CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING SPECIALLY TO OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, AND PENNSYLVANIA, SEPTEMBER 1, 1864, TO DECEMBER 31, 1864.*

UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.

CITY POINT, VA., September 1, 1864.

(Received 3.40 p. m.)

Major General P. H. SHERIDAN,

Charlestown, Va.:

Some refugees who left Richmond last night are just in. One, an intelligent young man of Northern birth, says that on last Sunday he met an acquaintance of his who has long been a sutler in the army; that he knew of his having gone some time ago to Early, in the Valley, with a supply of tobacco. He says that when they met on Sunday the sutler told him that all of Early's troops were on their way back. He does not know what point they had reached on their return, but the fact of the whole force returning was spoken of as if there was no doubt about it.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

CITY POINT, September 1, 1864-9 p. m.

Major-General SHERIDAN,

Charlestown, Va.:

The frequent reports of Avarell's falling back without much fighting or even skirmishing, and afterward being able to take his old position without opposition, presents a very bad appearance at this distance. You can judge better of his merits than I can, but it loads to me as it time to try some other officer in his place. If you think as I of in this matter, relieve him at once and name his successor.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

CHARLESTOWN, W. VA., September 1, 1864-9.30 a. m.

(Received 1.30 p. m.)

Major-General HALLECK,

Chief of Staff:

Avarell, who was at Martinsburg, was obliged to fall back to a point between Hainesville and Williamsport. I think that he will be able to advance again to-day. The two division sent to the rear have not yet

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* For Correspondence, etc., August 4, 1864, see Part I, p. 681, et seq.

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