George Stoneman to A. J. Alexander, February 15, 1863

No. 5. February 15, 1863.

I. In order to systematize and regulate the operations of the whole, and assign to each portion its proper share of duties and responsibilities, the disposition of the cavalry forces of this army will, uutil farther orders, be as follows: The region of country surrounding the army will be divided into four sections, and one section will be assigned to each of the three divisions and the other to the Reserve Brigade.

I. I. General Pleasonton (the First Division), will have charge of the country lying south of the Occoquan River and Cedar Run, and extending as far south as the southern branch of Aquia Creek, his pickets to be pushed well to the front and as far as circumstances will permit. General Averell’s (Second) division will have charge of the country south of the southern branch of Aquia Creek, and between this line and the railroad, regulating his right by the left of General Pleasonton. The Reserve Brigade will, in addition to its other duties and details, have charge of and picket the Rappahannock between the railroad and Carlin’s Creek.

III. General Gregg’s (Third) division will connect on his right with the left of the Reserve Brigade, and have control of the country between the Rappahannock and Potomac Rivers.

The commanders of divisions and of the Reserve Brigade will concentrate their commands in the vicinity of the points indicated in General Orders, No. 4, from these headquarters, without delay, and establish their lines of pickets to-morrow.

By command of Brigadier-General Stoneman :