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is the way in which they use enlisted men & U. S. horses. Men in numbers [underline] are put on all kinds of irregular duty - as for example, one absent from inspection [underlined from one to inspection] of D. Co. was reported to me as upon Daily Duty, mounted on a U. S. horse, herding [underline] the numerous private cars (15 I think) of Capt. Walsh & Lt. Pratt. Gray, Nordstrom & Spencer use men freely and with the officers of D. Co. ride public horses generally (tho' they keep private animals) and frequently drive [underline] them to the private vehicles sometimes two and sometimes four.

       The mount of my own company is the poorest of all.  I shall condemn at least fifteen horses, and leave several for another time.  Seven have died since you were here.  The company appeared better dismounted