The President to the Secretary of War.

Sir: General Ulysses S. Grant having found it inconvenient to assume the duties specified in my letter to you of the 26th instant, you will please relieve him from the same, and assign them, in all respects, to William T. Sherman, Lieutenant General of the army of the United States. By way of guiding General Sherman in the performance of his duties, you will furnish him with a copy of your special orders to General Grant, made in compliance with my letter of the 26th instant, together with a copy of the instructions of the Secretary of State to Lewis D. Campbell, esq., therein mentioned. The Lieutenant General will proceed to the execution of his duties without delay.

Very respectfully yours,

ANDREW JOHNSON.

Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War.