July 7, 1864
On July 7, 1864, the U.S. War Department issued General Order No. 225 reorganizing the 18th Army Corps and reaffirming William F. "Baldy" Smith as corps commander. Ten days later, Ulysses S. Grant sacked Smith for no stated reason.
U.S. WAR DEPARTMENT,
GENERAL ORDERS, No. 225
Adjutant General's Office,
Washington, July 7, 1864.
l. The troops of the Department of North Carolina and Virginia, serving with the Army of the Potomac, in the field, under Major General Smith, will constitute the 18th Army Corps, and Major General William F. Smith is assigned to the command of the Corps. Major General B. F. Butler will command the remainder of the troops in that Department, having his Headquarters at Fort Monroe.
II. Major General J. J. Reynolds is assigned to the command of the 19th Army Corps, as reorganized. This assignment will not affect General Banks' position as commander of the Department of the Gulf.
By order of the President:
E. D. TOWNSEND,
Assistant Adjutant General
;
