Theodore Read to R. M. Wesv, March 17, 1865

Col. R. M. WEsv, Commanding Cavalry Division :

COLONEL: You can carry out your plan proposed of crossing the White Oak Swamp and taking a position between Bottom’s Bridge and Richmond. At the same time you make arrangements to leave if General Sheridan has any force on the north side of Chickahominy in New Kent County. The report of guns heard may have been from some other quarter than Bottom’s or Long Bridges and from some other force than General Sheridan’s. In case you do not hear any reliable intelligence of General Sheridan or his parties by to-morrow morning in New Kent or vicinity, you can return with yourcommand. General Grant has no information that General Sheridan is at present in New Kent or is with his parties attempting to cross the Chickahominy, but is very desirous to communicate with him and give him such aid and supplies as he may need or his advance parties may require, should they be near that river.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,