assignment of General G. H. Thomas to the command of the Fifth

Military District, General Sheridan to the Department of the

Missouri, and General Hancock to the Department of the Cumberland;

also your note of this date (enclosing these instructions), saying:

'Before you issue instructions to carry into effect the enclosed

order, I would be pleased to hear any suggestions you may deem

necessary respecting the assignments to which the order refers.'

"I am pleased to avail myself of this invitation to urge--earnestly