The New York herald., 1865-03-13
SHENAND DOAH.
General Emory Assigned to Command
the Army Of the Shenandoah.
The Importance the Enemy Places
Upon Lynchburg,

Mr.. Charles II. Farrelrs Despatch.
wrcsEsrEs, Va, March 9, lsSA
vsysxx ET0RY ASSIGNEE yo THE COMMAND OF TIE AMY
OF rfs SHENANDOAH
Major General Emor Of the Nineteenth army corps has
,ust assumed commzfd Of this department. Of the Middle
Military Division known the Army Of the Shenandoah.
Ths command comprises all the artillery, cavalry and
antry in the znse the points Of which Camberand
SH.rpcrs Ferry ssnd Winchester. General Emory has
already issued ngcnt but necessary orders for the gov
trade and the issuing Of passes residents
and ressnts in order TO prevent certain abuses
which oightssng ago to have been reneded There ID
already psrceptibe change for the good in Che depart
ment with che promise that when the new systsm Of
afars get irlyto work everything viii be conducted
accordingly regulations.
NEWS FROM Tue uprm VALLEY.
The from the upper valley fs to the effect
that nslriy all Of Rossers, Earlys, Wickhams and
Lomaxs troops have retired 70 the vicinity Of Lynch
barg leaving only small detschments 10 harass Union
troops that may come within their districts
IMPORTANCE PLACED uroS tYFcHBuRG.
Iynchburg is being strengthened by the addition Of
new forthcations; provisions being accumulated
there and there every indication visible that General
his eye that city OF the points to which
he will retreat, provided he s driven from the rebel
= citadel Richmond.
SUPPLYING DESTITUTE
The Shenandoah Relief Association has sent into this
department large quantity Of food for distribution
among the destitute and children Of the valley.
The distribution Of this timely bounty will take
placc the 10th inst, at Newtown, eight miles from
here under the direction Of Captain Gries Commssay
OF Subsistence.
During winter General Sheridan caused to be given
away large quantities OF supplies the destitute people
Of the valley the recipients coming distance
OF thirty forty miles The people of the valley still
dependent ever they find themselves at present
with scarcely enough to meet their daily wants
MASONIC BALL.
grand Masonic ball given here last night at the
Taylor House. under the auspices Of Brgadier General
Fcsscnden, commander of the post, who chairman
of the Ball Committee, and is a member Of the craft.
Drs Wagner and Hubbard, prominent Masons of New
York State, also on the committee Hiram Lodge,
No q, of Winchester well represented the
casion. II is matter worthy or record here that the
charter Of the above named lodge over ono hundred
ars old During the Revolutionary war Washington
frcqu ntly sworkcd with the craft Of this lodge The
ball was grand affair The beauty and elite Of the town
were present on this occasion.
am happy state that the general health OF the army
Is good Our hospitals have been nearly cleared Of
ents who have been sent TO the more commodous hos
pitas at Frederick, Baltimore and Washington. During
the winter there has existed contagious epidemic
disease. The surgical and medical staff OF the depart
discharged their duties with skill and energy,
and every member of this army feels grateful for the
in which their comforts and interests have been
attended to-
The Sanitary and Christian commissions also deserve
word of praise for the in which they have filled
their appropriate spheres The latter especially deserves
notice. Though less pretentious in its operations,
and not carried on In SO large scale as the for
mer yet wha, il does is done thoroughly and
enecuay. During the winter the Christian
Commission agent at this point Rev Mr. Bruckill with
his assistants have abored increasingly in our hospitals
In camp in the army chapels, mpartng such advice
and instruction to soldiers would tend to their
moral and spiritual welfare These efforts have not been
without good results they manifest in the interest
soldiers takes the religious services stated times
and in the appropr ate pla The Christian Commits
sion in the early part Of the winter put up large chapel
tents capable OF holding three hundred persons at
time, Summit Point, Scvenson's depot and this
place which religious services have been and still
tinue be held These meetings have been presided
over by delegates OF the Commission, and conducted
with proprety OF any Of city churches In add
this three tons OF religious and secular
literature have been given away