Today in History:

118 Series I Volume XLIII-II Serial 91 - Shenandoah Valley Campaign Part II

Page 118 Chapter LV. OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA.

CITY POINT, VA., September 20, 1864-2 p. m.

(Received 5.40 p. m.)

Major-General SHERIDAN,

Winchester, Va.:

I have just received the news of your great victory, and ordered each of the armies here to fire a salute of 100 guns in honor of it at 7 a. m. to-morrow morning. If practicable, push your success and make all you can of it.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

CITY POINT, VA., September 20, 1864-2 p. m.

Honorable E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

Let me urge now the appointment of General Sheridan as brigadier-general in the Regular Army. Please also direct the promulgation of the order appointing him permanently to the command of the Middle Division.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

CITY POINT, VA., September 20, 1864-11 p. m.

(Received 12.15 a. m. 21st.)

Major-General HALLECK,

Washington:

The Richmond Sentinel of to-day has the following:

A slight ripple of excitement was produced here yesterday by the report that a Yankee raiding party was advancing on Gordonsville and were within a few miles of that place. The result of all our inquiries on this head is that this report originated in the fact that early yesterday a party of Yankee raiders, whose number is not know, visited Rapidan bridge, and after destroying it proceed to Liberty Mills, five or six miles above, which they also destroyed. From this latter place they are supposed to have gone back to Culpeper.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

STRASBURG, September 20, 1864-9 p. m.

(Received 21st.)

Lieutenant General U. S. GRANT,

City Point, Va.:

I have the honor to report my command at Strasburg. My troops were so much fatigued by their work yesterday that I was only abe to follow the enemy a short distance south of Winchester last night. My infantry marched from Winchester to Strasburg to-day. I could not get ready to attack the enemy before night. Early was badly whipped yesterday. I have the not yet received full reports. The enemy left in Winchester over 3,000 wounded. We captured five pieces of artillery, a number of caissons, 4,000 stand of small-arms. My estimate of Early's loss yesterday is over 7,000. He lost the following general officer: Rodes and Godwin, killed; Gordon, * wounded mortally; Terry, Hays, Fitz Lee, and Bradley Johnson, wounded. General Ramseur reported by citizens as wounded; this is doubtful. My

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

*Error as to Gordon being mortally wounded.

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


Page 118 Chapter LV. OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA.