Today in History:

69 Series I Volume XLVI-III Serial 97 - Appomattox Campaign Part III

Page 69 Chapter LVIII. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION.


HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, March 21, 1865.

Brigadier General JOHN A. RAWLINS,
Chief of Staff, City Point, Va.:

I would respectfully request to know whether under the provisions of Special Orders, Numbers 48, I am at liberty to permit family supplies to pass the lines I actually hold, under any circumstances. For example: I do ont hold Loudoun county, but have in my command two companies of cavalry composed of men from that county, whose families live in Loudoun and have been in the habit of getting supplies across the Potomac. The same is the situation in parts of West Virginia.

WINF'D S. HANCOCK,

Major-General.

HANCOCK'S HEADQUARTERS, March 21, 1865. (Received 7 a. m. 22nd.)

Major-General HALLECK,

Chief of Staff:

I learn to-night, through a dispatch from General Carroll, at Cumberland, that Major-General Crook has assumed command of t he Department of west Virginia, with headquarters are at this place, and I am in command by the assignment of the President. I have no other official knowledge of General Crook's being in this division. I have ordered him, if he has assumed command, to replace matters as he found them, and report at Frederick, Md., in arrest, and will prefer charges against him as soon as practicable.

WINF'D S. HANCOCK,

Major-General.

ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, March 21, 1865.

Major General WE. S. HANCOCK,

Commanding Middle Military Division, Winchester, Va.:

The Secretary of War directs that Major General George Crook be immediately relieved form command of the Department of the Cumberland and ordered to report without delay to Lieutenant-General Grant for assignment to a command. Acknowledge receipt.

E. D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

CUMBERLAND, March 21, 1865.

Brevet Brigadier-General MORGAN,

Chief of Staff, Winchester, Va.:

Understanding form General Carroll this evening that Major-General Hancock was unaware of my being reassigned to the command of this department, I transmit herewith the order under which I yesterday assumed command.*

GEORGE CROOK,

Major-General.

---------------

*See Townsend to Crook, March 20, p. 59.

---------------


Page 69 Chapter LVIII. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION.