J. Spreadbury to O. E, Babcock, March 18, 1865

Col. O. E, BABCOCK, Fort Monroe, Va.: The articles you require will be sent from here. They will leave in an hour. JNO. A. RAWLINS, Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.

FIELD ORDERS, H&ADQUARTERS CAVALRY, No. 15. White House, Va., March 18, 1865.

I. Division commanders will at once have each regiment in their respective commands inspected, and turn out all the negroes who have joined the cavalry during the expedition. This inspection will be most rigid.

II, There are many negroes employed by both officers and men on the march who cannot be allowed to remain with the command.

III. All negroes who have joined the command during the expedition will be at once collected by the provost guards of the different commands and sent to the north end of the railway bridge, where they will be taken in charge by the provost-marshal of these headquarters.

By command of Brevet Major-General Merritt: