E.D. Townsend to E.D. Townsend, March 22, 1865

March 22, 1865. General TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant-General, War Department: Your dispatch of 9.20 of the 21st was received at 8 this morning. I notified Major-General, Halleck at 9.50 last night that Major-General Crook had been ordered to proceed in arrest to Frederick City. I regard General Crook as guilty of a gross breach of discipline, inexcusable in a soldier of his experience, and which might have led to Serious consequences, as he was exercising my command for twentyfour hours without in any manner notifying me, nor had I received any notice of the intention to place him in such command. I will direct him to report in person at once to General Grant, suspending his arrest for that purpose. I presume General Crook is on the way to Frederick, and his orders will meet him at that place. WINF’D S. HANCOCK, Major-General of Volunteers. ADJUTANT-GENERAL’S OFFICE, March 22, 1865. Major-General HANcoox, Commanding Middle Military Division, Winchester, Va.: Dispatch received. It was not certainly known where General Crook was. General Grant requires his services immediately, and the order was sent him direct to go on duty to avoid delay. General H. E. Paine is here waiting orders. What orders do you wish given him? [t is supposed General Schurz had an understanding with you about him.

E. D. TOWNSEND,