As the Union Army drove the Confederates up the Shenandoah Valley, General Lee, June 12, 1864, ordered Early and his corps to strike at the Union forces, proceed down the Valley and threaten Washington, with the hope of Grant diverting his forces in order to protect the capital. Outside Washington, Douglas rode by Silver Spring, Francis P. Blair's home, saw the house full of Confederate stragglers, and chased them away. It then became headquarters for Early, at least for a night. Having failed to make any permanent impression on the defenses of Washington, Early's corps returned to the Shenandoah, in order to fight Sheridan's advancing army. General John B. Gordon took command of the Second Corps, November 11, with Douglas remaining as AAG. The corps was now transferred to the trenches of Petersburg, making a failed but bloody attack on Fort Stedman, March 25. Douglas now became commander of the much depleted Walker's Brigade, which he led at Sailor's Creek and at the last battle of the civil war in Virginia, at Appomattox Court House, and at the final surrender.