Early before I got back, and that even if he did Wright would be able

to cope with them both, I and my staff, with our horses, took the

cars for Washington, where we arrived on the morning of the 17th at

about 8 o'clock. I proceeded at an early hour to the War Department,

and as soon as I met Secretary Stanton, asked him for a special train

to be ready at 12 o'clock to take me to Martinsburg, saying that in

view of existing conditions I must get back to my army as quickly as

possible. He at once gave the order for the train, and then the