August 7, 1864
On August 7, 1864 the U.S. War Department issued orders to create a consolidated Union force in the Shenandoah Valley under the command of Major General Philip Sheridan. The order also expanded the Department of the Ohio.
General Orders, No. 240
War Department, Adjutant General's Office
Washington, August 7, 1864
1.. The Middle Department, and the Departments of Washington, of the Susquehanna, and of West Virginia, will constitute the Middle Military Division.
2..Major General P. H. SHERIDAN is assigned by the President to the temporary command of the Middle Military Division.
3.. The part of Kentucky west of the Cumberland river is transferred to the Department of the Ohio. The State of Kentucky will constitute a Military District of that Department.
4.. Brevet Major General S. G. BURBRIDGE is assigned by the President to the command of the Military District of Kentucky, with his brevet rank, and is authorized to exercise, under Major General SCHOFIELD'S direction, all the powers of a Commander of a Department which are not required by law to be exercised by such Departmental Commander.
BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR:
E.D. TOWNSEND,
Assistant Adjutant General.
