The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-05-25

D~sssc Oh Ftvo FOrko-00m0rol w arrears
Vsndicatton or his Conduct, SO.
TO rHB HDJrOR or rHB HERALD.
NIsssswn RIVER, May II. 1895
respectfully request the publication In your paper OF
this communication and accompanying letters relating
TO the battle OF Five Forks
tho only reasons have heard assigned for relieving
mo ~ thae time wore the surmtses OF newspaper
spondens, which there authority for But an un-
friendly spirit toward apparently dictated their sup
positions and they have done emuch injustice was
relieved only after the battle was over and whi,e At tho
mead OF my troops and wrcu not fugitive Of the
enemy was In sight i
personally sought OF General Sheridan reason for
his order but no would not could give ono and
declined to do oboyed tho order report TO General
Grant that night and was by him assigned 70 tho
mand OF The deences at City Point and Bermuda Hun
dred After the evacuation OF Richmond and Petersburg
was given the command OF the troops at the latter
place and along the South Side Railroad belonging the
Army OF the Potomac. When these troops
loved by troops from tho Army Of the James, left
In Petersburg awaiting orders then addressed letter
oopy sent hcrcwh), dated April 10 General Rawlns,
Chief OF Sta soliciting an investigation On the 22d Of
April sent another, requesting permission opubsh the
first one for the reasons set forth therein copy sent here
With On tho Cd Of May teegraphed Colonel Bowers,
Adjusnt General, TO ascertain IL these had been
during General Grants absence Orders have been sent
You (me) TO report here when you the General"
General Orders No rs, Of May T. assigning me to the
command OF tho Department of the Mississippi
view with General Grant received on the 9th OF Nav an
answer to my communications OF the 9th aud 22d Of
April, authorizing my publishing them and stating the
reasons FOR not granting the sought
copy of this letter Is sent herewith.
Having thus exhausted my means Of getting at tho
cause OF my being relieved by General Sheridan, pre-
sent che following brief operations on the
LIST Of April:
The operations Of the enemy on the 3ls OF March made
necessary for TO send portion OF my corps during
the night n support Genera, Sheridan cavalry which
had boon forced back 10 Dinwiddie Court House
One OF my divisions was thus compelled 10 march all
night after having fought all day. and tho rest OF the
corps moved towards the enemy that confronted the
Our presence the flank and rear OF the enemy COM
PEELED him 70 fall back rapidly to tho vicinity OF The Five
cavalry found him slightly In,renched there This force
proved TO be complete division Of the enomys infantry
and all the cavalry of Lee's army.
received order from General Meade, after Joining
General Sheridan to report to him for duty which did,
and the corps was halted by his direction at the point
whore Joined him, about eight O'Clock A. NJ AT one
O'Clock p. N. directed to bring up the corps 10
Gravey run church. distance of about two and three
form with two divisions In front and In reserve
to movc with the whole corps and attack and turn the
enemy's left flank on tho White Oak road.
My line was formed accordingly, Ayrcs the left In
three lines OF battle Crawford on the right In three
lines OF BATTLE and Griffin division In In
j.
ment then began General Ayers division became 6rst
engaged, wheeling TO tho left from facing north TO
also Wheeled 10 tho icft on General Ayres a. pivot but
owing TO the nature Of the ground and forests and the
greater distance 70 gain be lost his connection n ION
General Grid,n's division was placed These two
divisions steadily drove In the euemy's left flank
an IL gained the road leading north from the
centre Of The enemys position, when was wheeled to
to hold this road outlet for escape All three d.
visions now closed In upon tho enemy, capturing the
artillery that was attempting to move north and nearly
a the Infantry which their movements had thrown into
the greatest confusion SUCCESSFULLY followed the ope
General Crawford when the position taken. While
these movements above described were going on the
was facing SOUTH The onemy stu maintained the right
OF his limo confronting the cavalry after had swept
away his left and centre; but the Fifth corps erowding
along the limo without waiting to reform, captured all
who remained as II swept along was with the
treme advance In this last movement and relieved
then over and not even fugitive enemy In sight
Tho following are copies Of The letters herein referred
TO- Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
@. K. WARREN, Major General Volunteers
PETERSBURG, April %, 1865
To Colonel g. BowxRs, Adutant General Headquarters
Armies OF the United Stites:--
CoLoxEI>-I beg leave forward copy OF a.commun-
cation addressed TO Headquarters Armies Of the United
States on the 9th inst with the request be allowed
publish the same This will relieve and my friends
from an unpleasant relation to the public, will
many letters daily received and will prevent my silence
investg CATION that do not doubt will ia due time be
accorded 10 me Very respectfully your obcdent
want, O. K. WARREN, Major General Volunteers.
PrrgRsBuna, April 0, 1885,
To Brgadier General A. RA<uvs, Chief Of STAN Head
quarters, Armies Of the United States
GESErAL-The order OF General Sheridan TAX ng nom
me the command OF corps the evening OF the it
Of April, after the victory won assigns cause
and leaves open 10 the differences finding exprs
sion In the public prints and which are 10 every way
my prejudice
am unconscious OF having done nythng improper
unbccon Ing 10 position, or the character Of soldier
neglected any order duty. therefore respectfully
request full ipvestgat OF the mst tho
oxIgencies OF the service VIII admit make this appl-
cation now, while awaiting orders which deem the most
appropriate time, bit do Intend nor desire press
General until he can give IL his attention without inter
ferng with more important duties The ard already
shown me- in Immediately assigning No 10 another COM
mand tho I'd inst gives tho assurance he will not
deem an Intrusion 10 solicit opportunity 10 vndicao
the honor and reputation Of faithful soldier ~ tue
Union, who waits In silence under unmcrIted injury
I'LL such time a. his superior sha he ready W give him
bearing Very respectfully your obedient servant,
g. X. WARREN Major General vouDteera
HsaDovAKrsRs, ARsts oy THE CsIrsD SrATLs,
wAsHisCIos, May o, 1885.
To Major General q. X. WARREs:--
GsSBRAL-Your note requesting authority to publish
your application for investigation OF the grounds
upon which relieved the command or tho