, headquarters near Belle Plain. The Reserve will be encamped in the vicinity of general headquarters.

I. V. A detail of one squadron will be furnished to each of the corps of this army to act as orderlies, messengers, &c. The First Division will furnish the details for the Fifth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Corps; the Second Division for the Second and Third Corps, and the Third Division for the First and Sixth Corps. The details for these and general headquarters will be furnished from the Reserve Brigade.

V. The general commanding the corps is desirous that every legitimate means within the reach of the officers and men under his command may be made use of to fit and perfect themselves for the most vigorous and rapid movements. Requisitions have been made for packsaddles sufficient to supply the wants of the whole command, and the general gives this timely notice to all that it is his intention to dispense with the use of wagons in all active field service of cavalry.

V. I. All horses permanently disabled, or which cannot by the means of treatment be made available within a reasonable time, will be turned over to the quartermaster’s department after proper condemnation by competent authority.

By command of Brigadier-General Stoneman :