The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-06-05
GEN. Grant ON the Army.


The President sent a message to Con-
gress last week, enclosing the following
communication from Lieutenant General
Grant:
HEApa'Rs ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES,
WASHINGTON, D. C. May Is, 1856.
Hon. Z. NJ. Stanton, Secretary Of Var:
SIR: In view of the long delay in the
lower House of Congress, in agreeing
upon a plan Of feorganizationko f the ar
my suitable to our present requirements,
and the urgent necessity for early action,
[ am induced to present the matter to you
officially and to ask the attention Of Con-
gress to it, believing that when they have
the matter fairly before them, they will
do what should be done speedily.
At the present time settlements are
spriuging up with unusual rapidity in the
district Of country between the Missouri
River and the Pacific Ocean, where here
tofore the Indians were left in undisturb-
ed possession. Emigrants are pushing
to those settlements and to the, gold fields
of the Rocky Mountains by every ayaila-
BILE highway. The people focking to
these regions are citizens of the United
States, and entitled to the protection of
the Government. They are developing
the Of the country to its great
advantage, thus making it the interest as.
we'll as the duty to give them military
protection. This makes a much greater
force west Of the Mississippi necessary
than was ever heretofore required.
A small military force is required in all
the States lately in rebellion, and it cam
not be foreseen that this force will not be
required for some time to come. It is to
be hoped that this force will not be ne
~cessary to enforce the laws, either State
or national. But the difference Of SEN
timent engendered by the great war which
has ragged for four years, will make the
presence Of a military force necessary to
give a feeling of security to the people;
all classes of people disposed to obey the
laws of the country will feel this alike.
To maintain order the Government has
been compelled to retain volunteers. All
white volunteers have become dissatisfied,
and claim that the contract with them has
been violated, by retaining them after the
war was over. BY reason of dissatisfac-
ton they are no longer Of use, and might
as we'll be discharged at once.
The colored volunteer has equal right
to claim his discharge, but as yet he has
not done SO. How long will existing laws
authorize the retention Of this force, even
if they are content to remain?
: The United States Senate passed
promptly a bill for the reorganization Of
Che army, which, in my opinion, is as free
from objection as any great measure
could possibly be, and it would supply
the minimum requisite force. 1t gives
but a few thousand additional men over
the present organization, but gives a large
number of additional batteries and, com
p%anies. The public service, guarding
routes of travel over the plains and Civ
ing protection to the Southern States, de-
mands the occupation Of a great number
of posts.
} For many Of them a small company is
just as efficient as one with more men in
it would be. The bill before Congress OF
the one that has passed the Senate gives
, increased number Of rank and file Of each
company. 1t is an exceedingly appro.
pirate measure in this particular, for il
provides for the increase when occasion
requires more men. The company is the
smallest unit of an organization that car
be used without materially injuring dis.
cipline and efficiency.
The belief that Congress would act
promptly on this matter if their attention
was called to il, has induced me to respect.
fully ask your attention to it. If you
agree with me in this matter, I 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, your obedient ser
want, U. s. GRAM,
, Lieutenant General.