Joseph R. West to John W. Davidson, September 6, 1864

. Little Rock, Ark., September 6, 1864. Brig. Gen. JOHN W. DAVIDSON, Chief of Cav., Mil. Div. of West Miss., New Orleans, La.: GENERAL: By the inclosed General Orders, No. 65, current series, headquarters Department of Arkansas, you will note my appointment as chief of cavalry.* Iam also instructed to reorganize a division of the regiments of cavalry serving in the District of Little Rock. Since the above-quoted order was issued I have been constantly in the field, operating against the rebels under General Shelby. I returned yesterday to assume the task of resurrecting the cavalry of this department from a state of utter chaos. There are no staff officers here whose services can be availed of to assist me, and selections from the line are rendered very difficult by the absence of qualifications among the scanty number of officers serving with their regiments. I may secure an assistant inspector-general, but that is all. Quartermaster, commissary, chief medical officer, and assistant adjutant-general are not to be procured. Your assistance is earnestly requested to relieve me from this dilemma. Every energy and ability that I possess shall be exerted to make the cavalry of this department efficient, but it is but just to myself that I should apprise you of the difficulties which present themselves in the way of immediate progress. I am, general,

very respectfully, your obedient servant,