 Complete the following phrase:  As the Union Army drove the Confederates up the Shedoah Valley, General Lee, June 12, 1864, ordered Early and his corps to strike at the Union forces, proceed down the Valley and threaten Washington, with the hope of Grant diverting his forces in order to protect the capital. Outside Washington, Douglas rode by Silver Spring, Francis P. Blairs home, saw the house full of Confederate stragglers, and chased them away. It then became headquarters for Early, at least for a night. Having failed to make any permanent impression on the defenses of Washington, Earlys corps returned to the Shedoah, in order to fight Sheridans advancing army. General John B. Gordon took command of the Second Corps, November 11, with Douglas remaining as AAG. The corps was now transferred to the trenches of Petersburg, making a failed but bloody attack on Fort Stedman, March 25. Douglas now became commander of the much depleted Walkers Brigade, which he led at 