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of my divisions from left to right, being with General Crawford when the position was taken.
While these movements above described were going on, the cavalry engaged the enemy along his whole front, which was facing south.
The enemy still maintained the right of his line, confronting the cavalry, after we had swept away his left and centre; but the Fifth corps crowding along the line without waiting to re-form, captured all who remained, as it swept along.
I was with the extreme advance in the last movement, and was relieved while there at seven P. M., the battle being then over, and not even a fugitive enemy in sight.
The following are copies of the letters herein referred to.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. K. Warren,, Major-General Volunteers.
General Warren to Col. Bowers.
Colonel: I beg leave to forward a copy of communication addressed to Headquarters Armies United States, on the ninth instant, with the request to be allowed to publish the same.
This will relieve me and my friends from an unpleasant relation to the public, will answer many letters daily received, and will prevent my silence being an injury to me. I can then patiently await the investigation that I do not doubt will in due time be accorded to me.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. K. Warren, Major-General Volunteers.
Request for an investigation.
Petersburg, April 9, 1865.
To Brigadier-General J. A. Rawlins, Chief of Staff, Headquarters Armies of United States:
General: The order of General Sheridan taking from me the command of my corps on the evening of the first of April, after the victory was won, assigns no cause, and leaves me open to the inferences now finding expression in the public prints, and which are in every way to my prejudice.
I am unconscious of having done anything improper or unbecoming to my position, or the character of a soldier, or neglected any order or duty.
I therefore respectfully request a full investigation of the matter as soon as the exigencies of the service will admit.
I make this application now while awaiting orders, which I deem the most appropriate time; but I do not intend nor desire to press the matter upon the consideration of the Lieutenant-General until he can give it his attention without interfering with more important duties.
The regard already shown me, in immediately assigning to me another command on the second instant, gives me the assurance that he will not deem it an intrusion to solicit an opportunity to vindicate the honor and reputation of a faithful soldier of the Union, who waits in silence under an unmerited injury, till such time as his superior shall be ready to give him a hearing.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, To Brigadier-General J. A. Rawlins, Chief of Staff, Headquarters Armies of United States:
G. K. Warren, Major-General Volunteers.
General Grant's reply.
General: Your note, requesting authority to publish your application for an investigation of the grounds upon which you were relieved from the command of the Fifth army corps, or to have the investigation, is received.
It is impossible at this time to give the court and witnesses necessary for the investigation, but I see nothing in your application objectionable to have published.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General.
The following report, it will be perceived, contradicts no statement of my letter of May 11. It is copied from the Army and Navy Journal:
Report of Major-General Sheridan.
cavalry headquarters, May 16, 1865.
General: I have the honor to submit the following narrative of the operations of my command during the recent campaign in front of Petersburg and Richmond, terminating with the surrender of the rebel army of Northern Virginia, at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, on April 9, 1865:
* * * * *
During the night of the thirty-first of March, my headquarters were at Dinwiddie Court House, and the Lieutenant-General notified me that the Fifth corps would report to me, and should reach me about midnight.
This corps had been offered me on the thirtieth instant; but very much desiring the Sixth corps, which had been with me in the Shenandoah Valley, I asked for it, but on account of the delay which would occur in moving that corps from its position in the lines in front of Petersburg, it could not be sent to me. I respectfully submit herewith my brief accounts of the operations of the day, the response to which was the ordering of the Fifth corps to my support and my command, as also the dispatch from the Lieutenant-General notifying me of his action.
I understood that the Fifth corps, when ordered to report to me, was in position near S. Dabney's house, in the angle between the Boydton Road and the Five Forks Road.
Had General Warren moved according to the expectations of the Lieutenant-General, there would appear to have been but little chance for the escape of the enemy's infantry in front of Dinwiddie Court House.
Ayres' division moved 