The weekly union record., 1865-12-09
General Grants Report.

The Chicago Tribune Of Dee 5th contains
al abstract of General Grants report upon the
operations OF the military forces OF the United
States from the time he assumed the chief
command TO the close Of the war. Il opens as
fellows:
From an early period of the rebellion.
became impressed with the idea that active
and continuous operations of all the troops
that could be brought into the field, regardless
OF storm and weather, were necessary to the
speedy termination of the war. The resources
OF the enemy, AID his commercial strength,
were far inferior 10 ours, but as al Offset 10
this, We had vast territory, with q population
hostile 10 the Government, TO garrison, and
long lines Of railroad communications 10 protect,
to enable os 10 supply the operating armies
In the East and West, our armies acted indie
pendeutly and without concert. like balky
team, never pulling together. The enemy had
great advantage, 10 his interior lines of com
munlcation, for transporting troops from East
10 west, reinforcing one army when most Wig
orousiy pressed, and furloughing large numbers
during seasons Of inactivity on our part, to 20
TO their homes aud do the work of producing
Tor the support OF his armies. The question
was whether our numerical strength and
resources were not more than balanced by
these disadvantages and the euemyS superior
position. From the first, | was firmly Of the
conviction that no peace could be had that
would be conducive TO the happiness Of the
people, both North and South, until the mill.
tary power OF the rebellion was entirely broken.
| therefore determined to use the greatest
number OF troops practicable against the armed
forces OF the enemy. preventing him from using
the same force at different seasons against first
one and then another of our armies, and also
the possibility of repose for reftting and pro-
ducng the necessary supplies for carrying Oh
resistance; and, secondly. 10 hammer continu-
ously against the armed forces OF the enemy
and his resources, until by mere attFitlon, If in
DO other way, there should be nothing left him
but au equal submission, with all sections OF
our common country, to the Constitution and
the laws of the laud. These views have been
kept constantly in mind and orders given To
carry them out. Whether they might have
been better in conception and execution it is
for the people who mourn the loss of friends
fallen, and who have 10 pay the cost, to say.
All can say is, that what have done has
been done coascienllously to the best of my
ability, and is what considered to be for the
best interests Of the whole country"
The report conclGdes as follows:
at has been nv fortaue to see the armies Of
the West and East fight battles, and from what
| have seen | know there is no difference il
their fighting qualities. Al that it was posi-
bic for men to do in battle they have done
The Western armies commenced their battles
in the Mississippi Valley. aud the Eastern
armies received fnal surrender of their old
antagonists at Appomattox Court House
Virginia. The spleudid achievements OF each
have nationalized our victories, and removed all
seasonal jealousy, of which We have unfortu
uately experienced too much. and The excuse oil
elimination that might have followed, had
either section failed in its duty All have Q
broad record, and all sections can well congrat.
ulate themselves and each other for having
done their full share in restoring the supremacy
OF the law over every foot of territory belonging
to the United States Let them hope for
perpetual peace aud harmony with that enemy
whose manhood, however mistaken the cause
drew forth such peculiar deeds of valor'