tire division was up and engaged in the battle at the time of
the assault, overthrow, and destruction of General Ewell's forces,
and my recollection is quite clear that General G. W. Getty's
Division of your corps did not arrive on the field in time for the
battle, I am certain Generals Ewell and G. W. C. Lee have fallen
into a grave error. We certainly captured more men in the Sailor's
Creek battle than Ewell and G. W. C. Lee say were engaged on the
Confederate side.

"Since the war, there seems to be a disposition to disparage the
Northern soldiers by representing a small number of Confederate
troops engaged with a very large number of Union troops. The above
is to my mind simply an illustration of what I find running through
the reports, letters, and speeches of Southern officers.

"As I am writing something from time to time in a fugitive way,
and may some time write with a view to a more connected history of
the war, in so far as it came under my personal observation, I
should be very much obliged to you if you will write me a letter
on this subject as full as you feel that you have time, and allow
me to make such use of it as I may think best. I wish I had a copy
of your report of this battle, etc. Where can I get it?

"Believe me yours, with the highest esteem,
"J. Warren Keifer."

"Washington, November 3, 1888.
"1203 N Street, N. W.
"Dear General Keifer:

"I have never seen or before heard of the report of General R. S.
Ewell to which you refer, in which you say he states that he was
informed at my headquarters, to which he was carried after his
capture at Sailor's Creek, 'that 30,0000 men were engaged with us
when we surrendered--viz., two infantry corps, and Custer's and
Merritt's divisions of cavalry--the whole under the command of
General Sheridan.'

"General Ewell was entirely mistaken in regard to the strength of
the infantry opposed to him. Instead of two infantry corps, there
were only two divisions--the First and Third of the Sixth Corps,
the Second Division not having come up till the battle was nearly
over, and taking no part in the fight. He may have been correct
as regards to two divisions of cavalry, though I had not supposed
it to be so strong. Its part in the battle was important, as, by
getting in the rear of the Confederate force, the latter, after
being broken by the infantry attack, and its retreat cut off, was
compelled to surrender. I never knew accurately the nu