“It is a long time since the battle of Five Forks was fought, and during the time that has elapsed the official reports of that battle have been received and acknowledged by the Government; but now, when the memory of events has in many instances grown dim, and three of the principal actors on that field are dead—­Generals Griffin, Custer, and Devin, whose testimony would have been valuable—­an investigation is ordered which might perhaps do injustice unless the facts pertinent to the issues are fully developed.

“My duties are such that it will not be convenient for me to be present continuously during the sessions of the Court.  In order, however, that everything may be laid before it in my power pertinent to such specific issues as are legally raised, I beg leave to introduce Major Asa Bird Gardner as my counsel.

“Very respectfully,

“P.  H. Sheridan, Lieut.-General.”

Briefly stated, in my report of the battle of Five Forks there were four imputations concerning General Warren.  The first implied that Warren failed to reach me on the 1st of April, when I had reason to expect him; the second, that the tactical handling of his corps was unskillful; the third, that he did not exert himself to get his corps up to Gravelly Run Church; and the fourth, that when portions of his line gave way he did not exert himself to restore confidence to his troops.  The Court found against him on the first and second counts, and for him on the third and fourth.  This finding was unsatisfactory to General Warren, for he hoped to obtain such an unequivocal recognition of his services as to cast discredit on my motives for relieving him.  These were prompted by the conditions alone—­by the conduct of General Warren as described, and my consequent lack of confidence in him.

It will be remembered that in my conversation with General Grant on the 30th, relative to the suspension of operations because of the mud, I asked him to let me have the Sixth Corps to help me in breaking in on the enemy’s right, but that it could not be sent me; it will be recalled also that the Fifth Corps was afterward tendered and declined.  From these facts it has been alleged that I was prejudiced against General Warren, but this is not true.  As we had never been thrown much together I knew but little of him.  I had no personal objection to him, and certainly could have none to his corps.  I was expected to do an extremely dangerous piece of work, and knowing the Sixth Corps well—­my cavalry having campaigned with it so successfully in the Shenandoah Valley, I naturally preferred it, and declined the Fifth for no other reason.  But the Sixth could not be given, and the turn of events finally brought me the Fifth after my cavalry, under the most trying difficulties, had drawn the enemy from his works, and into such a position as to permit the realization of General Grant’s hope to break up with my force Lee’s right flank.  Pickett’s isolation