HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION,
Kernstown, Va., November 29, 1864-12.45 p. m.

Major General HALLECK,

Chief of Staff:

I have just received the order relieving General Couch. Who is to be his successor?

P. H. SHERIDAN,

Major-General.

WASHINGTON, D. C., November 29, 1864-1 p. m.

Major-General SHERIDAN,

Kernstown, Va.:

Will not the information in regard to Gordon;'s division prevent the detachment of the Sixth Corps? The President and Secretary of War both think is useless to send it away at present. Please answer immediately, as I have ordered steamers here.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

KERNSTOWN, VA., November 1864-2.30 p. m.

(Received 3.30 p. m.)

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

Chief of Staff:

I do not myself feel insecure in detaching the Sixth Corps, but to be prudent, I thought it best to keep it here for a short time, but if General Grant is intending an offensive movement on Petersburg, I think it best that it should go at once. The chances are that Early is detaching.

P. H. SHERIDAN,

Major-General.

WASHINGTON, D. C., November 29, 1864-2.40 p. m.

Major-General SHERIDAN,

Kernstown, Va.,

General Cadwalader is the ranking officer left by General Couch. No assignment has yet been made. General Grant has recommended that it be united to the Middle Department.

H. W.. HALLECK,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

KERNSTOWN, VA., November 29, 1864-7.30 p. m.

(Received 9.30 p. m.)

Major-General HALLECK,

Chief of Staff:

Up to last Friday morning no troops had left Early except Kershaw's division, but artillery and reserve ammunition is reported on its way back to Staunton. Early has to get his forage from the vicinity of Lexington, and there is great gloom and great destitution in this