Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-05-20
RESRGANIzATI0N OFFHE ARMY OF
THE UNITED STATES.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES.
WASHINGTON Mnr LIZ -SGe

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE SITED STATES,
WASHINGTON. May l6, 500,
To THE HoN. f. NJ. STANTON, SEcRE-
TARY OF WAR: In view of the long delay
of the lower House of Congress in agreeing
upon plan of reorganization of the army,
| suitable to our present requirements, and
| the urgent necessity for early action, | am
| induced to present the matter to you Off
/ cially, and to ask the attention of Congress
| to il, believing that when they have the
matter fairly before them they will do what
should be done speedily.
At the present time settlements are spring
ing up with unusual rapidity in the district
of country between the Missouri river and
| the Pacific ocean, where heretofore the In
dian was left in undisputed possession. En-
igrants are pushing to those settlements and
to the gold fields of the Rocky Mountains
by every available highway. The people
hocking to those regions are citizens of the
United States, and are entitled to the pro-
lection of the Government. They are de-
veloping the resources of the country to its
great advantage, thus making it our inter-
est as well as duty to give them military
protection. This makes much greater
force west of the Mississippi than was ever
heretofore required.
A small military force is required in all
the States heretofore in rebellion, and itcan't
be foreseen that this force willnOt be required
for some time to come. 1t is to be hoped
that this force will not be necessary to en-
force the laws, either State or National but
the difference Of sentiment engendered by
the great war which has waged for fOuI
years will make the presence of military
force necessary to give feeling of security
to the people All classes disposed to obey
the laws of the country will feel this alike
To maintain order the Government has beer
compelled to retain volunteers, All the
white volunteers have become dissatisfied
and claim that the contract with them hSs
been violated by retaining them attei the
war was over, By reason Of this dissatisiac'
ton they are no longer of use. ana we mlgh'
as well discharge at once every one now re-
manning in service. The colored volunteer
has equal h hot "a 6ne % so ms ow iohg vii VII
the existing laws authorize the retention Of
this force, even if thev are content to remain!
The U. 5. Senate passed promptly bill fol
the reorganization of the army, which, il
my opinion, is as free from objection as any
great measure could possibly be, and which
would supply the requisite minimum force
1t gives but few thousand additional men
over the present organization, but gives a
large number of additional battalions and
companies.
The public service, guarding routes OF
travel over the plains, and giving protection
in the Southern States, demands the occupa-
ton of a great many posts For many of
them small company is just as efficient as
one with more men in it would be.
The bill before CongreSs-or the one that
has passed the Senate-gives increased num-
bers of companies by diminishing the mum
Der of rank and file of each comro"y.. 1t Is
an exceedingly appropriate measure III this
particular. for 1t provides for the increase
when occasion requires more men. The
company is the smallest unit of organiza-
ton that can be used, without materially
iniuring discipline and efficiency.
The belief that Congress would act prompt
ly in this matter, if their attention was call
ed to it, has induced me to respectfully ask
your attention to it. If you agree with me
in this matter, | would also ask if you deem
it proper that this, with such Endorsement as
you may be pleased to make, be laid before
Congress through the Speaker of the House.
Very respectfully,
U. S. GRANT, Lieut. Gen.