The fighting qualities of the men I have never seen excelled, and in this respect I can congratulate the whole command without distinction. I have, however, to deplore a disposition to pillage and plunder on the part of some of the men and a want of proper officering on the part of some of the officers to check this tendency. There seems to be a looseness of sentiment (not unusual to cavalry) in this respect in the command that is to be regretted, as it adds no luster to our cause, but rather mars the splendor of their military achievements.

While I cannot mention regimental officers without including all alike for their meritorious conduct on these two expeditions, I should not omit the important services rendered by the officers serving on my staff, Dr. Rivers. chief surgeon; Major Wetherill, acting provost-marshal; Captain Asch, acting assistant adjutant-general; and Lieutenants Allis and Monroe, aides-de-camp.

The following is a summary of the killed, wounded, and missing, on both expeditions, viz:

Troops Killed Wounded Missing Total

First Brigade 5 29 23 57

Second Brigade 9 31 4 44

Total 14 60 27 101

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

AUGUST V. KAUTZ,

Brigadier-General of Vols., Chief of Cavalry.

Major R. S. DAVIS,

A. A. G., Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina.

Field report of Kautz's Cavalry Division during May, 1864.

Troops Cavalry Artillery

Officers Men

First Brigade

Third New York Cavalry 756

First District of 352

Columbia Cavalry

Second Brigade

Fifth Pennsylvania 839

Cavalry

Eleventh Pennsylvania 857

Cavalry

Section 8th New York .............

Battery (two pieces)

Total 2,804

Troops Artill- Total

ery

Officers Men Officers Men

First Brigade

Third New York ........ ......... 26 756

Cavalry

First District ........ ......... 21 352

of Columbia

Cavalry

Second Brigade

Fifth ........ ......... 30 839

Pennsylvania

Cavalry

Eleventh ........ ......... 30 857

Pennsylvania

Cavalry

Section 8th New 1 34 1 34

York Battery

(two pieces)

Total 1 34 98 2,838

The numbers here given will include all of the number present for duty who can be equipped. Only such being considered on special, extra, or daily duty as are permanently detached on duty preventing their being made available.

AUGUST V. KAUTZ,

Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Commanding.

MAY --, 1864.