, 1862-12-27

Report OF Mr.. J. S. Rarey. the Army
Horse Inspector
The following has been received at the head
quarters Of the army:

The following has been received at the head
quarters Of the army:
WASHINGTON, D. C., Dec. 10, 1862
GEsEBAL: Pursuant to your orders, visit
ed the army Of the Potomac. Oh the 18th inst,
to Inspect the horses and mules in the cavalry,
artillery and teams of the ar1ny
The movement Of troops on that day, and
the engagement at Fredericksburg that fol-
lowed duTiEg the six days that I remained
with the army, geye me but little opportunity
to see the management Of the horse depart
!nent in detail, though had the opportunity
to see them on duty.
Eaying gone there very unfayorably I'M
pressed will accounts drawn from the dark
side Ct tic picture By those taking the rejected
and disabled horses Of fthe army as their stand
point, I found these animals in better condi-
ton than had expected. The mule teams,
with some exceptions, wcrcin good condition,
and / doubt if ever an army under similar cir
eanlstances NILS better provided for i'll this re-
s:ect-
Tie eaye1ry horses sufftr most, and many Of
them we're scarcely titfor service, The duties
tt;.t-they have to petform-eSc1rsions that
/ tclat times require from twenty -four to thirty
~iz hours without food or rest-the heavy
wight they have to carry, and the uuskillful
1n;s:ner in which they are ridden, makes it
almost impossible to be otherwise, except
the. were t1.atcd viii. the greatest care. The
artillery horses suiier much, but are a grade
better han the cavalry.
: The greatest abuse and destruction Of the
horses in Il,r army ia I believe, in the want Of
skill, Judgment and care Of the individual man
| to his individual horse. 4 more dilligent
| locking after Of this detail by the officers in
| charge would be highly beneficial: the good
| effects Of which has been seen, in some in
stances, where diligence has been exercised
with Judgment BY officers attending to this
important, but much neglected duty.
| The manner in which food Is given, where
only a srt3iciency is allowed, is highly import
| foot.
| believe that for cavalry service ona winter
t campaign, saddle blanket to cover the back
| and Joins Of the horse, to he left on when the
saddle is removed, would be Of great service.
The Arabs, who live more with thc horse than
| any other people, and who are older in horse
nlanship than any other nation in the world,
| never remove the saddle from the horses
back when on long journey Their saddles
back and loins Of the horse. They argue that
the Tital part, when heated by riding, should
never be made to feel the effects Of cold.
As one who 1ores the horse, who appreciate:
bis intelligence and keen scnsibiities, and cau
anticipate bis wants, T do most deeply dcplort
The detection Of spirit, suffering and loss 0!
life consequent upon the e1igences Of war
but while war RACES this law must continue.
In an army Of SO, eco horses, subjected tt
the service and exposure Of the army, t!ler,
uusl unnecessarily pe Largo peiccItlasc oi als
abled and diseased horses constantly aecumu
lating. 1t is ever so with the soldiers Of tht
army, who arc gifted with Intelligence AMI
reason, and whose first law Of nature is sci
preservation, and for the comfort and welfar.
Of whom the greatest energies Of the peopl
and the officers Of The army are eSerted.
How can it be otherwise with the horse
He is not invinciblo to exposure, which b
can scarcely bear as well as Elan, and wit
whom he must suffer alike, if not more, il
time Of war,
am happy to see the extensive hospital
! lately erected in this city to restore disable
horses. believe they are conducted on til
best and h,ost economical principle, snd will
| l:aye no doubt, be tile means Of Ies{oFin
thousands Of horses to the army, that will h
better on their second service than they wei
on their first.
Hoping that the government will, rs an at
Of humanity as we'll as economy, use ever
effort in its power for the protection Of th
!; noble animal, | remain, General, very trul,.
your obedient servant.
(signed) JoHN s. RARET.
To Maj. Gen. Ha1leck, Con1mauder-in-C Chi
United States Army, Washington, D. G.