On the 2d of August, I ordered General Sheridan to report in person to Major-General Halleck, chief of staff, at Washington, with a view to his assignment to the command of all the forces against Early.  At this time the enemy was concentrated in the neighborhood of Winchester, while our forces, under General Hunter, were concentrated on the Monocacy, at the crossing of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, leaving open to the enemy Western Maryland and Southern Pennsylvania.  From where I was, I hesitated to give positive orders for the movement of our forces at Monocacy, lest by so doing I should expose Washington.  Therefore, on the 4th, I left City Point to visit Hunter’s command, and determine for myself what was best to be done.  On arrival there, and after consultation with General Hunter, I issued to him the following instructions: 

“Monocacy bridge, Maryland, August 5, 1864—­8 P.M.

“General:—­Concentrate all your available force without delay in the vicinity of Harper’s Ferry, leaving only such railroad guards and garrisons for public property as may be necessary.  Use, in this concentrating, the railroad, if by so doing time can be saved.  From Harper’s Ferry, if it is found that the enemy has moved north of the Potomac in large force, push north, following him and attacking him wherever found; follow him, if driven south of the Potomac, as long as it is safe to do so.  If it is ascertained that the enemy has but a small force north of the Potomac, then push south with the main force, detaching under a competent commander, a sufficient force to look after the raiders, and drive them to their homes.  In detaching such a force, the brigade of the cavalry now en route from Washington via Rockville may be taken into account.

“There are now on their way to join you three other brigades of the best cavalry, numbering at least five thousand men and horses.  These will be instructed, in the absence of further orders, to join you by the south side of the Potomac.  One brigade will probably start to-morrow.  In pushing up the Shenandoah Valley, where it is expected you will have to go first or last, it is desirable that nothing should be left to invite the enemy to return.  Take all provisions, forage, and stock wanted for the use of your command; such as cannot be consumed, destroy.  It is not desirable that the buildings should be destroyed—­they should rather be protected; but the people should be informed that, so long as an army can subsist among them, recurrence of theses raids must be expected, and we are determined to stop them at all hazards.

“Bear in mind, the object is to drive the enemy south; and to do this you want to keep him always in sight.  Be guided in your course by the course he takes.

“Make your own arrangements for supplies of all kinds, giving regular vouchers for such as may be taken from loyal citizens in the country through which you march.