The general replied to this, that he thought he had better be relieved entirely.

He said that General Halleck seemed so much to distrust his fitness for the position he was in that he thought somebody else ought to be there.

He did not want, in any way, to embarrass the cause; thus showing a patriotism that was none too common in the army.

There were not many major-generals who would voluntarily have asked to have the command of a department taken from them on the supposition that for some particular reason, or for any reason, the service would be better performed.

I told him, "very well then," and telegraphed at once for Sheridan to come to the Monocacy, and suggested that I would wait and meet him there.
Sheridan came at once by special train, but reached there after the troops were all off.