Learning of the gravity of the situation I had directed General Meade to also order Wright with the rest of his corps directly to Washington for the relief of that place, and the latter reached there the very day that Early arrived before it.  The 19th corps, which had been stationed in Louisiana, having been ordered up to reinforce the armies about Richmond, had about this time arrived at Fortress Monroe, on their way to join us.  I diverted them from that point to Washington, which place they reached, almost simultaneously with Wright, on the 11th.  The 19th corps was commanded by Major-General Emory.

Early made his reconnoissance with a view of attacking on the following morning, the 12th; but the next morning he found our intrenchments, which were very strong, fully manned.  He at once commenced to retreat, Wright following.  There is no telling how much this result was contributed to by General Lew Wallace’s leading what might well be considered almost a forlorn hope.  If Early had been but one day earlier he might have entered the capital before the arrival of the reinforcements I had sent.  Whether the delay caused by the battle amounted to a day or not, General Wallace contributed on this occasion, by the defeat of the troops under him a greater benefit to the cause than often falls to the lot of a commander of an equal force to render by means of a victory.

Farther west also the troubles were threatening.  Some time before, Forrest had met Sturgis in command of some of our cavalry in Mississippi and handled him very roughly, gaining a very great victory over him.  This left Forrest free to go almost where he pleased, and to cut the roads in rear of Sherman who was then advancing.  Sherman was abundantly able to look after the army that he was immediately with, and all of his military division so long as he could communicate with it; but it was my place to see that he had the means with which to hold his rear.  Two divisions under A. J. Smith had been sent to Banks in Louisiana some months before.  Sherman ordered these back, with directions to attack Forrest.  Smith met and defeated him very badly.  I then directed that Smith should hang to Forrest and not let him go; and to prevent by all means his getting upon the Memphis and Nashville Railroad.  Sherman had anticipated me in this matter, and given the same orders in substance; but receiving my directions for this order to Smith, he repeated it.

On the 25th of June General Burnside had commenced running a mine from about the centre of his front under the Confederate works confronting him.  He was induced to do this by Colonel Pleasants, of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, whose regiment was mostly composed of miners, and who was himself a practical miner.  Burnside had submitted the scheme to Meade and myself, and we both approved of it, as a means of keeping the men occupied.  His position was very favorable for carrying on this work, but