J. Spreadbury, March 18, 1865

No. 16. } White House, Va., March 18, 1865. I. A thorough inspection of their respective commands will immediately be ordered by division commanders, who will, without delay, report the number of horses needed to mount their commands, as also the number of unserviceable horses which will have to be sent to the rear (to the depot for recruitment).

I. I. All mules not authorized by orders must be turned out, and the number reported to be sent to the rear. The number allowed to remain with the command as pack animals must not be greater than that which moved from Winchester with the column.

I. I. Horses captured on the expedition must not be appropriated by officers, except in such cases as division commanders may see proper to give special permission. In all other cases they must be turned over to the men, and, together with all captured horses in the command, branded under the supervision of division and brigade inspectors.

I. V. It is expected that forges, with horseshoes and nails, will arrive to-morrow for the use of the command in shoeing, &c. In the meantime a careful inspection of the horses will be required in each regiment and such means taken as are possible to remedy, or at least to become acquainted with, all deficiencies now existing.

V. Y. All arms and ammunition lost or abandoned on the march will be charged to the men responsible for the same. Division commanders will at once report the number of unarmed men (if any) in their respective commands.

By command of Brevet Major-General Merritt: