Philip H. Sheridan to John A. Rawlins, March 21, 1865
Bvt. Maj. Gen. J. A. RAWLINS, Chief of Staff:
GENERAL: I send to-day to City Point, under command of Colonel Coppinger, Fifteenth New York Cavalry, 1,200 cavalrymen, armed and equipped, to be mounted on horses which the lieutenant-general notified me could be furnished. I find over 2,100 horses which had to be condemned, and will be sent to Giesborough Point. Nearly a!l these horses are affected with the hoof rot and will not be serviceable for some time tocome. This, of course, dismounts that number ofmen. There is to be added to this over 1,000 dismounted’ men who came in on foot and on mules, so that my cavalry force will be diminished over 3,000. A great exertion should be made to get horses to City Point.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Major-General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac,
March 21, 1865—11.25 a. m.
Ohief of Staff, Armies of the United States :
The following telegram received from General Sheridan is respectfully
referred to you for the information of the lieutenant-general command- ing. Ihave not telegraphed to Major Price. I wrote to General Sheridan, and sent same by Captain Lincoln, that it would be impossible to