Col. Jubal A. Early to Col. Robert S. Garnett on the Need for Cavalry Arms

CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN MARYLAND, PENNSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA, AND WEST VIRGINIA FROM APRIL 16 TO JULY 31, 1861

CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. – CONFEDERATE

O. R. – Series I – VOLUME 2 [S #2] CHAPTER IX, p. 912

Lynchburg, Va., June 8, 1861.

Col. R. S. Garnett, Adjutant-General Virginia Forces:

Colonel: I received your dispatch to-day, and answered it in the same way, but imperfectly. There is no company of cavalry here fully armed. Two companies have double-barreled shot-guns, bought by their counties, but no sabers, and are but beginning to drill. There are two companies tolerably well drilled, with forty or fifty sabers each. One has no guns and the other a few. There are two other companies, one of which has about forty sabers and a few guns, just commencing to drill. There are about a hundred flint-lock pistols, which have been gathered from old companies. A number of sabers, of old patterns, have also been collected. All the companies want cartridge-boxes and cap-boxes. I have sent off to Henry County for some sabers and pistols which I am informed are there. All the companies here are well mounted, and would make fine companies if there were arms for them.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. A. EARLY,
Colonel, Commanding.