tected, but the people should be informed that so long as any army 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, [Inclosure No. 2.] U. S. GRANT, Abstract of ordnance and ordnance stores captured from the enemy by the U. S. Forces commanded by Maj. Gen. P. H. Sheridan, campaign of the Shenandoah Valley, Va., * For this communication, as quoted by Grant, see Vol. XXXVI, Part I, p. 29. 2 Abstract of ordnance and ordnance stores captured from the enemy, &c.-Continued. I certify that the above is a correct statement of ordnance and ordnance stores captured by Major-General Sheridan and turned over to the Ordnance Department for reissue up to the 1st day of January, 1865. GEO. W. MCKEE, First Lieutenant of Ordnance, U. S. Army, Chief Ordnance Officer, Middle Military Division. [Inclosure No. 3.] List of casualties in the U. S. Forces commanded by Maj. Gen. P. H. Sheridan, campaign in the Shenandoah Valley, Va., 1864. HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE GULF, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SIGNAL OFFICER, New Orleans, La., November 18, 1865. GENERAL: I have the honor to report that the number of Confederate prisoners received by the forces under your command from August 1, 1864, to March 1, 1865, was about 13,000. 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. Maj. Gen. P. H. SHERIDAN, U. S. Army. ADDENDA. HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, Brig. Gen. L. THOMAS, Adjutant-General U. S. Army: GENERAL: I have the honor to forward herewith as complete a field return as is possible at the present time. The most strenuous exertions are being made by me to obtain a full return, but the difficulty in obtaining such from the commanding officer Department of West Virginia, because of his command covering so great an extent of country, has so far prevented. The inclosed return does not include the cavalry under Averell (about 2,500) or the troops of the Departments of Washington, Susquehanna, or Middle. I simply forward it you as a statement, showing the number of men for duty south of the Potomac, hoping soon to furnish complete all reports required. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, P. H. SHERIDAN, *For revised statements of losses at the Opequon, Fisher's Hill, and Cedar Creek, see pp. 112, 120, 131. [Inclosure.] Field return of troops in the field belonging to the Middle Military Division, September 10, 1864. a Artillery, cavalry, and infantry. Major-General SHERIDAN, Winchester, Va. : P. H. SHERIDAN, Major-General, Commanding. EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, September 20, 1864. Have just heard of your great victory. God bless you all, officers and men. Strongly inclined to come up and see you. A. LINCOLN. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, September 20, 1864. (Sent 8 p. m.) Major-General SHERIDAN, In the Field: Please accept for yourself and your gallant army the thanks of the President and this Department for your great battle and brilliant victory of yesterday. The President has appointed you a brigadier-general in the Regular Army, and you have been assigned to the permanent command of the Middle Division. One hundred guns were fired here at noon to-day in honor of your victory. EDWIN M. STANTON, HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES, In the Field, City Point, Va., September 22, 1864–10 p. m. Major-General SHERIDAN, Strasburg, Va.: I congratulate you and the army serving under you for the great victory just achieved. It has been most opportune in point of time *So in original. The addition of the column is 2,225, which, if the factors are correctly stated, would make the "aggregate" 45,509. and effect. It will open again to the Government and to the public the very important line of road from Baltimore to the Ohio, and also the Chesapeake Canal. Better still, it wipes out much of the stain upon our arms by previous disasters in that locality. May your good work continue is now the prayer of all loyal men. U. S. GRANT, WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, October 12, 1864. (Sent 9 p. m.) Major-General SHERIDAN: This Department again tenders its thanks to you, and through you to Major-General Torbert, Generals Merritt and Custer, and the officers and soldiers under their command, for the brilliant victory won last Sunday by their gallantry over the rebel cavalry in the Shenandoah Valley. Under gallant leaders your cavalry has become the efficient arm in this war that it has proved in other countries, and is winning by its exploits the admiration of the Government and the country. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. Major-General SHERIDAN: EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, October 22, 1864. With great pleasure I tender to you and your brave army the thanks of the nation and my own personal admiration and gratitude for the month's operations in the Shenandoah Valley, and especially for the splendid work of October 19, 1864. Your obedient servant, ABRAHAM LINCOLN. GENERAL ORDERS, WAR DEPT., ADJT. GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, November 14, 1864. Ordered by the President. II. That for the personal gallantry, military skill, and just confidence in the courage and patriotism of his troops, displayed by Philip H. Sheridan, on the 19th day of October, at Cedar Run, whereby, under the blessing of Providence, his routed army was reorganized, a great national disaster averted, and a brilliant victory achieved over the rebels for the third time in pitched battle within thirty days, Philip H. Sheridan is appointed Major-General in the U. S. Army, to rank as such from the 8th day of November, 1864. By order of the President of the United States: |