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[729]

To the members of my staff, who so cheerfully on all occasions gave me their valuable assistance, who so industriously labored to execute every duty promptly, and who always behaved with gallantry, I return my sincere thanks. They all joined with me in the deep grief felt at the loss sustained by the army, and the friendly ties broken by the death of their fellow staff officers, Colonel Tolles, Chief Quartermaster, and Assistant Surgeon Ohlenschlaeger, Medical Inspector, who were killed while on their way from Martinsburg to Cedar creek, in October, 1864, and in that of the death of the gallant Lieutenant Meigs, my Chief Engineer, who was killed while examining and mapping the country near Bridgewater just above Harrisonburg. This young officer was endeared to me on account of his invaluable knowledge of the country, his rapid sketching, his great intelligence, and his manly and soldierly qualities.

I would also here especially mention the loss of two of my most efficient staff officers, Lieutenant-Colonels Kellogg and O'Keefe, both of whom died, after having passed through the dangers and privations of years of warfare; the former of fever consequent upon excessive labor during the campaign from Petersburg to Appomattox, the latter from wounds received at the battle of Five Forks.

The report of the march from Winchester to Petersburg, to engage in the final campaign, has heretofore been furnished, but I consider it, in fact, a sequel to this.

I attach hereto a abstract of ordnance and ordnance stores captured from the enemy during the campaign (the one hundred and one pieces of artillery being exclusive of the twenty-four pieces recaptured in the afternoon at Cedar creek), also a detailed report of my casualties, which are in aggregate as follows:

Killed, 1,938; wounded, 11,893; missing, 3,121; total, 16,952.

The records of the Provost Marshal, Middle Military Division, show about thirteen thousand prisoners (as per annexed certificate) to have been received by him, and receipts are among the records of the Assistant Adjutant-General, Middle Military Division, for forty-nine battle flags, forwarded to the Honorable the Secretary of War.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

P. H. Sheridan, Major-General U. S. A.

Headquarters in the field, Monocacy bridge, Md., August 5, 1864.
Major-General D. Hunter, commanding Department West Virginia.
General — Concentrate all your available forces without delay in the vicinity of Harper's Ferry, leaving only such railroad guards and garrisons for public property as may be necessary.

Use in this concentration the railroad, if by so doing time can be saved. From Harper's Ferry, if it is found that the enemy has moved north of the Potomac in great force, push north following and attacking him wherever found; following him, if driven south of the Potomac, as long as it is safe to do so. If it is ascertained the enemy has but a small force north of the Potomac, then push south with the main force, detailing, under a competent commander, a sufficient force to look after the raiders, and drive them to their homes.

In detailing such a force, the brigade of cavalry now en route from Washington via Rocksville may be taken into account.

There are now on the way to join you three other brigades of the best cavalry, numbering at least five thousand men and horses. These will be instructed, in the absence of further orders, to join you by the south side of the Potomac. One brigade will probably start tomorrow.

In pushing up the Shenandoah valley, as it is expected you will have to go first or last, it is desirable that nothing should be left to invite the enemy to return. Take all provisions, forage, and stock wanted for the use of your command. Such as cannot be consumed, destroy. It is not desirable that buildings should be destroyed, they should rather be protected, but the people should be informed that so long as an enemy can subsist among them, recurrences of these raids must be expected, and we are determined to stop them at all hazards.

Bear in mind the object is to drive the enemy south, and to do this you want to keep him always in sight. Be guided in your course by the course he takes. Make your own arrangements for supplies of all kinds, giving regular vouchers for such as may be taken from loyal citizens.

Very respectfully,

U. S. Grant, Lieutenant General. Official: T. W. C. Moore, A. A. G.

headquarters military division of the Gulf, office of the Chief signal officer, New Orleans, La., November 18, 1865.
Major-General P. H. Sheridan, U. S. Army.
General — I have the honor to report that the number of Confederate prisoners received by the forces under your command from August first, 1864, to March first, 1865, was about thirteen thousand The names of nearly that number are recorded on the books recently used in the office of the Provost-Marshal General, Middle Military Division.

Respectfully submitted,

E. B. Parsons, Late Provost-Marshal General, Middle Military Division. Official: T. W. C. Moore, Assistant Adjutant-General.

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