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General Orders, No. 98 (U.S. War Department)

March 12, 1864

On March 12, 1864, the U.S. War Department issued General Orders No. 98, relieving Henry Halleck of his position of General-in-chief of the Army, promoting William T. Sherman to command of the Division of the Mississippi, and assigning James B. McPherson to command the Army of the Tennessee.

General Orders No. 98

War Department
Washington City, March 12th, 1864

The President of the United States orders as follows:

  1. Major General H. W. Halleck is, at his own request, relieved from duty as General-in-chief of the Army, and Lieutenant General U. S. Grant is assigned to the command of the Armies of the United States. The Head Quarters of the Army will be in Washington, and also with Lieutenant General Grant in the field.
  2. Major General H. W. Halleck is assigned to duty in Washington as Chief of Staff of the Army, under the direction of the Secretary of War and the Lieutenant General commanding. His orders will be obeyed and respected accordingly.
  3. Major General W. T. Sherman is assigned to the command of the Military Division of the Mississippi, composed of the Departments of the Ohio, the Cumberland, the Tennessee, and the Arkansas.
  4. Major General J. B. McPherson is assigned to the command of the Department and Army of the Tennessee.

By order of the Secretary of War

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