...l-in-chief (Halleck) would not consent, and Hooker, at his own request, was at once relieved of his command, and was superseded by Gen. George C. Meade on June 28. At the beginning of July, 1864, Maryland was invaded by the Confederates for the third time. The Confederate General Early had been gathering troops for the purpose in the Shenandoah Valley, and with from 15,000 to 20,000 men, of all ...