July 17, 1863 (Saturday): Change of Command

General James S. Wadsworth

SPECIAL ORDERS         WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUT. GEN'S OFFICE
       No. 316                                      Washington, July 17, 1863.

   VI.  Brig. Gen. J. s. Wadsworth, U. S. Volunteers, is relieved from duty with the Army of the Potomac, and has leave of absence until further orders.

*

   By order of the Secretary of War:

   E. D. TOWNSEND,
   Assistant Adjustment-General.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 27, Part 3, Page 717.

Wadsworth performed admirably at Gettysburg on the first day in helping blunt the initial Confederate assaults west of town.  But his command was basically wrecked and he undoubtedly understood it would require considerable refitting before resuming action.  A civilian before the war, he choose to temporarily step back from the war for a time, but would return to command and be killed in the battle of the Wilderness the next year.