The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1866-01-10
GEN. GRANTS REPORT.
HDQRS. ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES,
IL ..-.-t.-.- u Il L..

HDQRs. ARMIES or THE UNITED STATES,
Washington, D.. t., Dec. IS, 1865
Has EtceIlency Il. .0htS0H President Of tie United
States Sir, in reply to your note of the 10th inst re
questng report from me, giving such information as
may be possessed Of coming within the scope Of the
inquiries made by the senate Of United States THEN
resolution of the 18th ins have the honor to submit
the following:
With your approval and also that of the honorable
secretary Of war, left Washington city the 9th Of
last month for the purpose of making tour of inspec.
ton through some of the southern States or States
lately in rebellion and to hat changes were neces
| sary to be made IN the disposition of the military
forces of the country-how these forces could be re.
dUccd and expenses curtailed &C. and to learn ma far
possible the feelings and intentions of the citizens
of those States towards the general government The
State OF Virginia being accessible to Washington
city and information from this quarter therefore being
readily obtained, fastened through the State without
conversing meeting with any Of its citizens In Ra
leigh N. C.. spent one day in Charleston S c. two
days; Savannah and Augusta Ca each one day Bothin
travelling and while stopping saw much and conversed
freely with the citizens those States, well with
hcers of the army who have been stationed among them
The following are the conclusions come to by me
am satisfied that the mass of thinking men of the
south accept the present situation of affairs in good
faith. The questions which have heretofore divided
the sentiments OF the people of the two sections
slavery and State rights or the right of State to Sc
tied forever BY the highest tribunal arms-that
can resort to- was pleased to learn from the leading
men whom Imet hathey not only accepted the decision
arrived at final but that the smoke of battle has
cleared away and time has been given for reflection that
THIS accession mas been fortunate the whole
country, they receiving the like benefits from it with
those who opposed them in the field and in the cause
-Four years of war, during which law was executed
only at the point of the bayone throughout the States
IN rebellion, have left the people, possibly in condi
ton not to yield that ready obedience to civil authority
the American people have generally been in the habit
of yielding This would render the presence Of small
garrsOns throughout those States necessary until such
time labor returns to its proper channel and civil
authority is fully established did not meet any one
either those holding places under the government or
l,Jpl
bic to withdraw the military from the south present
The white and the black mutually require the protec
ton of the general government.
There is such universal acguscence in the authority
of the general government throughout the portions of
the country visited by me, that the presence of
military force without regard to numbers is sufficient
to maintain order. The good Of the country and
omy require that the force kept in the interior where
there many freedmen elsewhere in the southern
States than at forts upon the coast force ne
cessary,) should all be white troops The reasons for
this are obvious, without mentioning any of them The
presence of black troops lately slaves demoralses Ia
bor both by their advice, and by furnishing in their
camps Il resort for the freedmen for long distances
around White troops genera.y cxc.se nc @nnosition.
and, therefore, NUMBER Of them can maintain
order IN given district Colored troops must be kept
in bodies sufficient to defend themselves II is not the
thinking mon who would violence towards any class
OF troops sent among them by the general government
but the Ignorant in some places might; and the late
slave to be mbucd with the idea that the proper
y Of his late master should BY rights belong to him
at least should have protection from the coored sol
dierS. There IS danger of collisions being brought on
by such causes.
Ny observations lead me to the conclusion that the
citizens OF the southern States anxious to
seltgOyernment within the Union as soon as possible
that whilst reconstrucng, they want and require pro-
tecon from the governments that they are in earnest
III wishing to do what they think is required of them
by the government--not humating to them as citi-
d if such course was pointed out thev would
pursue In good faith 1t is to be regretted that there
cannot be greater commngling at this time between
the citizens Of the two sections and particularly of
those entrusted with the law making power.
did not give the operations Of the freedmen's bu-
reau that attention which | would have done if more
time had been at my disposal. Conversations the
subject, however with officers connected with the bu
affairs have not been conducted with good Judgment or
economy and that the belief widely spread among the
freedmen of the southern States that the lands of their
former owners will at least in part be divided among
them, has come from the agents of this bureau This
belief is seriously interfering with the willingness of
the freedmen to make contracts for the coming wear
In form the freedmens bureau is an absolute ne
cessty until the civil Law is established and enforced
securing TO the freedmen their rights and full proec
ton AT present, however, it is independent of the
military establishment of the country, and seems to be
operated by the different agents of the bureau accord
ing to their individual notions. EVERYWHERE general
Howard the able head Of the bureau made friends bv
the just and fair instructions and advice he gave but
the complaint IN South Carolina was that when he left
things went on as before. Many, perhaps the majority
of the agents of the freedmens bureau, advise the
freedmen that BY their own industry they must expect
to i've. 10 this end they endeavor to secure employ
men for them and to that both contracting parties
comply with their engagements. In some instances
am sorry to say the treedman mind does not seem to
be dsabused of the idea that the freedman has right
to live without care provision for the future The
effect of the belief in division of land is ideness and
in camps towns and cities In such cases
think it viii be found that vice and disease will tend
o the determination great reduction of the colored
ace. 1t cannot be expected that the opinions held by
men at the south for years be changed in day
md therefore the freedmen require, for few years
lo only laws to protect them bat the fostering of
hose who will give them good counsel and in whom
hey rely.
The treedmen's bureau, being separated from the
military establishment of the country acquires all the
Expense Of separate organization One does not ne
eSSarlly know what the other is doing, or what order
hey are acting under. 1t seems to me this could be
DIRECTED by regarding every officer duty with troops
the southern States agents Of the freedmcns bu-
eau, and then have all orders from the head Of the
ureau sent through department commanders This
'ouid create responsibility that would secure uni
2rmty OF action throughout the SOUTH would insure
be orders and instructions from the head Of the bu
eau being carried out, and would relieve from duty
nd pay large number Of employees Of the govern
lcut.
have the honor TO be- very respectfully, your ODE
lent servant T. s. GrASr Lieut. Gen